Dylan's Check up

Now that Dylan is 3, we are done with shots, except the seasonal flu shot and the chicken pox vaccine which I am hoping not to get. (Please let me know if you know of any pox parties)

Dr. L and the nurse were impressed with Dylan, his maturity and growth.  He showed some major skills by walking on his tip toes, walking on his heels and jumping...all at Dr. L's request.  Not sure what she was checking for and I didn't ask. He had difficulty understanding how to walk on his heels, but now he does it all the time around the house.

Dylan weighed 30 lbs (has only gained 10 lbs in the past 2 years)...he's just so active and doesn't eat a lot. I keep saying he's going to be a swimmer with his swimmer physique.  He was 37 inches tall.

and he rocked his Cat in the Hat gown

Strawberries

A few weeks ago, Dylan and I had our first strawberry picking experience together.  We have a local farm nearby where you can pick your own or have them pick them for you.  Of course, I let Dylan pick them, which maybe it wasn't the best idea, as we ended up with a lot of white strawberries.  I know it really doesn't matter, he had fun...so that's all that matters.

Here is part of the crew before heading into the field. Notice Dylan's thumbs up. Our neighbor's landscaper gave him the thumbs up a few weeks ago as he was mowing, so since then, he does it all the time. Crazy kid.

 The kids with their strawberries.

 My friend Lori and her baby L who was originally due one day before me, but he ended up arriving 15 days before Natalie.  Dylan and another one of her kids (J aka Monkey in earlier posts) are 16 days apart.  We didn't know each other then nor did we announce we were trying with Natalie and L so it was all coincidence.

Watch Natalie Grow - 3 months

It's hard to believe that Natalie is now 3 months old. While she isn't growing quite at the pace of her brother, she is a healthy girl. At her last weight check a few days ago, she was 11lbs and 11oz.  

She is still quite the happy baby. She smiles first thing when she wakes up in the morning and anytime you talk to her, make noises with your mouth or kiss her on the lips.  

Her spitting up (acid reflux) has seem to pick up more within the past few weeks but it's nothing like it once was now that I exclusively pump and have cut out dairy.  

I looked back at my blog to see when Dylan started rolling over and it was at 3 months. I realize he was an over achiever and I had time to work with him more, but I realize I need to give Natalie more tummy time even though she's not a huge fan. She is starting to try and throw her legs to the side so that's a good sign. 

 And who can deny cute little baby feet.

Happy 3rd Birthday Dylan

A few months ago, shortly after Natalie was born and I became pretty attached physically to Natalie, I began telling Dylan about my plans for his birthday party.  (Since I couldn't play so much with him, I like to talk a lot to him.)  He loved the idea of having a superhero birthday party.  I mean that's all he plays with now and days is his batman cave and his superhero pals.  I thought it would be fitting to play it up. I had a grand idea to make capes for party favors then I realized making them would be too much, I would just buy a fabric that wouldn't fray and stick some velcro on it and ta-dah. Masterpiece, ok maybe not a masterpiece because I can't even cut a straight line but hey they are kids, they can't tell...right?

This year I did a Friday, during the day party, and it worked out great.  While there was still a big crowd, it made for a better turn out and the dads are subjected to birthday parties :)  Dylan for the most part picked out who he wanted to invited.  I mentioned names of friends at church, school and in the neighborhood and he would say yes or no. If you are reading this and you wonder why you weren't invited, it doesn't mean that Dylan rejected you, I probably just didn't say your kids name or he didn't know who they were...that sounds harsh but it's not meant that way. promise.

Waiting for the other superheros to arrive at the Weaver Cave

We started off with free play while all the guests arrived. I had Dylan pull out his cave and joker house to the main living room so there would be lots of room.  

Once all the kids arrived, we started the games.  

There was pin the batman symbol on batman.  

Find the kryptonite (kind of like easter egg hunt but newspaper wrapped in neon green duct tape) -- Notice the kid's capes...Dylan's I did not make, his was ordered on Etsy. 

Bomb the Joker with a water balloon.  (This was a hit. what kid doesn't like to throw water ballons)

Lunch was served super hero themed with...make your own hero sandwich, micro-chips, growth grapes and carrots for super sight. Thank you to Dana for helping me with the signs. If you want any help planning a birthday party, she is your go to girl. 

After lunch, we opened presents and followed up with cake and ice cream. My friend Angel with About Cake Etc made his cake. While most decorative cakes like this look good, but taste bad...Angel's cake was pretty and oh so yummy...check her out. 

Dylan said he loved his party. When I asked him what his favorite part was he said "playing, drinks, cake, toys" I said what was your favorite game. His reply "kryptonite"

Thank you all for making his 3rd birthday special.

 Dylan with his girlfriend from next door as bat woman

Natalie and me

Baby Dedication

Our church had a special mother's day baby dedication. I didn't grow up in a church that did baby dedications, but I love the purpose.  It's not a baptism, but simply a dedication saying that the parent(s) will do everything in their power to raise the child to know the Lord and to be a part of the church and they ask that the church help them do so.  We did this for Dylan as well.  However, his was in the normal Sunday morning service, but now that we have grown as a church, there are lots of little kids to dedicate....18 or so this time around to be exact.  

My mom and dad came to see Natalie dedicated...and I was a bad mom, I left Natalie's bottle on the counter and she was getting restless as soon as we got there.  Luckily we live in walking distance (walked to church that morning to be exact) and it didn't take long for my dad to drive back to our house and get it...whew, crisis averted.

Here is a test shot that a friend took. I asked her to take pictures for us since she was front and center.  I offered the same in return but she had lots of extra hands (aka children) to help out. Damien will not like this pic but I look decent so I had to post it. Being a mom, there are hardly any pics of you and you have to be selective of the ones you post ;)

 Pastor Rick talking to Natalie

While I pray for good health and success for Dylan and Natalie, my number one prayer that means the most is that they accept Jesus and that one day will bow before the throne of God as His servant. I pray that they have a servant's heart. To me that's the most important thing as a mother, for them to receive the gift of eternal life.

School Carnival

At Dylan's school, to celebrate the end of the school year, they had a day of fun with a carnival.  The school set up a carnival in the cafeteria with 13 stations from ring toss, to an obstacle course, to face paint. To keep track of which stations they had already visited, the kids were a necklace with a piece of paper around their neck.  On the paper were the station numbers and as they completed the station, the number would be marked off. 

After the carnival was over, each class had a pizza party. We opted out of the pizza party as I am not eating dairy right now (oh cheese how I miss thee) and because I am cheap...or as Damien calls me frugal. They were charging $4 per person. For $8, I could bring in a whole pizza instead of getting 2-3 slices, and I was right as they brought in Little C's pizza who has a $5 large pizza special. I would not have been happy :)  - We instead brought our sandwiches, shared fruit with the class and to celebrate Dylan's birthday with his school friends, I brought chocolate rice krispy treats. It was a fun day, indeed.

Here are the kids in Dylan's class listening intently to the instructions of how the carnival worked. 

Dylan's first game.  He kept scooting closer and closer.

So focused he is

Getting his face painted by the director (I heart her, seriously one of the sweetest ladies ever)

Race cars with his best bud

The kids had a blast.  I am really going to miss my two days a week with one kid this summer, but I am sure we will keep busy with pool time and play dates. 

Oh, and Natalie did attend. She was pretty much asleep the whole time.