Vacation

Our stateside vacation is going well so far. The straight 8 hour flight was torture on me. Xander didn't sleep but maybe 20 minutes. He was over tired by 3 hours remaining but refused to fall asleep. He screamed, kicked, fell to the floor. He couldn't stand, he'd immediately fall. Poor baby was fighting his much needed sleep. In the end, maybe it was a good thing. We landed in Philly for our 3 hour layover, went through customs, grabbed Chicfila, took a shuttle, found our gate and waited 40 minutes for boarding. Much to my dismay, our flight was cancelled. Weather was bad and all flights were cancelled for the night! I wanted to cry...had a few tears, I just wanted our already long day to be over. As we were waiting for our flight I was talking to a guy in business attire. There was talk about our flight being cancelled because other flights were. I mentioned how long my day had been and my worry of running out of formula for the baby. (I'd only brought enough for 24 hours, with only four 4 ounce bottles left to make). So, once the flight was cancelled, this guy and another business man decided they were going to rent a car. They offered the kids and I a ride to Baltimore! I didn't even think twice. Not until the next day when my mom was telling me my sister was asking questions on why I took a ride from strangers. We met my dad at a hotel near BWI and what a relief to have that leg of our vacation done. Now just 4 more flights and 20 hours of driving.

Soon we will be on our next flight to attend my big brothers wedding.

Pictures in random order: Sterling enjoyed watching baby looney tunes on the screen in front of her, Xander and I played with play-doh, entertained passengers in Philly, cuddling with Papa, getting 1st haircut, grandmas buddy, and train ride with mama.

Moments like this

Make my heart swell...

Wiping his sisters drool...seriously, how sweet is that!

School

How's it going you might ask?  Well it's going...but it's for sure the hardest thing to get done before the deadline.  My oh my am I up late and my weekends are spent working on papers.  I won't be taking a class next term because Nick will be on travel (TDY) for 2 months and I don't think i can handle everything on top of school.  So we came to an agreement that I will work on a certification that way I'm still earning something and it will be beneficial towards getting a job next year. 
One of my classes (the easy one) finished Sunday, I passed...Yah for me!  The hard class, the one that is really 2 classes thrown into one class worth 6 credits...yeah that one...it's hard and I have 4 weeks left.  I'll be glad when I'm done!

Favorites from Xander

Xander's favorite words lately are blankie, teeth (for brush teeth), shoes, pew ee, get it, go, and mine.  I love hearing him say words.

Two nights ago he was talking and talking about who knows what, but it was the most adorable sound ever.  He went on for a good 5 minutes and was in serious tone.  I wish I had videoed it, but if I would have gotten up, he would have stopped, so I enjoyed listening to his "thoughts". He had his arm up, just talking away.

He gives the sweetest kisses and is the most lovable little boy ever. 

I love his whine...yes it gets annoying when he's constantly doing it, but it's so cute and funny at the same time.  How is my son ever going to take me serious when I always think he's so darn cute at anything he does?

I love his happy demeanor.

I love his big curls, even when the little kids think he's a girl, even though he's in all boys clothes...kids!

I love that he still loves to be cuddled...he's definitely a mama's boy

Love ya my little man!

Kids update

Today we had well baby visits.  Sterling had her 4 month visit and Xander had his 15 month visit.  It was one long appointment.  Not sure if it's better to do one long appt verses 2 shorter ones?  The kids were rather well at the appt.  I didn't take the stroller in with me as we were running late and I didn't want to pull it out.  Xander listens real well and stayed by my side or right in front of me.

Sterling:
I did bring up a conern about Sterling not wanting to put pressure on her legs.  She'll do it about once a day, but most times, she goes to her knees.  He said to work with her some more and she should pick up the concept.  I hope so.  I also asked about her feedings because she's so random.  She'll eat between 3-5 ounces every 2.5-5 hours.  He sayed as long as shes getting between 25-30 ounces in a 24 hour period, she's fine.  She is, typically 26 ounces.  She's just going to be my little eater, or has a fast metabolism.  Her head measured 40.5 cm (15.9 in), weighed 17 pounds (99%), and was 26 inches (97%).  She's going to be my little giant.  I think she's going to take after my grandfather and his side of the family.  They are all tall, so she'll fit right in.

-wears size 3 diaper

-wearing 3-6 month tops/one pieces (but can wear 6-9, mom just wants to wait before buying too much 6-9 right now since we are going to the states next month and we can shop shop shop there!), 6-9 month pjs and pants

-has so much hair that we wear a pony tail and bow on top almost every day...if not, she looks like bozo the clown :(

-only likes being held outwards

-rolls over every which way...including off the couch :(.  While Xander and I were grocery shopping on Sunday, Nick was watching her and she slipped right off the couch.  She didn't cry and didn't seem like anything was wrong. 

-found her feet 3 days ago! 

-can sit unassisted for short periods

-loves to talk and talk and talk

-chews on her toys

-reaches for her toys during tummy time (which she likes for short periods)

-started using the jumper yesterday

Alexander:
No concerns with him...one healthy little bean.  His head measured at 18.5 inches, weighed 24 pounds, and was 30.5 inches.  The technician didn't write down his percentages and I didn't notice until after we arrived home.  Hopefully he's not too far on the low end still.  He gained 2 pounds and 1.5 inches from his 12 month visit. 

-wearing size 4 diaper...although 3s still fit

-wears size 12-18 month clothes

-has size 4, going on 5 feet

-loves throwing balls

-tells me what he wants by trying to pick me up to take me where he wants what he wants...he's a funny little boy

-not a great nap taker...I still try to get 2 naps out of him, but it's usually only 1 or 2 really short ones

-loves playing in the water

-likes to throw sand

-I found him sitting next to his sister while she was playing on the floor and he had his finger in her mouth...it was so sweet and she was sucking away

-very whiny lately

-thows huge temper tantrums and screams really loud when he doesn't get what he wants

-loves watching bubble guppies, team umizoomi, and the hive

-loves to watch big trucks working...they're always moving and digging atour grocery store so it's a site that he loves to watch

-points to airplanes

-notices firetruck sirens from a distance so we wait and see if they drive by, when they do, he gets excited

-says bye-bye, get it, shoes, see, juice, eat, drink, ball, go-go-go...i think these are all the new ones right now

Now for today and tomorrow I'm praying neither of the children get a fever from their shots.  Sterling didn't do so well after her 2 month shots.  Here's to a better 4th month!

Have a great day!