Our Weekend in Pictures

What a difference a week makes. Last weekend, Tony and I were taking care of a very sick boy and juggling middle of the night feedings again. This weekend, Tony and I chased around two very active, smiling kiddos. I am so thankful that our house is back to "normal"and that little man is feeling so well that he was standing on his own playing today. I helped him pull up, but he kept himself up and played; they're both getting so big.

Saturday, the kids and I went to Arlington so I could get my haircut and Jack and Harper could see Nana, Pop, and Great Granny. Here's a picture of Harper having fun with Granny. She would squeal and grin when Granny talked to her. Jack also has a good time in Arlington and especially enjoyed swinging in the swing while we ate lunch.

The weather was beautiful on Sunday and we took advantage of it. Jack was up around 6:30 and he and I sat out on the back porch while he ate his morning bottle. The breeze was cool and I wrapped him up in a blanket so we could enjoy the sunrise. Abby was just beside herself that she had company on her morning yard patrol and she was even more excited when we decided to take a family walk this afternoon. Tony and I made sure everyone had on hats and we headed out to soak up the sun. I am very much ready for fall and all the cool, crisp air that it will bring!

We also ran errands today and did things around the house. Here's a shot of Harper helping me fold clothes (and by "help" I mean that she took the folded laundry and unfolded it and threw it on the floor). Tony had some quailty time with the kiddos this weekend too. He managed to sneak in a nap with Harper and a good conversation with Jack.

 We also took baths tonight- Jack loves splashing around in the tub and trying to hit all the bubbles. Harper is starting to get some hair and when I took off her hooded towel tonight, this is what her hair looked like (I didn't touch it- just took the picture). 

We sign off tonight with big hopes for our Rangers tomorrow: Go Rangers! Beat the Ray

Feels So Good Feelin' Good Again

Jack and I are both finally feeling better; the stomach bug that had us down lasted a week and it was rough. Our poor little guy spent most of the week sleeping, fussing, and wanting to be held. We went through two bottles of Pedialyte and had a middle of the night feedings, but I am happy to report that Jack is currently playing on the floor smiling after finishing his last bottle. I am also back up and running after spending a few days living off of Sprite and crackers.

While Jack was resting, Harper was on the move. She learned so many new things this week, so I thought I'd just update in pictures. We are so happy our household is healthy again.

Checking on Jack when he was sick 

Nurse Harper

From sitting straight to standing by grabbing the playmat 

Walking from the door to the plant using the wall

Trying to clim into the chair with brother

Looking for toys at the bottom of the toy box

One Rough Weekend

We have a sick little boy at the Collett house. Jack started feeling bad Wednesday night- he refused to finish a bottle and acted cranky. By Thursday evening, he was throwing up and continued to do so all day Friday. Thank goodness Tony was off work and Durinda could come in to watch Harper. Tony took Jack to see our pediatrician and he was diagnosed with the first stages of a stomach bug- we have been living out the middle and, hopefully, later stages of said bug all weekend.

Friday Jack kept one bottle down because he fell asleep while eating and was too sleepy to throw up. Saturday he threw up every bottle, all of the Pedialyte, and cried out in pain. We decided to take him to the emergency room Saturday evening because we thought he might be on the verge of dehydration. We got to the ER about 6:15 and finally made it home around 9. The nurses were great and Jack was given some medicine to help with the stomach cramps and they fed him some Pedialyte via syringe. Jack drank it like it was going out of style and cried when the syringe was empty. We spent 20 mintues getting two ounces into him and when we got him home we gave him four more ounces throughout the night.

I don't know what I was thinking, but I expected Jack to feel so much better this morning- that was not the case. He has spent the day laying on me or Tony or sleeping in his crib. I managed to get a giggle out of him this afternoon and Tony got a smile from him, but he's been pretty lethargic. We are slowly introducing some formula to the mix, so I hope that will give him a little more energy.

Harper, on the other hand, has been moving around the house all weekend. Tony and I took turns watching her climb and explore. I am amazed at the things she picks up on. Tony was cleaning off toys and put one up on the mantle; Harper crawled straight to the hearth and stared up at the toy, then she tried to pull her leg up to climb onto the hearth. She also crawled over to Abby and made a very loud "barking" noise (not a squeal like she normally does and not a noise I've heard her make before).  She sounded like a little dog barking and it scared Abby who quickly scrambled to her feet.

Harper also went through the clothes bag that Aunt J sent us. She was very fond of this hat and looked super cute sporting it all morning. I hope that Harper doesn't get Jack's tummy bug (which I have also managed to pick up-ugh). Please say a prayer that Harper stays healthy; we don't know what a stomach bug like this would do to her eating progress.


I will update again when our house comes out of the "sick zone"; here's hoping that is sooner rather than later.

Catching Up

This week the Collett house has been busy this week. We had Open House at school, Tony and I both managed to get to the gym a few times this week, and we have two active kiddos that we are trying to keep up with. Sadly, the blog fell by the wayside the past couple of weeks. I am going to make it a priority next week and post more often!

Jack and Harper are both learning and growing. Jack is now in 6 month clothes (which I should've moved him to a few weeks ago) and 9 month pjs. He still hasn't got the hang of crawling, but he's supporting his upper body much better now and pushes up really well. He is such a sweet, happy guy, but he gets so upset that Harper can crawl and he's still stuck on his tummy. I know with a little practice, he'll be moving soon.

Harper, on the other hand, is into everything. She found Abby's water bowl and splashed around; she has tried to climb up the stairs, pulls up on everything, and even grabbed the fireplace screen and almost pulled it on top of herself. She has really gotten the hang of eating off of a spoon and is good at trying new foods. 

We are really enjoying watching the kids develop their little personalities. Here are some midweek pictures- enjoy!

Headed to the gym with mom

Going upstairs, anyone?

Big boy in his new clothes

Pulling up-agghhhh

Fresh and clean after his bath

New Skills

I spent this evening on the living room floor rolling around with the kids. We sang silly songs, clapped, giggled, made funny noises with our tounges, and smiled a lot- a whole lot. I don't know what I did to be able to have these little moments, but I thank God that amid all the stress, the schedules, the trying to "get it right" as parents, that I have the opprotunity to savor these glimpses of goodness.

Here are some pictures of our weekend, punctuated by both Jack and Harper doing something new. Jack is now a clapper- he claps along when another person claps and grins like it is just the best thing. This new found skill has caused me to want to spend all evening singing any song that I can think of that invovles clapping.

Harper's new skill is a refinement of her crawling. She has gone from an "army crawl" to a conventional "all fours" crawl. This has helped Harper with her speed, and now that girl can crawl- fast, and this speed has allowed Harper to crawl further than ever before. While Tony and I were getting ready to head to my parent's house Saturday afternoon, Harper crawled from the living room into our bathroom, much to our surprise. I suppose we need to baby proof the rest of our house this week because when Harper reaches any piece of furniture, she pulls up.

We also spent the night with Nana and Pop on Saturday and went to brunch after church Sunday morning. Harper was awake when we walked in and happily got to sit in a high chair. She was such a cuttie eating applesauce and avacados like a champ. Jack slept in his car seat until we were about ready to leave and then Harper started playing with his toes. I hope they always want to play together and enjoy each other's company.

Here are two "bonus pictures" of the kids- some silly shots. The first one is of Jack watching Abby eat; Abby is still getting used to having a fan club. The second picture is of Harper taking a bath; this is the way she prefered to sit and spent the whole time like this. I had to pry her hands off the side of the tub to get her out! Silly girl!

Buddies

We had to make a change this week to bigger pjs- look out the kids are growing and getting big!

It seems like everytime we turn around, the kids are doing something new. This week Jack has been much more mobile than he has been in the past. He has been able to roll over for months now, but he's finally understanding that this skill can be put to good use. Jack rolls all over the living room and giggles with delight when we help him stand up. Jack has also been trying to hold his own bottle and he has been showing off hs flexibility. Here are some shots of him this week:

Little Harper has had a big week.  She has decided that she tired of crawling and has begun teaching herself to walk. Harper pulls up on anything and everything- her favorite spot is our hearth and she has started pulling up and side-stepping the length of the hearth. Her problem lies in the desire to turn around walk out into the room; she hasn't quite figured out the whole balancing act yet, and will let go and fall resulting in tears every time. Durinda did say that Harper went from a standing position down to one knee to pick up a toy and then stand back upright, so we're hoping she's starting to figure out how to get back on the ground without a free fall.  Here are some pictures of her this week:







































The last picturee is of the kiddos looking out the back door together- they just melt my heart. I hope that they like to play together like this when they get older- best buddies...