Thanksgiving

15 months old

I missed his actual 15 month appointment last month (I'm blaming it on pregnancy brain), so we had it today instead and Wesley is officially 15-months 3 weeks & 2 days.

It was the toughest visit yet, he flipped out just getting his temperature checked and had tears streaming down his face for his head circumference. Let's not even talk about the vaccination. Both the nurse and doctor said the 15 & 18 month visits are akin to wrestling matches. I just remember how sweet and docile he was at 9 months ...

Doctor, keep your hands off me

Some doctor advice ... ignore tantrums, set limits (by re-directing), give him fruit and juice if he's constipated, not eating doesn't mean picky - he's just not hungry. And we got the okay to turn the car seat forward facing (even though the APA says to wait until 2-years old) because we have one very tall guy who's legs are up on the seat.

Today he weighed 26lbs4oz (69%) and measured 33-1/2" (95%). Long and Lean. No wonder why he's only wearing 18-24months/ 2T clothing.

Baptism

This weekend, little Wesley and his big daddy got baptized.  We had a few options on how to handle this, one being that Wesley could have a separate baptism, but the Minister offered us the option of having them baptized together and how nice would that be, father and son.

My aunt and uncle were Wesley's godparents (and Matt's "associate" god-parents), and we all had to stand at the front of the church in front of the entire congregation (i.e. those who went to the 10:30am service), to have him baptized and become members of our church.

Wesly & his godparents

4 generations

being baptized

Family and friends were there - sitting in the first 2 rows - soaking in this protestant service (my family is Catholic). The Minister gave a thought-provoking sermon and service was concluded by organ music. It was all really lovely and special for us.  Afterwards -- as is custom -- we had a really delicious brunch and I was thankful to have worn a maternity dress (more room for my tummy).

Fall beauties in my garden

I have two plants this year which added really beautiful fall color to my garden.

Dwarf Fothergilla - Fothergilla gardenii
These are new to my garden, I planted them this spring.   They are probably the most shade tolerant of shrubs, which is why I chose them for my front yard (although the demise of the plum tree has given me a lot more sun). They are known for their white flowers in the spring and for their fall color. The latter is certainly true, they are in color now and and stand out in my sea of yellowing hostas.

Spicebush - Lindera benzoin
This is a native plant to our area and will manage to reach 6-12' tall and wide. I've had it my yard for about three years and it's already tripled in size. It's a pretty bush all year round, with yellow flowers in the springtime, but the fall yellow leaves are a stunner. They are in color in early October when everything else hasn't changed so it stand out.  My only problem is that it doesn't last long and it drops its leaves shortly after - so enjoy it while it lasts!

Bring on the accent!

The accent color to the house, that is. 

 

Speaking of our golden accent color, the huge sugar maple behind us is finally in peak color and dropping all it's leaves into our tiny backyard. (It is very similar in color.)

Wesley checks out a baby

Last weekend, we watched Sunday football at my friends house and got the little guys together again ...

If you notice, they're both in non-Bears gear. Matt's parents got Wesley this Titans T-shirt, and my friends family in Pittsburgh is making sure the baby is a Steelers fan.

"Who is this baby?"

"He's got hands ..."

"And a round head..."

"I think he's OK."

 I'll just put my arm around him..."

"Smile!"

 And one of us ...

"Touchdown!"

8 weeks

As if the nausea, tiredness, and -- first time this morning -- vomiting was not enough to tell me I'm pregnant, we had our first OB appointment this morning and ultrasound to confirm it.

There is a bean in the belly -- measuring 8w2d (based on my last period, I am 8 weeks today, so measuring ahead) and with a heartbeat of 171. The doctor was very happy for us and for the first time lying on the table staring at the screen, I cried.