Finger Painting

Mitch got a picnic table from Pa (my dad) for his birthday. We put it out on the deck, and he can make as big of a mess as he wants to out there. He finger paints, water colors, plays with playdo (or maydo as he calls it)... He loves it! For his teacher, Miss Regina, he painted a picture frame with finger paints, and even painted some "wrapping paper" for it. It really turned out cute. He was really proud of it, and couldn't wait to give it to "Miss 'Gina". Here's a picture of the artist at work, and the finished product. And yes...he's a little eccentric like most great artists. He's painting in his underwear!

Dennis the Menace

For some reason, Mitch always ends up needing a change of clothes when he stays at his friends Tabitha's house for any amount of time. This time was no exception. My friend (and neighbor), Cynthia (a.k.a. Tabitha's mom), kept Mitch for me for a couple of hours a few weeks ago. When I got there to pick him up, he was in size 24 month overalls (at least they were boys...last time they were girls) and "going commando". You would think I would learn to pack a change of clothes. After eating pizza for dinner, he looked just like Dennis the Menace, running around in the too short pants and food all over his face with no shoes on. I couldn't look at him without laughing. It's just too cute!

Here's one of Mitch and Tabitha "eating" (I use that term loosely).

I'm not sure which one looks more like a "menace" in this one! :)

So Proud!

I know it's been a while again. I keep trying to wait until I can sit down and catch up on everything, but I am now convinced that time will never come. So, I'll work on it in bits and pieces.

Jack was selected to participate in the Duke TIP program. To qualify for the program, he had to score in the 95th% on the national norms of a standardized achievement test. Once in the program, he was given the opportunity to take the ACT. Keep in mind, he is just in the 7th grade. He scored a 21 on the ACT, and qualified for a special award by doing so. Wow! I was impressed! We're hoping for lots and lots of scholarships by the time he takes it for real! Jack has always worked really hard in school and enjoyed learning, and we are so proud! Here's Jack getting his award (and being way too cool)!

I'm a sucker for my boys

I took Mitch and Jake to have their 3 year (Mitch) and 6 month (Jake) pics today. You cannot even begin to imagine how many pictures I now have! I also got the CD with all of the pictures on it. Here are some of them.

Doctor Updates

It is official now...Jake is a BIG baby! At his 6 month appointment yesterday, he weighed in at 18 lbs, 10 oz! (That is almost 3 pounds heavier that Mitch was at 6 months!) He was 28" long. That puts him in the 75th% for weight and 90th% for height. Dr. Moss said everything looked great. He gave Jake a prescription cream for his Eczema on his face because he is scratching it until it bleeds during the night. That cream is amazing stuff...it cleared up almost completely after ONE DAY! But, the best news all day was... NO HELMET!!! :) Most of you know that this was the visit that we would find out if Dr. Moss thought Jake's flat spot on his head (from the torticollis early on) would round out on its own, or if he would have to suffer through a head shaping helmet. Well, once again, God was sooooo good to us, and it is rounding out on its own, and we don't have to put my sweet, happy baby in a helmet!

Mitch also had his 3 year check-up yesterday. He is such a trooper! He weighed in at 32 lbs and 2 oz. and was around 37-38 inches tall (I think - need to call dr. to confirm that one). He was in the 50th% for both. The nurse had to do a finger prick on him, and he didn't even cry! What a tough little guy! Dr.Moss even said that he has all of the appropriate bruises in all of the right places for a 3 year old little boy (complete with black eye and all)!

Funny story....My mom (Mimi) went with me since I scheduled both boys together, and she had Mitch doing all of the stats stuff while I had Jake. She was telling me later that he did the hearing test and his hearing was great. Mitch, with perfect comedic timing, piped up with, "What you say?"! I just love it! :)

6 Months Old Today!

I can hardly believe it! Jake is already 6 months old, and what a joy he is! He is just the sweetest little guy in the whole world (and I'm not at all biased)! When he smiles, it just melts my heart. I have never seen a sweeter smile. I remember laughing at Mitch's smiles, because he always looked like he was up to something (and still does, by the way)... not Jake!

Let's see...what all can I tell you about him at 6 months? For starters, he's always moving. He can't even sit still to eat. Because of that, I am officially no longer nursing. He nursed for the last time yesterday. Way to go me... exactly 6 months! :) It is really a challenge to get him to finish a bottle, especially if he hears any kind of distraction.

He is also very mobile. He will roll anywhere he wants to go, usually under the coffee table. That seems to be his favorite place these days. He's trying to crawl, and he can manage to scoot a little with a whole lot of effort. Mostly he just looks like he is swimming in place.

He's also a little piggy. He eats cereal and a jar of fruit for breakfast, a veggie for lunch, and a veggie and a fruit for dinner, plus his bottles. And he will let you know it when he is ready to eat!

He's turned into a great napper. He takes about a 2 hour nap in the morning and the afternoon, when we are home. When we are on the go, he catnaps in his carrier all day. He is still a great night-time sleeper also. He goes to sleep around 7pm and wakes up around 7am.

He LOVES to jump! He already has a favorite toy (his giraffe). He smiles every time he hears Mitch's, Jack's or my voice. He's already learning that Mimi's house is a pretty cool place to be. Unfortunately for him, he HATES loud noises! Gary and Mitch growling at each other can send him over the edge. He doesn't like his Bumbo seat. And, finally, he reaches for anything and everything, and puts EVERYTHING in his mouth!

I believe that about covers it. Jake has his 6 month check up and Mitch has his 3 year check up on Friday. I'll let you all know what the doc says about my wild men after their appointments!