Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Kevin or Kevo?



We often refer to Kevin as Kevo (probably more often than we call him Kevin). I was trying to see if knew his name today, and he would ignore me as I said things like "Woohoo", "Gobble-dee-goop", and "Kevin". But when I'd say "Kevo", he'd turn and give me a big smile! I think he thinks his name is Kevo!! Ellie thinks that is hillarious!

Kevin Sits - just cute!



Ellie Wears Makeup!


We were being silly one day, and Ellie wore makeup for the first time.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Kevin Army Crawls

He loves to try to eat Ellie's princess shoes! Needless to say, the princess does not approve!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Kevin SITS!


As of yesterday, Kevin can sit unassisted. He can sit using his hands for support for several minutes! Ellie is very proud of him and loves to tell of his new accomplishment!
He has also gotten very good at army crawling around. He's on the move! He has started to rock back and forth on his hands and knees as well.
He doesn't usually nap very well, though. :-)

Fun with the Uncles...


Ellie really enjoyed watching Tim make guacamole!

Abbey's Birthday!



We went to a new park on my birthday. We rented a paddleboat, walked by the bay, and had a picnic. Later in the evening, our friends Sarah watched the kids and we had a great date of dinner, cake (that Chris baked), and star gazing on the Stanford golf course. It was a great day!

Foothills Park Again!



A few days later, the kids and I went back to Foothills Park with Karen, Arden and Maya. The kids were great and again walked the entire way! They ran from post to post (markers along the trail), hoping to earn "pistashews" (pistacios)! They also played hide and seek in the wide open picnic area!




We went on a long hike (3.5 hours) to Foothills Park. Ellie walked the entire way herself, and I carried Kevin in the backpack. We had a picnic at the top of a little peak.
We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to live out here. Every person should have the opportunity to live here at some point in their lives. It is so beautiful.

Day at the Park



A few weekends ago, Ellie rode her bike a community park off campus. Chris rode the skateboard, and Kevin rode in the stroller. I walked.


we had a great time! We had a picnic played lots of hide and seek.

Kevin Plays in Crib



Ellie - bubblehead!



Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Kevin - 5 months


Kevin is now five months old. At his four-month appointment, he had the following stats...


17.01 pounds (81st percentile)

26.5 inches (89th percentile)


He really wants to eat my food! He grabs for the fork with his mouth wide open if he's in my lap while I'm eating! He only has a few more weeks before his first big meal!!


He has started to babble da-da-da-da this week. Chris and I were laying in bed, both pretending not to hear Kevin awake in his crib, but when Kevin said, "Da-da", Chris jumped out of bed to get him!! Although we both know that Kevin wasn't really calling Chris because he's too young, it was still very cute!!


He seems much more purposeful in his grabbing at toys now. He has favorite toys - a crinkly-souding book from Grandma, a cow from Ellie, etc.
He has no teeth and no sign of their upcoming arrival, which is fine by me!
He can scoot about a foot or so to get to a toy or just to move around. He puts his bum high in the air, his knees in, and somehow propels himself forward. It's a big effort for such a little gain in position, but I guess he's learning! He's an expert roller. He can get anywhere he wants just rolling all over the place!

He is still a happy, happy baby. At the store, people will stop me and say, "He was just staring at me smiling." He loves his big sister and thinks she is so funny! She loves him, too. At least 10 times a day, she says, "I just love my little brudder (brother). I'm so glad he's my brudder. I will love him forever." She says this as she lays on top of him nearly crushing him.


He is recovering from RSV, a severe respitory virus. Despite the wheezing, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, and severe congestion, he never stopped smiling!! He lost his voice, so when he cried (which was very rare and usually indicated hunger), his face would turn red and no cry would come out. He looked really pathetic. He is feeling much better now.


Before RSV, he was a great sleeper. He fell asleep on his own and slept long stretches at night. Now, however, he is waking up often due to the coughing. I hope he gets back on schedule once he is fully recovered from RSV.


He is such a sweet baby and real joy. I love to just stare at him and his cuteness (as you can tell I love the close-up face shots!)! We love him tremendously!

I like carrots

I've never liked carrots. I tried them again recently, and I liked them! I even like them raw!

Friday, January 4, 2008

Ellie's 3rd Birthday





We made waffles in the morning with cousins Pug and Carly. Went to a park in the afternoon. Took a nap. Opened presents. Favorite was snow white dress-up outfit. Arden came over for cake and a movie (Jungle Book). Adults had chocolate fondue while the kids watched the movie. Stopped drinking milk before bed because she's a "super big girl" now!

Video - Kevin Scoots

coming soon...

Trip to Tahoe




























We spent December 27-30 with two other families at a house at Lake Tahoe. The kids had a great time - three 2.5-3.5 year olds and three babies less than 4 months apart.
The first day, we went sledding. Chris took Ellie up the hill, and they went down before she noticed that it might be scary. She said, "That was FUN!" Then, they went up and Ellie said she didnt want to go. Chris brought her down anyway. She was not happy about it. And that was the last time Ellie went sledding!
The next two days, the guy and ladies alternated skiing. I haven't been skiing in a few years, so it was really fun to get back on the slopes again!
When we drove up to our apartment, the first thing Ellie said before we even turned off the car was, "Can I play dress-up?"
Kevin started scooting during the trip as well. He can go a foot or so before he gives up! He most often scoots to get to his toys. I'll try to post a video soon!










Christmas Day!




















Ellie woke up on Christmas morning a little grumpy, as usual. Quickly, she remembered it was time for presents and perked up! She walked right past the princess tricycle that Santa brought her and didn't seem to notice!



After opening presents at home, we headed over to Berkeley where Tim and Jodi were hosting their first Christmas. They welcomed more than 20 people into their home for the big day! The day was filled with all the usual Carter/Jackson traditions - breakfast egg casserole, opening presents, football at the park, plenty of playtime for the kids and a nice dinner!

At one point, Ellie had received so many presents that she said she was done opening presents for now - even though she had more to open! I guess it's hard to "keep it simple" when we have so many people around to care about us! That's the joy of Christmas!!


For more pics...