Tonight we went to my parent's house for dinner. We loaded up the kids (so weird I say that plural now!) and set out on our way in the Expedition. As we started driving, you couldn't help but notice the absolutely gorgeous moon that was out! Clear skies, sun 97% set, and crisp, beautiful, full moon dead center in front of us. I made a comment about how amazing it looked, followed by Jason's comment of recognition...then we hear Lincoln in the back who decided to add his own two cents on the scene:
His eyes filled with wonder, he dropped the pacy out of his mouth, unable to get the word out fast enough - "Ball! Ball! Ball!" he exclaimed pointing up toward the sky. Yes, darling...the moon is in the shape of a ball, and no - you're gonna have to skip playing with this one.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Baby Art
We are blessed to have great friends with fabulous talents! Jonathan and Becky Seauve are in our home fellowship group and wanted to take some pictures of Baby Noah. Though he wasn't super cooperative with all the shots we wanted (we so should have done it when he slept through his whole first week of life!), they still managed to get some pretty cute shots. Note none are of him naked - the boy HATES being naked! I mean - despises it. Which is hilarious because I believe if Lincoln had his way, he's never put on clothes again!
Nonetheless, enjoy my two favorites! And check them out @ www.JEPhotography.net
Nonetheless, enjoy my two favorites! And check them out @ www.JEPhotography.net
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Lawless
It seems I've heard a handful of times from others with multiple children (including my mother) how your "rules" change with the second child and things you were once overly paranoid and anal about suddenly just don't seem that important.
And I have found I am no exception.
Maybe I'm making a big mistake by not sticking to the book or trying to emulate what we did previously (being that Lincoln is a fantastic sleep/eater/adjuster), and just maybe we'll pay for it dearly in the near future (I'll keep ya posted on that one with updates soon to come), but with Noah we have already found ourselves doing things I never would have allowed with Lincoln. And frankly, I'm happier, more relaxed, and he's doing just fine (so far).
For instance, I grimaced (first mistake) when I would hear of parents allowing their kids in their beds - even if briefly - thinking this would ruin all chance of parents ever having their bed to themselves again (thinking baby wouldn't be able to adjust even on into their middle school years without sleeping in their parents bed!). Second time around with us? Guilty of the unmentionable "sin". Yes. Since I breastfeed every couple of hours, my laziness has landed Noah a spot on the bed for the past two nights. It's so easy - I just reach over, feed him, and back he goes. He's already a much better sleeper than Lincoln was in that first month and as well as Lincoln adjusted to sleeping in his crib/through the night (only took 2 days), I'm not worried about the transition when it comes. And yes, I do understand this could majorly backfire and I'll be writing a post soon on how this was in fact the biggest mistake! We don't do it every night. Usually he ends up in the bed from the 3:00 feeding till the morning. It's working and we're rested.
Another thing I was overly anal about was Lincoln's feeding schedule (which is probably in the end why my milk dried up at 4 months!). I was a clock watcher and didn't budge much from "the schedule". With Noah, I use the clock as a reminder of when to feed him since he sleeps a lot, but I have already in the first two weeks flexed an insane amount of that schedule! Sometimes he eats every hour, sometimes 2, and sometimes 3...the past two nights he has slept 5 hours in between feedings which is fabulous! I do the stack feeding at night where i feed him every hour/hour and a half the last 3 before I go to bed so he'll sleep longer at night and it has worked like a charm thus far.
I do plan in a month or so to start getting into more of a set routine to help him sleep through the night, but I'm so far enjoying not being married to a schedule and the freedom it entails.
And now, after all that blabbing - some pictures. :)
Of all of my "no rules" with Noah, I did set a new rule with Lincoln - pacy stays in the crib, unless we're going in the car. He only gets it to sleep or ride. It's been working fantastic - until yesterday. Yesterday was a DAY, folks. He woke up irritable and fussy and things just didn't change much as the day progressed! So I declared it a pacy-before it was mall said and done (mainly for my sanity!). Thus is the below picture of my little love bug.
Noah got in on the indulgence himself.
One of the highlights in Lincoln's day that is greatly anticipated is daddy's homecoming from work - he runs to the window when he hear his car pull up and watches him come in while yelling and stomping his feet.
This is what happens when you try and take his pacy after you've given it to him - he gets in his best defensive stance with it.
Lincoln has so far been extremely sweet with Noah. I'm kind of shocked because he can be rough with the dogs sometimes. Last night, Noah started crying and Lincoln went over to him, gave him a kiss, and tried to sooth him - precious.
We had our first "double stroller" outing at the mall yesterday with my mom. Lincoln wasn't so sure about his new ride at first, but soon adjusted
And Noah was just wide awake while strolling through the mall - eyebrows raised, as always (the poor kid's gonna have wrinkles by age 5).
On Valentine's Day, Noah got to wear what Lincoln wore the year before - really? It was just one year ago? Geez.
And I have found I am no exception.
Maybe I'm making a big mistake by not sticking to the book or trying to emulate what we did previously (being that Lincoln is a fantastic sleep/eater/adjuster), and just maybe we'll pay for it dearly in the near future (I'll keep ya posted on that one with updates soon to come), but with Noah we have already found ourselves doing things I never would have allowed with Lincoln. And frankly, I'm happier, more relaxed, and he's doing just fine (so far).
For instance, I grimaced (first mistake) when I would hear of parents allowing their kids in their beds - even if briefly - thinking this would ruin all chance of parents ever having their bed to themselves again (thinking baby wouldn't be able to adjust even on into their middle school years without sleeping in their parents bed!). Second time around with us? Guilty of the unmentionable "sin". Yes. Since I breastfeed every couple of hours, my laziness has landed Noah a spot on the bed for the past two nights. It's so easy - I just reach over, feed him, and back he goes. He's already a much better sleeper than Lincoln was in that first month and as well as Lincoln adjusted to sleeping in his crib/through the night (only took 2 days), I'm not worried about the transition when it comes. And yes, I do understand this could majorly backfire and I'll be writing a post soon on how this was in fact the biggest mistake! We don't do it every night. Usually he ends up in the bed from the 3:00 feeding till the morning. It's working and we're rested.
Another thing I was overly anal about was Lincoln's feeding schedule (which is probably in the end why my milk dried up at 4 months!). I was a clock watcher and didn't budge much from "the schedule". With Noah, I use the clock as a reminder of when to feed him since he sleeps a lot, but I have already in the first two weeks flexed an insane amount of that schedule! Sometimes he eats every hour, sometimes 2, and sometimes 3...the past two nights he has slept 5 hours in between feedings which is fabulous! I do the stack feeding at night where i feed him every hour/hour and a half the last 3 before I go to bed so he'll sleep longer at night and it has worked like a charm thus far.
I do plan in a month or so to start getting into more of a set routine to help him sleep through the night, but I'm so far enjoying not being married to a schedule and the freedom it entails.
And now, after all that blabbing - some pictures. :)
Of all of my "no rules" with Noah, I did set a new rule with Lincoln - pacy stays in the crib, unless we're going in the car. He only gets it to sleep or ride. It's been working fantastic - until yesterday. Yesterday was a DAY, folks. He woke up irritable and fussy and things just didn't change much as the day progressed! So I declared it a pacy-before it was mall said and done (mainly for my sanity!). Thus is the below picture of my little love bug.
Noah got in on the indulgence himself.
One of the highlights in Lincoln's day that is greatly anticipated is daddy's homecoming from work - he runs to the window when he hear his car pull up and watches him come in while yelling and stomping his feet.
This is what happens when you try and take his pacy after you've given it to him - he gets in his best defensive stance with it.
Lincoln has so far been extremely sweet with Noah. I'm kind of shocked because he can be rough with the dogs sometimes. Last night, Noah started crying and Lincoln went over to him, gave him a kiss, and tried to sooth him - precious.
We had our first "double stroller" outing at the mall yesterday with my mom. Lincoln wasn't so sure about his new ride at first, but soon adjusted
And Noah was just wide awake while strolling through the mall - eyebrows raised, as always (the poor kid's gonna have wrinkles by age 5).
On Valentine's Day, Noah got to wear what Lincoln wore the year before - really? It was just one year ago? Geez.
Monday, February 15, 2010
"Installing Carseats: for Dummies"
Your's truly, apparently, being the dummy. Guess I'm still miles away from "Mom of the Year" award if I can't even get my child's carseat right. Let me explain...
Today was the day where I first got the privilege of jumping right into this "mommy of two" business as we had our first outing as a troupe of three: me, baby Noah, and Big Boy Lincoln (that's what he prefers these days). Lincoln had a check-up at NWA Ped to make sure his ears were completely clear of fluid from his ear infection he recently had. It was this afternoon, and I knew getting there was going to be a challenge with a newborn and a 15 month old who still needs undivided attention (and weighs that of most 3 year olds, nonetheless).
Note: I am a punctual person. Always have been. This is important to me. If I'm late to something, I planned it that way. So today was no different - I would be on time. So I put Lincoln down for his morning nap with plenty of time for him to sleep 2.5 hours and managed Noah's nursing sessions accordingly to get us to Springdale (20 minute drive) on time.
My morning was impressive:
- Played with Lincoln one-on-one for a couple of hours in the morning (since Noah sleeps in until noon)
- Gave Lincoln a bath and had him in bed by the time it was time to nurse Noah again (and we're on a two hour feeding schedule so this takes some talent)
- TOOK A NAP (Yes, so far I am still getting naps!)
- Gave Noah a very thorough bath and put him in a cute little outfit his Aunt Ginger bought him
- Made myself lunch
-Woke Lincoln up, got him dressed and ready
- Installed carseat #2 (which was Lincoln's since he hadn't been in our car the past week)
- Loaded up the diaper bag for 2 (first time I've had to do this too!)
- Loaded up the car with mommy, baby, and big boy
Yes. And all on time.
I was proud. Had a smile across my face with my blinker on, headed onto HWY 412 feeling pretty accomplished and like "What's the big deal anyway??" I can do this.
Then 5 minutes on to 412, I glance back at my handiwork in the backseat (still a little in awe that there's TWO back there!), only to see Big Boy chilling in his carseat (still backward facing) - completely sideways!!! Sideways, as in carseat laying on it's side, as in Lincoln being so heavy (or something!) that when I had turned, the whole thing tipped over and had been for a portion of trip! Obviously he didn't mind, but I immediately pulled over to try and fix it. I had to unstrap him, set him in the floorboard while I tried to fix it - he started crying, I couldn't get it fixed (for some reason) and was irritated, it was FREEZING cold outside, and I glance over at Noah who is nonchalantly sucking a pacifier, strapped in snuggly to his seat, with his huge bug eyes and crinkled forehead looking at us like we were nuts.
Crap. This was putting a damper on my timeliness. After about 10 minutes (yes - still not sure what was wrong with it), Lincoln became a front rider in his car seat and we were again, on our way...Mom's pride in her accomplishments from earlier diminishing.
Then as we were almost there, I realized in all the things I had managed to get done that morning, I forgot to put on deodorant.
Pride diminished.
But no fear because we made it to the clinic with 1.5 minutes to spare - which, of course, means pride instantly restored. :)
Side Note = Lincoln got a perfect bill of health. And the sweet doctor went ahead and weighed Noah for us again to see if he was back to birth weight (which he was an ounce OVER this time!), which meant we got to cancel our follow-up appointment next week! Love NWA Ped. :)
Today was the day where I first got the privilege of jumping right into this "mommy of two" business as we had our first outing as a troupe of three: me, baby Noah, and Big Boy Lincoln (that's what he prefers these days). Lincoln had a check-up at NWA Ped to make sure his ears were completely clear of fluid from his ear infection he recently had. It was this afternoon, and I knew getting there was going to be a challenge with a newborn and a 15 month old who still needs undivided attention (and weighs that of most 3 year olds, nonetheless).
Note: I am a punctual person. Always have been. This is important to me. If I'm late to something, I planned it that way. So today was no different - I would be on time. So I put Lincoln down for his morning nap with plenty of time for him to sleep 2.5 hours and managed Noah's nursing sessions accordingly to get us to Springdale (20 minute drive) on time.
My morning was impressive:
- Played with Lincoln one-on-one for a couple of hours in the morning (since Noah sleeps in until noon)
- Gave Lincoln a bath and had him in bed by the time it was time to nurse Noah again (and we're on a two hour feeding schedule so this takes some talent)
- TOOK A NAP (Yes, so far I am still getting naps!)
- Gave Noah a very thorough bath and put him in a cute little outfit his Aunt Ginger bought him
- Made myself lunch
-Woke Lincoln up, got him dressed and ready
- Installed carseat #2 (which was Lincoln's since he hadn't been in our car the past week)
- Loaded up the diaper bag for 2 (first time I've had to do this too!)
- Loaded up the car with mommy, baby, and big boy
Yes. And all on time.
I was proud. Had a smile across my face with my blinker on, headed onto HWY 412 feeling pretty accomplished and like "What's the big deal anyway??" I can do this.
Then 5 minutes on to 412, I glance back at my handiwork in the backseat (still a little in awe that there's TWO back there!), only to see Big Boy chilling in his carseat (still backward facing) - completely sideways!!! Sideways, as in carseat laying on it's side, as in Lincoln being so heavy (or something!) that when I had turned, the whole thing tipped over and had been for a portion of trip! Obviously he didn't mind, but I immediately pulled over to try and fix it. I had to unstrap him, set him in the floorboard while I tried to fix it - he started crying, I couldn't get it fixed (for some reason) and was irritated, it was FREEZING cold outside, and I glance over at Noah who is nonchalantly sucking a pacifier, strapped in snuggly to his seat, with his huge bug eyes and crinkled forehead looking at us like we were nuts.
Crap. This was putting a damper on my timeliness. After about 10 minutes (yes - still not sure what was wrong with it), Lincoln became a front rider in his car seat and we were again, on our way...Mom's pride in her accomplishments from earlier diminishing.
Then as we were almost there, I realized in all the things I had managed to get done that morning, I forgot to put on deodorant.
Pride diminished.
But no fear because we made it to the clinic with 1.5 minutes to spare - which, of course, means pride instantly restored. :)
Side Note = Lincoln got a perfect bill of health. And the sweet doctor went ahead and weighed Noah for us again to see if he was back to birth weight (which he was an ounce OVER this time!), which meant we got to cancel our follow-up appointment next week! Love NWA Ped. :)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
My Baby Comes Home Today!!!!!
I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!!! I was expecting him to be here the day before, so the anticipation has been mounting like crazy and in a few short hours, I get to hold, kiss, and love on my darling again!!!
We're so thankful that his grandparents watched him while we adjusted to Noah. It's nice to have family so involved. But I'm honestly not sure I can do this again! It wasn't so bad at first, but this last half of the leg has been so hard not seeing my little baby everyday. We might institute a no-being-away-from-mommy-and-daddy longer than 2 (maybe three if I'm in the mood!) nights! Yes this could cause a problem for camps, church trips, and college - but sorry honey - you're just too precious to miss out on your little antics (which I'm sure will only get more hilarious the older you get!).
We're so thankful that his grandparents watched him while we adjusted to Noah. It's nice to have family so involved. But I'm honestly not sure I can do this again! It wasn't so bad at first, but this last half of the leg has been so hard not seeing my little baby everyday. We might institute a no-being-away-from-mommy-and-daddy longer than 2 (maybe three if I'm in the mood!) nights! Yes this could cause a problem for camps, church trips, and college - but sorry honey - you're just too precious to miss out on your little antics (which I'm sure will only get more hilarious the older you get!).
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