Catching Up ...

Wow, am I behind on blogging ... and this post will be picture-less to boot (I know, boring!) because my photos are all out of order and if I wait to get them organized, it might be another three weeks before I post again.  

We went to Senya's four month appointment on the 25th with our new pediatrician Dr. B.  Unfortunately, we are no longer going to Dr. G.  She is a fantastic doctor, but she had to go after she charged us $270 for two flu shots last visit (long story where I had to get a little lawyerly on her) ... but I digress.  

Senya weighed 16 pounds 9 ounces and was 26 1/2 inches long.  95% percentile for both.  Her head is now in the 90th percentile ... oh you doubters that she is a Dorny.  She is doing great developmentally --- rolling from back to tummy and occasionally from tummy to back, babbling, smiling, laughing, showing interest in food, etc.  The ridge where her forehead and hairline meet is completely normal and not caused by the headbands and bows I put on her (thank goodness), and the red mark on the back of her head is just a little "stork bite."  Finally, she has an ear infection in her right ear.  I had no idea.  She has not been fussy or run a fever.  Looks like she will be like her sister and never provide us with any indication that she is in pain or sick.  It was such a blessing when Ava started talking so that we finally knew when she didn't feel good. 

We had Ava's parent-teacher conference on the 26th.  Teach B was bit stingy with the "A's" but assured us that by the end of the year, there will be nothing but "A's" on all of those milestones that 3 year-olds should be mastering such as throwing a bean bag onto a target ten feet away.  Seriously, who can actually do that consistently :) Teacher B told us that Ava is very thoughtful and all of the kids in her class think that Ava is their best friend.  She is a good listener, loves to read, and never has to be asked twice to do something.  The "A's" are not nearly as important to me as these things.  

Ammon was very disappointed on the 16th when the Pasadena Marathon was cancelled due to the So. Cal. wildfires.  The air quality was terrible and ash was floating everywhere.   The organizers did not have event insurance, so it is unlikely that it will be rescheduled.  After months of training, it was quite a let-down for him.  (If it were me, I would secretly be signing a deep sigh of relief :)) On a positive note, the t-shirt was really cool and that is the real reason anyone runs 26.2 miles - right?!?

Finally, we spent Thanksgiving in Davis with my sisters Kellie and Kristen and their families and Kellie's bro and sister in-law Micah and Melinda and family.  We stayed with Tamlyn on Wednesday and Thursday nights and it was so much fun hanging out with her.  Those who know us are probably feeling pretty sorry for Ammon right now :)  We talked on Skype to Rick who is preparing for a year tour in Iraq training the Iraqi police.  I guess they play Reveille (sp?) at 4 a.m. and then immediately start playing this Muslim music all day over the loud speaker until 11 p.m.  to simulate how it will be over there.  He sang us his favorite Muslim tune that sounded a lot like Unchained Melody. :)  

At Kellie's house, there were seven kids under five.  It was wild.  Kellie did an amazing job with the food and even made matching aprons for all of the kids so they could help out with the cooking.  Seriously Martha!  We ate, played the Wii, went to the movies, and talked and talked.  In a perfect world, I would live next door to Kellie, Kristen, and Tam.  (and my mom & dad, and Brian, and Luke and Marlo, and Nate and Patty, and all of my other most favorite people).  Melinda, it was so much fun to hang out with you too!  Senya and Mason are the most darling little babes I have ever seen.  It was all I could do to keep the Volvo headed toward the freeway when it was time to leave.  I love being with my family.

One more last thing, looks like I will be an aunt again!  YAY!!!  Luke and Marlo are expecting in July.  Maybe one, maybe two, maybe three, maybe four!  We'll know more on the 8th of December!

So that is what we have been up to.  I am thankful for the good health of my daughters, Ava's listening skills (which I knew all along must exist), Ammon's inspirational training to run the marathon, a best friend for the last 27 years, my freedom and those who are willing to serve our country to protect it, and my family.  I promise, photos will follow.  Until next time ...