Laurelea, 3 yrs, 5 mos

Seems like an appropriate time to post an update, since that little brother's coming right at Laurelea's 3 1/2 year mark.

The world is your oyster (quite literally sometimes):

And, your little brain must be working on overdrive. You understand so very much about the world around you and constantly amaze us with the questions you ask. 

You love to run all around everywhere. The favorite track remains from the living room rug, through the dining room, around the island, and back. Sometimes, you ask dad (and previously mom) to run with you. That means you go first and always win. You have learned how to 'pump' on the swings, a very special development that you are most proud of. Your proud face looks something like this:

Your natural reaction is to smile so big, but you simply must play it cool, so we get this cuter-than-cute face a lot. :)

You seem to still nap at daycare, even though you miss your Miss Sulma something fierce these days. Miss Anja, we are hoping she comes around on ya (and also the phantom Miss Gloria [with r rolled properly, by the way])! Napping at home is a different story, though you do seem to tire out and crash some days (like today). Grammy apparently had the magic nap touch with you for about half her stay, so maybe we are still channeling that.

You are a solidly put together little lady and probably weigh upwards of 35lbs. (Promise we'll stop with the weight updates at some point before you're 13). And, you're somewhere north of 36" tall. Six Flags Looney Toons Land, anyone???

You love the pool but hate to go under. We are learning to trust ourselves in the water, and get better each time. Too bad we didn't put up the pool-pool this year . . . you probably could've used some extra dunks! Swimming lessons ended two lessons in, not dissimilar from your last ice skating class. We are going to give you a break on classes for the time being.

This summer has meant growing out of one Longhorn swimsuit and into another, and we are so excited to continue to see you grow up. Lately, you have been very sensitive to any correcting (much less criticism) so we are working on ways to communicate our needs differently. Your dad was the same way as a kid (just wanting to do things right without having to be told).

We love you so much Laurelea. Can't say enough about how amazing it is to watch you grow and to grow with you. You are going to be a wonderful big sister!

A Texas Ranger Baseball Nursery

Scooter doesn't really have any idea how crazy we are around our house for Texas sports. He will get a real lesson when he arrives as his room is Texas-Rangers-themed! Luckily, the Rangers have returned to their 1980s and early 90s prowess, so he will learn to love them just like his dad -- the hard way. With an uncertain Longhorn football season and an 9-7 or worse Cowboys season, we will have to work long and hard in front of the tv this fall to make sure he can appreciate his heritage.

The pink and red set that we had for Laurelea was not going to work for Scooty-Scoot, so we purchased this crib and changing table, recycled a lot of shower decorations and turned this into a pretty adorable space for our little guy! There are still some finishing touches to be done....

This what you see when you walk in the room. The dresser is mine from when I was a kid. Woody - the large, arguably creepy dog, is likely making his way with Laurelea to her big girl room so there won't be a Dog of Damocles in the way of the changing table. Canvas drawers from Tarzhey.

 I really like how these tie backs came out! Thank you, Amazon.

The mobile is on its way as soon as Cory gets it sanded and painted.

 These are baseballs the girls at the shower signed.

 I love this poster! (also, from Cory: I eyeballed the baseball photo frames on either side. Nailed it!)

Big Girl Room

Laurelea's big girl room is almost complete. We still have some curtains to hang, but overall we are really excited with how her room looks. It's a lot of pink and purple, but she loves those colors right now! She has transitioned pretty well to her new room. We tried to take all her toys from the rest of the house and put them in her big room, but as you can see she is still busting out of her room. We will have to consolidate soon :)

L's bed and name in lights

 The toy area

Jim and Akeyron's Wedding

On Saturday we attended a close friend of mine from work's wedding. They were super gracious and let us bring Laurelea. She was the only kiddo there and she just loves weddings.

We had a snack before the wedding in the lobby

 The beautiful flowers

 The "I do's"

 The cup cakes

 Cake time

 Jim and Akeyron

 L loved the cup cakes

 and dancing with Jim!

Jazz on the Lawn

During the Summer the Riverdale Mansion in Riverdale (town adjacent to Hyattsville) hosts Jazz on the Lawn. We went a few times last year and had a blast. Everyone brings a picnic and camps out on the lawn while local Jazz music fills the air. Laurelea loves it as she gets to run around and generally lots of friends come from the hood. Last night was particularily perfect as there was a breeze and only around 80 degrees.

Picnic with Grammy!

 L made a new friend and she wanted to dance with her

 Dancing

 Playing ball with Daddy

Building a Baby and a Bear

Yesterday I had an apt to check on Scooter. He is doing well and growing like he should! I was a little surprised to learn that he is already 6.5 lbs. Most babes at 34 weeks are around 5 lbs. He has always been big, so I guess I shouln't be so shocked. His tummy and shoulders are extra big and measuring a few weeks ahead of the rest of him. I've been having braxton hicks contractions and we went in last week to check and make certain that I'm not in pre-term labor. Everything looked good, he had just turned and they think that the shift has caused me to have the contractions. Laurelea and Vicki were able to come to this appt and they got a few pictures of him for us. L was really excited to see him!

These 3D pictures do freak me out a little, but you do get to see what he looks like! He looks so much like L to me!

 He has his hand infront of his face, which is why this image is a little weird.

After the apt, we took L on a special adventure to Build a Bear. A work colleague of Vicki gave her some gift certificates and it as quite the process to put Hunter together. She loved it, and is very thrilled with her new friend!

 Here she is with Hunter-notice the skates, those were a hit!

 Grammy, L and Hunter!

Weekend in Review

We did a lot this weekend while Vicki was here. On Friday we went to Summer Jam to see our friend Pete (Jackie and Naomi's Dad) play with his band. Saturday we did some house organizing and had friends over for dinner. Sunday we ventured to Union Market and spent the morning there with the Clays/Hays. The bummer is that my camera is getting really heavy, so I'm not carrying it as much in my purse. I did get a few pictures of our time at Union Market!

Here is a picture of the market

 They had an awesome balloon guy at the market and L got a flying butterfly

 George got a pirate attacking his head :)

The 4th of July- Our 5th Anniversary

For our 5th anniversary we went to Oxford Maryland for 3 nights. Grammy and Grampy came and stayed with Laurelea so we could get away.We really enjoyed the Sandaway B&B and our time just together as a couple. It's been over 3 years since we have been away just the two of us for this duration. 

The B&B was really old school and we were taken a little aback with the decor

 Here is the view from the beach

 private beach

 We went into St. Micheal's and walked around the cute little town

 Vicki sent us this picture of L on the 4th. She got this adorable outfit from Nana and Papa!

 St. Micheal's

 Shot of Scooter and the beach

 relaxing on the 4th

 There was a firework show right over our B&B