Monday, November 30, 2009

18-mo Doc Visit


Can you believe it... Larkin is already 18 months old! We took her to her 18-month well visit, and the doctor said she looked great. As you can see the stats in the chart below...Larkin's weight is now 25 lbs 6 oz (70th percentile), and her head circumference was 19 in (big - still 95th percentile!), but the big news from the visit was her height measurement. The nurse had first laid Larkin flat on the table and measured her that way... and got 33 in. (which is in the 90th percentile). The doctor then asked that she be measured standing up (as he said it's more accurate at this age) and we got a measurement of 31.5 in. (48th percentile). Now, I tend to think the latter measurement is correct, just from knowing Larkin as compared to other kiddos and how her pants fit, but regardless, the doctor is convinced that Larkin is going to be tall! He said that if the longer measurement is correct, he'd estimate that she could be 5 ft. 10-11 in! The shorter measurement might estimate her to be 5 ft. 7 in, but that's a lot taller that my 5 ft. 3.5 in! He said we'll know better when she's 2 years old, but since her soft spot still hasn't completely closed, he's pretty sure she's still got a bunch of growing to do. Maybe she could be a model, a WNBA star, who knows!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving AND Happy 36th Birthday to Brian!!! It's always a special year when Brian's birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day... I truely am thankful every single day for having him in my life. He's my best friend, my husband and lover, my partner in life, the father of our child, and my soul mate. Happy Birthday, honey, I love you and I look forward to growing old with you!

Since we'll be traveling at Christmas-time, we decided to have a low-key Thanksgiving this year. Brian got to choose whether we went out to a restaurant or I'd cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal at home, and he chose to stay home. I've made Thanksgiving dinner a good many years now, and I'm finally able to time the dishes to be ready at the same time! Doesn't that feel good?! Brian's parents joined us for the day and dinner, as well, so it was a fun-filled, joyous holiday, as the pictures show below.






Monday, November 16, 2009

Art Table and Larkin's Art

We found an awesome new art table for Larkin. It's by Step 2 and as you can see from the pictures, it is like a little art center. It has 2 bins on the center pole that can hold tons of crayons and markers. At the top there are 4 clips to hold Larkin's art too! We love it, but more importantly Larkin loves it. She can draw with complete abandon as the combo of a Magic Eraser, water and a little elbow grease can erase any marks she gets on the table top. And, best of all, the price... it was only $59! Perfect little table and stool set.



One day, our little weight-lifter decided that she needed to do a little furniture rearranging. Bending at the knee like a professional, Larkin heaved up a stool and proceeded to carry it across the room until she found the perfect spot for it directly in the middle of our Great Room. She then went back to get the next stool and followed suit. She ended up with a nearly straight line of stools when she was finished. Pretty impressive from our weight-lifting decorator, eh?



So, what does Larkin have to show for all the fun art time she has, both at home and at school? Well, here are a few pieces of art Larkin has made recently. Some are made with crayon, some are with sponges, others with glued pieces of tissue paper, etc. There is certainly some teacher support of course, but these are Larkin's masterpieces nonetheless. I love them!













Tuesday, November 10, 2009

5-block Tower


Check this out! I'm such a proud mom. Larkin is reaching new developmental milestones nearly every day, but today's certainly warranted a picture. Larkin stacked these blocks 5 high! They were close to tipping over, but they stood fast. Good job, Larky!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Mr. and Mrs. Shur visit



Newlyweds Dan and Dorit came for a visit today and we were so glad to have the chance to spend some quality time together with them. We went to First Watch for breakfast and then went back to our place to hang out while Larkin took a nap. These pics are from when Larkin had just woken up, so she still looks a bit dazed. But, they're cute pics just the same, and I love how blue both Larkin's and Dorit's eyes look in the second pic... gorgeous!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Aunt Annie and the Bilibo





Aunt Annie came to town for a visit and came over to play with Larkin. Larkin felt immediately comfortable with Annie and even gave her a running hug at one point! Aunt Annie brought Larkin a thoughtful, wonderful toy called a Bilibo. It's a teaching, Montessouri toy that is meant to be whatever the kids want it to be. There isn't a "correct" way to use it. You can sit on it, in it, spin in it, drag it around, wear it like a hat, etc. It really spurs imagination and pretend play in kids. And, as you can tell from the pictures, Larkin had a blast with it! Thank you Auntie Annie!

Later that evening, we went out as a family to a mexican restaurant for dinner. We all had a great time, and Larkin thought it was quite fun to be on Papa's shoulders! Larkin even said "row boat" quite clearly when she wanted to play "Row Row Row Your Boat" with Aunt Annie (it brings back memories from our last dinner together, doesn't it?). We can't wait until next time!