Two Month Check-up

Flora, at her 2 month check-up, weighs 9 pounds 9 ounces. That is up from 8 pounds 2 ounces from her 1 month check-up. She is growing and thriving. Now, if only we could get her to sleep at a decent hour (before 11:00pm). For the most part, she is very easy going and sleeps very well on-the-go in her car seat. She enjoys the comfort of her car seat so much, she takes most of her day-time naps in it. If that makes her happy, it makes us happy.

Bathtime

Lucy relaxing in her tub on a snowy day.

Flora pre-bath.

More Sites With Grandpa

Hopeful some history and culture wasn't too boring for you, Grandpa! :) Below is Mount Vernon, President George Washington's home, and Iwo Jima, the Marine Corp Memorial.

Flora's First Smile!

Flora was happy this morning and at just shy of 8 weeks old, let out a really big smile. I just happened to have my blackberry in my hand with its low-grade camera allowing me to capture the end of the smile. Time has flown -- hard to believe she's already smiling! And, I think her eyes are going to blue like Lucy's, but maybe a little darker.

Adventures with Grandpa

Nickolas, Grandpa, and Aimee had a little Friday afternoon adventure on the subway to the National Mall to check out the American History Museum. Nickolas; however, knew the dinosaurs were housed in the museum next door and begged to go there instead. At least there were some cool trains to see at the American History.

Awaiting the choo-choo.

With the dinosaur house in the background (a lovely John Russell Pope structure).

On the Mall with the Capitol in the background.

Archie Bunker's chair from Grandpa's favorite show "All In The Family".

Look who's holding Flora!

Unwinding with milk after a fun day.

Buddies

Since getting decent pictures of all three kids is a fine and patient art requiring cooperative participation, the few successful shots will occasionally be added to the blog as they come.

Misc.

Below is the completed kitchen set pictured previously as it was being assembled. Lucy and Nickolas enjoy shopping with their grocery cart and cooking. It took a little convincing to place it in the toy room versus the actual kitchen.

Wee Flora's hand while feeding.

With daddy gazing at the motionless ceiling fan. She's obsessed with its contrast to the ceiling.

Big Fish

We took a quick trip to the Baltimore Aquarium over the weekend. Nickolas' favorite were the sharks while Lucy liked the dolphins. The variety of jellyfish were pretty cool, too. These are the best shots we got of anything from the dolphin tank.

Babies Everywhere

Nickolas wanted to hold Flora and then Lucy wanted to, as well, so they decided to hold her together. Flora wasn't wild about stretching across their laps but she went along with it. They later decided to use some of the leftover "Newborn" size diapers, now that Flora is a whopping Size 1, and diaper their babies.

Blankets Part II

For Christmas, Kentucky Uncle David's lovely Ann made extra warm fleece blankets for each of the kids with their very own special monogram. Of course, Nickolas was extra proud of his with the Kentucky theme. Go 'Cats! Lucy's blanket is the perfect size for her crib and they love taking it upstairs along with their entourage of stuff animals at bed time.

Blankets

A dear family friend of Dan's, Ruth, sent us baby blankets for Flora. The kids immediately laid the blankets on the floor and rolled around on them. Lucy kept saying "night night" and laid next to her sister.

Roar

While Flora laid on my lap, Nickolas introduced her to his baby and his dinosaur, Rexy. He thought they'd be most comfortable on her back.

Big brother and his buddy Flora.

Thank you Nana and Grandma

For an entire month after Flora was born, we were extremely lucky and blessed to have the help of Dan's mom, Nana Jean, and Grandma Julie. This allowed for Aimee to sleep later in the mornings (after sleepless nights), take Nickolas and Lucy to preschool without too much hassle, keep Flora out of the extremely cold December temperatures, as well as have two open hands to do other things. That's right, between the two of them for an entire month. It's taken a bit of adjustment and creativity, but after a week or so, we're beginning to get the hang of 3. We are extremely grateful for the adjustment period and excellent care you both gave to all of us.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning brought a new kitchen, work bench, shopping cart, and Lucy's favorite - a baby stroller. She could have received just that and would have been perfectly content. Nickolas was very busy - work gloves and all - with his work bench as Grandpa explained to him what each of the tools are for.


Building the kitchen ... after 4 hours.

Christmas Eve

After the 4:00pm Christmas Eve children's mass, we celebrated Christmas with Sue and Wayne where Nickolas and Lucy had all sorts of fun with decorations, sweets, and presents. We ate an entire standing rib roast and the kids received some of their favorites -- especially their PILLOW PETS!

With Uncle Brian

Lucy, for a good hour, or so, enjoyed picking up each present under the tree and handing them out throughout the house.

Holiday Princess

Firetruck and police car ornaments!

Daddy's present

Lucy and her love of books.

Double fisted with Lucy and Flora

PILLOW PET!!!!!

Grandma and Flora

Pit stop at the police station