What a day!

Wow...yesterday turned out to be a much busier day than expected! Doctors, hair coloring, errands...phew!

I had made the mistake of scheduling  a dermatologist appointment for myself at the same time Katelynn had her two month appointment.  I didn't want to have to reschedule either of them so Jason took Katelynn to her appointment while I was at mine. It worked out well and both appointments went well. 

I have LOTS of moles on my body and since my dad had skin cancer, I am especially concerned about a few of my bigger moles.  So, I finally went in and had them looked at.  There were only two that concerned the doctor so I had those removed and they are off to the lab to get biopsied.  I also had a third one removed, but that one was more cosmetic than medical.  I have a small unpigmented one on my nose between my eyes that was removed once when I was twelve but has grown back.  The downside is I will have redness and a visible mark for about six months but the upside is that after that, I won't have to hate pictures of myself anymore.  Well, at least not ones I can blame on the mole. 

Katelynn was exactly two months (thank for remembering Hollie!) and weighed in at 10lb 3 oz.  She is at the 50th percentile for height and weight which is great.  My other kids tended to be on the smaller size.  It's good to know that even though she doesn't eat much and sleeps all the time that she is growing just like she should! She also got five shots...and I am thankful I wasn't there for those.  I don't have the stomach for needles or the heart for baby screams. (Funny how I don't mind giving birth but the thought of a needle, especially one in ME,  makes me want to cry.)

After the appointments we ran a few errands.  Then I went to get my hair colored.  Now those that know me know that I am REALLY bad about getting my hair colored when I should.  And if you remember correctly I had it done the week before Katelynn was born...just nine weeks ago.  So now that you are all proud of me for taking care of my hair I have to admit to you that it wasn't my plan.  I was walking out to my doctor's appointment and one of my supervisors asked me if I wanted my hair done for FREE.  Apparently there are teaching sessions at a local salon that needed models.  So, how could I pass up a free coloring? It took a long time but I am happy with the results and even know more of what to ask for/look for when I get my hair done.  I have also figured out why I sometimes get a brassy look to my highlights.  It was definitely worth my time!

****

So, I promised a kid update.  I do this for two main reasons: 1) family members who actually want to know how my kids are doing and 2) for ME -- I don't scrap in order/on time, etc. and it helps me remember stuff for later on.

First, Sweet Katelynn.  She is so incredibly sweet. She is also BEAUTIFUL.  Yes, I wear my mommy goggles, but still.  I'm in love with this sweet little thing.  She is super smiley -- she loves it when people get their faces in really close and talk to her. She just smiles away.  She loves her bathtime...loves to have warm water poured over her belly, loves to have lots of mommy time while she is in the bath.  The other kids love to help bathe her, especially Caleb.

She is also a GREAT sleeper.  She slept through the night for the first time at about five weeks and starting at 6 and half weeks has been consistent every night, sleeping about 12 hours!  She wakes up happy and content and I love knowing she is getting what she needs.  I am fully convinced that much of the typical kiddy crankiness and whining can be solved by kids getting the sleep they need.  I could go on for hours about kid sleep...but I won't ;)

Katelynn still doesn't eat that much...she is the only kid I have done one-sided feedings with.  But she does NOT want to eat on two sides and when I have tried to get her to, she has thrown up.  So, since she is growing well I don't worry about it. 

I am really enjoying my time with her, soaking up all the babiness.  The other kids are great with her too.  Most of the time, they don't seem to notice she is there but when they do, they are super sweet.  The boys like to pet her and give her kisses.  Caleb seems oblivious to the fact that she actually has a name and simply calls her "baby sister."  "Mom, is my baby sister awake?"  "Mom, my baby sister is crying."  "Mom, baby sister is poopy."  LOL!

Little Levi...what a CUTIE.  This kid is absolutely hilarious.  He is the family antagonist and he is too charming for his own good.  He knows that one little flash of his smile with the dimple will get him most anything he wants/needs.  And forgiveness is one of those things he needs a lot since he seems to think that stealing Elly from Caleb and jumping on Alaina are fun activities.

He is talking A LOT.  Not many multi-word phrases but lots a lots of individual words.  He can mimic most anything we say and tries of lots of new ones on his own.  He is learning to name his body parts and point out animals.  And over the last few days, he has started to sit on the potty.  He hasn't actually done anything on it yet, but he seems to like to sit there and read books!  LOL! And for those of you keeping track...yes, mostly likely he will potty train before Caleb.  And yes, he is two years younger.  But each child is different and I am okay with helping each kid do what THEY can do at the age that THEY can do it. Levi is ready to use the potty and Caleb isn't.  I'm okay with that.

 

Levi's extremely goofy -- always wanting to find something that makes him laugh.  He also has a weird obsession with mixing beverages.  If there are three bottles of juice in the fridge, he wants them ALL mixed.  If there are two different gallons of milk, we have to add some of both to his cup.  What a nut!

******

Can you tell that Caleb needs a SERIOUS hair cut??  Granted, this is major bed head but still.  A little out-of-control, don't you think?  I like it longer (and was sooo sad when he got it cut last year in a cute little boy hair cut.  I kept saying, "they cut off his personality!")  We'll get it cut soon!

Caleb is his own little person.  No one is like him.  He is special, unique, and so close to my heart.  He fits into no textbook case.  Anything that pertains to kids does not apply to Caleb.  It makes parenting him hard, but amazing.

He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES his cars and trucks and we often find scenes like this in the house.  He loves to line them up, straighten them, and tell me what kind they are.  He will read and re-read truck books all the time and can name about 20 different kinds of trucks and construction vehicles.  He doesn't know the names of the letters but knows what sound they all make (told you he was special ;) He is talking all the time now (a year ago he only had a few words) and he has recently taken to calling us Uncle Jason and Aunt Janet (since that is what our dorm boys call us).  "Aunt Janet, can you help me find my shoes?"  "I go with Uncle Jason!"

I love this little kid.  He is like me in so many ways, which is why I am pretty protective of him.  He is sweet and introverted (as in he really needs alone time) and he loves what he loves.  Caleb doesn't like a lot of things in the way of toys, food, etc but what he loves he REALLY loves. His feelings are deep and loyal.  He is a true Phillips man.

This sweet and goofy thing is the best.  She truly is an amazing girl.  I can't believe how helpful she is.  She puts up with a lot for being the oldest -- having higher expectations put on her, dealing with her little brothers all the time (including sharing a room with them).  She is so good though...right now I can hear her playing ring around the rosie with Levi.  She'll push him on his bike, help him get dressed, and get him juice. She is such a blessing.

Alaina still likes to change her clothes multiple times a day (but is getting better about asking and coming up with reasons that she HAS to change!) She loves to play Polly Pockets but spends most of her time trying to act like the dorm boys.  She wants to be in a band with them and spends lots of time designing album covers.

And she asks questions.  ALL. DAY. LONG. They never, ever stop.  Even while I am typing this I have been asked no less than ten questions.  And when I say typing this I mean this paragraph.  Not this blog entry.  So more experienced moms...when do the questions stop??

She's a beautiful soul with a heart that wants to learn and grow.  She is sensitve and dramatic, helpful and goofy, sweet and attentive.  LOVE THIS GIRL.

**********

And that's it for the day...I'm off to the park with some friends.  Have a happy day!

 

Comments

[Jennifer]

I just have to tell you that Ella was looking at this post with me, asked who Alaina was, and then said, "Hi Alaina! Want to come to my house and play with me?" So cute! Your kids are all gorgeous!

[Jennifer]

I just have to tell you that Ella was looking at this post with me, asked who Alaina was, and then said, "Hi Alaina! Want to come to my house and play with me?" So cute! Your kids are all gorgeous!

[SteinyGirl]

Awwww, I love reading updates on the kids! And I totally understand special is special and no, the questions never go away. :) I need to journal like this! Maybe I should blog! ;)

[Corrie]

What a sweet picture of Katelynn! All you kids are so cute, and I love hearing your descriptions of them...they will love reading those in their scrapbook in later years.

[Hollie]

No Janet, it's not just the mommy-goggles. Katelynn really is beautiful! As are all your children! You are blessed!!! Have a great day!

[MandaKay]

I just love the little updates on all the kids! You are such an amazing parent. It's so neat to see each child take on their own personality! Great pictures of each one too!

[Margie S.]

What a precious blog post about your children!!! I remember well my DD talking nonstop! I would never want to ask her about a movie because I would get the entire movie recount! Now that she's all grown up and in college I miss the chatter!!