Sunday, August 24, 2008

the mullet

My sister in law wrote a paper last year on mullets. I should ask her which category Jake's falls under. It's even better to view in a collared shirt but I'm going with what I got for now!

I'm sharing this to let other babies out there know that they aren't alone!

A Day at the Fair

Jacob and Elizabeth to go to their first "country" fair on Friday. I doubt they'll really remember it and I didn't take many pictures. I took the kids along with my aunt Brenda, my cousin Lauren, her little boy Dylan, and Kaden (friend of D's). So we were 3 adults to 5 kids (3 walkers...err better make that runners).

It started of with a bang...well more of a prick. Alexa and Dylan went on a tractor ride that apparently drove through a bee hive. Dylan and another little girl ended up getting stung. Alexa didn't realize what they were but had taken her hat off b/c there was "some sort of bug on the inside".While they were on the ride I got to enjoy a free mini blueberry pie. I've never had blueberry pie as I'm not a big blueberry fan. But it was delicious and I will no longer turn my nose up at this Maine dessert.

After recovering from the bees and pies we went to see the animals. There were sheep, roosters & chickens, cows of all sizes and galores, alpacas, llamas, bunnies, goats - and even a braying donkey (which made the kids laugh).

We had some lunch which involved a lot of water spilling but eventually got into the bellies of all those eating. Then finally...the rides! Expensive but worth the look off enjoyment. Alexa and I went on the bumper cars with Brenda and Dylan - what fun it was.

Before leaving we got to catch a little bit of the lion and tiger show. Those are some big cats!

Everyone snoozed in the car (well except the driver)...exhausted from a day of fun in the sun.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Liz

Despite the finger (Alexa snapped this one) I can't help but love this picture. Liz put all of it on herself except the sunglasses. Her way of putting them on almost poked her eye out. Her mostly gummy grin makes me chuckle. She's got a whopping 3 teeth. The only top one right now is the fang in the right corner of her mouth (her right).

Busy, busy, busy

It's been a busy week. And next week looks to get busier as we try to fit in the Union Fair, mini golf, and a trip to Gorham for Chris and Alexa next weekend.

Saturday ended being a beautiful day. We started with a stop at the post office, then got the car inspected, and then headed over to Grampa Fred's for some lunch and a visit. Sunday we did some shopping and went to the Rockland Library. Alexa got dropped off at the Samoset for some swim time with dad while the twins and I grocery shopped.

That was a very unpleasant experience. I decided to shop at shaw's. An employee was kind enough to get me a cart w/ the truck in front. Only problem was no buckles. I tried but after they started trying to climb out I had enough. They both got stuffed into the front seat of the cart and I hurried to get the shopping done. I was exhausted and grumpy by the time I left there.

Tuesday night Chris and I got to go out to dinner at Marcel's without any kids. It was a delicious meal and free (a one-time employee perk). We both got seafood and a yummy dessert to end the meal. Prior to bringing out the entrees we were given some lemon sorbet to cleanse our palette with. I mentioned to Chris that the sorbet would probably have been Alexa's favorite part - nothing like having dessert first! It was so nice to be able to eat your meal while it was hot, without answering questions, and not having to gulp it down super fast. It was like being human again!

Yesterday was nice so we did a road trip. First stop was Marshall Point lighthouse.
Then we headed to Birch State Park. Alexa didn't mind the cold ocean water and she had a blast collecting rocks and broken shells. Jake enjoyed eating the sand...

The only bad note is that our double stroller has lost one of it's front wheels. One had broken off last week but my uncle fixed it for me. Now the other side has come off. I tried to fix it but will probably have to get Stewart back over here to do it for me! With our other stroller left behind in Gorham we are in a bind. I'm borrowing a single stroller from my cousin Lauren (thank you!) which means one goes in the sling. Nothing like hauling an extra 20 lbs around to motivate weight loss I guess. Maybe I should just look into getting a back carrier...that'd be easier some days than the sling.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Lobster Festival & a wedding

Last Wednesday we went to the Lobster Festival. From the looks of the weekend we went on the best day. Not only was there no admission to the grounds but it was the best weather wise - all sun yet comfortable temperatures. The rest of the time was overcast and drizzly if not downright raining!

Alexa had a blast going on some of the rides. Yes it was expensive to shell out $$ for tickets but she really does love them. There was also a touch tank in the marine tent so she got to play w/ some sea critters (and use lots of hand sanitizer after the fact).

Chris got lobster for dinner. And ended up sharing w/ everyone.
Alexa was still hungry after her lobster roll and my hamburger was a little too pink for me. The only one that didn't enjoy the lobster was Elizabeth - she'd either hand it to Jacob or try to throw it on the ground (gasp...what a waste...luckily I was able to catch it!).


For dessert...ice cream for the adults and Alexa. Frozen bananas for the twins...


This weekend we traveled to Portland for a wedding. Chris was the officiant and so we all got invited. The twins and I went with him - Alexa went to her grandmother's. It was a nice ceremony. Outside at Point Sebago - it was overcast but not uncomfortable and the rain held of. I was a little worried about the reception. It started with us being unable to find where to sit as we had no namecards. And then Liz decided she couldn't bear to be apart for me - not even to go to dad. If I set her down she'd just cry like her world was ending.

After awhile I was able to get her to settle down. She and Jake and the other little kids there had so much fun running/crawling all over the dance floor while adults talked and ate. We raced the twins with much cheering from the groomsmen. Liz won. I think it's because she had less clothing to worry about. I had tied her dress up around her waist because she was crawling into it. Jake had to worry about long pants slowing him down. Plus he kept getting distracted and sitting up to clap for people.

It was a long ride home and has been a long morning while everyone tries to settle back in. Chris had to work this morning but has the next 2 days off. I'm sure he'll be a load of fun this afternoon...

Jacob's milestones

  • weight/length @ 7: 55.6lbs, 48.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 42lbs, 43.5"
  • weight/length @ 4: 36 lbs, 39+"
  • weight/length@ 3: 32lbs, 36.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 26lbs, 33.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 18lbs, 29 inches
  • walking: 11/17/08
  • standing: 3/31/08
  • crawling: army, 2/5/08
  • first time rolling: 9/30/07, belly to back
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:49am
  • birth length: 19.5 inches
  • birth weight: 6lbs, 1oz

Elizabeth's milestones

  • weight/length @7: 53lbs, 47.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 40 lbs, 42.25"
  • weight/length @ 4: 34lbs, 38"
  • weight/length 3 years: 28lbs, 35.5 inches
  • weight/length 2 years: 24lbs, 6oz 33 inches
  • weight/length 1 year: 18lbs, 1oz 27.5 inches
  • walking: 9/1/08
  • standing: 4/4/08
  • crawling: army 3/16/08
  • sitting alone: 2/29/08
  • first time rolling: 11/23/07, back to belly
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:50am
  • birth length: 18.75 inches
  • birth weight: 5lbs, 8oz

Alexa's milestones

  • weight/height @ 10 (really 10.8): 186, 5'3"
  • weight/height @ 8.4 years: 113 lbs, 55.5 inches
  • weight/height @ 5 years: 61lbs, 4oz 45.25 inches
  • weight/length @ 4 years: 49lbs, 42 inches
  • weight/length @ 3 years: 38lbs, 38 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 32lbs, 8oz 35.75 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 22lbs, 3 oz 29.5 inches
  • 1st day of preschool: 9/3/08
  • solo somersault: 3/4/08
  • whistling: 3/2/08
  • potty training: 10/7/05
  • walking: 12/21/04
  • standing: 8/23/04
  • crawling: 8/21/04, only a week, then became a butt scoot
  • first wave: 7/27/04
  • rolling: 5/2/04, belly to back
  • sleeping thru the night: 3/1/04
  • first smile: 1/20/04
  • birth date/time: 12/4/03, 10:41pm
  • birth length: 20 inches
  • birth weight: 7lbs