Show and Tell: J, K & L

Leah had three things to show and tell about for the best letter of all (according to her) today.....The Lorax movie, her L shirt from Disneyland and the best thing of all.....Leah herself!

She was sick and missed the letter K's show and tell.  She and I both caught the dreaded stomach bug right after we returned home from Disneyland.  It was bad!  Bad, bad, bad!  She had planned on taking Hershey Kisses from her Barbie birthday party.

And on November 9th she took her princess Jumprope for the letter J!

Stone Soup

Last Wednesday (November 21st) was Leah's annual Stone Soup celebration at her preschool.  We had so much fun at it last year so we were all looking forward to it (and Lane was looking forward to actually getting to eat some of the soup this year)!

I went and helped her class chop vegetables on Monday.  Leah took potatoes, carrots and green beans that her Daddy took her shopping to buy!

The event started with a parade of all of the classes dressed to represent each of their animal names!  Leah's class was dressed as squirrels, of course!  My girl had the wave down!  Several people commented on her perfect wave!  She learned this wave from none other than the princess at Chick-fil-A!

Leah and Tanner's very own cheering section!

The cutest little squirrels I ever did see!

Time to enjoy the Stone Soup that all the little hands helped assemble!

We're very thankful for another wonderful year of memories at Leah's preschool!

Gobble Gobble

Leah, Leah, Leah

Things I want to remember about my favorite little girl including some of the silly things she's said lately.....

• She was playing on her bed one day while Lane, Luke and I were playing in her floor.  All of a sudden she said "A little help here!".  I can't even remember what she needed help with!
• "Come on, bring the little fella with ya" is something she says all the time because she knows it will make me laugh hysterically.  She said this out of the blue one day.  She said she heard it on Caillou.  She and I were checking out at Papa Murphy's one day and while I was paying and talking to the guy checking us out she tapped me on the arm and said she needed to tell me something.  I excused myself from talking to the guy and leaned down so that she could tell me whatever.  She whispered in my ear "Come on, bring the little fella with ya".  I about lost it!
• One day Lane had fallen down in the playroom and was just laying on the ground (as content as could be).  Leah said "he's just down in the dumps".
• Whenever we do something around the house to help each other we say "Teeeeeam Hendricks".  One night Leah ate dinner with Lyla across the street.  I was talking to Lyla's Daddy later that night and he was telling me that Leah and Lyla had set the table for dinner and that Leah declared they do a "Teeeeeeeam Hendricks"!
• Daddy was helping Leah get her jammies out one night and Leah told him "Please leave me alone."  He and I both looked at each other with the biggest eyes and immediately told her that she could not talk to her Daddy like that.  "But I asked nicely" was her very sweet reply.
• She constantly tells me "You interrupted me.  That was rude."  I certainly don't try to interrupt her and only talk to her once she's done talking; however, she must have so much more to say.  Nonetheless, I apologize to her quite a bit for this!  "I'm sorry" comes out of my mouth a couple times a day.
• She's already planning her 9th birthday party.  Instead of giving me a Christmas list she'll say, "We can get that for my Barbie Pop Star birthday when I turn 9."  She also told me, "We can give people directions."
• She picked out quite the outfit to run to the grocery store with her Daddy one afternoon.  "But remember, don't laugh at me."  If it's silly, don't laugh," she told us.  Here's the outfit, but remember don't laugh (and yes this is what she wore to the store).....

• She's really into fixing her hair these days and will disappear and reappear with a new do.  She's actually pretty good at getting her hair in a pony tail!

• She is my Target shopping buddy, and we have a little ritual of grabbing our cart, cleaning it good and then grabbing her an Icee and a bag of popcorn!  It's our special little thing!  And if I really want to make her day I take her in the evening when it's still light out and then shop until it's dark out.  She thinks it's the BEST THING EVER when we come out and it's dark as if it were a magic trick!
• Leah got up from the table sooner than Luke and I thought she should have one night.  "There's no use to make me eat," she told us.
• Leah takes private spanish lessons on Wednesday afternoons.  Her friend Tyrus joined her one afternoon and Ms. Pevy told me that he really didn't want to go and was in tears about it.  She said that Leah was rubbing his back saying "It's okay Tyrus.  I'm going to help you," in the sweetest little voice!  This was a very proud Mommy moment!
• There's a little boy in Leah's class named Nicholas who has the BIGGEST crush on her.  One afternoon I was picking her up and I was talking to another parent while keeping Lane out of everything.  Nicholas's dad walked in and Nicholas ran over to Leah and in the loudest voice yelled "This is the one I love right here!"  They must have been discussing "the one he loves" at home so he needed to show his dad!  Ha!  Well, this afternoon Leah and Tanner were playing Hide-and-Go seek in front of school as they do every single day after school and Nicholas came out with his dad, ran over to Leah, gave her the biggest hug and said "love you" as if it was nothing.  Leah seems oblivious to all of Nicholas's love, poor guy!

To My One Year Old Big Boy

Dear Lane,

I can't believe that my little buddy is one-year-old already!  Where did the year go?  Actually, I know exactly where it went!  The year was full of preschool, dance class, gymnastics, soccer practices and soccer games plus a vacation to Disneyland, Tahoe, Texas and Iowa.  It was busy, busy, busy and you were the best little guy through it all!  You spent way too much time in the car as we toted Sister to and from all of her activities, but you didn't seem to mind one bit.  Well, as of a couple of months ago you decided you didn't mind!  Before that you HATED the car.  I know that hate is such a strong word, but it was pure hate!  You screamed going in your carseat and the entire time the car was in motion.  When we wised up, we started planning car trips around your nap time so that you would be too tired to think about being in the car and this worked sometimes, but not always.  Besides crying in the car, you have been the PERFECT baby!  I would always tell Daddy that if it weren't for crying in the car, you would be too good to be true.  It was your reminder to us that you're only human and not perfect (as the saying going)!  You're still PERFECT though!  Once we arrived at our destination, you were back to being my happy, chill baby to the point that no one believed me about how much you cried in the car.

You are the sweetest little thing that ever was!  You snuggle with us and lay your head down on our shoulders.  Melts my heart every time!  You give us some "lovin'" when we say "gimme' some lovin'" and lay your head against ours and say "ahhhhhhhhh".  It makes me melt just thinking about it right now.

You love your blankie.....no particular blanket, just the one that you had in your crib with you at the time.  You always want to take it with you when you get out of bed and you like to put it by your face and snuggle with it.  Precious, precious, precious!

You're getting more and more attached to your papa, but I don't even mind.  You prefer it upside down and it's always upside down when you wake up from your nap even though I always give it to you right side up!

You are such a mellow, happy go lucky little guy with the most laid back personality just exactly like your Daddy!  You sit and play with your toys by yourself, smile at everyone, will let anyone hold you.  When we're out and about you smile and wave at everyone as you sit like a big boy in the stroller or shopping cart.  You are so easy to take places because you'll sit for little bits of time and just watch everything going on around you.  People always comment on what a content little guy you are!  You really and truly rarely fuss unless you're tired, hungry or teething.  You're definitely not a mellow teether, poor thing!

You love girls!  You always smile so big at any girl your meet!  When we're out and about and I see you grinning really big I know that means that there's a girl close by smiling or waving at you!  You are definitely a little flirt!  Another mama the other day commented on what a big personality you have, so full of expression!

You have been the best baby!  I always say that I would have ten more babies if I could be guaranteed babies just like you!

There are two things you do that make me sweat.....trying to change your diaper and attempting to put you in your carseat!  You refuse to lay down/cooperate for either.  I don't change your diaper near as often as I probably should because it requires too much energy.  You do NOT want to lay still and you are way too strong for me to try and hold down.  You've started to wine when I just open the diaper drawer.  You don't like being changed just as much as I don't like changing you!

One thing you love to eat.....MEAT!  You eat chicken, ribs, steak and roast by the handfuls!  I definitely see you being a meat and potatoes boy just like your Uncle Hendu!  You really don't seem too picky, though, and will eat most anything.  The things you don't like we just disguise in applesauce, and you fall for it every time!  You also love your Lucky Charm marshmallows for breakfast, but ONLY the marshmallows!  Everything else gets pushed to the floor!

You LOVE your Sissy!  You light up and squeal each and every time you see her.  You two got in your first little "scuff" today because you and her both had a snack trap with Puffs (Leah likes to eat them too whenever you're having some).  You ate all of your so you thought you could just take hers.  Well, unfortunately, this isn't how that works and Sissy did not want you taking her snacks!  I couldn't help but laugh because this is just the first of many, many, many scuffs I'm sure!  This one seemed so sweet and innocent as you were fighting over snacks!

Your favorite toy right now is your truck!  You have so much fun climbing in and out of it and honking the horn.  You also love to go inside the playhouse!  We were thinking about taking it apart and putting it in the attic because Sissy doesn't play with it much anymore, but you are having so much fun with it right now!

You love your daddy and always want to go to him the moment he gets home, but you are a Mama's boy!  This could be because we are together 24/7 or because we're a year into this whole nursing thing or just because I'm the best mommy in the whole wide world.  Either way, I love that I'm your favorite.  Sissy was a Daddy's girl for several years (the first three for sure) so it's nice to have my little buddy!  You and I have only ever been apart for no more than twenty-four hours and, honestly, I kind of like it like that!  I can't help but think of how sad I'm going to be when it's time for you to go to preschool and we won't get to spend our days together anymore.

Speaking of nursing, one of my very favorite moments of my day with you are first thing in the morning.  I always go and get you when you wake up (or Daddy brings you to me in bed if he's home) and bring you in bed with me to nurse first thing in the morning.  It's a special time with just you and I and I can't give you enough kisses on the top of your sweet little head as you nurse.  I'm trying to soak our mornings in as I know these won't last forever!

You are the only baby I know who has zero interest in the tv and never has.  You would much rather be walking, climbing or exploring than watching anything on the tv.  You do watch House Hunters with me during lunch though!  At least you quietly eat your lunch in your highchair while I watch it!

Your hair!  I don't even know where to begin with this, and I'll just apologize now because it's all my fault!  When I was pregnant with your sister, my biggest fear of having a girl was having to fix her hair.  I'm just not an expert in this category.  I mean, let's face it, your Daddy is the only one in the house who knows how to French braid.  Sad, I know!  Well, I just assumed that a boy's hair would be so much easier to manage.  Then you were born with the biggest cowlick I've ever seen in my entire life!  I think it's the biggest one most people have ever seen because people sure do comment on it!  Of course, everyone says it's cute!  It is cute now, but I really think you're going to hate it when you're 16!  You also have a big one on the crown of your head, but that's much easier to disguise than the one in the front.  There's no hiding that bad boy!  I think the best fix is going to be to leave your hair longer in the front like Shane's on Big Brother.  He was one of my favorites just because his hair reminded me of yours!

I love you so much Laney Bug and look forward to making a lifetime of memories with our little Bubby!

Love,

Mommy

Twelve Month Well Visit

Lane got to show Dr. Sherman all of his new tricks today at his twelve month well visit (Nov. 7th)!  The little guy REFUSED to sit on the baby scale so he got to stand like a big boy on the big kids scale.  He thought that was pretty cool and was so proud of himself!  Leah didn't get to get measured on the big kid scale until she was 18-months-old!

Weight:  19.6 lbs (18%)
Height:  30 inches (41%)
Head:  45.5 cm (28%)

He's turning out to be tall and skinny.  Luke said that he was tall and skinny and didn't really bulk up until his freshman year of college so I'm thinking the little guy is following in his footsteps.  Plus, Lane reminds me so much of his Papaw who is also pretty thin so this is just another reminder of how much he looks like him!

I had Dr. Sherman look at a little bump I noticed on the back of Lane's head and he said it's just a lymph node that is absolutely nothing to worry about!  He said that's the #1 thing parents ask him about!  His head is also not perfectly round yet but Dr. Sherman assured me it's really not that bad and that it will continue to round itself out.

Dr. Sherman said he's just perfect and developing right on schedule.  He's pointing, talking up a storm in his own little language, walking and eating as good as any twelve-month-old boy who likes to make messes does!  Every time we're there the doctor is amazed with the color of Lane's eyes which at this point probably aren't going to be changing!  They're still three different colors with dark blue on the outside, a star of green and then brown right around the pupil.  I took Lane with me to the eye dr. this summer and even she was impressed with his eye color.  These eyes are going to take this boy places!

He also got three shots today.  No fun at all, but he just cried when the shots went in and then was good to go with his blankie and his papa as soon as the nurse was done!  She did comment on how strong he was as he tried to fight her off.  Yep, try changing his diaper or putting him in his carseat!  Ha!

So very thankful for a healthy baby boy!

Thirteen Months Old

*Pictures taken November 10th just before bed because Mommy almost forgot!*

• Size 4 Huggies, 6-12 and 12 month clothes and jammies
• 8 teeth, 4 on top and 4 on bottom, the top two middle teeth are starting to show so much that they make him look like such a big boy when he smiles and talks
• Eats any and every table food.  Loves the different applesauce/fruit pouches, cheese balls and mini Pop Tarts.
• Is a walking machine.  No more crawling for this boy!  He's getting faster and faster, so much so that half the time it looks like he's running.
• Loves to drink whole milk and watered down apple juice in his sippy cups.
• Thinks any and every drink with a straw belongs to him.  Thank you to Papaw for this who gave Lane his first sips of Dr. Pepper when he was out here in October!  We have to hide our drinks if we don't want to share!  The boy gets his fair share of Coke, Diet Coke and Mocha Frappuccinos these days!
• Loves to point and points to exactly where he wants you to take him!
• We're still nursing first thing in the morning and right before bed.  If Daddy's home then he puts Lane down for his two naps without nursing; however, if it's just Lane and I then I do nurse him before naps.  I love the fact that he's not dependent on it to go to sleep.  I'm not sure when we'll wean completely, maybe after the holidays.
• Sleeping from about 8:00 to 8:00 with his same two naps at 10:00 and 2:00.
• "Dada" is still his favorite word.  He also says "Hi", "nigh nigh", "mamama", "uh ah" (uh oh) and Nana is convinced he's saying "Nana".
• He talks NON-STOP we just can't decipher 95% if it!  Our house is never going to be a quiet one with the two little people living here!
• He talks with his hands.
• Likes to crush crackers and cereals in his hand as tightly as he can.
• Can shake his head no but has no clue what it means!  Ha!
• Climbs, climbs, climbs!  Mama's gonna have her hands full with this one!  He's made his way onto the couch, coffee table, pool table and Sister's bed!  The fun has only just begun with this one!
• Daddy has finally taught him how to sign "more".  Now we just need him to figure out that that's how you ask for food!  He can also sign "all done".  Way to go Daddy for being the ring leader in the signing department!
• Is still the biggest flirt in the whole wide world!  He loves the girls and just smiles and smiles at them!  If he really likes someone he reaches out for them to hold him.  He'll still go to absolutely anybody and never meets a stranger!
• Changing diapers and getting into his carseat are still two of his least favorite things to do!
• He has a signature sneeze.  He coughs twice and then sneezes, never fails.  It's just his thing!
• He gets two blankies when he goes to bed.....one to snuggle with and one for covers.  He's doing a great job of staying laid down when I put him down instead of getting up right away and crying when I close the door to his room as I leave.
• Just as happy, sweet, handsome and cuddly as ever!

Picture taking has become quite the challenge with this little guy!  His one year pics were a challenge but I chalked it up to the fact this maybe his tummy hurt because he had a massive poo once we got into the car; however, a week later we had family pics and he wasn't the slightest bit interested in smiling for the camera.  Instead, he wanted to play with the rocks and the trees and the leaves!  I'm out of excuses for him!  At least he's still precious!

Disneyland Here We Come

We had so much fun on our annual trip to one of our very favorite places.....Disneyland! We usually go the week after Thanksgiving but always get stuck in horrible post-Thanksgiving traffic on Sunday when we drive down.  We had heard that the week before Thankgiving had very light crowds in the parks so we decided this was the week that we wanted to go!  Well, hooray for absolutely no traffic on our drive there and back; however, boo for the very crowded parks!  Veteran's Day may have played a part in this!  Next year we'll try for a week that isn't after Thanksgiving and isn't the same week as Veteran's Day!  Crowds or no crowds we had a fantastic vacation and are already looking forward to our next trip!  

This year we had some very special guests join us on our vacation.....Nana and Papaw!  It was so much fun having them there with us, and it made the trip that much more enjoyable for Luke and I with extra sets of hands and ride partners!  Leah and Lane absolutely love their Nana and Papaw so they had the time of their lives with them!

We arrived at our hotel, the Grand Californian, around 4:00 Sunday afternoon, got settled in our room, were greeted by Nana and Papaw who shared a room with us (we weren't in the room nearly enough to validate getting two rooms) and then hit Downtown Disney.

We only stopped once on the drive down for a picnic in the car!

Our amazing view of California Adventure off of our balcony!  We could see and hear Minnie and the Fly Girls doing their dancing routine!

Leah and Lane loved getting Nana and Papaw snuggles!

My little turkeys ready to hit Downtown Disney.  I debated on their outfits for hours.  Disneyland is all decked out for Christmas this time of year which is one of the reasons we love going when we do; however, Thanksgiving is fast approaching so turkeys it was!

Leah has wanted to go ice skating for forever.  She has never been, ever.  She has never rollerskated, rollerbladed much less ice skated.  Her one wish in life (per her Star Student poster at preschool) is for ice skates and to go ice skating.  Well, she scored big time because Downtown Disney just added an ice skating rink!  We got her suited up and she had the time of her life even throwing her leg up in the air as if she were a professional!  She loved every minute of it and begged to go again each day.

Lane stayed warm and cozy watching Sister.

After making Leah's wish come true, we were off to dinner at Rainforest Cafe.

After dinner, Nana and I took Laney Bug up to the room for his bath while Papaw, Daddy and Leah stayed out dancing the night away!  This girl LOVES to dance!