Larkin the Explorer

Last night Larkin donned her hat and backpack and went on an expedition around the house, searching for her baby-giraffe-puzzle-piece's mother and father. After much marching and singing, we finally found the mama giraffe (Larkin's stuffed horse) in Larkin's room and the daddy giraffe (Larkin's pillow) in Mama and Daddy's room. "We did it! We did it! We did it! Hooray! Lo hicimos!"

Thanks for the Stickers, Aunt MB!

In Mommy and Daddy's Bed

Resting after school and watching a little Dora

Fun Weekend

We've enjoyed our visit with M.A. and Aunt Da this weekend, though Larkin demonstrated her Terrible Twos frequently during their stay. Hope they'll be willing to come back. Larkin promises to do better next time.

Vegan Ice Cream Treat

With M.A. and Aunt Da. We even got chick-a-stick topping from Atkinson Candy Co. in Lufkin and told Larkin her Uncle Jay made it for her. She was impressed.

Attempts at Prenatal Yoga

Larkin was having none of it.

Feeling Poorly

Well, the playground was fun; but we also suspect Larkin's illness today came from one of the many little rascals running around there yesterday. Larkin had a high fever this morning that broke with Tylenol but was back 12 hours later. We're hoping some TLC in the form of lots of sleep, mango sorbet, and excessive Dora-watching will nurse her back to health before M.A. and Aunt Da's visit on Friday.

Afternoon Snack and Playground Time

At Central Market on a gorgeous MLK day

Scenes from Devine

Larkin and Marvin spent Saturday and Sunday in Devine while Jessica enjoyed some rest and relaxation in Austin. Below are some photos Marvin took to send to Jessica throughout the weekend so she wouldn't miss Larkin too much.

Larkin's Christmas haul from Grandma and Grandpa, though we'll assume the gun-cleaning kit is Marvin's. 

Marvin convinced Larkin to fully sit down in the tub, something she refuses to do at home.

Marvin's view while hunting this morning

Larkin said, "Hey, horsey, what are you doing?"

Reading to Baby May

While May tries to use the potty.

Eventual College Application Photo?

Yesterday, Jessica and Marvin got to see Baby Girl Bendele via ultrasound. The doctor managed to get a still shot of Baby Girl making her first "Hook 'Em Horns" sign. As you can see, he was kind enough to type the phrase above her fingers, just in case you are not well-practiced at deciphering fetal hand signals. Later that evening, Larkin got to look at her baby sister's photos, too. She liked them well enough but then insisted on some rocking chair time with her mama...and the changing pad...

Making Calls and Taking Messages

On the Run

On a Monday night visit to Half-Price Books

Happy Birthday, Uncle Brian!

Wish you could have some of this tasty ketchup for your birthday.  It's so good, I'm eating it with a spoon.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Ned and Miss Jennifer!!

Larkin made you some cupcakes in her kitchen.

Bath Time!

In the Playroom

Doctor Updates

Larkin's had several doctors appointments lately. First, her two-year well visit was last month. Her stats are posted below. Unlike appointments in the past, she did not cry until the nurse gave her some shots, at which point Larkin looked up at her mama and cried, "Why did you do that to me?"

                                   

Larkin went back to the allergist last week. She is still having skin reactions to milk and eggs, so no baked goods or breakfast tacos for Larkin, yet. We'll check again in a year and are ever hopeful that Larkin won't have to be a meat-eating vegan forever unless she so chooses.

                                                   

                    

                                                   

Finally, at Larkin's two-year well visit, Dr. Bell could still hear Larkin's heart murmur. She referred us to a pediatric cardiologist just so he could make sure it wasn't anything to be concerned about in the future. Today, Marvin took Larkin to see Dr. Goldstein, where they did an EKG (Stickers on her chest?! Larkin was amazed.) and an ultrasound of her heart (while Larkin watched an episode of Dora). Thankfully, Dr. Goldstein thinks Larkin's heart is perfectly normal.

Nesting Project #1

The old dining area is now the playroom. The table is now in the living room, which is fine since we usually end up eating in there anyway. All of that to make space in Larkin's room to put the crib back in it come May...

Did We Tell You About...?

Three funny, unrelated Larkinisms of late:
1) When Jessica took down the Christmas tree on Wednesday, Larkin wept bitterly, crying that it was HER Christmas tree for her birthday, which makes some sense since we put it up the weekend before her birthday. Jessica felt so bad about it that she was almost swayed to leave the tree up a bit longer, but it was really and truly dead.
2) When Larkin doesn't like what her parents are telling her, she sasses, "No, Mama (or Daddy), no say me that!" It's at once maddening and so cute. We try to put on our tough faces, but it's hard
3) Finally, Larkin insisted tonight that she eat dinner in her new jacket. As she put it, "My tummy hurts. I need my jacket."
And that is all.

Cooking Up Some Tea

"That tea is hot, hot, hot!!" Larkin says as she busily works in her kitchen and serves her parents tea.

Thanks for the New Jacket, Grandaddy and Nana!

Happy to be Home

Larkin is busy reacquainting herself with her toys and running around the house with her Dora balloon, which is still afloat.