Baby steps

Belle took a step the other day. She's been crawling, pulling up on things and cruising for about 2 months already, so it's no surprise. Since she's so short, being only 9 months old, we figure we'll invest in a bike flag, the kind that has the orange triangle on a long skinny pole that you connect to the back of a bike, and we'll attach it to her waist so we can know that she's coming.

She's understanding more and more these days, clapping her hands when asked to, saying Momma and Dada. She's got 4 teeth total, two top and two bottom and I expect she's working on more. She's can eat massive amounts of food and sometimes can sleep 14 hours at a time, so I'm guessing she's about to have a growth spurt.

She's a determined little lady who knows what she wants when she wants it. And, sometimes, she is the happiest little girl on the planet. Giggling and laughing, goofing with her brother...she's just a treasure.

Drew is talking up a storm. We can actually have conversations now...mostly about Thomas and what he doesn't want to wear, but we're communicating nonetheless. He loves to play outside regardless if its only two degrees, and he hopes that Santa will bring him cars. He really can't get enough of trains, trucks or construction. We still park outside construction sites here or there so he can watch all the digging, scooping and dumping going on.

We are traveling up to Saginaw for the holidays. First time flying with both children together. Should be a hoot. Just know that if the kids are going haywire and we seem to have lost all control, it's true. We are most likely vacated our right minds and in our virtual happy places. Just shake us when we arrive in Sagtown.

Meanwhile, Andrew and I just returned from St Maarten. It was a lovely vacation away. The kids stayed with their Grandma and Granje here in MO (thank you both, again!). It was a quiet, relaxing vacation, filled with lots of eating, sitting, staring into space and listening to the surf, or, actually having complete conversations since we don't get to have many of those uninterrupted anymore. (There's a whole lot of conversations in mid-stream hanging out in the space somewhere waiting to be finished someday). It was good that the island was really small without much to do, so we could literally just sleep late and veg without guilt. Click here for photos.

It was a wonderful homecoming though. And we visited with Bill and Jean for a few more days. We ate out 5 out of 6 meals, exchanged Christmas gifts, had our first Hanukkah meal with authentic latkas (yum!) and simply enjoyed each other's company.

We're excited about the holidays, made even more festive by the two little ones and their beaming faces. We went to see the big guy yesterday, Santa, but the kids weren't impressed. In fact, they were terrified. At least I know he heard my wish list.

Hide and Seek

Drew is beginning to see the benefits of having a little sister. It means someone else to play with! He loves it when she chases him, which has become a regular game for them. Belle definitely enjoys her brother quite a bit and I am looking forward to the day when he is her quiet protector and not the thing we fear for her.

Click here to watch the video of the two playing.

We also visited the Weston Red Barn Farm again this year...it's a fun tradition. This year we rode the hay ride to the pumpkin patch where we picked out a couple. Drew had fun sizing them all up. Belle didn't.

Photos of the trip are here.

And as Drew gets older, his sleep habits are changing. So while Belle goes to bed at 6:30--he now stays awake until about 8:30. So we've had more time to play outside without having to worry about Belle crawling away. As usual he loves to push and park the strollers and other toy cars, but he's also learning to ride the Red Flyer.

Annabelle crawls

...and has two teeth coming in. She's 6.5 months old already! She's discovering her voice and is loving screeching and yelping here and there. Especially at dinnertime when we're all gathered around the table. She's 15lbs now. She ate chicken enchiladas with us the other night (all mashed of course), loves to go on walks while watching Drew from the stroller, enjoys being held and a part of the action. She sooo wants to walk and be active. She doesn't crawl a ton yet, she JUST started on Sunday. But soon enough I see us separating little fingers from matchbox cars and Thomas trains (much to Drew's frustration).

Drew is growing so much. I barely see any 'baby' left in him. He is talking about everything, especially trains and tractors. He LOVES Thomas The Train. He likes football and dinosaurs. He loves reading books and occasionally he will sit in his room amongst all his furry pets and be paging through his books all by himself. So cute! When he wants to continue to do something, he tells us, "one more last time". He counted to 10 the other day, but left out lonely number 7 for some reason. He loves puzzles and they've really helped him learn his shapes and colors. Mostly he just loves his cars, matchbox cars. Lining them up. Parking them. Moving them from here to there. It's safe to say it's bordering on an obsession. But that's OK, right?

His second birthday is approaching already. We're excited to give him a Thomas table which his daddy is diligently building. He's got some trains already, but we are excited about the growing collection, because he's excited about it. Can't wait to see his little face when he sees his very own Thomas table (because currently he knows where they're all located around town: church, Barnes and Noble, the Children's museum).

Well, it's only been forever

...since I last posted. I've fallen into the mommy trap of not having enough time for it all. I think I'll have to cut back to trying to post monthly rather than weekly in order to actually be able to do it! It's sad because there is so much I want to share with you. I guess I wish you all just lived nearby. Then it'd be cake to keep you updated on how much the little ones are growing, how much they're learning and doing - we'd just get together! Well, until that happens...here's a cute animation I put together of Drew. Take note, this happened almost a year ago. That's how long it's taken me to edit/upload it. But it's so cute, I couldn't resist. (And I finally have time because all the remaining members of my immediate family were asleep by 8:15 tonight. Yes, that includes my husband....woo hoo another rockin' Saturday night!)

Drew dances with a hose.

Annabelle is sleeping 12 hours a night, with barely a peep until the morning. Amazing! It was totally unexpected to have our evenings back again so soon, but it's a wonderful little respite at the end of the day. We've been blessed with great sleepers!

She's finally rolling over both ways. And I think she's getting herself ready to crawl. She so wants to be on the move. I look forward to her being able to do that, but on the other hand each little milestone like that takes a bit of the baby away forever. I cherish being able to cradle her in my arms at night while she drinks her last bottle down. Soon enough she'll be as big as Drew, who I can't even hold in a cradle position anymore because he's all arms and legs.

Belle eats healthily and is in the top percentile for height - 75th! And mid-range for both weight and head size (50th). She seems to grow overnight sometimes. I am growing quite the biceps from toting her around all day. She's really only happy when she's being held, although she's getting better and more able to occupy herself for longer periods of time.

Tonight we went to our friend's 2nd birthday party. Drew decided the Thomas the Train cake looked too intrigueing and had to break a part of it off, to my horror. I can just hear the little voice in his head, "touch it? touch it." Oy vay! My friend was very gracious though and was able to save the cake (to some degree). Hello new era of embarrassing moments caused by my children, I do not welcome you but I am aware of you! I always need to have my repair cap ready and waiting in the event something is said or done that makes us all uncomfortable.

They Are Precious in His Sight

Belle has been welcomed 'into the family' by being baptized on July 18th. She was calm, cool and collected through the whole thing. Big brother had more challenges with it then she did. We had a special weekend with many family members here to celebrate the event. It was good to see everyone and just spend time hanging out. Thank you for visiting! Hope to see you all again soon.

7-10 Belles Baptism Weekend

Growing

Belle is rolling over from back to belly already. She started a couple weeks ago now. Problem is she can't get back to her belly from her back, so she needs to be rescued quite often. Just like when Drew learned to stand but didn't know how to sit - it's a dilemma.

She's just about big enough to sit alone with lots of support so that opens up a lot of new possibilities for her. She can sit in the jumpy seat and play or sit in the little portable chair that attaches to the counter and watch Mom be busy in the kitchen.
Annabelle loves to watch her big brother who isn't so fond of watching her back, but we're finally getting the occasional kiss or hug. I've been asked to provide pics of the 2 of them together, this is the best I could do for now. Drew is offering his 'beebick' to her. (Beebick is his blanket and binky).
More videos have been posted here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPx6f4cyJh4

Enjoy!

A Glimpse

Andrew and Drew were in Michigan this past week visiting Nene and Papa. I had a glimpse of what it was like to have just one baby again. I wish I had known certain things then that I know now. Things like: Enjoy your "free time". Take one shopping as much as possible. Enjoy the ability to run 'in and out'. ...blah blah blah doesn't matter. Two are more time-consuming but certainly more wonderful.

I find myself getting emotional unexpectedly these days. Talking with Andrew and telling him I don't expect our children to live near us when they get older ( just seems typical these days) - brought me to tears thinking about it. And really just thinking about my children and how much I love them brings me to the brink. Parenting makes one very vulnerable. A vulnerability I wouldn't do without. I just love my babies.

More Wonderful Random Moments

Click here to see an album of the latest good times...

5-10 Random Moments

We can't believe Belle will be 3 months old next week already. She is growing steadily and becoming such a sweet little light in our lives. She loves to be a part of the family and inserts squawks and chirps into our conversations.

Drew is warming up to her finally, but still isn't quite in love like we are. He will be soon enough. We look forward to a time when they'll be best buddies.

Enjoy!

That's not a peanut!

Belle's growing! She's in the 70th percentile for weight. We're not used to that. Drew has always been in the minus 10 percentile. She's got Mr and Mrs Chin and all the little chins that live within - and they're hard to keep clean! She's a happy girl, smiling often. She's gotten good at finding her fists to suck on and as a result doesn't take the binky. She likes to be held which is tough on her momma sometimes, but mostly we love to cuddle and adore the little bundle. She'll be a spa girl I think, because she looooves her baths. She aslo really enjoys smiling at the baby in the mirror. Who's that cutie?

Drew continues to love all things motorized/wheeled/vehicular. "Abellas, fwhifhfwifh and trucks, oh my!" Andrew's been reliving his childhood by finding and ordering the toys he used to play with from ebay and passing them on to little Drew. He won't need a new toy for ages! He loves his tonka loaders, forklifts, vans and trailers, airplanes, jeeps, winebagos, matchbook cars, hess trucks, and the list goes on!

The other day, he was reaching for something on the floor and as I ask him what he's about to eat as he moves it to his mouth and he says, "peanut!"...but as it hits his tongue his little face scrunches and he pulls the tiny object away and offers it to me. That's no peanut, baby! That's a ladybug! Blech.

Savor the moments...

...and other fabulous moments...

like deer in the headlights: Drew and Elmo

First thing in the morning...

Belle's Little Happy Face

She is most certainly smiling at us already! We were suspicious a few weeks ago that her smiles were a direct response to our stimuli, but now we are sure. Here's some video of our Sweet Pea...

Drew has developed a crush (video) -- on a picture of a couple girls in a book. Mm hmmm. He approached me yesterday with the book and asked for the 'gulls'. Not entirely sure, I just flipped through to find a picture of a set of twin girls about 8 or 9 smiling at the camera. Sure enough, when I showed him he began to act all goofy as when in love and show off for them by dancing and performing little tricks. And he'll glance over at them here and there to be sure that they are paying attention. Not sure how normal this is but we're going with it! Also a little concerned about what this means for our future, or should we say his future with the ladies.

Life Today

...includes lots of games of 'catch', new words, getting Drew to eat enough, trains, cars, and all-around fun. Of course, there's lots of diapers, swaddling, mess clean-ups and melt-downs to contend with as well. It's a different place around here now!

Grandma Karen (Enlow) just left after five weeks of helping us after the birth of Annabelle. We miss her! We got used to having her near and are sad that she can't always be nearby. She kept us stocked with homemade baked goodies and hugs.

Now, Nene and Papa are here and it's so nice to have them visit! It will be an adjustment for the four of us after everyone goes to be here on our own and see how life really is as parents of two (little) kids. We are of the mindset to simply embrace the chaos since we know that will be our constant state for the next couple of years.

Here's some photos of our Easter together.

Belle's Birthday Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxsNjRxA8W8

Video from before she was born, and after. First 30 seconds or so are while she's still in utero, and then a little video from the hospital before she was born.Then the sweet little one when only minutes old in the hospital, meeting her big bro and more.

...Also more photos.

Annabelle Karen McDowell II

Enjoy!

Tower of Cups

...yogurt cups are good for more than just yogurt!

Annabelle Karen McDowell

She's here! She was very content to stay where she was, but we were anxious to meet her and came in to get her. She was induced on Sunday night the 14th and was born early the next morning. She was 7 lbs, 4 ozs., 20.75" long, and was born at 6:17 AM. And she was a SHE! What a surprise!

Life will never be the same...

Here's a photo album of her birthday, meeting her big brother and coming home.

Annabelle Karen McDowell

Visiting and Waiting

It's such an exciting time! We are anxiously awaiting Sisbro's arrival, but in the meantime we've been able to visit with Jen and Spenser and now Grandma too. It's been fun kinda sitting back and waiting. It's a test of our patience for sure since we'd just like to know already! But, as I said, it's been a great time. Here's some photos of our visit to the Fairy Tale Exhibit in KC with Spenser and Jen...

Grandma Karen (Enlow) came to town on the 3rd to be here to assist during and after the baby comes, thankfully. But since we have time to kill until he/she arrives we decided to go to the zoo. 2-10 KC Zoo with Grandma, Dada and Mama



The baby's been kicking and moving A LOT. I think she's looking for the "Out" door. Hopefully, he'll find it soon. So, I suppose it'd be a good time to nail down a name...

Here's the latest Baby Blog Entry.

When Dada comes home

This video shows Drew's reaction to Dada coming home. He usually spins in more circles and does more dances. One night, he did a very good impression of a break dance (then banged his head on the cupboard). Anyway, it also shows how Drew relays not being allowed to eat cat food, how he indicates the cat is present, how he identifies trucks, and how he likes to escort us to the other room to play on the bed - in that order and all in the first minute Dada is home.

Andrew and I are both anxiously awaiting Sisbro's arrival. Due date is next Saturday, but we're hoping for sooner. We both want to meet the newest addition, want to find out the gender, want to get immersed in life as a family of four. Should be doubley good! Here's the latest blog entry for Sisbro.

My sister-in-law is coming to town tomorrow, and that starts the beginning of a couple of months of family being here. It will help so much to have the extra pair of hands while Andrew and I adjust to a new routine. I only wish they lived close permanently.

Hugs N Kisses for Sisbro

LIfe this week

It's amazing to see all that Drew can do, because I suppose I limit in my own head his abilities. But when prompted to say this or do that - he can and does. Makes me eager to expose him to so much more and do more with him. His brain is a sponge! For example, last week I read an article about showing him crayons and paints. That didn't occur to me because I thought it was too early. But I did it anyway - and what do you know? He can do it! He likes the crayons you can use in the tub to paint on the tile. He also was using both hands downstairs to draw with chalk on our chalkboard wall just yesterday. It's pretty cool!

Sisbro is getting huger. Meanwhile, we wait. Nursery is ready, Drew's moved into his new room (still in a crib though) and the car seat is prepped. Also, talked to a friend who said the amount of movement in the womb definitely was an indicator of what the baby was like on the outside. So, I anticipate a mover and shaker. Lots different from Drew. Whoo eee. Please, God, give me energy!

I told you!

He loves vehicles, doesn't matter what it is. In this case, a cart at Best Buy. Poor little one, shortly before this he had teetered this way...then that way...then landed flat on his little face. Looked up and had two lips bleeding and blood streaming from both nostrils. He recovered quickly though once he saw the opportunity to push the "guck".

PAT was hear today and she told us we really need to start practicing using a spoon and cup. Oh, the messes I envision. And, she said that he's got great fine motor skills. And shows a great empathy for others at this age (she tested him with a bottle and baby doll). I figure that will really come in handy when Sisbro arrives.

Girl Scout Cookies

Why do they release girl scout cookies right after the holidays? At a time when we've all got our resolutions to lose weight, eat less crap - here they're selling these wonderful delectable goodies that you can't resist. And mainly, because it's cute little girls selling them. Who could turn them away? At least this year we only ended up with 6 boxes and not the 9-10 we did last year. Drew loves them too, so at least there's another mouth in the house to eat them.

Drew is picking up so much. When he walks by the cat food, he literally picks it up and eats it. It's been interesting trying to teach him not to eat it, but mostly I've just resorted to picking it up off of the floor. He loves to read books with us, and of course, is still enthralled by anything and everything truck or train related. "Truck" is usually of the first things out of his mouth in the morning, next to Dada or Mama.

A really cute thing he's begun to do lately is come take my hand and lead me to something he'd like to show me. Adorable.

Sisbro continues to grow and move lots. Midwife says everything is progressing normally, except that she mentioned the six pounds I gained over Christmas was probably due to water retention, since that's quite a lot to gain in 3 weeks. She wasn't taking into consideration the batch of russian tea cakes I ate on my own, though.

We are excited to meet him/her. I think we've pretty much let go of a preference for gender. We just want to meet the little one and get into our routine as a family.

Drew's New Room

Our goal is to move Drew to his 'big boy' room over the next couple weeks so that he can adjust prior to Sisbro's appearance. Today, we plan to buy furniture. But until now, we have been diligently working on the painting and design (Dr. Seuss theme). We painted stripes on the wall similar to the Cat in the Hat's hat, I painted a picture of Drew riding an elephant, and there will be some other Dr. Suess themed items that will go in the room.

The tough part is separating out all of Drew's stuff and clothes and getting it moved over to his new room, while keeping out the newborn items for Sisbro (IF Sisbro is a bro.) So it's good we still have 8 weeks to go cuz there's so much to do!

New Year

Just returned from a lovely visit up north in snowy Petoskey. It was beautiful. Drew had fun in the snow, he was adorable in his snow suit - couldn't put his arms down. This photo is Drew posing as Thing One from The Cat in the Hat at Christmas.

See more Christmas pics here.

See more New Years pics in Petosky here.

Sorry for short post - so tired from the 18 hour drive! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!