Kids just hanging out

My kids were being a pain in the butt today, so when they were actually being cute I had to take a picture so I could remind myself why I love being a mother and why I love them so much.

Kittens

So quite a while ago, a stray cat adopted my mom. I should be used to this as this was a common occurrence growing up. My parents really haven't had animals for a while, but they seemed excited about this cat. We soon found out that she had babies. When we found them, they were quite large already and very skittish. To this day, we still cannot get very close to them without them darting away. The mom cat has gotten used to my parents and has warmed up to my mom enough over the last few months that she is now very trusting. A little while ago, my mom noticed her belly was very large. Next thing we know, she disappeared. A few days later, she led my mom to her hideout where my mom heard tiny meows. Oh boy, kittens!

(Tomcat)

A few days later (kittens just over a week old...we think), the mom cat brought them to my parents house...all 3 cute kittens. My dad got busy immediately building them a house out of wood that would be warm for the new kittens. We made the decision we would keep one. We have been letting the kid play with them practically every day so they could get used to them. Night before last, we brought all 3 kittens in our basement to start weaning them from their mother. So far so good. All 3 are eating solid food and drinking without problems and we believe all 3 are now using the kitty litter box. Yay!!!

(Tigger-Maizy's favorite and the one we will keep)

We are still only keeping 1...at least that is my hope, although Casey continues to try to convince me otherwise. Maizy has now chosen names for all 3 and has picked her favorite to keep. We have Tinkerbell (the only girl), Tomcat and Tigger (Maizy's favorite). Casey has build a nice large area for them to play around in. My kids go insane around them. I sometimes fear for those little kittens. I guess the only way for my kids to learn is to practice and hopefully the kittens survive 3 crazy children.

(Tinkerbell)

Zander turns 18 months

I realize that this day occurred over 2 weeks ago, but I have been waiting for his doctor checkup to give the full update, which didn't occur until the 1st.

Zander continues to be a cute, but busy boy. He is just as big of a troublemaker as his sisters (they have taught him well). He continues to amaze us everyday. He is saying more words daily and is much better as copying what we say that Zoey was at his age. He LOVES to climb on and get into everything. We have child proofed and locked as much as possible, but he still finds ways. It is always scary when you walk into the kitchen and find your 18 month old holding a knife that he got out of the dishwasher. Needless to say, we now have a lock on the dishwasher....as well as the freezer, most doors, and some cupboards/drawers. There are scratches and dings in my brand new walls from Zander knocking down the gates because they were preventing him from getting somewhere and there is a nice round indention in Maizy's wall from who knows what. All I know is Casey told me Zander was crying and when he went in the room, he found the dent. He is a lovey child as all my kids seem to be. He will follow us around the house crying just because he wants to be picked up and held for a few minutes. He loves to sit on our lap-as long as he has some entertainment, and he is excellent at giving kisses (so cute). He is still a little bow-legged, but that seems to be improving.


He is my big boy. He is moving into some 3T clothes as 2T's are starting to get a little tight. We may have to roll sleeves and legs a little, but otherwise they fit great. The doctor told me to start an exercise routine with him and get him outside as soon as the weather gets good enough. I told her he runs around the house with his sisters as much or more than he would outside. If any of you have seen this kid, he doesn't have a roll on him anywhere...he is just pure SOLID! He may weigh more than most kids his age, but he is also taller than most kids his age with a bigger head too. I understand where my doctor is coming from. Childhood obesity is a real problem, but I don't think Zan is heading there.

Stats:
Height-35.43 inches which is the 99% (off the curve according to the graph)
Weight-33.25 lbs which is the 99% (off the curve according to the graph)
OFC- 19.6 inches which is the 93% (still on the curve but barely)

What can I say, we grow big stock around here.
He is a healthy and happy boy, and that is all I can ask for.