Last week/weekend was a bit rough on the sleeping front at night. Drew was FINALLY cutting his bottom front teeth. They were both cut by Monday and he's been back to is happy self since. He's so cute with those two little teeth peeking through! Soon, we will be able to try some puffs! Yay! Along with his first teeth came his first words. It started out as "bah bah bah bah" to "ba ba ba ba" to "da da da da." He doesn't connect saying "da da" to Daniel, but he's pretty proud of himself when he says it :). Way to go pal!
We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday with some of our friends and family. It was a beautiful day and we are thankful for so much. I started the day early by making a second batch of scones to take to our neighborhood friends, the Cartwright's house. I had made a batch of chocolate chip scones the night before and they didn't really turn out as planned, but tasted ok. Yesterday morning I made cranberry orange scones and although they looked better, I wasn't crazy about the flavor. I've got a lot of work to do in perfecting my scone skills. Anyway, we enjoyed a nice morning with neighbors at the annual Thanksgiving celebration at the Cartwright's. We are thankful for them and the friendship we have developed. After that, we walked home to finish prepping for the big dinner. This year we celebrated at Tom and Beth's. I think there were 18 or so of us.....Becca, Dave, Libby and Julia came from Texas; Meade, Emily and baby Blythe from Chicago; Matt and Page; Creigh; Jeremy, Sarah and Molly; our family and Tom and Beth. The afternoon and evening were filled with amazing food and great conversation. We are so thankful for all of our friends and family. Blessed.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Catching up....
...or trying to, anyway. I'm not sure how the last two months have gotten away from me, but they have. The older kids are in the full swing of school (and loving it) and Drew is growing like crazy! At his 6 month check-up, he was 26.38" (38%) and 15lbs 4.3oz (12%). He's certainly proving to not be our chunkiest baby. Right after his 6 month appt. (9/19/13), we started rice cereal. He wasn't a big fan at first and over the course of a month or so, he started eating it better. It helped when we added some fruit. Now, he's eating all pureed veggies and fruits. We haven't found anything that he doesn't like. Again, is this my child?! Drew got his first cold on 9/28/13 :(. Probably something sister or brother blessed him with from school. It didn't really go away and 2 weeks later we landed in the ED with croup. This wasn't our first rodeo. Alex was a "crouper" from a very young age and Lauryn became one as a toddler. I am always very thankful for decadron and hate it at the same time. It works within hours but turns your child into a bipolar mess. I stayed home with Drew for 3 days and did nothing but hold him, otherwise he wasn't happy. Looking back, I cherish the moments I am forced to slow down and hold my babies. Precious time. His little cold lasted a few more weeks before he finally kicked it. All is good now. A few things he has developed and likes doing over the last several weeks: chews on his tongue like it's gum, smacks his list, especially after he's got a tummy full of milk, he rolls over to his tummy and is reaching for things (doesn't get mad as often/fast), is growing some hair, and will respond to his name if you say "Drew" not "Andrew." We tease him that he's the laziest baby in the world, but why wouldn't he be?? He's got 4 people waiting on him like it's their job. He's getting closer and closer every day to sitting up on his own. I know, he's 8 months and should be, but he just doesn't care. I say that I'm excited and ready for him to "do something", however I know as soon as he starts sitting, the next thing I know, he'll be crawling, and I'm pretty sure I'm NOT ready for that. :) Updated pics to come soon....
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Rollin, Rollin, Rollin....
Saturday, September 14th
This past week has been a bit challenging on the sleeping front. Andrew was back to waking up frequently after midnight. I'm pretty sure it is because of his teeth, but it also may be that he is getting smart. "When I cry, mommy comes." We'll figure that out and deal in time. On Saturday, when I went into his room at 2:17am, he was on his tummy. Yep, he finally figured out how to rollover from his back to tummy. I was fortunate to be able to go out for breakfast with a bestie, and while I was getting ready, Andrew was playing on his floor gym. Daniel said he rolled from back to tummy to back to tummy, all in a matter of minutes. I guess he was saving all of his rolling tricks for one moment. Now, he doesn't really care to roll over so much, and when he does roll to his tummy, it doesn't take him long to figure out he doesn't like it all that much.
This past week has been a bit challenging on the sleeping front. Andrew was back to waking up frequently after midnight. I'm pretty sure it is because of his teeth, but it also may be that he is getting smart. "When I cry, mommy comes." We'll figure that out and deal in time. On Saturday, when I went into his room at 2:17am, he was on his tummy. Yep, he finally figured out how to rollover from his back to tummy. I was fortunate to be able to go out for breakfast with a bestie, and while I was getting ready, Andrew was playing on his floor gym. Daniel said he rolled from back to tummy to back to tummy, all in a matter of minutes. I guess he was saving all of his rolling tricks for one moment. Now, he doesn't really care to roll over so much, and when he does roll to his tummy, it doesn't take him long to figure out he doesn't like it all that much.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
1st Day of School 2013
On Monday, we started another school year. Lauryn is in 2nd grade with Mrs. Hamzeh and Alex is in Kindergarten with Mrs. Peterson. They are both excited about a new year (so is mommy), new teachers and new friends. It's hard to believe that Alex is starting "real" school this year, although he was in preschool for what seemed like forever. On the first day, he was definitely nervous, a side of him we rarely see. Just 3 days in and he already has it all figured out. On the first day, parents escort their children to their classrooms. I was excited and nervous for both of them, but knew they would do great. The second day is the first full day and drop off is normal, on the south playground. As I drove away, after making sure Alex knew where to lineup, it dawned on me that the 2nd time around is a whole different story. With Lauryn, I'm pretty sure I waited with her on the playground until the bell rang for at least half of the year, quite possibly the entire Kindergarten year. When we pulled up this year, Lauryn reassured me in the car that "she could walk Alex up." At first, I said "ok", but after a few seconds of thought, decided that I should see him on his way at least the first day. What a difference from our first born. This morning, the third day of school, I took Lauryn up on her offer. They did great. She walked him to his line to put his backpack down and they skipped off together to play before the first bell. I've always thought that independence is one of the most important things you can teach your children. With that alone, they will go far. Here are a few pics of their first day. Cheers to another school year.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Weekend in Winter Park
This past weekend we got away to Winter Park with just our happy family of five. We stayed in one of my co-worker's condos, which was beautiful and spacious. There really is nothing like spending carefree time in the mountains. I love the mountains in the Summer. I think there is as much to do and beauty, maybe more, than the Winter season. We enjoyed dinner on a restaurant patio Friday night. Although the food wasn't great, the beer was, of course. I had a pomegranate wheat and a blueberry wheat beer. Delish! On Saturday, we went to the resort, where the kids and Daniel got Adventure Passes for the day. This gave them unlimited access to the longest alpine slide, trampolines with bungee cords, mini golf, a human maze, zip line, rock wall, etc. There was also a huge bike race/event going on all week. Their favorites were the alpine slide and the trampolines. Andrew did awesome....he sat in his stroller like a big boy (without being in the carseat). He took a nap, then just cruised around until about 1300, then we went back to the condo so he could take a real nap. Daniel and the kids stayed until almost 1700 and they were wiped when we picked them up. We enjoyed a nice family dinner of spaghetti that evening, the kids watched a movie and D and I enjoyed cocktails on the patio while rain poured down around us. Beautiful. The only thing that wasn't beautiful about the weekend experience was the traffic on our way back. It can almost ruin your entire weekend. Luckily, it wasn't that bad and Andrew was a champ. If I could get away to somewhere in the mountains every weekend, life would be grand. Maybe someday.
Kids Say the Darndest Things.
A couple of nights ago at the dinner table, Alex says to Lauryn "Lauryn, when you are a mom, you are going to drink A LOT of wime (wine)!" I have no idea where he might have gotten that thought ;). Of course, I was laughing out loud. Alex saying this triggered me to think of all the things the kids say that you tell yourself you don't want to forget. Here is a stab at remembering some those....
Lauryn
A couple of nights ago at the dinner table, Alex says to Lauryn "Lauryn, when you are a mom, you are going to drink A LOT of wime (wine)!" I have no idea where he might have gotten that thought ;). Of course, I was laughing out loud. Alex saying this triggered me to think of all the things the kids say that you tell yourself you don't want to forget. Here is a stab at remembering some those....
Lauryn
- becept (except)
- ith (if)
- I lo (I love you)
- neighbor (neighborhood)
- "I've got something ridiculous in my butt!" (Lauryn telling Daniel she needs to go poop, 1st thing in the morning)
- Me: Lauryn, can you get me a diaper for Alex? Lauryn: I'd be happy to help you mommy if you said PLEASE!
- LaLa (Lauryn)
- pees (please)
- Bubba and Booper (Cooper)
- fff (giraffey)
- pss (grapes)
- convertibert (convertible)
- exposed (supposed)
- wime (wine)
- "My dad drinks whikskey (whiskey). My mom drinks wime." (to Miss Shelly, our in-home daycare)
- My favorite....Alex had developed a really bad habit of using the word "tooter" in excess. He said it all the time and it drove me crazy. We were in Kansas at my grandmother's house, Alex was saying tooter this, tooter that, so I told him if I heard it one more time, I was going to wash his mouth out with soap when we got to grandma's house. We left, Alex chose to ride in "Doctor's race car" with my mom. As soon as they got in the car and started pulling out of the driveway, Alex, in his most serious voice asks "Grandma T, do you have soap at your house?" My mom had heard what was on the table if he said the word "tooter" again and lost it laughing. He's always thinking about his next move.
- "Dad! Did you see the Eiffel Tower when you were in NYC?! Or maybe the Statue of Liberty." (Alex to Daniel upon D's return from a business trip to NYC. He was SO excited about knowing the "Eiffel Tower", then quickly realized he said the wrong thing.)
- Ahgoo
- hiiii
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
4 months....
Andrew hit the 4 month mark this past week. At his well baby check-up, he was not a happy camper, and that was determined long before the shots were in the picture. He weighed in at 13lbs 1oz, which compares to the 9th percentile on the charts and was 25 3/4 inches (per our home measurement because according to his appt. stats, he shrunk), which puts him somewhere between the 50th and 75th percentiles. Everything checked out great and for once, we don't have to see a specialist :).
He is starting to do fun stuff and is getting more interactive everyday. He loves to giggle at his brother and sister while they entertain him with dancing, funny faces and sounds, and tickles. Today, I put Freddy the Firefly on his belly and he was grabbing him with both hands and putting him to his mouth. I still think he is already working on some bottom teeth. He also grabbed a foot tonight, which prior I would have to manually introduce his hand to foot. Fun times ahead....
Andrew hit the 4 month mark this past week. At his well baby check-up, he was not a happy camper, and that was determined long before the shots were in the picture. He weighed in at 13lbs 1oz, which compares to the 9th percentile on the charts and was 25 3/4 inches (per our home measurement because according to his appt. stats, he shrunk), which puts him somewhere between the 50th and 75th percentiles. Everything checked out great and for once, we don't have to see a specialist :).
He is starting to do fun stuff and is getting more interactive everyday. He loves to giggle at his brother and sister while they entertain him with dancing, funny faces and sounds, and tickles. Today, I put Freddy the Firefly on his belly and he was grabbing him with both hands and putting him to his mouth. I still think he is already working on some bottom teeth. He also grabbed a foot tonight, which prior I would have to manually introduce his hand to foot. Fun times ahead....
Friday, July 5, 2013
Here it goes....
We've come a long way, baby! 10 months of dating, almost 9 years of marriage, 3 children, 2 dogs (we miss you Sable), and 4 fish later (RIP Lulee Lala and ?), it is time to start a blog. After our bonus baby, Andrew, was born, it became very obvious that if I didn't start writing things down, I would totally forget all of these "firsts" that we are so fortunate to be experiencing again. As he is hitting milestones, we think back to when Lauryn and Alex were his age and it is all a blur. Of course, we remember bits and pieces of things they did and said, but it saddens me to think about all the things I have forgotten. Hopefully this blog will alleviate all of that and we will document major milestones (and remember) for all of our children :). I should probably mention that I've never come close to winning any awards in the writing category, so apologies in advance if you are bored.
A little bit about our family...Daniel works for Arrow Electronics, Inc. Don't ask me what he does because I don't know. I do know that he reports to work, the location of his work, and that he receives a paycheck every 2 weeks. That's all that matters really, right?! I have been a registered nurse for 7ish years. I manage the float pool at Littleton Adventist Hospital and absolutely love working there. Lauryn will be eight in October. She is and will always be the princess in the family. She is as close to perfect I think a child can be. This fall she will be entering the 2nd grade at Sandburg Elementary. She currently loves to swim, play soccer, ski in the winter, play with her friends, have sleepovers, and anything in nature. Alex will be six in September. In the fall he will start Kindergarten at Sandburg Elementary. He is really excited to finally start "real" school. He is all boy and loves to play basketball, soccer, football, ski in the winter, swim, and anything his curious little mind can think up. Andrew is three months and growing by the day. Here we go with those milestones I was not going to forget ;). He had a bit of a rough start after surprising us 3 weeks early on St. Patty's Day. We came home from the hospital and at his 2 day post discharge check-up, his bilirubin level had doubled. This sent us back to Children's Hospital for 2.5 more days for phototherapy. It was the longest 2.5 days of my life. I was on an emotional roller coaster, mostly from the postpartum hormones. We were finally freed from the Children's Hospital jail, only to come home and find out that we would have to do lights at home. This wasn't half as bad as being trapped and alone in the hospital, but it is so hard not cuddling your brand new baby at the same time. Unfortunately, this all went on for a span of about 6 weeks before we got the "all clear." At about the same time, Andrew smiled for the first time. At about 9 weeks, he started cooing or "talking." At his 2 month check-up, he was 11 lbs 1.1 oz., 1.11 ft., pulse 111...if you know me at all, you know my infatuation with the combination of "1's" and how superstitious I am. I must have stood there with my jaw to the floor for no less than 5 minutes. It was awesome. The only downside to this appointment was Andrew was diagnosed with torticollis, which I had suspected. Although very common in infants, it also is a pain to deal with. At 3.5 months, he's still in physical therapy, but improving quickly. We are hoping to be done with therapy in less than a month, then we will just work with him at home. Recently, Andrew has found his fists and they have found his mouth. The drool is starting to pour out of his mouth (or he's like his mama when he sleeps ;)) and I'm hoping he's not starting to teethe this early, although Lauryn did, so it wouldn't surprise me. Within the last week or so, he has giggled to his favorite sound, snorting. I'm happy to report that Lauryn and Alex argue over who gets to spend more time with him :). We will see how long that lasts...
That's just a little recap of our sweet family. Stay tuned for many more updates!
A little bit about our family...Daniel works for Arrow Electronics, Inc. Don't ask me what he does because I don't know. I do know that he reports to work, the location of his work, and that he receives a paycheck every 2 weeks. That's all that matters really, right?! I have been a registered nurse for 7ish years. I manage the float pool at Littleton Adventist Hospital and absolutely love working there. Lauryn will be eight in October. She is and will always be the princess in the family. She is as close to perfect I think a child can be. This fall she will be entering the 2nd grade at Sandburg Elementary. She currently loves to swim, play soccer, ski in the winter, play with her friends, have sleepovers, and anything in nature. Alex will be six in September. In the fall he will start Kindergarten at Sandburg Elementary. He is really excited to finally start "real" school. He is all boy and loves to play basketball, soccer, football, ski in the winter, swim, and anything his curious little mind can think up. Andrew is three months and growing by the day. Here we go with those milestones I was not going to forget ;). He had a bit of a rough start after surprising us 3 weeks early on St. Patty's Day. We came home from the hospital and at his 2 day post discharge check-up, his bilirubin level had doubled. This sent us back to Children's Hospital for 2.5 more days for phototherapy. It was the longest 2.5 days of my life. I was on an emotional roller coaster, mostly from the postpartum hormones. We were finally freed from the Children's Hospital jail, only to come home and find out that we would have to do lights at home. This wasn't half as bad as being trapped and alone in the hospital, but it is so hard not cuddling your brand new baby at the same time. Unfortunately, this all went on for a span of about 6 weeks before we got the "all clear." At about the same time, Andrew smiled for the first time. At about 9 weeks, he started cooing or "talking." At his 2 month check-up, he was 11 lbs 1.1 oz., 1.11 ft., pulse 111...if you know me at all, you know my infatuation with the combination of "1's" and how superstitious I am. I must have stood there with my jaw to the floor for no less than 5 minutes. It was awesome. The only downside to this appointment was Andrew was diagnosed with torticollis, which I had suspected. Although very common in infants, it also is a pain to deal with. At 3.5 months, he's still in physical therapy, but improving quickly. We are hoping to be done with therapy in less than a month, then we will just work with him at home. Recently, Andrew has found his fists and they have found his mouth. The drool is starting to pour out of his mouth (or he's like his mama when he sleeps ;)) and I'm hoping he's not starting to teethe this early, although Lauryn did, so it wouldn't surprise me. Within the last week or so, he has giggled to his favorite sound, snorting. I'm happy to report that Lauryn and Alex argue over who gets to spend more time with him :). We will see how long that lasts...
That's just a little recap of our sweet family. Stay tuned for many more updates!
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