February 2008 Archives

Barrett was one month old on Monday, Feb. 25th. We wanted to take his picture in his swing but he was hungry and kept trying to eat his overalls. Stephen decided it would be best to take Barrett's picture in the bath to guarantee that his eyes would be open. We tried to make sure the pics were tasteful enough to share so I hope you all aren't put off by bath pictures.

Our boy is growing like a weed. Stephen brought home the wrestling scale before he went to referee at the State Wrestling Tournament last week and weighed Barrett. The scale read 8.5 lbs. We go to the doctor on Tues. and I cannot wait to see what they say. He is eating very well and filling out nicely, mainly in the cheeks. I now have to monitor the times when Stephen holds him and any visits from his Gigi and Popo (Sue and Scott) because they all have a tendency to bite puffy cheeks. Well, I'll let you all know what the doctor says.

Take care,
Kellie

Barrett Scott

Barrett Scott

Samuel turned 3 years old on Saturday, February 23rd. We thought about doing a space walk and inviting friends with kids over but decided to do one more year at home with just the family. He loved having his cousins over and I loved the ease of it.

My big boy is going to pre-school next year thanks to my lovely husband who went and camped out by the school at 5am yesterday morning. Open registration began yesterday and we found out from neighbors and friends that if you don't get there early, then you don't get in. So off Joey went to do his duty. I was very disappointed when he called me after he got there and found out that there was only 1 spot open for the 3 year old Monday/Wednesday/Friday class and they had decided to cancel the 3 year old Tuesday/Thursday class, which was what I was interested in. The man who got that one spot had been in front of the school since 6PM on Sunday evening. Joey put our name on the waiting list (for a fee of $10!) and came home. I was so disappointed! But lo and behold, they had enough interest in the Tuesday/Thursday 3 year old class that they decided to open that class and they called me yesterday afternoon and told me that Samuel would be enrolled for that. He could have stayed home next year but he's so ready for some socialization with kids his own age! Next year I'll face a big decision, whether to keep him at that school for a 3 day a week 4 year old program or put him into the Catholic school near us for their 5 day a week all day program. My preference is the part-time program, but what I'm discovering is that if you aren't in the school by 4 then there aren't many spots open for Kindergarten. They also had there registration on Monday and they only had one spot for K. The man who got that spot was out in front of the school on the night before at about 8 PM. I hope Joey is ready for that. This whole standing in line to get the kids into school is killing us! At least siblings get to register first so we won't have to do all this for Luke.

Samuel's 3rd birthday party - Birthday Boy - February 2008

Jacob, Joey, Samuel, Luke, Jackson, Polina

Sign of spring - February 24, 2008 This is one of the CrabAppleLane mirliton vines. It is just now peeking out for 2008. It is a sign that spring is just around the corner. The definitive sign is when the pecan trees start to bud. We had a disappointing mirliton season last year. I think we only picked about a half dozen. I don't know how many mirlitons three vines should produce but I'm certain its substantially more than that.

Okay. Here's another cat out of the bag. This time it's Janine who is having a birthday. When she was two years old, she found a penny somewhere. She had a yen for chewing gum but I never let her have any because I thought she would choke on it, plus I didn't like anyone chewing gum at all. So, clutching her penny, she took off for the grocery store. She had about a six-block walk and knew the way because I used to walk there, pulling them in our wagon. The whole neighborhood turned out to look for her when we realized she had wandered off. It was my next-door neighbor who found her tricycle at the end of our street and then, after looking into the canal and studying the banks of the canal, he kept going across the bridge and onto the next street, and there she was. She was talking to some people, telling them she was going to the store to buy gum, showing her penny as she talked. I will never forget the tears on his face as he drove up, and her angry little face looking out the window. She had a penny but no gum. I also was angry. I had no penny and I had no gum -- but I did have a sweet little girl with yellow curls and big blue eyes and a very independent spirit so I didn't stay angry. She was safe. I was blessed then and I am blessed today. Happy Birthday, Janine.

The gang - Photo by Janine

Happy Birthday, Janine

Okay. The cat's out of the bag. Today IS your birthday and I'm wishing you a happy day.

And here is a little memory I just thought of regarding your second birthday. Our gift to you (and I won't apologize for it's simplicity because in those days and in my experience, the large expensive gifts of today's families were unheard of and unthought of) was a nice Tonka dump truck. You loved it. However, since you were not an early talker, some of your words weren't developed fully. For instance, when you saw a TRAIN you said "Oh, look at the FAIN." So I won't go into what you called a TRUCK, but will just say that this particular Tonka dump truck landed on the closet shelf until the words became more clear.

We thought you were the best, even so!

Love, Mom

Happy Valentine's Day

Got plans?

There are so many interesting tidbits about Valentine's Day that I thought I might share a few. My favorite tidbit comes courtesy of Wikipedia:

In Slovenia, a proverb says that "St Valentine brings the keys of roots," so on February 14, plants and flowers start to grow. Valentine's Day has been celebrated as the day when the first works in the vineyards and on the fields commence. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day.

I think that last sentence a bit fanciful but who cares? It's harmless fancy and I like it. Another tidbit comes from The History Channel:

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.

Also a bit fanciful. When I was a kid, people used to route their Valentine cards by mail through Valentine, Nebraska so they'd have a Valentine postmark. I don't remember how to do that and I'm not sure that it can even still be done.

They celebrate it a bit differently in Saudi Arabia. Had to include that because it contains a committee with my all-time favorite title: The Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Watch out for these guys and have a Happy Valentine's Day. Have a red Rose on me

Happy Mardi Gras

For those going, be safe.

Barrett is one week old today. He is sleeping much better through the night. I have to wake him for each feeding and he has been lasting about 4 hours at a time. It sure is nice to have restful nights. I just hope they continue.

Barrett went to see the pediatrician today for the first time. He weighed the same as he did at birth, which we were very pleased to hear. He did such a good job for the doctor. She said that he looked great and she was pleased with his progress so far. Before this appointment, Stephen and I had been so proud of the way Barrett has been lifting and moving his head around. We have been bragging to each other and pointing it out every time we see him do it. Come to find out...that is normal! I guess we really are parents. The "our child is the smartest, strongest, and best looking" syndrome has definitely set in. The doctor did encourage us to go ahead and start "tummy time" for about 15 minutes 3 times a day so when we got home that is just what we did. Luckily, Barrett enjoyed the time on his belly so we let him stay for 30 minutes. It's supposed to help him strengthen up his arm and leg muscles to get ready for crawling and to break up the monotony of being on his back all the time. So here is a picture of our little bear enjoying his "tummy time".

Kellie

Barrett Scott & Dad, Stephen