Twins?

Every time I see this picture of Jordyn and Addy I do a double take because it reminds me so much of a picture of me with my sister-in-law Sarah. Now normally I don't think Jordyn looks that much like me, but when I compare these two pictures it shocks me how much we look alike. What do you think?

TWO TEETH!

I was letting Addy have a taste of potatoes off my finger tonight and she bit me... that's what I get for putting my finger in her mouth I guess. I'd probably bite too.

When she bit me it actually hurt a little so I went in for a closer look. We have been able to feel a tooth for a few days but hadn't seen too much of it yet so I suspected it had come through a little farther. Boy was I surprised to see two little teeth in there. I had to look close because they are just popping through and barely visible, but she has TWO TEETH... the lower front teeth. It is very cute. When they are visible enough to see in a picture I will put one on the blog.

Kevin and Jordyn got a laugh at my expense as I started bouncing at the table and loudly chanting "there's 2, there's 2, there's 2". Oh the little things that excite me!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

I found a video editing software program on my computer over the weekend - didn't know I had it, so it was a surprise to me. I threw some pictures into a video to just "play" with it. It is no work of art, but the kids in it are pretty cute so I thought I'd share with you.




Last night was our Christmas program at church - it was a fabulous program and the kids were very good. There was a nice touch of humor as one kid or another would say the wrong line and say "ooops" into the microphone... The program was great as it showcased Christ's birth as well as the meaning of many symbols that we see at Christmas time - candy cane, Christmas tree, star, bell, candles, etc.

I haven't transferred any video to the computer yet, but I do have a bunch of pictures to share... at my insistence we ended the evening with family photographs.



I hope to see many of you in the coming days. Unfortunately we are unable to attend all family gatherings, but know that our thoughts are with all of you.

Love, Kevin, Brook, Jordyn, and Addyson

Doctor Update

Quick follow-up on previous post:

The blood test came back with no abnormalities, we are very thankful for that!
We were unsucessful in an attempt to get a urine sample, so we'll find out if there is any follow-up on that at our next doctor appointment on the 22nd.

We have added carrots and bananas to Addy's mealtimes. She is proving to be a great eater and has liked everything so far. On the funnier side: she had bananas for the first time tonight and LOVED them. She ate an entire jar and wanted more. I'm certainly not going to limit her food intake at this point, so I dug out the carrots. She made grimacing faces when eating the carrots and she even shuddered a couple times. It was like she couldn't stand the taste but just couldn't stop herself from coming back for more. She ate them just fine the last two days, and she seemed to like them. The lesson here: don't start with the really yummy food (bananas) and finish with the less yummy food (carrots). I wish I had been videotaping her eating the carrots because the faces she was making were hilarious. After a long day at work, my work stresses were forgotten in that instant. One of the greatest joys of having children is their ability to lift our spirits with their sweet innocence.

Turning 50, School Program, and the Doctor

My mom celebrated her 50th Birthday last weekend. We threw her a surprise party on December 2nd, the day before her birthday. She thought she was meeting me at church to help me set-up my Cubbies room and she was shocked to find a bunch of friends and family waiting to wish her a Happy Birthday! After a little concern that the lasagna wasn't going to be done in time (it was), the party was a success. Happy Birthday Mom! Thanks to everyone who was able to join us.

Sue with her cake

Jordyn serving punch

One of her birthday presents, "Oil of Old Age"

On Thursday night, Jordyn had her Christmas program at school. It was called "Santa's Rockin' Christmas Eve". The 4th-6th graders did a great job and everyone enjoyed the show... even Addyson.

Jordyn and Addyson after the program

Jordyn with her friends Abby and Maggie

Addyson's follow-up doctor appointment was today. Kevin met Dr. Tinquely for the first time today. He really liked him and after the appointment commented how funny he is. Addyson is now 14 pounds, so she is gaining weight - just not at the rate the doctors look for. She gained 7 ounces over 16 days, which is much better than the 3 ounces she gained over a month at the last appointment. In order to ensure that nothing is wrong, Addy had a blood draw. We should find out those results on Monday. We also attempted to gather urine for a urine analysis. The bag they used didn't have a very secure seal so it didn't work. They sent another bag home so we could try again. If we are able to successfully gather a urine sample, we will drop it off over the weekend. If we are unsuccessful, they may decide to do a catheter at her 6-month regular check-up and immunization appointment on December 22nd.

Overall, the appointment went pretty well. I was really concerned that they were going to tell us to stop breastfeeding and go to exclusive formula. While he did mention that as an option, he also said that he wasn't sure that was the best thing for Addy's overall health. When I expressed desire to continue breastfeeding, he gave us his blessing. He also gave us the go ahead to start solid food (beyond the cereal we have occasionally given her). SO, tonight Addy had peas! I was shocked at how well she did. She loved those peas and didn't spit out any of it. She was actually leaning toward the spoon and opening her mouth. She got a little mad when I stopped feeding her. I am very excited how well she did with it. We will eat lots of peas over the weekend and try another new food in a couple days. (It is recommended to only introduce a new food after 2-3 days. If she has an allergic reaction to anything, it will be very easy to identify what it is.) Hopefully the addition of food and continuing to nurse will help her pack on another 7-14 ounces or so in the next 2 weeks. I feel fairly confident that everything is okay and that she is just balancing out from her high birth weight.

Dad's first doctor appointment with Addy

Waiting for the doctor to come in

Addy's pink bandage from the blood draw

Hey, what is on my foot?

Check Out our video of Addy eating peas! (Sorry about the shakiness - I was holding the camera and feeding her at the same time)

From Big Baby to Peanut Baby

How does one go from being 10 pounds 9 oz at birth to creating "cause for concern" about your weight? At Addyson's 2-month check-up she weighed in at about the 95th percentile. At her 4-month check-up she was below the 50th percentile (13 lb. 9oz). Because she gained so little weight between appointments, they asked me to bring her in again at 5-months. We had this 5-month appointment on Wednesday and she gained another 3 oz - bringing her to 13 lb. 12 oz.

Before I can ask the nurse if that is good or bad, I am sitting with a doctor - not our regular doctor who had the day off. She said this very slow weight gain was definitely a "cause for concern" a million times and something we need to "monitor closely" about a zillion times. She proceeds to tell me not to worry but they expect a child of this age to gain a minimum of 1/2 oz per day. Which means they would have expected Addy to gain about a pound (16 oz) since the last visit - she only gained 3 oz! After explaining to the doctor that Addyson eats 6 times a day - about 3 hours between feedings except at night and of course she seems satisfied between feedings (or I'd feed her more), the nice doctor sends me home with instructions to continue doing what we are doing regarding her feedings, and a promise that she will call Dr. Tinquely (our regular doctor) and fill him in.

When I get home, I have a message from the phone nurse at Meritcare to give them a call as soon as I get in. Turns out Dr. Tinquely is also concerned and wants to see us back in 2 weeks. Of course I am now worried about Addyson and I don't understand why she isn't gaining weight fast enough.

When I look at her she seems like a very healthy little girl. She is a very pleasant and happy baby- I can't imagine that she is not getting enough to eat. I have a theory that she just started out so big that she is just getting to the height/weight where she is meant to be. I don't know what to think.

So, we go back on December 8th - I'll keep you posted.

In other news... we have been having beautiful weather (except the last 2 days have been cold). I took the girls out in their matching sweaters for a 'Christmas Card' photo session. I discovered that it is very tricky to get 2 kids to both smile at the same time... even when one of them is 9 years old. After about an hour, I decided that I wasn't going to get the perfect shot so I'd choose one of the good ones I'd already captured. We go trouncing back in the house and Kevin emerges from his nap. I tell him about our photo session and he says "try again" and he'll help. So in about 15 seconds with Kevin's help, I snap off about 6 great pictures of the girls smiling - I could hardly choose between them they were all so wonderful. Guess now I know to enlist dad's help next time. I have included some of the funnier pictures from the day... you'll have to wait for your Christmas card to see the winner.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - we enjoyed our time in Chokio and even got a little Christmas shopping started and the house decorated.

Jordyn used to crinkle her nose up like this when she was a baby.

Even Venus tried to get in on the fun

Hi Big Sister! Hi Little Sister!

A few more pictures...

Love the BUMBO!

Jordyn has the flu today... Addy understands.

Sleepy baby

Hanging out with dad

It was a big weekend around the house. Cuz Jaycee came to visit along with Aunt Sarah and Grandma Barb. It was also G Grandma Rita's 84th birthday so Uncle Louis came as well. The girls got matching sweaters and hats. They took the mall and the world by storm.

Addy is 5 months today!

Addy and I spent the weekend alone because Kevin was hunting and Jordyn was with her dad in Fullerton - also hunting.

We had a great time just hanging out with few other obligations. We had quite an extensive photo session tonight, in honor of her 5-month birthday!

She is getting so big, so fast! Up until now she has been content with the pacifier, but she has now discovered her favorite way to chew/suck on her fingers. She takes her pointer finger of her right hand (never the left) and makes it into a hook shape, tucks her thumb in her fist, and into the mouth the hook goes. I have been watching her do it the same way the last couple days... definitely a pattern.

We had another milestone this past week. She made the move from the bedside bassinet into her crib in her bedroom. She transitioned like a champ... better than mom did. I still miss having her so close, but she was starting to outgrow the bassinet so it was time.

Addy playing on the quilt that great-aunt Patty made...

and I'm playing with the fun 'black& white with color accent' feature on the camera

One of Addy's favorite toys - now if she would just learn to stop hitting herself in the head with it

Patting and squeezing mom's face is a fun activity

When Addy smiles, her whole face lights up!

Finally big enough to play in the activity center that big sister Jordyn picked out for her. This is a fun toy!

To see the rest of the pictures from our picture taking extravaganza, click on the following link:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bokc7gkn.1z5exgib&x=0&y=69woo2

See a video of Addyson talking...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjZGQbwNUfA

Jordyn

Addy at the pumpkin patch in Bismarck. BEST Pumpkin patch I've seen.

Kevin, Jordyn, and Addy at Rachael and Steve's wedding in Minot. It was a beautiful wedding but I didn't get any good pictures - they all turned out very dark.

More pictures...

Addy is 4 months old today!

(She was ready to eat and not happy about the picture taking session)

Jaycee hanging out in our hotel room in Brainerd

Kevin and Jason catching up and hamming it up for the camera.

Sarah (Kevin's sister) and I at Peter and Krista's wedding

Grandpa Tom's birthday!

Pictures: Eating Cereal plus Kevin & Jaycee

First Days

We have had a lot of firsts in the last few weeks!

Jordyn went back to school after Labor Day to start a great year in 4th-grade. I can't believe she is that old! She is working hard already... she came home yesterday with a "boatload" (her words) of homework. Today in Phy Ed she had to run the timed one mile run.. I always hated that day but she seemed to take it all in stride. Here she is on her first day of school. It is VERY embarrasing when your mom takes a picture of you in front of the other kids...tee-hee! I'm sure I'll still be trying to take pictures of her on the first day of school when she is in high school and I'm sure she'll be mortified.


Addyson is doing so well. She is now 3-months old and such a happy and fun baby. We are so blessed to have her. She is sleeping from about 9pm to 6:30am each day... which I love. She does really well with routines and has settled into them with little work by us.



We also had the first day of VIKINGS football! We all donned our purple and gold and watched the game together. Even Jordyn joined us... although she read and drew during most of the game. We had to get the camera out to capture our VIKING PRIDE! It is hard to get a baby to look at the camera and smile when it is on self-timer. She is watching the tv in this picture... little turkey!

Our latest bit of news is that I am officially back to work after a great summer at home with my girls. I had 3 good job offers in one week so I was fortunate to have some choices. I chose to take a Marketing Manager position with Summit Group Software. I feel that this will be a challenging and exciting position in a relatively new and small organization with great growth potential. I have been working for a week and am learning a lot already. Addyson is doing well with her new daycare routine. She is going to a great home daycare run by someone I have known for a few years. She is well loved and snuggled all day which is exactly what I want for her. I miss her so much during the day but I have to admit that it is nice to get out of the house and interact with adults.

We have a very busy fall scheduled with 3 different out-of-town weddings in 3 weeks. I am also going to training classes and several trade shows for work in October. Plus Girl Scouts and Awana are gearing up again. I have a feeling that fall is going to be gone before I know what has happened.

Hope all is well with everyone... please leave a comment! We love to read them.

The "Unofficial" End of Summer!

It has been a great summer so I shouldn't complain, but... it is so rainy and dreary in Dilworth. I guess summer is over, which wouldn't be so bad except it means my maternity leave is coming to an end. Jordyn goes back to school Tuesday, as a 4th grader. I go back to work on Wednesday and Addyson goes to daycare for the first time. (Sobbing) I have been so fortunate to have this whole summer at home with my girls, but I'm sad to see it coming to an end.

Here are a couple new pictures of Jordyn and Addyson.

I have also added one of Addy with Grandma Barb and Papa Spud. We took a quick trip to Chokio to help Barb celebrate her birthday last Saturday. They were very surprised to see us and thrilled to see the kids!

I'm 30!

I turned 30 today - yikes! My best friend Carrie came from Phoenix yesterday. She surprised me with a facial at Hair Success today. That was a fun treat!

BEFORE! (for an after picture, check out the party pictures)

Later I was surprised by many friends/family at Applebee's! I showed up almost half an hour late because I didn't realize anyone was waiting for me. Ooops! Thanks to everyone who came and thanks to my husband for organizing it.

Kevin and I - I'm wearing a "30" crown and a lot of beads!

Jordyn and I

Tanya and Carrie

As an additional surprise, my cousin Angela decided to have a baby today! Welcome to the family, Mira Mae. She shares my birthday and she is the same weight that I was 30 years ago. She was even born around the same time that I was. She is absolutely beautiful - congratulations Jimmy and Angela! I will never have an excuse to forget her birthday.