Almost 3 Ounces

Dearest Joshua David and Grace Elizabeth~

What a beautiful day it was today!  It was a little breezy in the morning, but it warmed up quickly.  I wore pants to the park and I should have worn shorts instead!  :-P

In the morning, when Penny came over, we played in the screened in porch.  We blew bubbles all around and Joshua had fun watching them float in the air.  We had some music on and he played in the sandbox.  Grace got to watch, but she mostly slept during that time.

Once Grace got hungry, Joshua and I went to the park.  I think it helped Grace to not have me there to practice with bottles more.  Penny had an easier time giving her a bottle today and she took almost 3 oz of the 4 oz of the mommy milk I put in there!  Of course, your bib was pretty wet, as was your outfit, but I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you drank that much.  ;-)  I pumped this morning around 5:30am to put that milk for your bottle.  This afternoon, after you had your bottle, I pumped again so you have some milk for tomorrow's bottle as well.  :-)

Penny swaddled Grace in a little blanket and held her close when giving the bottle.  She fussed, but not as much.  Penny made the hole in the nipple a tiny bit bigger.  It was a 'slow' flow nipple and we're guessing Grace may do better with a slightly faster one.  If she does better tomorrow, then I'll try to get more nipples and a few bottles over the weekend.  She only needs a few for wednesdays and thursdays for now.  And, since the nipples are a different shape than the ones we used for Joshua, we have to get new bottles.  These nipples have a wider base so the baby latches on like their nursing.  :-)

Joshua and I had fun at the park again.  We played on the swing for a little while.  There was a girl who just turned two on the next swing.  She was talking up a storm next to us!  Joshua smiled and pointed and said a few little babble words.  ;-)  We then played in the grass.  I brought a soccer ball so he walked around with it and I would kick it to him whenever he threw it.  There was a man there on the side of the park practicing the cello.  So, we got to listen to some music as we played.

Oh, since we've been practicing with Joshua, we've noticed that he can point to his hair, nose, tummy, and toes if asked!  I asked him where is mouth was, and he kind of got it right (really pointed at his nose, but then moved his fingers down), so I think he's learning that one too!  Good job little man!  

Joshua, you took a late afternoon nap.  As you slept, I played with Grace and read a little.  She ended up falling asleep on me as I rocked her.  I kept holding her and let her sleep as I read and watched Joshua.

Daddy got home really late this evening.  It was after 7pm when he got home.  He was covering for some other people in the office so this week was busy for him.  We all had our dinner by the time he got home, though Joshua refused his fruit and veggie again.  I tried to give him carrots and he wouldn't have anything to do with them!  You've had carrots before little man!  Next week is your appointment with the speech therapist.  I hope they can find out why you're not eating a lot.  Perhaps you do have a swallowing issue?

We all relaxed in the play room this evening.  Grace fell asleep in her swing as Joshua walked around.  Oh, did I tell you .... Joshua is getting faster with his walking .... he's on the verge of running every now and then!  He'll dart if you're not careful!  :-P

Tomorrow is suppose to be cloudy, but hopefully we'll get out again when Penny's here.

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

To The Surgeon We Go

Dearest Sweet Blessings~

This morning we all got to play together.  I was still a little tired from yesterday, but at least we got to relax.  There was a moment in there where Grace fell asleep on me and I almost dozed off, but I managed to stay awake to watch Joshua play all around the bonus room.  :-)

I called the pediatrician's office and got an appointment for 2pm today for Grace's belly button.  Dr. Medero looked at it and gave me a referral for a pediatric surgeon to evaluate it.  She's already treated the area twice with silver nitrate to cauterize it, so she wants another opinion on whether it should be ligated off.  :-P  Poor little lady .... you really don't want to 'cut the cord' do you?  ;-)  Oh, they weighed you today and you're now 11 lbs 13 ozs!  Woo hoo!

Joshua, I had you in the stroller again and you did a little better today.  You started to whine during the middle of the appointment, but to be honest, I was getting antsy myself.  We weren't called back until 2:20pm and we didn't see the MD until 2:40pm.  :-P

Grace, you had a huge poop in your swing this morning.  I took apart the cover and washed it.  I just did your laundry, so I threw in what little you all had in there as well.

Joshua, you did better with eating today.  You ate some more hotdog and I had to cut up another one for you.  I think you probably ate about a quarter of a hotdog today.  :-)  You didn't eat much fruit though.  :-P

I felt bad this afternoon because I had to wake Joshua up from a nap so we could go to the pediatrician's office.  He didn't really go back to sleep the rest of the day, but ... he fell asleep before 9pm this evening!  Woo hoo!  Daddy read to us in bed and Joshua fought sleep.  Then, daddy rubbed his back and he fell right to sleep next to us.  It was cute.  Daddy had to leave for a late soccer game (it didn't start until 9:45pm) so I sat next to Joshua in our bed and nursed Grace.  Once Grace fell asleep (by the way, you're still using me as a pacifier), I put her in the bassinet and I closed my eyes next to Joshua.  Once daddy got home, he placed him in the crib.  Daddy got home about an hour later because it started to thunder so the game was cut short. 

Joshua, you do something really sweet to Grace every now and then .... you play with her hair!  It's so cute when you do it too!  You smile at daddy and I, and then you touch her hair and smile at her.  :-)

I'm still on maternity leave this week, but Penny will be here tomorrow.  I'll see if she can practice with Grace on another bottle.  You haven't had one since sunday little lady. 

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Organizing

Dearest Miracles~

Grace .... my oh my .... you woke up at 1am for a feeding this morning.  :-P  I had to do a 'double take' at the clock when you started to stir!  

Then, at around 3am, you woke again with the hiccups!  I guess I was so tired that I didn't burp you well enough.  I try to hold you for a little after feeding you, but I must not have waited long enough this time.  Anyway, you ended up using me as a pacifier until you drifted back to sleep.

Boy, did we do a lot of organizing today!  I went through a lot of boxes in the dining room to clear up some space.  We still need a china cabinet to put away all the dishes we got from our wedding.  I broke down some boxes for recycling.  I moved some instruments in the play room.  Joshua keeps tugging on the acoustic guitar strings and hitting the banjo, so I moved them and consolidated instrument racks.  I also moved a small table from the living room to the entry way.  It's actually a nightstand, but I don't think anyone will notice.  ;-)  Plus, by moving the table, it makes the living room 'appear' a little bigger.  Then, I moved a bookshelf from the play room into the front bedroom and put Grace's swing on that side of the room.  I made a little area for tummy time next to the swing, but Joshua kept wanting to play with the 'baby toys' so I had to move some things again.  :-P  Whew!  I got my exercise today!  ;-)

Oh, with all the organizing, I did have to vacuum a few areas.  Joshua, you still acted scared and whined a little, but you didn't cry like you did a few days ago.  Maybe you're getting use to it, or at least the noise.  

Joshua helped me check the mail today.  Buddha was out because the neighbor was babysitting a little boy and they were playing in the front yard.  He came up to us and licked Joshua!  I was holding him so he didn't get scared (even though the dog is over 77 lbs!).  This was the first time he's seen the dog outside the fence!  Speaking of pets .... today is the cat's 7th birthday!

So, I'm getting creative with these leftovers from the weekend.  Just so you know, coleslaw on a baked potato is pretty good.  ;-)

Joshua, you didn't eat much for breakfast or lunch.  :-P  You did eat some hotdog for dinner though for daddy.

When Joshua took his nap this afternoon, I walked around with Grace and we did some tummy time.  You would fuss if I put you down, little lady!  Oh, and don't think I forgot your Mother's Day surprise throw up incident .... I did the laundry today after rinsing my shirt last night!  :-P

Your umbilical cord granuloma is still present on your belly button little Grace.  I'm going to have to call the pediatrician for another evaluation tomorrow.  I wish it had come off.  But, we'll just see what she has to say about it.

Since you two didn't nap at the same time today, I didn't get a nap either.  There's 'no rest for the weary' today!  ;-)

I finished the ice cream cake from yesterday with daddy this evening.  Joshua didn't want any.  I bet when you're older you'll beg us to pick up an ice cream cake from the grocery store!  Just wait!  :-)

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!

~Mommy

Happy Mother's Day

Dearest Precious Children~

Happy Mother's Day!  Today, we thank the Lord for all the mothers in the world, the mothers who are no longer with us, expecting mothers, and women who will one day be mothers!

Joshua, congratulations!  You slept in your crib until 4am this morning!  Wow!  I could hardly believe it when I woke up at 3am to feed Grace and went to check on you.  Daddy got up and changed Grace for me before I nursed her.  We were both surprised at you sleeping away in the nursery.  Though, an hour later you woke up.  :-P  At least you made some progress there.  

Grace, you had a huge blow out poopy diaper this morning while sitting in your papasan chair!  We had to take apart the chair for the wash.  And, since you needed it after that diaper, I gave you a bath! Joshua, you got a bath too!  Both of you two were fresh and clean this morning to celebrate Mother's Day!  ;-)

We all relaxed in the play room before people came over.  I nursed Grace and she fell asleep in my lap.  I placed her in the bassinet and she stayed sleeping for about 3 hours while people ate, visited, and had some dessert.  Once you started to stir, various people tried to give you a bottle.  :-P  Daddy, Mimi, and Gigi all walked around with you.  I pumped upstairs.  You eventually were content to visit with people and took a short nap (probably wore yourself out).  You started the bottle at around 1:30pm.  You took a break and a little nap .... then you woke up again hungry .... people tried the bottle .... you fell asleep again .... you woke up again hungry (this time with a vengeance since you still hadn't taken much from the bottle).  By 4:30pm, you had finished that 3 oz bottle, though we're guessing you really only took about 2 ozs since you dribbled a lot and the bib and your clothes were soaked.  :-P  Of course, you were still hungry after all that since technically that bottle ran into two feeding times!  So, I ended up nursing you around 4:45pm.  :-P  You really cried and cried with this bottle.  I felt so bad for you and I hate hearing you cry little lady! 

After I nursed Grace, we all went downstairs for dinner.  We ate some leftovers from lunch (I'm sure we'll be having leftovers for a while!).  It was a little before 6pm, so we all went outside to enjoy the day and weather.  I kicked the soccer ball with Joshua while holding Grace.  Daddy trimmed some bushes in the front yard.

As we were playing and enjoying the evening, Grace burped and then threw up a lot!  I mean, it was everywhere!  She got the front and back of my shirt and her onesie and her legs!  It went through to my bra!  I had to take a quick shower just to rinse off.  :-P

Poor little lady .... I don't know if you threw up because you worked yourself up too much with the bottle or if it was because of something else.  :-P  If it was from the bottle then I don't know what to do.  We'll just have to keep working at it I guess.  I spoke to some friends who said their babies never got use to the bottle and they had to nurse all the time.  Of course, those mommies didn't go back to work.  Daddy and I spoke about changing my hours and just working in the mornings to see if I could get home in time for you to nurse and only have to take one bottle while I'm gone.  There are lots of pros and cons to that idea, so we just have to see.

We all watched 'The Lucy Show' and relaxed in evening in the play room.  Daddy gave me the Mother's Day gift that you all had been working on .... it was a cartoon that daddy drew!  It's so cute and funny!  It has Joshua saying 'Mama' to me!  Daddy's going to print it so we can frame it and place it on the wall with all the other cartoons.  :-)  I also got some chocolate from Gigi and a charm from Mimi.  What a wonderful Mother's Day .... of course, the best gifts are you two precious miracles! 

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Second Annual Promise Walk

Dearest Miracles~

Today was such a beautiful day that the majority of it was spent outdoors!  This morning, after we all had breakfast and got ready, we headed over to Apex for the second annual Promise Walk to help raise support and awareness for the Preeclampsia Foundation.  Last year, daddy and I took Joshua.  This year, we had Grace as our little addition!  We had two strollers and daddy pushed Joshua as I pushed Grace around the 2 mile path overlooking a lake.

The Promise Walk helps raise awareness for the pregnancy condition of preeclampsia, which is what I had with Joshua (along with HELLP syndrome).  Thankfully, everything went smoother with Grace and we made it full term.  :-)

We met women there with their children who also survived the disease .... and we also saw women who lost children from the disease.  The woman who raised the most money gave her testimony before the walk.  Her son was born at 34 weeks but survived and is doing well now.  We are truly blessed to have survived this condition .... and we are truly blessed to have both of you with us today!  :-)

The walk was nice and it was so beautiful out.  Grace got hungry at the end and Joshua got antsy.  So, I went to nurse Grace in the car as daddy took Joshua to the swings in the park.  Once everyone was settled, we headed back to the house.  I fed Grace some more and daddy and Joshua worked downstairs.  They prepared the hamburgers for tomorrow and, rumor has it, they also helped put something together for me for Mother's Day.  ;-)

After 2pm, we all went for another walk .... we couldn't waste the day away inside!  We all walked up the shopping center near our house.  We walked around the shops and then stopped to get some ice cream.  We tried to give Joshua some, but he didn't want our Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream. ;-)  We guessed that we all walked about 4 miles today .... which is why I didn't feel bad about the ice cream.  ;-)

Both daddy and I tried to rock Joshua to sleep for a nap this afternoon, but he fought it .... even though I caught him rubbing his eyes a few times.  So, we just relaxed the rest of the day.  I made some pasta for dinner, but Joshua poo-poo'ed it.  I don't think it was that bad man .... it was only pasta and sauce.  :-P

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and people are coming over here to celebrate for a lunch cookout on the new grill we got from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa!  :-)  We have hamburgers and hotdogs.  Gigi, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle James are bringing some sides.  Grandpa Mike and Mimi are bringing a dessert.  It should be good!  

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

Vacuum Scare

Dearest Angels~

Today we did a lot of cleaning and straightening.  I was trying to get the place a little more organized before people come over on sunday.  I cleaned the living room and vacuumed the carpet.  Grace was upstairs napping so Joshua was helping me.  But, for some reason, he really flipped out when I turned the vacuum cleaner on.  I never saw anything like that before!  He went into the kitchen, hid behind the island, and started to cry.  I vacuumed really fast and then he slowly came over once I was putting the vacuum cleaner away.  :-P  Wow!  Didn't mean to scare you little man!  I use to be able to vacuum while you sat in your bumbo seat with no problems.  :-P

We worked our way into the kitchen after awhile.  I went through a bunch of papers that were in a green bin and realized we never sent away for Grace's birth certificate!  Ugh!  So, I put that form to the side so we can order one.  :-P  No one's asked to see it, so I think we're ok.  ;-)

I put all the toys in the living room in the ottoman since the top comes off.  This is now your toy chest to share!  The top is heavy, so you two will need help in opening it.  Joshua already knows where the toys are and how to ask for someone to open it.  You're pretty smart young man!

We got a newsletter from Wake Med in the mail today.  I only got to flip through it briefly, but the American Academy of Pediatrics have changed the car seat regulations.  Children need to remain rear facing until age 2.  So, we need to update anyone planning on driving you two.  :-)  I'm actually glad about the regulations.  I thought Joshua was too small for forward facing, even though he's 'technically' allowed.  I keep him rear facing in my car, and so does Gigi. 

I wrapped Gigi's gift and have both Mimi's and Gigi's downstairs for them.  I also organized the kitchen counter a little to make room for a bottle and sippy cup station.  :-)

Joshua just went down for a nap this afternoon around 3pm.  I had to rock him and then he fell asleep on me.  I hardly get to hold him so I took advantage of it!  I held him for a while until Grace stirred.  Then, I placed him gently on a pillow to nurse Grace.  Once she was fed, I played with her and she smiled and coo'ed for me.  :-)

As I was vacuuming and cleaning, my mind started to wander about the downstairs floor plan.  The living room and study both have carpet, and eventually, we'd like to tear it up and extend hardwood into those rooms (the rest of the downstairs is hardwood).  But, I was thinking wouldn't it make sense to make the living room and study one big room if that wasn't a load bearing wall?  Or, at least make a large archway into the next room to open it more?  Right now, the living room is kind of cramped with the couches and the toys right in the middle.  If the rooms were opened, there would be a lot more room for you all to play!  Of course, that would have to be done before the floors.  And, I'm sure that would be an expensive project.  But, it maybe worth looking into.  I'd love for you all to have a bigger room down there, and I think it would make those rooms more functional. 

I downloaded the free Friday books on my ereader .... I've never heard of one of them.  The other was 'The Secret Garden' just for mothers day.  I remember reading it for school and not really liking it, but I figured I'd give it another chance.  I can always delete it!  :-P  We're still reading 'Pride and Prejudice' right now.

This evening we had lasagna for dinner and Joshua ate a good amount.  We went out to Target to get some supplies for the weekend.  We won't have time in the morning since we're doing the Promise Walk in Apex to raise suppose for Preeclampsia.  And, Joshua needed diapers, so we went this evening.  It was cool and raining as we left.  Joshua, you sat in the cart as I had Grace in the infant carrier near me.  She fell asleep against me.  :-)

Once we got back, we didn't have long before we had to get you all ready for bed.  Tomorrow's suppose to be a beautiful day!  I'm sure there will be a good turn out for the walk!  

Sleep tight little ones!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy

First Separation

Dearest Joshua David and Grace Elizabeth~

What a beautiful day!  It was cooler since we had that rain, so needed jackets on the porch, but it warmed up as the day went on.

Penny came over in the morning and we played with Joshua in the sandbox.  Once it got closer to lunch time for Grace, I pumped and then took Joshua to the park.  I pumped after her 3am feeding as well (I pumped at 4am), but wanted to be sure she had enough milk before I left the house.

Penny said Grace did 'much better' today when I was at the park with Joshua.  She still only took half the bottle (2 ozs) but didn't start off crying like yesterday.  Penny said she eventually cried, but I think she had taken the 2 ozs by then.  Penny used the same bottle as yesterday to get Grace use to the same nipple.  I'll try that as well to see if we can get her into a routine.

Joshua, you and I had fun at the park!  There were about 10 other children there and we saw at least two pregnant mommies!  I pushed you in the swing for a while, and a little girl (who was smaller and younger than you) used the swing next to us.  She turned to us and kept saying 'Hi' and then then she turned to her mommy and said 'Mama' .... I turned to you and you looked up at me and said something that wasn't coherent.  :-P  I smiled and just kept talked to you and the little girl.  I wish you'd say 'Mama' for me.  Once in a blue moon you'll say it.  

We took your little soccer ball with us to the park and you walked around the grass with it.  I kicked it to you a few times, but you liked to pick it up and throw it more than just kick it.  Then, we walked around a little in the stroller.  We were gone from the house for one hour.

Grace, this was our first separation!  We've never been apart from each other since you were born!  I missed you, even though it was only for an hour.  :-P  I know I'll have a hard time going back to work and leaving you two.  But, it'll only be for parts of wednesdays and thursdays. 

Joshua went down for an afternoon nap around 2:30pm.  I rocked him to sleep and then held him for a while and continued to rock.  Once I heard Grace stir, I placed him on a pillow and then played with her.  Grace, you cooed and smiled for me!  We did some tummy time, but once you got really fussy I picked you up so that you won't wake up Joshua.  

Plans are underway for sunday .... Mother's Day!  Gigi, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle James are going to bring some side dishes and Mimi and Grandpa Mike are going to bring a dessert.  Daddy and I will take care of the meat, so we'll need to go to the store in the day day or two.  Plus, we'll need some diapers for Joshua pretty soon!  ;-)

Joshua ate some avocado, finished his fruit, and a few bites of cereal for lunch.  Grace had the usual milk.  I had a baked potato.  :-)

We made a pizza for dinner and had to ready by the time daddy got home.  Joshua, you ate a good amount and then took your sippy cup.

After dinner we went outside and played in the front yard.  Joshua brought his soccer ball.  Daddy held Grace as I kicked the ball with Joshua.  The neighbors came outside with their dog, Buddha.  He's a Great Dane, so he's pretty big!  He's 77 lbs now and will likely double in size!  Joshua, you tried to throw a tennis ball to him, but you mainly just dropped it.  Daddy had to help you.  ;-)  I picked you up and held you so that you could see over the fence.  We stayed and talked to our neighbors for a while.  The daddy works on an oil rig, so he's down in the Gulf of Mexico every few weeks.  I see the mommy because she stays home.  The have a boy and a girl who are 5 and 6, respectively.  We see them sometimes playing in the backyard.  :-)

We had some ice cream when we came back in and Joshua ate a little with us.  Then we relaxed in the bonus room until it was time for bed.

Tomorrow is friday!  Woo hoo!  

Sleep tight you two!

I love you both!  :-)

~Mommy