Thanksgiving, Dexter's 4 mo & Jim's 37th b-day

We didn't do too much this long Thanksgiving weekend (other than X-mas decorating). The kids could barely stand waiting one day to decorate. We got their tree up on Sat and then did the "family" tree on Sunday. We had a delicious feast on Thursday after Jim slaved all day in the kitchen and then we went to Uncle Tom's on Friday for more turkey. Dexter even had his first meal on Friday (his 4 mo birthday). An ounce of rice cereal which he devoured. We continued to feed him two meals a day the rest of the weekend. He slept thru the night a few times last week to go back to waking up every three hours this weekend. Jim "celebrated" his 37th birthday today. Poor guy, his birthday was even less exciting with Zoe's birthday craziness, having a four month old and X-mas around the corner. One day I will make it up to him.

Dexter had his four month and Zoe had her four year appointment today. Zoe is getting bigger and bigger, not a petite little thing that's for sure. Dexter on the other hand is long and skinny. As most everyone knows, Dexter loves to spit up...constantly. His fist never leaves his mouth which doesn't help his gag reflex. He smiles nevertheless. The doctor has no concern and says he'll grow out of it in the next couple of months. We looked back and found out both Kellan and Zoe were also on the small size for a long time. I'm hoping he's bigger than both of them some day.

Zoe:

Ht. 41.5 in. (75%)

Wt. 38 # (75%)

Dexter:

Ht. 25.5 in. (55%)
Wt. 12.3 # (7%)

HC: 25%

The weekend before last I took the kids for their first outing with just me - a welcome parade for Santa at the mall. I anticipated the mall being packed so I got everyone up and out of the house by 8:30, we were there thirty minutes early - so much for hundreds of people, more like sixty. Plus I didn't realize how cold it would be so we were all freezing, even Zoe. Hands down the worst "parade" we've ever been to. At least the kids saw Santa and that made up for it, oddly enough he drove in on a fire truck. The kids also got to meet a local celebrity (see video). Kellan of course was his typical enthusiastic self, Zoe, not so much.

Mo in CO

I'm a week late with this post. Last week Aunt Devi (as Zoe calls her) and Monty came to visit. It was another trip of not doing much, but still a great trip. Not sure what it is with people visiting and the snow, but it snowed again. Aunt Devi now needs a vacation from her "vacation" since she played non-stop with the kids. The kids were all exhausted by the end of the trip. For anyone who knows Monty, they know he is the sweetest, cutest kid ever. Even when he doesn't want to do something he still is soo good (Tim and Debi I am sure have examples of his wrong doings, but that would be news to us :)) The video below documents such a case - Monty not big on eating vegetables, yet still makes an effort.

As far as sweet kids go, ours got accolades this week at school. Kellan's teacher called us during the day with Kellan by her side saying what a great job he did at school (it was only one of three calls she's made since school started in July). His report card reflected where he should be as a first grader. Zoe's teacher told Jim, when he picked her up, that a girl in her class was having a bad day and Zoe went over, took her aside and played with her. The girl's mood perked up. I can only "brag" about these moments since from the way they behave at home we worry they may be hell in school - we can live with the craziness at home as long as they keep up the sweetest in public.

I am tired and I am typing this blog as if I am tired. We are counting down the days to Dexter's four month birthday to put him on some solids and hope for a night where he will sleep until morning. He's come close, but then will be up three times the next night. I'm still managing to get to work by eight not without needing a nap in a big way. He's still the happiest little guy which makes it all worthwhile :)

If I don't post again before the end of the week, Happy Thanksgiving!

Yay!

Since Kellan was eight weeks old he's been in and out of physical therapy. First for torticolis and then since the age of two for his toe walking. After years of physical therapy, braces, botox injections, casting, surgery, more casting, more physical therapy, braces full time to braces just at night - Kellan has the range of a "normal" kid his age. At his one year anniversary from his surgery, his doctor released him from wearing his braces and doesn't want to see him for another year. She still warned us that there's potential of his muscles tightening with another growth spurt and he may need to wear the braces again. The last thing she said to us was that she's treating another family with two boys, both toe walkers. We're not going to think about that right now and just be happy with the progress Kellan has made. We couldn't be more proud of Kellan through all of this. He has been a fantastic patient and has worn his braces willingly, he's been a real trooper.

With all the craziness of this last month we forgot to mention Duke's birthday. He's now eight years old. Enjoy the pictures of him over the years with the kids. Duke's favorite perch has always been the landing of the stairs...in CA, WA and CO

Kellan and Duke in CA

Zoe and Duke in WA

Dexter in Duke in CO (a little heavier and a lot more grey...aren't we all)

More Pictures

Here a "few" more pictures from this past week. I will post (or try) the professional pictures next week. Happy Friday!

Kellan as Indiana Jones, Zoe as a witch and Phoebe as the Little Mermaid

Jim's pumpkin tribute to Denver sports - Broncos and Rockies

Lyla as Tinkerbell

An attempt at getting all five in one picture

With Phoebe's other CO cousins, Lucas and Hannah.

My trying to make it to work - I ended up taking the truck after Jim and our neighbor dug out my car.

Munhollands in the House

It's been a crazy week and a half. For starters we had our first snow storm of the fall, appx. three feet. The kids had Wed, Thurs and Friday off of school and my work was closed on Thursday. Jim had to go and do some last minute winter weather shopping since both Kellan and Zoe had outgrown their clothes and boots from last year (or since May, that being our last snow fall- jeez).

Luckily the storm cleared in time for Cam, Tiffany, Phoebe and Lyla to all make it into town on Friday. The first thing the kids did was hit the snow. Phoebe and Zoe mostly ate the snow. We got all five kids' pictures taken in their Halloween costumes (if I wasn't so tired right now I'd scan them in and post, but may need to save for another day). Jim and I think Lyla has the absolute best disposition, so sweet and happy. Poor babe had a nervous breakdown taking the pictures, but it made for some pretty cute/funny pictures (now I am teasing since I am not posting them yet). Dexter woke up from his nap just in time for the pictures and sat on Kellan's lap, not smiling, but not crying either, in awe of everything going on.

We all went trick or treating - first Halloween with snow for all of us. Jim and Cam lasted a bit longer with the kids, while Tiffany and I retired early with the little ones. We have enough candy to last us months, or days at the rate I am eating it. We had a great visit, never long enough :(

I have sooo many pictures to post (courtesy of Cam and Tiff), that I will post them over the next few days. Enjoy the snow pix in the mean time.