Little Gardener

Leo & me and Mommy spent some time in Dubuque. Poppy really needed gardening help! And Leo was doing a lot of smiling.

Curious George!

I got to go see Curious George today with my bud Dorothy. We were troopers - we were happy to meet him, but notice we didn't attempt to sit on his lap! Meanwhile, my brother keeps getting cuter.

Breaking Out

The weather was somewhat nice today and I decided to break out the little guy for his first walk! We had to test out our fancy new stroller. I even got off of my perch and helped Mom push. Mom thinks our summer walks will be way too long if I continue to do that, but at least I want to help!

Big Sister

I've been doing a great job being a big sister. Leo is pretty easy going - he sleeps a lot, eats a lot, and does not wake up at night much. I think he can stay.

Cuddle

Leo on his second day home in my pink bouncy seat - he does not seem to mind the pink...

Home Sweet Home!

Today my baby brother came home! We are so happy that he's healthy and doing great. I wanted to read him a story before bed, so I think I'll let Mom and Dad keep him.

There are fantastic things ahead for Leo says Mom and Dad and our family has learned so much in the past 13 days since he was born. 1 in 600 babies are born with a Cleft Palate and it's more common than we thought. There is nothing we could have done to prevent it, but we know Leo's going to get the best care possible and grow into an amazing boy who is 1 in a million. We've also become even more grateful for our friends and family than ever before. Watching people pull together for a baby who just arrived is truly inspiring and we couldn't have gotten through it with out them.

Meanwhile, I've discovered Barney on Netflix. Mom and Dad will have a harder time adjusting to that than what we've gone through already! And they promise that they will finally get to returning all the phone calls and e-mails. Silly Mom and Dad.

Baby Leo

My little brother Leo is still resting at the baby hospital. He's doing pretty good and just needs to gain weight two days in a row and we can bring him home. He'll need to have a monitor for his breathing because of his cleft palate, but Mommy & Daddy say it we're fixing it for him so he can talk as much as me! He's already starting to grow more hair, make more baby noises, and be awake more. We just want him home soon.

Meanwhile, I've been having fun with Mom & Dad. We had a lunch date. I've also been riding my dog/horse Uli to pass the time. And tomorrow I get to go to the Zoo with Sophie!

Mom and Dad say thank you to everyone for their thoughts. I am telling them to reply and call back everyone who has called, emailed and followed us on Facebook, they are just a little busy but promise to get back to everyone as soon as they can - love you all!

Sleeping and fattening up his cheeks (more)

Hiccups

I requested Mac n Cheese from the waiter all by myself. Surprised?

Forget pulling a sled, I think she makes a great horse!

A lot to Celebrate

On Monday, I turned 2 1/2 and my baby brother Leo turned one week! Over the weekend we had a lot of family come and help my Mommy & Daddy while we await Leo's coming home. Before that Grandma T hung with me while Mommy & Daddy were at the hospital. We had loads of fun. We have such a great family! As my nutty daddy said at dinner Saturday night - "Nothing brings family and friends together like a kid with an extra hole in his mouth." And yes, he got laughs with that cheap line. At least we are all keeping our sense of humor! Leo is doing great and gaining weight and should be with us at home by Wednesday or Thursday - we can't wait!

Auntie got Leo a fancy hat

Grammy played with me & Soph - lots!

Grammy meeting Leo

I got to see my baby brother face to face! Thanks Unky Will for your shoulders!

Grandma T sharing some awake time with Baby Leo

Leo's first video!

Baby Brother Report

Going Home – Part One

Grace has agreed to share her blog because she’s so excited she’s finally a big sister!

We wanted to check in and give you all a baby update as I know many have been eagerly awaiting pictures since hearing the news when he was born on Monday. It’s been a tough couple of days for our little family, but we are in a good place are grateful for our family and friends. The amounts of emails, phone calls and Facebook activity expressing your words of support, love and offers of help have been amazing. We are truly lucky to have you all and if we replied to everything we’ve received in the past two days, we’d be on the computer for a week! We look forward to talking to each and every one of you, and we will, when things calm down a bit more.

Leo William was born two days ago with a cleft palate and other concerns which took us by surprise; having to send our baby to the NICU without even holding him or knowing the extent of his difficulties. We started our journey two days ago scared of feeding problems, breathing problems, speech problems, plastic surgery, and worried our new little guy wouldn’t have a normal life. A feeling we never want any of you to have. But just two days later, our little champ is eating like a rock star, surprising nurses in the NICU who have been there more than 35 years with his progress, has no IV anymore, is sweet as can be and with the cleft palate localized to just the roof of his mouth – he’ll have a surgery or two in his first year and some special care in feeding and that’s about it. Not bad as far as we’re concerned. He’s a big healthy boy that has surprised us with his determination to assure us that everything is going to be fine. And he’s terribly cute to boot.

Mommy will go home tomorrow and Leo will stay awhile longer in the NICU until he proves to us, which he will, that he can continue to be a good little eater who won’t give up. He’s looking forward to seeing his Big Sister outside of a glass window.

Love you all and enjoy some pictures.

Leah & Tom

The Elaine

Well, folks and Seinfeld fans - little did we know when Mom and Dad gave me the middle name "Elaine" that I would live up to it with the famous dance. Acting may be in my future, but well dancing....hmmmmmm

Grammy's Song

My Grammy hasn't been feeling the best, so I thought I would perfect her favorite song and sing it to her. Needless to say, Mom had to bribe me with a Sesame Street video, but I came through.

School Songs

One day I was just sitting playing with my toys singing a song. Mom had never heard it before. Silly Mom, I learn a lot at school that you just don't know about.

Translation: "A peanut sat on a railroad track, his heart all a flutter.

Here comes #45, Uh Oh! Peanut Butter!"

Rain!

I couldn't wait to try out my new rain gear in the puddles. Fun stuff!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I woke up at 5:45 and set myself and my dollhouse animals a tea party.

Check out that organization!

I got a new Kai-Lan video for Valentine's Day and I like waving at the TV apparently.

Ready for my Valentine's Party at School!

" 'Monica"

Mom and Dad are proud of me. I not only sing the Beatles, tell Mommy and Daddy that the songs on the radio are "drums" or "guitar" - but I am getting the hang of the harmonica.

Watch out, Bob Dylan!

A Lesson in Princesses

We all went to see Franny and her new baby brother today. However, as suspected, I had no interest in her baby brother. "Sigh," says Mom. Seeing the clips below, you can understand why I cried my head off when we had to leave. A tea party, dress up, and a lesson in princesses? Franny know's where it's at.

Yes, this video is upside down at the moment, we are working on fixing....but it was just too cute to delay the sharing!

Just a Typical Sunday Night

And who doesn't play with an iPhone on the kitchen floor in a pink tutu?

Gibbons!

The Gibbons family came to visit all the way from Des Moines! Mommy says that she, Auntie and Dina used to get in all sorts of trouble together. Whatever that means. Look at all those girls in one sled! My little brother is going to have to fend for himself!

Happy Haircut

I was getting quite the shaggy do and Mom's bang cutting skills weren't, well cutting it. Once again the professionals had to step in. Grandma T, Mommy & Me went to the salon....

BEFORE....

DURING...

AFTER!

ICE CREAM!

Trying to Delay my Naptime...

...and if I keep getting up at 5:30 am, Mom said she would put the lid on this...

Dubuque!

Daddy and Grandpa T had some work to do in my kitchen, so Mommy and me headed to Grammy and Poppy's - as usual, what a weekend!

There are dress up clothes in the basement!

We brought my sleigh and I helped Poppy fill the bird feeders

Poppy thought it was a good idea to see Curious George who made an appearance at the Mississippi Aquarium. Um, he's a little scary in person.

I was much more in my element touching a crayfish...

...and seeing the fishies in the big tank!

It was all so exhausting.

And then I recharged and found the musical instruments.

Beauty & the Beast/Jingle Bells Remix

I like to sing! I'm already TONS better than Mommy.