My girl

Hold my hand mom.

Oh my big girl Amelia. She has had a year of hard changes in our family. She's not the baby. Her best buddy, William, started kindergarten. Mama is distracted by the demands of a new baby, working and keeping up with household responsibilities. I'd be lying if I said its been easy. We've been working through a rough patch with her.

Yet, when I step back and look at all the change and upheaval in her life, I can't blame her for being a little more demanding than usual. A little more stubborn than usual. A little more sassy than usual.

So yes. Yes, I'll hold your hand big girl. Now and always - as long as you want me to. Just to remember the sweetness you are capable of.

Fall party!

William had a fall party at school on Thursday and we were able to arrange our schedules for the mama to attend! Two days in a row at school for the big boy made for a happy mama!

Gemma tooth 1 &2

I've been able to feel the little ridges in her mouth for about 3 days and today I can see them without use of a flashlight.  It is official: we have teeth!

Gemma's 1 &2 tooth: 10/10/12

F word

Grandpa and Grandma were visiting this weekend and on Saturday morning John and Grandpa were hanging around with the kids while Mama and Grandma scored some deals from our subdivision garage sale.  This story was related to me by Grandpa and confirmed by John.


The kids were playing when William suddenly piped up to announce "I know the F word!!!"

Amelia: You do??  Tell me!
John: (mentally) Uh oh....looks to father in law
Grandpa: (mentally) Uh oh....so glad I get to play the grandpa on this one


....the silence continues....

John: (mentally) think of something!  Distract him!


William: "It is......"

John/Grandpa: Oh no, oh no, oh no.....


William: FELIPE!!! FELIPE starts with F!  Isn't that great Daddy?  Grandpa?

John: Huge relief

Grandpa: ??What??

Gemma's 4 month dr visit

Gemma had her 4 month well visit with our pediatrician today.  We didn't have any concerns going in and the doctor didn't have any concerns on the way out.  The highlights:

Height:27 inches (110%ile for kids her age)

Weight 16 lb 9.5oz (94% for kids her age)

We talked about how she is a great size and growing well.  While discussing her weight, the dr asked how much formula we were giving Gemma and I got to say NONE.  NONE EVER. (Nothing against formula, we just haven't needed to use any and I'm proud.  It's been more work this time devoting the time and energy to nursing a baby. ).  He gave us the go ahead to start solid foods if we want.  We talked about waiting and he was fine with my plan to start roughly around 6 months old.

Gemma is doing very well physically.  The doctor was very impressed with her gross and fine motor skills.  She showed off a little when he put her on the exam table by promptly rolling over when he was reaching for his equipment.  Luckily, I was right there to keep her from rolling too far!  He also liked how well she is sitting up and bearing weight on her feet/legs.  He even went as far to say he felt she was roughly 2 months ahead of schedule for the growth motor development - just what mama likes to hear!  At this point, I asked if her supreme gross motor skills now would allow her to run without tripping over her own feet or hit a home run in a baseball game at the age of five.  He was not willing to commit to either one of those, so we'll just have to be happy with what we have: a very healthy baby girl!

 Our poor girl got her shots and we were on our way.  Hopefully we have a quiet night as this Mama is up late!

William!

I had the pleasure of joining William's class today in their field trip to the local fire station. We walked from the school and I very much enjoyed getting to spend some special time with my big guy.

While walking out of the building, we joined up with 4 other kindergarten rooms. Suddenly, I was in a chorus of "William!" "William!" "William" "William!" From all sides. Kids from many different classes were calling his name. I turned to William and said "Wow William! You sure do have a lot of friends here today!" William half nodded and then went back to his in depth conversation with another boy about Legos.

William's teacher overheard this exchange and nodded at me with a big smile on her face. "William is a pretty popular guy around here," she commented to me.

With much relief, I am now putting a huge worry to rest. We went into this school year not knowing any of his classmates and only one (1) other kindergartner (who was not assigned to his class). I worried countless hours about him making friends, establishing relationships and finding his way socially.

Apparently, he is fine. In fact, I'm happy to report, William is a pretty popular guy.

Look mom!

I'm swimming with my intertube on (Boppy)!

*photo from this summer