Power Outage Vacay 2012

Power outages are no fun! But ours turned into a mini vacation so I can't complain!

 I pretty much just slept through the storm while Tim held down the fort. He did Colin's dream feed in the hall because he was afraid that the Bradford Pear tree (know for splitting) may crash into his room. Then when the power went out he moved Colin's pack in play into our cool basement and the two of them slept down there. Leaving me with a flashlight by the bed. Now this flashlight would have come in handy...I will get to that in a minute.

 About 12:30am Whitney woke up and called me in, upset with how dark it was in her room. So, I jumped at the chance to snuggle with my girl and told her she could come sleep with me. She was just as excited! Well, here's where the flashlight would have come in. Whitney bounced down her bed like usual but it was so dark she went off track and plunged face first off the bed into her stool and head into the corner. Her heartbreaking scream made me feel horrible I had left the handy flashlight behind. But I quick scooped her up and Mama's hugs made it all better. After a potty and water break we get settled in bed. But all I get is a "Night Mama" as she turns her back to me and snuggles with her doll Molly :(.

 The next morning I could hear Colin cooing in the basement.  Whitney and I made our way down and we quickly realized we did not want to stay in this hot house.  Not to mention, I had a freezer stocked with breast milk that needed a working freezer!  So, we packed everything up and headed to my parents house.

My parents are in Kiawah, so they couldn't join in on the fun.  But we took over the house and have been having a great time. Marguerite came out to spend the night on Saturday and we had fun playing with Aunt M on Sunday.  Luckily, her power was back on that afternoon.  As of now, our power is predicted to come back on by Tuesday night.  We are keeping our fingers crossed!

Here are a few pictures from the last two days!

Keeping cool in the baby pool!

Colin got to sleep in Mimi and Grandad's bed since they were out of town!

 Watching a little Bubble Guppies before bed.

Thanks to the neighbors, the Pumphreys, (in Kiawah too) for letting us take advantage of their beautiful garden! We had a delicious dinner!

Walking over to see the house we are renovating! 

 I got a new computer! Only 2 1/2 pounds!

 Playing games on the new computer.

A little Vino!

12 Weeks

It is hard to believe my little man is already 12 weeks!  This is the point I feel you make the transition from saying their age in weeks to months.  Really outgrowing the newborn phase.  Though he did that on his own by growing like a weed!  At his 2 month appointment he was 24 inches (75%) and 14 lbs 8 oz (off the charts)!  He is just about busting out of his 6 month clothes.  Part of me is sad that he is growing so fast but the other part of me loves all the new things he is doing.

As you saw in the previous post, he has started to laugh.  When I go in to get him in the morning he flashes a big smile at me.  He is getting much better about sitting up in his Bumbo seat.  When on his play mat he looks like he is marching and gets the most adorable determined look on his face.

Colin is such a calm and easy baby.  He never complains about a dirty diaper and loves to get his diaper changed.  As soon as I start wiping him he smiles and gives me a few coos like he is saying thank you.  He loves to watch Whitney play and loves to sit on my lap while we play a game.  And let me say he is a fabulous sleeper!  Great with his naps.  I know I am crazy to even admit this out loud for fear it will come back and get me, but he is sleeping through the night!  Right around 2 months he stopped waking up to eat. He goes to sleep by 8pm, get his Dream Feed at 10:30pm (Tim gives him a bottle in his sleep) and wakes around 7am.  We continue to be so thankful for the amazing things the Baby Whisperer book has taught us!

First trip to Kiawah.  Just chillin' at the pool! 

 Really working on tummy time to get rid of his flat head!

 My handsome little prince!

 Such a big boy!

Life has been so amazing since Colin has joined us.  Everyday just gets better and better!

First Big Laughs

Colin has been giving us some major smiles and coos the last few weeks but at 10 weeks he broke out the big laughs!  We caught some on camera but he was laughing for several minutes.  So adorable!

First Haircut

Yes, Whitney is three, and yes this is her first haircut!  Ok, my baby was bald until she was almost one.  Everyone thought she was a boy.  She went through a mullet phase but I held off and have been enjoying her luscious, golden locks ever since!  I promised Tim that for her third birthday I would just trim the ends a bit.  They were getting a little scraggly. (Is that a word?).  But we ran out of time and I just wasn't ready.

So, this past Friday night, we set it up.  Tim was getting his haircut so I called our stylist :) Ferdi, and told him I wasn't sure if she would go for it but would he give her her first haircut.  Of course he agreed!  When I told Whitney she was going to get her haircut she said she wanted to and was excited.  We had taken her the past months to watch us get our haircut.  She started out in my lap but that was a little difficult so we moved her to a stool and she did great!  You would have thought a movie star was there.  Everyone was coming to watch and ooh and ahh over our little lady.

In the end it doesn't look that different but a little cleaned up.  While Tim got his haircut we went to the play area at the mall.  Then we managed dinner out at La Sandia and enjoyed some mojitos and margaritas.  Not a bad Friday night!

Celebration!

Like most first children (and first grandchildren), Whitney was very spoiled this birthday.  We celebrated multiple times and she has gotten very used to receiving letters in the mail and showered with gifts.  The only thing she isn't too fond of is people singing Happy Birthday to her.

 First we celebrated in Kiawah with my family and she burst into tears.  Then on her actual birthday, Grandma and Grandpa were here and you will see she was very displeased.  So, when we were expecting 40ish people for her actual birthday party, I thought I better warn her that we would be singing to her again.  Well, she burst into tears and said, "We already did that"!  In the end she was a trouper and I held her while she was serenaded.  Though there wasn't a smile, I think she was ok with all the attention.  Here are some highlights...

Helping make her own mini cake in Kiawah!  So fun!

 Then there were tears.

 Opening gifts on her birthday morning.

 Refused to blow out the candles.

 But loved eating the Carvel cake.

 Treated to her first mani/pedi.

 Auntie Ann made a fantastic greeting with sidewalk paint that she made!

 Best picture of all the kids.

 Tolerating the singing.

 A fun week celebrating our big girl!

Oh, and yes, it was my birthday too.  I am happy to share the spotlight with Whitney.  Tim and I did get out for pedicures (his first) and a delicious dinner.  Thanks Grandma and Ann for babysitting and Grandpa for being our chauffeur.

My Baby Girl is 3!!

I cannot believe we are celebrating Whitney's 3rd Birthday!  Time really does fly!  The joy and love that this little girl has brought into our lives in indescribable.  She makes us laugh everyday and reminds us to enjoy everyday to the fullest.

I think that Whitney has the perfect mix of girly girl and rough and tumbly girl.  She notices my outfits and says, "Oh, Mama, I like your shirt".  She loves dolls and to do art projects.  She loves to sing and dance around the house with me (and Tim).  Play dress up.  Lets me do pretty things with her hair. And at the same time she loves to dig in the dirt, kick a soccer ball, lets Tim hit her in the head with a pillow and laughs hysterically, plays with cars and trains and loves her play toolbox!

She follows in my foot steps and shows her quiet side to people, but once she is comfortable she shows her fun side.  She is like her Papa and loves a good joke.  She loves to put odd things on her head and sit quietly until someone notices.  She finds the opportunity to get in many good laughs everyday and I love that about her!

Whitney is my little helper.  She wants to help with EVERYTHING!  Which is great and hopefully will continue.  However, it definitely takes a lot of patience.  It just means emptying the dishwasher takes longer.  Folded laundry gets unfolded (working on that).  And cooking gets some Whitney love in it...lots of licked fingers.  But it is great bonding time and we love that she loves to cook with us!

I thought this month I would document some Whitney moments.  Here are some cute ones!

We had spent some time in the woods in the back our house and were walking home.  I repeatedly asked Whitney to stop licking her dirt filled hands.  She says, "But I like dirt"!

There is a commercial on one of the kid channels that has a song that says something about being a flying bird.  Tim asked Whitney if she was a flying bird.  She said, "No, I am Whitney and I can't fly"!

Her little girl sass has is coming out in full force. Her most recent declaration, "You don't tell me"!

Whitney called Tim up to her room after bedtime to rub her back because it hurt.  Tim asked her why it hurt.  She said, "I played so hard"!

Whitney and I sing along to several kids cd's in the car.  I believe my favorite is her rendition to the opening number from Lion King.  Just imagine that...too cute!

Well, I could go on and on about our sweet girl but I guess I will bring it to a close.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.  We Love You!

Green Thumb

Three years ago, as Tim and I were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Whitney, we (Tim) planted a garden.  The first summer we were very successful and enjoyed many delicious vegatables.  The most exciting was our assortment of lettuce.  The last few years have been hit or miss.  We do have a raspberry bush that comes back bigger and better every year. Whitney and I enjoy going out and munching on the new ones that pop up.  Last year I had an abundance of basil and I made a huge batch of pesto that I froze.  We just enjoyed some last week on our tomato and mozzarella sandwiches.

Two weekends ago Whitney and Tim headed to Home Depot to pick out a few veggies and herbs to plant.  They also came back with something a little more exciting...a watermelon.  Now if this doesn't teach Whitney patience I don't know what will.  In 85 days from planting we should expect a watermelon!  Whitney loves digging in the dirt, so she was thrilled to help Papa create our garden this year!