Marco + Lily: Wellness Checkups

Because our insurance changed, I wasn't able to get Lily's Wellness Check-up until April. But, on a good note, I was able to do Marco's appointment at the same time. 

We started with Lily and she was just a little talker and chatted to the Nurse and the Doctor all about how healthy she was.

At her three year check-up, it comes with a vision and hearing test. Both of which Lily failed. Not because she's blind and deaf, but because she didn't really understand the point of what the tests were trying to do. The whole time Lily was really worried about Marco's Doctor's appointment and if he was going to be okay since he was getting shots.

LILY'S STATS:

Height: 3 ft. 2.5 in. (.98 m.) 75%

Weight: 34 lb. 6.4 oz. (15.6 kg.) 77%

And since Marco was able to watch Lily's appointment first, he was really a good sport and so happy during his whole appointment. His weight went up and I couldn't be happier about how his progression is going.

MARCO'S STATS:

Height: 30.25 in. (76.8 cm.) 17%

Weight: 20 lb. 4.5 oz. (9.2 kg.) 15%

Head Circumference: 47 cm. (18.5 in.) 55%

And really, let's just chat about how awesome my pediatrician's office is! Lily was really, really, really concerned about Marco getting shots - that they didn't want this to upset Marco (or Lily). Therefore, they took her into the Nurse's station and colored with her while Marco received some vaccinations. The Nurses encouraged her to draw some pretty pictures and make some lovely thoughts for Marco so that he wouldn't be sad from getting shots. It really distracted Lily and it made Marco's "recovery" a lot better than I anticipated. Let me explain: since Lily was so happy, Marco was happy because he wants to be just like his big sister. So big 'Thank You' to the nurses who do a good job of exemplifying their job and going the extra mile. My kids adore you!

Starting a Garden

I have had this really strong urge to start a garden. Not like a prompting, more like a desire to learn how to grow things. Mostly because Lily came home from preschool one day asking me if we could plant some seeds and I felt like it was a good learning opportunity for her. It would teach Lily responsibility about watering her seeds every day, and give her something to look forward to. When would they bloom? What would they look like? How excited would she get? I was definitely on board for finding out... so we went ahead and made a trip to Home Depot to gather some dirt and some plants while Daddy cut down the yucky bushes below our breakfast window and dug them out for Mommy.

When we came home with our dirt and plants, Daddy showed off his hard work and Marco wasn't the only one impressed!

Because Lily was so excited to start a garden we really tried to incorporate her helping us as much as possible. And the whole time a smile was on her face.

And over the next week, any stranger that she met - she had to tell them her side of the story about planting a garden.

Once the dirt was placed, the plot trimmed, and everything was ready to go - we let Lily dig holes and place her plants. As soon as they were all placed we made it her job to give them a drink of water. 

And the beginnings of our garden consisted of:

* 3 Tomato Plants

- 1 Cherry

- 1 Roma

- 1 Better Boy

* 2 Zucchini Plants

* 2 Squash Plants

* 2 Pepper Plants

- 1 green

- 1 red

Plus, lots of seeds growing in recycled egg cartons.

This is just the beginning, but I am so excited to see what we can reap from all the hard work we sowed over the weekend in trying to give Lily her garden.

Walks

With the weather getting warmer, we have tried to take full advantage and get out for more family walks. Whether it's in our neighborhood, a park, or trail - we have made the most of really trying to get the kids excited about getting out.

Lily is given a ziplock baggie to put whatever treasures she wants in her bag during our walk.

She finds flowers, dandelion globes, seeds, sticks, feathers, leaves, rocks, and grass. 

One of our new favorite places to walk is near our home, about a mile away, is a large forest with a trail. It snakes back and forth and winds its way around a lake, an old abandoned car, and lots of fallen trees. 

Lily gets particularly excited when we pass by the lakes. It doesn't matter what she gets to throw into the lake, she's happy as long as it makes a splash.

And to make it off the path, where it's not stroller friendly, we have taken the backpack a few times. Marco seems to like it, but I'm not sure if Daddy does.

And on the way home from our walk in the forest, as we pass the cow pasture, it's full of bright cheery, lovely little yellow buttercup flowers. And Lily is obsessed with them. When they are in bloom that is the only thing she wants to fill her bag with. And, thankfully, the cows have been cooperative so that she feels brave enough to pick as many as she wants while we patiently wait for her to collect her golden treasure.

April: Week 2

Keeping up tradition from the week before, we were able to get out and play.

On Saturday morning, Titus had a birthday party. It was full of balls, balloons, slides, and ice cream and was perfect in every way. All the kids were in heaven - so therefore, the parents were too!

(Happy Birthday Titus!)

On Sunday we had the Jaramillo Family over for dinner. And since there was whipping cream for dessert, we let the kids lick the beaters. When you are a kid, and there is a treat to be licked - you get first priority. And they did a great job of cleaning them off before the dishwasher did.

Tuesday was April's Kids Morning Out. It took place at a karate gym. It was a little too old for my little ones, but that didn't stop them from making the most of NOT being at home. 

In fact, they had so much fun that somehow we ended up making it in the picture of Forsyth Family Magazine's advertisement for Kids Morning Out.

^^We are the bottom right hand corner picture.

Thursday, we had a picnic party at the park for Jenner Brown's Birthday. It was a little chilly outside, and the kids didn't want to stick around - but just go play on the park. I think everyone's bellies were happy and I hope that Jenner had a fabulous birthday. 

What another fun week to record!

April: Week 1

We've really been trying to make an effort to get out and do things with the children. And I feel like the first week of April, we were really on a roll!

On Friday we went on a super long walk and saw horses, butterflies, and lots of pretty flowers.

On Saturday we went into the heart of Winston Salem and took pictures in front of the very first Shell Gas Station. It's in a sketchy part of town and if you're not paying attention, you'll drive right by it (like we did at first). 

On Tuesday we went to the Library for singing and story time and Lily came home with a pretty cool fish craft that she made. 

On Wednesday Katlyn came and visited us after her shift at Hardees. Katlyn is one of our very favorite, favorite people! So we took her on one of Lily's favorite outings: a walk! We showed her all the flowers that Lily loves, and ran into some other friends during our trek around the neighborhood.

^^Lucy Dunn, Chloe Stimpson, Lily, Dallin Stimpson

Then on our way home, everyone was tired and didn't want to walk up the big hill! So the kids took advantage of the fact that there was a stroller and all jumped on to be pushed up the big hill!

On Thursday we went to visit baby Jaxen. Lily was in heaven and just wanted to hold him incessantly. Babies are lovely, but Lily and babies are a perfect match. She loves babies and her whole demeanor changes when you put one in her lap. Because of this, she is such a good big sister!

So, it may not seem like a busy week. But we had a fun week and were able to see a lot of friends and get out and do a lot of things as a family.