LOVE!

Just returned from Costco with a new DVD.  By the time it took me to unload the car, Everett had the DVD loaded and playing, both were settled in comfy seats watching their new show.  Thrilled I was able to capture this: 

LOVE!

Thanks Grandmom and Grandpop for Emory's new birthday train, they BOTH love it! :o)

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Earth Day Tasty Treats

{Cake, Cupcakes & Krispie Treats}

How cool are these?  I want to make them. I want to make them ALL!

Check out this blog to learn how.  Then share with me. please. 

25 Awesome things to do on Earth Day

Earth Day  is no longer just about planting trees and cleaning up rivers, although these activities are always awesome. Companies across the country have realized the importance of engaging in sustainable practices and are offering a wealth of opportunities today.

These are just a few of the things you can do to celebrate Earth Day:

1. Pledge to be a Sierra Club Eco-Hero and you could win a trip to the Caribbean

2. Bring your own mug to Starbucks and receive a free coffee

3. Free entrance into any National Park today

4. Drop off your flip-flops at Old Navy to recycle them into playgrounds

5. Get a free tree at Lowes (on 4/23)

6. Get ready for Easter by making egg dyes from fruits and vegetables

7. Choose an organic wine to go with dinner

8. Try using baking soda for everything from dish cleaner to deodorant

9. Bring in an empty cosmetic container and get a free Origins face wash

10. Win a year’s supply of tea by telling the ArtofTea how you’re improving the world

11. Instead of hitting up the gym, run or cycle outside

12. Whole Foods is giving away free items–check your local store for availability

13. Download the free Locavore iPhone app (normally $2.99)

14. Home Depot is offering free earth day workshops (4/23)

15. Go meatless for a day, Martha Stewart has over 25 great recipes

16. Help an earth-friendly non-profit win $50,000 simply by voting

17. Pick fruit off trees in your own neighborhood by using maps from Fallen Fruit

18. Partake in guerrilla gardening using only the change in your pocket

19. Share books or swap using Paperback Swap

20. The ultimate diet: try to be completely plastic free for one day

21. Keep items out of the landfill by donating and collecting through Freecycle

22. Compete in a Pepsi challenge to help change your community

23. Get rid of junk mail

24. Bring something green into your home (Urbio has awesome designs)

25. Plan an outdoor activity like stargazing, birdwatching or hiking

courtesy: Lindsey Hoshaw

Walking?

Not exactly.  But he's getting around just fine. :o)

Emory's One Year Check-Up

Well, one good thing about making a doctor's appointment for Emory's eczema = getting his 12 month check up a month early.  Woohoo!!!  Our pediatrician is AWESOME!!!

Today Emory measured:

28 pounds, 10 ounces - 100 percentile

32.25 " - 100 percentile

For fun, I looked back at Everett's 1 year post and found Everett's measurements:

Everett's weight -  23 pounds 3 oz - 50 percentile

Everett's height - 31.5" - 90 percentile

Doc determined Emory is healthy.  Ears, nose and eyes all clear.  Skin condition? Definitely eczema and not at all suprised to see the photo of Emory's legs.  Eczema and allergies apparently go hand in hand so the "hives" were definitely from crawling around in the grass.  She recommends we switch to an adult moisturizer (i.e. Lubriderm) with the occassional hydrocoritisone cream for problem areas.  
Additionally it's time for Emory's routine bloodwork (boo) good news however, Doc is also having them check for food/resp allergies.  Emory received 3 vaccinations today: chicken pox, pneumococcal conjugate, Hepatitis A. In case you're wondering....even chunky legs feel the needle. :-(

Eczema? Allergy? Something else?

We find out tomorrow.  Emory's annual check up isn't scheduled until next month but we made an appointment with his pediatrician.   Fingers crossed we get this figured out.

As you can see Emory's eczema/allergy has become worse.  Thank goodness it's not this bad all the time; this photo was taken the night after a day at the park in shorts. A grass allergy?  Perhaps, but I still feel eczema is somewhat to blame as the splotches often appear scaly and feel dry.  I  hope Doc can figure this out and prescribe something that will provide fast relief for Emory.  I'll update as soon as I know more.

Everett's Height Prediction

This was fun.  According to babycenter, our Everett will likely be 6 ft. 4 in. at age 18.

"Young men often continue to grow a little past 18 until they reach 21, but their height at age 18 is very close to their final adult height. This prediction is a "best guess" but it's still just that -- a guess. Based on the formula we used* there is a 50 percent chance that your boy's full-grown height will be within 0.8 inches (above or below) of this prediction, and a 90 percent chance that it will be within 2.1 inches."

*Reference:
Predicting Adult Stature Without Using Skeletal Age: The Khamis-Roche Method
by H.J. Khamis and A.F. Roche
Pediatrics, October 1994

Hey and check out this cool "Thomas & Friends" wooden growth chart: 

I wonder if we'd get a discount for 2?  Afterall 60" might only get us through 4th 1st grade.  

Growth Spurt

I wanted to share this photo of Everett in the pajama top Grammy got him for Christmas during our stay at Great Wolf Lodge.  According to the our monthly wall measurements, he recently hit a growth spurt. 

Two Years Later

Same fountain, two years later.  Makes me a little weepy.