Growing So Fast

much more interested in baby pumpkins

seriously thinking Mom is crazy

I thought the younger one would want to mimic the older one, not vice versa

look how good he's doing on is belly

fun in the park

helping (not really) Dad carve the pumpkin

I know it is so cliche, but seriously these kids grow up too fast. It's hard for me to believe Blake is 6 months old, and Mason is a full-fledged toddler! We've had a busy couple of weeks. Blake started taking solid food regularly, and so far he's mastered cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, and apple sauce. He really seems to be enjoying it (but, he is a Galligan, what did I expect?). He's starting to be so social, and he has really come a long way in his upper body strength since we've been able to start tummy time again.

Mason has taken on the beloved habit of asking, "Why?" I honestly thought I would be one of those parents that answered the question tirelessly in hopes of educating her growing mind, but I have to admit on the 6th one, I usually break down and say, "Because that's just the way it is." Maybe in another life I will have all the patience I strive for. She is is also making huge strides in potty training (all you non-parents, this is the part to skip), over the weekend she went a whole day with only one accident, and she seems to really embrace that big girls use the potty since Blake (who is "too little" according to Mason) uses diapers.

Mason continues to be a social butterfly, melting the hearts of everyone she meets. Stacey Shagory is one of her new friends, she asked for 'Taci" to read her books and put her to bed. Everyday she asks if she can call Dave (her godfather) and she like to draw pictures of Dave and "Aunt Caros". She's getting a lot of quality grandparent time as well, last weekend she spent with her Mimi and Paw Paw, and this weekend her Nonni is coming to visit. Spoiling has been in tow with each visit.

Halloween is this week. Blake is going as Curious George, and Mason is going as "the man in the yellow hat," Curious George's friend. I promise to post pictures of the big day.

He rolls!

Last night Blake rolled from his tummy to his back and is so close to turning from back to front. And, he continues to be a giggling goof ball.

Great News & A First

Having lunch with my Poppi

Waiting to see Dr. Shapiro - I was so good

BFFs at their first musical

Today was a great visit with Blake's cardiologist.  He was so impressed with how well Blake looks and even more with how he is developing.  Here's the lowdown...his oxygen saturations were ranging between 85-92 (wow!), he is 14 lbs. 12 oz., and 25 1/4 inches long.  He is starting to sit up really well (tripod pose & assisted), and he rolls over to one side and moves himself around in a circle.  He is also trying to hold his own bottle.  Now that he's 5 weeks out from his surgery, we can start pushing him to spend more time on his belly, which is his next big hurdle, in order to build upper body strength.

This weekend was Mason's first musical.  Natalie and I took Georgia and Mason to go see Seussical the Musical at the historic Paramount theatre.  The girls were entranced, and were so good.  They sat still for an hour (of a 75 minute performance).  So much fun to have a girls only event!

Finally, New Photos

Everyone Is Great!

I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted an update.  Life has been crazy in our house the past couple of weeks.  Since we have been home from the hospital Memaw (Tiffany's grandmother) has come and stayed with us for 10 days to help us take care of Blake.  I think he loved every minute of the extra cuddling and special care that only a grandmother can give.  Then Nonni (this is Mason's name for Tiffany's mother) came for three days to help with both of the kids while we took a break and went to the Austin City Limits (ACL) music festival.  So we have had a houseful, it was wonderful for everyone, but it sure is nice to go back to some sort of normal again.

The kids are awesome.  Blake is back to his old self and is better than ever.  Last Thursday, it really seemed like he turned a corner and decided he was just going to feel 100% better.  He is growing like crazy and just just a happy guy.  He is on a very regular schedule now which includes eating rice cereal twice a day and sleeping through the night (8:30 pm - 6 am), yeah!  He is trying so hard to roll over from back to front, we know he is going to get it any day.  He also has been tolerating being on his tummy again (we didn't try it for 3 weeks post surgery because of the potential pain in his chest), and is starting to lift his head up really well.  These small milestones are really great moments of celebrating Blake as a normal, developing baby.

Mason started in her new big kid class today.  They are really adventurous in this class, they go on a bus to gymnastics every Monday, and take field trips (her first one is to a pumpkin patch this month), and they will work with her to help with potty training (hallelujah!).  She also got a new pet fish named Nemo that she adores! Everyday she cant wait to feed Nemo, and she always sneaks away to go talk to him.

Aside from Bryan having a little bug that necessitates me keeping the kids away from him, we really couldn't be doing any better.

I promise to post pictures soon.