Looooooooong Day, BUSY BABY!

So Declan had his 3 month check-up today. He's 86th percentile in weight at 15 lbs and he's 38 percentile height at 23 and 1/2 inches. The practitioner that saw him recognized his Daddy's name. Turns out, he was from Maryville and graduated from William-Blount with Uncle Kip and Aunt Valerie... Apparently, was best buddies with Aunt Val. Does Benjamin Batchelor ring a bell?  He was very good to Declan and said that Declan looked WONDERFUL and healthy and is developmentally on a 5 month level but to not be surprised if he ends up a little behind in rolling over. Apparently, roly poly babies don't always roll as fast as their svelte baby friends. Ironic, isn't it?

After our fun-filled visit to the pediatrician's office, I headed over to the GI For Kids office to show off  handsome baby Declan to my coworkers. He slept for most of the visit but a few people got to see him with his eyes open.  As we were leaving the office, my parents called to say that they had made it in to town and please hurry and bring Declan over.

We went straight to the big house to see the McDonald grandparents. Declan had big fun with his Uncle Micah and Uncle Jamesy. He enjoyed snuggling with Gramma but he really had a good time laying in Granddaddy's arms and watching the ceiling fans. Here's a picture of all that rowdy partying...

Two peas in a pod, if you ask me.

Veteran's Day...

My Grandpa Wilkinson was in the Navy and was stationed in the Pacific during WWII. His sister, my great aunt, was an Army nurse on the banks of Normandy D-day plus 2. My Grandaddy McDonald was a bombardier in the Army Air corps during WWII and was shot down over Europe... He made it home alive, though, and just in time to marry my beautiful Grandmother. I am proud of these veterans. I am proud of their service...and I am proud to be their granddaughter and her great niece. Thank you for being so brave.  The freedoms we enjoy were paid for by your courage and the bravery of all of your fellow veterans that we remember today.

Lady Vols Scrimmage...

Last night we took Declan to watch his first basketball game. It was at Thompson-Boling Arena and there was much to see.

He had a really great time! He's just gotten to where he can see and focus well and there were lots of fun new sights and sounds. He saw lots of people and heard the band play. He also got to spend time with his dear ol' Daddy... which makes us all very happy.

In the end, though, he was still up past his bedtime...

Public Service Announcement

Declan and I have something in common... Chubby Chipmunk Cheeks. This is a facial feature that many find "adorable" and "cute" and feel the need make comments about. This attention is all fine and good. Sometimes, the attention goes too far... Usually at the hands of well-meaning distant relatives and others without Chubby Chipmunk Cheeks (CCC).

Pinching.

IT JUST HURTS!

So please, next time you reach to pinch some infant, child or adult suffering from CCC, stop...and remember that Cheekies are for smooching ONLY!

Thank you!
That's MUCH better.

my love affair with cloth

(Remember when he was this tiny?)

As soon as we got home from the hospital, Declan began wearing cloth diapers. We tried several different types but in the end our favorite turned out to be the bumgenius all-in-one fitteds. They don't leak, they come in great colors, they wash up well and are just as easy to put on and take off as a disposable. I am proud to announce that I love cloth diapers sooooooo much that tonight I ordered sized mediums of the fitted bumgenius as well as a new product called "Flip". 

Here is why I love cloth diapers...

#1: We never have to run to the store to buy disposable diapers.

#2: Super cute fun colors!

#3: Soooo Soft!

#4: We get to use these same diapers for each and every baby we have!

#5: In countries where cloth is predominantly used, the kiddies get potty trained faster. Fingers crossed that Declan follows suit. :)

I have a few more reasons but I won't share them here because Ben just looked over at what I'm typing and said "I think you're gonna gross people out talking about diapers."

I guess he's right.

Goodnight, All! I hope everyone had a happy Halloween and that the upcoming week is full of happiness!

Love,

Katy