Carpet Cleaner

Filed Under Allergies, Asthma, Home Sweet Home, This Rocks | 2 Comments

Oh I am sooo excited. We finally got a deep cleaner for our carpet! I really wish we had hardwood floors, but since we are hoping to move in the next few years we don’t want to pay to get the entire house refloored. And since we have a two year old (and a messy husband) at our house, the carpet is NOT spotless. Jonathon and Bailey also have seasonal allergies and she has asthma, so we thought it would help to clean the carpets for that too. So the steam/deep/high power cleaner was on our list for a while and we finally got one.

It takes a while to use (I would say about 45 minutes to do a room, by the time you vacuum, then put water in this and change out the water/add solution probably two or three times per room). Jonathon does it all though so I don’t even really know how to work it- and I don’t want to learn! HOWEVER. Our carpet is now almost completely spot free and looks like a whole different floor than it did a week ago. I can’t say enough about what a great job this machine did- and now for what it would cost to get the carpet cleaned one time, we can do it whenever we want! We bought it at Kohl’s and had a 30% off coupon, in addition to the sale price, so I would look there if you are considering buying one of these.

Now our next project is to finish making the storage room a little nicer. Jonathon has converted part of it into an office space since our fourth bedroom is now MY office/Avon area. We are working on cleaning some outdoor rugs that we have and putting them down in there to keep it a little warmer for him. Someday we will have a house with more space!

Taylor’s First Church Service

Filed Under Big Sister, Church, Firsts, One Month- Taylor, Posing for Pictures, Two and a half years old | 1 Comment

We decided to brave it and take both kids to church on Sunday, March 21st. We had some fun family snuggle time before we had to get ready. Taylor LOVES sleeping on this beanbag chair- too funny, considering all the money people spend on swings, bouncy seats etc. And he likes this beanbag chair better than anything else.

They both cooperated with getting ready. Usually Bailey has a fit about putting on tights but she did well. The problem came when we tried to take a family picture. Got a good one of Daddy and Taylor…

But check out what happened when we asked Bailey to join them!

She managed to pull it together (but still refused to take a picture). When we got to church she was so proud to push the stroller around and show off her baby brother. She went to her class and we took Taylor to the service with us. He made it, oh, about fifteen minutes before he decided he was hungry. I went to the nursing room where they have the sermon on a speaker to listen to. Unfortunately this woman came in to nurse her child and could.not.stop.talking to me. I thought I was going to lose my mind, and I didn’t hear a word of the sermon. I think next time if that happens I will actually say something. Or else get up and turn the speaker up to a deafening volume!

Anyway, we survived. We didn’t make it today (because Taylor decided not to sleep AT ALL last night) but now we know we can do it!

Confession Time

Filed Under Being a Mom, One Month- Taylor, Sleep | 2 Comments

I have to tell you why I haven’t had time to update lately. This baby? He’s SO needy. Not just normal newborn needy (or at least not like Bailey was as a newborn). He cannot cope with being put down. He doesn’t like to be held by anyone but me. Or my mom if he’s in a good mood. He will not sleep anywhere but in bed with me. He was sleeping in the swing but that’s a thing of the past. If I put him down when he’s not completely content or sound asleep he screams until he starts shaking. People ask “Is he a good baby?” Of course he’s good. Babies cannot be BAD- they don’t know how to misbehave. But I would definitely describe him as needy. I love him so much, though.

The distraught look on his face is because I put him down to take a picture… oh the injustice…

My two lovies

Filed Under One Month- Taylor, Siblings, Two and a half years old | Leave a Comment

Lone Elk Park and Bird Sanctuary

Filed Under Grandparents, One Month- Taylor, Outings, St. Louis, Two and a half years old | 3 Comments

Today the weather is so beautiful. And I was so tired of being at home in our pajamas. I called my dad and told him I was going to come pick him up and we were going to Lone Elk Park. It’s a drive-through park where you can view wildlife and stuff. It’s a pretty drive. But best of all, it’s something easy to do and you don’t even have to get out of the car, but it at least gets you out of the house!

Sometimes, we see a lot of animals there. Mostly elk (duh), deer, bison, and ducks/geese. Today we only saw a few geese and then a herd of buffalo that were really close to the road. One was about five feet from our car. Bailey thought it was pretty cool and wanted me to open her window so she could wave. Taylor slept through the whole thing.

At one point we stopped at a “viewing area” (there are certain places where you are allowed to get out of the car- NOT in the bison area though). There was a wooden feed bin type thing so I decided to make it a learning opportunity. I talked to Bailey about how it was a manger like what Jesus slept in as a baby. I showed her how the animals food was in there, but Mary put her baby in one just like that because he didn’t have his own crib. I love trying to help things “click” for her.

After we were done at Lone Elk, we decided to stop by the Wild Bird Sanctuary. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was right next door and it was free! It was actually kind of cool. Local moms- we will have to do a playdate there one day. I wouldn’t say it’s exciting for adults unless you are really into birds. But cool for kids to see, lots of room to run around, an “animal hospital” you can go inside, and another building with a gift shop and other animals that we didn’t get a chance to check out. And it’s something different. Bailey enjoyed seeing all the owls, hawks, eagles, and other large birds. They are in outdoor cages just a few feet past a fence.

Once again, Taylor was really impressed…

The whole thing is a big long path that you walk down and there are cages and perches on each side. I would say it’s a half mile walk maybe. There are spots where you could bring a picnic or snack and sit to eat as well. The path was gravel, which was annoying for me because Bailey LOVES to play with rocks and throw them. It took us about twenty minutes to walk ten feet because she kept sitting down to play in the rocks.

I’m so glad my dad was able to come with us and make it easier for me to get out of the house with the kids!

So I’m talking to my dad…

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And I told him that I got a new swimsuit and shirt for Taylor. My dad says in a teasing voice, “Oooh did you get the matching sunglasses and sandals too?”

So I guess everyone has noticed I am obsessed with shopping for my kids. Thanks, Dad.

Taylor is one month old!

Filed Under Milestones, Newborn- Taylor, One Month- Taylor | 3 Comments

Little Buddy,

I can’t believe you are a month old already. This month has flown by. It seems like we were in the hospital in another lifetime. I love having you here, even though I am so tired. I love your baby sounds and your baby smell. Your sister always says “Taylor is saying Eh Eh again Mommy!” You have big hands and strong fingers which you love to grip my finger with. You continue to be a great eater. You tolerate a lot from your sister and you seem to be a kind of easy going guy.

You have acquired the nickname Wuzzy (or Little Wuzz). Your sister keeps calling you potato. Usually at night you do one stretch in the bouncy seat, one in the sling, and then you come in bed with me for the last stretch. You are less frantic now when you are laying next to me and it has actually become pleasant. I enjoy snuggling with you in the morning, and watching you sleep. You have mastered rolling from your side to your stomach and you like sleeping on your tummy. I only let you do it when I’m in there with you though, because it makes me nervous!

Today you woke up and suddenly had baby acne. It wasn’t there yesterday– it literally appeared overnight. I know it’s just a phase but your skin was so beautiful and smooth. You’re still beautiful though. Right now as I type you are on my lap on the boppy. You’re half asleep and you keep alternating between smiling and sticking your lower lip out. Suddenly you are so much more aware and alert. Just within the last day or two- you look around at EVERYTHING so intently. You really make good eye contact now. You love to stare at the curtains in the living room. You have also been a little calmer during diaper changes and you have started to look at the doggies on the wall by your changing table. I just keep looking forward to the first time you smile at me!

I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t believe that I could love another child this much. I just want to kiss your face all the time but then it wakes you up.

Love, Mommy

Funny Bailey Stories

Filed Under Are you kidding me?, Talking, Two and a half years old | 6 Comments

A few funny things she has said lately. I just don’t want to forget anything! This is the cutest, funniest, most trying age.

This morning she kept bugging me for candy. At one point we had the following conversation:

Bailey: Mom, can I have a lollipop?
Me: No, not now.
B: How bout now?
Me: No.
B: How bout NOW?
Me: NO!
B: What about a candy can? (candy cane)
Me: No.
B: Well can I have a T-R-E-T?
Me: (In shock) What does that mean?
B: Moooommmmmm, it means CANDY!

She also uses a lot of “time” phrases… such as:

I do it every day.
I saw that movie last week.
I will go there on Sunday.
My favorite? “I will wear underwear next year.”

She talks about her baby brother a lot. The most common things to hear:

I love you Taylor Owen!
It’s okay baby Taylor.
That’s my little brudder.
Let’s call him Potato. (Yes, she has decided that his new nickname is Potato.)

The other day she was watching this movie my mom got her. My mom told her it was just for little girls. Bailey turned it off and said, “I don’t like that movie. It’s for little girls, but it’s too scary for me. It’s for other girls.” (FYI the movie was NOT scary at all, that is her standard excuse when she doesn’t want to do something)

Mommy you’re my best friend in the whole wide world.

A few nights ago she woke up crying during the night. I thought she had a bad dream or something so I went running into her room. I was trying to be a good mom and console her. I was giving her kisses and telling her I loved her. She looks me straight in the eye and says in a stern voice, “Go BACK to bed, Mom!”

She has also been known to say, “That’s too many kisses, Mom!” (Now you see why I was praying for a child who liked to be held, right?)

The other day she came in my office and saw an empty candy jar. (Yes Emily, I already ate ALL the chocolates you gave me the other day!) She looks at all the wrappers and says, “Wow, Daddy was a piggy. He ate all those candies!” Sooo I just let her think it was Daddy.

Yesterday I went in Taylor’s room and she had her shirt pulled up, and she was holding one of the breast pump pieces up to her chest. Awesome.

A while back, she kicked me in the leg when she was mad. Then she looked up with big innocent eyes and said, “I’m sorry Mommy, I didn’t see you there!”

Oh, life with an almost-three-year-old. It’s never dull

Slinging the baby

Filed Under Firsts, Input Needed, Newborn- Taylor, Slinging | 2 Comments

I have been putting him in the sling a little bit just so I can have my hands free. At first he didn’t seem to like it and I got kind of frustrated. I think I needed to pull out the slack from the middle but I kept pulling the edges (this will only make sense if you have a sling). It must have been twisted funny… but the last few times he has enjoyed just looking around. He loves to stare at our dining room chandelier and at the Golden lighting fixtures. I keep him facing out so that he doesn’t think about eating. He has fallen asleep and kind of catnapped in it but no “real” naps yet.

He also seems to like the Baby Bjorn (I honestly don’t know why anyone would like being in that position with their arms and legs stuck out crazy). Unfortunately he is still a little too small for it and his face just smooshes against my chest and I get worried that he can’t breathe. I think he is right at 7 pounds right now so I need to look up the weight for the Bjorn. (Okay just looked it up and it says starting at 8 pounds so we will wait a little while before trying again). I didn’t have this with Bailey, but I used to use one with the baby I took care of several years ago. He was a huge baby though so it wasn’t comfortable for too long. I am looking forward to using this carrier with Taylor.

Here he is the first time in the sling.

I would be curious to hear from any mamas who have another type of sling. Ours is the Kangaroo Kids Ring Sling. I have been curious about the Moby and the Mei Tei… can’t remember which is which at the moment though. I have also heard good things about the Ergo carrier.

Three Weeks Old

Filed Under Being a Mom, Big Sister, NICU, Newborn- Taylor, Sleep, Two and a half years old | 1 Comment

I can’t believe my little guy is three weeks old already. It seems like he has been home forever, but it has only been two weeks. It also seemed like our hospital/NICU stay was a lifetime ago. I will never forget those days, but they are not in the forefront of my mind anymore. I don’t lean close to make sure he’s breathing quite as often as I used to.

Taylor is such a good baby. He just likes to be held ALL THE TIME. Some people say to quit “spoiling” him, but honestly he has no idea what spoiled means. He is not “manipulating” me. He wants to be loved and to feel secure. I am not going to deny my child of that. He has been through a lot. Maybe I appreciate him more because of what we went through. Maybe I am making up for all the snuggles we couldn’t have during the first week. Yes, I do get tired of holding him. But I will not just let him scream as he sits by himself in a bouncy seat. His little chin quivers and he wails and then when he finds me back with his eyes, and he hears my voice, he calms down. It’s nice to be able to make someone so happy with just my presence.

We are having a rough time with sleeping. He does not like to lay flat in his own bed, alone, to sleep. He sleeps in three places: His swing (thanks again Kelli!), his bouncy seat, or in bed next to me. I am not a huge fan of cosleeping, honestly. I would rather not have someone nipping at me and rooting around all night. But if it means that I can actually be somewhat relaxing and somewhat resting, it’s worth it. Unfortunately, Jonathon is sleeping in the living room in the meantime because he is afraid of smushing the baby.

Bailey is still doing MOSTLY very well with him. She does have her jealous/mean moments though. For example, she figured out that she can push his bouncy seat down, and it will pop back up and make his head flop around. Lovely. I have been trying to give her extra grace and extra love, but she has also been having a lot of time outs because there are certain lines that we won’t let her cross. Overall, though, she really loves him and wants to constantly hug and kiss on him. The biggest problem is usually that she won’t leave him alone!

Getting Out

Filed Under Clothes, Firsts, Newborn- Taylor, Outings, Shopping, Two and a half years old | Leave a Comment

Today I managed to take both kids to the mall. I was dying to get up to Gymboree and pick up the Popsicle Party stuff I had on hold. Plus, I wanted to show Taylor to my manager and say hello. I am honestly looking forward to getting back to work (just once a week) and I even talked to her about putting me on the schedule two weeks from now for just a short shift!

I will say that it is more effort to get both kids out of the house. I am kind of thankful Taylor is a boy, because at least I don’t have to worry about fixing his hair or finding accessories to match his outfit. Or putting his earrings in. So he’s pretty quick to get ready, but I have to make sure he has eaten well before leaving. I also travel a LOT lighter than I did when Bailey was this age. I just bring the small black diaper bag from the hospital, for BOTH of them. He is breastfeeding so we don’t need any food related items. Basically I bring diapers for him, an extra outfit, and a burp cloth and then for her I just bring a diaper. I usually throw a binkie in his carseat just in case, and a blanket- which can double as a nursing coverup.

It takes longer to get the kids in and out of the car now, because I use the stroller for his carseat if we are walking any distance at all. We have a rule that Bailey has a choice, she can either hold my hand or hold on to the stroller. She usually “helps” push the stroller. She has done really well with this rule. One thing I have to take note of though. Our mall is really nice. The stores are average to upscale. The area is middle class to upper middle class. But the parking garage? Is disgusting. There are huge puddles all over the floor, the ceiling leaks and water drips on your head. There are cracks everywhere. I don’t know if all metal buildings are like this but it is really gross.

So we got our shopping done yesterday at Gymboree, and then I got brave and went to Motherhood to get a new nursing br@. While we were there, I let her play with the toys in the kid area and I sat in a fitting room with the curtain open (so I could see her) and fed the baby. Then we headed home. I was pretty pleased at how it went with both of them.

Here is a sneak peek of one of her new outfits!

First Days at Home with Taylor

Filed Under Being a Mom, Firsts, Newborn- Taylor, Siblings, Two and a half years old | 2 Comments

I have to say that the first two days at home were really rough. Taylor did NOT want to be put down. Big Sister did NOT want to leave him alone. She also kept jumping and climbing right next to him, and I was constantly having Jonathon or my mom take her somewhere else so she wouldn’t smush him. Yeah, it was rough. But he also got so many kisses from his sister, and she “helped” with so many diaper changes, and watched him as he slept, and talked to him, and showed him her toys. It was really rough on all of us, but looking back, it was a priceless time growing together as a family of four.

Here are a few pictures from those first few days.

NICU Day Six- Going Home!

Filed Under Big Sister, Breastfeeding, Firsts, Home Sweet Home, NICU, Newborn- Taylor, Siblings, Two and a half years old | 2 Comments

On Tuesday morning, I knew that Taylor wouldn’t be going home. I left Jonathon at home with Bailey and went up to the hospital by myself to be there to feed him. After his first feeding, guess what his nurse came over and told me? His bilirubin levels had dropped to 12-point-something overnight and he would be going home! What? She said he needed to continue phototherapy the rest of the day and then he could leave, and be monitored by his own pediatrician for the next two weeks.

I called Jonathon and told him I was coming home to get him. We had my dad come over and watch Bailey, and we went by Target and went to get lunch. When we got back up to the hospital, we changed him into some snuggly fleece NEWBORN size jammies. Which were clearly about eight sizes too big.

I love this picture with me holding him!

And one with Daddy-

I love the “drunk on milk” baby pictures. And this baby sure does like to eat!

We kept telling him that the carseat was a good thing- that it was time to go home. He wasn’t easily convinced.

One last family picture in the NICU. It was bittersweet leaving, honestly. It was the only home my baby had known. The place where I spent hours and held him and watched him get better. And cried thousands of tears. The nurses were so loving, the other moms were so supportive. I can’t quite explain but it was strange to leave.

We were welcome home by one very excited big sister, though!

Here she is holding Taylor for the first time. With help.

NICU Day Five

Filed Under Breastfeeding, Difficult Stuff, Grandparents, NICU, Newborn- Taylor | 1 Comment

On Monday morning, I called the hospital first thing when I woke up. They told me Taylor had passed his carseat test and done so well during the night. Jonathon had planned to come up to the hospital with me, so my mom came over early to watch Bailey and we got up there in time for his first feeding.

While he was eating, our nurse, Katrena, came over and told us that he would be able to go home by early evening. He was scheduled for pictures, then his circumcision (no debating here, thanks) would be done on my OB’s lunch hour, then after they observed him and made sure he was peeing okay he would be released.

We went and got his pictures done. As with typical newborn pictures, they are just okay. Of course his eyes aren’t focused and he’s kind of a lump, but he looks cute anyway. Not posting them on here yet because I haven’t decided which picture to use for birth announcements.

After his pictures, Jonathon and I went to the breastfeeding room so I could pump. When we came back to the NICU and were waiting to be let in, Jonathon was like, “I hear Taylor crying!” I kept saying no, that’s not him, blah blah blah. They let us in and I saw the nurses putting him under a blue light, wearing only a diaper. My first thought was, “Why is he going under there, I hope they know he is leaving soon!” We walked up and the nurse looked at me and then I just knew and started crying.

She kept saying, “We’re so sorry! We wanted to get him settled and calm before we called you back in.” The neonatologist had decided to get one last check on his bilirubin levels and they came back way too high. She said it was good that it happened while he was still in the hospital, because if his numbers had spiked like this after he went home he would have been admitted back into the hospital. Basically he was jaundiced, which made sense because I kept thinking he looked more yellowish. They said he would probably need a few days of phototherapy. The light breaks down the bilirubin in the blood when the liver is not yet working properly.

Here is Taylor in his “tanning bed” complete with sunglasses velcroed around his head.

I guess here I should admit that I completely lost it when they told me he wouldn’t be going home after all. This whole experience was such a roller coaster ride. To be told that morning he was leaving, and then hours later to be told that he was staying days later… it was just more than I could handle. Someday I will write more about what it’s actually like to have a child in the hospital. Right now I’m still alternating between processing and pushing it out of my head. Oh and I’m going on little sleep too, so my posts aren’t so eloquent right now!

Jonathon and I took a break and went out for lunch, and went up to his work to pick up some gifts and visit and share pictures of Taylor. We went back to the hospital for another feeding, then went home for dinner. My mom offered to come back up to the hospital with me after dinner. That evening, there was a girl I knew from church working in the NICU. She was assigned to transport but shifted things around and ended up being Taylor’s nurse for overnight. It was so good to talk to someone familiar. She also said that honestly she didn’t think he would go home until at least Wednesday or Thursday.

Sunday, NICU Day 4 continued

Filed Under NICU, Newborn- Taylor | 1 Comment

I had lots of time alone in the late evening. So I took some self portraits of Taylor and me.

Sunday night before I left, Taylor’s nurse, Kim, got him set up for his carseat challenge. Each baby in the NICU has to do a test where they sit in their carseat for two hours without having any heartrate drops or breathing problems. They have to pass this test before they are released. His nurse was thinking he might get to go home in the next few days, so she said to go ahead and bring in his carseat. If they don’t pass, they have to try again on another day, so they typically don’t like to do it on the last day.

Here he is all set up for his little test. Nothing “after market” can be added to the carseat so he was without his cozy infant headrest. Hence the crazy head tilt.

Yes that is a sock on his hand. His scratch mittens will NOT stay on… too big!

I went home after he got set up for his carseat test and I pumped one last time to leave for overnight. It was about 11:30 and my dad came to pick me up. I was waiting for him to pull up outside and noticed this sign. Does anyone notice the overwhelming amount of commas? I know I am picky about grammar and punctuation, but really? No one proofread this before posting it in front of a major hospital?