Kruczeks in Oregon

I can see since I joined Facebook that I have neglected this website.  That is no excuse.  Not everyone has a Facebook account, and so I promise to be better about posting family updates here.  In short, since Marlee's first birthday in August:

• Marlee got her first two teeth immediately upon coming home from her visit to Connecticut in August.  She has her top two in, but they are still coming down...  While Marlee is 15 months old (can you believe that?), we struggle to feed her solids because of her limited teeth.  I see other one year olds with full sets of teeth, and I am little envious of the varied diet they get to have. 
• In September, Grandma and Grandpa (Marcus) came out and we all took a family trip to Hawaii.  It was a great way to both see the grandparents and spend some exciting QT.  We all got a vacation we wouldn't have otherwise. It worked out well, I think. That may become a tradition, though I promise to make the trips shorter for the grandparents next time. 
• When we got back from Hawaii, Jennifer (our 15-year old cat) was decidedly on the decline, and she was laid to rest at the end of September.
  
• In October, we visited the Muoios at their cabin in Snoqualmie Pass, WA for a weekend, and Marlee had her first summit at Mt. Catherine. 
• Also in October, Marlee and I took a trip solo to visit Wendy and Casey McBryde and their boys in Atlanta.  It was a great trip, and I was sad to have to make it so short. With all of the flying in the past few months, Marlee is now an expert, and she does quite well.
• Halloween was a little more fun this year than last.  We went to a couple of pumpkin patches, had cider donuts, and Marlee was finally large enough for a costume.  Last year, even the 0-3 month size costumes were way too big!  This year, she was an adorable kangaroo. She only trick-or-treated around the neighborhood. Next year she'll get to go around to different neighborhoods.
  
• Marlee is cruising around the house and trying to walk.  She can blaze a trail while holding onto a few fingers, and can even make progress holding onto only one hand...but that is much harder for her.  My original prediction was that she'd be walking by Thanksgiving, and I think that is still a distinct possibility.
  

Based on this, I'd say we have a lot to be thankful for, wouldn't you?

Happy Holidays to you and yours! Catch you again after Christmas...

Happy Birthday to Boo! Happy Birthday to Boo! Happy Birthday, dear Marlee…Happy Birthday to YOU!  Can you all believe it has been a year since Miss Marlee Grace was born?  Unbelievable. 

 

To commemorate Marlee’s first year, I thought a summary of the things I love about her was in order, though in no particular order.

• I love how she sleeps with her little bum in the air.
• I love how she lights up when her daddy comes into the room.
• I love that she adores Mystic and readily accepts lots and lots of kisses from the doggie.
• I love when I wake her up after a long nap how she is a limp rag doll, and keeps right on sleeping with her head on my shoulder.
• I love when she is tired, and I carry her to her room, as soon as I close the door, her head drops onto my shoulder.
• I love how she turns to “run away” in the beginning stages of learning to play “get me”. She doesn’t actually go anywhere just yet…
• I love her beautiful blue eyes, long eye lashes, button chin, and soft, soft skin.
• I love her gummy smile. I’ll miss it when it is gone.
• I love how “nibbling” on her tummy and neck results in fits of giggles.
• I love how she has figured out that rubbing her eyes in an “I’m tired” gesture can get her out of eating her dinner.
• I love her running commentary in her car seat.
• I love that she is fairly easy to read.  Rubbing her eyes means she’s tired.  Squirming around means she’s overtired.  General uneasiness means she’s hungry.  
• I love how she makes a funny noise like a didjeridu with her fist and her mouth; she’ll even let you do it for her!  It is like having a bit of the Outback right at home.
• I love how she loves being “dropped”. Lots of smiles there!
• I love how she has warmed to bathtime, and can spend lots of time splashing and playing in the water.
• I love how happiness = being bopped with a pillow on the head.

We just returned from Montana after visiting the Gilbert family for the July 4^th weekend. Andy and Kristy, and their young daughters (Addison and Kora), as well as Andy’s brother and sister, Haley and Ben all made the trip to Whitefish, MT.  This is the site of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert’s retirement/dream home.  Mrs. G (Lucia) designed it herself, and she and Bill (Mr. G) spent every single day with the builder making their plans reality.  She has done an amazing job (they both have!), and it was a wonderful respite in the Montana woods.  Our only regret is that after driving over 11 hours, we only got to spend 30 hours with them before heading back.  I think next time we take the train, even if it does cost more.  The road trip was kind of fun, but a bit rough for a long weekend.

 

In other news, Marlee had her follow up appointment with her doctor to see about her weight gain.  Our efforts have paid off.  I can tell that she has grown considerably this past month, as she is already nearly out of her 6-month size clothes, and pushing the limits of her 9-month footie-jammies.  All of the olive oil in her food, avocado and extra formula in her milk seems to have done the trick.  She is back on the curve!  She is just over the 5^th% for weight.  We can go to the nurses’ treatment station in a couple weeks for another weigh-in.  Hooray!

The pediatrician is concerned about Marlee's weight. She is off the curve completely. And, I gave her a bottle right before she was weighed! 13 lbs 11 oz. She is in the 25% for height, and 50% on head circumference so that is good. She said that with her extra activity (playing, being awake more, trying to stand/crawl, etc.), she likely needs more calories.  So, the good doctor wants to try and get her to eat a few extra ounces of milk/formula a day, and to add YoBaby to her diet (extra calories).  And, she wants us to add butter (unsalted) to as many meals as we can to help pack on the ounces.  A pat or so should do the trick.  I had to schedule a followup appt in one month.

So sad... our skinny baby.  She said it may just be her body type (heck, look at Klay!) since she has plenty of poopy diapers, but that adding the extra calories can't hurt for now. She also said this can happen as the mother's supply dwindles.  Being on formula should help, too-even though breastmilk is still best. My milk may not be giving her the calories she needs. :( She suggested I could increase my calorie intake, too to make my milk higher in calories, too. Great. I have woosie milk. :(

It's been a busy past month. Marlee is eating solid food well.  Apples and carrots are her favorites. Maybe she is a horse?  She sure eats like one! She is sitting up and rolling over.  She rolls over and sleeps on her tummy at night now with her butt in the air. Cute!  She is babbling regularly and has had a few "dadadadas" come out. She went to her first Red Sox game in Seattle Saturday night (16th), and she did very well considering it was a night game that kept her up past her bedtime.  Between Klay, Cheryl and myself, she was entertained through it all; she even fell asleep for a little bit until the wave came around and woke her up. I have always hated the wave, now I hate it even more. And, it was the only game the Sox won against the Mariners in that series. I guess Marlee is good luck! It was a much better experienence than the Blazers game this past winter.  She is several months older, and it wasn't nearly as loud in the outdoor stadium.

Klay and my 8th Anniversary is tomorrow, but I have a work committment. :( Bummer. Well, I guess it wasn't like we were going to go out and do anything special anyway.

Weather is warming up, and drying out. Next weekend we will plant our veggies.

And, we need to get our trip back east booked. Maybe I can work on that a little today for Klay.