Time with the Fam

Ahhh... Even after two weeks, we are still breathing a sigh of relief over the healthy and happy arrival of our son. I guess the technical "babymoon" is over. Jude went to work on Monday. But we are still in awe over the fact of having two kids (?!!) and soaking up the time together.

movie night! ...and daddy's birthday.

Our quiet little newborn is a welcome addition in our home...and I see each of us sneaking over to get another moment in with him.

...and some of us, not so secretly sneaking up on the baby...

I love that tiny face looking up at his big sister!! They are both doing well together. (still have a way to go...but getting there!) Grey loves to hold "the baby" and runs to him if she hears him cry. Very concerned, that one. She did not like the "owie" on his belly button...but that's gone now, so all is well. And Silas is very tolerant with the pokes to his eyes (funny how Grey likes to "point out" all of his body parts...) pulls of his hair, and the 25lbs that happens to lean on him from time to time/quite often.

They get together and it freaks me out, but I love it at the same time.
I'm so confused.

We do have a good amount of videos...to be posted! Here is 40 seconds of a bit of madness and randomness that goes on in our day. Hope you are doing well, and maybe enjoying some of your own craziness.  ;)

first bee sting!

Ouch! Poor girl.

We were all in the yard, enjoying the sun and dippin' in the pool (okay, just Jude and Grey. I sat on a chair the whole time like a lazy bum...) Jude was lifting Grey into the pool when I warned to him, pretty nonchalant that there was a bee on the back of Grey's leg. He didn't hear me, or it happened too fast, that just as he was putting her in the pool she bent her knees and squished the little fella just enough that he stung! (I'm really surprised she got stung at all.)

She cried. Poor, poor dear... But did so well. She took it pretty good. I think dad and I did too! I'm proud of all of us! I ran inside, (not sure if Jude even knew what happened yet.) We cleaned it with a witch hazel soaked cotton round, then put neat lavender and tea tree oil on it for disinfectant and pain reliever. then we got a piece of ice, wrapped it in a paper towel and moistened it with water and baking soda. Stuck a Popsicle in her mouth and the tears were so soon gone! All natural, baby! (yes, I realize I am a nerd...)

It was probably the Popsicle and youtube song playlist that did it. But I felt good to know it was properly cleaned safe, and natural! Basically no swelling. Next day you couldn't see anything! (this happened Sunday.)

It was just a honey bee. He did good too. Just a little scared I think...

Although it was just a sting, we were relieved to know she didn't have a reaction. And although it was a simple sting, I was pleased at the end of the "oh my gosh what do we do?!" feeling that terrorized me for a bit there! I'm so glad Jude was there with us. The man makes life so much better. Love ya Jude!

These kids are scary. They freak me out in what (Jude says that) Grand Papa says, "always a second away from an ER visit." Yikes!! Don't do this to me children!!


It's all good. We're good.  ;)

little comedian

As anyone around kids knows, they do the funniest stuff all the time. Today seemed to be one after the other - Grey loves to know that she's being funny!

This is her "La La" song...usually sung at meal time. This time along with a very full mouth of Sunflower seed sandwich. (poor thing isn't eating PB yet since the last out break.)




Then later in the day, she was running around with a pair of my panties around her neck. That is her only way of dressing herself right now, pants, sweater, necklace, it all goes over the head and worn on her shoulders... Well, the first time I saw her put my little unmentionables on, and I laughed. So she tried it again today (luckily with a clean pair!) And ran around like that for a while. Ran too quick for a decent picture. Sorry!

Then after her nap...she was too cute with her sleepy face and wild hair. (btw, she is a crazy sleeper, I'm almost glad she can't sleep next to me. She is all over the place!!)

When I went into her room to get her from her crib after her nap, I called to Jude to come and bring the camera. Hee hee... She was either too sleepy, or alarmed by my yelling to the next room...she would barely look up at the camera. First embarrassing moment perhaps?





THEN, just before dinner papa decided to treat her to some chocolate pudding. She had the first taste, then ran off to keep playing. Shortly after she came back. After the second taste was the first "thank you" I've heard come from her!! Followed by a kiss. Next bite, followed by a hug. Next bite, a loooonger hug... The girl already knows how to work her daddy! Needless to say, he got quite the snuggles today.
If someone is going to spoil you, I think your dad is one of the best to do it!

....Although, she will gladly take spoiling from any of you.
Hugs and kisses for all.


What a silly!

ready, set, drop!

The boy has dropped. At my last appointment my doctor was like, "His head is waaay down there, I can't get my fingers around his head or move it at all!"  She then proceded to ask if I had more room at the top of my belly (um, not really...) and she made sure I knew where to go in the Maternity section of the hospital and all that. Just in case.
The time is almost here!

We scored an extra ultrasound because I'm measuring a little small. But the baby is not. He is at 6lbs 6oz (average is 6lbs 3oz) and at the rate he's going the Dr. said if he's born on his due date he'll be about an 8lb babe!

And a different technician the same day said he has hair! I've never heard them say that from an ultrasound picture before - but that's pretty neat!

We are getting close... Woo hoo!

Alright, you know how these 3D pictures come out, not so good, and sometimes frightening. But here's the little squish face and we'll see if he actually looks anything like this later!

Oh yes. And Grey. As clueless as I guess she is about the baby, I equally think she must be on to us! Totally contradictory, but still true.

She is saying multiple new words everyday. She may never say them again...but she'll bust some out and surprise us! Along with locating her body parts on command, she is doing a few animal noises. All those times of feeling so silly doing them over and over must be sinking in. Videos to come!

Oh boy.

As for a while now, he hasn't let his presence be ignored. A constant reminder, as I feel an elbow in my side, foot in my ribs, or a knee poking out from just about any and everywhere - the boy is growing and active! And he will be here soon...

We are full term! 

Should be a few weeks of waiting still. 9.10.11 is the due date but we'll see.

We are just about ready in the Kahle house. Grey has not shown any interest in babies whatsoever. We talk to her about her new brother, but I think seeing will be believing and understanding this one. It wasn't till about a week ago, we had some friends over and she saw their tiny newborn and this time, it was different! (Finally!) She gently touched the little toes, pointed, and said, "baby!"

...and a sigh of relief came over her father and I. 

(don't be fooled by these pictures, they are a few weeks old. Ancient, really, in pregnancy time.)

He'll be here before we know it, and I couldn't be happier to know how this little package is going to unfold! Can't wait to hold him. I am even excited to do the whole newborn thing all over again! Sleepless, diaper and burp filled nights - woo!

Meanwhile, I keep telling Grey about her baby. Maybe she will be proud of her little bro and they can be best buds. And I'll keep telling myself to be cool when they get rowdy and bicker. Later. Much farther down the road, right? Right?!

Grey Days

Well, the sun is out, but the day is still pretty filled with all focus on Grey. It's fun to see her strut around the new place, learning it's hers. Watching her discover anything that is newly rearranged and new exposed "buttons".

I think she loves her new room, which is great.

Her eyes looks so green here...they don't usually look like that. I don't know why this came out like that! But she is cute all cuddled in her chair. This girl is a cuddler!! Can be hard on us sometimes...and her brother (they fight over the space already!) But right after I say I'm busy and can't get her up, I usually bend and scoop her up. I can't help it. And I want to soak it in while it lasts. She is such a lover...

Back to pictures around the house.  Like most explorers, outside is loved. I think her favorite thing is rocks, balls, and bugs. (Trying to collect, she's accidentally smashed her fair share of insects.) Jude told me she's tried (of course) to put them in her mouth and it's true, I saw it for myself. She would eat them if she could. Rocks, and bugs.

 

Looking cute in her dress. Getting into anything dirty that she can.

 

 

Our lil' silly.

Speaking of, enjoy my FAVORITE video:

Then dad comes home, and of course, the fun just continues (and gets better!)

(Hee hee...she looks so tiny here! Like a puppy, she gets wet and looks so small!)

 Hope today is as fun, my little who.  X X

Just like Dad.

He's pretty cool.
What's not to like? He's super fun. Plays ball with me. Wears neat hats. He sits in a big man chair.

Gives wagon rides, and hangs in the shed sometimes...and lets me go through it too!

 

not to fail to mention, shoulder rides, best bath time ever, and ...he makes me laugh like no one else. I've said it before, but it's true. I pee my diaper every time. 

LOVE YOU DAD!

Drummer Girl

 Ready for action.

Doing music at our tiny church we are limited to musicians...so we try and keep it sounding as full as possible, keeping ideas fresh and trying new things. We brought home a kick drum, floor tom, snare, and the high hat so I could (yeah, me) practice a bit. It all ended up in our already chaotic living room - which is all good. It's already a mess, right?! Grey goes right for the sticks and starts drumming. And she adds her latest word, "drum". I told Jude about it later, and he askes, "Has she even seen a drummer before?!"
I don't think so, but she figured it out.

Not much of a video, but here you go...

Speaking of words, and how many, someone asked me what Grey's word count is. I do not know. Word count? I guess that sounds like a normal thing to keep track of. Maybe I'll make a list soon. Uh, I'll try and remember. But, on more exciting things about words, Grey did say 3 new ones today:
 - Cheerio (spoken perfectly, I might add!)
 - Belly.   I've heard you should be careful with what you say. I was changing my clothes, and of course Grey was right next to me. She seems to be like my little shadow lately. I said, "Mom has a fat belly." And Grey immediately responded, "Belly." Great.
 - Drum.

Drum she kept saying over and over. She loves it. Or the attention it brings. ...Could be that.  ;)

Oh, and I haven't practiced the drum once. So, position filled.

Our new home!

At the moment, there is so much to do - our house is a mess! You know the kind, the cleaning/sorting/arranging that looks like your making more of a mess, but in reality you're just getting organized. I'm sitting in the middle of it. For the last week I've been more than happy about it (still am) but today I can't see the progress that I usually can.
I'm tired!
And I'm blaming it on pregnancy (not you, little boy Kahle!) good old pregnancy.
In the meantime, getting very excited for the arrival of our son. Oh my gosh - our son!! Sounds unreal. And feels strange to say. Grey knows that something is up too, but I think it's just all the newness of the last few months and being in a new room and home.

Grey's unfinished room. Although her's is coming along before the rest of ours! Gotta have some sanity in her space... I love how the flash always throws her off and I get the most lost looks from her sometimes! And of course, when you get the chance to sit as-close-as-possible to the TV, ya take it.

Yes, she turns it off and on all by herself. Well, on, but she hasn't turned it off yet. Yet!

Back to the blueberry pancakes...because they're sooo yummy (because mom can't get enough.)

And best time of the day, when daddy comes home - YAY!! They are hanging at the "pool" and well, as it's getting late, figured might as well have a bath out there.

 

These two are truly hilarious...last night I heard Jude saying, "Stinky feet....Phew!!!!" Then they both started giggling out of control. Yes, both of them.

Well, we are starting to put more focus on our soon-to-come addition to the family.  Last night I could not sleep (discomfort, having to pee, then hungry at 4am...) and it kind of freaked me out how soon he's going to be here. Not ready yet!

And that's just me and thinking about material stuff really. (Crib, swing....clothes!!) But then I think of how Grey will feel when we are all back home after our first night (I hope not nights, plural! Just one night in the hospital - come on!!) I wonder if she's going to feel replaced, jealous, just plain confused about that other baby. Often I look at her playing, surrounded by adults, and wish she had a buddy to play and pretend with. Now that that time is getting closer, I miss my time with just Grey! I hope I have time for both children. Man, oh man... Praying that they love each other and have a love for people. So far I do see that in Grey. She is so sweet to everyone. Unprejudice love. She gives hugs to random people, and smiles to strangers that just seem to need it. The girl has a gift! 

I guess I have to wait to see my other gift, and all that he is about...
For now I'm going to be excited and not worry. After all, he has a great dad.
God has a plan for this family. I have a feeling it's probably going to be crazy, but I'm up for it!
So excited!!

Taste of Tacoma

The following happenings were actually Saturday (and today is Thursday...) But we had fun at our little outing; seeing, hearing, tasting and enjoying something new. The day began with blueberry wheatgerm pancakes...

Yum.
No really, Grey does like them... She doesn't seem to fond of the camera just yet though. It's either too bright and flashy or just in her face and strange. Not really sure what she's thinking, but I get this reaction or the back of her head, a lot.

First family picture in a while! Self took, like most of our favs. Just more fun and spontaneous that way. Here Grey is enjoying some cheerios, good thing too - soon after we fed the rest to some baby ducks that were SOOO CUTE! Fast and feisty those little guys...they get in there and swoop in between the big ducks and get their fair share of goodies. They get plenty close too. Mamma duck got Grey's fingers...yes, Jude let that happen. But he's a good judge of danger because she wasn't alarmed or hurt at all.

Here they are watching the ducks. After we were finished we saw a sign stating that it is illegal to feed the ducks...it is unnatural. Guilty, (and after watching someone feed them french fries...French fries?! Come on!!) I will agree. Probably shouldn't feed the ducks.

 

Next we went to hear a cover band playing some classic rock gems. Grey got to get out and dance around a bit...and got called out! The lead singer was like, "She is precious!" And threw her some beads. If she sees them around the house she is quick to put them on. She loves it! And it was cute to see her get called out and adored a little.

Ride home. And...she's out! Her eyes were rolling back as daddy carried her back to the car. She might have been asleep by the time she hit the car seat.

And 10 minutes later, in her bed, and she is WAY out! Hopefully happy and dreaming of sweet things!

one more...

just because she's cute.

coloring!

last night we tried out coloring...and this time Grey did well!! 

 

 

And man, was she excited about it. Intense really. Shaking, turning red and clasping her crayon, like, "Mom, did you see what I can do?!!!"  She colored the whole time until the very end, then I saw little bite marks in the red crayon and a chunk of "blue ribbon blue" in her mouth.

So fun!

Making the best of it becomes the best.

Sometimes I feel a little guilty as I lack creativity and ideas of things to do with Grey. And actually, we've been doing a lot of fun things together as a family in the last 4 months, but, when it's just Grey and I...don't know what to do to stimulate her. And sometimes I feel like I have the telly on a little too much.

I have a few friends in Washington with little ones, but I don't know of any stay-at-home moms like me. Yet. ;)

The last two days I ventured off to the library for there organized kid events. I have to say, although the whole thing sounds cheesy and lame, we've had so much fun!! Grey absolutely loves seeing the other kids, and it's just been a really great thing for us. And all I have to do is show up. (yeah!)

First day, yesterday, a guest came and read 2 stories about rocks. Then we made "rock art". There was tons of kids there and Grey soaked it all up.

Okay fine. I did them. But she first picked out the rock, then the color of marker (on the multicolored one, it's painted green underneath if you can't tell.) Then she picked out the gems.

Second rock was made for daddy. She picked out the rock, gem and colors for the writing on the back. Sorry, didn't get a picture of that, just says, "Grey loves daddy". She picked purple and red.

And that was the only white gem and it's like a diamond so he can remember that her love last forever...aw.
 She will do great someday on her own art, I just know it.

Today, we went to see a musical guest. Grey had a blast! I wish I would have got some better pictures...she was dancing, clapping, doing motions and getting all the kids into the music. Definitely not shy, this girl. The woman leading was laughing in the mic at Grey as she danced around. Yes, she was the only one dancing around. Hee hee. Then at the end, the leader (who had a bunch of instruments from all over the world) let the kids pick something to play...

Grey's choice sounded really pretty. Not sure what it was called but it was made of goat's toe nails. Lovely.

It was really neat seeing her interact and try new things. Seeing her little personality come out and just watch her enjoy life in everything. Thank goodness for free events for children because I don't know what I'd do to entertain her! I'm the worst at clever ideas. I got nothin'!

Here is a little video. I wondered if I should even bother adding it, it's not the best. I didn't think of pictures or videos till the very end. And I stopped the video short! She was just starting to dance...aw man. I have the worst timing. Here it is anyway.
She's fun.

The eating habits of the Miss Grey Kahle.

None of this is probably out of the ordinary of any young eater. But why is it still so darn entertaining?! Grey started, like most, tossing things off her highchair that she doesn't particularly like or want at the moment. I guess sensing our disgust, she decided to just put them as far away from her as possible. Without most of the mess. Most of the mess...



Still, it amazes me what she does eat. Tomatoes. Just plain tomatoes, one of her new favs. She'll eat half of one at a time (I usually stop there and try to give her something else because that seems like a lot!) Avocados, her all time favorite I think

. Even over cheese. Blackberries - maybe that shouldn't surprise me, but the seeds don't bother her like I thought they might. She just started eating more of chicken. She's always loved fish though. I don't know...but I love to see what she thinks of foods. Without any influence of culture or TV, she just likes what she likes. I love it.

And who doesn't love lasagna? Food coma:

Get this off my hands.

I only say that because she usually doesn't like any food on her, in particular, her face. Anything outside of the mouth she usually tries to get off with her wrist, then rubs her arm/wrist with her other hand, trying will all her might to "get it off!"  But not with lasagna. Exception to the rule. The one time she has fun with it...and tries to find (I think) itches (all of a sudden...) on her head, eye brows, whatever skin is exposed. All along with getting it all in her hair. Again, nothing different than any other kid. But still cracks me up.  ;)

 Whatever, get it all over. It's worth it.

And the coma continues and truly sets in...

Managing to get some last minute broccoli in, just for dear dad. (I don't think she'd do it for me...)

Sigh. 

Eating.

Sleeping.

The hard life.

12 month shots

Boo. Poor baby.
I turned back to see how Grey was doing after her shots, (12 month check-up time!) She ripped off one of her band aids and was rocking her bunny. Melt me, why don't you.

But, on an upside, this was our first meeting with her pediatrician, and we LOVE her! A hippie with a Medical Degree. We shared our passion of non-petroleum and fragrance free products, among other things. Ha Ha! I tried to research online about a good doctor, and ask people here who they use and like. I couldn't be happier. She greeted Grey with a new book. And read a little with her. Then encouraged us tons to do the same. She spent lots of time with us, made sure everything was all good, answered any questions, no rush. I was pleased.

And Grey was good. The nurses even commented, "She's so chill."
Yeah, sometimes.

But she was brave and did good. And I was lucky that Jude came too...he always tried to make her appointments. What a sweet daddy.

21 lbs. 30 in.
She is in the 75th percentile for height and 53rd for weight. Not climbing the charts anymore, but, healthy!  You did good little one.