November Catch Up - Part One

I can't blame the kids for how far behind I am in posting to the blog. If any of you are still following, I'm going to make it up to you -- promise!!

I'm heading back to work later this week and want to get caught up with everything before then, including the blog. Imagine, three posts in one week!

Before I can share the funny Thanksgiving photos, I have to back up to our busy times over the last few weeks (this is why people shouldn't procrastinate!!)

A few weeks ago, I decided our backyard needed a serious makeover for fall. Our pine trees are big enough now that we have almost enough pine straw for all the back flower beds -- yay! So Maddie wanted to help me rake and I really put her to work with her own rake and wheelbarrow. She was bored after about thirty minutes until I offered to push her around in the big wheelbarrow while moving the pine straw across the yard. She ended up helping me for two hours and was really working! Now when we see pine straw in someone's yard, she asks if we are going to rake it. Too funny!





After working in the yard, it was time for a shower; we were "stinky." She wanted my "hat" which is really my hair towel. I think it's too late to rescue her from the princess priss syndrome....


We also had a recent visit from my cousin's family, who recently re-relocated to the area. Maddie calls their little boy "Baby Brendan" because that is what she used to call him before he was one year old and walking! She gave him hugs and kisses until he literally pushed her away. I think the highlight of the visit was when they both jumped on her bed with huge beaming smiles. It's nice to have family close by. Now Brendan just needs to grow big enough to run away from Maddie!

Maddie "shows" Brendan how to play with the birthday toy she gave him ;-)

Meanwhile, Mason has been busy gnawing his fingers and ours. His only preference is whichever is closer to his mouth. During his 10-week doctor visit, we learned he is now 13 pounds, 8 ounces, which puts him in the 90th percentile for weight -- wow! I knew he was a big boy but that is crazy compared to Maddie, who stayed in the 50th percentile forever.

He got a great report and after I described how he doesn't settle at night (he does something that looks like running in place and Elaine's dance from the famous Seinfeld episode), the pediatrician said he is "very physical" and exhibiting signs of four-month old behavior. She even mentioned the word "athlete." We'll see. For now, I'd settle for a bookworm who goes to sleep.

He is still on a three-hour feeding schedule so we are still short on sleep. But he's such a sweetie, and very, very loving. He likes to have his hand held as he's sleeping and when he's drinking his bottle. I know he is a bit spoiled, but he's my last baby.

Next post: Part Two