The Tompkins Family: 2010

It has been so long since we’ve given sent out an update, but better late than never right!?!?!? Alexis started watching a friend’s baby in February and it’s been going very well. Her name is Hannah Lane and she’s 2 months younger than Scottie. (You will see a photo of the two babies together.) She’s a fantastic baby and so fun to have her at our house!

Ally is totally into her imaginary play these days. She pretends to have movie characters over to our house or other kids she’s met out and about. She truly is the best big sister to Scottie and helper to mommy. She lights up our life and makes us laugh everyday. It’s very hard to think that she will be 3 years old in just a few months.

Scottie is almost 9 months and desperately wants to keep up with his sister. He’s just started crawling, but prefers his army crawl technique most of the time. He can pull-up onto his knees and has been found standing in his crib a couple times recently. He has a wonderful personality, always smiling and laughing. And at 7 months he finally started sleeping 12 hrs at night and eating solid foods!! He loves yogurt, cottage cheese, ALL fruits and vegetable soup.

Scott enjoyed his golf excursion in Pebble Beach; definitely a “once in a lifetime” chance, thanks to Mike and Suzanne. We all enjoyed spending time with Grammie Max, Auntie Meg and Grammie and Baba while in California over Easter.

Photos below are from February 2010. They include the big snow storm that hit our area of VA and an eve bigger storm we weather while visiting Scott’s family in Delaware. Scott worked hard and made a an awesome igloo for Ally.

View Full Album

This group of photos is from March 2010. They include pictures of Ally getting her first hair cut, a trip to our local zoo where we fed giraffes, and Scottie and Ally’s first bath together. I also included some photos of a trip to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens; my favorite is of Ally and her babies enjoying the view from the tower.

View Full Album

This group of photos is from April 2010. Included are photos from the plane right out to California, our trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a visit to the Philadelphia Zoo.

View Full Album

We hope you’ve enjoyed the photos and I PROMISE to update the blog again soon with some more recent photos.

I know that it’s been months since our last blog post, so be prepared for picture over load! But first, a quick update on our family…

I have chosen to take a year’s leave from teaching to stay home with Ally and Scottie. I so enjoy being home with my babies everyday, they are such a blessing and I wouldn’t give up this time with them for all the money in the world.

Scott is enjoying his new position with Sprint. He still has the freedom to work from home and therefore sees Ally and Scottie more during the day than nearly all other working fathers, we’re so blessed. He took off about a week’s time around Christmas and the New Year and we all enjoyed having time together over the holiday. Recently, Scott has replaced several major appliances in our house- stove, disposal and dishwasher. He’s quite the handy-man! Scott is looking forward to our trip to Pebble Beach in April. He and my dad will play at Pebble Beach and a couple surrounding golf courses during our time there.

Ally has changed so much over the last 4 months. Her vocabulary is astounding and she says some very funny things. She can always make us laugh and give the best hugs and kisses. Ally also is potty trained! We started working on it about 4 weeks ago and she has done wonderfully. We knew that a smart girl like her would catch on quickly and rewards of chocolate chips and ice cream help too!! :) She will start pre-school in Sept. for 3 days a week and I can’t believe it! She truly isn’t a baby anymore and it almost breaks my heart. But she’s a wonderful big sister and loves her little brother. I’m thankful that God made her so kind and loving, she’s a very caring child with a big heart and zest for life.

Scottie also has changed dramatically over the last 4 months. At his 4mo. check-up he was 17 1/2 lbs and 27” long, putting him in the 92nd and 97th percentiles, respectively!! He’s a big boy and with a laugh and smile that lights up our lives. He strongly resembles Ally at this age, aside from his size, but certainly has an all boy look to him! He adores his big sister and loves to just sit and watch her play… someday all too soon he will be playing right along side her. He’s a sweet baby who loves his mommy!! :)

Ok, so now that you’re a little caught up on things get ready for the photos… ENJOY!

SEPTEMBER 2009

Scottie taking a nap on daddy. (9 days old) I just love those lips!