Spring Break 2009

Abby at Kemah

Brad, Alex, and Abby waiting for the rocket movie at NASA

Brad and Alex at Nassau Bay Park

Alex and our former neighbor, Anna, at the Bay Glen park. He spent many an afternoon there with Anna when they were little.

Alex and our former neighbors' son, Daniel. This was our first time meeting baby Daniel.

Alex, Mommy, and Abby at the Rocket Park.

Brad, being Brad

Alex by the seashore

Abby and Baby John Gordon, Robbie and Margie's 2 week old son.

The beautiful weather we returned to in Chicago on Sunday.

Alex was on Spring Break from preschool last week so we headed down to Houston, TX to show Alex around his birthplace. We have several friends who had had new babies since we'd last seen them and we were pleased to be able to meet them all. While it did rain a few days, it was so warm that we didn't seem to mind the weather. Saturday it was actually "chilly" by Texas standards but we were still very comfortable.

Both Abby and Alex were superstar little travelers, sleeping much of the flight home in fact. I'm pretty sure we exhausted Abby most days as she slept through the night a few nights we were there! She has yet to replicate this behavior at home :( On a side note, she slept her first night in her crib in her own room last night without incident. I'll wait a week or so before I take down the bassinet though.

I think it took an actual trip to Houston to make us realize the devastation this region suffered following Hurricane Ike last fall. As we flew in over the city, we saw so many blue tarps covering roofs and structures, even 7 months after the storm! There are boats at the bottom of Clear Lake and only their masts are visible sticking out of the water. We drove by many homes along the water that are complete losses and will need to be torn down. It was all incredible to see and our hearts go out to our friends who are still dealing with the rebuilding process.

Alex LOVED Space Center Houston and probably would have spent all day there if we'd let him. He has already asked to go back there! The Kemah Boardwalk area is back up and running and Alex enjoyed the rides with his friends and playing in the water fountains there. Many thanks to all of our friends who hosted us, cooked for us, and entertained us during our visit. We had such a great time!

Lots of Fresh Air

We have been outdoors a lot over the past few days, breathing lots of fresh air and thoroughly enjoying the sunshine! Abby is very content to be outdoors and Alex is running off lots of energy each day. Abby does not enjoy being bundled up in that pink fuzzy suit so we'll stick to blankets and hats for now. Alex has been so tired, he even took a nap one day!!

Gigi, Meet Abby

This past weekend Brad's Mom and Grandma (Gigi) came to visit. They picked a fabulous weekend as the weather was nice enough to play outside and we even managed to hit the outdoor outlet mall! Abby was happy to have more people around to hold her and Alex loved getting ice cream with the Grandmas and having a special pizza/popcorn party while Mom and Dad had date night. I think he's had an audience each weekend at swim lessons, so this weekend Abby and I may have to tag along so it isn't too much of a let down :)

Alex is sporting his new "Mario Kart" pjs, courtesy of Aunt Jackie. He's in love with these and insisted on being a part of our date night photo. We were happy to oblige!

Family Time

Alex is warming up to Abby and has even been giving her hugs the past few days (yes that is his version of a "hug")! Grandma Eileen was in town this weekend so we were able to get a new "family of four" photo. The weather was awesome on Friday, but it has been raining ever since. There is lots of flooding in the area and we are expecting another cold front tomorrow. It was another tease as spring approaches. Needless to say, we are looking forward to our upcoming spring break trip to Houston, TX. The warm sun will feel good for a few days, not to mention the good company!

Technology

Alex has developed quite an interest in playing his Clifford computer games lately. One is a reading game and the other is phonics. He also loves playing math/reading games on his Leapster. Often I feel bad that he is using technology so much and not wanting to play trains all day like he used to, but I know he is learning all sorts of things when he plays these games.

A lot of the activities focus on matching up rhyming words, words that start/end with the same sound, and filling in the missing number working with 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. We've only practiced counting to 10, sometimes 20! I don't think these games will replace working together one on one with workbooks and such, but he seems to enjoy these just the same. Not to mention, these are great activities when I'm making dinner :)

Who taught this kid how to use a mouse anyway??

Accessories

It is true what they say about baby girls and their accessories!

Little Miss Abby weighed 11lbs 5oz at her 2 month checkup on Friday. She has also grown to 24" which made the Dr. think that at a previous visit they had mismeasured her. She was a lot more squirmy those first few weeks and I can see where that might have occurred. She received a slew of vaccines but seemed to take it all in stride.

Happy Awake Time

We are currently thankful for lots of things. Happy awake time is definitely one of those things. Abby is having more and more happy awake time. We don't remember this happening with Alex until he was eating baby food, so 4-6 months! While she does spit up once in a while, she does not have reflux--meaning she doesn't scream in pain each time she spits up. Evenings are hit or miss. It is a predictable fussiness, but most tolerable. She spends long periods of time staring at her mobile in her room, or under the baby gym on the floor, just looking around. While this may seem like a very small thing, it is a huge thing for us!

To top it all off, Alex has been doing GREAT with using the potty and seems to have responded well to being back on a sticker reward chart. Phewwww!

Now, if we can get Scooter's rebellious behaviors under control, everyone will have made the transition from one to two kiddos in this house.

Life is good.

Abby, 8 weeks old

I cannot believe that Abby has been with us for 2 months already! Time goes by so fast and we are trying to savor every day of her being an itty bitty baby because she'll be walking and talking before we know it! Abby is so much more animated now than before. She smiles and even borderline giggles. I'll take her to the doctor Friday for her two month checkup so we can see exactly how she has grown, but I can tell you she is already outgrowing some of her clothes.

Abby's likes:
Being swaddled at bedtime

Being held

Sleeping in her carseat mid-morning through mid-afternoon, other times forget it

Staring at mobiles

Her pacifiers

Bathtime

Abby's dislikes:

The swing--this one is surprising given Alex's affinity for the infant swing

The early evening hours

The vibrating bouncey seat--only likes it if the vibrations are turned off

Being cold or dirty

I'll keep thinking about these in an effort to update the lists.

Welcome Brooke!

Our good friend Brooke came to visit Friday afternoon on her way into Chicago. We love having visitors and Alex was very eager to, of course, teach her how to play Mario Kart. This is the first thing he shows anyone who walks through our door now! We had a lovely visit and are thankful she was able to stop by and meet Abby.

Happy 29th Birthday Brad!

Thursday we celebrated Brad's 29th birthday! Boy, are we getting old :) Next year will be a big year with our 30th birthdays, we'll have to do something fabulous to celebrate. This year we kept it low key with cake and presents at home on his big day. Alex was most helpful while Brad opened gifts.