Shots, shots & shots!

Sorry for the lack of updates! It's been getting harder and harder the more mobile Caroline gets. As I'm typing this, she's trying to grab my laptop from me and bang on the keys. She's hilarious! And in terrific spirits for having just got some shots this afternoon. Both her and Bentley were due for shots, so we decided to get it all over with in one day. Ambitious, huh? Or crazy.

Caroline was such an incredibly good baby for the immunologist. She didn't fidget or cry through the first shot. The second one burned though and she did begin to cry. About 15 seconds later she was happy again though and we were on our way home. Such a little trooper!

Bentley was also getting two shots today along with his heartworm test. He was so well-behaved for the vet and even gave her kisses while she was working on him. Except when the vet took his temperature rectally... he did raise his eyebrows then a bit, but really, who wouldn't? The vet loved how disciplined Bentley was, especially when he followed my non-verbal commands. (All of his commands like sit, stay, etc have hand motions that go with them so that you can command him without saying the word once he has learned the command. This comes in handy when the baby is sleeping or when I'm trying to get him to cooperate while the vet is listening to his heart murmur.) :) Bentley has been worrying us lately because he's nearly collapsed twice recently while playing outside, likely because of his heart condition. We're not talking about being outside for long periods of time... maybe 5 minutes of running. He basically collapses, becomes very still and his breathing gets labored. His heartbeat gets very rapid and he can't drink or move very well until it passes. We're going to take in his echocardiogram results from last year to the vet so that they can re-evaluate him and see if maybe it's time to start him on some heart medications. In the meantime, we're really limiting the amount of exercise he gets until we figure out a good plan for his heart. He just turned 3 a few months ago, so he's still relatively young. If a medication will help, then great. But if there truly is nothing they can do for him, we refuse to make him sit inside all day. He loves to run and play outside. If it boils down to it, we're prepared to put quality of life over quantity. We'd rather his time be filled with fun because that's just who he is. He's a big goofball and making him stay indoors without playing would break his spirit. Hopefully the vet can figure out something to help Bentley out!

We spent the weekend shopping for a new entertainment stand to hold our new TV, Bose sound system and BluRay player. We found a gorgeous piece of furniture and a great rug. We decided to go ahead and get rid of our coffee table because at this point, it's just a hazard with Caroline toddling around. And honestly, we don't use it much. Caroline now has more safe space to play and the room looks nice and big now. We've tried to explain to Bentley that the new rug was not purchased for him but he begs to differ. At least he shares it with the baby. The baby who, at this very moment in time, is trying to stick her pacifier in his mouth. GROSS! (That's a new favorite thing of hers to do; share her pacifier. I'm torn between wanting to praise her sharing skills and being grossed out.)

Caroline's current favorite game is "Stinky Feet." She puts her feet right in your face when you ask if she has "stinky feet" and squeals with delight when you sniff and say "Peee-uwwww, stinky feet!" Of course her little feet don't stink at all but it's hilarious nonetheless. And she looks very disappointed when you say "Nope, they smell fine" so you have to humor her. It's the only time in her life that she'll enjoy being told she has stinky feet. Caroline's been eating solids twice a day now in addition to breastfeeding about 5 times per day. She eats pureed chicken, veggies and fruits. I thought perhaps the additional solids would put a little more chunk on her, but she's still long and lean.

That's about all the news I have from home. I'll try to get back into a routine of posting more now that we're back home! Take care and enjoy the rest of the pictures from Caroline's first studio pictures!

I didn't know I was going to be in the frame. Whoops!

I know you're wondering why we didn't frame this jewel. Chomping on daddy's hands... what a memory! :)

Neck rolls! :) The photographer really did know where their faces were, I promise, but she wanted to get an artsy shot.