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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Bump Watch!

A few updated bump pictures!  I'm still going for my weekly fetal cardiology and perinatologist appointments for sonograms to check on the little guy, and so far so good!  We haven't heard any SVT since my last hospital admission mid-June, so that's been a huge blessing.  At 29 weeks, he was already measuring 3 lbs 2 ounces, so he seems to be growing just fine!  I think Logan and I are also getting very close to nailing down a name for this one, FINALLY!!  But I'll save that for another post when we're 100% decided.  :)  Now for the pictures...


It's crazy how much bigger I look at 30 weeks than in my 27 week picture!  Oh, and I've realized in all my bump pictures I'm always wearing the same 3 outfits.  I promise I have other clothes I wear - and the funny thing is I choose the outfits for the bump pictures thinking "I haven't worn this in a while".  Guess I need to mix it up some more!  :)

Thursday, August 15, 2013

New Sensory Activities

So lately I've been trying to come up with new ideas for ways to entertain Knox that allow him to both learn, and use his imagination.  I don't want him just propped in front of the TV all the time, and I didn't want to spend a fortune on more toys with lights and sounds (that annoy me) and do the "imagining" for him.  So I did some research and kept finding articles about Sensory Play for toddlers.  Basically, the reason toddlers are always getting into things is because everything is a new experience for them, and their "exploring" and getting into things is how they learn.  So sensory play provides lots of colors and textures and activities that safely let them explore how things work.  The problem I'd had with sensory play in the past was that all of the activities seemed messy - like having your child "clean" your cabinets with foam - and that just doesn't work for me.  Doesn't sound like much fun for me to have to clean up a giant mess afterwards.  So I found some sensory activities that are "Lorin Approved" (read: clean and fun!). 
My supplies!  To list a few: finger paint that we will put in a zip lock baggie and let him smoosh  around, sensory bottles filled with different things (like glitter and water, oil and colored water, soap and colored water, etc.), pipe cleaners to stick through the holes of a collander, dried black eyed peas to feel and measure with the measuring cups, puff balls and jingle bells to measure and sort in a muffin tin, contact paper to stick pre-cut construction paper shapes on, and velcro popsicle sticks to stick and un-stick.  Lots of things to keep a toddler busy!
I also made colored rice to put in another sensory bottle for him to shake. 


Just woke up from his nap... and not quite sure what to think about all the new "toys".  (He's like me and needs about 15 minutes to wake up before you start talking to him.)

Playing with the "slime bag"!  (Hair gel and food coloring in a zip lock, taped to the window.)  I thought he'd love the smooshy texture, but he didn't really care for it!
Checking out the sensory bottles...


Pretending to take a drink!  (No worries - I hot glued all the lids on.)

Sorting puff balls into the muffin tin.  He could have done this all day!

Overall, I think Knox really enjoys all of his new "toys".  I've been trying to keep them seperate from his other toys so that it seems like a treat when I pull these out.  So far it's working!  To be honest, I think I had as much fun feeling crafty while making these toys as he's had playing with them.  :) 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Introducing: Mr. and Mrs. Curry!

Logan's youngest sister Leah got married to her sweet fiance Tyler over the weekend.  They had a small ceremony at sunset on a boat in Lake Ray Hubbard, and it was perfect.  Just their style. 
The beautiful bride!



All three of the Lowry girls - Lyndsie, Leah and Lacie.

Leah and me before the wedding.


The hubby and me.  Love that guy.  :)  This was my favorite part of the night... as we got onto the boat to find our seats, they served us Blue Bell ice cream to keep us cool.  Genius! 


Mr. Len walking her down the aisle.  Love how excited she is!

The vows.

Introducing:  Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Curry!!  (LOVE how he's looking at Leah.)

After the ceremony, we had dinner on the first level of the boat, followed by a fireworks show and dancing!  Congratulations Leah and Tyler!  We are so happy for you, and thrilled to have Tyler officially join the family.  We love you guys!