Exercising

Cavett has decided he likes to exercise too. These are 3 pound each weights first and one 8 pounder second.

Boys Night

Tonight was Dad's night at Cavett's school and Jennifer had Cantare rehearsal. So, is was me and my two boys. I took off to his school and we were having boy's night. It was more fun that expected and probably twice the work I thought it would be (and I thought it would be tough). I had Kendrick strapped in to the Baby Bjorn for most of the night and we got to experience Cavett's day.

First we went to his room for a little play time. We colored on paper with melted crayons. Then we headed off to music. It was fun, but after watching Jennifer at song play I would hope that the kids would have been more engaged. Nevertheless they all seemed to have fun. Next was gym. Boy can those kids "play!" First we chased the hoolaloops. Basically I rolled it and Cavett played "fetch." He was laughing the entire time. Then we played the "freeze" game. We ran when the music was on and "freezed" when the music stopped. Me with Kendrick on my chest bouncing along chasing Cavett. It was a blast! Lastly we returned to his room for more play time and read a few books.

My only real criticism is that his teacher said he loved to play dress up and pointed to the corner that had dresses and such. There were no real "manly" clothes. So we will be cleaning out my closet for a few shirts and ties and such. I'm not concerned, but I want to make sure his imigination is inspired :)

I look forward to many more boy's nights with my boys!
Stephen

Van Cliburn in the making

Ok, so he isn't Van Cliburn, but Kendrick did enjoy playing his piano this afternoon. He has also decided he can sit up on his own for a little bit. Although, he does do a face plant after about 30 seconds.

P.S.- If you know my brother, Jonny give him a shout and tell him Happy Birthday. I think he is 25 today.

Cavett's Birthday Poem

It's been a long week with Daddy gone. But he comes home in about 3 hours. We can't wait to have him back.

On another note, I meant to post this yesterday, but forgot. Lately, my wonderful mother-in-law has been struck with the gift of poetry. She wrote a sweet poem for Kendrick's baptism and yesterday she sent Cavett a birthday poem. Grandmama, you are one special lady and we love you! Thank you.

CAVETT TURNS THREE!!

Oh me, oh my; oh my, oh me!!
Young Cavett, the boy, has just turned three!

A boy who plays, a “play-boy” he!
We wonder what he’s going to be.
When he grows tall and strong and bold
What will he do when he gets old?

Maybe he’ll play a game each day.
Each day he’ll search and search away
For a wonderful, hidden, God-given surprise
That appears before his very eyes!

A thing that God would have him discover
To make himself a great God-lover!

And as he grows older and older each day
To be 30 or 40 or 80, let’s say
He’ll still be a child who loves to play
The game of discovering every day
What wonder is given to him today
By a God who delights to see the way
Cavett finds the hidden surprise of the day!!

From grandmamma
January 23, 2008

Doctor's Visit

It's official. "He's a little boy," said the pediatrician. No longer a toddler. She was quite impressed by his language as they started the visit off with a huge conversation about the ride in the elevator and the birthday party.

Vitals: Height 36 1/2" --25th percentile (I guess he has my height gene.)

Weight 32 pounds --50th percentile (even though he skips meals. Yesterday all he had was breakfast!)

Everything else is developmentally appropriate. She still said to wait until age 5 for his hernia in his belly button. She claims it should go away on its own by then.

Next visit--Kendrick, age 6 months (Feb. 29)

3 Years Later...

Three years ago today I was in the hospital giving birth to our first born son, Cavett Christian. It was a magnificent day and one that truly changed our lives for the better. And, we are so grateful to God for giving us this precious and perfect child.

It is amazing to see how fast he has grown. It seems like just yesterday that he was spitting out mashed up green peas and climbing out of his crib. He just began really talking 15 months ago and now his vocabulary is expanding exponentially. He can hold a conversation with you and discuss things that really matter with thought. As any parent will say, my child is very smart (but, he really is!) and inquisitive. He is a puzzle worker and a book reader, but he also loves playing with cars and balls too. So far, he has been an easy child to raise, taking discipline well and although there are a few temper tantrums, they are manageable.

I pray that God continues to pour his blessings on Cavett and give us wisdom as parents in guiding him through the future. Happy Birthday, Cavett.

The wonders of suction

After seeing Mom and Anna Grace off this morning, we headed over to our neighborhood Oreck store to decide on a new vacuum cleaner. We have been buying a new one almost every 3 years or so, and I'm getting tired of it. It's not really one of those appliances that you really want to spend your extra money on. But, alas, it is needed.

We had a very knowledgable and talkative salesman. After an hour or so and we ended up with a canister. Cavett found it extremely entertaining and I wish I had had the camera with me at the store. After the salesman had us feel the different levels of suction on our hand, Cavett decided to test it out on other things and body parts- cheek, head, clothes, belly button. And yes, it will pick up a bowling ball. In fact he liked it on his belly button so much that he has a pretty good little hickey on it now. Who knew that all he needed for his birthday was a vacuum cleaner!

The Birthday Party

Yesterday we had Cavett's birthday party at Bounce U. It was a great success and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. We are so blessed to have so many good friends.

The Cha-Cha Slide

Cavett went to a birthday party at Incredible Pizza yesterday. For one of the filler activities, they danced the "Cha-Cha Slide". He was quite into it. Many parents commented that "he had some moves!"

God's Reasoning

After a 5 month hiatus, due to child-birth...I had my first rehearsal back with Cantare, a professional chamber group in Houston, last night. It was so good to be singing again with musicians that are so atune to the details. The sad news is that one of our members, Sally, just died in a car accident last week. Our first rehearsal was cancelled due to the funeral. I opted out for several reasons, one of which was I hadn't been to another funeral since Dad died and I wasn't sure I was up for another "tragic accident" funeral.

During last night's rehearsal Kevin, our director, spoke about Sally a bit and gave some reasoning. He said that sometimes people have more impact on us after we are gone than while we are here. And that maybe it was God's plan to have other's lives changed by taking her so quickly.

As with Dad, I know for certain he changed people's lives while he was here. But, after his memorial service, I had heard that he changed the lives of people he hadn't even met. Maybe God took him to change me. We will never really know during our time here on earth, but there is a Masterplan.

Bird Poop

I have decided that baby spit up is like being pooped on by a bird--same consistancy and disgusting. This one just barely missed me and Kendrick ( and this wan't even the biggest splat of the day!) If I could change one thing about babies, that would be it. Let me change poopy diapers all day, but the spit up has got to go! How about you? What would you change about babies? Comment away...

On another note, we had to get out of the house today. It's a kinda grey, blah day, but we brightened it by a little laughter in the park. Here are a few of Cavett's musings.

Sweater Vests

Today was sweater vest day. Both my boys wore them to church today.

Not much else is going on. Cavett is really being lovely-dovey with Kendrick lately. He's so sweet saying, "I love my baby brother," while giving him kisses and hugs. I hope it lasts!

He's made Dad proud!

It looks as if Kendrick has hit another milestone. Last night he was really fussy when trying to go down for the night. At one point I put my finger in his mouth to let him suck on it and low and behold his 2 bottom teeth had ruptured through the gum, just barely. When we went to the Dr. last week she said it looked like they were on the way, but I didn't expect them this fast!

The Wonderful World of Solids

Kendrick got his first taste at "solid" food today. Granted, it was more like rice cereal soup, but it was something other than milk. He was quite interested at first and even did fairly well at swallowing. But, after 4-5 minutes of this adventure he was done. We'll try again tomorrow.

Today was also Stephen's first day off in 3 years that was not a holiday or a Sunday and we didn't have any thing scheduled. It was really bizarre and we hardly knew what to do with ourselves. He will now have a 3 day weekend every other weekend this year. We are so excited!

Dress Up

This weekend was spent at Choir Retreat just about an hour northwest of Houston. It was quite an ordeal to pack up all the baby gear, toys, monitors, and suitcases for less than 48 hours. I'm not sure it would have been worth it, except for the fact that James Jordan was our clinician. For those of you not in the choral world, he ranks right up there with Robert Shaw and Ann Jones and for me he probably ranks #1 due to his efforts in Laban conducting and music education. He also wrote a fabulous book called the Musician's Soul. Anyone who has ever considered themselves even an ameatur artist or a creative being, it is a must read!!!

Anyway, I digress. While we are in rehearsal, there are babysitters provided to keep the kids. This is the picture that one of the sitters emailed me. Cavett and Kendrick are the only boys. There is another girl, Lauren, who brought many girly things to play with including dress-up clothes. Cavett insisted on wearing her "get-up."

The first time this happened at church, I thought, no big deal. He doesn't realize that Cinderella is a girls only costume. Then Friday he went to a girlfriend's house, Campbell, to play while I took Kendrick to the Dr. and again he insisted on wearing the cheerleader outfit rather than the Power Ranger costume. I guess I need to start a dress up trunk and find some "manly" things to put in it. And, then we need to take them wherevere we go to play!

The check-up

Kendrick had his 4 month check-up today. It was actually scheduled for next week, but he has a terrible cough and a raspy voice. So, they were able to squeeze us in. He is now 25 1/2" which is in the 75th percentile, 14 pounds (50th percentile) and head circumference is 16 3/4" (again 50%). He is a perfect little boy.

The Dr. said he has some bronchitis and gave him a prescription for a breathing treatment. Other than that, he is doing very well and right on target with milestones.

Picture courtesy of Cavett.

P.S.--I have FINALLY uploaded ALL of our December pictures to our website.

Stephen is.....

31 today. We were so blessed that there were no patients this afternoon and he was able to come home at 2:00! He spent the afternoon on the couch with Kendrick and then playing in the game room with Cavett. It's so good to see him playing with our kids. I think it was the best present he could ask for.

We had a steak dinner tonight followed by chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. Stephen and I will celebrate with an evening out next month when we go see "Jersey Boys." (Tickets were my present to him.)

Cavett was curious as to how old Dad was..."Are you 2 like me? 3 like Mommy?" Just watch the look of surprise when Stephen says he is 31. Priceless.