thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this holiday. Most importantly, our baby girl who joined our family this year. One thing we were not thankful for? ... the awful illness that made its way through each member of the Campbell family. Tyler and Jenna both dealt with it in prior weeks and unfortunately for me, I was stricken with it on my birthday and didn't feel much better the following day, Thanksgiving. Alex got it the following days. So it was a low key holiday for us and my mom, brother and his girlfriend did most of the roughhousing with the kids.

teacher tyler

Tyler stood at his art easel with crayon in hand and asked "What is your question?" Alex said "Where is Canada?" Tyler turned and scribbled on the board. And then, "What is your next question?"

hello Daisy

Jenna is loving on Daisy lately. She tries to reach out and feel her fur and squeals with delight when Daisy comes up close.

6-month checkup

Jenna's stats are:
Weight: 17 pounds, 1 ounce (75th percentile)
Height: 26.75 inches (75-90th percentile)
Head circumference: 17.5 inches (90-95th percentile)

The doctor is a bit worried by the size of Jenna's head. Guess her head circumference seems large on paper, but once she saw Jenna, she wasn't so concerned. But we're going back in a month to measure again to be sure, as well as get Jenna's flu booster shot.

3-year checkup

Tyler's stats are:
Height: 40.125 inches (97th percentile)
Weight: 39.1 pounds (95th percentile)
Head circumference: 50 cm (percentile not kept at this age)

The doctor said that he was "big, but very proportional!"

6 months

Half a year old already?

redmons

Well, they just couldn't stay away. The Redmons were back in town and able to see Jenna a second time in her young life. (Audrey Kate not pictured; don't you love when our precious toddlers do not cooperate?)

mommy and me

the big day

It is finally here! Tyler is 3!

In the evening, Oma and Uncle Dylan joined for our family celebration. As you can see, there was a theme to the gifts -- trucks galore!

tic toc

When my grandfather married, his best man gave him a clock as a wedding gift. This clock was in the living room of my parents' home as I grew up and I have fond memories of winding and caring for it with my own dad. Now that he has passed, the grandfather clock now sits in my home and I look forward to sharing its beautiful sounds with my family. Tyler especially has loved pointing out each time it "dongs" and counting along on each hour.

be nice

Alex and I were playing Wii in the family room. After some ribbing of each other during a bowling game, Tyler misunderstood the silly smack talk and scolded Alex, "Be nice to Mommy!"

party time

Tyler was joined by some of his best buddies for food, fun and PRESENTS! It was really fun to see Ayla, Chase, Grace, Noelle, Luca, Simon and Matilda and make chaos of the family room.

party prep

In preparation for Tyler's third birthday party, we made mini cupcakes. Yum!!

my babies

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!