Primary Visit Day

Kayden is making the move from the Toddler Community to the Primary for the next school year.  They have a visit day where the kids and their parents get to visit their new classroom.  We sat in a circle and everyone in the class introduced themselves, we sang songs, and then the teachers paired each new kid with a kid from the class to go on the playground.

Here is Kayden with her new friend, Sop

After the playground time, the new students and their parents went to the chapel for some special refreshments, a balloon, and a card from the class.  It was very fun!

Kayden with her balloon, necklace from her new friends, and card saying "cheese" really big!!!

Sleeping

Broke out of his swaddle, but still sleeping.

Sleeping on the newborn lounger after falling asleep in the wrap.

I'm not sure how he is able to sleep with all the commotion at our house.  But, so far, sleep he does.  Look at this sweet boy.

Meeting Grandad

Grandad came over to meet Killian.  I think things went pretty well.  Look at him all snuggled up on his shoulder.  So sweet.

This is not the best picture for lots of reasons, but look at that huge smile from Kayden down in the bottom corner.  So cute!

Kayden is 3!!

 

Kayden is three - just don't expect that to limit her as she completely believes she should be able to do everything that Keeley does.  She definitely adds life to our days.  I have never met a child more committed to a mood or activity than this one.  If she is having a tantrum, it can go on for 30 minutes easily.  If she is giggling or smiling, it is infectious.  She was able to attend the primary summer school now that she is three and one of new teachers commented at carpool that she had the sweetest spirit and was giggling or smiling all day.  She is curious to a fault, often resulting in her own injury and very inquisitive in conversation. Rules are important to her and, while she chooses not to follow them frequently, she will quickly point out to you if you are doing the wrong thing.  She is also honest.  The other day she commented, "Mommy, your tummy is almost back to normal; but you still have these spots (stretch marks)." 

Right now she loves to work on puzzles, accessorize her outfits, paint, and try to do everything Keeley does (which means she spends a lot of time writing/drawing and practicing her sounds and rhyming words).  At her three year appointment she passed the motor skills tests (toe/heel walking and standing on one foot), written test (draw a circle), verbal test (color identification, gender identification), and food assessment great.  The only fail we got was on sleep which is surprising to no one I'm sure.  The pediatrician asked if she was napping and I said no and then she asked about her night time sleep and I told her Kayden gets about 10 hours a night.  The pediatrician then looked up from her computer as she was typing the info in and said, "That's low."  I responded that I knew that (oh my, do I know that!) and asked what she should be getting and she said that most kids her age sleep somewhere between 10.5-12 hours a night and take a nap of 1-2 hours each day.  So, we are a good 1.5 hour short of the lowest in that range.  We've tried though, and the child just does not believe she needs sleep.  Perhaps that will change at some point....

Anyway, her stats are

* weight : 32.8 lbs (71.67%)

* height : 37.75 in  (69.01%)

We had a little birthday celebration for her on her actual birthday with Grandma and had her party a few weeks later to avoid the Memorial Day issues.  Here are some of the highlights.

Big sister patiently waiting.  Probably just because Grandma brought a present for her too!

 

Keeley patiently waiting to see what Kayden got.

New sorting work  for her birthday.  She loves to sort.

New bike for her birthday!

Look at that hair in motion!

Fun times with Dad.

Tasting the icing...

Loves her cupcake!!

I hate these things but Kayden wanted them.  They certainly enjoyed them too!

Hugs with Grossmama.

First Bath

The girls were so excited when that gross umbilical cord finally fell off and we were allowed to give Killian a bath.  He did so great and didn't cry at all, he just watched his sisters. 

Napping with Dad

 My boys.  Look how sweet and passed out they both are.

Waking up from the nap and getting un- swaddled.  Love all those big stretches!

Cinderella

Before we went to Disney World we let each of the girls buy a princess dress to take so they could wear it at our princess dinners.  Kayden, of course, refused to wear hers.  Randomly, she decided to put it on the other day.  She went all out dress, purse, gloves, and shoes.  She then promptly refused to allow pictures.  When I was trying to be sneaky and get some with my phone she said, "Mom, stop taking pictures.".

Home!

Summary of first two weeks:  lots of eating and snuggles, scary call from pediatrician about a failed newborn screen test for isovaleric acidemia, week of worry from Mom about the possible implications of IVA, blood draw and urine collection for IVA test, heel prick test to repeat newborn screen, 1st well visit, call from pediatrician saying all was fine and he'd passed the IVA test, joyful tears from Mom, fussy weekend, diagnosis of milk protein allergy, mom cutting out all dairy. Whew!  That was a lot!  Here are some pictures for a much cuter summary!

Love his old man face.  He makes it all the time and the girls even comment about it.

Snuggles with Dad.  Since Killian spends so much time nursing, Kelly doesn't get his share of snuggles (unless you count late night walking to get Killian to go back to sleep).

More snuggles.

Sweet little man.

Keeley is so in love.

Kayden is pretty in love too.

First bottle from sisters.

Frog legs and chubby cheeks.  Is there anything cuter?

Not a paci fan.  Look at that face.  None too pleased with the option being presented to him.  I'm not sure his sisters will agree with his choice!

Killian Jacob Culhane

We welcomed our little man to the family on Monday, May 9th at 6:24pm.  He weighed 7lb 15.5oz and was 21 inches long.  His birth was fairly uncomplicated given the history of the pregnancy.  I was so, so thankful that he was born head down and spared me c-section.  Of course, he did decide to be face up instead of born the way most babies are born.  I'll take a healthy baby however we can get him!

Holding on to Dad's hand.

First meeting of the big sisters.

With Oma.

And with Grandma.

He liked to tuck that bottom lip under the top lip during our stay in the hospital.

Big sister visit the day after he was born with some of their big sister presents.

Sweet loves.

Keeley could not hold him enough.

Look at her sweet face.  She is totally in love with him.

Kisses from the lil-big sister.

My fabulous mid-wife, Jeanean, with him the next day.

Waiting to get all the stuff ready to go home.