August 2011

I was reminded today that I have a lot of catching up to do on our blog, so to get started, here's a recap of a few things we did in August.

While Daddy spent a weekend in Bellingham, Mommy and Kellan took the opportunity to check out Cottage Lake Park in Woodinville.  We met up with Connie and Nash for a little picnic and to feed the ducks.  Kellan really enjoyed watching us throw bread bits and having the ducks gobble them up.  He tried a few throws of his own, but for the most part seemed happy enough to just watch.

Kellan, on the dock, watching the ducks

There was a playground on site, so we spent a few minutes testing out the equipment before heading home

Thankfully, that weekend was a very sunny one, so when Daddy came home on Sunday, we ventured to Madison Park.  Kellan was afraid of going into the water (yes, the phobia has reappeared), but as long as Daddy had him well above the water's edge, Kellan was OK.

The safest place when you're walking along the beach?  Daddy's shoulders, of course.

There was a playground full of fun slides, climbing structures, and swings, so we spent a hefty portion of time testing everything out.

Kellan, gearing up for the next piece of unexplored playground equipment

One of the things Kellan loves to say these days is "I'm taaaaaaaall!" - so you can imagine the words he used to describe the above experience

Kellan "hiding"...

...found you!

This wheel-type contraption provided several minutes of dizzying spins and giggles for Kellan

Another weekend, we decided to meet Grandma and Grandpa in Deer Harbor (Orcas Island) when they docked there in their boat.  We stayed the first night on the boat, then spent the second in one of the units at Deer Harbor Resort, which overlooked the marina.

Kellan got to take his first ride in the dinghy while we trolled the edge of Orcas Island

Deer Harbor Resort had a swimming pool, and since it was such a warm day, we readied ourselves for a dip.  Kellan got to put on his new swim trunks and shirt, along with his swim shoes...

But don't let this big smile fool you.  It was all a ruse, as once we actually got to the swimming pool, Kellan refused to get in the water.  When Daddy eventually picked him up and carried him into the water (thinking it would help ease him in), the screams were heard around the entire marina.  So, that was the end of that.

Before dinner in Eastsound, Daddy, Mommy, and Kellan ventured down to a rocky beach and spent some time throwing rocks into the water and enjoying the scenery.

Kellan, sporting his uber-cool shades

Family photo!!

On the ferry ride home (and to the island, actually), Kellan climbed over rows of chairs, finally ending in a "ta-da" stance at the last chair

TA-DAAAAAAA!

We should probably enroll him in gymnastics, as he really has perfected that "end pose"

More photos and catch-up to come...

Hives Update

We have good news - finally, Kellan's hives seem to be diminishing.  After phoning the on-call pediatrician over the weekend, a trip to the ER yesterday, and a visit to the doctor this afternoon, it appears that Kellan's hives are likely to a virus, since it's so prominent and has covered his entire body.  I have to say, the nice thing about going to all these places is they have all said Kellan's hives are significant, so I don't have to feel like I've been overreacting.  Today his regular doctor said we could stop Benadryl (his last dose was around bedtime and he was up all night long, plus it didn't really seem to help at all) and start him on Children's Zyrtec instead.  Within a couple of hours, Kellan's skin looked better.  Less swelling and more discoloration (which we were told meant healing).  Just in case it doesn't continue to go away, we have a third line of defense in a prescription medication, but have yet to fill it since we want to wait and see how the Zyrtec does on its own.  I'm so much more at ease knowing that the hives weren't from something in our home or something we might have to avoid; and what a relief to see something providing him help from the itching and swelling!  So, knocking on wood right now, but it appears that things are getting better.
I have to say, we are SO BLESSED to have such a wonderful little boy that continues to keep his chin up and be a trooper through all this discomfort.  It's amazing what he goes through, all the while remaining sweet, thoughtful, and nearly without complaint.  I continue to ask myself, how did we get so lucky?

Hellish Hives and Catch Up

At this very moment, our poor, sweet Kellan is suffering from an onslaught of hives over his entire body. We have no idea why they appeared, as it's been a very normal weekend, but could be the result of an allergen in the air at the zoo yesterday (pollen, perhaps). We gave him a dose of antihistamine, but when he woke up this morning, he was covered head to toe in welts. I know I'm not supposed to worry - especially when Kellan is in his usual good spirits - but it's hard to see the red splotches make their way up his face, down his legs, and spread over his torso like a sunburn. Please send good thoughts his way...

So, what's Kellan up to these days? Other than the hives, he's been doing really, really well. It's so fun to hear him sing songs from school, count, and say his ABC's. He doesn't do any of them perfectly, mind you, but he's definitely getting there! He's shy, but very polite and kind - if he thinks Mommy or Daddy has been hurt, he'll ask if we're OK, then give us a hug and kiss to "make it better". He has his defiant moments, but most of the time, he can be reasoned with - especially if it means he gets something he wants. He amazes us with his memory and comprehension of things, too. I doubt anyone would be able to tell he was a preemie now!

Here's Kellan "hiding" from us

At the beginning of July, we went to Bellingham for a visit with Grandma and Grandpa and to enjoy the nice weather.

There is a duck that visits Grandma and Grandpa's beach on a regular basis - Kellan and Grandma decided to drop some bread for him to eat

Grandpa, Grandma, and Kellan hanging out on the beach

Don't you want to hit the shore first thing in the morning? Kellan didn't even wait to change out of his pajamas...

The end of the dock is a good place to soak up some sun

Do you like Kellan's impression of the sunbathing mermaid to his right?

Hopefully one of the few instances we'll say Kellan has a "dirty mouth"...

Remember Kellan's first kiss, Faith (she's also Jared's goddaughter)? She and her parents (Barbi Jo and Egan) came out for dinner while we were in Bellingham. It took quite awhile before Kellan warmed up to Faith, but the "Wheels on the Bus" toy certainly helped break the ice.

Check out the tall tower Kellan and Daddy made!

2 Years Old

Well, it's official. We can no longer count Kellan's age by months; now it's by years. He's two! Silly how momentous it feels, like his first "graduation". Anyway, to celebrate his birthday, we had a fun-filled weekend of gatherings. The weather cooperated, much to our relief and amusement.

First thing Saturday morning, Kellan and Daddy went outside to practice some disc golfing. Our neighbors, Karen, Eric, and their son, Flynn, were outside enjoying the weather as well, so we all had a short visit. While the grownups chatted, Kellan and Flynn played on the grass with the disc golf discs. (Flynn is about 9 months younger than Kellan).

What cuties, huh?

Next thing on the agenda was a trip to the zoo.  We hit up Willawong Station, where you can feed the birds from a popsicle stick in your hand.  Kellan was intrigued...

Then, before heading out, we took a couple of photos of Kellan with Mommy and Daddy.

After Kellan's nap, we drove north to Aunt Bun's house in Snohomish for a joint Daddy and Kellan birthday party.  Aunt Bun had decorated everything so nicely, including the dinner table on the back porch seen below:

Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Justyn, Uncle Ian, Cousin Finley and Cousin Thatcher all joined in the fun.  Here is a picture of Grandma chatting it up with Kellan before the rest of the group arrived.



Aunt Bun had placed some blankets, chairs, a shade canopy, and a few boxes full of toys out front for us to enjoy.  Included in the goodies were some dress up items - mostly meant for Finley, but you know how Kellan loves accessories. :-)

This is Kellan's impression of Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street.

Kellan was full of energy and enjoyed every moment at Aunt Bun's.  Here he is barely containing his glee.

One of Kellan's favorite gifts from the party was this Radio Flyer wagon built for two from Grandma and Grandpa

Can you tell he likes it?

Quick photo out front, just before dinner

As usual, Kellan and Finley had a great time together...

Kellan actually enjoyed unwrapping his gifts this year, as opposed to last year, when the concept was a little too complex to understand.

Mommy and Daddy bought Kellan a sports-themed play structure with a climbing wall and slide.
Oh, and a football toss hole that also serves as an opening where Grandpa can peek in and say hello.

Kellan practices his dunk moves with the plastic basketball hoop.


As if Saturday's events weren't enough, Kellan got to enjoy another party on Sunday with our PEPS group at Gasworks.  It took a little while for Kellan to warm up to everyone, but once he did, he had a lot of fun!

It may be a pink, but it's still a soccer ball


Family photo as a seaplane lands in Lake Union behind us

Different people in the group brought different things to play with, including this play house... with a door!

Group photo of the two year olds!  The Mommies of the group made special shirts to commemorate the occasion.

Isabelle (Genevieve's older sister) having fun tickling Kellan.

We brought Kellan's new Radio Flyer wagon to the event - here's Daddy taking Kellan and Genevieve (they share the same birthday!) for a ride.


Such a big boy!

A Trip to the Zoo

It took 1 year, 11 months, and 17 days for Kellan to go on his first-ever trip to the zoo.  That wasn't his fault, of course - Mommy and Daddy had promised Grandma and Grandpa as a birthday gift that they could be there for the initial visit, so we needed to coordinate availability.  We also figured Kellan would enjoy the animals more if he was at an age of basic understanding of them.  We had hoped to go on a nice, sunny day... but, living in the Northwest, sometimes the best laid plans can be thwarted by weather.  In the end, we went on a Saturday morning, when it was around 49 degrees outside, but not raining.  On the upside, the zoo wasn't crowded!

The first animals we saw were the penguins.  We spent about 10 minutes watching them swim about, playing in the water and on the rocky landscape.  Kellan seemed mesmerized.

The penguins' synchronized swimming performance was truly enjoyable.

What better place to warm up a bit than the Tropical Rain Forest Building.  This is Kellan pointing to the poisonous (albeit very colorful) dart frogs.

A brightly-colored toucan took a close peek at us as we watched him.

The different types of birds at the zoo seemed to be Kellan's favorites, as attested to by the many photos we have of him looking and/or pointing upward (more to come).

The animals Kellan did NOT like were the larger species, such as this gorilla.  Even the baby gorilla was frightening, though it was around Kellan's size.

Safety and comfort found on Grandpa's shoulders.

This is the bird Kellan and Daddy were watching build a nest...

...here in this photo.

The giraffe was another large (and thus, scary) animal for Kellan.  Mommy thought he was pretty cute, though.

The entire first half of the trip to the zoo, we were making our way to the elephant exhibit because Kellan said he wanted to see them.  Of course, we get there, and Kellan is desperately clutching to us, saying "no... no... no..."  Poor little guy.  Not even the dancing elephant above could capture Kellan's interest (too bad we didn't record a video, it was very entertaining!).

The siamangs were less scary than the larger animals, but Kellan still didn't find them to be all that enjoyable to watch (a shame, as viewing their grooming habits can be fascinating).

Here is one of the favorite animals that the adults of our group encountered - this was an orangutan, hanging out in a tree hammock, staring at everyone walking by.  It would have made a fabulous drawing model, it was so still!  Plus, the so-ugly-it's-cute face, right?

Finally, an exhibit that Kellan liked that didn't include birds - the meerkats!  I mean, who doesn't love a good meerkat show?

Whatchu lookin' at?

Hee, I'm just kidding.  Hi!

On our way out of the park, we passed the penguin exhibit again, though this time they had a special animal guest.

Mommy, Kellan, and Daddy, just before leaving.

Grandpa, Kellan, and Grandma, getting in one more squeeze before heading out.

 

Kellan very much enjoyed spending the trip with Grandpa and Grandma - obviously!

So fun!!  Maybe next time, Kellan won't be so frightened of the bigger animals, hm?