Check the menu

One of Kate's favorite parts of school is lunch. In preparation for her school days, she is frequently asking what is for snack and for lunch. So we, "check the menu" posted on the door to our pantry. While it's funny that lunch is one of her favorite parts, I also love how school lunch has caused Kate to explore new tastes and try new things. Given that the food is geared towards toddlers, the organic catering company that they use has a wonderful variety and the menu certainly makes it sound fancy. Many of these meals are things I wish I could have for lunch! Today's selection: Cilantro-Lime Braised free range Chicken and Jack cheese Quesadilla served with Ancho Chili Rice. It wasn't a huge hit with Kate but it was served with Broccoli (a staple for Kate- she ate it all), Orange Wedges (she barely touched these) and Guacamole (she was spooning it into her mouth!).

If only I could set a menu of meals for home and be guaranteed she would sit and at least try them!

Cereal

Luke started eating cereal last week. While I don't think very much of it has actually made it into his stomach, so far he seems to be enjoying it. He babbles away with happy noises the whole time you are trying to feed him. And he grabs for the spoon bringing it up to his mouth. Thanks to his medicine, he is eating more and more. So hopefully the rice cereal will help him feel full and in July we'll be able to start some peas and bananas!

On another note, check out this picture of Kate at 4 months. I think it's clear that Luke is definitely looking a lot like Kate!

Lady Gaga

Kate and I were listening to the radio this afternoon. Lady Gaga's Bad Romance came on the radio and the following conversation ensued:

Me: Kate who's this?

Kate: (through deep throat laughter) La - dy Ga - ga

Me: That's right

Kate: This is Jenna's favorite Gaga

Me: Is it your favorite Gaga?

Kate: No. (pause) I like Poker Face!

Me: (chuckling to myself)

Kate: What Mama? What Mama?

Me: Kate you are very smart!

While I don't necessarily believe the message of Lady Gaga's music is appropriate for my two year old, I love that many of her songs will bring me back to Kate as a toddler bouncing and dancing to her catchy lyrics.

The Swaddle

I remember the nurse that taught our childbirth class at Prentice back in October 2007 taking time to teach the parents to be how to swaddle their newborn babies. We practiced on dolls using those white, blue and pink hospital blankets that are seen in countless pictures of newborns taken in the first hours of life. Little did I know just how key the swaddle would be helping my children to sleep! With both Kate and Luke we utilized numerous strategies to keep them swaddled tightly in the pursuit for extended stretches of sleep. For Kate we went to a double swaddle- the Velcro kiddapotomus first and then a large flannel blanket on the top. It was always laid out in her crib and she often smiled while we worked our baby origami magic. Papa even referred to her as our little burrito. Luke proved to be more of a Houdini and made his way out of many tight swaddles. We had success in routinely using the miracle blanket- the straight jacket of all swaddle blankets. But around 3 months Luke outgrew it and we moved into his current combination sleep sack Velcro swaddle blanket. He likes it but only if you swaddle him with his hands up by his mouth. He is starting to break free of this too, so it is probably time to start weaning. Yet another sign that my baby is growing up . . . quickly. Here are a few pictures of Luke in his swaddle. I didn't capture the ear to ear grin he usually has when you greet him after his sleep. Note that these pictures were taken on the same day, same nap and that despite the tight swaddle he can still cruise around in his crib and pivot a full 180 degrees on his back!

Then and Now

Father's Day 2008

Father's Day 2010

I am not sure what we did to celebrate in 2009, but apparently it was not picture worthy. I suspect I was sick in bed as I was early pregnant with Luke.

Daddy, Papa, and Grandpa-

Happy Father's Day!

We love you.

Allison, Kate and Luke

The Stanley Cup

Kurt was at a rooftop outing at Wrigley Field on Tuesday evening and so was The Stanley Cup! In keeping with tradition, the cup is making the rounds in Chicago. Ben Eager (shown below with the cup) brought the cup to Wrigley for the evening and Kurt and his colleagues made their way to his party to see the cup in person. Unfortunately the only picture we have of Kurt with the cup is more of him being drenched by beer after taking a ceremonial drink. While these cell phone pictures are nothing special, since this is bound to be a story that Kurt will tell his children, and who knows how many years it will be before another Championship in any sport is won in Chicago, we figured it was best to document it on the blog.

Story time

It was story time in our house last Friday and I did my best to capture Miss. Kate reading to her circle of friends. Story time is one of her new go to games because it incorporates so many of her favorite things- books, friends, Luke, and being in charge! Enjoy.

On the Phone

Everyone who knows Kate, knows that she talks a lot. Lately, every time I turn around she's on the phone. She has several toy cell phones and she talks to everyone from her teachers at school to Daddy to Louie- Grandma and Grandpa's cat! She keeps one of her phones in the car simply so she can make calls on her way to and from school. Kurt and I are not huge phone people. We are not on the phone all the time. Clearly though it's enough that she's absorbed some of our common phrases and expressions. I'm trying to take more video to capture this fun stage that she is in. So often when the little red light on the camera goes on she's freezes up. This video was taken on my camera (not the best quality) and she was not excited about being photographed while she was on the phone. At the beginning she says, "Can you please give me a minute when I'm on the phone?" I wonder where she's heard that? Priceless! Please tell me that it is not me that laughs in such an exaggerated manner. But I know she got that somewhere. My little sponge.

4 month well visit

I went to the doctor today for Luke's 4 month well visit. He checked in as follows:

Weight - 15 lbs 4 oz (just over 50th percentile)

Length - 25 1/4 in (just over 50th percentile)

Head - 43 1/4 cm (just under 75th percentile)

I was reassured this is all good and normal. We mostly discussed his feedings. After only one week on Zantac, I'm noticing some meaningful improvement in ease of feedings and fussiness. He is spitting up significantly less and eating more per feeding. He's dropped one night time feeding too. All good news. He does still cough and choke frequently, so we'll still have the swallow study done to make sure he isn't aspirating his milk. Plus, based on his weight they've upped the dosage of medicine slightly. Dr Chang suggested switching to an AR formula and starting to introduce a spoon. First to chew on, then giving some milk via spoon, and eventually after he turns 5 months cereal and solids. Hard to believe we're already approaching that stage. With Kate I anticipated each milestone with excitement. With Luke I want to freeze time and slow things down . . . ok, I guess if I could skip ahead to the part where they rarely wake up at night and take two PREDICTABLE naps a day that would be a good thing. Here's to living in the moment and enjoying each day. Luke had two shots and an oral vaccine for a total of 5 immunizations. He is resting comfortably now and I am keeping my fingers crossed we don't have a rough night.

Does this look like a baby who is having trouble with his feedings?

Quote of the Day

Yesterday I was eating dinner with Kate and she looks at me and says, "Momma, when you were a little girl, did you eat all your cauliflower?" A fairly lengthy conversation evolved after that too. I hadn't even prompted her to eat all her cauliflower, which is currently high on her approved vegetables list. Her ability to form thoughts and sentences just continues to amaze me.

Cute Little Baker

Kate was determined to make cupcakes for Kurt's birthday last week.

She helped with the sifting and the mixing.

After nap time she helped with the frosting and the sprinkles.

It was quite messy and she had trouble waiting to taste her handy work, but as you can see, they were made with lots of love! I look forward to lots of baking projects in the years to come with the newest Cute Little Baker.

Happy Birthday, Kurt!

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Daddy, Happy Birthday to you! Can you believe this little guy is all grown up with kids of his own?!

Love Always,

Allison, Kate and Luke

Luke is 4 months old

A few shots of our happy four month old baby boy admiring himself in the mirror. He's still having a hard time figuring out the sleeping and eating thing, but in between those major biological needs he is generally happy and smiley. This month he met Papa and Uncle Kevin. Luke went on his first airplane ride and on his first vacation. He's starting to really notice toys and even grabs for things occasionally. Kate always makes him smile and I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember life without him. I can't wait to see them playing together in the years to come.

I will report back with 4 month stats next week after his doctor's visit.