Healthy kids ... and for that, I am thankful.

Both Abby and Levi had routine checkups today with Dr. Nold, or as Abby so nicely calls him ... "Dr. Old." It's hard to believe that Little Miss had her 3 year checkup ... hard to believe that in just a few short weeks, I will have a three year old. Crazy! Little Man had his 4 month checkup while we were there. It's true what they say ... time passes more quickly once you have kids. I can hardly catch a breath, time is moving way too fast!

Abby did great and was helping Dr. Nold the whole time. She certainly was not shy and was ready for her checkup from the moment we walked into the office. Even after a shot, she held back the tears and just said "Ow, that hurt me!" and moved on with wanting to play doctor.

Levi was also a good sport about his checkup, although he was quite unhappy about his shots. Poor thing! We had several questions answered and are in agreement that Levi will most likely need to wear a helmet. I've been taking Levi to Johns Hopkins for physical therapy and have been extremely happy with our physical therapist. Ms. Julie has helped tremendously, giving us exercises and stretches to help with Levi's rotation and tilt of his head. I didn't realize torticollis could be such a tricky thing to correct. Levi is definitely making progress, but I'm not sure it's enough. He's at a great age for the helmet and it would help correct his flatness and ear asymmetry quicker than if we were to wait. I'll meet with the PT later this week and discuss the options we have.

So here are the stats on my lovies ...

Abby is weighing in at 34.5 pounds, putting her in the 50-75th percentile for weight. She is 37 inches tall (50th percentile) and is beautiful, sassy, and full of energy. :)

Levi is weighing in at 15 pounds 12 ounces, putting him also in the 50-75th percentile for weight. He is 27 inches long (95th percentile!!!!) and is handsome, cuddly, and full of smiles. :)

Greatest stat of all ... two happy, healthy children ... and for that, I am thankful!

Family fun :)

A couple of weeks ago, Jim's brother, wife, and their girls visited us in Baltimore. We had an action packed week that kept us quite busy. Although I must admit, they did a lot more than I could brave with just me and the two kiddos. (Jim was here but didn't have an off day while the fam was in town)

While they were here we visited the National Zoo in DC, took the water taxi all around, ate lunch at our fav spot, and the adults had a much needed night out!

Abby really enjoys spending time with her cousins. It's great catching up with them... Anytime we can! :)

Visionary Arts Museum

We've been staring at the Visionary Arts Museum since moving into our Baltimore home earlier this season. Literally. It's our view from all windows. Luckily, the three buildings that belong to the museum are pretty to look at ... One building is covered with colored glass shapes and designs, the other two displaying the words "O Say Can You See," and "LOVE" on old, brick facades that light up at night.

So yesterday I decided it was time to walk through this museum to see inside the place we see everyday. The artwork was quite different, some really neat, others way "out there!". Definitely an experience.... The kids behaved and YaYa (my sis) joined us!

My favorite by far ... this piece of art was created out of paper plates.  

Top left: Faces created out of small styrofoam cups.  

Abby wanted to pose with the giant egg outside.  

Mommy had some fun with Abby and Levi in the crazy mirrors ... Look at those legs!

Bottom right: Hard to see but the sign reads "The house was clean yesterday, sorry you missed it."  My new motto. :)

Abby and a pony? Donkey? Who knows.

Meet "Fifi."  Huge, oversized poodle used in the big art race here in Baltimore.

And last but not least.  Abby's favorite.  She saw this and started to giggle.  She quickly observed that he "had no panties."  Gotta love it!

Happy 4 months, Levi! *a day late*

Four months old.  Already?  Seems too quick.  This is the conversation that replays in my head every day ... and it's this conversation that reminds me to enjoy every moment, even the ones that exhaust or frustrate me.  Time is too precious ... and so is this handsome little man.

Levi has excellent head control and is super strong for being just four months old.  Sometimes I can't believe the things he is doing ... way before Abby ever did.  Levi is enjoying tummy time and swatting for toys on his playmat.  He has been rolling over from tummy to back since about two weeks old.  Crazy, I know ... and he started rolling over from back to tummy about three weeks ago.  It was a random middle of the night milestone that didn't repeat itself right away.  But now he is moving all over the place and rolling over quite often!

Levi smiles, giggles, and coos all. the. time.  He's getting quite the personality, probably from watching his sister who is full of energy, imagination, and love.  Abby is doing much better with her little brother and loves to be Mommy's helper ... with everything.  Levi loves snuggling with his Mama and it makes me so feel so blessed to have such a healthy, happy, sweet boy!

With Abby, we were just starting cereal about this time ... but I went ahead and started carrots and sweet potatoes a few days ago.  Levi loves both so far and seems happy to be "eating" real foods, even though he really isn't eating a whole lot.  We're just kind of playing with it, letting him experiment!

Sleep is getting much better.  We have awesome nights where Levi sleeps straight through for eleven hours.  Other nights, like last, are not so good.  Up at 1, 1:30, 2:30, eating at 3:30 and then up at 7.  Long nights.... but I'm lucky to have the great ones in between that leave me well rested.  Naps are getting much easier and slowly getting longer.  I love that Levi now realizes that nap time is in his crib and I can put him in drowsy, but awake and he will most likely go to sleep on his own.  Makes things much easier and not such a struggle!

Levi has his four month appointment this Tuesday, so I'll update more of his stats later this week.  I'm curious to see how tall he is ... he's already wearing nine month pajamas because his feet won't fit in six month anymore!  What a big boy! :)

It's a new thing ... Friday Photo Dump :)

Bubble time with Jacob!  Me and my lovies.  Levi's first ride in the big double stroller and I think it's safe to say he loved it!  Abby holding the phone to Levi's ear to say "hi" to Daddy. 

Levi and Abby love our nightly walks through the city.  Abby and Jacob take a minute to relax.  Levi smiles nonstop at his big sister ... he adores her and it's the sweetest thing ever.  Abby being silly at the baseball game.

I ask Abby to smile and this is what I get.  Nice.  Levi loving the Olympics... he doesn't want to miss a thing!  Miss Abby posing for the camera with a smile.  Close up of Little Man, courtesy of Abby's lovely photography skills.  Ha!

Some things never change...

Some things in this life are constantly changing.  The seasons.  Gas prices.  What clothes are in style.  But then there are some things that never change.  The rising and setting of the sun.  The fact that I love sweet tea.  Special friendships.

Today I was lucky enough to catch up with some of those special friends.  Friendships that were formed in college and even though life has taken us in different directions, it's still like no time has passed.  

Even though it may not feel like it, we know time has been racing by.  Weddings, anniversaries, new homes, babies .... things surely have changed since our college days.  However the one thing ... and the most important thing that has never changed, is the friendships that we formed.  Special friends ... special times ... special memories.

Carlizzle, Lizzy, Sissy, & Linz

AKM Love :)

Look at all those cute kiddos!

Cole's facial expressions cracked me up.  Isn't he handsome?!

Nick & Drew, sweet sweet boys.  

They were so sleepy after playing with their buddies!

It was great catching up with you ladies ... 

Next time, be prepared ... no kids, AKM shirts & Cabana Boy. 

Wordless Wednesday - Things are about to get messy.

"Mama, what is this stuff?"

"I think I like it ... if only I could learn to keep it in my mouth, instead of on my face."

"Yummy carrots! Why have you people been holding out on me?"