family walks

We really love the trails and playgrounds all around our neighborhood. We frequently take Daisy for walks with the entire family.

in her crib

I finally relented. Alex has asked me for weeks if I wanted to move Jenna to her crib rather than the bassinet in our room. She's been sleeping through the night since she was six weeks old (just a couple of weeks sooner than Tyler did), but I've not moved her to her room as early as I did with Tyler. I told myself that this was because often she wakes up once or twice needing her binky (Tyler always used his thumb to pacify himself). I hear an inkling of a peep from her and I can (while I'm still nearly asleep) pop up and put her binky in her mouth and get back in bed. We are both back to deep sleep within seconds. How could I do this if she is all the way down the hall? Alex also always asked on weeknights and I was unwilling to make a major change in routine when we had to work the next day.

So it's Friday night and he asks again. I have no further reason not to put her in her crib. But suddenly I'm so sad to let her make the move down the hall. You would have thought I was leaving on a long trip the way I was reacting to our "parting." I realized that I was sad because she may be my last baby and this was the first in many steps to come toward her independence. Alex assured me that we didn't have to make the move tonight. My logical side knew he was right and tonight was as good as any, but my emotional side was lagging behind! Reason won out: little lady Jenna is in her own room now.

where are me?

Tyler pulls the cover over his head and Alex, "Where are me?" Alex corrects him, "No you say 'Where am I?'" Tyler responds, "ok, where are you?"

little lady

Daddy calls Jenna "little lady." For days Tyler argued that Daddy should not call Jenna that. He must have given up, because now he's calling her the little lady now too.

mother and daughter

inching up

Jenna is on the move! She digs her heals in, pushes and inches her way up while lying on her back. Watch out!

calling dad Alex

What did Tyler pick up after a few days of having guests? "Alex!" rather than Daddy. Giggle.

tyler is still a smiler

visit from the linns

My college roommate, Katie, and her family arrived to stay with us during their visit back to Maryland. Her son Hunter is a year older than Tyler and the two palled around like best buds from the start. During the weekdays the Linns visited with other friends and toured around places like the hospital where Hunter was born.

But Saturday was an all Campbell day. We got off to a slow start with a big, delicious breakfast. Katie started to think that Jenna was really just a little doll and not a real baby because she hadn't heard Jenna cry once the first few days and she seemed to be asleep a lot. But eventually Jenna was up and we all went to a local store opening where the boys got to enjoy a balloon artist, face painter and make their own trail mix. Next up -- nap time!

and your day?

Tyler picks up on everything we do. Often, I ask Tyler how he slept and at dinner we all chat about our days. But you hardly expect your two-year-old to do the same.

Recently, Tyler asked me, "How was your night, Mommy? You sleep well?" And then today he asked Alex, "How was your day, Daddy? What did you do?" I love his grown-up conversation with us.

big brother

Tyler is over the moon for his little sister.

what a beauty

picture day

We headed to the Columbia Mall with the goal of getting Jenna's 3-month photos and some family portraits. But we found that there was much more to do! Tyler played on the toy piano at the studio (doesn't he look like Schroeder from Peanuts?), engineered a tower and even ventured on the merry-go-round. Meanwhile Jenna was tuckered out by her photo shoot and took a snooze.

3 months

Jenna is SO amazing. She is super cute and such a happy, happy baby. I thought Tyler smiled a lot, but she takes the cake.

bubble boy

How do you entertain adults and kids alike? Wrap your 2-year-old son in bubble wrap from head to toe. And then watch as he tries to upright himself while bound in his bubble barrier. We haven't laughed so hard in a good while. (No one was injured in the making of this stunt so don't call Child Protective Services!)

cuddles with daddy

lounging

i love my bunny

love of books

Tyler has really shown a huge interest in books lately. He wants to read them all of the time and will even "read" them to himself sometimes.

back to work

I'm not ready! I have been dreading the end of my maternity leave with Jenna. I have really enjoyed this time with her. How does 11.5 weeks go by so quickly? God, give me strength (and energy!) during this transition. At least I got the most loving send off from my kids (I'm still trying to get used to that being plural -- kids).

pump tools

I was packing up the supplies I would need to take upstairs with me for the evening. I set my pump tools on the table. Turning around moments later I found Tyler assembling the bottles and cones -- correctly! What a great little helper.

nice hair

In the last few weeks of my maternity leave I've had my hair in a ponytail or bun most days. This morning I had a special treat of a really long shower. When I came downstairs from drying my hair, Tyler gave me an unsolicited "Mommy, I like your hair!" Awww, what a gentleman.

scissors and zippers

Today Oma taught Tyler how to use scissors. They were sitting at the kitchen table doing play-doh. And there he was SNIP, SNIP. Amazingly, he was using his left hand.

Later while playing with him in the family room, I taught him how to use a zipper. Now he is able to zip and unzip his mega bloks bag all by himself. What a big boy!

the balds and the beautifuls

Oma, bald from years of chemotherapy treatments, can relate to Jenna well as they cuddle together most weekends. I'm looking forward to putting Jenna's hair in pigtails and bows once her hair grows in. Maybe Oma will let me put a bow in her hair too when she's not follicly challenged. Fat chance. :)