Weekly Progress Report

Well, Zachary had a good week at school. He still likes to play rough but he is a two-year old boy. Next week, he will be having School Pictures...

31 WEEKS!

Today marks 31 weeks of pregnancy! This week...our baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying at least four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's is moving a lot, too, I sometimes have trouble sleeping because his kicks and somersaults keep me up and/or wake me up from sleep! I do not mind, because all this moving is a sign that our baby is active and healthy! I have noticed the muscles in my uterus tightening now and then. Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions. I never felt them with Zachary but have already started feeling them with Baby Philpott #2. With about two months left, I have so much to get ready around the house but little time with a two-year old!!

Making An Apple Pie with A Two-Year Old

Last week, Zachary and I went to the Apple Orchard and we still have so many apples. Today, we decided to bake Dad a Homemade Apple Pie! This is not only a first for Zachary but a first for mom! Here is how it went...

Step 1 - Make the Pie Crust from scratch...

Step 2 - Flatten the dough...
Step 3 - Select, Wash, Peel and Slice the Apples...
Step 4 - Mix the Apples with the Sugar, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Flour (somewhere in between Steps 3 & 4, Zachary decided to take his shirt off)...
Step 5 - Add MORE sugar! Just as sweet as Zach and Mom (Notice the cook's snack in the background, prunes and juice!)...
Step 6 - Flatten the Dough To Make the Top Crust...
Step 7 - Bake Pie In The Oven, Wash Hands, Clean hundreds of Dirty Dishes, Scrub the Floor, Wash the Flour off the Walls and Start a Load of Sticky Clothes...
We will let you know later, how it turned out! It is so wonderful staying home with Zachary but everyday is a new adventure. I am constantly looking for new ideas to keep his mind learning and growing. We have such fun together!

Weekly Progress Report

Well, this week at school was not so great (behavior wise) for Zachary. He got his first "N" or Needs Improvement on his Weekly Progress Report. Evidently, he is having some trouble keeping his hands to himself and sharing the toys with other kids. We will be working on that and hopefully, he will behave better next week! Of course, all is expected with a two-year old boy!

YEAH! 30 WEEKS!

This week marks 30 weeks into our pregnancy...our baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. Less than ten weeks (just a little more than two months) and we will meet Philpott Baby #2 - who still remains nameless - for mom & dad can just not agree on a name!

Everything was great at our OB appt today. I was started on Iron two weeks ago for a low hemoglobin but quit taking it after only four days because of the side effects (nurses are the worst patients). I decided to change it with diet instead...I started eating Raisin Bran every morning, red meat several times a week, spinach on my sandwiches every day and orange juice with two meals a day...and guess what, my hemoglobin is normal. My blood pressure was 110/62 and the Baby P's heart rate was 130's. Everything is right on track! I hope the next 8-10 weeks go by fast!

All Bandaged Up!

Today, I was nesting around the house and Zachary was trying to help me until I found what Zachary thought was a box of toys. It was the first aid kit. There is nothing that would hurt him in there, just a bunch of bandaids and stuff. David and I almost died laughing at him. Enjoy the pictures!

If there was not a bandaid over his mouth, you would see that he is smiling and laughing!

FIELD TRIP - Bryson Apple Orchard in Long Creek!

Today, Zachary and I traveled up the Oconee Mountains on a Field Trip to the Apple Orchard with all of the two & three year olds from school and many of their parents. When we arrived, we were given bags to fill will apples. Zachary has never been apple picking and just loved picking his own apples. He ran all over that orchard looking for different apples. It took him only a few minutes to fill his large bag so (of course) we had to buy another bag (it was only $2 a bag - about 15 apples to a bag). He could not wait to eat an apple and found the biggest green apple to eat. After picking apples, the school provided drinks and snacks. We all sat around visiting, playing and eating apples. We both had a lot of fun and would like to take David in a few weeks. If you have any great "apple" recipes, I need to find things to make with all of these fresh apples! After the exciting trip, I came home for a much needed nap after working all night and Zachary had is first day at Aftercare at school (he stays until about 5pm)!!

29 WEEKS!

This week marks 29 weeks! Our young baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. Hopefully, he will be smart like Zachary! He is very active, constantly kicking to let me know he is there! I am doing well but am constantly tired. Only several more weeks and we will meet our second little angel!

Grandparents Day at Preschool

Today, Zachary and his classmates celebrated "Grandparents Day" by inviting Grandparents visit the school (Zachary's 1st event at school). Together, they enjoyed doughnuts and juice. Then, Zachary was able to show them his classroom area! Thank you to "Poppi" McIlwain, Grandparents Philpott and Great Grandparents Orr for sharing this event with Zachary. It probably was not much but it meant so much to Zachary! Thanks again!

Weekly Progress Report

Zachary had a wonderful week at school this week. Check out his great progress report! Today, he came home with blue hands from painting with apples. He also brought home a beautiful crafted jar that says "This jar is filled with loving wishes, lots of hugs and little kisses!" It contains Hersey kisses and hugs to share!

Potty Training Success

Just minutes ago, Zachary filled the last spot in his Dora Potty Training Spot with a sticker. He has been working so hard on filling each spot with a sticker so he can get a new Thomas The Train. You should have seen the excitement on his face - the face of accomplishment! He knew the chart was complete and started dancing around yelling train, train...All day today (including a two hour nap and a two hour outing), his pull-up was dry! He is growing up so fast!!

"A Very Veggie Party"

Today, Zachary and I went to a Veggie Tales Party. Zachary received Veggie Tales stickers & balloons and participated in Veggie Tales crafts. Most of all, he enjoyed using the crayons and glue sticks on the tables!

Clemson First Friday Parade!

What a Smile...

What a Cute Tiger...

Zachary & His Best Bud, Haley...

Zachary and I went with our neighbors Jason, Mariko, Haley & Hunter to Fire House Subs for dinner and the Clemson First Friday Parade today. Zachary had lots of fun running around Bowman field with Haley & Hunter. He insisted on wearing his tiger tail and tiger ears and waved at everyone passing by in the parade! We are so fortunate to have such great neighbors that Zachary and I are able to go places with while David is working. The kids all have a lot of fun together! Go CLEMSON TIGERS!

Zachary's First Preschool Progress Report

Zachary received his first progress report today and is doing great in class!

7 MONTHS!

Well, we have safely made it to 7 Months and the third & final trimester! We are on the home stretch! Thank goodness! David, Zachary and I went to the doctor yesterday. Zachary was able to listen to his heartbeat and said "oh, baby." Everything is looking good except my hemoglobin is a little low. In addition to the iron in the prenatal vitamins I take, I have to also add an iron supplement. Evidently, anemia is common in the third trimester.



Here is a little bit about our baby this week...our now baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb. He is also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. We can not wait to meet him (and, yes, we are still searching for a name).

Trailblazer Update!

Seven long awaited weeks and we finally have our Trailblazer back and are awaiting a settlement. "Mom car back, mom car back" is all Zachary has said all day! It looks great but will never be the same. At least, we are all safe and secure!

Preschool Room Mother

I got a call today from Zachary's Preschool Teacher asking if I would be interested in being the Room Mother for his class. Of course, I was delighted! I will be helping with class parties and assisting in arranging the field trips. Right now, I am willing to do anything but that will change once Baby Boy #2 arrives. However, all that is required of being a Room Mother is helping by making phone calls and stuff at home...so I think I can still handle it once I am a mother of two! I am so excited that I will not only be helping his teachers but also being able to experience all the fun things of preschool with Zachary!

First Day of School

Today marks Zachary's first day of Preschool at Trinity Baptist Church. I had to wake him at 7:30am so we had time to get dressed and eat breakfast. David and I both took him this morning with his new book bag in arms (it is a little big). Of course, he was a little hesitant and preferred to hold mom's legs but we gave our hugs and left him in great hands with Miss Ashley and Miss Laurie. We have talked about school over and over again so I hope he does well.

"TOUCH A TRUCK"

I have to say...I love staying home with Zachary all week long because we have time to do many fun things that we both enjoy. Today, we went to "Touch A Truck" and Zachary was able to get inside a fire truck, a police car, a ambulance, a rescue truck, a police "patty wagon" and a utility truck. He loved it! Tomorrow is another big day...Zachary starts preschool!!

Free Chicken!

We had a quiet Labor Day since I worked last night. Zachary is wonderful on Mondays because he knows "mommy" worked at the hospital and I am really tired. He spends most of the day entertaining himself while I nap as much as possible. Today marks the last Monday I have to stay awake all day because he starts Preschool and will be staying on Mondays until 5:30pm with the afterschool kids! Mom can not wait!

Today, Zachary and I wore our best Clemson attire and headed off to Chick-fil-a for free chicken! We take anything for free especially if it involves a children's playground! Zachary's favorite part of the afternoon was enjoying icecream!