Deck the Halls-Part 2

Christmas lights purchased and now we can move forward to decorate the tree!  Andrew found my nesting dolls--I've had them since I was a little girl.  For some reason they do seam magical and mesmerizing!

I love this picture because it captures Rory and Andrew's personality perfectly!

Rory was SO excited to put the angel on the tree.  With some much needed help from Dad, he topped the tree beautifully!

It took us 2-3 days to get the house decorated and this year our tree was a hot mess.  Only 20 or so ornaments on the top half of the tree and the lights at the bottom were so bunched up.  Andrew would pull them off and I would put them back on.  Ha!  By the world's standards it was a sad tree but it was our tree and that is what mattered!

Deck The Halls-Part 1

Trimming the tree is a little more stressful than I had anticipated with an almost 2 year old.  Ha!  Our tree is older, the kind you organize by color and put in color order on a metal pole.  It never fails, one year we get something mixed up and our tree is a less than perfect shape. :)  It gives it character!

Andrew was crazy busy--to say the very least.  He had a fun time running the tree pieces back and forth, back and forth...and back and forth! I think this is the first year that Rory was helpful--he is 6 1/2 so it was fun to actually do something "with" him as opposed to "directing" him the entire time.  I'm looking forward to this phase of life with him.

The boys really enjoyed the time getting the tree out and together.  That is about as far as we got the first night, because, as always, half of our lights have burned out since last year.

I just love these boys and their spunkiness--it's hard to catch a good picture of Rory these days where he isn't talking or making a goofy face.  Can't get enough of these brown and blue eyed boys! 

Being December 1, we started our advent.  We haven't quite settled on a tradition quite yet but for now we've done chocolate calendars.

And...the most important picture.  Rory took this and was quite proud of his photography skills.  It's always interesting to me to see his perspective on life. :)

Christmas Trains!

In the past, Rory and Dad have always gone to see the train display each year.  With Rory in school, we decided to take Andrew out to have some one on one parent time.  Rory and Dad have a date set to go back just the two of them soon.







Our train display, is set up at the library downtown.  I've never been and it was an amazing building--so beautiful! Andrew enjoyed the trains--and we ended up being there at just the right time for preschool story time.  We had lots of fun!  The trains were pretty amazing--a very detailed set up!

I think, as parents, we've enjoyed creating and maintaining these simple traditions for our children.  We want them to look back and think of the fun things we did as a family.  Memories are much more precious than things.

...and sometimes...on the car ride home, you just need to hold your mama's hand. :) Love this sweet boy!  (For the record, I was not driving!)

The Boys!

Oh, being a mom to these 2 boys has brought me so much joy, laughter, loss of sleep and worry!  I love them more than life itself and can't imagine what life was like before them.  I think I got more sleep--and I remember worrying about how I would love another child the same way I loved Rory and it's pretty magical how that all works out.  :)

Lots of things have happened in the last month.  Andrew is now 3 months old and weighs in at 12 pounds 9 ounces.  He is possibly the happiest baby I've ever met--and I'm not just saying that because I'm his mom and may be partial.  All you have to do is look at him and he smiles.  

Andrew LOVES:

To eat.

His brother; He can zero in on Rory and will watch him like a hawk.  It's free entertainment!

To talk; he is currently taking 4, 7 ounces bottles every day.  Although, last night he was super hungry and took 9 ounces.  I'm not entirely sure where he stores it all. :)

To bounce; we've already packed away the swing because this boy wants to M.O.V.E!  He's learning how to maneuver the bouncer and the exer-saucer.

To be happy;  He is just so happy all.the.time.  He smiles, laughs and a dear friend at church got him to belly laugh for the first time yesterday.  He's just happy. :)  Smiles, coughing, sneezing, lights, Rory, Jessie and windows are just a few things that make him laugh.  

Andrew DISLIKES:

His reflux medicine--I can't say I blame him.  It has helped tremendously with the spit-up, gagging and coughing.  He was hands-down the happiest baby with reflux.  

Losing his pacifier in the car.  Again, I can't blame him there.  If it wasn't for the fussiness in the car I'm not sure I would know what his cry sounded like.  

In other, yet equally exciting new, our oldest turned 5!!  Seriously, how did this happen?  I know people say it goes by fast but it really does.  "The days are long but the years are short," could not be more accurate.  He's been taking music lessons since we moved 4 years ago and graduated!  Now, he's onto piano lessons.  Crazy.  Rory loved music class, dancing and singing.  I won't be surprised if he grows up and ends up on stage in some form or another.  Comedian, maybe. 

It's odd to put these "preschool" things to rest and move on.  I think I will miss music lessons just as much as he did.  I enjoyed talking to the other moms during class, sitting on the front porch swing until he was finished.  

Rory is 42 inches tall and weighs 38 pounds.

Rory LOVES:

All things superhero and he isn't partial to one.  We equally love Spiderman, Batman, and Superman.

Legos.  

Eating cereal.  Between Rory and Josh we can be down a whole box in 2 days--I know that's only going to get worse.

Telling stories.  He can be quite dramatic and animated in his adventures.

Being outside with his Dad.  Those two can putter around in the backyard for hours.  I think it's their man time. :)

Rory DISLIKES: 

I had to ask him this because I couldn't really pick one thing but he reassured me that he does NOT like spinach.  Ha!  

This weekend, we celebrated Rory's birthday.  It was a small affair--I figure I better take advantage of the family party while I can.  Once school starts I'll have to do something bigger, I suppose.  It was as beautiful day. 

There were Chick-Fil-A nuggets (Rory's request), cake, presents, water balloons and wagon rides!  A perfect afternoon to be 5!

Between, you and me, I'm lucky there was cake that day.  I baked the cake the night before--and forgetting that the dog can now reach the counters set one layer too close to the edge. Before I knew it, half of it was gone.  (Thankfully, she is fine.  The pure cocoa wasn't enough to keep her down.)  Then, Rory kept taking chunks off of the other layer.  I improvised as best I could--and don't worry I cut off all the parts the dog touched. :)

I can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans these two are going to get into someday!  I'm sure Andrew will be right behind them!

I can't believe my oldest is 5 and the youngest is 3 months.  If time could just slow down a little and I could keep my kids little for just a big longer...Rory starts kindergarten in the fall and I know so much will change after that.  For now, I'll enjoy these moments when they are little and loving life!  I love that Rory watches out for Andrew and I hope and pray they will be best friends.

Andrew-2 Months

To the Batcave!

It's hard to believe 2 months has already gone by--and by the time I write this it's closer to 3 than 2.  Time is going fast and parents who have gone before were right--things with the second baby seem to go much faster.  

We love this little guy so much and are beyond thrilled that he is in our family!

Andrew weighs in at (a not-so-whopping) 11 pounds and 3 ounces and is 22.5 inches long.  He is in the 10th percentile for both height and weight.  I don't quite get this, though, because he can chug 24 ounces in a day like it's nothing.  He must be stashing it in a secret hiding place.  

Andrew likes:

Talking.  For the most part, he loves to have deep conversations with the ocean animals on his playmat, his Mommy, Daddy or big brother.  For most everyone else he turns stone faced and is super serious.

Being Naked.  Well, he is a boy.  He has more smiles and coos when he is wearing nothing and lounging.  He doesn't get to do it too often because you just never know what may happen!

Kicking and Punching.  His little movements are starting to look more coordinated and less herky-jerky.  He reaches for my face when I sing to him (my heart melts!), bats at his toys and is starting to reach for toys in front of him.

Andrew dislikes:

The carseat.  I haven't figured this one out yet.  He isn't hungry or tired but if we are in the car more than 15 minutes he screams and cries something awful.  Not even a pacifier works.  I'm hoping this is a phase and he will get used to it.

Other babies crying.  I have a feeling that Andrew is going to more of the sensitive type.  He rarely cries, except in the car seat (see above), BUT if he hears another baby cry his little face scrunches up, turns red and the cries start coming.  I don't know if it's an internal baby alarm or instincts but he can't take it when another baby cries. 

Andrew's milestones:

Tracking.  He can follow toys with his eyes and will watch me almost all the time.  

He is noticing artwork on the walls, ceiling fans, hanging lights.  This is great entertainment.

First giggle!!  He woke up at some point in the middle of the night because he peed through his jammies.  While I was changing him he starting talking and giggled at me.  I haven't gotten another giggle out yet but it's just right there under the surface.

Head holding abilities are almost perfected.  That little noggin can get heavy but he can hold his head up on his own most of the time.  Towards the end of the day or right before a nap he still needs some help but it won't be long and he won't need any help.

He sleeps through the night--yup, 12 hours with no feeding.  He aims to please, that one.  Don't get me wrong though--I'm still up a few times because he needs his pacifier or just wants to be held for a few minutes before conking back out.

I'm fairly certain he has auburn hair--in the sun it looks as red as Josh's but inside brown.  If I lay him on a light colored blanket or the changing table it is red...I just need it to grow a little longer to really be able to tell. :)

In no time at all he will be 3 months, and before you know it I'll be sending him off to college.  So, if time could just slow a bit that would be great.

Andrew-1 month

It's hard to believe that our new little guy has been with us for a month!  Where has the time gone?  Slow down...sheesh!

Andrew is quite the sweetie weighing in at 9 pounds and 9 ounces and 21 inches long.  He's in the 23% percentile for size--except for his nogin which comes in at the 78% percentile.  Rory had a big head too.  It must be genetics.

Big accomplisments:-He is tracking toys or people with his eyes.
-Can hold his head up moderately well.  The doctor was impressed since his head is big. :)
-Longest stretch at night: 4 glorious hours!


What he likes:
-Cuddling, who can blame him?
-Skin-to-Skin.  I think skin-to-skin is like crack for babies.  They LOVE it.  When I hold Andrew on my chest he will kick his little feet until he has firmly face planted in my neck.  He's happy there.
-Watching Rory bee-bop around the house.
-Wall colors and anything hanging from the ceiling.
-His pacifier.


What he doesn't like:
-Not sure yet--he eats, sleeps and poops just like a newborn should.

Andrew James

I wanted to get this out of my head before I forget it altogether.  Andrew's arrival was only somewhat eventful because he came a little earlier than expected!

Rory was born at 39 weeks and 4 days, Andrew decided to up the ante and was born at 38 weeks and 4 days.  I had a repeat c-section scheduled for March 2nd but it wasn't going to happen.

The past month or so I had been dealing with the typical pregnancy insomnia.  I'd wake up around 2:30am every morning and lay there for a few hours before drifting back to sleep.  I had decided no more of that--I was just going to get up and do some laundry, read, or waddle around the house getting something done.

I'm certain Andrew's arrival starts on February 26th, which is my birthday.  I was hoping for a little birthday buddy...little did I know how close it would actually come.  We spent Thursday night with our Life Group from church--an amazing group of people we wouldn't trade for the world.  That night had been particularly funny and we all laughed until we cried.  I remember sitting there thinking, "It would be so funny if my water broke here at the kitchen table!"  After a solid hour of laughing, we left our group to go home...and I remember feeling a ton of pressure.

At 2:30 that morning I woke up, nothing new there.  I decided to grab a snack and catch up on a few shows I had dvr'd.  Josh had bought me chocolate chip bagels with cream cheese from Panera (my fav!!) for my birthday the day before.  Rory didn't eat all his so it seemed appropriate to polish off the rest.  Who would know? Ha!

At 3:30 I thought I should lay back down and as I was walking to put my dishes in the sink, I felt that rush...my water had broken.  My first thought was, "Shoot--I just ate a bagel!"  Rory came via c section and Andrew was scheduled to come that way, which means no eating or drinking at least 8 hours before hand.  I had no idea how this would influence the rest of my day!

We arrived at the hospital around 5:30 where the nurses confirmed my water had broken.  I explained that I had eaten a bagel before my water had broken--it went in my chart and every nurse thereafter, during shift changes explained to the next nurse, I had, indeed, eaten a bagel.  How embarrassing!  I felt the need to explain that I had eaten before my water had broke.

Huge thank you to Aunt Sue for coming to stay with Rory that morning and huge thanks to my parents who came up early to help out and watch Rory.

Due to the bagel...I had to wait 8 hours from the time I ate it so I wasn't scheduled to go to surgery until 10:00.  We had hours to kill...literally.  We watched the Today show in triage...and then we were moved to recovery because triage was getting full.  It was kind of a bummer because there are no TVs there.  Josh had packed the iPad so we pulled up Netflix and watched Ragamuffin.  (A great movie if you are a Rich Mullins fan.)

9:00am...The time was getting close, so Josh double checked the camera to make sure it was working--and it was until he checked it.  Our camera was great but it was old so during Josh's check one of the tiny little metal pins that attached to the flash card broke.  Ah!  We had an hour to go and if I thought Josh had time, I would have sent him to buy a camera.  We were so bummed--I say this only so you understand why our pictures are kind of stinky the first day.

Just a few minutes after 10:00am I was being wheeled into the OR.  It's such a weird feeling being so awake and alert, hearing all the noise and chatter, smelling disinfectant and cleanliness.  I was super nervous about the spinal--I didn't like the feeling (I can't imagine who would) but overall it went great and I can't complain.  At 10:43, Andrew James was born!  He weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces and 20.5 inches long.  (He actually didn't have a name until we were in recovery awhile!)  When I first saw him, I couldn't help but think he looked just like Rory.  It's amazing to have 2 little boys!

Yes, sadly, this is the best picture we have.

I think Rory was pretty in awe of all the goings and happenings at the hospital.  This was not long after we were settled in our room.  I actually, don't remember this at all.  I'm fairly certain I was given some pretty hefty painkillers, so the rest of the afternoon is quite a blur.

Enjoying a round or two of Go Fish while the babe sleeps.   

This is one of my favorite pictures--Andrew looks like a little Cabbage Patch doll to me.  So sweet.

Thus far, being a mom of 2 is about as challenging as I expected it to be.  I know once we get a good rhythm down and everyone starts sleeping more things will be smooth sailing.  Rory seems to enjoy Andrew...always makes sure he has a blanket or a pacifier and wants to help out by feeding or holding him.  By no means do I want to wish time away, but I am curious to see how the relationship between these two blossom.

Welcome to the family Andrew James!

DONE with Winter!

I'd like to say that winter has gotten the better of us.  We, along with thousands of others in the Mid-West, are just D.O.N.E with the nonsense of snow upon snow, accompanied by the bitter cold. I cannot remember a more harsh winter.  Typically, we hover in the 30's and occasionally drop as low as the teens but this year we've seen temps hit -30 and have stayed almost constantly in the low teens.  One day last week it warmed up in the mid 30's and it honestly felt warm enough to break out the flip flops!

One the few rare days that is has been "warm" enough to go outside without your eyebrows freezing, we've bundled up and headed out.  My Dad brought up a couple old plastic sleds that I used when I was little, so we carted Rory to the park.

There is one hill on the farthest end of the park and it's just the right size for young kids to sled.  It was the first time Rory has gone sled riding and it was hilarious!  I thought he might be scared or nervous but he would giggle and laugh going down the hill--I couldn't help but laugh myself and at how much fun he was having.

How can you not have fun being pulled back up the hill like this?

We had so much fun that Rory and I took Daddy and Jessie back on Thursday.  I found out at work I had some personal time that was either use it or lose it, and I'm a use it kind of gal.   Hooray for 4 day weekends and having the hill at the park all to ourselves!!  It was a bit harder this time because it had snowed again and there was a layer of ice on the very top of the snow.  It was VERY hard to walk in but excellent for sled riding because the layer of ice made the sled go that much faster.  A couple times, if I ran fast enough pulling Rory and gave him a good fling with the rope he could slide on the flat ground--all because of the ice!  

The dog seemed a little less than impressed but did I mention how hard it was to walk in the snow/ice mixture?  My legs are still a little sore and my arms are sore from pulling the sled!  An hour out meant good naps for EVERYONE that afternoon!  : )

Although we had a blast, spring feels like light years away.  It can't come soon enough for us!

Fishing and Snapping Beans

Josh and Rory have two days a week that are their "boys days."  I know they both look forward to them.  Rory has been asking to go fishing for quite some time.  This week they were able to go to Josh's parents and get some good quality fishing time in.  I was at work but it sure was fun to hear their fishing stories and see the pictures.  Rory assured me that he caught 4 fish--although he did confess that he didn't touch the worms or the fish.  I can't blame him there--he must get that from me.  Rory also took a ride with Pappy on the John Deere lawn mower and saw his baby cousin Carl.  It made for one busy day!

The boys got home a little later than usual so we canceled our usual evening plans and stayed home to work in our yard and garden.  It ended up not being what we had planned but it was a beautiful evening and we had a lot of fun being together and pretending to be farmers. 

I wish I could say that these lovely green beans are from my garden but **big sigh** they are not.  We were able to get one good picking off our beans.  It must have been at that point that the neighborhood rabbits realized that we had in fact planted the beans for ourselves.  Within 2 days all 3 rows of beans were chomped down to stems.  Stinkin' rabbits.   Josh's sister, Rebecca and her husband are real farmers and I'm thankful that she had plenty of beans to share. You can read all about her farm adventures here.  As dorky as it sounds I was excited to have a bushel basket too!  Even though we are smack dab in the middle of suburbia it makes me feel like we are living on our own little homestead.

Rory was a good helper snapping beans--he lasted for at least 15 minutes and was able to keep the ends separate from the good pieces.  Once Josh started pulling weeds and digging in the garden I lost my little helper.  In all it took about 2 hours for me to snap 1/2 bushel.  This may sound even more dorky but I LOVE snapping beans.  It's very therapeutic.  I can get into a good rhythm and move my fingers without thinking.  In some ways it reminds me of music and playing the piano.  Get into a rhythm and let your fingers do the rest.  

When I was younger I would stay with my grandparents in Indiana for a week in the summer.  I loved it.  There was always some adventure to be had.  I can remember sitting on the screened porch with my Grandma snapping beans.  I don't know why I distinctly remember that but I'm thankful it's a memory I have.  She passed away when I was 15.  I have some great memories but I wish she was still around so I could more solid memories instead of fuzzy ones that are in pieces.  Most of the things we did revolved around food and the kitchen.  There was always something to be learned.  I can remember calling her once I got back home to talk me through how to make something.  I miss hearing her voice and her advice.  I really could have used her advice once I started to can these beans.  After all this hard work not one of my jars sealed so I froze them instead.  After a telephone consult with my mother -in-law we discovered a few crucial mistakes that I can fix so hopefully when I can the next batch they will seal.

This is our resident green bean stealer...a.k.a Jessie Mae.  She would run up on the deck, grab a few beans and then run away before I could catch her.  She is a sneaky one!

We stayed outside until it was bedtime.  We were all exhausted after such a long productive day.  It's days like this that make me so happy.  No running around to do and all of us are together.  It didn't cost us any money to dig around in the yard, have fun and be together.

I'm looking forward to many more days like this one!

Puppies and Preschoolers

We've had our puppy, Jessie Mae, for a month now and it's been a very busy month!  Adding a puppy to our house was the same as adding another preschooler.  I did not realize how similar they are.  I have to make sure both go to the potty in the proper location, eat a balanced diet, don't eat things they should not and in general keep them safe from themselves.

 

Even though we were prepared for a puppy I think it's one of those things you can't know until you've been through it!  Our past two dogs came to us as adults, already potty trained and knowing basic manners.  Jessie is a great puppy-overall very calm and well mannered but still has enough energy to rival a preschooler!  She play bites with Rory and we are working on that.  The trainer we've been working with says this is completely normal and no indication of aggression later in life.  She is simply treating Rory the way she would a litter mate.  We are having to train Rory and ourselves as much as Jessie.  I was worried that Rory wasn't liking her or was upset about the play biting...those puppy teeth are sharp!  So, I casually asked him what he would think if Jessie went to live with someone else.  I thought he would say ok since the two of them haven't figured each other out yet but he responded quickly by saying, "NO!  I would miss her!"  It warmed my heart and made me feel relieved about bringing a puppy into this house.  I was afraid that he was not liking her.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them grow up to be great buddies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessie was about 16 pounds when we got her and looked like a typical little puppy--she didn't have much form yet and people looked as at funny when we said she was a Doberman.  Puppies are like babies-they all look pretty similar but now Jessie has nearly doubled in size (in one month!) and looks like a little Doberman.  We thought she was going to be on the smaller more petite side but so far it's not looking that way!  She is getting much taller and she is having trouble keeping up with her long legs.  She is lacking in the gracefulness department!

 

We started puppy class last week and while Jessie is not ready to earn a gold medal she is a great student and quite the social butterfly.  Usually it's hard to get her to pay attention because she is too busy making friends with the other puppies.  She is proving to be quite smart and catches on quickly--she could take first prize for cutest puppy!

 



 

 

 

All around she is a great pup-I think the boys have a great buddy to go fishing and hiking with, yet, she is calm enough to sit with my while I read or play the piano.  Puppies can be a handful but Jessie is proving to fit in quite well with our family.  She likes to be wherever we are and that is exactly what we were looking for.