the eater bunny has been here!

I think Tyler loves Easter almost as much as I do. We had a great family day; Oma, Uncle Dylan and Aunt Christine came too. We had a really fun Easter egg hunt, which Tyler LOVED! And late in the afternoon while the kids were napping, I saw three little bunnies chasing each other in our backyard. I thought it was so fitting for the holiday!

wrestling fun

post stitches (one week later)

The stitches have disintegrated. The scar should continue to fade (fingers crossed). The doctor recommended Mederma, so Oma picked some up for Tyler at the drugstore. Not sure what exactly is in it (at $25 for a small tube) but we are hopeful for positive results.

one week post stitches

The last of Tyler's dissolvable stitches fell off tonight. I can definitely notice the scar, but of course it will fade with time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will not be noticeable as he grows! The doctor told me to give her six months before I judge her work.

texting

Alex went out with his buddy tonight while it was my turn to take care of the kids. Not long after Alex left, Tyler found an old cell phone that we let him use as a toy. As we sat down to dinner Tyler picked up the phone and started pressing buttons. He said, "I'm texting someone. I'm going to text Daddy!"

Later he would pretend to also talk on the phone. He'd hold up the phone and instruct me to say goodbye to Oma (what I do to him when we're ending a phone call). Too cute.

all over the place

Jenna is crawling all over the place. She's also very interested in pulling herself up using a chair or an adult's leg! It is neat to see her able to entertain herself somewhat now because she can move to the object she wants to inspect.

bright eyes and long lashes

Jenna has big blue eyes and killer lashes just like her big brother!

 

 

meat eater

Jenna is such a good eater. Tyler was pretty good, but he'd balk at meat especially beef. But not so with Jenna -- she ate pieces of burger for dinner. On the other hand, Tyler chose to go to bed without dessert so he didn't have to finish his burger (and that is saying a lot since Tyler LOVES treats)!

sibling play

cutest thing

Jenna does the cutest thing -- when you offer her some food and pop it in her mouth, she puts the back of her hand up to her mouth. She looks like a demure woman from the olden days who was shocked by something.

da da

Jenna knows her daddy and points at him saying, "dada."

stitches + a day

Tyler is doing well and seems unphased by the incident. Still made it to the aquarium today. And hasn't slowed down one bit -- already dashed through the family room, tripped on the ottoman and went face first into the leather chair. So to balance out the stitches, he now has an abrasion on the other cheek. We've already taught him to respond to inquiries about his face injuries with, "I was in a bar fight."

mmm, brownies... sooo good

Tyler is an expert baker's assistant and helps Mommy each time she makes some goodies for the family. In this instance he taste tested the brownie mix.

uh oh, stitches

I knew it was only a matter of time, but I had hoped that he would at least wait until he was in double digits. No such luck.

Friday night we headed upstairs for the nighttime ritual of getting in PJs, etc. So Tyler was running at top speed (no surprise there), tripped going into his room and clipped his wooden bed post with his lip/chin. Tears, blood (not a crazy amount), and the quick realization that he needed a couple of stitches. So instead of chilling before bed, we were headed to Righttime Pediatrics.

I figured we'd get the stitches and then be on our way home. Trouble was the doctor there seemed very concerned that the cut crossed the vermillion border (where your skin meets the pink of your lip). The issue is that the skin of your lip heals differently than the skin of your face, so there is a great risk for a poor outcome (i.e., being noticeable). That doctor called some plastic surgeons on my behalf (none would help on a Friday night) and one recommended going to Balt/Wash Hospital who has "plastics" on call. I was also told kids heal super fast so this was something I should move on quickly. So off to the next hospital shortly before 10pm.

Once at the hospital, they quickly gave me a dose of reality -- plastic surgeons come only if they want to and they were doubting one would come (so I'm thinking I went into the wrong profession). The attending doctor was also much more confident that Tyler's lip would come together well and judged the cut as bordering the vermillion line rather than crossing it (a good thing). So just before midnight I wanted to just get the show on the road and had the attending stitch him up. Tyler got the numbing juice injected, and then two stitches. Just a few more tears, but was so brave. And charming -- he won over all of the emergency room staff. He told the attending, "I like you ... You are happy!" She said he was her favorite patient of the night. And a nurse got him a toy giraffe. All of the wonderful staff made a not-so-fun situation so much better.

Tyler didn't get to bed until 1am but was SO sweet and well behaved the entire time. What a trouper!

crawler

I thought she might skip it completely, but Jenna did it! She's officially a crawler!

Las Vegas

Tyler and Luca (and respective families) were supposed to go to the aquarium in February but the trip was snowed out (well, we were snowed in). So we have finally rescheduled for this Saturday and Tyler is uber excited. We were talking about the upcoming trip and then when he was asked again where he was going with Luca, he pulled out, "Las Vegas!" Guess that was a carry over from Mommy and Daddy's recent trip.

mamamamama

Jenna seems to have figured out that I'm Mama (she calls out to me "Mamamamama" and will point in case it wasn't clear already) and has grown a serious attachment (beyond usual). The separation anxiety seems to have heightened suddenly and now she even seems to lose it if I turn my back to her. Despite this Mommy and me link, she is still SO fond of her Daddy and big brother, Tyler.

to lake elkhorn

 

 

 

The Campbell family had some outdoor time along with a picnic lunch at Lake Elkhorn.

slide for 3

don't miss a drop

 

sock flipper

Who likes to pull of her socks in a split second and then wave them in the air or toss them out of her carseat? That would be Jenna!

lead singer

Caught: Tyler singing into the door handle while watching himself in the mirror. Other musical talents: beat boxing.

10 months

trying to walk

Jenna wants to walk so badly. I think she might skip crawling all together. She tries to pull herself up and then stands while having one hand anchored to something. If you put out two fingers, she will hold each one with her hands and walk for you. She has even stood unassisted for 1.5 seconds before realizing it and tumbling down.

back to the park

The weather finally warmed up a bit - 50 degrees - which felt like springtime after the frosty winter we've had. Tyler and Jenna's friend, Luca, joined us for some play time at the playground.

flirt

Jenna has perfected her flirting technique. If you catch her in that mood, she gives you a half wink, huge smile and lifts her right shoulder up and adds a coy giggle. Lookout boys!

9-month photo shoot

 

 

 

 

 

 

eighth tooth

The last of Jenna's front eight teeth just arrived!

waver, pointer

Jenna waved bye bye to me this morning. Then she pointed at me upon my return (and panted and bobbed up and down excitedly while seated).

vegas, baby!

Well, he finally did it. Alex talked me into our first "couple" trip sans kids! Oh, I was so nervous, but as the trip approached I became excited. We settled on a Monday-through-Friday trip to Las Vegas with the kids staying with Ms. Debbie. They are already there during the day, so we billed their time there as a fun sleepover. They had so much fun with only one set of brief tears from Tyler after one of our calls home. And Ms. Debbie said Tyler was beyond good! And that made us enjoy ourselves all the more.

nugget

I was in the middle of feeding Jenna and talking with Tyler when I thought that he had "made a poopy." I told him, "Go tell Daddy that you have a nugget in your pants," to which Tyler giggled. He said, "Mommy you are SO silly." I wasn't sure what exactly he found so hilarious until I heard him yell to Daddy, "Mom says I have a chicken in my butt!"

listen to me

Tyler has started to tell long stories. Most of them are actually based on reality these days. When Alex tried to interrupt to talk about something else, Tyler said, "Listen to my story!" I have no idea where he gets it!

happy belated birthday chase

This was our third snowed-out birthday party given the extra large amount of snow we received this winter. But better late than never. Happy Birthday Chase!

 

wearing mama's shades

 

green is back

Tyler was exuberant when I got home to tell me, "I earned my green one!"

no green

Tyler didn't listen well at daycare. No green one. I thought the consequence Alex set was a bit harsh, but had to be united. Tyler whimpered a bit as I put him to bed with no cuddly blanket, but he survived.

calm down

I could not help but laugh this morning when Tyler told Alex, "Calm down Daddy," after Alex explained his expectations and the consequences if they were not met.

9 months

Can she really be three-quarters of a year old already? Wow, it boggles my mind how quickly the time goes when they are so small. I might blink and she will be graduating from high school. I'm looking forward to every moment with her and praying that it doesn't pass by too quickly!

If I thought taking her photo while she is seated was hard last time, well, let's just say she is eager to get moving!