Four months old

A little late, but Kelsey had her four-month checkup today. She's definitely having no problems growing! She weighed in at 18 pounds and 25 3/4 inches long. (In weight, she's still topping the boys at the same age but nearly two pounds.) The doctor contributes the weight gain to a possible higher fat content in my breastmilk. Who knows?!?

These photos are from the 24th, when she really turned four months. She's wearing a dress that I wore as a baby (with a cute little panty that says "Kelsey" from our friends Tyra and family).

Kelsey at 4 months

• She can roll to her side, but not all the way over without some help.
• She can hold her head up very well while on her tummy.
• She smiles often.
• She laughs lots, mostly at her brothers.
• She loves to talk (or coo) to anyone who'll listen.
• On good nights, which we've had more of lately, she sleeps from about 8 p.m.-4 a.m. On bad nights, she wakes up around 12:30 or 1 a.m. as well.
• She loves to hang out in the pool with us and doesn't mind getting splashed.
• She'll grab her toys hanging down from her activity gym.
• She must be teething, because she's constantly chewing on anything she can put into her mouth, including Brendan's fingers.
• Kelsey just loves to hang out! Rarely does she cry or fuss. She's as sweet as can be!

Pencil dive!

The boys have been all about the diving board this week. Brendan spends more time in the diving well these days than anywhere else. And Ryan, who had decided not to jump off the board the past couple of weeks, was back in full swing.

Ryan jumps off the diving board to Ken. At times Saturday, he went well below the water and always came up smiling. He also does not wait for a 1-2-3 go. He jumps on 1!

Brendan tried various poses off the board Saturday, including this Spider-Man move.

Ryan and Ken make their way to the ladder, where Brendan waits underwater.

Happy birthday, Brendan!

Wednesday, Brendan officially turned 5. Wow! He's no longer my baby (or maybe he hasn't been for some time). In less than three weeks, he'll be attending his first day of school. Oh my.

Me and my 5-year-old (and Kelsey)

We celebrated his day in an upside-down fashion, since Ken had to work late into the evening. Brendan attempted to eat five pancakes, but said his stomach just couldn't do it. (For the record, his stomach can do it, namely at Zach's on Sunday mornings.) Then he opened presents. Brendan was thrilled to receive several Rescue Heroes toys and two Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie reader books. He also loved his new race car and Legos.

Brendan's excited to get Rescue Heroes toys.

He was much too excited to stop for cake at 10 a.m., but we convinced him to at least blow out the candles. Then he decided ice cream cake wasn't for him. (Ken and I needed something other than regular birthday cake after having had three cakes since Aug. 2.)

Brendan blows out the candles on his Carvel ice cream cake. We were "caked-out" after so many birthday celebrations. Brendan didn't dare to taste it; Ryan couldn't shovel it in his mouth fast enough!

An overcast day and light rain kept us from the pool later in the afternoon, but we spent plenty of time playing outside. Brendan practiced riding his new bike and didn't mind his first fall.

Ryan did pretty well while his brother opened presents. It wasn't until Brendan saw his bike that Ryan started to throw a fit. He wanted his chance to ride, too.

Brendan at 5

• He still says some mixed up words/phrases. My current favorite: "each gether" instead of "each other."
• He's growing into a good big brother. This week he taught Ryan how to do puzzles that Ryan received for his birthday. He was so patient and encouraging. With Kelsey, he always tells her how much he loves ("My heart is so big for you") and plays with her.
• He talks nonstop. Nonstop. I'm not sure how this child breathes at times. But his sister loves it, because he'll sit next to her on the floor and play, describing everything he does in detail to her.
• He loves to build with Legos. Now he's getting more into the little sets that require lengthy instructions. But he also enjoys building with the bigger blocks.
• He's an artist these days. He'll spend hours coloring in his books and drawing pictures. He stays in the lines and carefully chooses colors for each picture.
• He can write very well now. He knows his address and phone number and can count to 100 if given the time.
• He enjoys making his own peanut butter sandwich -- his lunchtime favorite of the moment -- when I'm busy nursing Kelsey.
• Pizza still ranks as his #1 food choice. Just cheese, please. And he loves to dunk his breadsticks, just like his mom.
• He's outgrown his dairy allergy at this point, but he still shows some sensitivity to foods such as ketchup, sweettarts and some tomato sauces. His left cheek and ear will turn red and get hot. He isn't bothered by it.
• For at least three years, he's had warts on his hands. At one point, he had nine of them. I'm pleased to say they are all gone. His body has finally fought off the virus.
• He's obsessed with everything from the movie Cars. He loves Dinoco Lightning and is on a quest to find Tex.
• He also is into superheroes, primarily Spiderman.
• He loves reading. He has since he was a baby. He even stops what he's doing to listen to me read baby books to Ryan and Kelsey. He just loves reading.

Our little froggy

Kelsey at 3 1/2 months

Schmirthday Schmarty* time

Saturday, we celebrated Ryan and Brendan's birthdays together with a party at the pool. The day was as beautiful as we could have hoped for, with temperatures in the low 80s, low humidity, and hardly a cloud in the sky.

The boys are ready to party!

We decided to do a joint party since the boys' birthdays are just 13 days apart. My reasoning is, at 2 years of age, Ryan doesn't quite understand the whole concept anyway. And with Brendan, this was our last year before he'll begin inviting friends from soccer and school activities. It worked wonderfully. Brendan was there to lead the charge, which meant Ryan did get it to some degree.

Brendan swims with Andrew (left) and Ian (center). Ian is a friend from Brendan's old school, KidSpace, and the two were thrilled to be reunited.

Our guests swam and played in the sand, dined on fine Jet's pizza, played a superhero game (to match our superhero theme), sang "Happy Birthday," ate homemade cake, and watched the guests of honor open presents. Other folks with little ones know that birthday parties are breeding grounds for meltdowns. Well, we avoided them until the very end, when Ryan had certainly reached his limit.

I made Brendan and Ryan their own superhero emblem cakes for the party. I thonk I improved from my practice cake a week earlier, but I ran out of icing limiting my final touches.

Brendan opens a gift -- a yellow race car -- from our neighbors.

This photo makes me laugh. It's our family photo from the day, with our friend Wyatt in the middle!

*P.S. -- Have you ever watched Noggin's Upside Down show? It's so silly and imaginative and fun. They were attending a Schmirthday Schmarty on Saturday, too.

Adorable plaques

If you're looking for a sign or plaque for your home, a playroom, or your child's room, I highly recommend Saraboo Creek. The owner has shown at downtown Plymouth's Art in the Park for the past few years. I discovered her when I was looking for a sign for Ryan's room the summer before he was born. For him, I chose a dinosaur with his name on it.

This summer, my friend Christine and I were searching for a plaque to give as a baby shower gift. She stumbled upon the booth again at the fair, and we were both sold. I couldn't resist returning and getting a similar dinosaur for Brendan and an initial plaque for Kelsey. (She already has her name on the wall.)

It's definitely more fun though a bit overwhelming to pick out a plaque in person. The design possibilites are endless! But the website offers her most popular items. In addition, you can order pieces and build your own if you're willing to glue it yourself.

More photos from our mini vacation

This is the old party store that Ken remembers driving through many times while living in Centerville. You drive through and order from your car window, then they bring what you've ordered!

Ryan shows us a new move while at Bill's Donuts. These little stools were too cute and perfect for the boys.

Ryan goes down a roller slide at the park. He and Brendan found this slide very amusing.

Brendan and I stand under the mushroom water feature at the resort pool. The weather was beautiful and hot on this summer day.

Ryan rides on Swiper's ride at King's Island. Many of the rides were low-thrill, which meant he could ride by himself while Brendan tried some of the more daring rides.

Reunions, memory lane, and family firsts

Last weekend we ventured south to Ohio for a mini family vacation and 20-year reunion all rolled into three days. It was exhausting, but we all had fun and survived! (Though I must admit, I needed a day off from everyone after spending so much time in close quarters.)

Ken mostly grew up in Centerville, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. That fact is easily forgotten since he moved to Texas his junior year and then quickly settled into the Lone Star State once he attended TCU. Now he's all about Texas.

But when he heard that Centerville High School was holding its 20-year reunion this year, he decided he must attend. He met a handful of friends for the weekend. Ken keeps in touch with many of these folks, many of which he has known since middle school. So Saturday he spent driving down memory lane. He introduced Centerville to the children. Brendan seemed genuinely interested in seeing where Daddy played soccer, delivered the newspaper, ate donuts and pizza. (I hope Ken enjoyed his enthusiasm. I know in a few years he'll have a different attitude!)

Ken shows the boys his old house in Centerville, Ohio. The house hadn't changed much. In fact, Ken could still spot a broken board that his Dad had fixed before they moved to Texas.

We met our friends at Marion's pizza for a slice of Ken's favorite. It reminds me of Campisi's in Dallas, in that it's a rectangular pizza with small slices. You can eat half a pizza and not realize it! The decor inside Marion's hasn't changed one bit since Ken lived in Centerville. Some might consider it charming, but I think a few updates would be welcomed.


Saturday night Ken left us at the Courtyard Marriott and went to the reunion party. Thankfully, we had a suite so I could put the kids in bed and still enjoy television or reading without worrying about waking the children. (I think Ken and I are becoming hotel snobs. Lately, we've been spoiled with suites, and it is so nice to have some time to ourselves once the kids are in bed.) Before bed, though, I treated the boys to ice cream at Friendly's, another old favorite of Ken's.


Sunday morning we started the day with breakfast at Bill's Donuts, another favorite that hasn't changed since Ken first moved into town. The boys gobbled up the donuts, which is definitely a treat for them. Next we found a park behind the Healy family's old church. The boys needed a chance to burn off some energy before heading back the hotel for an early nap. Ryan was in desperate need of some rest after missing his nap Saturday.

Ryan and Brendan enjoy donuts at Bill's Donuts in Centerville. This donut shop was a short walking distance from the Healy's house, so he visited often.

Once he was awake, we loaded the car and drove to Mason, Ohio, where we stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. Up north, these resort waterparks are becoming quite popular. The resorts are usually booked solid during the winter, when folks here are getting tired of the cold weather and don't necessarily have the need/means/time for a tropical getaway. I can see why so many families enjoy it. The large lobby had a clock tower with a Chuck E Cheese-like show three times a day. They also have storytime at 8 p.m. each evening. There's a craft room where kids can do a variety of crafts for a small fee. On one floor of the hotel, there were some Little Tikes playhouses for the younger set. Of course, they had three or four restaurants for dining as well.


We didn't experience too much of the hotel Sunday as we walked less than a mile next door to King's Island for amusement park fun. King's Island has Nickelodeon Universe, which includes a dozen or so rides for kids. Even Ryan could ride several on his own, without a parent. Both boys enjoyed the rides, though some were a bit too mellow for Brendan. (He had a taste of the bigger roller coasters while visiting Frontier City in Oklahoma with Ken and Aunt Jenn.) Ryan loved seeing some of his favorite characters, including Pablo, Dora, Diego, and Blue. I liked the baby care center that offered an air-conditioned, semi-private space to nurse and change Kelsey.


We lasted a little more than two hours in the humid, overcast weather and dined on LaRosa's pizza, another favorite of Ken's. While we ate, Ken made a mad dash to the Beast for one quick ride. He claims it's the best roller coaster ever. Then we walked back to the lodge, where the boys sweet-talked Ken into a quick swim at the waterpark.


Monday we spent another three hours at the indoor waterpark. They certainly have something for everyone. For Ryan, there's a toddler pool that includes four small slides, a basketball hoop and balls, and several water features. A fort offered some medium-sized waterslides that Brendan could do without us. Then there were the larger, faster waterslides that require tubes. Brendan loved the slides he was tall enough to ride. We could also mosey around in the lazy river or hit the wave pool, though that wasn't as enticing for the kids.


Outside, the resort has a pool with water features and an "island" that is covered with just six inches of water. We spent at least an hour here enjoying the warm sun and breathing in the fresh air. (How did my parents ever sit through so many indoor swim meets and inhale so much chlorine?)

I get a chance to swim with the boys while Ken watches Kelsey, who is napping peacefully in the shade.

Finally, it was time to head home. The drive home was much longer than the initial drive, thanks to construction. But we eventually made it, with everyone feeling a little exhausted but thrilled with all the fun we had.

Before leaving the resort, we get one last family photo.

The boys go crazy on these very comfy swings at a park behind the Healy family's old church.

Ryan loves Pablo from the Backyardigans and was thrilled to spot him throughout King's Island.

Brendan and Ryan get a photo with Uniqua of the Backyardigans.

Ken and Brendan smile for the camera in the resort's pool while Ryan swims away. This is the norm these days. Ryan isn't as eager to stand still for the camera!

Ryan plays in the water features at the resort pool.

Happy birthday, Ryan!

Ryan is 2 today! Hooray!

We began the day by singing "Happy Birthday" to him as he woke. As with most 2-year-olds, he wasn't interested in us. He was more interested in the truck pictures he seems to have just discovered on his bedroom wall!

After Ryan napped, we packed up and headed for an afternoon at the pool. It's hot here -- in the mid 90s -- so it was a perfect day. (I was a little worried about Kelsey getting too hot, but she stayed cool in the shade and went for a dip as evening neared.)

Ken met us at the pool around 5, adding to the special day. Ryan showed off his 2-year-old status by jumping off the diving board and going down the pool's slide. He certainly is fearless in the water.

We stopped swimming for a pizza break, then went home at 6:30 so Ryan could open his gifts and eat cake. He loved all of his presents and didn't mind that Brendan was eager to play with them, too. (OK, so he did complain some when Brendan tried to play with his cars from the movie Cars. But who can blame him? He's been eyeing Brendan's cars for months.)

Helpful Brendan shows Ryan how to open his gift. Brendan was eager to do his part. Ryan didn't seem to mind as long as he got what was inside!

Ryan shows off the King and Dinoco Lightning, two of his presents from Aunt Jenn. Now he has Cars cars for his own collection. Maybe I'll hear less fighting over these cars? Somehow, I doubt it.

Ryan plays with his pretend fruit set, which will be a nice addition to our play kitchen. He enjoys "cooking" us meals and spent several minutes tonight serving us fruit.

Yippee! Ryan opens a new carrying case for his cars.

I attempted to make and decorate Ryan's cake. The baking was easy, the decorating wasn't as smooth. And I don't think this photo does it justice! But I was practicing for the boys' birthday party on Aug. 11, which will carry a superhero theme. Maybe I should practice a little more?

Hmmm ... up close, the cake doesn't look so good! Never mind the heart shape. That's actually the shape of Superman's emblem. Looks like the cake needs a little more work before next week's party. If only my niece Kylie were closer, she'd rescue me! She aspires to be a pastry chef someday.

Ryan at 2

• Ryan loves reading most books, but he's particularly fond of the Pigeon books and the "If you give a mouse a cookie" series. He makes us read them over and over.
• His vocabulary is exploding, as he'll say almost anything we say now. He speaks in sentences. On a good day, if you don't understand him, he'll take you by the hand and show you what he means.
• He's bonding more with his baby sister, Kelsey. He calls her, "Kelkey."
• He runs, jumps, and acts as wild as any little boy.
• In the pool, Ryan has no fear of jumping off the diving board, going down the slide, and swimming without any floaties. Going underwater doesn't bother him.
• He naps once a day, generally for two hours.
• Unfortunately, he seems to have allergies. Still waiting to see how this develops.
• His favorite foods include bananas, strawberries, peaches, watermelon, any kind of bread, pasta. He likes pizza, ice cream, and popsicles, too. There is little he won't try.
• He spends his days closing the doors to all of the bedrooms again and again and again.
• He loves his brother. All he wants is to do what Brendan does and play with him. He cries if they are separated, such as when we dropped off Brendan at sports camp each morning. Then he hugs and kisses Brendan when they are reunited.
• He works very hard to master a skill, such as trying to put on his own sandals.
• And he loves to brush his teeth!