Smile

Bronwyn first smile at 4 weeks exactly...but she remained allusive to the camera until today...where we caught the smile on the uptake. HA!

Is There a Karate Kid in the House?

Jack earned his yellow belt after a grueling (or comical...your pick) evaluation. Actually, he did very well and was as focused as Jack can possibly be throughout the testing period. His grades:

• Physical B+ (great improvement on jumping jacks, work on strength)


• Basics B+ (great attitude, work on form of the knife and strike)


• Stranger Danger B+ (great strength and voice, work on being serious not silly when running from a stranger) (HA!)


• Form C+

We were asked to keep him in the intro class for a third round to build his strength and confidence. Jack is excited about his yellow belt...but really wants a red one (his favorite color!)

Congrats Jack!

Jackisms Part IV

Jack: "Mom, flowers need rain to grow, right?"
Mom: "Yes, and sunshine."
Jack: "And reindeer need rain to have something to drink for Christmas."

Get it...RAIN DEERS...BAW...the literalness of children. BAW!!!

Happy One-Month Bronwyn and Congrats Jack

BRONWYN's ONE MONTH CHECKUP

YAY! Bronnie turned one yesterday and had her well-check with her doctor today. She is now 8 lbs 2 oz (25%); 21 inches (50%). Good job growing Bronnie. We got a first REAL smile from her this weekend and she just treated Mommy to another this morning.



JACK's STICKER-FILLED WEEK

To encourage Jack, we instituted the REWARD chart in our house this week. Jack has chance to earn a sticker five times a day...breakfast (for getting dress on his own, putting toys away before school, and manners during breakfast); school ( a good report on rule following from teacher); Lunch/nap (actually going to bed on his own!!!); dinner (setting table, eating, not singing about poop and staying in his chair until excused...say we more?); and bedtime (going to bed...you know our Jack!) At end of week if he has 30 stickers or more he gets a special treat. This week it was a HOT ROD race track...as Jack LOVES his hot rods...he talks to them more than to me! Here is a video of Jack playing with his Hot Rods right before bedtime. You will note how SLEEPY he is--he DID NOT earn a sticker the night before ;)

JACKISM

Grandpa was just commenting on how his generation didn't get a "good job" for every positive behavior. Clear indication that Jack's generation does...

Jack on way to Karate last night had food all over his face. I handed him a wipey to clean up and he said, "Good job mom on remembering to bring the wipeys. Very proud of you!" Wonder if I get a sticker???

Sprout is Growing Like a Weed

What do sprouts become? This one is growing into a beautiful flower, is she not? But growing at the rate of a weed! She is in her four-week growth spurt! Oops...gotta go...hungry again! (her, not me!)

Mr Social Butterfly

Jack was playing in the backyard when he spotted his neighbor, Devin (a year older) in his backyard. Jack ran up to Devin and screamed in a voice that sounded like it came from the Dicken's era:

Jack: Hello Devin. Are you playing outside today?

Jack ran to mom and dad to share Devin's reply (which was a simple, yes).

Jack (running back to Devin): Devin, what outfit will you be wearing for Halloween? (outfit???) Will you be a ghost because I am going to be a ghost buster and that would be very funny if you were a ghost!

Jack ran to mom and dad to share Devin's reply (he will be Indiana Jones)...Jack also asked who Inidana Jones is (thinking many a kid will be asking their parents what a Ghost Buster is, too!)

Jack (running back to Devin): Devin, I read a book called Dotty on the Potty and that was really funny because it said potty...POTTY!!! POTTY!! THAT IS FUNNY! (picture Jack now jumping up and down and running in circles flapping his arms...apparently this is how three-year olds become popular because Devin has asked for Jack to come over and play two days in a row now! HA!)

They'll Be Coming Around the Mountain When They Come...

Some pictures from Grandma and Grandpa's visit. We are so blessed to have great family...thanks for making the trip down to see us!

Grandma walked through the door, washed her hands and got baby in her arms only to let go when Bronwyn was clearly rooting for something Grandma wasn't prepared to supply. I think Bronwyn gets her petite look from her Grandma...a little mini Shirley, huh?

Jack looked all around for Grandpa's riding lawn mower. He was disappointed to see they drove a car instead...the gall of some grandparents...hmph! Looks like he quickly forgave Grandpa!

Aunt Ronda won the good natured award as she made TWO long trips out to the house to see everyone. First to bring Logan and then the next day to bring Ronnie, Roxanne and Peyton (or just for more seven layer dip...you decide!) Take note of Bronwyn...the human food tray :)


Logan has the most delicious monster laugh ever heard. He LOVED the swings...not so much the bouncy house, though.

Bronwyn being pretty in pink!

Here's Jack getting his bouncy on.

Recognize these boys???

Peyton and Jack then...

Peyton and Jack now...

Give me some love, man! One of my favorite lines was from Jack, "Don't push Peyton, just hug!" (Peyton was playfully pushing in the bouncing house sending Jack into fits of laughter...but Jack never gave up on trying to get that darn hug out of Peyton.)

Maybe Peyton was still holding a grudge from his last time visiting Jack...
and the JACK ATTACK!

Good NEWS!

Bronwyn gave us a bit of a scare. One of her PKU newborn tests came back abnormal for congenetal hypothyroidism...which can lead to developmental delays in infants. We retested as it has a high false positive and the second test was lower but still abnormal. Well, we tested again yesterday and got the call this morning...HER LEVELS ARE NORMAL!!! YIPPEE! Whatever caused the spike in her TSH blood work is over now and we will retest in another two weeks for peace of mind. Thank you, God!

Brawny Bronwyn

Yesterday was Bronwyn's two week checkup. Happy Two Week Birthday, little girl! She has regained her birth weight, weighing 6 lbs 11oz (5-10%); 20.5 inches (50%); 13.25 head circumference (25%). Doctor placed her on her tummy and was very impressed that she held her head at 45 degrees and turned it back and forth...a one month skill! Here she is demonstrating her new strength at home! Look at those eyes...all GARY!

Training Wheels, Billi Lights and Hospitals OH MY!

First weekend with Bronnie at home was eventful to say the least. At her three-day check-up she weighted 5 lbs and 15.5 ounces...babies are expected to lose 5-8% of their birth body weight and she is clocking in at 7.5%. She also is sporting a nice shade of orange...want to see...

Sent for blood work showing a mild case of jaundice...more fluid and indirect sun were the orders. Easy enough as Jack got a new bike so all of us spent time outside cheering Jack on.

Her levels kept rising throughout weekend and on Sunday she was orange all the way to the palms of her hands and acting a bit lethargic. To the Children's ER we were sent. Her level was 19 and admitted for two nights :( of fluid via IV and billi lights. An IV in a newborn is not an easy thing to accomplish and after three teams attempted and many tears were shed (mainly mine!!!) the IV was in and Bronwyn was on the road to being jaundice-free. Here she is under the billi lights sporting her shades.

And for fun, here is her brother doing the same sun bathing almost four years earlier.

Bronwyn is now home (second homecoming) and turning pinker every moment! Jack is still scrape-free and learning the art of bike riding. I suspect we will have a video soon of evil kenevil and his training wheels.