Landen's Activity Seat

Landen likes his activity seat! Check out the pictures & video below!

Well-Child Check Ups

Last Tuesday, We took the kids in for their well-child check ups. (Darren's 15 month & Landen's 4 month) It went well. Darren has definitely reached the I don't like the doctor stage of toddlerhood, but Dr. Johnson reassured us that it should start to fade around 3 years of age. Tony thought it was quite funny that I had so many questions for the doctor (12 to be exact), but I always think of questions between doctors appointments so I jot them down on a piece of paper on the fridge. Dr. Johnson was very patient with me, and answered all my questions.

Darren's new measurements are:
Weight - 21.15 (which is in the 25%)
Height - 31 (which is in the 50%)
Head C. - 18.5 (which is in the 50%)

He has an ear infection so now he's on antibiotics, but he doesn't mind he thinks they taste yummy. He took a little dip in his weight when he started walking, but he's gaining weight again so they're not worried. He has started getting us up between 6:00-6:30am, which we found out is normal for his age. We also asked if he could have nightmares, because a couple of times he woke up screaming and we couldn't figure out what was wrong. The answer.....YES.....toddlers can have nightmares. I guess they dream that they couldn't find mommy or daddy, they fell down, or the world ran out of milk! :) Darren has reached a new milestone in eating. The only things he shouldn't eat are things that could be choking hazards; like nuts, peanut butter, raisins, whole grapes, raw vegetables, etc.

Landen's new measurements are:
Weight - 15.7 (which is in the 50%)
Height - 26 (which is in the 90%)
Head C. - 16.5 (which is in the 25 -50%)

Landen checked out well. He's growing and developing right on schedule! After talking with the doctor, we've decided to wait until he's 5-6 months old to start solid foods. I would like for him to have a little more head control before we start this new phase. We were concerned about Landen's feet. When he stood up they would curve outward, but Dr. Johnson said this was normal for his age and he should grow out of it. I was also concerned because Landen will not go to sleep unless he's swaddled. I expected him to have outgrown this desire by now. The doctor told us just to keep swaddling him until he doesn't like it anymore. There's nothing wrong with him. We should also start putting him to bed drowsy but awake. I attempted this a couple nights ago, but after he cried for 40 minutes and didn't seem to be calming down I just got him up and rocked him to sleep. We will try again this weekend! I ordered a new cloth seat for our activity seat! It should arrive in about 4 - 6 weeks (it was on backorder), just in time for Landen to start using it! This is a fun stage, when you start to watch them learn to play.

Also, Both kids had to get shots! Landen did well as I expected. We just gave him a bottle right afterward! It works every time! Darren did much better then I expected. I thought he would just throw a complete fit, but he recovered fairly quickly! That's my big boy! :)

They go back for their next check ups at 6 months (July) and 18 months (August).

In Need of Advice

I love being a stay at home mom! As a mom, I feel that my first & foremost "job" is to care for my children. Unfortunately, after lots of thought it looks like we need more than just Tony's income. I'm trying to find ways to bring in some income while still staying home with the kids. If anyone knows of any ways, please let me know. Due to the price of childcare (esp. for 2), I think a part-time position outside of home would almost be pointless; & I really don't want to work full-time. I'm afraid I would miss so much of the kids milestones & fun things they do while they're alert & happy during the day. I really need every ones help on this! Please let know if you know of anything I could do! Thanks in advance for all your help!

Selena

Milestones & Our Trip to Kentuckiana

We recently took a trip back up to Kentucky/Indiana to see our dear friends. We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone! I found, though, that traveling with two kids is tough business! Our plan was to leave at 4am on Monday morning, but Darren came down with a fever Sunday evening. We had to take him to the doctor Monday, and get the "ok" to head north (which of course we did). We stopped Monday night at a hotel, which was miserable!!!! Darren wouldn't sleep at all!!!! But we got up the next morning, and traveled the rest of the way. Despite all the troubles in the beginning, it turned out to be a GREAT week! In the process of caring for the kids, I forgot to take very many pics :) Here's the two that I did catch.

Kristen & Landen

Darren playing basketball with Jacob

Also, Landen has reached some big milestones! His head control is getting really strong, and He rolled over yesterday!!!! Yep, He rolled from his back to his tummy all by himself! He'll be rolling across the room before I know it! :) Also, He has started to grab his toys on the bouncy seat. It's so cute!

Grins & Giggles

Landen is giving us big, beautiful smiles!

Easter 2009

This was Landen's first Easter, and Darren's first Easter egg hunt. It was a wonderful weekend! On Friday, we had an egg hunt & supper at Tony's parent's house. Darren discovered that hard boiled eggs can be mashed! Once he discovered that he ruined about 4-5 eggs. He would have messed up more, but I stopped letting him grab them! On Saturday morning, we had breakfast with my parents. Darren always enjoys playing with their dogs, and Landen loves catnapping with Aunt Chelsey! Saturday afternoon there was an egg hunt at the church. This time Darren was hunting plastic eggs...they weren't near as messy! He picked up 2 eggs...one for each hand...and was perfectly happy! Landen hung out in the stroller, and with Daddy during the hunt. He just enjoyed being outside...he loves it outside and I love taking him outside! Sunday morning I got the boys all dressed up (well as dressed up as you can get boys). They both got to wear new outfits to church. The service was wonderful. It made you reflect on where you've been and where you're going. All in all, we had a busy but fun filled weekend!

This was the first egg Darren put his thumb through!

Saturday at Grandpa's

This past Saturday we went to Eastman to celebrate Tony & my dad's birthdays. Darren fell in love with the ice cream as you can see! My dad gave him a little and he started asking for more...eventually he decided that papa wasn't fast enough so he would grab the spoon as soon as the ice cream was dipped and shove it in his mouth. It was quite funny! Darren has started to try to run. I've posted a video of him "running" down the driveway. He fell that same day and skinned his knee for the first time, but it didn't phase him. I don't think he even realized what happened. Landen enjoyed the day as well. He took a nice catnap with Aunt Chelsey on the couch. Landen has started to smile at us! It's adorable! I hope to get a picture soon, but you know how kids are (as soon as you pull out the camera they stop doing whatever was cute). My dad & sister, Chelsey, have the boys until Tuesday, because Tony & I are taking the youth to six flags tomorrow (& it's supposed to be a high of 50 degrees-that's crazy for south georgia). I'm sure the boys will come back very spoiled!

It looks like Darren's going to play football!