Sang

Dearest Angels~

Everyone woke up at 11pm last night.  Grace, you made it in your bassinet for 40 minutes before waking up crying.  I had to hold you the rest of the night.  :-P  Daddy had to sleep on cushions on the floor near Joshua's toddler bed so he would sleep.  We've had some long nights recently.  

Grace, you woke up again at 5:10am.  I quickly changed you and then nursed you.  I continued to hold you until I had to get ready for work. 

Joshua, you didn't eat well for Penny today.  :-P  She offered you several things, but you refused a lot.  You all did have fun though.  You all had floor time, puzzle time, music time, and walked to the park.  You two met another little boy named Luke while there.

Penny was impressed by Grace's sitting!  She is really getting strong!

Joshua, you did the cutest thing for daddy this evening before I got home from work.  A song came on your play gate and you started to 'sing' to it!  The play gate only plays music (no words to the music), so you were singing/babbling to the music for him!  How precious!  I haven't seen or heard you do this, so I hope you do it for me at some point.  ;-)

Daddy made pancakes for dinner when everyone was home from work.  Then, we all played in the bonus room before bedtime.  Joshua, you love walking around with your ukelele!  ;-)

Guess what tomorrow is .... your first Daddy Day together!  This will be the first time daddy will spend the day with you two with no help!  I hope you all are on your best behavior.  ;-)

Sleep tight you two!

I love you both very much!  :-)

~Mommy

Time Lapse

Dearest Joshua David and Grace Elizabeth~

Daddy slept on the floor all night next to Joshua's toddler bed again.  I held Grace all night but eventually slipped her down slowly next to me and she stayed sleeping.  She woke up crying at 6:30am.  I stayed up as Grace played once I fed her.

Kim was sick today, so Joshua only saw Mary Beth for occupational therapy.  It stormed right before we had to leave and I got scared that I would have to drive in such horrible weather.  It cleared up once we left the garage though.  

Joshua, you did so well today!  I told her how you've gotten braver recently since you run to the 'older' section of the play ground now.  You went onto the trampoline by yourself.  You practiced on the balance ball, swing, and the rice and bean bucket.  You didn't like the lotion on your hands though.

We were home earlier since we usually see Kim afterward.  Joshua, you spit out every hotdog piece I tried to give you and applesauce.  You only ate 'crunchie' crackers and gold fish crackers. 

We had music time this afternoon in the playroom.  I had several CD's going and I did Joshua's brush exercises and joint compressions.  Grace, you crawled all around.  Joshua, you also flipped through some books with me.

I attempted my first 'time lapse' photography video of you two.  I stood near the camera and hit the remote every few seconds to take 85 pictures of you all.  Then, I put them together in a video.  It's only 5 seconds, but it's pretty good at a first attempt.  ;-)

This evening we all played together.  Tomorrow I head back to work, so Penny will be here.  Then, daddy will have you all on thursday!  Woo hoo!

Sleep tight you two!

I love you very much!  :-)

~Mommy

Cookies

Dearest Miracles~

Daddy slept on cushions on the floor next to Joshua's toddler bed most of the night.  Grace woke at 5:45am.  I had been holding her since she woke up last night.  Daddy moved to the bed as I changed and nursed Grace.  Joshua, you remained sleeping.

Daddy did Joshua's brush exercises and chewy tube work this morning.  I swept the vacuumed the kitchen.  I also got a quick pump in this morning.  Daddy made some brownies for our lunch cookout at Grandpa Mike and Mimi's house.

There were also steaks, a salad, bread, and baked potatoes there.  Yummm!  You all got to visit with Uncle Brennan and Aunt Katie.  Joshua, you were so fussy at the table and didn't eat much.  You kept fighting a nap.

Joshua, you eventually napped when we got home.  I nursed Grace and read.  It rained as Joshua slept.  Grace played, rolled all around, and went into her swing as Joshua took a snooze.  :-P

Joshua, you ate cheerios and two cookies this evening .... I was happy you ate even if it was cookies!  We got the cookies at Harris Teeter .... we needed to make a quick trip to the grocery store since no one had any milk!  It really rained as we drove home.

Once home, I got another pump in so Grace would have enough mommy milk for wednesday.  Oh, Joshua, you love to hit the button to open and close the garage door!  And, I think you've figured out how to open the door of the playroom if closed.  You must have gotten taller!

Grace, you tried more rice cereal this evening.  You did a little better, but you're still pretty messy!  ;-)  I cut your nails before bedtime too since they were long again.

This evening you all watched a Looney Tunes movie with daddy as I took a shower and did some things on the computer.  

Tomorrow Joshua has his therapy appointments.  I hope he eats more for Kim!

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!

~Mommy

Static

Dearest Blessings~

Little lady .... you woke up crying at 11:20pm from your bassinet last night.  I picked you up and held you and you fell asleep on my chest.  So, I continued to hold you until 4:20am when you woke up again crying.  Daddy changed you and then I nursed you.  My stomach started to growl while I was feeding you.  We had cereal for dinner last night as something easy and relaxing (no cooking involved), and I guess that didn't fill me up through the night.  :-P

You squirmed awake at 8am.  I changed and nursed you again and Joshua was still sleeping.  He was in our bed since we were too tired to move him last night.  :-P

I was able to get a pump in this morning.  We're building back up our mommy milk supply for wednesday!  Woo hoo!  After wednesday, Penny will be gone for awhile on a trip to Alaska.  Daddy is taking off four wednesdays and thursdays in a row to watch you two!  This thursday will be your first full day together with just daddy!  I know you all are excited!  

Grace, I gave you some rice cereal this morning, but I don't know how much actually got into your mouth.  We'll keep working on that.  ;-)

Joshua, we did your brush exercises and went through your flash cards this morning.  I nursed Grace right afterward and kissed her feet at the same time.  ;-)  Oh, Joshua, you love to play your ukelele!

Joshua, you fought a nap all afternoon.  Daddy and I both tried rocking you and reading to you.  Daddy ended up taking Joshua into the bedroom where he finally went down for a nap.  Daddy took a nap next to him as I played with Grace in the bonus room.  I nursed her and I read.  Then, she fell asleep in the swing.  She had just fallen asleep when daddy and Joshua woke up.  They went downstairs to play so Grace could sleep .... though she didn't stay sleeping for long.

Grace, you are crawling all around now!  You can make your way from one end of a room to the other in no time!  You sure are getting strong!

Joshua ate some hotdog at dinner.  Once he finished, we all went to the park.  Joshua had no fear again on the jungle gyms .... he immediately went for the big one (the sign said ages 5-12)!  He got some static in his hair as he was climbing up the slide!  It was so cute!  I took some pictures of you all.  I got a little sick on the merry-go-round though .... I didn't realize daddy was going to push us so fast and we had just eaten!  Ahh!  ;-)  I was ok once I had some water and sat down for awhile.  :-P

We all relaxed in the playroom this evening.  It was a pretty relaxing day overall.  :-)  We had some beautiful weather, so I'm glad we were able to get out and enjoy it.

Daddy read us Bible stories before bed.  Joshua immediately woke up as soon as daddy put him in his toddler bed.  He calmed down once daddy laid next to him.  Grace woke up at 11pm and I nursed her back to sleep.

Sleep tight you two!

I love you both very much!  :-)

~Mommy

First Game Of The Season

Dearest Blessings~

At 3:30am, I changed Grace fast and then nursed her.  I ended up holding her all night.  I attempted putting her down but she woke up.  Joshua, you noodled into our bed and we were too tired to move you.  You and daddy snored along side of us as Grace and I were awake.

Once Joshua woke up, daddy took him downstairs and made pancakes and bacon for everyone.  We visited with Julia and Geoff more until they left for Asheboro.  They're meeting (Great) Aunt Pops, Bryan, Great Grandma, and Great Grandpa for lunch.  They had a wonderful time here and I'm so glad they got to see Joshua again and meet Grace.  As they were driving off, we waved at them from the front porch and saw a little frog on one of our porch chairs.  It was cute, though I'm not that much of a fan of reptiles.  :-P

We got ready for the day once they left.  I nursed Grace as Joshua played and daddy took a shower.  I took my shower early in the morning before others were up.  Joshua, you were too cute this morning .... you were eating gold fish crackers and kept stopping to feed your stuffed animal bear some too!  I use to do that with my stuffed animals!  So precious!  :-)

By lunch time we were out running errands.  We purchased some curtains for our master bedroom.  Joshua had fallen asleep in the car so daddy carried him around the store.  Grace, I carried you in the carrier against my chest. 

We then went to Shane's (the BBQ place around the corner that we've been to several times).  We're becoming regulars there.  I think we end up there once a month.  ;-)  It's so easy to grab a booth on the side in case I need to nurse Grace.  And, it's right next to Target where we get our groceries.  Joshua, you ate french fries, mac and cheese, and gold fish.  I was really happy with the amount of food you were eating!  :-)  Afterward, we went to Target and picked up some groceries before heading home.  Joshua, you also ate a cookie there.  ;-)

We made it home in time for the first UNC football game of the season.  It was against James Madison and we won!  Woo hoo!  During halftime, daddy put up the new curtains.  I did Joshua's brush exercises, joint compressions, chewy tube work, and flash cards.  Joshua also walked all around plucking his new uke!  :-)

We went to the park after dinner.  Grace, you and I played on a blanket at first, but then we walked around.  I held you and sat on a swing while daddy pushed Joshua in another swing.  Joshua, you were so adventurous this evening.  You climbed the big jungle gym with all the bigger children and wanted to go down the tall slide with daddy!  You had no fear!  You also went through the tunnel and played in the sand box.  I took some pictures of you all.  Grace, you were sitting on your blanket, so I tried to get some nice pictures of you upright.

Once home, daddy gave Joshua a nice bath as I attempted to give Grace some rice cereal.  I don't think any of it actually got into your mouth.  :-P  I gave you a nice bath once you were finished 'eating' the cereal. 

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Overnight Guests

Dearest Precious Gifts~

Little Joshua, you woke up at 1:50am.  I got up when you started to cry and put Grace in her bassinet. I had been holding her up until this time and fell asleep.  Surprisingly, Grace continued to sleep.  Daddy put couch cushions on the floor next to Joshua's toddler bed and slept there next to him.  Joshua calmed down with someone there and fell back asleep.  He didn't wake up again all night.

Grace, I got up at 7am to use the restroom and you were still sleeping!  Whoa!  And, you had rolled over to your belly last night and continued sleeping!  This is the first time you've rolled in the middle of the night and slept on your belly.  We still put you down on your back to sleep, so you rolled by yourself.

We were busy this morning to prepare for our company.  You two helped me with the following chores around the house:

-Prepared the crock pot for a lasagna

-Vacuumed the living room

-Swept the kitchen

-Sterilized the pump pieces

-Set up the guest bedroom

-Did laundry

-Brushed everyone's teeth .... only Joshua and I have teeth right now   ;-)

-Grace had a nice morning poop

We did all this before 9:30am!  Wow!  Busy busy!  I tried to give Joshua some applesauce mid morning as Grace napped in her swing.  Joshua, you didn't eat any.  :-P  You ate some 'crunchie' crackers and gold fish though.

Aunt Katie came to visit for a little while in the afternoon.  She read and played with you all.  Daddy worked a half day and was home by 1:30pm.  So, he was able to visit for a little too.  I was trying to fold laundry but Joshua kept throwing the clothes around the room at Aunt Katie and me.  :-P  So, that chore was completed later in the day.

Cousin Julia and her husband Geoff were here by 4pm.  They got to see how much Joshua has grown and they finally got to meet Grace for the first time.  Joshua, you fought a nap all day and eventually fell asleep when daddy gave you a sippy cup of milk.  :-P  It was late in the afternoon, but at least you slept for a little over an hour so you weren't crabby the rest of the night.

Gigi, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle James came over to visit and eat dinner with us.  Everyone enjoyed our crock pot lasagna and garlic bread!  Yippie!  Success!  Grandpa Jim brought a pie and cake for dessert.  Yummy!  Everyone had fun visiting and playing with you all.  You both were passed along to everyone.  Gigi gave Grace a bottle and gave Joshua a ukelele to play with.  He loves his new uke!  He accidentally hit Grace on the head with it .... she cried .... but she quickly recovered.  :-)  So, now Joshua 'rocks' and Grace 'rolls' .... Ha!  ;-)

Julia and Geoff spent the night in the front bedroom.  You two were wonderful hosts!  I'm so proud of you both!  ;-)

Sleep tight you two!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Sitting

Dearest Joshua David and Grace Elizabeth~

Both of you woke up at midnight crying.  Joshua, you were first from your toddler bed, and then Grace followed about a minute later from her bassinet.  You were both down by 10pm last night.  You two only wanted to sleep for 2 hours?  :-P

Daddy put some couch cushions on the floor next to Joshua's toddler bed and stayed with Joshua as I nursed Grace.  Joshua eventually fell back asleep while daddy was next to him on the cushions.  I guess he just wanted to see someone and know that we were still there.  Joshua, you didn't wake again and you continued to sleep in your bed until the morning.  Perhaps that is what we have to start doing in the middle of the night .... lay down next to you and watch you drift back to sleep?

So, daddy slept on floor near Joshua and I held Grace all night.  Needless to say, we didn't sleep much!  Grace, you woke back up at 6am.  I changed and nursed you and Joshua was still sleeping in his bed!

Penny gave Joshua a wooden puzzle with eight different shapes and colors.  He knows all the shapes on his wooden toy puzzle and can put them in the right places!  We need to work on the colors next, but he at least knows his shapes!  Woo hoo!  :-)

You all went to the park again this morning and Joshua stood on the merry-go-round without holding on!  Whoa!  Oh, and this afternoon Penny said that you all had play time together .... she said 'They are so cute!  She just laughs out loud at him!'  How precious!

Grace, guess what .... you're pushing up and starting to sit up more!  Wow!  The pediatrician said that you would start to do that in the next month, but you're already doing it now!  You are so strong!  You're rolling, crawling, and now almost sitting up!  You two are such miracles!  

I got home early this evening!  Yippie!  I couldn't stop kissing you two before bedtime since I missed you all!

We started to clean some things for tomorrow.  Cousin Julia and Geoff are coming down from Virginia and are spending the night with us!  This will be our first time with 'real' out of town guests staying with us!  Woo hoo!  Everyone's excited to see each other.  We haven't seen them since their wedding last May .... Joshua you were there but a lot smaller.  :-P

Sleep tight you two!

I love you both so much!  :-)

~Mommy