We're still here...

My hope is to update the blog this weekend...but in the meantime, I thought I'd post that we are still here...barely!

First of all thank you to everyone that has called, emailed, texted and prayed for my dad. I am happy to report that he is feeling stronger each day...but still could have a battle ahead of him. You can keep up on his progress and Marcia's as well at http://www.charleswfromhold.blogspot.com/.

I owe a HUGE thank you to Amy for all her help during our emergency visit to Olympia a couple of weeks ago. There aren't many people in your life that you can call on, with just a few hours notice, and ask them to drop everything to help you. I am so thankful that I have friends that I can count on and know that I would do the same for them. Thank you Amy -- you were my angel that week (K misses you)!

Kenleigh turned 6 months on Monday...wow, where does the time go? She has her 6mo check up tomorrow, so I will update with her latest stats. You can count on her to be big and bigger. She's not slowing down yet!

With all the difficult things we are dealing with right now, a picture like this is in order. She just makes me smile...and I hope she makes you smile too. :)

More this weekend!

5 months, Kristi, Peas and a Hobo!

We just wrapped up the 3-day weekend. Why is it when you have small children long weekends actually feel long? I remember before I had kids they just flew by...not so much these days! :)

We had a great weekend with a visit from Kristi Kendall! Kristi and I met in college during an HRA class. We walked home together that day and by the time we were half way across campus we were ready to move to Boston together! Although neither of us never moved to Boston we have stayed the best of friends through many moves and life changes. Kristi was one of my bridesmaids and will forever be one of my favorite people. Anyone who knows her knows she is quick to put a smile on your face. I miss you Kristi!

Last week we also celebrated Miss Kenleigh turning 5 months old! She is up to 17lb and has started eating peas. She likes them (no surprise I am sure)!

5 month photo - still happy!

I thought it was funny that when we got out the peas to feed Kenleigh, Cole decided he also needed peas. Unfortunately we were out of peas, so he got corn. Later all that corn you see was on the table and floor. Awesome.

I had to throw this one in to add to the funny file of Cole's life. The outfit's he puts together sometimes scare me. This was Monday morning, blowing bubbles in: Handy Manny hat, Elmo holiday jammies and Daddy's sneakers. Looked like a homeless man to me!

It's not a party, until...

Seriously, these kids make me laugh. Thank goodness for potty training and Cole wearing underpants or this picture never would have been. Here are the kids on Super Bowl Sunday wearing "hats!"

Cole really is a great big brother. He watches closely and learns quickly. Here he is carrying his Elmo from Grandma G in the Bjorn!

The kids were both in brown and grey stripes on Sunday so I thought it would be a great photo opp. Then I remembered it's impossible to get a good pictures of 2 kids ages 2 and 5 months. Here is my attempt!

Saturday at the park!

Seems that Cole gets all the action these days! Soon Kenleigh will get to enjoy the park from outside the confines of the jogging stroller! Love the kids in their weekend wear...both are wearing Puma track suits!

While Daddy's away...

Shawn is out of town in Tucson for a project interview, so it was just me and the kids last night. I am a little out of practice with Cole's bathtime/bedtime routine as ever since Kenleigh was born we divide and conquer. Obviously I get Kenleigh duty since I am the only one that can feed her. So...last night I started the bath for Cole, he requested Elmo bubbles, so I followed orders and might have put in just a tad too much. He LOVED it!

We tried cereal with Kenleigh a few weeks ago and she just didn't get it. Deciding it was too early and she wasn't ready we took a few weeks off. Tried it again on Sunday and she digs it! She ate it all up and was actually shoving my hand with the spoon in her mouth. Just wait until she gets "real" food...!

The update on Kenleigh's sleep (this is more for my memory as I haven't kept baby books for either kid), she is now doing a 10 hour stretch. She is up to eat at 10 hours and then back down for another 3 hours. Thank you K...mommy loves you!

Can't believe our big girl will be 5 months old next week. She was at the doctor yesterday and weighs 16lb 14.5oz. She is still so fat and happy and gets attention everywhere she goes. People just cannot resist her big cheeks. So different than skinny little Cole! She is a busy gal getting ready to roll over from back to front. She mastered front to back over Christmas. She can sit up on her own with her hands holding her up (tripod) for a few minutes and is really starting to dig some of her toys. Loving this stage and looking forward to more milestones with her.

Cole continues to be hilarious saying things we just can't believe. The other day I was feeding Kenleigh and he came up and pointed and said, "Mommy's milk?" I said, yes...to which he replied, "that's Spicy!" He's a very polite little boy saying good bye to Daddy's truck each morning and has recently started saying goodby to the Christmas Tree as well, which is being stored in the garage. He still asks about Santa and Snowman at least 3 times a week. For those that are curious...Santa is on vacation and Snowman melted. My sister thinks it's cruel that I just didn't say Snowman was on vacation too.

You make me smile...

Finally! Who would have known that food was all it would take to get this girl to smile on camera. Yesterday was the maiden voyage with rice cereal. Yes, a little early I know...but I am convinced this 16lb big baby girl is hungry. I am pulling out all the stops in an attempt to get her to sleep through the night. I forgot that the first time you try and feed them cereal they really don't know what to do with it. Most of it dribbled down her chin and was pushed out by her tongue. We will try again tonight!Oh...and she didn't sleep through the night, but she did an 8 hour stretch. Thank you Kenleigh...next stop, 10 hours please!


Food makes Cole happy too, especially when it's food from Red Robin. His latest request...french fries and ketchup. Must not be my kid...ranch only please.

Why so serious?

I spend a lot of time talking about what a fat happy smiling baby Kenleigh is. Now...if I could just take a picture that proves it! My camera just doesn't take pictures fast enough for me to prove the demeanor of this baby is delightful! The smiles and laughter that come out of her bring a smile to anyones face that is around her. Today at the doctor she even smiled through 3 of her 4 shots. I couldn't believe it...Cole would and still does cry just seeing the needle. They are so different!

So...today is Kenleigh's 4 month birthday. Wow, hard to believe 1/3 of her first year is over. I have spent most of the past 4 months wishing her to get through the baby-baby stage quickly. There are so many things about the beginning stage that are difficult. Now I am starting to look at her and realizing how fast it's all going and knowing I am not going to have another baby I know I need to start savoring every moment.

Here are the 4 months stats:

Height: 25 1/4" (90 percentile)

Weight: 16lb (90 percentile)

Head: 16" (50 percentile)

It's interesting that Cole at 4 months was 15lb 7oz and 25 3/4" and those were both 50 percentile for a boy. Amazing how different the charts are for boy/girl!

I loved this picture, thinking it sums up how life will be between brother and sister. Years will be spent with Kenleigh yapping away at Cole and he will be ignoring her. HA!