the latest and greatest

Kai has started eating solids (sort of). I fed him some rice cereal Friday night and he did really well. He mastered the art of opening his mouth for the spoon right away. I just tried it again this morning, though, and he spit it all out. We'll keep working on it.

Sage had a big day yesterday. We went to a parents as teachers group meeting where he listened to a story, played with other children, made a craft, and received two free brand new books. Then, we took him to Monkey Joe's - an indoor play place with all kinds of bounce houses. They have a few toddler only areas that he loved. He was having a ball - bouncing, going down the slide, and dancing to the music.

At the parents as teachers meeting, another mom commented on Sage's "purring." Sage was concentrating on dumping crayons out of a box and then putting them back in one by one. While Sage is concentrating, he hums loudly. This is VERY noticeable when he is eating. So, this other mom leans over and says, "I love his purring. That is so cute!" I laughed because a) I never thought to call it "purring" and b) because he does it so often that I tune it out and didn't even realize he was doing it. It's just part of who he is.

Just feeling blessed

to have two happy, healthy baby boys and a fabulous husband who is a fantastic father!

our little inchworm

Kai became an inchworm today. We were playing in the boys' room and I had Kai on his tummy on the floor in the middle of the rug. A few minutes later, I noticed Kai inchworming his way towards the other side of the room (where Sage was). Yes, he was moving very slowly, but he was moving! It just amazes me at how quickly he is blasting through his gross motor milestones. One would never know that he is a preemie...

Way to grow Kai! So proud of you.

The words on Kai's bib say it all...

another example of "everything happens for a reason"

I'm suffering from a cold and a stuffed up nose so that --- I couldn't smell the massive amount of vomit that Sage just projected all over me, Kai, the couch, daddy's blanket, and the book we were reading...

Snow Day 2010

The first snow day of the school year was today! As a teacher, I look forward to snow days because they are a rare occurrence and because it is a guilt-free day to play. We took Sage out for his first outing in the snow (he was too small last year). He was excited about getting dressed in his snowsuit - good thing because it took forever! When we finally got outside, he just kind of stood there like, "what am I supposed to do?" Then, he tried to walk and promptly fell face first into the snow (luckily no snow actually got on his face). Sage enjoyed watching Rosco run around like a crazy dog jumping through the blowing snow. He also liked watching Daddy shovel. We went back inside quickly because it is way too cold for a little guy like him to stay out long. The windchills here are up to 15 below zero!

Cline/Kelly Christmas 2009

Actually, it was 2010 before the Cline/Kelly family celebrated Christmas on January 2nd. Everyone was there, the food was delicious, and there were tons of gifts! A great time to be had by all...

Memorable moments of the day/evening:
- the kids running, jumping, and climbing onto pillow mountain
- Ella quietly mentioning that she doesn't feel well and then proceeding to vomit on the dinner table
- Ella later receiving the Baby Achoo doll that "doesn't feel well" and the rest of us joking about whether it vomits or not
- the grandkids playing together
- Kai's propensity to have deep conversations with his Uncle Adam (for some reason, though, Kai doesn't think Adam gets what he's saying)
- Sage enjoying ripping the wrapping paper, but not really caring about what was on the inside
- just being together
- oh, and the "brown" reindeer cookies

Kai at 4 months

Kai had his 4 month check up today and Dr. Ortiz called him, "Perfect!" He is meeting ALL the milestones of a full-term baby - even a little bit early. Doc said one would never know that he was a preemie. Kai was showing off for Dr. Ortiz too - laughing, babbling, and even rolling over for her. She was in awe of how great his verbal and motor skills are already.

Weight: 13 pounds, 1 ounce
Height: 23 3/4"

Way to go Kai man!

Kai at 4 months:

White Christmas 2009

Sage playing Chess

Daddy and Kai watching the snow fall

Sage "vacuuming" with his new toy

Even though I'm 30 years old, I felt like a kid waking up to a white Christmas this morning! It was the icing on the perfect Christmas cake.

The boys slept late because they had a rough night - both up coughing nearly all night. I couldn't sleep because I was so excited! When Sage finally woke up and walked into the living room, he looked a little shocked, slam-dunked on his new basketball goal, and started vacuuming the whole house (with "Dusty" the talking vacuum). Too bad that "Dusty" doesn't actually suck anything up because Sage was "vacuuming" all morning. All the other toys were chopped liver compared to Dusty. Santa must know how obsessed Sage is with vacuums and swiffers.

Jared got me good this year. A few weeks ago, I found some jewlery catalogs on the passenger seat of his car and some business cards from jewlers in his pants pocket when I was doing laundry. I was SURE he was going to give me something sparkly with the boys' birthstones. When I opened my last present, I was surprised, it was not jewlery - it was a Blackberry! Woo hoo! I was pleasantly surprised to find exactly what I wanted in a new phone.

After the four of us opened presents here, we drove cautiously (due to icy roads) to Darla's house for breakfast. Justin and Cora were there too and we had Keisha on speakerphone while we opened gifts. I think Darla really enjoyed spending time with Sage today. Kai, bless his heart, slept ALL day today - must be catching up from yesterday and last night. Darla made us breakfast and lunch - mmmmmmm! Then, we had a brief visit to Chad's family's house and now we're home. I'm updating the blog and trying to figure out my new phone. Jared is playing his new game - DJ Hero. Sage and Kai are sleeping - hopefully for the rest of the night!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Christmas Eve 2009

Everyone playing games around the table - what Christmas Eve is all about...

A very special gift found under the tree...

Cline/Kelly family 2009

Kai with his cousin Anthony

Sage hugging his cousin Bri

All the kids with Grandma

What a day! We spent the morning hanging out at the house enjoying each other's company. Then, we started the festivities at Kevin and Yvonne's house with great friends and family. Sage was very into all of Anthony's toys and hardly even noticed his presents. Kai spent the afternoon being passed around and jabbering away to anyone who would listen. =) He did stop talking long enough to pass out underneath the Christmas tree though...

Then, we drove through the pouring rain to Granny and PaPa's house. It felt good to be back at their house this year. Last year, at the hospital, just wasn't the same. Their house was crowded with our family that has grown by at least 5 members just this year... Lots of little kids running around. Even though, everytime we turned around, we were literally running into someone or tripping over kids, it was so much fun! Granny and PaPa went a little overboard on gifts for the youngest kids - but they loved it! Sage and Brianna (10 months) enjoyed each other's company the most - playing side by side. At one point Sage even gave Bri Bri a hug and kiss. Awwwww!

I know that this Christmas Eve will always be one I remember because the boys are here, because we spent it with family and friends, and becasue we were back at Granny and PaPa's house. Anytime spent with Granny and PaPa is always special and the fact that a lot of our family was there too just makes it even better. I truly hope that there are many more Christmas Eves at Granny and PaPa's house.