College Friend Reunion '09

the group this year...4 mamas (me, Kristen, Gina and Souhaila), 6 kiddos (named below) and no hubbies! of course the hubbies are always welcome, but couldn't come this year. so, we braved it without them. our kid ratio doubled since last year's reunion just before ruby was born. we thoroughly enjoyed the visit, meeting new kiddos, entertaining and taming each other's kids, etc... since we were all athletes at southern miss in h'burg, ms, we used to always do a traditional "run" together. it has regressed to a jog, then brisk walk and this year to a walk with strollers in flip flops. ha!!! as the reunions take on a different look each year especially with the added kids, we still get to have our treasured late night talks. what a great time! thanks again for hosting this year, kristen! and thanks again, gina, for flying to LR! love and miss you all already!
Eli (2.5), Hannah (6.5mos), David (4.5 mos), Ruby (13 mos), Alex (2) and Sable (2.5)

swinging before the rains and cold came...

wet chalk is fun...

...but getting wet is better

little ruby thinks "mama (gina) sure knows how to let us have fun!"

"all i have to do is "growl" and those girls run"

Sweet Hannah

David was a trooper as a "play toy" for the kids as he was the youngest. He handled all the attention, rough housing, mothering, etc very well. Sable is the most nurturing 2.5 yr old girl I have ever seen! she was most concerned if he needed to sleep, eat, play, cry, etc. She even attempted to pick him up once when I turned my back in which he went from laying on the floor to laying prostrate on sable's belly on an air mattress - yikes!

David is about 2 months younger than Hannah, but almost a pound bigger. She's a tiny one, but sweet, cute and fiesty. :)

lunch stop (and only stop) with kiddos on way to b'ham. ok, so chris said i could not drive alone with the kiddos to the reunion in b'ham this year. gina's hubby said the same. so, we found cheap tickets and flew gina and the girls to little rock in which we all drove together which went surprisingly well. thank you, Lord, for letting the reunion happen this year!

lunch at sonic on way home... great pit stop as they had an outdoor playground. however, it was freezing!

4 Month Old David

This 4 month old post is a week late as I wanted to include his 4 mo stats and his appointment was rescheduled for today. The results... our nickname "little man" fits him appropriately. He weighed 13lbs 12 oz (25th%) and was 25 inches long (50th%). The doctor is not concerned at all as he is growing appropriately on the growth chart. Alex was about a pound bigger at 4mos and a half inch shorter! I think David is taking after me a bit in size right now as I was a small baby weighing only 12lbs 4oz at 4mos. However, Chris is convinced he will grow and train him to bulk up. ha!

And oh how times have changed... The doctor gave his speech about introducing solids to David between 4 and 6 months old starting with cereal, then vegetables, then fruit. Well, my mom wrote in my baby book the following:

"Rebecca started eating cereal at 2.5 wks old. She started eating fruit and drinking juice at 5 weeks. Rebecca started eating vegetables at 2 months. She started eating meats at 4 months old. She also started eating 3 meals a day at 4 months old."

Crazy, huh? I can't even imagine feeding a 1-2 month old with a spoon. And btw, I was crawling at 4 months old and sitting up pretty good by myself according to another entry from my mom. I guess all that solid food early made me strong. ha!

Alex had her 2 yr old check up today as well. She weighed 26.5 lbs (50th%) and was 34.5 inches long (70th%). According to our scales, Alex has lost almost a pound this week from being sick. :(

Both kiddos did great at the doctor even with the shots. My special friend, Wendy, went with me to help with the kiddos. She totally relieved any stress I had about scheduling both of their appts/shots in one slot. Thank you so much, Wendy! You are awesome!

David enjoying his animals on the bumper pad. :)

Alex at 3 months old looking at animals in bed. Notice how much more hair Alex has than David!!! If I find access to a scanner, I will post a baby pic of me as I had more hair than Alex.

David's favorite activity right now is chewing his fingers, burp clothes, etc...

Alex chewing her fingers at 4 mos old

David can barely touch the bottom with his feet. Now, he has a book under his feet to help more. Alex was only a half inch shorter than David at 4mos and we used to put a pillow under her feet.

Alex at 4mos old in exersaucer

Alex at 2yrs old wanting to get in exersaucer as soon as I pulled it out for David. Now, it is dubbed "for babies only."

Enjoying a beautiful day at the zoo last week with friends.

Fam pic at Caroline's 3rd bday party

Often times, I kiss and tickle on David while changing his diaper or clothes; he laughs so cute. :) So, I attempted to video this with one arm out - ha! So, sorry for the unsteady video, but his laugh was captured. :)

Helping Daddy pack for San Diego. We'll miss you!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Alex!!!

Ok, this post is a bit late as Alex turned 2 on 9/11. Party preparations and recovery lend me to just now working on this post.

I can't believe it has been 2 years since our precious lil girl was born! Time flying by is an understatement. What a joy it has been to watch her grow even amidst the challenging times! Instead of walking into this year with a "terrible two" mindset (ours started at 1yr old anyway - ha!), I want to embrace this year and learn to love all the quirks, growths, and developmental stages of a 2yr old. So, let the games begin...

Alex's 2nd birthday party was a Sesame Street theme chosen by Alex. The toddler size jump house was a hit...thank you, Lord, for holding off the rain! A million thanks goes to Graeme for taking pics at the party allowing us to host and enjoy!

I had so much fun making Alex's first birthday cake that I decided I wanted to do it again this year. I was inspired to make this Sesame Street cake after combining a few ideas from cakes online.

1st attempt for family pic... Alex could not bare taking a picture while the other kids were playing

2nd attempt at family pic after most kids had left

3 generations of girls

sweet David

"I think Elizabeth, Layla and Stacie found my short middle toe...hope they're not freaked out." :)

David and Wendy

Reese and Alex

Alex and Reagan...oh how Alex loves Reagan!

Alex, Samantha, and Reagan

glowing Gracie

silly Samantha

kicking Kekoa
Caroline kissing Alex...so sweet

Siblings Caroline and Daniel

Allison and lil Lucy

lil Julia

lil Presley

Patrick, Presley's brother, dipped his finger in the cake before we cut it. Then, Graeme caught him in action as he was taking the border off of pieces of cut cake. Boys!

Grandmother, David and Alex

active Alex and David, just chilling

3D: David, Dancing and a Double Stroller!!!

our smiley David... he is very ticklish!!!

like father, like son

David goes to town kicking this ball

Alex started taking tap, ballet and tumbling class this Fall. She loves it especially since her friend, Reagan, is in her class. Hopefully, I'll get a pic of the dancing duo during parents' observation week in October. :)
Isn't she adorable?

And finally...a double stroller... YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I found this stroller online for 20% off as a Labor Day sales promotion! I was pumped as I have been wanting this stroller for months!!!