We turned 15 months on Monday and had our 15 month well check on Wednesday. Everyone is well!

We love our wagon at the doctor’s office. And Steven, Sammy and Amaya are finally old enough to really enjoy the fishies.

Between weights with the nurse and the visit with our pediatrician, we had to keep occupied. So paper towels it was! Lots and lots of paper towels.

Here are the official stats:

Steven: 20lbs 5oz (15th percentile) and 30.5″ (25th percentile)
Sammy: 21lbs 14oz (36th percentile) and 31.5″ (62nd percentile)
Amaya: 22lbs 13oz (72nd percentile) and 32.5″ (96th percentile)

Poor Sammy had a fever as a reaction to one of the vaccines.

Luckily, the chance to take a selfie cheers him right up!

Until morning. My poor Bubba.

Aaaaaaaaand, then on Friday, Steven broke out with a rash on his face. As they day went on, it got worse so we had to call an audible on the day and make a doctor’s appointment. We suspected it was a reaction to the amoxicillin for his ear infection but wanted to be sure. This time, though, I was able to make the appointment from work and Megan had the keys to the van to go the appointment.

But not by herself! Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy are visiting us from Iowa and Grandma Betsy joined everyone for the visit.

It was, in fact, an amoxicillin reaction and all is well. (With Sammy’s fever, too, though Sammy and Amaya both still have their colds. And lots and lots of snot. Lots and lots.)

Here are some fun photos from the visit.

There were birthday presents to open!

Girl talk to be had.

Walks to take!

Here, Steven wanted to see something that was over Sammy’s shoulder. So cute. And Amaya just chatted away for the entire walk.

Some guy talk, too!

Quality time with Amaya

Outside time while Daddy grilled!

And even more presents!

It’s cute. Steven, Sammy and Amaya are really starting to notice each other in a new way.

 

Notice Steven’s post-bath curls? ^^^

I’m not sure exactly why but I’m really pleased with this meal. It’s rotini with chicken, roasted peppers, artichoke hearts and goat cheese. It’s delicious and I’m so excited that the kids like the artichokes.

Earlier in the week, Grandma Sunshine came to visit which gave Steven, Sammy and Amaya a chance to play together at the table Grandma Sunshine gave them for their birthday. With 3 babies in an unsecured area, you really do need more than one adult to manage this safely.

I can NOT believe how BIG these kids are! Where did my babies go!?!?

When I got home from work, there was also a chance for some “Free Play” when Steven, Sammy and Amaya can just crawl freely around the house.

They love playing the piano!

Sammy even figured out that he can reach the keys standing.

The big news for the week for Steven is that, last weekend, he graduated from Honey Bear to a regular straw cup. I’m really going to miss Honey Bear.

I call this Banker Bobo.

He is a CUTIE.

He’s got a raspberry on his finger. 🙂

Do you notice where Sammy is standing to reach the posterboard sign

Mommy and Sammy. Goodness, this boy loves seeing himself on the screen. He must know how cute he is.

His imitation of the Steven face?

Selfies! Selfies! Selfies!

Miss Amaya is SASSY. Megan and I looked up the definition of “sassy” to be sure we were using it correct.

sas*sy
adjective
informal

• 1. lively, bold, and full of spirit. cheeky.

And finally! We made a BIG change in the house! Over the course of 24 hours we (Jason, really) baby proofed our entire family room and kitchen so that Steven, Sammy and Amaya have more opportunity to really get around. Their playroom is great and the staple of their activity but they all loooooooove to go! go! go! and to explore and now they have the chance to do it regularly, instead of just when we happen to have 3 adults around. It’s a great set up!

No blog next Sunday night but hopefully sometime on Monday. Have a great week!

 

Hello! This blog post is coming to you from Steven, Sammy and Amaya’s 39 year old mother. 39! We had a wonderful birthday celebration. I woke to birthday balloons, we relaxed at home and then all went out for a frozen yogurt adventure.

You’d think that our kids would love the chance to eat sweet, tasty frozen yogurt but not so much!

A wonderful day. It’s so nice to finally start getting out to enjoy the sunshine.

Especially after the week we had! Everyone in the Land of Cheltenham has been siiiiiiiick. On Wednesday, we finally went to see our pediatrician. Steven had a fever on and off since Friday night and couldn’t seem to shake it. My poor Bobo!

I should also mention that I was so proud of myself. I called the pediatrician from work and made the appointment. Megan was all set to take the kids to the doctor on her own. The first sick visit I’d miss! But she couldn’t find the car keys. Because they were in my pocketbook. With me. At work. Best laid plans. I guess the kids need their mommy at the doctor.

Even though there were now two of us, we took the whole gang because Amaya had a persistent cough and Sammy was getting sick.

Good thing!  Both Steven and Amaya have their first ear infections. We have antibiotics and we’re all slowly on the mend.

And even with the colds and ear infections, everyone was still able to have fun this week!

This week we’ll start with Amaya who still loves her cubby and standing and is the sassiest little girl I know.

Mr. Sam Man

Showing Megan his ears. Everyone is learning body parts. Head, ears, nose. So cute!

Sammy looooooves seeing himself on the phone screen.

Steven

Sleeping babies. I love taking photos of my sleeping babies!

And, finally, I left the Land of Cheltenham for a night to go to Washington D.C. for The Military Child of the Year Awards. Where I connected with my new BFF – General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

We have a big week ahead! Tomorrow, we’re 15 months old! On Tuesday, Grandma Sunshine is coming for a visit and, at the end of the week, we have our long awaited visit from Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy!!

Yesterday, we put on our cool new kicks and headed outside to take advantage of the spring weather!

Check out the new set up!

What a difference a year makes! This was Mother’s Day 2014.

Today it’s even nicer so we got out for a wagon ride before lunch.

Backing up a step, poor Megan ended up with the flu. So on Thursday, I stayed home with Steven, Sammy and Amaya with some help from Grandma Sunshine.

Sammy was happy to have me home for the day!

On Friday, it was daddy’s turn!

Mommy and her boys.

At this age, it turns out everything is something to play with, or fight over.

Some individual photos from the week.

Steven!

This kid is strong.

Sammy!

Feeding his mommy.

Feeding himself! (With some help from his mommy.)

Amaya!

Amaya looooooves the peek-a-boo giraffe puppet that Megan bought as a gift when we all went to the zoo on the 6th.

Sassy, sassy, sassy.

Finally, here’s daddy having breakfast with Steven, Sammy and Amaya. 🙂

This blog post is later than usual because we were having family adventures until Tuesday and I’ve been recuperating since! Visiting for the long weekend were Savta, Nana, Papa, Aunt Sara, Uncle David, Chase, Charlie, Uncle Austin, Aunt Dena and Lavinia! A house full of people and a house full of fun!

Everyone jumped right in the mix!

Amaya loooooooves her big cousins!

Sammy had some puzzle time on Friday afternoon, and both boys explored with the push walker… a new skill! Steven really loves walking. Now that he has the hang of it, he wants to walk all the time!

On Saturday morning, Steven, Sammy and Amaya dressed in their Sparty best!

We had lots of playtime throughout the day, in the baby jail and in the playroom.

We all went out for lunch, where Steven, Sammy and Amaya had lots of people to keep them occupied while we waited for our food.

My big guy and I, hard at work on a word search.

And later that day I got in some special time at Fun Zone with the Goldbergs.

Saturday night, Uncle Austin & crew arrived which was perfect timing because Sunday morning we all headed off to Great Lakes Crossing to go to the aquarium.

With Amaya and Steven

Sammy and Daddy

Free to see the sting rays!

Sammy is FREEEEEEEEEEEE!!

After the aquarium, we went to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch and then walked around the outlet mall for a while. Thanks to my mom for arranging a birthday sparkler in my paella!

Uncle Austin did a great job caring for the boys.

On Sunday night, we had our (delayed) family Seder.

On Monday morning, Jason headed back to work. We all celebrated baseball opening day. Twice.

We had the Tigers in the morning and the Yankees at the Detroit Zoo! Nana and Papa got us a zoo membership for SSA’s 1st birthday and this was our first outing! It was also Sammy and Amaya’s first trip to the zoo. Steven came with me last April when Sara, David and Chase visited but now everyone got to share the adventure.

Checking out some ducks. Quack!

Everyone loved the llamas!

My Amaya.

We skipped afternoon naps to get to the zoo but, with some hard work from Uncle Dave and Megan, Steven, Sammy and Amaya all caught their Zzzzzzzzs.

And, finally, here’s our very own prairie dog – Charlie!! <3

After the zoo, we had just a bit more time to play together.

Steven and Papa

Nana and her grandkids!

Tuesday was our last day together. Sad, sad, sad!

We had time to go out for lunch before it was time to leave. We also had a chance to try out our portable high chairs! Steven was a fan.

Sammy occupied himself with sugar packets while we waited for our food.

And Amaya occupied herself with a lemon. A lemon!!

Steven was impressed and wanted to try it, too.

And that was our wonderful, wonderful family weekend! We love you teams Weintraub, Shifrin, Goldberg and Verona!!

Here are some other photos from the week.

Steven!

Steven stood independently during our weekly early intervention appointment!

Sammy!

Amaya!

Amaya had a quick doctor appointment on Monday.

She found the perfect spot to read privately.

The whole gang

It was a great week!