Emily's 6 month check up

Today Emily had her 6 month check up. Where has the time gone! She weighed in at 13 lb 14 oz (12th%) and measured 25.5 inches (36%) in length. She received some immunizations but as usual did really well with them. Her clogged tear ducts have improved quite a bit. We are really hoping that this continues so she does not need to have any procedures in the future to correct the problem. The doctor was very pleased with her developments to this point.

Big girl on the exam table at her doctor visit

We gave Emily some rice cereal right around 5 months and she was not that into it. I waited a couple weeks and tried again. She seems to be enjoying it now. We gave her avocado as her first solid food. She really liked it! Last night we added banana into the mix. She seemed a bit unsure then but tonight she really liked it. She is sitting up on her own for very short periods. She loves when we stand her up on her legs. She rolls all over the room now. She is extrememly spoiled and wants to be held most of the time. I've been trying to get her on a nap schedule which is hard because just as she falls asleep it seems like there is always somewhere we need to go, like take Jackson to school or run an errand for example, so she ends up cat napping in her car seat most days. The past two days she has taken an afternoon nap at the same time as Jack! I sure hope that continues, although Jackson seems to be giving up the afternoon nap (not by my choice though!). Emily still sleeps great at night. I put her to bed around 8 p.m. and she sleeps until about 6:30 or 7 a.m. She just adores her brother, always watching him and laughing at his silly actions.

6 month photo shoot this morning

This is how I find her in the crib most mornings



On the move.....again!

Well, we just completed our 4th move within the last two years. I'd like to think that this was the last one.....for awhile anyway! When we came back to the Charlotte area back in January we had the idea that we would move before Jack starts kindergaten, in two years, to get into a better school zone and to upsize a bit. Just for fun we had been searching the realty websites and had even gone to an open house or two. Toby stumbled upon this house and just for kicks called the realtor so we could come take a look. About a week later we were under contract to purchase the home! We then scrambled to get ours on the market. Fortunately for us, ours sold in 6 days!! We close on it in a week. This past weekend we moved into our new home. It will be a work in progress over several years.We are in the process of having the interior painted. The house is located in a neighborhood that we have always longed to live in. Its on a beautiful, private wooded lot that happens to back up to Jacksons preschool. The creek out back already has a bridge and a path leading to the school. We think it will be a great house and neighnorhood for the kids to grow up in. The elementary school is located within the neighborhood! We look forward to all of the memories that will be made in this house!

Toasting to our new home after closing

The front of the house from the street

The back of the house

Memorial Day 2013

We spent Memorial Day with Toby's parents in Ft. Walton Beach. Its quite a log journey to get there but always worth every minute. The kids were great in the car, and the whole weekend for that matter. We spent the weekend eating, drinking, boating, kayaking, and just relaxing. It was a quick trip as we headed down on Saturday and came back Tuesday. Jackson had a blast especially fishing off the dock with his Toy Story fishing rod. Emily enjoyed spending a lot of time outside, laying on a blanket in the beautiful weather.

Happy Memorial Day!

 

 

Big girl loves it when we stand her up

Relaxing with grandma

These three spent practicially the whole weekend in the water

Relaxing in the back yard

All the activity and fresh air wore her out!

First time on the boat although, we ended up not going out on the water that day due to mechanical issues

Dont worry, the kids got this

She wasnt loving the life vest at first but then she got used to it

First dip in the salt water

Jackson loved riding on the kayak, and trying to paddle too

Preschool fun and friends

We wrapped up Jacksons first year of preschool (well 5 months really because he didnt start until we moved back to NC in January) this past Friday. We absolutely loved Jackson's teachers, Niza and Michelle. They made us feel right at home from day one. Jack's classmates and their parents are great as well! It seems as if Jack has fit right in with the other kids. We have been getting together with several of them outside of school. Us parents are concerned about how we will keep the kids busy over the summer so we set up a play date schedule. Jackson is also signed up for a few summer camp sessions which run Tues-Thurs at his school. Each week has a different theme!


First day at Sardis Weekday School back in January
 

The last day

 

With Mrs. Niza at the end of year picnic

With Mrs. Micelle. Not sure why he looks so unhappy here because he just adores her.

Recently we met up with some of Jackson's school friends at Lazy 5 Ranch. Its really cool because you get to ride through the ranch on a wagon while the animals walk right up to you.

Ready to roll

Feeding the animals...

We feel very fortunate to have found such a great school for Jack that not only he loves but we do too! We look forward to his next two years at Sardis Weekday School.

Mothers Day 2013

What a wonderful day I had celebrating with my TWO loves this year, and of course, Toby too! We spent the day at a nearby park flying kites, playing on the playground, watching Jack ride his bike, and just relaxing on the blanket, listening to music with Emily. The weather was absolutely beautiful. It was the kind of day that makes me so happy to live here in Carolina. On our way home from the park that afternoon we stopped for an early dinner at one of my favorite pizza places.

Just relaxing in the park

Getting ready to fly his kite

Daddy doing double duty on Mothers Day

The Wednesday before Mothers Day, I got to have breakfast with Jack at his preschool. The tables in the classroom were complete with place settings for each mom. We ate breakfast and then watched the children sing a couple of songs. After that we made sunglasses together. I left the school that morning feeling so loved and so proud to be Jack's mommy!

My place setting

My handsome boy

Modeling our new sunglasses

Motherhood is definitely not easy. The sacrifices made are endless. It can be extremely frustrating and exhausting, but days like these make it all worth it!

4 month check up

On Monday Emily had her 4 month check up. Due to insurance changes with Toby's new job we had to select a new pediatrician at a different practice. So, now Emily has had 3 different doctors in her 4 months of life! The appointment went well. She weighed in at 12 lb 8 oz and was 24 inches long. She falls in about the 20% for both height and weight. She got 3 immunizations-one oral and two shots. She did great with them once again. She still has her goopy eyes from the clogged tear ducts but her new doctor also asssured us that the issue will probably resolve itself before she turns a year of age. Lets hope so!! We were given the ok to start rice cereal soon. The doctor told us that by the time she comes back for her 6 month visit she would like to see her on rice and one fruit or veggie. At this point, I will probably wait until she is 5 months to start rice.

New developments: Emily is now rolling from stomach to back, reaching for and grabbing objects, and sleeping in her crib in her own room. That last one was a tough one for momma. I held on for a  long time. Jackson was in his crib by 3 months of age. She was starting to look a bit uncomfortable in the pack n play and I had given her a nap in the crib which she seemed to enjoy. It has now been 3 nights and she has done great-still sleeping from about 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. without interruption! Another thing Emily does is laugh uncontrollably at the dogs, Sugar and T.J., when she sees them running around and playing. I've been trying to catch it on video without success. Story of my life! I have yet to get her rolling over also.

Arm pit shot on the exam table

Just some random photos from the past month...

Dimple!

Clean little lady bug after her bath

 

Jackson found this Spider man costume in his closet. He wore it for about a week straight.

 

Jackson wanted Emily to wear the mask

 

Enjoying the Bumbo seat

All smiles with daddy

They are both so peaceful looking when they sleep, so is the house!

Jackson loves to help mommy with baby Emily