Hi Everyone!

Time for a 4 month update for JW, well really a 4 and a half month almost 5. He is 12 lbs 5 oz and 23 inches long. This puts him in the 10th % for weight and 5th for height. He is doing really well, loves to smile and thinks his sister is the funniest person ever. I was also able to get a video of him laughing which I posted. He is so funny and is turning into such a little personality. He loves to be around everyone and is not happy to play by him self for very long. He also likes to stick his tounge out and leave it. It is just his personality. A little silly but very sweet. We are hoping that he is not starting the teething thing, but everything is starting to go into the mouth so I am sure that it is not far along. We also started him on some rice cereal. He loves it but Mommy couldn’t keep shoveling it in fast enough. He is getting so big it makes me wonder where all the time has gone.

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Heidi is doing well and is growing too. She is starting to recognize letters, shapes and colors everywhere so there is always something to talk about. We are getting ready to start potty training but she seems to have regressed a little bit since her little brother came along. So that is our next goal with her. She loves carrying her purses around with everything from markers to puzzel pieces. She also likes to tell everyone to “Calm Down” when they are getting too busy or doing something she doesn’ t like. I have to admit it is one of my phrases so I know where she got that one. She is also getting more interested in riding the horses so we are going to be getting her up more now that the weather is cooling down.

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I am finally feeling better thanks to a diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis and the medication that comes along with it. UC is an immune disease where the Immune system does not allow the large intestine to function properly. This caused the fatiuge and anemia that I was experiencing along with the very rapid weight loss. It is a permanet condition but can be managed with diet and medication. I am feeling much better and am now able to keep up with all the activities around the house with the kids and not feel like I need a nap after 10 minutes. My fall garden has also been planted and I am waiting to see if the collard greens do well. Not sure if we like collards but we will try anything once!

Derek has been busy with school commuting 2 days a week to Tallahassee for classes. He is doing well and is enjoying the school atmosphere again. His advisor is helping him write a few papers to be published and they are enjoying the collaboration on the research for the PhD. He has also been busy with the Boy Scouts volunteering with the council to help with the Eagle board of reviews and to be on the District committee. It is about 1 evening every other month so it is not too much time, but he does love doing it. Other than that things are going well for us we are just getting ready for fall and the cooler weather. Hope all is well with everyone!

Derek, Nichole, Heidi and JW