I'll start with an update on Mavryk and McKinley!
As far as Mavryk and McKinley go, things are looking really well!! They've been measuring big, which the doctors say is a good thing!! Every sonogram we've had up to this point shows the girls growing and looking healthy! The high risk doctor said he didn't think it was necessary for me to continue going to him, so I will only be seeing my doctor from here on out, unless she sees something abnormal. I found that to be really encouraging! :-)
We don't have cribs yet, but other than that their room is ready- it's painted, we've got the dresser/changing table set up and the clothes are organized.. A few times a week, I will take Shiloh into their room and tell her that her sisters will be living in there. She doesn't really get it, but she can say their names and the word "sisters," so that makes it fun!
Here is a video of Shiloh saying Mavryk, McKinley, sisters and a few other things.
Pictures!! Shiloh is ACTIVE ACTIVE ACTIVE!! In my attempts to burn her energy and make some special memories, we've been doing lots of fun things!! We've been to the Arboretum quite a few times, gone to the zoo, joined gymnastics, visited the library for toddler story time, swim frequently and go to the park lots. Here are some pictures of all of these things:
Shiloh at her first gymnastics class
At the Dallas Zoo with Nino (Shiloh rode a horse for the first time and LOVED it)
Playing with Daddy and stickers
Shiloh at Story time for Toddlers
Swinging at the Park
At the Arboretum
Here is a short video at the Splash Park with Levi and Abby
Pictures from the Splash Park
I love keeping track of Shiloh's milestones (after all that is why I started this blog), so here are some of the things she can do and say:
She can count to 5
She can identify a line, a circle, a square and sometimes a triangle
She can ask for certain foods (which is great because she will sometimes tell me what she wants)
She can identify a bird, a possum, a tiger, a cat, a dog, a duck, a chick, a sheep, a goat, a cow, an alligator/crocodile, a bear, a giraffe, a monkey and many more
We used to have to prompt her to say I love you, but now on her own she will look at Marc or me and say "I love you mommy" or "I love you daddy" This is one of our favorite things!!!
Another of my favorite Shiloh characteristics is her sensitivity to other babies. When another baby cries or is upset, she usually gets very concerned for them and wants to pat them on the back and tell them it's okay. I love that she is sympathetic and think this will come in handy when the twins are born.
I'm so excited for her to start Mother's Day Out in the Fall because I think it will help her interact with other kids!! She is learning how to share, but also struggles with it quite a bit. I know that this will be a challenge for years to come, but why not try to start early. When we have kids over, I've noticed that she likes to tell them what they can and cannot do- I guess she is just getting ready to be a big sister. :-)
I also love that lately she recognizes many people!! Among my friends kids, she often asks for Wuke (Luke), Evie Girl, Drew and Aya (Eliana)! I hope to continue to play with these kiddos because Shiloh loves it and it helps her to get better at self entertaining, which I would not include in her list of strengths.
Lately, we've been working on getting Shiloh to eat more (she is a VERY picky eater), to self entertain, to not throw fits at the word "no," to follow basic instructions (bring the shoe to mommy etc.) and to identify colors.
Update on Shiloh's asthma. Great news here, Shiloh has not had any more severe attacks! We do a preventative treatment once a day that helps tremendously and only TWICE have we had to do a breathing treatment because of some minor wheezing. The doctor has said that since things have been going well, we will be stopping the preventative treatments the second week of July. My prayer is that nothing will happen, but we will have to wait and see. They also believe that Shiloh's attacks are allergy induced and around July the amount of allergens in the air is reduced quite a bit.
Marc and I have been up to some fun things lately as well! In the beginning of May, we celebrated Marc's birthday, and in mid-May, we went to San Diego with his parents for a fun get a way weekend! We stayed at the Torrey Pines Lodge and had a wonderful time!! We ate at LOTS of yummy restaurants, visited the San Diego Zoo (which is something I can now check off my bucket-list), hiked in a beautiful state park and went to the beach!
Celebrating Marc's Birthday (We had a joint birthday party for Marc and Jon)
In San Diego
Memorial Day Weekend my Baylor friends and I had a reunion in Chicago!! It was so wonderful to see Katie, Brittany, Jenny, Jo and Sarah!! We had a great time hanging out and catching up! Thanks Britt for hosting and showing us a great time around Chicago!! I miss everyone already but am so thankful for times we get to catch up!!
Here's a picture of us at Tea at the Drake Hotel
It was also great to get back and hear that Shiloh and Marc had a wonderful weekend! Marc said it was his favorite weekend alone with Shiloh! She and Marc were so active while I was gone that she slept much more than normal for about three days!! Thanks Marc for being such a great Daddy and so much fun for Shiloh!!
Marc and I have really been enjoying the calm of life lately! I am so grateful for the rhythm that we are in right now! Shiloh's schedule is very set and it allows us to get good quality time as a family, good sleep (finally starting 17 months later) and good quality Marc and me time! Thank you Lord for this season of blessing!!
