Kelsey's 2-year Doctor's Visit

TODAY was another busy day! It was a hot one too; if I didn't have so much stuff to keep Mimi occupied with we would have been sitting in a pool somewhere.

This morning the girls slept in, which was a nice gift! We had breakfast and then I rushed them through a bath before heading out the door for Kelsey's 2-year well visit at the doctor's. Kelsey's behavior at the doctor's office is very predictable; she always follows the same drill. She is clingy in the waiting room, she cries and cries for the nurse (as the nurse checks her out), and she is quiet and solemn for Doctor DeStefani.

Mimi stayed in the waiting room while the girls went back to me, and she reported later that she could hear Kelsey's wailing from there (and we were in the furthest room!). Kelsey takes it very personally that the nurse wants to look in her ears, etc. She was the most offended when the nurse asked me to take off her clothes to weigh her. I can honestly say she looked pretty horrified. I think she would have been fine if Mommy and Calla were taking off their dresses, but it was pretty obvious she was the unlucky one and she was not pleased. Typically the nurse asks us to keep her clothes off so the doctor can see her, but as soon as we returned to the room after getting Kelsey weighed, Kelsey began putting her dress back on in seconds.

I have Kelsey's actual statistics recorded but the paper is in the other room (it's dark shh) so for now I just remember that she weighs 23 pounds, 1 ounce (6th percentile) and while I forget her height in inches, I know that she is in the 28th percentile (which is improved since last time!). She is a peanut. The doctor asked me if she is a picky eater and actually she is not at all. I think we are just going to have small girls.

Calla had lots of things to say during the appointment. The nurse had an autism verbal questionaire she gave me, and Calla was quick to supply answers (she tended just to talk right over me). For instance, nurse: "Does Kelsey say three words, not including mama and dada?" Calla: "Yes she says lots of words...she says Mimi and boo boo and cuppy and ...." Nurse: "Does Kelsey walk?" Calla: "Yes all the time." Nurse: "Does Kelsey still wake up during the night?" Calla: "Yes she wakes up and always asks for her cup, she says 'Cup! Cup!' "

Haha anyway fortunately the nurse thought it was cute, although neither the nurse or doctor ever got to hear Kelsey talk since either she was too upset or Calla was doing all the talking for her. They were pretty impressed that she was fully potty trained, although the doctor agreed with me that it's a shame she wakes up at night to go to the potty! Haha. The doctor said the average age of an American child to be fully potty trained is actually 3. I didn't know that! He says in the 1950s the average age was 18 months, so don't full yourself if you think Kelsey is advanced. She's months behind!! (-:

Mimi and I thought the doctor might wonder about Kelsey's verbal skills since they aren't exactly advanced, but once I heard the measuring mark is "3 words besides mama and dada" I realized that Kelsey is coming along fine. Of course, that's assuming that the doctor would consider "gah-me" a word. Haha jk.

After the doctor's office we did some shopping. We price-shopped some nearby places for the cost of mulch (I am realizing that unless I want to spend hours each week maintaining the weeding that I better throw down some mulch). We stopped at home store and found a couple wall pictures (our goal is to get all my pictures up on my walls before Mimi leaves). We even stopped for lunch at McDonald's.

In fact, by the time we got back to the house it was past Kelsey's naptime. I got her down for her nap and then left Calla and Mimi to hang pictures as I headed to my own doctor's appointment. I get a little nervous every time I head in there; not really about the appointment but about the fact that it's one more appointment closer to having baby #3. AHHHH! I think I will feel MUCH better about it after this week and once my house is ready to go. I am trying to get all my ducks in a row in case baby #3 comes along and I lose my ducks. (or my head)

The doctor told me confidently that he's 50% sure I am having a boy. (hardy har har, he probably has never used that line before!) I still have no gut feeling. I look/weigh the same as I did with the girls which makes me think 'girl' but the sick feeling from the first trimester makes me wonder if it's a 'boy.' Cousin Clark is pulling for a boy (Uncle Josh reminded us of this today!).

I got home from the doctor's office just as Daddy arrived home from work. Mimi and I had hoped to have an hour to shop just the two of us but lo and behold the store we had in mind was closed by the time we got there. That was a big bummer.

For dinner Daddy grilled some chicken and I made some sides, and then we spent the evening weeding. I am pretty sure Mimi is going to be dreaming of weeding for weeks since that is how she is spending all her time here. Calla and Kelsey played in their sandbox for a while. I made them run around the backyard for a bit before we went inside to shake all the sand off.

At bedtime I tried putting them to bed without "referee-ing" at all. Since I have had them share a bed, I always stay in there to make sure they aren't silly/kicking each other/etc. Well Mimi pointed out this week that I will be pretty tired of doing that by the time baby #3 comes along and I agree. So tonight I set some ground rules and left the room. I gave them a short amount of time to be silly before going in there with harsh warnings. After a couple harsh warnings (I figured it was the first night, after all) I ended up giving them both a spanking on their little bottoms. Calla didn't like it but Kelsey missed the point and laughed.

The next time I had to go in there though I spanked her hard enough that she wasn't laughing. It was her first spanking which is a sad milestone if you ask me. But it totally worked - I left the room and she buttoned up and didn't say another word. Within minutes both girls were fast asleep (I couldn't help but go check on them after a long period of silence!).

And that's when I went to sleep for 12 straight hours. Just kidding! Within two hours Kelsey was awake because she had to use the potty. That stinker! No more liquids after lunch. Just kidding.

Callaism~

~ Nurse: "Is your mommy having a boy or girl?" Calla: "A girl!" Nurse (to me): "Congratulations!" Me: "Actually we don't know what we're having." Calla: "Daddy and Kelsey want a boy. Kelsey, say 'boy.' " Kelsey: silence

Kelseyism~

~ new word of the day: girl (Daddy had her practice saying 'girl' and 'boy' at dinner. She says boy much better. I think it's because she likes to say 'oh boy!' )

** Pictures to follow tomorrow! Mimi got a couple cute ones at the doctor's office but for some reason the memory stick isn't allowing me to post them. Annoying! **

Pictureless Post )-:

TODAY I need to remember to take pics of the girls with Mimi while she is visiting...we are so busy working we haven't even taken pics! Although there isn't much to see when we're working! We definitely have house stuff to get done before the baby arrives, and Mimi is making it happen! Yay. I'm not sure what I'd do without her.

Tuesday we got up and decided we'd head out that morning to search for Kelsey's birthday present. Mimi and Pops had in mind weeks ago to get Kelsey a sandbox for her birthday, and I said I'd pick it up so we wouldn't have to pay for the crazy shipping. (Apparently shipping sandboxes is a big deal ha.) Well I never did pick it up so yesterday we went looking for one. We thought it was out of stock at the Wal-Mart nearby (where it had been in-stock prior to Kelsey's birthday) so we ventured out to a K-Mart. No luck! We drove all over until we found a Wal-Mart that had one.

Calla and Kelsey were pretty good sports about all the driving - I think they felt like it was worth it when we finally found the turtle sandbox. I have to get a pic of them playing with it! Mimi got us sand and we were ready to go. With all the running around, we ran into lunchtime and decided just to stop at a McDonald's. Thank goodness they put the chicken wraps item on the menu a couple years back. I'm not sure what moms did prior to that (ate burgers with the kids??).

Kelsey fell asleep on our journey back. Tuesday afternoon Mimi set up the sandbox. We also did some more weeding - this house grows weeds like they are going out of style. Daddy mowed the lawn when he got home from work; we are gradually getting the landscaping into shape. Gradually.

Tuesday Jonathan and I also had marriage counseling, which worked out well since Mimi could watch the girlies. Daddy put them to bed after we got home. I should have gone to bed then too; I always stay up too late! Oh well might as well get used to the lack of sleep before we have a newborn in the house again.

TODAY we pushed up our sleeves and conquered my laundry room. I had warned Mimi ahead of time that I needed help organizing it in there - I had left four boxes marked "laundry" and a bunch of random stuff in there for her to come rescue. Calla and Kelsey did a really job most of the morning playing and keeping themselves occupied. Lots of pushing around strollers in dress-ups and high heels. Haha.

Organizing the laundry room somehow turned into organizing the garage, which is technically Daddy's domain but lo and behold I found some stuff of mine in there too. I hate when that happens! Haha. We took a break for lunch, and again at naptime (Mimi and Calla watched a home renovation episode on HGTV for "naptime") but other than that we were busy all day. Mimi even ran to Target for some storage bins.

It's been good that we've had such nice weather; Calla and Kelsey loved playing with all their riding toys while we went through the garage stuff. We got them cleaned up a bit in time for Daddy to get home. Once he arrived, we all headed to Qdoba to eat dinner. His Haiti team was meeting up for dinner and so we joined them.

It was nice to meet everybody on his team. Calla and Kelsey were the most excited about seeing Stefani (our babysitter, who also went to Haiti). They gave her a lot of attention!

We got home and did some more weeding. Did I mention there are a lot of weeds? The ones that come up between the bricks in the brick walkway are giving us a run for our money. Let's just say 'Round Up' isn't rounding them up.

The girls took a while to go to bed, thanks to multiple bathroom breaks. Kelsey is usually waking up in the morning with dry diapers, but she always uses the bathroom once or twice (or three times) a night. She's a stinker!

Okay, pictures tomorrow for sure. Even if it's just another "work day!"

Happy Birthday, Mom-Mom! Love, Calla & Kelsey

TODAY I am sad that I don't have pics of Mom-Mom with the girls to post up.....my laptop is actually disabled (it's back in PA with Pops who is taking it to get fixed) and so all my old photos from my camera are stuck on there. I will have to put one up in honor of Mom-Mom's birthday when I get my laptop back (right now I'm using Mimi's).

But anyway, happy 80th birthday, Mom-Mom!! We hope you had a wonderful day.

Here's a picture I forgot to post from this past weekend....it's Aunt Kelly and Clark and I listening to the band concert at the park. Too bad you can barely see him!


TODAY I have to catch up from the past couple days. Sunday was a real thriller, let me tell you. Well it started out nicely; we went to church with Mimi and Pops'. Aunt Kimberly and Jon happened to be volunteering in Kelsey's class - she was so excited to see Aunt Kimberly in there! She went racing in to give her a hug.

Calla didn't have any aunts in her class, but she did come out with a pretty impressive craft. She chosen pink and purple shields and armor for her soldiers in the picture. She is very into everything feminine right now!

Pops ordered lunch from the deli for us and we ate and then packed up the minivan. Actually, he packed it up while I searched the house for everything I had forgotten to pack. Mimi and I were headed cross-country (well, sorta) back to Illinois with the girls. We decided to leave at a similar time to when I left with aunt Kimberly since our trip had gone so smoothly on the way out.

We piled into the van and left at about 11 or so central time, and shortly after Kelsey took a nap. We made two stops - one at around 2:30 or so for gas and the potty (all four of us went!) and then again at 6ish for dinner. Between the two stops, both girls decided to go boo on the potty which is a combination of comedy-tragedy. Comedy because there is just something comical about driving slow with all windows down while a little girl grunts on the potty. Tragedy because the smell really is horrendous. Fortunately it was right before dinner and Mommy took care of the potty at the rest stop. Something about me walking around in the rest stop area carrying a pink portable potty got Mimi's funny bone!

After dinner, the plan was for the girls to file calmly back into the van and quietly drift off to sleep. Somehow they didn't get the memo. Either that or the sun in their eyes (we were traveling west, which also meant the sun was setting over the course of a two-hour period with the time change!) was keeping them awake. Regardless, they took it least an hour and a half to fall asleep. In the meantime, there was some laughing and playing and then of course fighting and crying. I knew Kelsey was overtired!

Fortunately once they fell asleep, they stayed asleep. We pulled into the driveway at about 11pm central time. We had hoped to be greeted by Daddy, home from Haiti, but his flight got delayed. I don't think he got in until between 1-2am! The girls had to wait until Monday to see him....

MONDAY the girls piled into our bed to greet Daddy! It was so fun to be reunited again. Before Jonathan left for work, he hooked up his camera to Mimi's laptop to show us photos from the trip. It looked like such a life-changing experience. Calla and Kelsey were most mesmorized by the photos with cows in them (fortunately there were several).

Jonathan left and the rest of us got to work. We had so much to do...laundry, unpacking, an attempt at organizing the kitchen (the sink was broken which was a big mess). Mimi discovered that my yard was in desperate need of weeding and was outside for hours working on it. Unfortunately, every mosquitoe in a five-mile vicinity found her and decided to feast on her while she worked. You would think bug spray would have helped, but we determined later it must have attracted all the dumb bugs.

We did take a break to go to Two Toots for lunch. I'm a little bummed I didn't get a picture of Mimi with the girls. Mimi and I are big fans of the hamburgers there. Calla and Kelsey split one. Kelsey loves the trains there; it's so fun to watch her get so excited! We didn't leave before the girls got to sit on the riding horse, Champion. Mimi also treated them to cupcakes at Two Toots; they arrive at the table with a train whistle on top. Now what could be better than that?

Monday afternoon, Kelsey napped and Mimi went back outside to weed. I'm afraid weeding is going to take her whole week and then be ready for me to start all over again once she leaves. Our new yard is certainly not low maintenance. I'm so fortunate to have Mimi's help before the baby arrives! We have a lot on our agenda for this week.

At around 4, Mimi was still weeding so I took the girls to the grocery store to stock up. When we got home, Daddy and Opa had fixed the kitchen sink which was a big relief. If you can't tell from this post, I'm not sure what Jonathan and I would do if we didn't have our parents to help us out! I'm not exactly sure what we are going to do when we are the "grandparents" visiting and helping the "kids" get all set before the "baby arrives." I guess we need to learn some useful skills before then. Haha. (Maybe in twenty years I could take over Calla's "baby blog" for her? So she has time to go out and do some weeding?? ha)

We ate dinner and didn't have much time to clean up before heading across the street for Daddy's softball game. We missed the first half, but it was a nice evening for a walk (this is obviously coming from the person who was NOT leaning over and weeding all day!). We cheered Daddy on, and then stopped at the playground on the way home. Calla and Kelsey showed Mimi their tricks on the sliding board and swings. I mean, slide. Calla corrected Mimi that it's a "slide" not a "sliding board." We aren't real sure of the difference.

After the park, it was bedtime. I don't think anyone slept as soundly as Mimi. Well, I'm not sure if anyone deserved to sleep as soundly as Mimi!

Callaism~

~ Mimi, Daddy and I were talking about how when we spell words, Calla can usually guess them based on the context. For instance, i might say, "It's probably time to put Kelsey to b-e-d soon" and Calla will chime in, "Bed?!?" Nine times out of ten, she guesses right! haha

Kelseyism~

~ I've noticed in the past week that Kelsey is coming along with her phrases. She uses much more sentences than words now, although there is still plenty of "gah-me" nonsense to go around.

Catching up: Our Weekend

TODAY I am catching up here. We had such a busy weekend. Saturday was Elverson's 100th anniversary (since becoming a Borough) so there were activities going on at a park for literally 12 hours straight. I think we were there 9 out of the 12 hours (no joke). It made for a busy Saturday, but it was so fun!

Mimi and Pops attended my dad's uncle's funeral Saturday morning, but Aunt Kimberly came over to get the girls out the door (give them a bath!) and head to the park. We borrowed two strollers from her; she does not have any kids. She has the strollers because her husband designs them. (-:

below: Calla and Kelsey in their strollers (they are European)

below: checking out the music at the park

We saw lots of old neighbors and friends that I knew; it's nice to be in a community where I know everybody for a change. Everyone is always interested in how Calla and Kelsey are doing; and of course I"m always fielding questions about the one-on-the-way. Most pregnant people know this feeling; it'd probably save some time if I had on my shirt somewhere: 'Due in August / Don't know if it's a boy or girl / Feeling great, thanks for asking.'

below: One of the first places we headed was the face painting booth. Calla picked out a ladybug and Kelsey requested the same.

below: Then we ended up over at the firetrucks. Aunt Kim helped Kelsey into some of the equipment. Obviously Kim and I thought it was much more amusing than Calla and Kelsey did.

below: Calla liked how the wheel was bigger than her

below: hanging out up on the firetruck

below: behind the wheel

below: then the firemen gave kids rides standing on the front around the parking lot.

(just kidding)

below: next up........a turn on the helicoctor.

below: Calla loved this. I think she would have stayed in there for a long time pushing buttons and steering if it weren't for the line of kids!

below:

Thank goodness aunt Kim was there to help the girls in the Lowe's Wood-working Tent. It's nice to have an aunt who is good at this kind of stuff!

below: Kelsey "helping" aunt Kim with the hammer

below: the moon bouncey thing (never can think of the official name)

We ate some lunch with aunt Kim, and also with Grandma and Grandpa who were up there. It was getting hot out! I definitely notice the heat more with this pregnancy than with my first. I must be getting old. )-:

Kim and I decided to take the girls back to Mimi's after lunch so Kelsey could get her nap in. I spent her naptime packing up to leave, since Mimi and I were planning on driving out to IL sometime after church on Sunday.

By the time Kels woke up, Mimi was back home so she and Kimberly and I wheeled the girls right back up to the park. The girls played some kids games; my cousin Turner was in charge so that was fun! He is so great with kids. Calla is a big fan.

below: Corinne and Caleb's friend Chris (left) was one of several musical acts (-: We sat on the grass and ate ice cream and listened. Most of Kelsey's ice cream melted before it even hit her mouth.

below: the girls hanging out in the grass. Calla liked to be right "next to the stage" so she could dance.

below: somehow the girls convinced Aunt Kimberly to dance with them. They weren't as successful convincing me.

The music was still going and there were lots of things going on to watch (softball game/volleyball/etc.). Calla only had eyes for the clown, who was making balloon animals for kids. I took Calla and Kelsey down to the lady and she immediately spotted Kelsey in the crowd and suggested she make Kelsey a ladybug to match the ladybug on her face. Kelsey was thrilled with her balloon!

I had no idea how lucky she was to get one right away; literally 50 MINUTES later, Calla got her balloon! There were just so many kids clamoring around and shouting out what they wanted. Calla asked a few times, and finally got her "pink princess crown:"

below: Calla and I with the princess crown. I think it was worth the wait! She was so tickled with it.

below: Calla and Kelsey having Pops try on their crowns. He is sitting in the front of the stage because that's where Calla wanted him to dance.

below: Kelsey dancing

below: Something about hot muggy weather does not motivate me to start dancing......

below: chilling with Pops

Grandma and Grandpa played with the girls on the park. We ate some dinner on blankets in the grass. My cousin Turner entertained Calla for the better part of an hour; he played catch with her and hide and seek and basically was babysitting her for free. Hahaha. Turner is in high school so a bunch of his high school buddies were with him. Calla looked very comfortable hanging out with the big kids!

The Chester County Concert Band played some peppy band music for a while. In the meantime, there were hot air balloon rides although it was short-lived because it was too windy. Calla and Kelsey and Aunt Kimberly went down real close to the balloon to get a good look.

Kelly and Josh came and I got to hold Clark for a long time while Kim kept my girls occupied. Kesley gets so bent out of shape sometimes when she sees me holding Clark! He was sleeping so peacefully during the music; I think he likes band music. Haha.

The sky grew dark, and the minute the concert ended a fireworks show went off. It was pretty awesome! One person said "This is the biggest small-town fireworks display I've ever seen" and I've got to agree. Definitely much better than the typical 4th of July fireworks I usually see.

Calla and Kelsey were fans at first, then Kelsey started to cry, then I covered her ears and she enjoyed them from then on. The show went on pretty long; long enough that Calla was asking when it would be over. Hahaha. The minute it was done, we got in the car and went home and I put those girls to bed! It was definitely a big day!

~ Tomorrow I got some more catching up to do....... ~

Dutch Wonderland

below: Last night Pops and Calla reading before bed


TODAY was one of my favorite days of the year! I knew this before we left because it was one of my favorite summer days last year. Last July, Mimi and Corinne and I took the girls to Dutch Wonderland and this year we decided to go again (although Corinne couldn't make the trip from Africa so it was just Mimi and I). Click here to see the pics of the girls on the rides a year ago. (-:

Dutch Wonderland is an amusement park designed just for kids. They have the cutest shows and rides and I have lots of memories of going there as a kid.

First up, we headed to the long line of the day and went on the cars:


Mimi rode with Calla. Needless to say, she was probably carsick by the end of the ride!

below: Mommy with Kelsey at the wheel.

below: up next (or at some point)...the big Jeeps

Every time we got off a ride, Kelsey yelled "More!" she would have gone on each one it least 3 times if we could..

below: Watching a ride that Calla determined was for "big kids." Mimi pointed out that there was a younger girl on it and Calla said "oh well I can wait until I'm bigger."

below: This was a favorite....the bees. I think they did this twice. Kelsey seemed worried at first but then we realized she was just looking for us (Mimi and I) to wave at her. Once she saw us she started getting happy.

below: THis was one of the kiddie rides for really little children...it went so slow. Calla looked at me at one point and said, "Mom why is this going so slow??" Haha

below: The frogs! These went bouncing around real high up in the air and Kelsey wasn't technically tall enough but the Dutch Wonderland staff never seemed to notice. She always followed her sister right onto rides real matter-of-factly. Calla is giving her a pep talk:

below: Taking a break to watch a show.........

below: Audience participation time!

We stopped to eat pizza for lunch at the cafeteria place and the girls scarfed it down. Mimi says she's never seen them eat so much; it really was amazing. She randomly bought them some rice as an appetizer and they dug into that like candy, and then they each ate their own big slice. Riding rides makes them hungry!

below: Okay this was Mimi and my favorite ride to watch. It swung them around really fast on the corners and just got our funny bones. Kelsey really laughed on this one.

below: wee

below: milking a cow. only at Dutch Wonderland. ha

below: The girls and I on the merry go 'round. We did this three times and one of the times Calla wanted to ride on the benches. Hahaha. I thought that was funny.

below: The train! The train weaves around the park so we kept seeing it throughout the day and the girls kept begging to go on it. Finally we did

below: getting dizzy on the turtles (just kidding; none of us are prone to motion sickness, it least as far as I can tell. Mimi - and daddy for that matter - would never be interested in this ride..it just goes in circles)

below: This was the towards the end of the day, as you can tell from my yawn....

below: Back on Mimi and my favorite ride (to watch)

below: This was a parental-participation ride. I had to push Kelsey along since she wasn't tall enough to really turn the wheel.

Calla did pretty well...

below: The girls at the end of the day! We stayed until 4:30pm and never had a cranky girl. Of course, we were at Dutch Wonderland. Haha. But truthfully Mimi and I discussed it later and they really were on fabulous behavior, especially considering they were missing naps. Kelsey did great with the bathroom too....at one point we were waiting for a boat ride...we'd been waiting about ten minutes and finally the boat pulled in. Our turn to go on! Well what do you know she started yelling "Boo boo! Boo boo!" She always yells it like she's about to pee her pants. We weren't sure what to do at first but I said, "Do you want to go on the boat or do you want to go boo boo?" ...and she said "Boat!" So we took the ten-minute boat ride and went to the bathroom after. She is pretty good at holding it!

We left Dutch Wonderland, drove a half mile down the road, and Kelsey was completely zonked out. We had an hour drive back to Mimi's so she got a decent nap in. Calla fell asleep about 15 minutes away from home so I let her sleep a little on the couch for a while....

Mimi made a delicious dinner and then the girls played outside while Pops mowed the lawn. Aunt Kimberly came over to swim with us. It was still pretty hot out and the girls wanted to do their "tricks" in the pool again with aunt Kim. Grandma and Grandpa stopped in, so we had a pretty decent audience for them haha.

Aunt Kim has made some great progress with Calla and Kels! Well, Kelsey didn't need much guidance being brave in the water but Calla was such a nervous nelly. She is doing much better now. Daddy would be impressed!

below: Kelsey's favorite ride at Dutch Wonderland

below: the girls' "tricks"

The girls had such a fun day! Aunt Katelyn called us while we were at Dutch Wonderland and we told her that in two summers, we will have to go back there with Katelyn and Hailey, Aunt Kelly and Clark, and me and my three kiddos. I'd love for Daddy to come with us sometime too. (-: Watching the girls giggle and have so much fun was very entertaining. Hehe

Callaism~

~ Calla, standing in the pool, started balancing on one leg and threw her arms up in the air in a circle over her head. "Look!" she said, "I'm doing a ballerina trick!"

~ On our way to Dutch Wonderland, we drive through Amish country. The girls were totally into all the horses and buggies! At one point, Calla piped up, "I just saw a horse and buggy getting gas!" hahaha I have no idea what she was talking about.