Where's Bailey?

Happy 62nd! Happy 30th!

I am lucky enough to get to share my birthday with my dad.  (This picture is from when he visited earlier this summer.) Happy Birthday Dad!!

I haven't been too thrilled about turning 30 but my birthday was full of simple, relaxing moments. My mom, who is visiting to help us survive after George's surgery, let me sleep in, then I had a few pieces of Amy's mexican vanilla and oreo ice cream cake from my sweet husband (yum!!), and then I snuck away to do some damage at J.Crew!  Still the best part was that I was relatively pain free almost the entire day. Such an incredible blessing and gift from God. And even though George is still in a considerable amount of pain (totally normal yet still unpleasant) he went above and beyond to make sure I felt celebrated and loved on my special day.  Plus it was such a wonderful treat to have my mom here with us too especially since she has been such an amazing help to us these past few weeks.  And thank you to everyone else who texted, called, and sent gifts and cards.  I love you all!  You helped make 30 feel great!

Sweet

Fishing for Bailey...

George's knee

Just wanted to let everyone know that George is out of surgery to repair his torn ACL. The surgery went well and he is home and currently feeling good (although that's probably because the nerve block won't wear off for a few more hours). He has a few months of pretty intense physical therapy ahead of him starting tomorrow. So that, trying to keep the munchkins for jumping on him, and just managing life with two semi-injured adults are our only challenges now. :). Thank you for all your prayers and support. We are really so blessed to have such an incredible community of friends and family both here and across the nation! Love to you all!!!

Bailey's 15th/16th Month Snapshot

Weight:  22 lbs, 4 oz (10-25th percentile)
Height:  33 inches (>98th percentile)
Head:  18 inches (25-50th percentile)

I'm so far behind that I needed to add another month to this update!  Bailey is at such a fun but incredibly busy, busy age, which might be part of the reason why I'm so late getting this post up.  :)  Either way, above are Bailey's stats from the his doctor's well check at 15 months.  He has stayed tall and lean!  I love the top pic because I feel like it sums up what he is like - kinda crazy, silly, and cute all rolled into one!  And here are the notes I've jotted from the past 2 months...

-he can sign 'more', 'eat', 'please', and 'all done' and has recently learned how to say "uh oh" and "up" but his speech is delayed and based on our ped. recommendation we started speech therapy which began last week.  Even before we were able to start seeing someone for speech, he had started babbling and mimicking sounds more.  The therapist thinks that he is just a little behind because he has focused so much of his energy on motor advances.  She recommended weekly sessions with her and some things we could incorporate during play at home.  I'm sure we will go a handful of times and then he'll be chattering so much that we will wish we hadn't pushed the issue!  :)

-is all-boy and loves toy cars in a way that I never saw with Ainsley

-loves to color and paint and is very clearly right handed.  He will often use his left hand to adjust the crayon, paint brush in his right hand.

-makes "snow angels" in the rocks at the park

-usually needs to wake up from naps slow and tends to be grumpy (like his daddy) but rather than snuggling he usually wants to hit the ground running. Even though he's groggy and uncoordinated he leaps out of your arms and runs out if his room and down the hall to see what he's missing.  He is a sweet snuggle bug in the mornings though.

-determined and gets easily frustrated when he cants figure out a toy, reach what he wants, or when we say no. We have seen more than a few temper tantrums the past few weeks. This makes me a little nervous and am hoping it is just a phase that will pass when he learns to communicate with us better.

-along with this, he likes to be in control. Wants to push the shopping cart instead of ride in it, wants to get in/out of the bath himself, wants to pick out his own books, etc. The times that he can't be in control also spurs frustration.

-his animal pacis are truly his loveys and he is so cute when he snuggles with them

-likes to play "night-night" where he covers you up with a blanket and then turns off the lights and "shushes" you.  Sometimes he will lay on your belly and snuggle you like he is going to sleep too.  This is always the best and my favorite reason to play this game.  Then he jumps up with both arms stretched overhead and a big smile.  Wake up!

-not surprisingly, he adores Ainsley.  He misses her when she's at school and runs up to her when she gets home and babbles and pats her back and belly or tries to hug her.  It's very sweet.

-rubs Ainsley and our backs when he wants to show us love or when Ainsley is upset.

-always crosses his legs at his ankles when he is sitting

-loves to take all the books off the shelf and look at them one by one

-loves pulling his train or alligator around... or really anything that has wheels and a strings.  Ainsley and him spend a lot of time running around the house like this... each pulling something and chasing after each other.

-helps me wipe up the table, windows, walls, floor, himself, anything with wet wipes.  Also loves to sniff them and suck on them when he's done cleaning.  Gross!

-gets sad when Ainsley is in time out

-hides pretzels between the couch cushions like a squirrel 

-Ainsley sometimes calls him lil monkey or lil monkey boy and I just love it.

-And he is FINALLY sleeping through the night again.  I feel a little embarrassed to admit this because Ainsley had been doing this since she was a few months old, but with everything we have had going on this year, we just let things slide with him more.  But this month, we dished out a bit of tough love (although it really was only 2 or 3 hard nights) and now he is finally where he should be for a 16 month old!  :)

3 Year Old Questionnaire

What's your favorite color:  "pink"

What's your favorite animal: "meow-meow" (cat)

What's your favorite book:  "Cinderella"
 
What's your favorite show:  "Incredibles"

What's your favorite food:  "peanut butter jelly" (she literally asks for this almost everyday for lunch)

What's your favorite drink:  "water"

What's your favorite breakfast food:  "cereal" (although she really asks for a strudel every morning.  it was NOT me who started her on those!)

What's your favorite outfit:  "a long dress" (she also loves skirts that twirl)

What's your favorite toy:  "balloon"  (we just got one at the store.  her real favorite toys are her dollhouse, her magnet dress-up dolls and her princess figurines)

Who is your best friend:  "Bailey!" (with a big smile.  warms my heart)

What's your favorite game:  "Playing peek-a-boo with Bailey.  And when we chase."

What's your favorite thing to do outside:  "Playing football with Daddy."

What's your favorite place to go:  "the grocery store."  (good thing we are spending all this money on school, swim lessons and other activities!)

What do you like to take with you to bed:  "my lovey!"  (and about a thousand other stuffed animals!)

What do you want to be with you grow up:  "a doctor for mommy's hurt back"  (aww.  sweet girl!  she has also said recently that when she gets bigger she wants to be a mommy and an hola, which is what she calls the women who helps clean our house.)

What's your favorite thing about Daddy:  "watching him play golf outside with me and playing chase."

What's your favorite thing about Mommy:  "to play baby with you and bringing you little baby food to eat"

What's your favorite thing about Bailey:  "when he chases me!!"