Keegan's home!!

Last night we were driving by the park on our way home from seeing Ben (making phone calls for the campaign) and we saw Keegan! So of course we stopped to say hi and the kids got to ride home in the wagon together (thanks to Gray for driving my car home!). Keegan, Maddie, and Gray have been home since late last week but this is the first time I'd seen the THREE of them together! Keegan looks great. He's getting so grown-up and turning into such a little boy - he's so stinking cute. Maddie and I walked and chatted while she pulled the wagon and I pulled their big dog and we were happy to hear the two of them talking to each other in the wagon. They were discussing and pointing at things in the sky and K kept trying to give his hat to Lainey. I am so happy that they are home! The doctors are still monitoring Keegan's feeds as well as his liver function, but for now, he's staying put! We have missed them, and I'm happy that summer is here so that the kids can play outside together. 

Playtime with Nora

Nora came over to play today! This is actually the second time this week but I didn't take pictures the first time. It is so hard with two moving toddlers! I am SO happy to say that Nora's dad Dustin (who was in the accident almost two months ago) is at home and recovering well. What a true blessing this is to his family and all who know them. God has guided, comforted, and provided for this family in many, many ways, and it's been so inspiring to watch their story be told and the grace and strength with which Kate and Dustin have handled their situation. :) We happily sat with Nora today while Kate and Dustin made the trek to Dallas to go to the doctor's office, and it was so fun watching these two babies - a week apart in age - play together and interact. Too cute! 

little teething baby...

I think they're walking in sync - and Lainey is chatting away on her cell phone. 

"Nora, this is how you get on the train. Make sure you point your toes as you throw your leg over the seat (in a very lady-like fashion, of course!). 

cooking

playing with babies (and stuffed dogs)

This looks like the "grab the shoe" game (Lainey's favorite game after 1) the "grab the bow" game and 2) the "grab the bink" game).

looking at baby animals in a book

the only one of them both sitting and looking at the camera

This picture makes me laugh out loud. They both look like they are in such pain. We were going for a walk and it wasn't sunny outside, but apparently these girls needed their shades. I was also holding their pacifiers over my head to get them to look at me - maybe that's why they have such pained expressions! :) 

Happy Birthday, Dylan!

Lainey went to her friend Dylan's second birthday party today. Happy birthday, sweet Dylan!! We were happy to celebrate with you!

loving the balloons

Ish? Glotch? (Lainey's words for anything she desires to know more about.)

Avery and the birthday boy, Dylan

balloons again

sweet Nolan (who is almost 2, also)

little Addie

dancin' (to a bear moves and plays music)

trying to capture bubbles

Is there a magic age where they suddenly start to look at the camera when you take a picture?

Lainey's 1-year checkup

I don't have any pictures to post from today's checkup. It was not a pretty one, however, because Lainey started crying almost the second we started walking down the hallway to our room. She was sporting a splotchy face and a runny nose and watery eyes for about 90% of our time in the office. Anyway, all looks good! She is happily resting at the 95th percentile for everything.

Weight: 25 lbs., 3 oz.

Height: 31 inches

Head circ.: 48-1/2 cm. (not sure about the percentile on that one, but that's what she measured)

All in all, a healthy checkup. We are grateful for her health and happiness. :) 

Ahhh...

Yesterday, Ben and the other candidates had kind of an open forum-type-thing in the lobby of the PSA Center in Plano. The PSA (Plano Sports Authority) is a GIANT gym with literally 15 basketball games going on simultaneously. Being a person who didn't grow up playing basketball or volleyball, big gyms with lots of games going on at the same time completely overwhelm me. Anyway, I took Lainey up there to see Ben and I can assure you that the child didn't stop moving the second her feet hit the floor. As you can see, I could only get pictures of her backside. Each picture I got from the front was blurry. She LOVED flying around the lobby/food/beverage area and really loved picking up the smooshed pieces of popcorn on the floor. Gross. Here are the two pictures I got. Needless to say, I truly understood the meaning of "chasing a toddler around" yesterday. It was fun because I got to see one of my former students and his family there, and I love this family so it was a true treat to see all of them. And, they took a yard sign! :) Early voting in Plano starts tomorrow - so wish us luck!! The actual election is May 9th. 

"On my way to the stairs - no one is blocking me... I can do it. If I can just get there before an adult blocks me..." (She's carrying around some literature for a school board candidate - she clung to it for the longest time...!)

"Darn." 

Lainey's party, Sunday 4-26

The weather here is cloudy and windy, so our outside-picnic-and-play party didn't really take place quite how we had envisioned. So, Plan B. We went inside the church to the "donut room" to have cake and pizza and then we took the kids outside to play on the playground for a bit. It was a great birthday, and Lainey loved every second of it. Except when she fell and got a bump on her head. Other than that, she had a grand time. :)

Cally, Lainey, Ella, and Kate in the wagon that Emmy and Pops gave Lainey for her birthday

trying to keep the candle out of her reach while we sang Happy Birthday

her cute "smash cake"

YUM.

outside on the playground

my second cousins, Nate and Luke (I think they are L's 2nd cousins, once removed..?)

opening presents at home

**************

Thank you to all who came today - we missed some family members due to illness (Brooke!) but we were grateful for all who were able to attend. It was fun, and Lainey loves all of her fun gifts! Thank you so much, everyone!

When life gives you lemons...

take the opportunity to snack on them! 

Only her Yiyia and her cousin Cally can literally "eat" lemons like this. She'll suck the whole thing dry, to the point where we'll have to ask for another wedge. It's a great way to pass time while waiting for dinner, though! :)

Lainey is ONE!

Lainey is one today! I know I say this each month, but I really can't believe it! She is a full year old! :) We started out the day playing with her new kitchen which I have to say is SO CUTE. I am so excited about this thing! I love the details...! :)

Lainey's birthday party is Sunday, so I'll be sure to post pictures from the celebration. She goes to the doctor on Tuesday for her checkup, and hopefully I'll remember to post "stats" after we get home. 

As a one-year-old, Lainey:

• "dances" when music comes on or when she is told to "dance". She only has one dance move, and it's bouncing up and down. Funny stuff.
• loves to throw and kick balls (mostly throw).
• very clearly says "Hi" - but that's about all. She is chatty and jibbering all the time, but Hi is the only word we think she is saying. :) 
• understands where her bow goes, and what the comb is for. 
• has had SIX ear infections. We're hoping that we won't get #7, but I think it's doubtful. 
• adores dogs and other kids - and probably other animals, too.
• likes whole milk A LOT (yes, we gave it to her a little early). 
• is pretty used to the nicknames "Punky" and "Punkaliciousness" and "Punkalish". 
• is busy, busy, busy, busy. She is everywhere, and unafraid to eat anything. A bit scary. 
• blows on her food when we tell her it's hot (although she just says "ah ah ah" and sucks in air instead of blowing it out). 

"I'm baking, Mom. Please go play somewhere else. The oven is hot."

The kitchen and me. After nearly 4 hours of assembly. It was way past my bedtime! But it's SO CUTE!

We love, love, love you Lainey. We are so blessed and thankful to have you in our lives. You are a joy... Happy first birthday, baby girl! 

Some recent pictures

I know...I've not been a good blogger lately! Here are some recent pictures of the baby. It's hard to believe that one year ago today I was having contractions...at home...waiting until they were the required 5 minutes apart to go to the hospital. Tomorrow is Punky's first birthday, and I'm feeling awfully nostalgic. I'm very much in the "One year ago today..." mode. :)

One of her favorite pasttimes - pulling down Ben's books from his bookshelf. And, if you know Ben, you know how protective he is of his books. Sometimes she gets away from me...and this is what happens. :)

I like these next two shots because they show off Lainey's svelte figure.

And then this one I just took this evening - she is post-bath, in her jammies that look like an adult's pajamas. I think that's why I put them on her - she looks so cute in such grown-up pajamas. :) These were Ella's (thanks Allyson!) and are meant for a 24-month-old so they are a bit big...but I like them on her anyway.

My little mermaid

Lainey reminds me of a little mermaid when she walks around in her sleep sack (usually after I've tried to put her down and she's refused).

Not tired. Too much to see and do.

Chatty baby

Lately, Lainey has been chatting up a storm. I love this stage in a baby's life - it's hilarious. They have all sorts of ideas, opinions, and things to say. And, everything is said with such inflection and confidence. Yet we really have no idea what is going on in their little minds. So funny! This is a long video and not too exciting, but it does give you a glimpse into her world of communicating with us. Constant noise, constant movement. We are blessed!