4.5 Months

Double Doctor Date

Siena and Margaret (or the "bookends" as Joe likes to call them) had a joint doctor's appointment recently -- their 4-year and 4-month appointments, respectively.  Here's a review for each:

Siena:  I was thrilled last year when she weighed in at 29 pounds, putting her in the whopping 30th percentile for weight.  Believe me, that was an achievement for a child who was around the 5th percentile at 18 months.  This year she weighed in at...  30 pounds.  She gained ONE POUND the entire year.  It's not like she doesn't eat!  So we're back now at the 13th percentile for weight.  Sigh...  Of course, she's the picture of health in every other way and is at the 50th percentile for height, so we've all accepted that she's just built thin.  Moving on... 

Margaret:  Like her oldest sister, Margaret seems to be in perfect health save her weight.  Although she gained 2 pounds since her last visit at two months, her percentiles have been dropping and she's now in the 34th percentile for weight at 13 lbs 11 oz.  This is a bit worrisome since breastfed babies gain the majority of their first-year weight in the first 6 months...  Even Siena was at the 60th percentile at this point in her babyhood.  Margaret has always been small, though -- she always measured a week or two behind in utero, and when she was born 11 days late she still only weight 7 lbs 13 oz.  I think she's just a tiny one, but the doctor is having us come back in a month for a weight check just to keep an eye on things.  As a breastfeeding mother I can't help but question a little if I should be doing anything differently, but if anything I feed Margaret much MORE often than I fed her sisters at this age.  Her length is fine at 25 inches (53rd percentile), so that's some encouraging news.  I'll keep you posted...

By far the most notable part of the visit came when it was time for Siena's shots.  As she'll be entering Kindergarden in a couple of years, she's due for a series of boosters.  At this visit they scheduled two shots and one TB test -- a total of 3 sticks for a girl who usually cries for 20 minutes at the smallest scrape.  We'd talked a lot prior to the appointment about the importance of vaccinations, that the shots WOULD hurt but just for a second, and that she needed to show Margaret how to be brave so that she wouldn't cry for her shots.  Siena seemed happy, almost excited to rise to the challenge, but I was doubtful that she'd keep her composure once the nurse arrived with the needles.  Imagine my surprise when she barely let out a wince for each of her shots!!  She was amazing!  Even for the TB test, when she had to keep her arm perfectly still for a number of seconds while the nurse fooled around with the needle beneath her skin, she didn't flinch.  I was so proud.  Of course, when it was time to remove the bandaids the next day, she wailed and wailed.  Ah, Siena...

Breakfast with Santa

One of the perks of having a volunteer firefighter for a daddy is getting the opportunity to attend their annual Breakfast with Santa event.  Although there was no Winnie Claus in attendance, this breakfast far exceeded previous Santa breakfasts we've attended for two reasons: 1) the kids get a wrapped present from Santa that was hand-picked just for them, and 2) they get to check out firetrucks afterwards.  And what kid is going to turn down donuts and Fruit Loops?  Best breakfast ever.

As usual, Siena wanted nothing to do with Santa. 
This was as close as we came to a kids' photo with the big guy.

She warmed up a bit once Santa started giving out presents, though!

Libby and Margaret had no issues with Mr. Claus. 
Libby has been asking to see Santa again ever since.

All the kiddos with their new toys!

Firetrucks!

We're so proud of our daddy.

A TOOTH!

I can hardly believe it, but little Margaret already has her first tooth!  She's definitely been showing all of the signs lately (drooling, chewing on everything, runny nose), but at 4 1/2 months I wasn't expecting a tooth for another month at least.  We were at a birthday party at Monkey Joe's tonight and Margaret was knawing on my knuckle, and there it was...  Siena and Libby didn't cut their first teeth until 5 1/2 and 6 months respectively, so Margaret has them beat by quite a bit.  At this rate she could have a mouthful of teeth by her first birthday.  My tiny little one is growing up!

Christmas Card Attempt

I'm finding it nearly impossible to get one "perfect" shot of all three of these monkeys, but all together these are pretty cute!  Maybe next year...

Thanksgiving in California! Pops is 100! Disneyland!

It was quite the memorable Thanksgiving this year...  I really don't know where to begin in describing our adventures!  The entire family headed west to Bakersfield, California, a traditional Thanksgiving stop for me but one that I haven't yet had the pleasure to share with the girls.  I was thrilled to show them all of the fun places I'd loved visiting as a kid, but the real reason of the visit was to celebrate their great-grandfather Ross' 100th birthday.  Needless to say getting all three girls, three carseats, one stroller, two carry-on bags, and four suitcases through the airport (and back!) was no small feat -- I'm getting tired just thinking about it!  Thankfully Winnie was along this time to help out, and the girls were great little travelers.  We celebrated Thanksgiving in style on Auntie Jane's lawn (gotta love that California weather!) just as we always have, and the girls loved visiting with favorite family members and meeting new ones.  Pops' birthday party was SO special -- by far the best part for me was watching Libby and Siena help him blow out all 100 candles on his TWO birthday cakes!  Then came Disneyland...  Phew!  We hadn't planned on taking the girls to Disney for a few more years, but when in Rome...  Thankfully the crowds weren't terrible and we all had a great time.  I can't wait to return when the kiddos are a bit older!

All in all it was a great and memorable trip, but I have to say that it was definitely exhausting.  Traveling with three young kids and dealing with logistics such as meals and naptimes while all sharing a small hotel room was not easy, but we got it done!  Now to enjoy a few relaxing weeks at home before the Christmas traveling begins. :)

The girls get a ride in the old wheelbarrow in front of Pops' house.
Thanks, Auntie Putz!

Ukelele lesson from Uncle Andy

Libby learns how to use a compass from her 100-year-old great-grandfather

Playing in the same park as her mommy did 
when she was a little girl.
How lucky to have a playground across the street from Papa's house!

Libby is quite the crazy swinger!

Siena shows off her new skipping skills onstage

Speaking of onstage... 
The girls LOVED the Lori Brock children's museum
(and had the entire place to themselves!)

Serving Uncle Jeremy and Auntie Putz at the Lori Brock Cafe

We couldn't pass up a trip to Dewar's Ice Cream shop.
It hasn't changed since Winnie was a little girl!

Norman Rockwell would be proud. :)

Relatives traveled from far and wide to celebrate Pops' birthday. 
Cousin Ian from Scotland couldn't get enough of little Margaret.

Now THAT is a Thanksgiving table!

I'm hoping to post a few photos of Papa's actual birthday party, but we're still waiting on the disc from the phtotographer...  In the meantime, here are a few from Disneyland:

We started the morning out with a Chip 'n Dale breakfast,
complete with Mickey Mouse waffles

The lines for Minnie were a bit long, but Pluto was an easy target!

We couldn't pass up meeting some princesses...

... nor the Dumbo ride!  We can't wait to return.