Fall is here!

Fall is definitely the favorite and most anticipated season in our household. We couldn't be happier that Mother Nature finally decided to give us some cooler days and nights. There's a chill in the air and the leaves are changing into wonderful shades of red, orange, and yellow. Soon there will be bonfires with weanie roasts and smores, hayrides, and visits to the pumpkin patch. I cannot wait! Hopefully this weather is here to stay, as I can't imagine slipping back into summer or worse, running head first into the beastly cold that is Winter here in the midwest.

Speaking of cold, Miss Lucy decided now would be the best time to shop for a new jacket. It's lined with a wonderfully soft fleece, and has cute embroidery and a faux fur collar to boot! She wore it for the first time on our nightly walk earlier this week. It kept her sound as a pound, and hey, we think she looks pretty cute in it.



With the recent drop in temperature, we've decided to cut our energy bill some slack and shut off the A/C. The only problem is, it gets super cold late at night and stays that way until about 4 in the afternoon. Yesterday we woke up and it was a chilly 66 degrees. All morning Lucy and I were bundled like eskimos. I know what you're thinking, "Turn on the heat dumb-dumb". Herein lies the dilemma, by late afternoon, early evening the house warms up to 70 and stays that way well after we've turned in for the night. Do I turn the heat on for few measly hours and pay the price (quite literally) or do we suck it up and dress like it's the middle of winter?

Instead of doing either, I decided the best solution was to go somewhere and steal someone else's heat. Problem solved, for yesterday anyway. We hit up the Center and Lucy played to her heart's content. I got to hit up some sale racks and found some good deals. Everybody wins!






Lucy's first driving lesson. I told her she wouldn't pass her driver's test with the one-handed approach.

Such a quick learner. Notice her hands on the ten and two, well as close as they could make it considering she doesn't tell time yet.

Charles and I were feeling quite motivated yesterday, so last night after our normal walking circuit, we logged in another mile or so. It was so chilly that we dressed Chubs quite warmly. The extra time in the stroller in addition to being nice and toasty must have lulled her to sleep because this is what we found when we wheeled her inside. When did she get so big? She's such a big girl now.

I couldn't resist a close up. She is so precious, especially when she's sleeping. Now I'm remembering another reason I didn't get much sleep when she was first born. All I wanted to do was watch her sleep, and not in that creepy kind of stalker way.

Lastly, a new development. Lucy is now drinking milk. It has to be watered down, but it's a start. She's drinking anywhere between 5 and 8 oz of Vit D a day. I picked up a lunch box for her to keep her milk chilled when we're out and running about. She loves it. When it's empty she carries it around the house. It's like her own little briefcase. Here she is getting ready for work. Lunchbox/briefcase... check, Boa... check, cellphone... check.

All Things Lucy... Sort of

Lucy has become an incredibly picky eater. In fact, instead of eating from the five basic food groups, she's made up her own. We like to call it "Lucy's Six P/C's". They include, but (on a good day) are not limited to: Pancakes, Cheeto Puffs, Pudding, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cheese, Pizza. In order to humor me, she sometimes eats ground beef if it's covered in some kind of spicy tomato sauce or on the even more rare occasion pieces of apple. We won't be winning any dietary parenting awards, but at least she's not starving.

As you can see in this picture, dinner was Pudding and Cheetos. You may have to click on the picture to see why she must be bathed after dinner. It's very difficult to comb Cheeto crumbs out of the hair.

Last Wednesday we met up with our friends Tina and Bella at the park. Lucy's walking, but she still prefers to bear crawl when she's in a hurry. She wanted to get down and play, but the ground was muddy. We compromised and decided the swing was a better fit for both of us. I could keep her as clean as she arrived and she could still get some of the park experience. She loved it, and it was hard to pull her out.










After one bummer of a summer, we have some very, very good news.


Here, let Lucy tell you. That's right. We are expecting!

We will be 15 weeks tomorrow (Wednesday, 10/03). Not to be Debbie Downer, but in late May we suffered a miscarriage, and it was devastating. That being said, it makes this pregnancy all the more sweet. It's been very hard to keep the secret, but we wanted to wait until we were safely in the second trimester. We've had three scans, and each time little burrito was progressing as it should be. Our official due date is March 26, but I'm sure it will be late (it's half Khamphakdy, half Horton; genetics are tough to get around). And yes, as soon as we can, we will find out the gender, so I can stop calling our baby an it. At all three scans the baby's heart was beating strong. This last time I even saw the little arm and leg buds moving. Even the second time around, I am amazed. Our body's are capable of doing such great things. I feel lucky to be pregnant again.

So, Miss Lucy will be a big sister. She's already been in practice. For her birthday she received a water baby, and she is obsessed with it. She carries it or drags it around where ever she goes. I tell her to love the baby gently; give the baby hugs and kisses. I think she has selective hearing because all she wants to do is scratch water baby's eyes out. If anyone knows where to find infant size goggles (like the ones you wear in shop class), let us know. We may need to invest in a pair or two.

Happenings

Friends, it has been a long time. We have had one hell of a summer here in L-town. We are beginning to heal from the loss of our boy, but we still miss him and the joy he brought to our lives. Charles' allergies have been on the rampage and no amount of allergy medication brings him satisfactory relief. I am feeling much better after a two month bout with my thyroid. After many visits to the doctor and endocrinologist, they've ruled out Grave's disease and hyperthyroidism. We were quite relieved to receive that news, and these days, my health is on the mend.

We are so truly blessed to have such a lovely, supporting family. To aide in my recovery, our eternally optimistic Aunt Peggy and magnanimous Momma-in-Law Judy came to stay for a week at a time. Lucy, Charles, and I loved every second we got to spend with each woman. They were a great help to all of us, and we will be forever indebted and grateful.

And now onto what people really read the blog for...Lucy! Here she is with her Papi. She's just learned to wave and blow kisses. Here she is blowing kisses to Mom.


Due to sheer laziness and desperate need of a haircut, I have been wearing a hat most days. Lucy, wanting to be like Mom, also likes to wear hats around the house.

This is from a few weeks ago. Papa Walter and Grandma Boo came over for a nice dinner and visit with Lucy. We just love them.

Along with a love of her Grandma J, Lucy has developed a love of Twizzlers (also thanks to Grandma J). This must truly be genetic because if anyone knows Charles, they know he can polish off a whole bag by himself!

Grandma, Grandbaby photos... Here they are on their first full day together for the first time since the Spring. Once again they became fast friends.

Exchanging "tall tales" and stories.

On their last morning together before Grandma left for home Lucy took a ride on her shoulders. Lucy's styles her own hair every morning after breakfast with a magic pomade... Pancake Syrup! It adds just enough texture and shine for a classy dame like Lucy.

lucy and aunt peggy

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As mentioned in the post above, Aunt Peggy came down for the week before Momma Judy. We had a great time together, and I was able to rest as much as I wanted and needed. Unfortunely, I did not have my camera out until the day of departure. Quite conveniently, Lucy struck up a conversation with her Auntie as she was walking out the door. I think she was trying to delay the goodbye. It worked and we were able to spend just a few more minutes with our wonderful Aunt!

Rest in Peace My Sweet Boy

My little boy passed away at 2:30 PM this last Thursday. It was untimely, unfortunate, and devastating, but his liver was failing and his body just got tired of fighting.

I adopted Ted when he was barely and month and a half old. He was the runt of his litter and in my eyes irresistable. It would be the first time in my life I would experience love at first sight. For the longest time, he was my whole heart. We were two peas in a pod. As we grew and matured together, so did our family. Charles easily stepped into the role of Dad, and Lucy the annoying little sister. He loved us with a fierceness I can't begin to explain, and we loved him just the same. He was loyal, and he was our protector. He was crazy, yet he brought sanity to our household. He was a gift; the most precious gift no amount of money could buy or replace. If you were to open up my chest to peek at my heart, you would find a paw print. He left his mark and taught us what selfless love truly is. Our lives will never be the same. He was wonderful.

===THEODORE KHAMPHAKDY HORTON 11/18/1999-08/30/2007===

Ted, we will miss you everyday until we get to see you again. Be a good boy.

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Our little girl turned the big one yesterday. This past year has flown with such an amazing speed that I'm afraid if I blink, she'll be going off to college. That being said, I have truly enjoyed every moment motherhood has had to offer. Well, okay maybe not ALL of the crying, but most of it. She has been such a gift and a blessing. I am amazed at the capacity of love I have to give her, and it only grows stronger everyday.

Lucy loves any dessert, especially cake. I have heard of parents that wait to give their children sweets until the first birthday. I personally do not know any of them, but I am sure of their exsistence. I will say for allergy reasons we introduced dessert early. Instead of the three day window to watch for reactions, we went with six months instead.

What the Heck?

Our household has been crazy lately. Lucy's been teething. She's also been running a fever and has a bit of a summer cold. On top of that, I've been trying to get her on more solids lately, and boy, have they been working a number on her digestive system. One word: Stinky.

For the last three weeks, Ted has been lethargic, with loss of appetite. He's made three trips to the vet's office, including an overnight stay. He was so dehydrated that he had to be hooked up to an IV. Eight hundred dollars, two blood panels, one full body x-ray, four different prescription meds, three pukey puddles, two bad runny stool incidents later, he's still not himself. Poor Ted.

On a happier note, aside from a stomach bug, I'm doing fine and so is Chaz. Hopefully, Lucy will cut her teeth and she and Ted will get healthy soon. I miss my normally happy and healthy family.

Water Baby Updated

I have reposted these pictures in hopes that they can actually be seen now!
Sunday afternoon we packed up our suits, towels, and sunblock and headed over to Amy and Eric's parents' house for food and pool-time. We had such a good time. Thanks Amy and Eric for the invite! It was the perfect day to play in the water. I wish we had a pool...


Lucy took her first "big girl" bath. She has been bathing in the shower or the baby tub. She's not quite sure what to do with all the room.

I suppose there's nothing better to do than to... DANCE!

And dance some more. Lucy has inherited one of her Dad's signature dance moves (see below).

One happy, clean baby!

The World's Worst Blogger

As indicated by the picture below, I had a birthday. Don't I look thrilled? By the way, I am much older than one. My family came over, and everyone brought a different delicious dish. We had such a good time hanging out. I received some good gifts too!

The grandparents and youngest grandbabies. This is Lucy's new version of her faux-hawk. It's getting much longer on top, so I call it the "Kewpie-do".

Me and Sue reading my very nice and sappy birthday cards.

A different day, but the same happy baby. She still loves to play "Where's Lucy?" with the blanket. This is her Mother Teresa impersonation.

The "Where's Lucy" game goes something like this: Us to Lucy with the blanket over her head: "Where's Lucy? Where's Lucy?" Lucy the pulls the blanket off her head. Us to Lucy: "There she is!" We all giggle and repeat, and repeat, and repeat... You get the idea.

In reference to the blog title, I have no idea how old this picture is. I believe it was taken right after the last post. I try to blog often. I really do. It's just I get sidetracked when I get on the computer. Anywho, here are my two kids. At least one was smiling for the picture.

Grandma Penn and Goose. What a pair!

Great Grandma Maly and Lucy. I love this picture.

For those of you who might not believe it, here Lucy is eating baby food. She doesn't love it, but she tolerates it.

Caught red-handed! Here is something that Lucy loves (shocking, I know). But really, who doesn't like icecream? I hope it won't be another two and a half weeks before the next post. We'll see. Wish me luck! P.S. Lucy now has five teeth! She's getting big so fast!