Goodbye Volvie

Yes, it's time to say goodbye to "Volvie." With 210,000 miles, she has served us well through medical school, residency and beginning of fellowship. We had to say our final words when she was continuously shaking to and from Jacob's work - was she afraid of the VA? Was she just tired of working long days and nights? Was she scared of the bridge leading into downtown Charleston? We'll never know, but we thought it was time to let her rest in peace. We loved her and will certainly miss her...

2 Months

Here is a picture of Frances at two months. She is growing like a weed - all 12 pounds of her! We went to the doctor on Monday to get a round of shots. I thought I would be used to it by now with Charles having gone through his first year of vaccinations, but it's never easy seeing your children cry. He said she is very healthy and keep doing what I'm doing...as far as feeding goes! She is so sweet and had her first giggle last week. Yesterday, Charles was laughing at something and she started smiling every time he laughed. So sweet.

This week in pictures

Thought I'd post a few pictures to show you what we have been up to...not a whole lot, and it is wonderful. The first few weeks in September were crazy with the end of summer and starting "school," bible study, etc. Now it has slowed down and our new routine has begun. We usually have three days a week where we are out and about and the other two, we just enjoy our outside play time and neighborhood. Charles is becoming more and more independent and in need or getting his "wiggles" out, and Frances is still so mobile and sleeps everywhere she goes.

The first picture is a day at the aquarium downtown. He is in the interactive room that resembles a campsite with a little topsy-turvy bridge to walk across - I think that was his favorite part. Every time we go, Charles enjoys it more and more. The second picture is him after a nice little haircut - and I love to be able to put his cute little longalls that I bought last year at half price...can't put him in those much longer - or so Jacob says!

Bows

Could not resist. How cute is that bow in Miss Frances' hair?!

First Day Of School

Jacob and I went back and forth on whether or not to put Charles in "school." We found a happy medium and put him in one day a week. Great time for Charles to burn off some energy, have time without sister and gives mommy time to run errands and have time with just one babe. He loves it - I told him that we had school that morning, and he ran and got his backpack. I loved this picture with his foot propped up - too cute! The school is great - church right by our house with sweet teachers and kids.

First Smiles and Life...

Oh, the first smiles of a newborn. After five weeks of not much feedback besides crying, we were able to see Frances' first signs of happiness. She is also cooing, one of my favorite sounds - I forgot how much fun all these "firsts" are. It has made me realize that soon she will be walking and talking just like Charles. It has made me excited to think of a little girl, not just a baby - ballet, tea parties, our sweet girl time. She has grown so much over the past few weeks. At her three week checkup which was almost a month ago, she was 10 pounds and the 95th percentile! Needless to say, she is a healthy chubby little baby. She is still quite the sleeper. Staying awake an hour at a time to feed and look around and then snoozing the rest of the time with a mix of crying and smiling in between. She seems to take notice of her big brother - hard not to when he is always in her face kissing and talking about the "baby." She had her pediatric cardiologist appointment to check on her PAC's/PVC's last week. After an EKG, echo, and having to wear a monitor for 24 hours, it appears they have self-corrected.

Days for me are good. Learning how to juggle two - we have gone to the aquarium just the three of us, I was quite proud of myself. I started a mother's bible study at our church - I'm really excited to be studying Ruth and Esther this year and to make new friends. Our little family went to the beach this past weekend. A tad bit more involved with two, but Charles had a great time dancing on the sand, and Frances took in all the new sights and sounds.

Charles is talking more and more each day - everything from "goose" to "Go Dawgs!" He started a MDO program one day a week yesterday - I'll post pictures soon. They said he was an angel, which always makes a mom feel good. He favorites are still reading and playing outside. He and Jacob have this special bond which has really come out since Frances has been born. He is definitely becoming more independent. He has to do everything on his own including feeding himself and climbing in the car seat.

Jacob's job is great. Call is about every week or so, and he is still in the echo lab. He is really enjoying his coworkers/fellows and learning a ton. He keeps talking about wanting to buy a boat - we'll see how that works out! He was even able to go to the UGA game last weekend to see them beat the Gamecocks and spend time with his brother.

Well, that is our life in a nutshell...

Potty Post

He has tinkled three times in the potty - Go Charles! This picture is a look of "not another pic, mom."