Olympic Fever

We enjoyed a fun weekend with lots of Olympic-watching. Starting Friday night, Larry & Georgia watched the opening ceremonies while I spent some girl time celebrating good friend Jenn's coming baby boy. Larry was amazed how Georgia sat in rapt attention as the opening ceremonies played- her favorite was in the beginning when hundreds of drummers pounded out a rhythm with lit ancient drums. She liked it so much Larry replayed it thru our DVR and she sat & watched it again! She even sat & watched it once more as we played it Saturday morning so I could see it! This is the child that won't even sit for Sesame Street, but Olympic drummers definitely grabbed her attention!

We watched various other events throughout the weekend, including beach volleyball, water polo, soccer, swimming, gymnastics & badminton. The most exciting definitely was watching Michael Phelps and the 4x100m relay team "smash" the French late last night and win gold! We were bleary-eyed this morning from staying up so late to watch it, but it was really incredible!!

Saturday, Georgia showed us her Olympic training at the pool, and then Larry & I got to go on a date night, with big thanks to Matt & Sandy for watching Georgia for us. We saw The Dark Knight, which was very good & we'd recommend seeing in the theater, and enjoyed a leisurely meal at Firebirds, where I didn't have to feed anyone but myself or clean the table! It was great!

Georgia is taking up the competitive spirit of the Games and determined to master the fork & bowl this weekend. She wanted to eat everything with her fork, by herself, and some in a bowl. She's doing pretty well with it and, thankfully, is yet to poke her eye out, which I stay on the watch for!

I also presented her with a new challenge today- sleeping without paci! (For readers without little ones- a very big deal!!) She'd already weaned down to where paci doesn't come out of her bed & I even take it from her after she falls asleep so she doesn't have it when she wakes up, but I decided it was time for it to go completely because she's getting very attached to & demanding of it. I read online many mom's paci-weaning experiences & decided the best route for us was cutting the tip off the paci. (Don't worry, it's not a choking hazard.) That way she can still physically have it, but it doesn't "paci" very well. I did it for her morning nap, and so far- so good. She just looked at it funny like , "hey- this thing is broken!" but held on to it while she learned to settle herself down to sleep. It took her a bit longer to fall asleep, but no tears or screaming! Pray it goes well this week!

16 Months

Dear Georgia Kate,

You just flew through these last few months! You are over 16 months old now, and I decided it was past time for me to do one of your updates. You continue to grow and change so much! And I've never know such energy- you are constantly on the go and keep me going right alongside you! Here's some highlights from the last couple of months:

~ The sounds of playtime fill our house more than ever- squeals, shrieks, giggles and jabber as you race from one thing to the next. Bernie barking alongside you, balls bouncing, poppers popping and seemingly hundreds of musical toys all singing different tunes- at once! Why must all children's toys make noise??

~ You also add to the symphony with your many new words. I guess you decided since we don't understand your language, you'd try ours! A lot of your words sound the same but I can usually pick out which word you're trying to say... some are: this, that, fish, cheese, ball, bite, milk, bath, baby, hey, hello, bye... and some sounds: woof, moo, quack.

~ Another new word/sound is so cute it gets it's own space- "choo-choo"! You say it over & over while pumping your fist up, like you're pulling a train whistle. Every morning we can hear the Helena train from our house and you run to the window & "choo-choo"! I don't even think you know what a train looks like, but you love the sound it makes!

~ Your imagination is really starting to blossom & it's so fun to watch you play. You're beginning to "pretend" & also figure out new uses for familiar objects, like mixing & eating with a cup & shovel, playing with your babydoll & pushing her in the stroller, lining up your Noah's ark animals along the table, and rolling around with the dog.

~ Bernie is still your favorite playmate, though I think he'll be ready to let your new brother take over soon! You crawl on all fours like a dog, lay next to him, try to sit on him or ride him like pony, and give him kisses & pats. Sometimes you're a little rough, like trying to run him over with the stroller, or throwing toys at him- you're trying to learn what "gentle" means!

~ Eating- nothing new here... you live off of milk & dairy products, fruits & carbs. You continue to grow, so I gave up worrying about your pickyness! (Currently about 23 lbs & tall.) You are learning how to use a fork & spoon, and love using them! Ice cream is your favorite food, I think! Your molars are just starting to break thru, to add to your 7 front teeth (one still coming in), so hopefully those will help you eat better!

~ I don't think you understand that you're going to be a big sister, or that a baby is growing in mommy's tummy, but you do love to point out, pat & kiss my tummy, your tummy and even daddy's tummy, though he says his doesn't need kisses b/c there's no baby in there!

~ That strong, stubborn spirit continues and daddy & I are constantly on our toes! All three of us are learning consistency, firmness & boundries. We've started some serious disciplining & you are quick to respond, so I think we can learn to live in harmony!

~ You are still such a monkey & crawl all over everything. I caught you climbing up your changing table like it was a ladder one day- you were almost to the top! Thankfully you haven't tried to crawl out of your crib (don't read this & get any ideas!). Mommy & daddy are your indoor junglegyms, & you truly never are still!

~ We still have managed to get some snuggles & kissses from you as you learn how to be affectionate. It melts our hearts when you come lay your head against us in a snuggle, or how you give daddy good-morning kisses every day! I love how you will lay your head against my shoulder at bedtime- it's only for 5 seconds, but it is the best 5 seconds of my day!

Water baby~ 3 months & 15 months

Sweet dreams ~ 3 months & 16 months

Being with you almost every hour of every day, I think I sometimes don't notice how you've grown until it catches me at odd moments- how you fill up half of your crib, how tall you are against my leg, how strong you are to climb, push or carry something, how you understand what we say & can follow instructions, how well you can communicate your needs & emotions. We hope & pray that as you continue to grow, your understanding will include love & knowledge of God who continues to bless our family. He is growing you into such a beautiful, fun child- we are thankful every day to get to be a part of that!

We love you very much!

love, mommy

Birthday BOY!!!

Larry's birthday finally got here- a week wasn't too bad to wait, was it?? Georgia and I just tried to keep busy to make the time pass quickly!

When Larry got home from work last night, we got dinner going then sat down together with his b-day presents and The Envelope. He slowly opened the envelope.... took out the card.... opened the card.... and, leaning over so close my nose was almost touching it, I saw those words on the ultrasound picture...

It's A Boy!

We are so excited!!! Georgia will have a little brother to boss around like she already does to the dog! She'll be a great big sis, and one day too soon he'll be big enough to "protect" his sweet sis. And Larry gets to have another boy in the house again! He admitted he was a little relieved, though he would have welcomed a sweet girl with just as much love & excitement.

The ultrasound lady had included two pictures of Hippo's "manhood" in the envelope- to prove it to us, I guess. I promised Hippo I wouldn't post those pictures, but let's just say it was very evident that he is all boy!

Thanks for waiting the extra week with us, and in just about 4 more months you'll get to meet our sweet baby boy!

PS- Want to know the worst part about Larry making me wait a week to find out? He told me he took the envelope to his work so I wouldn't be tempted to peek at it, but last night he revealed that the envelope was really sitting on the desk in our home office the whole time! Uggg!!!

We had Larry's family & the Phelps over for chocolate cake & homemade Vanilla ice cream- & singing Happy Birthday!

Georgia went around the room like a little bird saying "Bi, Bi, BI" (Bite!) until uncle Ernie picked her up & fed her half his ice cream!

Hippo's Halfpoint

Hippo 2 is officially halfway done- we are 21 weeks tomorrow, so actually a little more than halfway. We went to the doc today and had our big ultrasound, where they take all the baby's measurements and -yes- find out the sex of the baby. But, wait, there's more...


We had the ultrasound lady write the sex of the baby on a card and seal it in an envelope and we plan to open it on Larry's birthday next week, the 31st. This was his idea, and he somehow got me to agree, so now we all have to wait another week to find out! Trust me- it's hard for me too!! Which is why Larry took the card with him and hid it at his office- he wouldn't even let me hold it in the car because, & I admit it, I'd peek! So you all have one more week to make your predictions and then we'll have the big reveal...


It was fun to see little Hippo bouncin around in there today. Kiddo is very healthy, everything is where and how big it's supposed to be. Hippo actually measured a little big for my Dec. 5th due date, so maybe this one will come a few days early. Fine with me!! Hippo was actually unusually active this morning, so our pictures are a little blurry, but trust me, it's a precious, perfect little baby in there! (I tried to label the pictures, so you can actually see what they are of.)
Profile of Hippo's head- the "bubble" above the mouth is actually the cord.

Hippo's little feet, kicking!


I'm feeling good too- have most of my energy and more than enuf appetite back from the first trimester. Georgia's keeping me on a strict cardio plan of running after her, picking things up all day and good ol' laughter! I think she's working on her big sis skills, as she's been extra bosy to Bernie lately. Poor pup doesn't know what's coming...


Feel free to comment on your predictions as to Hippo 2 being a boy or girl, and tune it next week for the big reveal! (If I can get ahold of the envelope before then, I'll let you know! ;) )

New York, new york!!

We spent a fun and filling 4th weekend with good friends - say that 3 times fast!! Matt and Sandy joined us for a great weekend in New York City where we enjoyed the many sights, sounds and tastes of the Big Apple. Here's a brief review of our fun:

Thursday, July 3rd
Arrived; navigated the trains into the city; checked in to the Hampton Inn at Times Square (great location & hotel!); waded thru the masses in Times Square and played in Toys 'R Us; saw the city from the top of the Empire State Building (ALWAYS buy your tickets online!); headed out to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yanks get crushed by the Red Socks- we sat in a very fun & rowdy outfield bleacher section (#39!), which, along with the many snacks, made the loss actually fun! And being in Yankee Stadium in it's last season was an amazing experience in itself.
Larry found the perfect bag- Hello Kitty NYC!!

Enjoying the view from the Empire State Building.

Keeping up with the party in Section 39, Yankee Stadium!


Friday, July 4th
Saw Natalie and Lester at the Today Show- Matt & Meridith had the day off; We took a "Movie & TV tour" that took us all over the city and showed us where great movie and tv shows have been filmed- saw the Friends apartment building, the Cosby brownstone, and 'Rice to Riches' from Hitch; next toured the NBC studios and saw the studios of Headline News, Conan and Saturday Night Live; dinner at the Stage Deli and Larry's highlight- their mile-high cheesecake; we joined the huge crowd to watch the 4th fireworks over the East River.
The Friends building- looks nothing like in the show!

Visiting with the Cosby's.


Saturday, July 5th
Went down to the Financial District and saw the World Trade Center site- it was amazing & encouraging to see the progress that's been made. They are actually re-building there now! We also saw St Paul's church, which is the unofficial memorial site for the WTC, Trinity church (where Nicholas Cage found the lost National Treasure), the NY stock exchange & browsed thru Tiffany's; we met up with my NYC cousin Conor for lunch at Big Ricks, a great, local hole-in-the-wall; went to the matinee show of Spamalot starring Drew Lachey (Dancing w/ the Stars, 98*) and Stephen Collins (7th Heaven dad)- very funny and enoyed by the guys & girls!!; we took an afternoon stroll (got lost!!) in Central Park; went back to the hotel to rest after our "stroll"; and enjoyed dinner & frozen hot chocolate that night at Serendipity 3; topped off the night with the Times Square lights.
In Central Park, before we got lost!



Sunday, July 6th
Started the day bright and early on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty- saw Lady Liberty up close & personal, then headed over to Ellis Island to see the history of immagration; took the train back uptown & saw Grand Central Terminal; played in FAO Scwartz & saw a dance on the Big Piano; went to the guys' toystore- the Big-Apple-sized Apple store; shopped at a street fair; and headed to the airport to -eventually- get back home!
Visiting Lady Liberty


It was a really fun trip and something we're glad we got to do- especially with great friends & as we know it will get even harder to get away on trips like this one after baby #2 comes! And since the Phelps will also be busy with a little one soon! (We are so excited that our dear friends are expecting- see their news here...) Georgia enjoyed spending her 4th with my parents in Tampa, getting spoiled as usual and having fun in the pool with Uncle Michael & Morgan, their lab. Hopefully she'll enjoy sharing that spoiling-time after December! :)