6 Months and 2 Years

Kate is now 6 months old. She went in for her check-up today. She is 22 pounds, 11 ounces (99%ile), 28 inches long (98%ile) and her head is 17.5 inches around (92%ile). She is learning and growing so quickly. She is able to roll from her stomach to her back. She is a food critic, using her tongue to see what we are having her try before she will open up and eat. Kate does not have any teeth, but I believe she is working on them now. She loves her brother, Max. She watches him and plays with him. She rarely cries if he bumps, pulls, or tries anything with her. She is sitting fairly well. She still goes in for therapy a couple of times a month. Kate likes to watch TV. She loves her blanket. She grabs her toes with her hands all the time. She is beautiful, and we love her so much.

Max went in for his 2 year appointment today. He was very excited to see the doctor. Max is 27 pounds (38%ile), 35 inches long (70%ile), and his head is 19 inches around (39%ile). He is learning so much every day. He loves tractors, cranes, fire trucks, ambulances, garbage trucks, balls, books, Curious George, Signing Time, and swimming. He is a great eater. He loves oatmeal pancakes, waffles, tomatoes, avocados, berries, bananas, and fresh baked bread (to name a few things). His favorite dessert (aka "special") is fruit snacks. We cut his pacifiers in half today, as he is getting a bit old to have one. He loves his blanket, and puts the tag in his ear. Max loves his little sister, Kate, and will tell her to "be happy" when she is crying/sad. He can play independently, but loves to play with someone as well. We love our handsome boy.

Happenings

Life has been busy around here. I find that life is just that way. There is always something to be done. Today has been extremely productive for me. I got up at 4:30 this morning, nursed Kate, and headed out the door for an 8 mile run. Rob has been appointed my "coach". On Sunday, we figure out what my running schedule will be for the week, and then I have a goal and am able to do the runs. I am really trying to drop my weight. Since being pregnant with Kate, I have lost 60 pounds! Yeah, I was fat. I still have 18 pounds to go to get to my goal weight. I am feeling like it is a doable goal. Anyways, after the run, I was able to get the bathrooms cleaned, and the main floor dusted and polished. Max was awake when I got back, but he is a great helper. Eventually Kate woke up, I got laundry started, I fed the kids, we went to the doctor for Kate (she has thrush... again... so we had to go see a doctor to get her a stronger prescription), went to the grocery store, finished cleaning the house, made bread, browned meat, unloaded the dishwasher, and started preparations for dinner. While I was changing Kate's diaper, Max got really quiet. As a mother, I am always suspicious of what is going on when things are quiet. When I found Max, this is what I saw. I am guessing he tried the salt, didn't like it, so he moved onto the sugar! He told me, "Yummy Mommy!"

On May 26, Rob had his birthday. Max was fascinated by the candles, and would smile for the picture, but wouldn't look at the camera. He couldn't look away!

It has been super hot outside lately- like high 90's with 85% humidity. When we aren't at the pool, I have to find things for the kids to do indoors. Max has always loved playing in the beans, and now Kate does too! Kate hated the beans for a long time. We were told to get them as part of her physical therapy. You see, Kate hated taking baths (which she doesn't anymore!). The temperature change on her arm would make her cry and cry. We would rub the beans all over Kate, especially her arm, to overstimulate her. Then when she got in the bath, she wouldn't scream so much. I haven't used the beans for a long time with Kate, but I thought I would let her try them again. She LOVES them! She would try and "splash" them with her hand (only her right, not her left). It was fun for the kids to play in them.

I was invited to play on a 3v3 soccer league this summer. It is a short season, only 4 weeks long. Each week I have a couple of games, and then the last week we play a tournament. It has been a lot of fun. Rob, Max, and Kate have been great to come and cheer me on. Last week was so hot, but we had still had a great time. Max loves to "dribble, dribble, dribble, pass" the "yah-ko" ball with me.

Kate loves to grab her toes. I usually help her get her left ones, but then she will just hang out, holding her toes, for quite some time. I think it is pretty dang cute. Love this girl!

I think those are all the major happenings around here. Life is busy.