Our little guys is growing like a weed. He has been in 3-6 months clothes for a month now and it doesn't look like he will be in them much longer. He has full cheeks and chubby legs - I just love to kiss him all over!
He developed a pretty nasty cold which makes him cough a lot. As a result, he is still in his carrier at night. Once his cold subsides, I am going to transition him to sleeping flat in the crib - the cry it out method may be necessary at that point - yikes!
He smiles all the time now and makes all sorts of sounds like he is trying to talk to us. He is definitely starting to recognize his family, and he knows my face and voice without a doubt.
He is even starting to try to roll over. He gets about half way over and then rolls back, but he is getting there slowly.
I went back to work before the holidays, and things are going well. I guess after number 3 - it's no big deal. Don't get me wrong, I do miss him terribly when I am at work. Being part-time probably contributes to my lack of separation anxiety. We have developed a good routine and everything has been smooth - thank goodness!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Monday, December 8, 2014
John Paul - 2 months
A little late, again...
I was starting to get anxious about his sleeping patterns. For the better part of his second month, he was still waking up every 2-4 hours, leaving me very tired throughout the day. He would treat me to a 4 or 5 hour stretch every once in a while, but not too often.
The night before Thanksgiving, we were at a friend's house for a party. We were there late and all the kids fell asleep on the way home. John Paul was in his carrier, and we just left him in there and placed it in the pack-n-play. That night, he slept 9 hours!
He has been in the carrier ever since and sleeps anywhere from 7-10 hours.
He has a little cold right now, so I am guessing that the carrier allows him to sleep more comfortably, but we will try to lay him flat once this cold subsides to see if he can sleep all night out of the carrier.
He is a very pleasant baby. He smiles and coos all the time.
He loves his mama's milk - he is a chucker! We go to the doctor tomorrow for his 2 month check-up, so we will see how much he really weighs.
He looks just like Luci at this age. If we show people Luci's pictures at this age, they think that it's John Paul.
We just love him so much and are enjoying him!
I go back to work in 2 weeks :(
But it will be fine!
I was starting to get anxious about his sleeping patterns. For the better part of his second month, he was still waking up every 2-4 hours, leaving me very tired throughout the day. He would treat me to a 4 or 5 hour stretch every once in a while, but not too often.
The night before Thanksgiving, we were at a friend's house for a party. We were there late and all the kids fell asleep on the way home. John Paul was in his carrier, and we just left him in there and placed it in the pack-n-play. That night, he slept 9 hours!
He has been in the carrier ever since and sleeps anywhere from 7-10 hours.
He has a little cold right now, so I am guessing that the carrier allows him to sleep more comfortably, but we will try to lay him flat once this cold subsides to see if he can sleep all night out of the carrier.
He is a very pleasant baby. He smiles and coos all the time.
He loves his mama's milk - he is a chucker! We go to the doctor tomorrow for his 2 month check-up, so we will see how much he really weighs.
He looks just like Luci at this age. If we show people Luci's pictures at this age, they think that it's John Paul.
We just love him so much and are enjoying him!
I go back to work in 2 weeks :(
But it will be fine!
Monday, November 10, 2014
John Paul - 1 month
a little late...
He is not nearly as high maintenance as the girls were.
When he cries, he's hungry, then he's satisfied.
Sleeping in 2-4 hour spurts at night.
I guess it could be worse.
The girls were the same way,
so if he follows their pattern, he should be sleeping through the night by the time I return to work.
He's nursing like a dream - no problems with latching or nipple confusion.
He takes the bottle without a problem - even from me.
The girls LOVE him - maybe a little TOO much!
I am much better this time around - as compared to after I had Alena.
(I was a hot mess back then!).
With the girls in school, I am forced to get up, get ready, and get them ready in the morning.
Which is actually really good for me, because I feel refreshed pretty early in the day.
I am sleep deprived, but I am functioning pretty well considering...
let's hope that he starts sleeping better over the next month!
He is not nearly as high maintenance as the girls were.
When he cries, he's hungry, then he's satisfied.
Sleeping in 2-4 hour spurts at night.
I guess it could be worse.
The girls were the same way,
so if he follows their pattern, he should be sleeping through the night by the time I return to work.
He's nursing like a dream - no problems with latching or nipple confusion.
He takes the bottle without a problem - even from me.
The girls LOVE him - maybe a little TOO much!
I am much better this time around - as compared to after I had Alena.
(I was a hot mess back then!).
With the girls in school, I am forced to get up, get ready, and get them ready in the morning.
Which is actually really good for me, because I feel refreshed pretty early in the day.
I am sleep deprived, but I am functioning pretty well considering...
let's hope that he starts sleeping better over the next month!
John Paul - birth story
a little late...
Water broke at 11pm
Contractions started a little after midnight
Arrived at hospital around 1am
Triaged at 1:30am
Contractions 3 minutes apart and VERY strong
Checked by doctor - 4-5 centimeters (almost 2am)
Bought ticket to go to labor & delivery room and for an epidural
Could barely lay still because contractions were constant
Ob gave me a narcotic to take the edge off and so I could be still for the epidural
I was as high as a kite - could barely keep my eyes open
Able to sit still for the stick
But NO relief
waited through 1, 2, 3 contractions
STILL NO RELIEF
Ob asked for a bolus
No change
I was checked again at 3am
10 centimeters!!!! WHAT?!?!?!?
I was too far along for the epidural to catch up
Delivered him without drugs!
But after 42 years, my dad finally got a boy!!!!
Totally worth it!
Water broke at 11pm
Contractions started a little after midnight
Arrived at hospital around 1am
Triaged at 1:30am
Contractions 3 minutes apart and VERY strong
Checked by doctor - 4-5 centimeters (almost 2am)
Bought ticket to go to labor & delivery room and for an epidural
Could barely lay still because contractions were constant
Ob gave me a narcotic to take the edge off and so I could be still for the epidural
I was as high as a kite - could barely keep my eyes open
Able to sit still for the stick
But NO relief
waited through 1, 2, 3 contractions
STILL NO RELIEF
Ob asked for a bolus
No change
I was checked again at 3am
10 centimeters!!!! WHAT?!?!?!?
I was too far along for the epidural to catch up
Delivered him without drugs!
But after 42 years, my dad finally got a boy!!!!
Totally worth it!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Thursday, January 10, 2013
A sign that I watched too much TV as a child...
Santa brought the movie Annie this Christmas.
I will sing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" for the girls at times in the car.
So the movie was a hit with them.
We watched it the other day, and I couldn't believe my recall:
(Keep in mind that I haven't watched the movie in at least 15 years, if not more.)
Not only was I singing every song, but I was reciting almost every line -
right down to every "oh my goodness" and every "leaping lizards!"
My husband is very familiar with my ability to recite movies,
but even he was amazed!.
Now Luci wants to watch it daily - I wonder if history will repeat itself?
I will sing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" for the girls at times in the car.
So the movie was a hit with them.
We watched it the other day, and I couldn't believe my recall:
(Keep in mind that I haven't watched the movie in at least 15 years, if not more.)
Not only was I singing every song, but I was reciting almost every line -
right down to every "oh my goodness" and every "leaping lizards!"
My husband is very familiar with my ability to recite movies,
but even he was amazed!.
Now Luci wants to watch it daily - I wonder if history will repeat itself?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I DO NOT heart stink bugs!
We have a major stink bug problem in our area.
It's really annoying.
I am hoping for a good frost this year, so they are not so bad next season.
Unlike last year.
There were 2 flying around our kitchen light at dinner tonight.
Much to my disgust, one landed in my meal!!!!!!!!!!!
YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Appetite gone instantaneously - which takes quite a lot for me!
I am still grossed out!
It's really annoying.
I am hoping for a good frost this year, so they are not so bad next season.
Unlike last year.
There were 2 flying around our kitchen light at dinner tonight.
Much to my disgust, one landed in my meal!!!!!!!!!!!
YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Appetite gone instantaneously - which takes quite a lot for me!
I am still grossed out!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
1.5 and 3.5
Alena has changed so much over the past 6 months - she has her own language now - most words we can understand, but some of them are still gibberish. Some of her favorites are: mama, daddy, nonni, sissy/Luci ("deedee"), pappy, babci ("bubby"), shoe ("doo"), juice ("joo"), baba (sippy cup), bow, hi, bye, night-night, eat, ear, eye, school, mine, teeth.
Her gait is back to normal since her cast was removed - it only took 10 days. She is trying to jump and can't get the hang of it just yet, but it is so cute to watch her try! She is also into coloring - as long as the crayons stay out of her mouth! She adores her big sister and wants to play with her all the time.
She is a great cuddler and give tight squeezes around your neck when she gives hugs and she loves to give kisses too. I will be washing dishes and she will run up to me, squeeze my legs and kiss them - she's so sweet!
Luci is doing great as well. She adjusted well to school and loves to go. She also goes to dance school and has no problems there - unlike last year.
She recognizes letters and is starting to write them as well. She will be sitting at the table with her paper and crayons, and then I'll hear "look - I made a capital I" - and she did. She can draw faces too - she used to draw them upside down, but now she draws them right side up. She struggled with using scissors at school, but she has gotten much better at using them now.
Luci plays very nicely - even by herself. She will get out barbies, dolls, and other toys, and role play with them. There's always a mom, dad, little sister, and big sister - I love to listen to her play the different roles.
Her lastest obsession is watching how to bake cakes and now we have turned it into our new hobby that we do together - we love it!
We are looking forward to the holidays up - and I hope to be a little better with my updates!
Her gait is back to normal since her cast was removed - it only took 10 days. She is trying to jump and can't get the hang of it just yet, but it is so cute to watch her try! She is also into coloring - as long as the crayons stay out of her mouth! She adores her big sister and wants to play with her all the time.
She is a great cuddler and give tight squeezes around your neck when she gives hugs and she loves to give kisses too. I will be washing dishes and she will run up to me, squeeze my legs and kiss them - she's so sweet!
Luci is doing great as well. She adjusted well to school and loves to go. She also goes to dance school and has no problems there - unlike last year.
She recognizes letters and is starting to write them as well. She will be sitting at the table with her paper and crayons, and then I'll hear "look - I made a capital I" - and she did. She can draw faces too - she used to draw them upside down, but now she draws them right side up. She struggled with using scissors at school, but she has gotten much better at using them now.
Luci plays very nicely - even by herself. She will get out barbies, dolls, and other toys, and role play with them. There's always a mom, dad, little sister, and big sister - I love to listen to her play the different roles.
Her lastest obsession is watching how to bake cakes and now we have turned it into our new hobby that we do together - we love it!
We are looking forward to the holidays up - and I hope to be a little better with my updates!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
I did it!
I set a goal for myself to do the Great Race 10K.
I have done many 5K's before - but nothing farther.
Until today.
Despite the down pour of rain for the 2nd half of the race -
it was a great race - no pun intended!
I did pretty well for myself too -
I wanted to come in under an hour,
and I did - 56:45 - ~9:00/mile pace.
Next goal - half marathon!
I have done many 5K's before - but nothing farther.
Until today.
Despite the down pour of rain for the 2nd half of the race -
it was a great race - no pun intended!
I did pretty well for myself too -
I wanted to come in under an hour,
and I did - 56:45 - ~9:00/mile pace.
Next goal - half marathon!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
The things we do for our kids
Luci loves to play with my iPhone.
She gets on to uTube,
and finds videos -
how to bake different kinds of cakes.
She watches how to make
princess cakes,
mermaid cakes,
castle cakes,
purse cakes,
doggy cakes,
etc.
Her latest obsession is a
rainbow magical unicorn cake.
She has been asking for weeks
to make this cake with me.
So I finally caved.
Here are pictures of the progress
and the final product!
She gets on to uTube,
and finds videos -
how to bake different kinds of cakes.
She watches how to make
princess cakes,
mermaid cakes,
castle cakes,
purse cakes,
doggy cakes,
etc.
Her latest obsession is a
rainbow magical unicorn cake.
She has been asking for weeks
to make this cake with me.
So I finally caved.
Here are pictures of the progress
and the final product!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Good reads!
When I first saw the trailer for The Hunger Games movie, I was not intrigued.I had never heard of the book series until after the movie was released.
I had no interest in seeing the movie or reading the books.
Then I would hear people talking about the books-
how good they were,
how they couldn't put them down,
how they had read all 3 books in one weekend.
I became curious.
I saw the first book for $5 at Sam's Club.
So I bought it and read it on vacation.Seriously - I couldn't put it down.
I watched the movie - pretty good adaptation.
Of course the book was better.
It took me a while to get to the store to buy the other 2 books.
I started book 2, Catching Fire, on a Friday afternoon,
and finished book 3, The Mockingjay, by Monday night.
Yes, they are THAT good!
I may even read them again soon!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Our first broken bone!
2 weeks ago, Alena had an accident.
She was standing on her little rocking horse seat -
- and of course I do not encourage that!
The seat is about 6-8 inches off of the ground.
She fell.
I knew immediately.
The cry was different.
She wouldn't stand.
She wouldn't stop crying.
Off we went to Children's Hospital.
Diagnosis: spiral fracture of her right tibia.
Treatment: long leg cast (aka above the knee cast)
She adapted well - too well.
She started crawling, then standing, then walking.
We were assured that all of this activity was fine.
Then I noticed a weakness in the heel of the cast.
I brought casting material home from work to reinforce it.
But when I got home, the weakness turned into a blow out.
I could see her skin.
Back to Children's Hospital we went -
a new cast now.
This one has extra padding and extra fiberglass around the heel.
Hopefully this one will last-
I can't wait until September 24!
She was standing on her little rocking horse seat -
- and of course I do not encourage that!
The seat is about 6-8 inches off of the ground.
She fell.
I knew immediately.
The cry was different.
She wouldn't stand.
She wouldn't stop crying.
Off we went to Children's Hospital.
Diagnosis: spiral fracture of her right tibia.
Treatment: long leg cast (aka above the knee cast)
She started crawling, then standing, then walking.
We were assured that all of this activity was fine.
Then I noticed a weakness in the heel of the cast.
I brought casting material home from work to reinforce it.
But when I got home, the weakness turned into a blow out.
I could see her skin.
Back to Children's Hospital we went -
a new cast now.
This one has extra padding and extra fiberglass around the heel.
Hopefully this one will last-
I can't wait until September 24!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
He strikes again!
2 years ago, we got kicked out of church due to Luci's behavior - which really wasn't THAT bad! You can refer to this incident in a prior post.
Well - last Saturday night, it happened to us again - this time with Alena.
Ironically, she is pretty much the exact same age as Luci was when it happened before.
The age span of 12 months - 18 months is a challenge at church, but it's worth it to muscle through it so that the children can eventually learn how to behave appropriately during mass.
I refuse to go to the cry room for multiple reasons - my top 2 are these:
1. I wouldn't feel like a part of the congregation - I don't think that there should be segregation at church.
2. The cry room is basically another play room, and how are children supposed to learn how to behave in church if they know there is a place the play there?
My children have never been in the cry room and they will never go in there.
So - the obvious question is - why don't we just leave this parish and join another one.
Trust me, I am considering it - but there are 2 things keeping me from doing just that:
1. I LOVE our parish (excluding this priest, obviously). We have made such great friends there, and I can't bear the thought of leaving them.
2. I don't want this priest to drive us away - he can't win.
Therefore - I am being proactive in making sure that he understands that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.
I already composed a letter to the bishop. I actually wrote this letter 2 years ago, but never sent it - it was more of a venting outlet for me at that time. I edited the letter by updating it with this most recent offense, and I have every intention of sending it.
The thing that I am struggling with right now is my attitude toward attending mass - which consists of anxiety, paranoia, fear, and even anger. These are not the emotions that should be associated with going to church. Therefore, I have contacted our parish's deacon so that I may be able to obtain some spiritual guidance during this time. I am hoping that he will help me through this and give me some good advice.
I am open to more advice too - hint, hint!
I probably should just go directly to this priest and confront him, but he will twist everything around and I will end up even angrier - and will probably have to go to confession afterward.
I will keep you updated on what occurs...
Well - last Saturday night, it happened to us again - this time with Alena.
Ironically, she is pretty much the exact same age as Luci was when it happened before.
The age span of 12 months - 18 months is a challenge at church, but it's worth it to muscle through it so that the children can eventually learn how to behave appropriately during mass.
I refuse to go to the cry room for multiple reasons - my top 2 are these:
1. I wouldn't feel like a part of the congregation - I don't think that there should be segregation at church.
2. The cry room is basically another play room, and how are children supposed to learn how to behave in church if they know there is a place the play there?
My children have never been in the cry room and they will never go in there.
So - the obvious question is - why don't we just leave this parish and join another one.
Trust me, I am considering it - but there are 2 things keeping me from doing just that:
1. I LOVE our parish (excluding this priest, obviously). We have made such great friends there, and I can't bear the thought of leaving them.
2. I don't want this priest to drive us away - he can't win.
Therefore - I am being proactive in making sure that he understands that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.
I already composed a letter to the bishop. I actually wrote this letter 2 years ago, but never sent it - it was more of a venting outlet for me at that time. I edited the letter by updating it with this most recent offense, and I have every intention of sending it.
The thing that I am struggling with right now is my attitude toward attending mass - which consists of anxiety, paranoia, fear, and even anger. These are not the emotions that should be associated with going to church. Therefore, I have contacted our parish's deacon so that I may be able to obtain some spiritual guidance during this time. I am hoping that he will help me through this and give me some good advice.
I am open to more advice too - hint, hint!
I probably should just go directly to this priest and confront him, but he will twist everything around and I will end up even angrier - and will probably have to go to confession afterward.
I will keep you updated on what occurs...
Sunday, July 15, 2012
So honored!
A little background:
As newlyweds we joined a local Catholic church.
I noticed another young couple there -
the wife looked familiar, but I always think I know people.
After we had Luci, they had a little boy.
Then I would see them walking in the neighborhood.
We started talking after church,
and would walk together if our paths crossed.
Her name is Erin, he is Jay,
and there little boy is Cameron.
Erin is an OT and works with children.
She did her OT schooling at Pitt.
Her undergrad? ALLEGHENY COLLEGE!
She graduated in 2002 - 2 years after me!
CRAZY!
Well, we have become very close and do a lot together.
They just had another little boy - William.
Today was his baptism.
John and I are his Godparents.
I can't think of a bigger honor.
As newlyweds we joined a local Catholic church.
I noticed another young couple there -
the wife looked familiar, but I always think I know people.
After we had Luci, they had a little boy.
Then I would see them walking in the neighborhood.
We started talking after church,
and would walk together if our paths crossed.
Her name is Erin, he is Jay,
and there little boy is Cameron.
Erin is an OT and works with children.
She did her OT schooling at Pitt.
Her undergrad? ALLEGHENY COLLEGE!
She graduated in 2002 - 2 years after me!
CRAZY!
Well, we have become very close and do a lot together.
They just had another little boy - William.
Today was his baptism.
John and I are his Godparents.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Toddler Drawing
Luci just started drawing "people" a few months ago.
I'm pretty impressed-
mainly because she draws them upside down!
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