First Solo Outing

Dearest Precious Miracles~

Today we tried something for the first time .... the three of us had our first solo outing!  Yes, we went out without the help of other people!  And it wasn't like we took a little trip to the park either .... we went to the mall and Target.  :-)

Let me explain, remember my Nook .... the ereader that daddy got me?  Well, I found someone who was selling a cover for it (used) for only $5 that fit my needs.  So, I arranged to pick it up at the mall since the person worked there from 9am to noon.  So, we all had breakfast, got changed (outfits and diapers), and loaded into the car.  We had to go out anyway because Joshua drank all his whole milk yesterday.  When we got to the mall, I loaded Joshua into the stroller and Grace into the infant carrier strapped around me.  We headed into the mall and saw all the walkers.  :-)  Once we got to the store we were suppose to meet at, I noticed that it didn't open until 10am .... it was 9:15am!  Grrrr!  This person could have told me that!  

So, we all headed back to the car, I loaded you all back up, and we headed over to Target.  :-P  I picked up some whole milk for Joshua and some more potatoes .... I think I forgot to tell you all yesterday, but I tried to prepare a potato casserole yesterday and ended up with moldy potatoes.  Grrr .... again!  

Anyway, I used a cart as a 'double stroller' while in Target.  Grace, I kept you in the car seat and placed you in the basket of the cart.  Joshua, you sat in the front strapped in.  Since I only needed a few items, it was ok that Grace was using the entire basket.  ;-)

We saw something as soon as we walked into Target .... there was a blind girl (probably about 8 years old) with a walking stick and holding hands with her mother.  I couldn't help but say a little prayer for that family and then to thank God for you two and your health.  How blessed we all have been these past few years.  I couldn't stop thinking of that precious girl for the rest of the day.  Think of all the things we take for granted during the day! 

After Target, we headed back to the mall and I picked up my 'new' (at least 'new' to me!) Nook cover.  It's green with a quote on it that says "A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever."  I like it and placed my Nook in it as soon as we got home.  :-)

Joshua ended up taking a longer nap than usual this afternoon and missed a visit from Aunt Judy (remember, Aunt Judy is Aunt Katie's aunt)!  She came over and held Grace for about an hour.  She brought over a DVD for Joshua and a CD for Grace.  We got to talk and visit for a while before she had to leave.  About 10 minutes after she left, Joshua woke up from his nap.  :-P

Daddy had a soccer board meeting this evening, so we only got to see him for an hour before he had to leave.  He didn't get back home until 10pm, but we managed fine by ourselves like the other nights.  :-)  There was a quick thunderstorm right when daddy left, but then the sun came back out before setting.  

I ended up nursing Grace on the floor in the play area next to Joshua.  Joshua rubbed his head against  Grace's head and it was so cute!  Once Grace fell asleep, I trimmed her nails .... they were like cat claws! By the time daddy was home, everyone was asleep, but I still needed help brushing Joshua's teeth.  So, we ended up waking him and then he noodled around in our bed for a while.  Of course, Grace then woke up as well.  :-)

All in all, the three of us did pretty well today on our first mission out with no help!  I'm sure there will be many, many, many more where that came from!  ;-)

Tomorrow Penny's coming over to visit!  It's suppose to be beautiful so maybe we all can go to the park!  ;-)

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Six Weeks

Dearest Gifts~

Grace, happy six weeks little lady!  You're getting old!  ;-)

Joshua, you made it in your crib until 2:30am this morning.  Lets try to do better next time, ok?  With you waking up at 2:30am, and Grace waking up at 3am to eat, it made for a tiring start to the day!  :-P  I woke up with a big headache .... my head was actually pounding.  Daddy gave me a tylenol and it went away by breakfast.  Thank goodness!

Speaking of breakfast, guess who gobbled down 4 tablespoons of cereal with whole milk .... way to go Joshua!  You probably would have eaten 5 tablespoons if I had done another one.  :-P  You ran out of whole milk today, so we'll have to try to pick some up tomorrow.  I debated trying to pack you all up and running to the store this morning, but then Grace got hungry and I didn't want to go this afternoon and get people off their nap schedules.

Joshua, you and I walked all around the upstairs this morning as Grace napped.  Grace, you had another big poopy incident .... needless to say, I ran everyone's laundry since you needed an outfit change.  Joshua, you also needed an outfit change due to an enormous amount of drool and a leaky diaper.  :-P

Joshua went down for a nap at 3pm, which was later than usual.  You weren't cranky, but you just didn't want to lie down.  When I saw you rubbing your eyes at 3pm,  I picked you up to rock you.  You fell right to sleep on me.  :-)  I held you for a while as you slept before placing you down on your napping blanket with a pillow.  Of course, that's when Grace woke up.  :-P

Oh, both of you all had the hiccups today!  The doozers were out today, but have been relatively quiet.  Joshua helped me check the mail.

We had another friend from church come over briefly and drop off a dinner for us!  We had baked chicken with rice, salad, veggies, and brownies!  Yummy!  Joshua ate a little of the rice, but not much.  :-P

I spoke to Grandpa Jim briefly .... the Narnia movie 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' is now on DVD and he bought it over the weekend.  Apparently it was really good and stayed pretty true to the book by C. S. Lewis, so he'll pass it on for us to see.  I've read the book about three times, so I'm excited to see the movie.  I've read the entire Narnia series twice.  :-)

Daddy had a soccer game tonight, so we only got to see him briefly this evening before he had to leave.  We're getting use to being home alone.  :-P  I tried rocking both of you at one point, but Grace was not cooperative.  She just kept crying.  Joshua was sweet and almost fell asleep as I was rocking.  So, I sat on the couch and nursed Grace as Joshua sat next to me.  He kept close to me and eventually fell asleep against me and Grace fell asleep on me.  This is how daddy found us when he got home.  I was so exhausted!  Daddy brushed Joshua's teeth and I moved Grace into the bedroom. 

Tomorrow we'll try our first solo mission out and try to get some whole milk!  This should be interesting with the two of you all and only one of me!  ;-)

Sleep tight little ones!  

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Cake And Ice Cream

Dearest Joshua David and Grace Elizabeth~

Today we slept in a little bit before getting ready for the day.  Joshua got to watch some cartoons with daddy as I nursed Grace.  Grace then napped as we all took showers and played with Joshua.  

Grace, you kept us on our toes this morning!  You had a poopy diaper that went everywhere!  I guess I didn't realize that you weren't done when I went to change you.  Because of that, more poop went on the changing table and your clothes.  :-P  Once you were clean, I nursed you and you were fine.  Then, at your next diaper change, you sneezed and pooped at the same time!  This poop shot out like a rocket and got on the walls, changing table, clothes, floor .... you name it.  Daddy had to come in and help me wipe and clean everything!  My oh my little lady!  I'd be surprised if there was anything left in there!  ;-)

Once everyone was changed and cleaned, we headed over to lunch for Mimi's birthday.  We met them at a restaurant right down the road from our house.  Uncle Brennan, Aunt Katie, (Great) Aunt Allyson, Mimi, and Grandpa Mike were all there.  We gave Mimi her birthday gift (a Pandora charm for her bracelet). 

After lunch, everyone came back to our house for cake and ice cream.  I ended up nursing Grace and Joshua went down for a nap next to me in the bed, so I ate a little ice cream later after everyone was gone.  It was good.  :-)

People left around 3pm .... Joshua was asleep next to me and Grace was asleep on top of me!  Daddy went out and mowed the lawn.  It was a beautiful day so it was a good time to do yard work.  I've noticed the pollen more and had to take an allergy pill the other day since I couldn't stop sneezing though.  :-P  It didn't take him long to mow the lawn, so after he took a shower he read in bed next to all of us.  :-)

We finished our book today.  We did manage to escape the Nautilus and are no longer captives of Captain Nemo.  We'll need to figure out what to read next.  :-)

We finished the pasta and meat sauce from our friends at church for dinner.  Joshua, you ate some pasta with us and then played downstairs.  We let you play for a while as Grace napped.  Daddy and I got on the floor with you and you ended up crawling around and on top of us!  We tickled you and you laughed your precious little giggles.  :-)

Grace, I gave you a nice bath this evening.  You still have your umbilical cord stump (when will you loose that?) so it was a sponge bath.  But, you needed it!  Your hair got so fluffy afterward!  Joshua's hair would do that too when he was a baby!  It's so cute!  :-)

We relaxed in the bonus room once the sun was down.  Tomorrow is suppose to be nice, but hot.  So, we'll see what the day has in store for us.  :-)

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Family Time?

Dearest Precious Miracles~

Today we didn't have a lot of time to ourselves as a little family.  My goal was to spend time with you both and daddy, since daddy worked late all week.  With soccer on monday, and working late tuesday, wedneday, and thursday .... yesterday was the only time we all got to eat dinner together all week!  :-P  So, I wanted to spend today together as our little family of four as much as possible.  I knew Gigi, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle James were coming over because they called yesterday and haven't seen you all in over 2 weeks.  So, I was expecting them and always enjoy their company.  But, I didn't expect more visitors staying until 8pm.  :-P

We new we needed to make a trip to the store .... we almost ran out of wipes for you two this morning!  So, after everyone had breakfast, we headed to Target and picked up some supplies.  Joshua, you also needed some diapers.  Grace, I walked you around in the infant carrier as you slept.  Joshua, you sat in the cart looking around at all the people.  :-)

Once we got home, I nursed Grace and daddy made a pizza for lunch.  Joshua ate some of the pizza with us.  Then, we let you all play in the bonus room as we ran your laundry.  Oh, Joshua, daddy gave you a nice bath this morning, which was needed since you managed to get yogurt in your hair the other evening.  He also clipped your nails, but only your fingers.  You started to stir with the toes.  :-P

Daddy and I did a lot of cleaning around the house before Gigi, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle James got here.  Gigi brought Grace over some clothes from cousin Stephanie and some UNC hairbands.  They're so cute!  Joshua, you got a big toy that's now in our living room.  On one side, the toy display is a kitchen to play with .... on the other side, it's a study!  It plays different songs depending on what you push.  You immediately start playing with it each time we take you downstairs.  Gigi's coworker has a son who grew out of the toy, so he gave it to Joshua to use.  That was really nice!  :-)

We all got to visit and they all got to hold Grace and play with Joshua.  Joshua liked to follow Uncle James around the kitchen.  As we were all visiting, Mimi and (Great) Aunt Allyson walked in the house.  We weren't expecting more visitors today, so it threw our plans off.  Gigi, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle James didn't stay much longer after that .... but don't worry, we'll be able to see them next weekend as we head to Asheboro to see your Great-Grandparents.  :-)

Joshua got fussy since this also threw his nap schedule off.  Mimi called Grandpa Mike to come over so they all could order a pizza (though we had already eaten one for lunch).  :-P  Grace, you and I got to go upstairs and enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet as you nursed.  I walked around with you in the bedroom afterward and took some pictures of you yawning.  :-)  

Once dinner was completed, people started to leave around 8pm.  It wasn't much longer until bedtime, so our day together with just the four of us will have to wait.  :-P  We managed to rest in the bonus room for about an hour before getting you two ready for bed. 

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Pasta And Muffins

Dearest Precious Children~

Well, Joshua noodled into out bed last night so no 7am in the crib today.  :-P  Maybe you'll sleep better tonight.  :-)

Everyone was up early again this morning.  So, we were active walking Joshua all around the house.  He helped me do the dishes and some laundry as he wandered around.  Grace napped in her swing.  Grace, you like to be held and you like when people walk with you.  Whenever I don't have a free hand, I put you in the swing to see if it'll calm you.  That's generally when I take Joshua all around the house to stretch his legs.  When I'm nursing Grace, Joshua then goes in his play area with us (I sit in there too with Grace) so that I can still keep an eye on everyone.  :-P

We had some good meals today .... Joshua, you ate almost 5 tablespoons of oatmeal mixed with whole milk at lunch!  Sometimes I don't understand you little man .... we cook real food for you and you poo-poo it .... I mix oatmeal flakes with whole milk and you gobble it!  Plus, you ate a whole yogurt and downed a sippy cup at lunch!  ;-)

We all got to watch the doozers work today!  They're further up on the greenway, so it wasn't as loud.  Oh, at one point in the day, I had the bonus room door shut so Joshua could wander all around.  He kept chasing the cat around and around!  Punker wanted to get out because he kept going to the door, but then Joshua would chase him.  It was quite funny!  ;-)

Joshua helped me check the mail. Nothing good but the day is beautiful so we opened the windows again. :-)  If I could figure out a way to carry you both (and if we weren't expecting company today) I would take you both to the park.  Maybe I could use the infant carrier for Grace and stroller for Joshua.  It's all about the timing though .... making sure everyone is changed, dry, and fed .... and with only two hands it can be challenging!  

I've been quite proud of myself on my lunches this week. I've been relativity healthy with a baked potato 3 times and an egg today. Except last night's dinner (remember daddy brought me home a dinner) I've been pretty good this week with meals.  ;-) 

We had a meal dropped off this afternoon from a family at church ..... a mom and two daughters came.  Joshua was napping, but they all got to see Grace!   They made pasta sauce and muffins. They brought a box of uncoiled pasta to go with it.  It was good!  And, Joshua ate a lot of the pasta and half a muffin!  :-)  Oh, and one of the daughters drew a picture of a horse for us .... and the daughter's name is also Grace!

While you two were napping, I read a little.  I didn't nap since I needed to feed Grace after a while.  We have less than 150 pages left. Will Captain Nemo let us off his Nautilus or will we be captives forever?  Dun dun dun!  Joshua still wanders away whenever I read portions out loud .... maybe it's because there's no pictures.  ;-)

Daddy got home early from work today .... just after 5pm!  Yippie!  What a good way to start our weekend!  Joshua walked around the house for daddy and daddy played a little guitar for you two before I took a shower.  

Joshua, you took a longer afternoon nap today .... maybe because you had a bigger lunch?  You woke up briefly and cried at one point.  Once you saw me, you went back down and I rubbed your back.  You continued sleeping after that.  You don't have to worry little man, no one's leaving you.  I was right there the whole time you were napping.  We were all in the bonus room and you were napping on a blanket and pillow.  :-)

Tomorrow Gigi, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle James are coming over to visit.  Before they come, we're going to make a quick trip to the store though .... we're dangerously close to running out of wipes for you two!  ;-)

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

7am

Dearest Precious Children~

Oh my goodness .... congrats to Joshua!  You did something that you've never done before!  You slept in your crib until 7am this morning!!  You fell asleep around 9:30pm, but daddy didn't put you in the crib until around 10pm or 10:30pm.  I was amazed when I got up at 3:45am to feed Grace!  Actually, I got a little scared that you hadn't woken up and went in there to check on you twice!  Good job little man!  I'm so proud of you!

Also, Joshua, you stood up by yourself again in front of me and Penny!  I keep showing you how to do it, so hopefully you'll progress enough that you'll be discharged from therapy soon.  :-)

Penny used the bubble machine again today on the back deck.  Joshua tried to catch them and then played with the pin wheel in one of the flower pots.  ;-)  During art time, Joshua got some marker on his face, but we were able to get it off.  ;-)

Grace, you poor little thing .... you fell asleep during tummy time this morning!  I tried to nudge you, but you kept sleeping.  So, I sat next to you and watched you to make sure you were ok.  :-)  I wondered what you were dreaming of.  What do newborns dream of, little lady?  Can you tell me?  I asked Joshua when he was little, but he didn't tell me.  Perhaps it's a secret amongst you all.  :-)

Oh, I almost forgot, the doozers made a loud noise at lunch as Joshua was in the high chair.  It scared him so much that he started crying and Penny had to take him out of the chair to calm him.  I hope they finish with the construction soon.  

Joshua, you were able to go to the park today with Penny.  There were other children out there too since it was beautiful out.  I opened the windows in the bonus room and almost fell asleep when you two were gone!  I was nursing Grace and she fell asleep on me.  It was so peaceful that I almost drifted, but you two returned shortly after so I didn't get a nap.  :-P

Joshua, you really fought nap time today.  And, you cried every time someone put you in the crib to nap.  I had to continue rocking you after Penny left.  You eventually fell asleep on me and I continued to hold you for a while.  Then, I placed you on a pillow and let you drift in peaceful slumber.  :-)  I read a little before needing to nurse Grace.

 

After naps were over, Joshua pushed Grace in her swing.  It was so cute!  You're learning to be a little more gentle with her.  I picked Grace up and gave her kisses.  She ended up licking me!  ;-)

Joshua, you ate a pretty good lunch and dinner today.  You are 4 tablespoons of oatmeal with whole milk for me tonight and still drank an entire sippy cup.  And, you ate more of the pasta with meat sauce for Penny. 

Daddy got home right before 8:30pm.  He brought me dinner and a cookie.  :-)  Once daddy got settled, we all relaxed in the play room for about an hour before bedtime.  :-)

Tomorrow is friday!  Woo hoo!  

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Bubble Machine

Dearest Precious Children~ 

Ok, so I was a little tired today .... I  was awake every hour beginning at 4am.  I was so tired when Joshua woke up at 7am that I could barely move.  :-P  But, like all other mommies out there, I managed to get up and Joshua had helped me empty the dishwasher and load the washing machine before Penny got here.  

Penny sang and read to Joshua.  You two played with different textures again with the dry beans and rice.  You also drew a picture and held the marker by yourself!  Good job little man!  Perhaps you'll be an artist like daddy!  Your daddy can draw exceptionally well!  His art work is hanging all around the house!  :-)

Oh, we figured out that the neighbors are building a pond in their backyard.  One of the windows in the play room looks out over their yard and we were wondering why the dad was digging a ditch the other day.  :-P  They worked on it a lot and by this evening they had water in it.  :-)  This is the window that Joshua likes to stand in front of to see their dog.  If he sees the dog up close though, he gets scared .... I do too .... it's a great dane!  :-P

The doozers were back at it again working.  So, we got to listen to the trucks and see them digging around.  I hope they finish soon, though I have a feeling this is going to be a long project.  

Joshua, you and Penny tried to go to the park .... it was beautiful out, but just too cold when you all stepped out because of the wind.  So, you all played on the back deck and the screened porch areas.  Penny brought over a bubble machine!  It shoots out bubbles like a gun and Joshua tried to grab them!  It was so cute!  :-)  She left it here, so maybe we can walk to the park again this weekend with daddy and have Joshua chase the bubbles!  :-)  Oh, and Penny said she liked Joshua's hair cut!  ;-)

Joshua, you ate well for Penny and I today!  For lunch, you ate a gerber meal of pasta in meat sauce with green beans.  And, you had some yogurt.  For dinner, I cut up some pizza from yesterday and you ate a lot for me!  You also finished your yogurt, though some ended up in your hair!  ;-) 

Daddy brought home some things for us from the conference he went to.  He brought us a cookie (though daddy and I ate it), shirts, key chains, lunch box, and other items.  Daddy got home around 8:30pm tonight.  Joshua, you were very sweet tonight.  Grace started napping after I nursed her so I put her in her swing.  Then, I rocked with Joshua and sat together curled up for a while.  You yawned a bit, but didn't go to sleep.  It was relaxing to sit and rock with you though!  I hugged you and told you that I love you!

Grace, I rocked and walked with you a lot today .... and, of course, told you that I love you as well!  I noticed that you're getting too long for newborn clothes now.  :-P  My oh my you're getting too big too fast!  I'll have to put you in something bigger soon.  Some outfits have tags that say '0-3 months' and those are a little big.  But, the 'newborn' ones are getting too short.  ;-)

Joshua, you stood up again today all by yourself!  We'll have to keep practicing so that you do it more than just once a day.  

I sang to you all today our 'Sunshine' song .... but I paid closer attention to the words.  The song goes:

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away!

The line that stopped me was 'You'll never know, dear, how much I love you' because I think that's true for us.  You don't realize this until you're a parent yourself .... this unconditional love for your children that they don't understand or can comprehend.  I'm sure this is how God feels about us .... His children!  He loves each and everyone of us unconditionally, though we don't deserve it.  You two will probably not realize how much daddy and I love you all until you're holding a small child of your own!  Daddy and I love you two more than words can describe!  :-)

Sleep tight little blessings from God!

I love you forever and ever!

~Mommy