Zooin’

Filed Under Friends, One Month- Taylor, Outings, St. Louis, Two and a half years old, Zoo | Leave a Comment

When we go to the zoo, Bailey likes to say that we’re going “Zooin’!” I love her little phrases. (And I love that she calls going up and down hills in the car “rollercoastering” and that she calls the backyard the “vackyard” but she calls vegetables “betchtables”). Anyway. We have gone to the zoo twice in the last two weeks. One day we were supposed to meet up with a bunch of people but never connected with about half of them. We spent that day with Emily and her two girls, and Casey and her daughter Addison. It was Taylor’s first visit to the zoo so I actually remembered to bring the camera!

And both of my cuties in front of the elephant fountain… this is like a landmark for Bailey now. She loves seeing it as we walk into the zoo.

We love the Zoomagination Station. It’s an indoor free exploration/classroom/play area. You can pick up free tickets to visit for an hour during the day. They don’t let more than like 20 people in at one time, so it’s never crowded. I’ve also discovered it is the perfect break in the day to feed the baby and cool off a bit. Bailey was having fun with the sea creatures at the water table.

We rode the train all the way around the zoo, and I think Ella is now obsessed with the train like Bailey is. We really can’t visit without going on the train. And I have to admit, I like it too!

And this last picture- Bailey’s new “thing” is getting a map at the zoo and consulting it after each exhibit that we visit. Only she looks at it for a LONG time, turns it different directions, etc. It’s really cute and kind of funny!

Birthday Week

Filed Under Birthdays, Clothes, Two and a half years old | 3 Comments

My little girl is turning 3 this week. And since I bought her several birthday outfits (oops) I figured we might as well wear them all week and start sharing pictures! Here is the one she wore to church on Sunday-

Wordless Wednesday- Sibling Love

Filed Under One Month- Taylor, Siblings, Two and a half years old, Wordless Wednesday | 2 Comments

(Notice most of these pictures involve Bailey looking really excited, and Taylor looking a little… skeptical…)

Gymnastics at The Little Gym

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Just a couple pictures from two weeks ago at gymnastics. I wanted to take more but my camera battery died. She continues to LOVE her gymnastics class. In fact, that’s where we are having her birthday party this year!

Easter 2010

Filed Under Church, Easter, Family, Holidays, One Month- Taylor, Sick, Two and a half years old | Leave a Comment

I will admit that going into Easter this year, it was hard for me to stay focused on the real reason we celebrate Easter. It’s so easy to get excited about the egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, kids dressing up for church, opening their baskets, etc. I didn’t have this problem before I had children. But sometimes, I get more excited about my kids than about God. I admitted it. I was hoping for a touching, joyful Easter service at church to help me keep my heart in the right place. But we arrived about ten minutes late, and then got paged to pick Bailey up from the nursery after about 20 minutes.

She felt warm and just kept asking me to hold her. She looked miserable, and fell asleep in the car on the way home. We carried her to bed and she slept for about an hour, My parents insisted that they still wanted to come over so once she woke up, the whole family came over. Which was especially awesome when she ended up puking after lunch. They made a quick exit. We got a few pictures before church though:

Here are a few after the family came over…

And here you can tell she’s really starting to not feel good-

My parents let me bring Taylor over to their house and hang out the rest of the day/evening so that hopefully he wouldn’t get sick. It worked! Plus the coolest thing- my parents have a big jacuzzi tub and my mom was like “bring your bath stuff and I’ll watch Taylor while you relax” so I got to read for an hour in the bath. I haven’t relaxed like that since before he was born. Just a few shots of my mom with him

Gabe’s birthday party

Filed Under Friends, One Month- Taylor, Parties, Two and a half years old | 1 Comment

Last weekend, we went to a birthday party for Bailey’s friend Gabe. Such a cute party idea- it was a pirates and princesses pajama party! There was a Peter Pan theme to it, and Bailey wore her new Tinkerbell jammies. We gave Gabe a cute pair of Gymboree pirate gymmies (pajamas) for his gift.

It was also Taylor’s first party. He did really well- he always seems happier when there is a lot of commotion and stuff to watch. I have lots of cute pictures, so I am just going to upload them as a gallery and you can click on individual pics if you want to see them bigger.

Big Boy Tub

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

Once Taylor no longer needed sponge baths, we started bathing him in his little tub over the kitchen sink, just like we did with Bailey. Only this time, she likes to help. We pull up a chair and she scrubs his legs and feet while I do everything else. She thinks it’s the greatest thing ever!

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!

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!

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

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.