3 Month Check-Up

Today's news: Grace weighs 13 lbs, 12 ounces (75th percentile) and is 23 inches long (73rd percentile). Her head circumference is 15 3/4 inches (52nd percentile). Dr. Oh-Tan said she looks great and that she is growing well. In fact, Grace tried to "swim" off the examining table. While we are still waiting for her to turn over on her own, Dr. Oh-Tan was impressed by Grace's early attempts at crawling. On the big brother front, Dylan got a time out at Mother's Day Out for not sharing with his friend, Justin, in an appropriate way. Boo!

Going to the City!

Inspired by our friends, Molly and Vince, Steve and I decided to venture into DC to see the On the Move exhibit at the Smithsonian American History Museum. Dylan absolutely LOVES all transportation vehicles. At this point in time, he is especially enamored with trains. Therefore, we chose to take the Metro as part of our field trip. Dylan and Grace behaved beautifully and traveled well. Dylan was so enthusiastic about everything he saw in the exhibit ... it was so fun to watch him as parents!

Dylan Makes Cake

Dylan and Mimi had a special Thursday this past week; they made angel food cupcakes together. Dylan really enjoyed pouring the ingredients and putting the cupcake liners in the baking pan. Interestingly, he liked making the cupcakes more than eating them. Luckily, Mimi and Mommy took care of the eating part!

Is He Wrong??

Dylan knows most of his letters these days, but he thinks W should be pronounced "double-vee". I don't think he's wrong ...

It "No-ing"

In true two year-old style, Dylan looked out of the window this morning and proclaimed, "It no-ing, Mama!" I'm not quite sure how he knew about snow (maybe books, maybe Sesame Street, maybe a Thomas episode), but he was ecstatic about what was happening outside. So after 30 minutes of prepping to go outside, we lasted about 20 minutes. Dylan loves the snow, but not cold hands or wearing gloves. 

Whose Chair Is It Anyway?

Dylan will not be dethroned! Grace and Dylan share the blue Bumbo chair these days. For those of you who can remember, Dylan was a HUGE baby and his cute (but hefty) thighs never fit comfortably in the Bumbo chair. Since then, he has slimmed down a bit and actually fits in the chair well. However now that Grace is able to hold up her head, she is staking her claim.

Juice Boxes and Coronas

The Third Monthly Adult-Kid Playdate. This time it was up to Dylan and Grace to host their Winchester friends. It was a full house with TEN adults and SIX children (under the age of 2 1/2 years.) So glad to have you join us, Eric, Mandy, and Noah! We all had fun discussing lack of sleep, the Backyardigans, and sippy cup brands. Looking forward to next month's adventure at the Warrens. Thank you all for traveling our way to play!

Grace is Three Months (almost!)

This past Friday, while Dylan napped, Grace and I had time to hang out together. We smiled, cooed, and cuddled for over an hour. Here is some of what I got to see for that hour! Isn't she beautiful? We cannot believe how lucky we are sometimes with Dylan and Grace in our lives. Their love and its worth is beyond words.

Dylan and his ABCs

Dylan has been busy working on his letter recognition. As you'll see from this video, he likes to say the letters in a "monster voice." He even gets a bit overly confident and thinks he can name the letter and place it in the puzzle with his eyes closed. Not quite yet!

Mimi

Here's a posting devoted to thanking Mimi!!! Mimi comes weekly to play with Dylan and Grace and allow me the time to run errands or catch up on those things that need doing around the house. She also came to babysit weekend before last so that Steve and I could go to the movies. It was a wonderful and much needed date night. It is such a comfort to know that Mimi is home with the kids and knows their routines and favorites (Puppy for Dylan and bouncing gently for Grace). When we came home, both kids were asleep and peaceful. Thanks Mom for all you do to help us!

First Bath Together

Dylan and Grace had their first bath together last month (in early December 2008). I was late in putting up this photo and story, but I couldn't pass up making a posting. Grace is about six weeks old in this picture. Dylan just turned two! Dylan loves to wash Grace's tummy. I'm not sure who enjoys bath time more Grace and Dylan or Steve and I. (Dylan is into "laser light shows" in the tub with his blinking musical ducks, frogs, and whales!)

Storytime!

January 14, 2009  Dylan is beginning to share his love of books with his sister. Yesterday, when he got up from his nap, he decided that he wanted to read to Grace. He showed her the "honk honks" (a.k.a. geese) from his counting books. Grace listened politely.

Grace Is Two Months!

Grace is busy doing tummy time and playing on her activity mat these days. She weighed 12 lbs., 4 ounces (80th percentile) and measured 23 1/4 inches long (75th percentile) at her last pediatrician appointment. Her head is slightly smaller than her brother's ... 65th percentile in head circumference. Last night, she slept in her own room for the first time. She did five hours alone and then came into our room for the remainder of the night. We are hoping for longer and longer nights. (She did one 10-hour night last Friday so we got spoiled and overly ambitious. Grace gave us a reality check with some shorter nights since. Ahhhh, waiting for the days of longer sleep!)

Gracie is Talking

Last night, Steve and Grace had a special conversation. I think it was about how much they love one another. Grace is a smiling, cooing delight! She is feeling MUCH better these days. Fewer tears, more smiles, easier sleep. In fact, for those of you who knew about her co-sleeping desires, she slept on her own last night in her bassinet! She woke only once and slept for 6 hours at one stretch. Cross your fingers for continued success. Our little "Gray" is becoming such a big girl.

Recent Visitors

Grace and Dylan have been so lucky with the many visitors who have traveled to see them over the past three months. Thank you, Alan and Patricia, Jo and Jeremy, Auntie Susan, Pam and Dad, Gee, Art and Barbara, Kira and Catherine, and Jordan and Kevin for visiting. We know that it is not always easy to travel, so we are very grateful that you took time to come see us! Love to you all!

Dylan's Favorite Things

In all the excitement of a new baby, we wanted to focus on our "Little Man." Dylan is growing like crazy. At his two year pediatrician appointment, he measured in the 50th percentiles in both height and weight. His head remains HUGE measuring in the 97th percentile. Dylan is beginning to talk more and more. He has alot to say, like his mom. Not sure what Steve will do with two motor mouths in the house. Dylan loves cars, Thomas the Tank Engine and Thomas's bus, Bertie, the letter "I", Puppy, PB&Js, and jigsaw puzzles. He is starting to engage in imaginative play. I love spending time with him. It is amazing how fast the days are going by and how quickly his childhood is moving. 

Dylan's 2nd Birthday

December 8, 2008 ... We celebrated Dylan's birthday with his Mimi, Pat and Paul, and Jeremy and Betsy. We had great fun (except Grace who was sad that she couldn't have a piece of cake) watching Dylan open presents, observing Betsy assembling a toy car garage, and eating Thomas the Tank Engine cake. Happy Birthday, Dylan!

The Stork Has Landed

This picture is from the first week in November when a stork landed on our lawn to announce Gracie's birth. We are loving our new 'hood and have loved meeting all the neighbors. We can't wait to watch our family grow here!

Lazy Saturdays

November 2, 2008 ... Some of our favorite times are just lazing around on weekend mornings. We rise early, but move slowly to wait for the coffee as it brews and for Grace to complete her morning nap before we step out into the "real world."

Happy New Year

Grace and Dylan rang in the new year with their eyes shut, as did their mom. However, Steve, Kira, and Catherine made it until midnight. We spent New Year's Day with Aunt Catherine and Aunt Kira and had a wonderful time playing with puzzles, coloring, and holding Grace.