sports class

Tyler went to a friend's birthday party at a sports complex and he just fell in love with soccer. His interest was so intense, I immediately looked for a local activity. I found a county sports class for six Saturdays and sweet talked them into letting Tyler participate despite not quite being three at class start.

Tyler loves his class! They move through several stations and get to learn the basics of many different sports. He's a natural athlete!

happy halloween

This holiday only gets better each year! Tyler was so excited with the idea that he could go to our neighbors' doors and they would just hand him candy! We trick-or-treated along with the Linsenmeyers and had a lot of fun. And thankfully the rain held out just long enough!

Jenna also made some new friends. She loved being toted around and each time someone would comment on how cute she was, Jenna would turn it on! She'd smile from ear to ear, reach forward and giggle and squeal. Numerous people commented on how happy and adorable she was. YEP!

pumpkin painting

During Mollie's visit, she brought paints and mini pumpkins. We finally got around to the activity and Tyler had so much fun giving the pumpkins some spunk!

why?

And so it begins...

For the first time Tyler asked me, "Why?"

we love the kriskos

We have been so fortunate to have talented family willing to assist us with major home renovations. Starting in February, my brother-in-law, Hugh, stayed with us for just over two weeks to completely renovate our kitchen. During his extended stay, he and Tyler grew close.

In August, Hugh was back to finish up some additional projects including our kitchen backsplash and painting every room on the main level.

And since he just couldn't get enough of us, he was back in October along with my sister to overhaul my mom's house. During that time, Perrin and her French exchange student, Alice, came for a visit of DC and bunked at the Campbell house.

In the many months following my dad's passing, it was really wonderful to have family so close close to home.

second tooth

Within a week Jenna's second tooth popped in as well. It's the other bottom center one.

exersaucer fun

Jenna loves checking out all the new sounds and gadgets from her exersaucer. Can you tell that she is teething? Poor green puppet.

french kissing

Top Gun was on TV and Tyler saw the part where Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis start to french kiss. Tyler said, "Ewww. Yucky! They are eating together. Ewww!"

first potty success

As Tyler was getting out of the bath tonight he peed ever so slightly. Alex encouraged him to pee on the potty and so he did. He'd sprinkle the water and then turn around so excited. Each time we asked him if he was finished, he said no, turned back and peed more.

He was so pleased with himself he didn't seem to want to stop. He was trying to go so bad that he started to poop! Alex spun him around to a seated position. Oops, didn't quite make the toilet, but a valiant effort for his first try!

first tooth

I was shocked to feel Jenna's first tooth already in! She had been gnawing on her toys so I figured that she was close, but didn't expect her bottom left one to have already appeared. So far she's not seemed bothered or discomforted. Here's to that continuing.

blame game

Tyler has been playing the blame game when it comes to gaseous noises. Earlier this week he tooted and said it was Jenna. This time Jenna tooted and Tyler said, "Smell it Daddy. Smell my butt! It wasn't me!" Then he wanted to know why we were laughing.

actually

Alex offered Tyler waffles and Tyler responded that he wanted some. Then he wavered and said, "Actually Daddy, I would like..." Did he really just say, "actually?" He's growing up so fast.

uh oh, fibbing

Tyler told a story about Mommy pushing him down. Untrue. This seems to be a trend today.

blame game

Tyler, did you go poopy? "No, Jenna farted."

5 months

ghosting

Love this Cape Ann ghosting tradition! We were ghosted this weekend and what fun it is to pass along the spooky fun.

visit from the sheelys

We were thrilled when the Sheelys (sans Andrew) came to town for an always-too-short visit. Tyler got to play with Logan who is nine months older and maybe nine inches taller. :) We also got to meet Meredith and got the great news that a new little one is due in April. Exciting!

are you ready for some football?

Alex had some buddies over to watch the Gator game. And my how times have changed; today's football games entail kids play dates as well.

well, hello there

rice cereal

Jenna tried her first bites of solid food last night (other than the pea and watermelon Uncle Hugh sneaked to her previously)! She gave rice cereal a try and is not too sure about it yet. Although she downed more than I expected and was less messy than her brother was. Tyler provided her great encouragement!

pumpkin patch

Well, the Triadelphia Lake View Farm is a bit bigger than a patch. It is a huge local farm where we have gone each year since Tyler was born for tractor rides, pumpkin picking and petting the farm animals. This year also marks Jenna's first experience with this tradition. We picked out a lot of pumpkins, squash and gourds (both big and small in colors including green, white, tan and orange of course) that we have placed on the front steps, kitchen table and counters. It officially feels like fall in Columbia, especially at the Campbell house. We had such a wonderful day just spending time as a family.

more daring

Tyler has been more adventurous recently when it comes to trying new foods. And of course we encourage this every chance we get!

week without daddy

Wow, this was the longest week of my life. Alex had a team meeting for work in Oakland, CA which caused him to be away from home for five days in a row. And if this wasn't going to be a struggle enough alone with two kids, a dog and a full-time job, Jenna and I came down with head colds and an ant family tried to move in!

Thankfully, we all survived in tact in part with help from friends. We spent one evening at the Howeses house for dinner and playtime for the kids. They really all get along so well (Jenna happily tolerates Matilda stealing her binky and Tyler had the biggest tantrum of his life when it was time to go because he wanted to stay and play)!

bumbo

We've broken the Bumbo out of storage since the days when Tyler used it. I think she likes it. :)

size 2 diapers

Newborn > Size 1 > Size 2 it is now.

seriously?

I better watch what I say. Tyler copies EVERYTHING I say in the same tone.

I told him to do something and he said, "Seriously, mom?"

under the pillow

After we read bedtime stories, Tyler tucks his books under his pillow. Saving it there for later? He is soooo cute.

exersaucer

The doctor said that Jenna is close to sitting on her own so we could go ahead and start using her activity sets. This is Jenna getting some use out of her "new" exersaucer. Big brother Tyler has been demonstrating how to use the attached toys!

role reversal

Today Tyler was helping me put away his clothes in his room. He decided that it was time for me to lie down on his bed for a nap and that he would read me a book prior to my rest. I tried to sit up to look at the book as he "read" it and he instructed me to lie back down. Then he tucked me in and as he left the room closing the door he told me that he loved me and to call him when I woke up.

4 month checkup

Jenna had her 4-month checkup with Dr. Plotnick. She was very impressed by Jenna's early development, especially her head control and vocal abilities. She may be on track to surpass where Tyler was at this age, but of course she has her big brother to model herself after. They really can't seem to get enough of each other.

Jenna's stats are:
Weight: 14lbs, 3oz (50-75%)
Height: 25 1/4in (75-90%)
Head circumference: 16 1/4in (50-75%)

Nurse Claire gushed at Jenna's beauty. I said I agreed, but aren't all moms super biased? And she responded, "Well, I'm not her mom and I can tell you she is really, really beautiful." Awww.

4 months

For comparison, check out Tyler at 4 months!

laughy girl

Ms. Debbie let me know that all of the kids at daycare call Jenna "laughy girl" because she is constantly giggling.

wonderful day

Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves. For every tantrum there is a polar opposite moment where we cannot believe that this super little human being is ours. Tyler started saying lately, "Thank you mom and dad for a wonderful day." This child just blows my socks off. So articulate, so compassionate and so smart. We just can't love him any more than we already do!

scolding

My son scolded me for leaving the laundry door open. I'm happy that he knows the rules, but think it's funny that I got blamed for his Dad's doing!

a head mover and a shaker

Jenna is really engaged with her environment. While walking the dog she glows while staring up at the trees, just as I remember Tyler doing as a baby. She is also so nosy wanting to see what is going on around her. She moves her head back and forth to see the TV and then back to us to giggle like she does. And she really shakes and bats at the dangling toys around her now.

viva la luca

Tyler has a new buddy, Luca, who recently moved to the neighborhood! He's nearly a year younger but they have become fast friends and love going to the park together (with parents tagging along as well of course).

looking up

when it rains, it pours

Sometimes you just have to let kids be kids. Tyler loves to jump in puddles, and on this particular day it was pouring down rain. He stomped in those puddles until his heart's content. He was drenched from head to toe, but it was so worth it!

amendment

I need to make an amendment to my Size 11 entry. We tried the 4T pants on. They fell down right over his hips. So we're going to need to exchange them for 3T or invest in some belts!

size 11

Tyler is having another growth spurt. All of sudden his size 9 shoes are extremely tight. (These are the same shoes that I bought in the spring thinking that they would be his "fall shoes" and ended up needing them nearly right away.) So we bought Tyler a new fall wardrobe this weekend. We skipped over 3T entirely and got all 4T. We got him a size 10 pair of shoes and a size 11. Sure enough the size 10 just fit him and would soon be too small so those are going back in favor of the SIZE 11!!

parentisms

Once you become a parent you do things you never thought you'd do and you say things that you never imagined would come out of your mouth. My words to Tyler: "We don't tickle people while they are on the potty!"

family time

clown!

As if we didn't have enough trouble with Daisy using Jenna's things...Now Tyler is in on it!

the pot and the kettle

We're rushing around trying to get out of the door this morning. As I talk Tyler says, "You are loud mommy." Now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black!

that's right

At dinner Alex was telling me about his day and about his colleague, Steve, flying into BWI. Tyler interjects, "Who me?" Alex says, "No, Steve." And Tyler responds, "Ohhhh, Steeeeeve. That's right." If you could only have heard how he said this and the tone; made it very funny.

i see you