The Harrells: October 2012

BIG BIKE NEWS!

After months and months of us trying to get Caden to pedal a bike, he just got on one day and started pedaling. Scott and I just looked at each other dumbfounded. It proves that kids will do things on their own time frame not what everyone thinks they should...He did this two days before we were going to get a physical therapy evaluation because we were concerned he wasn't pedaling a bike...go figure.

Just a regular Saturday morning in the Harrell household...

From 2012_09_15

And yes, we let him ride his bike in the house...we have some traffic on our road and it's too hot for us to sit outside with the baby, so it's just easier. He is getting faster, so it will have to stop soon!

From droid pictures

August was VERY busy!

Sadly, mommy had to go back to work August 1st and Ensley went to in-home daycare. The first day of drop-offs was a little rough. I took Ensley first and Caden asked where she was going...so we now affectionately call daycare, "baby school". Caden liked the idea that he goes to big boy school and Ensley goes to baby school.

Second week back at work and I had to go to a conference in Orlando. I would have passed, but I was the conference chairperson, so I had to give the opening remarks, moderate some sessions, etc. Luckily, Nana (my mom) was able to drive to Orlando and watched Ensley during the day while I attended the conference. Apparently, Nana decided to have a photo shoot with Ensley while Mommy was working because this is what I found on my camera when I got back...

From 2012_08_08

A pic with mommy's friend April from Virginia...

From 2012_08_08

Everything was great...until the way home. 2 miles from the Tallahassee exit, traffic came to a dead stop. It took me 3 hours to go 2 miles all the while with a 13 week old baby. I thought I was going to lose it! And did a little bit...Figured out once we got home that a tractor trailer carrying cows overturned on I-10 and the jaws of life had to be used to get some of the cows out. Temporary fences had to be set up on the interstate to hold the cows. REALLY?!?

The next week after our Orlando trip, Caden had his first day of big boy school! When did my little boy become a big boy?!? He wears uniforms everyday and takes a backpack. We chose to put him in a religious private school since they have smaller class sizes and we liked that they go to chapel every week. He has to be at school by 8:15 or he is considered tardy, which is a big change for us since with daycare, you get there when you get there. So, needless to say, our morning routine starts a little earlier now.

From 2012_08_13

Then a few days later, Ensley and I headed to Charleston for her third appointment with the Dr. for her hemangioma. We opted not to do a laser treatment this time as the hemangioma had grown in volume. The laser primarily helps to break it up on the surface but doesn't do much once the hemangioma grows in depth. So, we made the decision to start the oral medication, which should start to break it up. Since the dr. is in Charleston, he is going to work with our pediatrician to monitor her on the medication.

Charleston was a quick trip...we headed out Wednesday evening, spent the night with great grandmother in Macclenney. Spent Thursday night in Charleston and then drove back home on Friday.

From droid pictures

The following Monday, I had another work trip to Chicago. Again, I would have passed, but this was the concluding session of a leadership program, which usually takes place in May and they waited on me to have the baby so that I could attend, so I felt obligated...This was the first time leaving Ensley over night. I was very nervous! I definitely didn't leave Caden overnight this early! This time, Grammie came over to help daddy with both kids. Everyone survived! I was probably the one that had the worst experience involving cancelled flights, lost luggage, midnight trips to walgreens, I could go on...

In between all of the travelling, Caden still loves "his baby"...and loves to hold her.

From 2012_08_17

From 2012_08_18

Ensley turned three months old! She started rolling over belly to back at 11 weeks and back to belly at 13 weeks. And she is just laughing up a storm!

From 2012_08_18

We made several trips to the park to feed the turtles (we have a great park on a lake near our house)...

From Collages

End of Maternity Leave Fashion Show

The last day of my maternity leave, I realized that Ensley was outgrowing a lot of her 0-3 month clothes and some that I didn't have pictures of her in...so we did a fashion show so that we can have pictures of her in some of these adorable ensembles...

I'm sorry, Caden, if you read this when you are older, but I love all of the girl clothes!

From Collages

I guess we will have to have a fashion show every few months!

Monkey See Monkey Do

Scott hurt his knee running and was icing it one night...Caden then said his knee hurt and he needed an ice pack, too :).

From 2012_07_09

Ensley's room

It occurred to me that I never posted pictures of Ensley's room! So, here is what her corner of the world looks like...

From 2012_07_05

From Collages

Love her little lime green and hot pink room...

Time sure flies when you are having fun!

I knew it had been a while since I blogged, but didn't realize that it has been over 3 months! So much has happened for the whole family! I guess having two kids has kept us busy!

Well, I guess I will start in chronological order, so this post will be about July. For July 4th, we headed over to Panama City Beach to hang out with Pops and go swimming. I actually didn't end up with too many pictures, but I have one of Ensley in her cute fourth of July outfit!

Sorry for the pic quality - it was taken on my cell phone.

And one of Caden and Daddy swimming...

From 2012_07_04

Ensley had her two month check up. She weighed 12 lbs 4oz and 23 3/4 inches long. 85% for weight and 91% for height. I'm so used to Caden being off the charts, but she is still a big girl!

Later in July, Ensley got to take her first vacation (her previous road trips to Charleston don't count :)). We packed up the whole fam damily and headed to The Hammock Beach Resort. It was great. Ensley relaxed in style by the pool...

From 2012_07_17

A little ice cream poolside...

From 2012_07_17

And Caden would not stay out of the pool with daddy and his cousins!

Then, Nana came up to meet us and we headed to Charleston to visit Uncle Ryan and Aunt AJ and to attend the Johnson Family reunion. Ensley also had her second appointment with the Dr. in Charleston about her hemangioma. He did another laser treatment and then said we'll have to wait and see until her next appointment. So no real update there on the hemangioma.

We were even able to catch a quick visit with Aunt Nancy and Uncle David (my mom's side).

From 2012_07_21

Aunt AJ entertained Caden on Aunt Nancy's porch so I didn't have a heart attack if he touched and broke anything...

From 2012_07_21

Griffith became our photographer for the day, so I actually made it in a picture or two...

From 2012_07_21

Scary...Aunt Nancy gave the kids the keys to the golf cart to entertain themselves...

From 2012_07_21

Great to see Aunt Nancy and Uncle David!

Then we headed to the Johnson family reunion. It was great to see all of our family on the Johnson side...some we had not seen in 20 years. Here's some pictures that my Uncle sent to me from that day...

My dad's brothers from left to right, Uncle Dicky, Uncle Don, and Uncle Ted.