Taylor- 4 Months

Filed Under Being a Mom, Four Months Old- Taylor, Sleep | 1 Comment

Fuzzman Wuzzman,

I love you so much. You are the best little boy in the whole world. Your crazy crying stage has ended and it is so fun to see the happy, easy-going baby you are becoming. You are content to sit on laps and watch the kids run circles around you. You have a huge gummy grin and bright blue eyes. Your hair has gotten a lot lighter since you were born and now is somewhere between dark blond and light brown. It’s coming in thicker in the front now but it’s still thin and soft enough that I can nuzzle my cheek against your head.

You aren’t a fan of sleeping on your own. In fact, you still sleep with mommy every night. I’ve made my peace with it and I enjoy having you close by- most of the time. You are my little snuggler, my little Fuzzle Wuzz. I know someday you will need to learn to sleep in your own bed, but I just don’t have it in me to let you cry alone in the dark. Oh and I should also mention that you HATE riding in the van after dark. You scream the entire ride. We are wondering if you hate the dark so much since you spent the first week of your life in blindingly bright NICU lights.

At your four month checkup, your doctor was very pleased with your growth. You moved from below the 5th percentile to 25% in weight (13 lbs 15 oz- if I had fed you before your checkup you would have broken the 14 lb mark!) and 10% in height- I think 23 1/2 inches but I need to double check. We talked about your milestones and at that point you were not grabbing and holding objects but now you are. You’ve developed so much just within the past week! You have great head and neck control, and during tummy time you can push up really high. She said you are a strong little guy! Since you are not showing a real interest in “people food” and you seem completely satisfied with nursing every few hours, we are going to hold off until closer to six months before introducing baby food.

Just wanted to include a few pictures from the past few weeks. I love you love you love you.

Mommy

(Yes I know this is HUGE on him but we were excited about the World Cup!)

Ella’s Wiggles Party

Filed Under Four Months Old- Taylor, Friends, Parties, Three Years Old, Weather | Leave a Comment

Bailey’s friend Ella had her third birthday a few weeks ago. They celebrated with a Wiggles-themed party in the backyard. Unfortunately it was dreadfully hot that day, but the kids had a great time despite the heat. They put out a splash pool and some water toys for the kids to cool off. There were also some really cute Wiggles cutout/standup props that Emily made. You can see them in the background of the pictures. I am a huge baby about the heat so I think I spent most of the time whining or sitting inside feeding Taylor!

Trying to keep cool… I think I changed Taylor into his swimsuit about five minutes after we arrived!

Bailey thought she was really cool getting to drink lemonade with a twisty straw!

And the last picture I took was Taylor checking out the exersaucer/walker inside!

After that most people started leaving. We did stick around to see Ella open her presents. Bailey insisted on sitting IN the chair with Ella. She really has no concept of personal space. I am glad we were able to be there for Ella’s party and that the kids had so much fun though!

Taylor Gets Adjusted

Filed Under Chiropractic, Four Months Old- Taylor, Video | Leave a Comment

I am a big fan of chiropractic care for my family. I am still a fan of traditional medicine as well, but I have seen how much adjustments have helped my husband and my children. My friend Jen is a chiro and has adjusted Taylor several times already. He doesn’t seem to mind at all. You can hear people in the background asking about it as she adjusts him.

Vacation Bible School

Filed Under Singing, Three Months Old- Taylor, Three Years Old, VBS, Video | Leave a Comment

Bailey went to Vacation Bible School this summer at another church. It was actually a great experience for her. The theme was something like “Bee a Believer” with bumblebees. Every day they learned new Bible stories and memory verses. They did a craft and ate snack and sang songs and played outside. And of course each day when I asked her what the story was about, she said, “Jesus.” Duhhh. She did learn the phrase “God does BIG THINGS!” and it was so cute to hear her say that. I’m not sure how much of it she really understands yet, though.

The last night of VBS they had a celebration service for all the families to attend. On the way there, she kept telling me she was not going to sing the songs. This video is so “typical Bailey.” She is fake smiling for the camera and talking through clenched teeth. She is also trying to get me to turn around and face forward. That child- the world is her stage. Click on the link to watch the video, it’s funny-
On_the_way_to_VBS_Cele_Jun30_905pm

One of the highlights of the evening was meeting the puppets. The pastor took her backstage and let her see them up close. She had been obsessing about those puppets all week. It was the first thing she talked about every day when I picked her up. And apparently she asked her teacher all.the.time. when it would be time for the puppet show.

The classes took turns going out in the aisle to sing their songs for everyone. Obviously she went back on what she said and totally ended up participating. Bailey did a great job and it was so cute to watch her do all the hand motions she had learned that week. And the really bad singing voice is NOT mine. Mine is bad but I know better than to sing while holding a video camera.

Can’t leave out Taylor. He slept through about half of the celebration service, and it was LOUD. I wish I could sleep like a baby. That phrase makes so much sense. Once he woke up he was fascinated by all the kids running around. He keeps his eye on his sister. I think he knows she’s sneaky.

They also had popsicles and popcorn and stuff afterward. Bailey was twirling and somehow flung her pushpop up and it popped out of the wrapper and basically rained down all over her head. Oh what a sticky mess. I think this picture was taken about a minute before that happened.

Also bear with me as I attempt to add more video clips to this blog. We got a Flip video camera and I love it but lots to learn. I must be stupid because these are supposed to be easy!!

Happy Father’s Day to Dad and Jonathon

Filed Under Clothes, Daddy, Four Months Old- Taylor, Three Years Old | Leave a Comment

I am very blessed to have a wonderful father, and to be married to a man who is a wonderful father. I know that Jonathon would do just about anything for his kids. He loves to play with them and I know he is much more fun than I am. He reads to Bailey even though he doesn’t like to read. He does play-doh, and markers, and painting. He even puts on his swimsuit to play in a bubble bath with her! More importantly, he teaches her, loves her, prays with her, and keeps her safe. I am so thankful for him. We got a few great pictures on Father’s Day before church. (Note: Taylor DID have on a different outfit but right before I snapped the first picture he had a giant… incident.)

Yes, I know this is a sunhat. Once I changed Taylor into this outfit, Jonathon insisted on the hat. And Bailey is wearing a Cinderella slap bracelet. I give up…

Got a few after church too!

Gymnastics Grad

Filed Under Being a Mom, Firsts, Gymnastics, Three Years Old | 3 Comments

Bailey “graduated” from the Mommy and Me level of gymnastics classes. It was surprisingly emotional for me. This is the first class that she will go on to do without me, while I watch through a window.

While I look after her younger brother (who all too soon will be crawling away from me, eating random fuzz from the floor, pulling up to peek in the doors to the gym like the other babies in the waiting room) she runs off to play with her friends and climb and swing and jump. She follows after her beloved Mr. Mark and Miss Izzy and does warmups all on her own, and waits in line, and cups her hands to her ears to show that she is listening. She is just beautiful to watch.

And I am so, so aware that her babyness is completely gone now and she is a preschooler now. Not even a toddler anymore. Part of me is so proud, and the other part wants to just stop time for a while and squeeze her and close my eyes and think of her as my little baby again. This parenting stuff is hard.

I did take quite a few pictures on her graduation day. Since it was my last class to actually attend with her.

My camera wasn’t fast enough for her as she ran circles on the red mat during warm-ups!

I got lots of pictures of her showing off her skills-

Getting her medal… so proud!

30 Questions

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30 Questions. Completely appropriate, because I am turning 30 this year!! Also stolen from a dear friend of mine.

1. It’s 2AM and you are not home. You are more than likely:
Having coffee with a good friend, at the really cold Starbucks which happens to be the only 24 hour one nearby.

2. What’s the last thing you spent more than $100 on?
Not counting trips to the grocery store, I’m pretty sure that would be clothes for the kids. I have a slight Gymboree problem. (I copied Marty’s answer on this one, just changed “boys” to “kids.”)

3. What do your bank checks look like?
Pink breast cancer ones- they gave a donation for ordering that style so I couldn’t resist!

4. Where did the shirt you are currently wearing come from?
Motherhood. Yes, it’s Maternity. I like their long t-shirts. When I hike up the front to nurse, my whole back does not show.

5. Name something that will be on your Christmas wish list:
Sleep? Free time? Seriously- I’d like to get some of those words that go on the wall for our bedroom. I forget what they are called right now. Like from the home party type things. A cute new winter coat that is not itchy. New fun coffee flavors for my Keurig.

6. What color is your toothbrush?
Blue and white

7. Name something you collect and tell us about it.
Does children’s clothing count? I’m serious. My kids closets are kind of ridiculous. I know Bailey has over 15 pairs of sunglasses. It’s totally my hobby.

8. Last restaurant you ate at. Who were you with? How was it?
El Nopal, yesterday for lunch with my mom and Grandma and the kids. It was good. Taylor slept the whole time in his carseat!

9. Who was the last person you bought a birthday card for?
Bailey’s friend Piper- we are going to her birthday party this weekend.

10. What is your worst bad habit?
Drinking waaaay too much diet coke. (Also Marty’s answer)

11. Name a magazine to which you subscribe?
None right now. My Us Weekly sub ran out, and Bailey gets Highlights- the preschool version I think it’s called High Five. That’s it.

12. Your favorite pizza toppings?
Canadian bacon/ham, mushrooms, extra cheese

13. Whose number were you looking up the last time you used a phone book?
I think about five years ago I looked up contractors to find someone to build this wall in our basement.

14. Other than family, who is the person that you love most?
I would say my friend Faith but she moved away and we aren’t as close as we used to be. So I’m not sure

15. What is the last thing you cooked?
Last night I made pork chops, corn on the cob, biscuits, and salad.

16. Name something you wouldn’t want to buy used?
underwear

17. Which shoe do you put on first?
Maybe the left? That’s the contact I put in first. (same as Marty’s answer)

18. What is the last thing you remember losing?
Everything. I freaking lose everything.The last thing we had a crazy search for at our house was probably one of Bailey’s hairbows though.

19. What is the ugliest piece of furniture in your house?
Oooh we have lots of contestants for this one. Our bedroom set? It’s black, and I’m SO over black furniture. I got it like 8 years ago and we keep saying we’re going to replace it.

20. Last thing you bought and ended up returning?
Some overalls for Taylor

21. What perfume/cologne do you wear? If none, why?
I have about ten bottles that I switch between. Lots of Avon ones, also Estee Lauder Beautiful Sheer and a few others.

22. Your favorite board game?
Life

23. What was the last board game you played?
Candy Land

24. Where did your vehicle come from?
Suntrup Kia. I don’t recommend them, we love our van but had a horrible experience with the dealership.

25. If a movie was made about your life what would the theme song be?
Right now? I like this one:

26. You’re sad, who can cheer you up easily?
Bailey

27. What was the color of the bridesmaid dresses of the last wedding you went to?
I have no idea. Black maybe?

28. What house cleaning chore do you hate to do the most?
Cleaning the bathtub and showers.

29. What is your favorite way to eat chicken?
Fried, of course. With biscuits. (also Marty’s answer)

30. It is your birthday. You hope the cake is?
A double layer cookie cake with lots of icing

Wordless Wednesday- Ice Cream with Daddy

Filed Under Daddy, Food, Three Years Old, Wordless Wednesday | 4 Comments

People Watching

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So another activity I have found at the gym… People watching. The people there seriously fascinate me. Like there is this one really really skinny old lady who wears all black, and a faded pair of black keds. She works out as if her life depends on it. She also has longggggg dyed black hair. There are some men who are up there at the same time every day. They are older. They talk a little too loud, and they seem to ONLY know each other from the gym but I think it’s their social hour. There is a naked lady in the locker room- she is always naked and likes to make conversation with random people while naked. Oh I should mention that she’s about 70 and she’s not thin. It’s awkward. There is a girl who reads an sat prep courses book on the exercise bike. She gets the same bike every morning, fourth from the left. There is a very pregnant girl in the water aerobics class. I swim before their class and then I am lounging in the hot tub while they do their workout. It makes me feel like I’m cheating. You also get to know people schedule and routine after being there the same time, day after day.

I didn’t make it to the gym today OR yesterday though and I am starting to freak out about it. I know once you break the routine, it’s hard to go back. We just had a busy weekend. And did inventory at work yesterday and worked tonight too. By the way the red balloon sale started if anyone is interested!!

Purina Farms

Filed Under Outings, St. Louis, Three Months Old- Taylor, Three Years Old | Leave a Comment

We found another great place to go in St. Louis- Purina Farms! I can’t say that it’s something I would want to do more than once a year or so, but it was nice for something different. It’s basically a small farm and they specialize in dog and cat stuff so there’s a dog show, a building where you can see different dogs and cats etc. There is a big barn where you can watch a cow being milked, see chickens, sheep, goats, and other farm animals. Outside there are some fountains and picnic tables with umbrellas where you can get ice cream and other snacks. And there is an indoor part with learning exhibits and a gift shop. We did everything (at three year old speed) and it took about 2 1/2 hours. I’m sure you could make it last longer, but that was enough for us and we were ready for lunch by that time!

One thing I do need to point out- strollers are NOT convenient at this place. There are several big hills where the rams are really out of the way, or can’t bring the stroller to where we are sitting at the dog show, etc. We should have just done the Baby Bjorn or sling.

Bailey was a little skeptical of this cow. It was HUGE. Seriously- I forget how big cows are until I see one up close. This was the closest she would let us get for a picture.

Here we are at the cow milking place, waiting for it to start. We got a spot up front so that Bailey could actually see.

I tried to help Bailey milk the cow. She got scared but wanted me to do it. All I have to say is, it felt like a furry boob. Who would have known that udders are furry? I was so grossed out after touching it (so I’m NOT a farm girl, lol) and Jonathon snapped this picture right as I turned around. Nice, isn’t it?

I am NOT a dog person, but this show was really cool. They did lots of tricks, caught frisbees, ran an obstacle course, and had long jump contests into the pool.

The Gym

Filed Under Gym, Weight | 4 Comments

A week and a half ago, I joined a local (chain) gym. I am really, really enjoying it. I know, strange, right? I am actually to the point where I look forward to working out, and miss it if I don’t. Part of that could be that I get an hour to two hour break from my children during the day. Seriously, for only $30ish a month, I get free time.

So here are some things I do at the gym. I like to do all the weight type machines (I know, technical terms lol) and then I force myself to run/walk on the treadmill for 17 minutes. I have worked up from 12 the first day. Once I get to a half hour I am going to gradually increase the speed and the program on it. I wish there was better tv on in the morning, because I can plug in headphones and totally watch tv WITHOUT A CHILD INTERRUPTING. Some days I head upstairs and do lots of free weights, and some exercises that the ~~horrible~~ personal trainer showed me. On those days I also like to head to the pool. I swim laps for 30 minutes- I forgot what a great workout swimming is even though I am much slower than I used to be… then, get this- I sit in the hot tub with a magazine, ALONE. Cheating? Maybe. But this gym thing has to have perks, right?

And the really cool thing about going to the gym? I get to shower, alone, and get ready without anyone bothering me at all. I can completely do my hair and makeup, and even put on lotion. The other day the kids were annoying me, so I went to the gym to get ready. I forced myself to do a quick workout first to justify it but then I got ready in peace. Y’all should look into this gym membership thing. I could come up with a completely different marketing strategy for them. Oh and another perk is that I have lost six pounds already.

Park Playdate

Filed Under Playdates, Three Months Old- Taylor, Three Years Old, Weather | Leave a Comment

My church moms group had a playdate at the park. It looked like it was going to rain but it was SO hot. (typical midwest humidity makes it awful sometimes!) So we got all ready to go, and Taylor wore a baseball cap for the first time. Of course on the way there it started POURING. The turnout wasn’t great, I think because of the weather. We spent most of the time under the pavilion.

The kids played in the puddles on the tennis court and ran around in the rain. I don’t know if you can tell how soaked Bailey is. She had started to dry a little by this point. Everyone left early and we stayed to play. She had the playground to herself which made it really easy to watch her and deal with Taylor at the same time.

Mother’s Day 2010

Filed Under Being a Mom, Holidays, Three Months Old- Taylor, Three Years Old | Leave a Comment

It came and went… nothing out of this world, but a nice relaxing day with just my family. My mom kind of refused to see me on Mother’s Day (except for at church) but that’s another story altogether. My husband cooked for me, and I got a Flip video camera which I LOVE! Few pictures of us before and at church-

My first Mother’s Day present/craft that Bailey made herself. Her Sunday School teachers put together this cute little flower craft for them to make. I almost cried when she gave it to me.