Sunday, December 15, 2013

Update on Kiddos

Wow - how can it be that a month has passed since my last post?  I want to get a few posts up in the near future, but let me start with updates on the kiddos!

First, Kincaid...

Our boy is darn sweet, fun and loving!  Each day he brings a challenge but much more joy!  He tends to start out the mornings a bit of a grump until he's had a diaper change, milk and gets some food in that belly!  He'd turned into quite the daddy's boy until about the week prior to Thanksgiving and then we became friends again :) I've enjoyed him wanting to give me lots of snuggles and love again!!


His last month in childcare meant lots of fun with his friends and caregivers!  He continues to be primarily cared for by Denise and Jordan and occasionally Rebecca.  They've been doing a great job working with him on new signs which we so appreciate!  He tends to both sign and speak, but it helps with the signs so much!  He is also spending a lot of time with the bigger kids at the center.  His primary space continues to be in the infant/toddler room, but daily he is involved in activities in the toddler/big kid room.  They also told us that every morning when the preschoolers do their good morning dance, he stands by the gate dividing the two rooms and does it with them :)  Kincaid loves to dance!  

Here is a run down of fun things he's been able to do there in November: 

  • practice signs
  • dance
  • ring around the rosie
  • play with "big kids" 
  • building towers (he really can build some tall towers!)
  • playing outside
  • stacking cups
  • running around and being silly
  • drawing/painting/crafts
He has a great time there, and we are so thankful for all that he is learning!  

He had his 18mth check up and is just shy of 24 lbs (40%) and is ~34" tall (70%).  Our guy is healthy and growing just perfectly!  His language is exploding and we love how quickly he is able to pick up on new words and how well he is developing his ability to express himself!  Obviously this comes with some resistance and him being stubborn which has helped us to practice our deep breathing exercises :) We recently tried to make a list of his words and his at 70+!  His favorite things to do at home are to read, play with trucks, tractors and trains, build towers and destroy them, and sit in his chair to watch a show (he is addicted after our trip to Michigan with a DVD player and is constantly asking to watch one).  We have started to let him watch a 30 min (okay sometimes 1 hr) every once in awhile, particularly on weekend mornings).  He likes to watch the Cars cartoon, Winnie the Pooh, Veggie Tales and the Very Hungry Caterpillar.  While this is a nice break, we have been a bit too generous with the TV time these last couple of weeks and are trying to move away from that as it's not a norm we want to set.  Caid is also becoming much more fluid in his movements.  While he's been moving fast for awhile, when he moves along it is much more like running.  He continues to be quite the climber and to scare me with his boldness!  He loves to help with cooking/baking and we are working with him on helping with chores like feeding Grace and helping me throw laundry in the washer or dryer!  He is a big helper!  

Kincaid is a rockstar in our eyes and we love love love seeing his little personality flourish!

Baby VK...

I had an appointment this last week for baby, and he/she is growing right on track!  Baby measured at 27 weeks, so about 1 week ahead, which I think was about the same with Kincaid.  Heart rate is holding steady at 150, and I've been told a number of times recently by family, friends, and strangers that I'm having a girl.  There are still others out there that remain sure it is a boy.  So, 14 weeks to go and we'll see then!  Baby should be around 2lbs now and about 15" long.  

I had the flu bug this last week, and while I'd had the flu with pregnant with Kincaid, it was earlier on and more severe if I remember right.  This time around though, baby sure was a mover and a shaker the whole time my stomach was upset which made it interesting!  However, sick or not, with each kick, twist, turn and movement, I fall more in love and more grateful to God for the health of our baby!  Baby is moving much more forcefully and visibly these last several weeks and it cracks us up to watch my stomach moving like crazy.  We can't wait to meet baby and share him/her with you all!  

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Family Time on a Fall Day

Since I had a four day weekend thanks to Veteran's Day and my discretionary day at work, it sure made for a relaxing weekend with my guys!  Saturday was incredible out, and I'm so glad we took advantage of our day together and put off our usual cleaning and to-dos!  Especially because Monday it got COLD!!! BRR!  We had a blast going for a couple of walks in the country and at the lake, being silly together, exploring and making dinner!  Love these special times with my guys!!







































The Difference 15 Minutes Makes...

It is amazing the difference 15 minutes and a pair of scissors can make!  The other night, in 15 minutes, my sweet Kincaid went from our little boy


to our Big Boy!


It's amazing how much difference an inch or two less hair and 15 minutes can make!

Isn't he a handsome fella like his papa?   I sure think so!

K's Oct @ W & G

Kincaid had a great October and first month at his new childcare!  The crew at the new center do a great job, have a ton of energy, and make every day a new adventure for the kiddos!

We have been so grateful to have a center so close!  No more having my guys on the road so much each day!

Kincaid is cared for by: Jordan & Denise(primaries), and occasionally by Rebecca, Ashley and Vonda.

Denise is below and one of Kincaid's favorites!


The kids spend a lot of time outdoors when it is nice playing and drawing.



Learning about teamwork and sharing.


They also have great older kids that love playing with the littles and taking time to read to them.


This month Kincaid had fun playing: 
-with puzzles
-outdoors
-with babies
-with new friends
-on the rocking horse
-in the kitchen area
-with books and reading
-and dancing
-with trains and building tracks
-with crayons and coloring books
-with the tubes and crawling through the tunnels
-with the shape sorter
-with blocks

He also worked on:
-not pushing other kids
-sharing toys
-using please and thank you instead of whining
-sign language



Monday, November 11, 2013

21 Weeks & First Pics!!

Today, Jon and I went for my 21 week check up and for our first close ups of Baby VK!! We are in LOVE!  What an incredible reminder of God's presence in our lives!  We had so much fun seeing our sweet baby for the first time! 

We debated all week, last night and even on the car ride today whether we were going to wait to find out if Kincaid was going to have a little brother or sister.  Such a tough decision because we have no regrets about waiting to find out with Kincaid!  So many pros and cons were tossed out, and we've already finalized both our top boy and girl name.

So, this time around, we decided to mix things up!

So.....without further ado, we are having a....












......BABY!!  

While Jon and I DO know if it is a boy or a girl, the rest of you will have to wait until Baby VK makes his/her first appearance in late March!  Until then, baby's now 14 ounces, heart rate 148-149, and as far as the initial looks go, is perfect and healthy!  Our Dr. will take a look at all the shots and call next week to confirm!