Transformation

We bought bunk beds for the kids on Monday. We got them all set up yesterday. Last night we asked AJU5 where she wanted to sleep for the night. She chose the bunk bed, but when we shut the door after putting her down for the night, she wailed. Within minutes we were able to get her down and quiet in her crib. So, today when it came time for a nap, we let her pick again. She chose the bed again, and I got her all settled. I made one slight change - I didn't shut the door completely - and she took a good nap! We didn't hear anything out of her until she woke up. So, maybe this transition thing won't be so hard...

One downside is that my sister and her family are coming for two days (Friday-Sunday). So, she won't get a choice then. She will be relegated to her crib for those two nights and one nap. But, that shouldn't set us back much if any.

Pictures to come later...

*We were able to assemble the bed almost completely on Monday. We just had to wait on installing two support boards (cordless drill needed to be charged first) and bedding...

One Month Old

An exert from his one month letter to family and friends:
Yesterday was Christmas. AJU5 opened most of my presents for me since I was content sleeping or lying in Mommy’s arms. I did help open one present, but my hands just don’t want to grab things like paper just yet! Clothe and Mommy’s necklace are fun to grab, but paper just doesn’t feel very good. The food smelled good, but Mommy wouldn’t give me any! She said I was too little to eat just yet. Maybe next year I can have some.

As for what I do when I am home, I mainly just sleep and eat. Sometimes I will “play” with AJU5 or sit and watch everyone, but normally I just like to sleep. The best place to sleep is right next to Mommy or in her arms. Daddy’s chest is also good when I get a chance to snuggle with him. I will also sleep on my side in my bed/boppy pillow, glider, or the bean bag. But, don’t try to put me down on my back! I will move and wake myself up within minutes. I can only sleep on my back when I am in my car seat or in someone’s arms. I am strong though! I can hold my head up and control it with no real problems. I can also roll off of objects from my belly to my back or from my side to my belly. I have yet to roll all the way over starting flat on the ground though. I will sleep for 3-4 hours at a time at least once or twice a day though. That gives Mommy and chance to rest supposedly. But normally I like to wake up after an hour or two so I can eat some more! I have to keep eating so I can gain weight and get bigger!

Gifts...

I keep giong back and forth. AJU6 has only two gifts from us this year - a duck in his stocking and an outfit under the tree. AJU5 has twice as many - a whole 4 presents! She has two books and a DVD set under the tree and candy in her stocking. Now, part of the reason they have so few things is because they end up with so much from family this time of year. With their birthdays and Christmas all within a month, they get lots of new things. Plus, they are at an age when they don't care who things are from and often forget about presents when they get a new one.

But, then I feel like I am a cheap-skate. AJU5's presents are worth a total of about $20. AJU6's are even less. Now, I bet AJU5 will love the things she is getting. And, I know she will have other gifts too. AJU6 will be totally oblivious to everything, so no issues there either. And, it does mean I don't feel like I am spoiling them other times of the year when I buy them things.

I guess I just wonder what we will do in a few years when they know who is buying them what and expect things. I hope to teach them to be happy with what they get, but I am almost 100% sure that I will have to spend at least a little bit more on them in the future (especially since I spend $20-25 on each of their cousins for Christmas)...

Do you feel like you spoiled your kids this year? Do you feel like you didn't get them enough?

Am I Insane?

So, we are staying home for Christmas. We decided traveling with an almost 1 month old was just not going to be any fun! Luckily, we have friends in town who aren't traveling either, so they are coming over around 12:30 Christmas day. So, it will be 4 adults, a 2 yr old, a 1 yr old, and an almost 1 month old for Christmas dinner!

So, to the insanity part... Here is what I am planning on for dinner;
Turkey (10lb)
Ham
Homemade rolls
Twice baked potatoes
Jelly salad
Olives
Green beans
Sparkling cider

Now, my husband isn't inept in the kitchen, but he is going to be busy entertaining AJU5 Christmas morning I bet... So, I get to do all of that myself - plus feed AJU6 when he is hungry! Hopefully I will survive...

First Week Home With Two Kids...

SUCCESS!!!
Last week went very well, AJU5 didn't have any more meltdowns than she had before AJU6 was born. And, only one or two was because of him! She is not a fan of the word no, so anytime she has to be told no is likely to lead to a HUGE meltdown. Luckily, she gives up fairly quickly most of the time.

We made it out of the house all but one day. We went to the grocery store, to Costco, to the post office, and to work last week. We have more errands to run today, so hopefully they will go well too. I am still "training' her in the order we get in and out of the car. I think she is afraid I am going to leave her because I have to go to the other side and get AJU6 first. Then I go back to the driver's side and get her and lock the car (yeah, no key fob thing for my economy car...). What really throws her off I think is that AJU1 gets her and I get AJU6 when we are together. So, sometimes she does get to get out immediately! But, because she has a tendency to just start walking away, I can't have her out when I get AJU6 out...

Now, I am not 100% sure what I am going to do about trying to cook dinner in the afternoons... Last week we had four friends bring over food. We still have enough left overs for at least tonight (and tomorrow's lunch), but I don't think there is enough for Tuesday night and Wednesday's lunch... So, that might be a challenge! Maybe I will go the easy route and just get a pizza!

Wordless Wednesday - Birthday Pictures

Early birthday cake (6 days early)Blowing out the candles

Digging in

Birthday Cookies

The Lick Method

And the little guy...

Two!

First, AJU5 is two today. Just over 2 years ago, she was born (i.e. 2 years and some minutes). She is getting so big, but it still feels like yesterday that she was born! We decided to skip the party this year due to AJU6, but she has already had cake. I am going to get her some cookies today, and her friends are coming over for a little bit this afternoon. So, it won't be without celebration.

In the future, I plan on doing one party for both kids. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all of the other stuff between them, I have a feeling it will be easier to just pick one day and have one party! Plus, this way we won't have to deal with jealousy :) We will probably celebrate both birthdays with our families when we visit them for the respected holidays too, so it will only be their actual birthday that will be separate.

Today is also the first day I have both kids by myself. AJU1 has worked 4 days since AJU6 was born, but those were while his mom was still here. There are only 9 work days left for him this year, so hopefully we will survive :) Actually, it has been pretty easy so far. AJU5 woke around 6:15. AJU6 was also stirring during this time, so we all got up. After a little melt down because AJU1 was a t work, we headed downstairs. AJU5 wanted a waffle first thing, so she ate that while I started to feed AJU6. Then she was ready for her two morning shows (one Curi0us George and one W0rd World) . I fed AJU6 and then got him down for a nap. I was able to sneak upstairs and get into the bathroom before AJU5's shows were done. So, I got a shower - before noon! AJU5 met me at the bathroom door and led me downstairs. She wanted another show. I said no (saving them for feedings later), and she melted again. She asked to go to bed, so I put her in bed (knowing she wouldn't sleep). She played for a good hour in her bed! I was able to get some work done before AJU6 woke to eat some more. When she got up, she headed to find AJU6. He had of course moved since she went to her bed, so I had to assure her he was still in the house. She then proceeded to bring my his things. She ended up putting six blankets on the little guy. Luckily, she took to the fact that he would get hot with all of those blankets and left him with just two receiving blankets. Then she colored for a while before asking to go to bed again. And Again, she isn't sleeping. She is talking and singing. But, it is about nap time (within 30 minutes), so maybe she will eventually just crash...AJU6 is acting fussy. I don't know if he is hungry or just not happy... I will have to see here soon...

Expect a post with pictures in the next few days!

Check-Ups

So, AJU5 and AJU6 both had a check-up a the doctor yesterday. It was AJu5's 2 year check-up and AJU6's 2 week check-up. We started with AJu5's height and weight on the big kid scale (a first for her). She is 25th percentile in both areas - a little drop in height, but she was 25th percentile at 15 months too. Then they measured her head while I stripped AJU6 down to his diaper. Her head is still huge - 90th percentile. Then it was time for all of AJU6's measurements: 7lbs 4oz (25th percentile), 20 in (25th percentile), and 75th percentile head. Do you notice a trend?

Then I stripped AJU5 down to her diaper and filled out an autism evaluation form before the doctor came in. We decided to give AJU5 the shot of going first. She did great! She sat ont he table and was very content. Then it was AJU6's turn. He was only upset when she touched him with the cold stethoscope. Otherwise he slept the whole time! The doctor and I talked a little bit and then I got the kids dressed and got ready to go (scheduling AJU6's 2 month check-up, turning in our forms, and picking up a sticker for AJU5). The hardest part of the trip - getting AJU5 back into the car! She refused to sit in her seat. I had to use all of my strength to get her strapped in. But I won eventually and she calmed down before we got too far on the road.

I actually made it most of the morning with both of them alone. AJU1 was home, but he was working outside from 8 until almost noon. Hopefully Monday will go as smoothly... Luckily at most AJU1 was 9 days of work left this calendar year!

Different

I am seeing how big AJU5 is these days compared to her baby brother. I changed both their stinky diapers within a half hour time period, and I was shocked at just how big her diapers are! She is in a Size 4 while he is wearing newborns. When she holds him, she dwarfs him. Then I look at pictures of her at birth. She was a pound and a half bigger, and still she looked small. But, because she was in the NICU with babies half her size, I wasn't taken back with her size as much. Now I find this little guy very tiny!

I also notice the difference when I pick up AJU5 after carrying AJU6 around all day. She is definitely heavier. But, then I realize she is probably 50th percentile or smaller. She could weigh a lot more at her age! I am glad she is small though - it makes holding both of them easier.

I have had both of them in my lap quite a bit. AJU5 will want up while I am holding or nursing AJU6. Luckily, we have wide couches, so there is room for both of them. I have a feeling we will be watching a lot of TV in the near future while I nurse AJU6! It is one way to get her not to ask me to get up and go play with her. I wonder how many Curious George and Word World episodes I will have memorized by the end of winter...

Big Sister!

AJU5 is taking to having a baby around fairly well. Some times she is jealous, but those are minimal. It is normally when she wants me to do something with her and I can't because AJU6 is eating. But, if she just wants to be with me, she will climb into my lap and snuggle. So, there have been many moments with two kids in my arms! She is more than willing to help with AJU6 too. She has fetched clothes and diapers for me so far. She also noticed he was only in his diaper this morning and asked where his clothes were. So, I think we are doing well. It will be interesting to see how she does when it is only the three of us during the day though. That will be the biggest challenge I think. Right now she has someone to play with her almost all the time, so if I am busy they will take her and distract her. But, my MIL leaves in 8 days, and AJU1 will be back at work. Luckily it isn't too long until Christmas, and AJU1 gets a full week off of work then.

And as for AJU6, he is doing well. His bilirubin levels are down to 14 today, and he weighed in at 6lbs 12oz on a different scale. So, our thought that yesterday's scale was wrong are probably correct. He might have been below his birth weight yesterday, but he wasn't a full 5 oz down! Due to his dropped bilirubin levels and increased weight, he doesn't have to go to the doctor's office until his two week check-up. The doctor's office part wasn't too bad (just a weight check), but having to go to the lab and having his blood drawn wasn't fun. Although, today he cried more for the weight check than for the blood draw! I am fairly sure it was because I woke him up taking off his clothes though. For the blood draw, we just left him in his car seat and he slept through most of it (a few tears here and there, but because he was bleeding so well, they didn't have to hurt him much at all).

Now to go relax until everyone else gets back from running around town! I am getting very spoiled with a quiet house this week!

Yellow...

I am not yellow, but AJU6 sure is! He is supposed to be getting a special bili-blanket delivered to help with his jaundice. I am glad they are going with the blanket instead of the light box so I can keep holding him! Oh, and he has lost almost 5 oz since birth. I am not 100% sure that is accurate..

Now about 3 hours later than I started this I have found out there are no bili-blankets to be had in town. Nor is there any phototherapy stuff available to us for tonight at least. So, instead we will just let him be "normal" tonight and see if his levels have dropped by morning. If they go up, he might end up back in the hospital - which I will fight of course! But somewhere between 3 and 5 days they normally peak, and since he is eating and pooping well, he probably peaked today. So, that is our hope!

Pictures!

Well, That Was Not What I Expected...

Yesterday morning, shortly after I got up, I started having contractions. I was fairly certain within an hour that they were for real but that it would be a while before anything really happened. I spent most of the morning laying on the couch watching TV because it was most comfortable. If I stood up, I was guaranteed to have a contraction within a minute, and I wanted to let the rest of the family have Thanksgiving dinner. My MIL sort of rushed dinner because she could tell things were starting to speed up. I rushed my husband through pie, and we headed to the hospital about 1:30. We got to triage just after 2, and at 2:30 my doctor checked and I was at 5cm dilated and contracting every 2-3 minutes. But, the baby was still high. So, they moved me to a real room. They started the IV and were getting things ready so I could have the epidural. Around 3, I started feeling pressure and the nurse noticed that and a slight deceleration in the baby's heart rate, so she checked me. I was at 10cm and the baby had dropped completely. So, no epidural - this baby was coming out! They paged the doctor and help. From there it is a blur. They lost his heart rate. They called in support. There were tons of people in the room. And I was told to push like crazy because he was not happy inside! They used the vacuum to help, but all it did was keep him from going back up. At 3:34 pm, AJU6 was born. And, now we are home!

Details:
Sex- Male
Weight- 6lbs 11oz
Length- 19in
Head- 14 in

I will post a picture once I figure out where my husband put them on the server...

Still No Baby...

So, I thought this little one would be here by now. It's big sister showed up 4 days early, and at most this one will be 3 days early... Now I am just praying it shows up on its own! I am 4 cm dialated (3cm two weeks ago, 3.5 last week). But, as somewhat expected, this one hasn't dropped (AJU5 never did - hence the c-section). My doctor was a little surprised to see me today though - she thought I might have had the baby already too. I did find out one good thing today though - my OB will be at the hospital tomorrow (day), Friday (day), and Saturday (night). So, if I go into labor during any of these 12 hour shifts, she will still get to deliver this little one. So, now that is what I am praying for!

Mayeb I Am Glad the Baby Hasn't Come...

It has been a "fun" 24 hours. Really, it hasn't been bad, but it hasn't all been good. Yesterday morning was normal. We got up, AJU5 watched two shows while I made breakfast, put Tom in the fridge, and got some other random things done (and AJU1 slept a little and then reviewed Sunday School material). Breakfast was normal, and then AJU5 took a nap (and I showered and napped as well). Sunday School was normal - AJU5 had a few toddler moments of wanting to be a handful and not participate, but once the glue sticks came out she was perfectly fine. Church service went fine too - she snuggled for half and then played for half. After church we ran to REI to get ski tickets for February (big discount - going with friends to share child-watching). AJU5 started to doze the last few minutes before we parked. But, we kept her awake.

When we got home, we thought she would crash, but no. She laid down for about 20 minutes, but that was it. We watched the NASCAR race, and at the end she was asking to go to bed. Unfortunately, it was too late for nap but too early for bed. So, we let her watch two of her shows before heading to church. She did normal at church - and then melted down at the very end. We got everything ready as my husband went over some details for the next few weeks with Pastor (he will be out of town). AJU5 CRASHED in my arms within minutes. She stayed out even when we got home, so we just took off her skort and let her go to slep in her tights and shirt.

Now for the real fun - Midnight. AJU5 started screaming. I gave her a few minutes, but soon I realized she was not going to go back to sleep. So, I got up and went to see what the problem was. I got her out of bed and tried to explain it was still sleepy time since she wanted to go downstairs. I went and got her cup out of bed, and then I saw it - puke. It was just milk (which is what was in her cup), we I decided we would get juice downstairs, change her, and put her back to bed. She did request cheese while we were downstairs, but other than that things went as planned. She laid down, coughed a few times, and puked again. So, I got her up again (since she was crying) and changed her pillow (exchanging it for one on the guest bed) since the two in her room both had wet spots now.

So, we went downstairs and watched an episode of Curious George and gave her some medicine - Benadryl, Robitussin, and Mortin mixed together. She refused it at first from her little cup. Then she coughed again and puked again. I got the syringe medicine thing and gave her the rest of the medicine. Once George was over, she slept until her normal time. She seems perfectly normal this morning. So, I am hoping it was just the allergies that led to a cough that led to the puking. But, I want to be sure before I call over a babysitter to head to the hospital to have this little one. So, I am happy there has been no action on Junior on that front.

And. I am thankful I wasn't having to handle two kids with one sick! I would be exhausted today if that was the case. Instead, I only had to snuggle AJU5 while she watched her show. So, now I am praying this baby just comes on its own sometime in the next 7 days. If not, I will be about to go into the OR...

Product Review Friday - Overnight Diapers (Revisted)

So a month or two ago I bought the Pampers nighttime diapers instead of the Huggies because they were cheaper. Conclusion - they don't work as well! Based on weight alone, they don't hold as much as the Huggies. So, we are sticking to the Huggies brand. I did buy AJU5 a package of Pull-Ups from Costco that contains some nighttime pull-ups. Those seem to work about as well as the Huggies Overnights, although we have only used them once. We will wait until she is a little more willing to sit on a toilet before using the Pull-Ups since they are more expensive.

But, my friend put AJU5 in a standard Pampers yesterday (thanks for changing her while she was at your house), and they seem to hold more than standard Huggies or Kirtland diapers. I wish there was consistency in brands! But, then again during the day you don't need them to hold as much normally. So, the others work just fine.

Okay, enough on diapers... Now to pray that in the next 9 months AJU5 will sit on a toilet and be willing to start using one! I don't want to have two kids in diapers forever!

"Wordless" Wednesday - Painting

Busy, But Not...

I have gotten a good bit of stuff done lately, but then I don't think I have actually done that much. It started last Tuesday when I cleaned out our downstairs closet and shoe drawers. Then, Wednesday I cleaned out 6 kitchen cabinets and sanitized all of the baby bottle stuff I found in the process. Thursday was normal story time at the library and doctor's appointment, so no housework was done. Friday we rearranged AJU5's room to make way for bunk beds (when we purchase them - which might not be for a while), and I cleaned out the inside freezer (attached tot he fridge). I also went and got my hair cut (just 4 inches off the bottom - straight cut) and then went back with AJU5 to get her hair cut (making it almost one layer plus bangs instead of the mess she had). Saturday I emptied out the outside freezer (and stuffed all of that stuff into the inside freezer) and turned it off so it could defrost and did the normal laundry. I also organized AJU5's toys during the week (as I found them) so they are easier to pick up now.

On the to-do list still are cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming and mopping all appropriate floors, and organizing the pantry and "junk" drawer. Hopefully I can tackle on bathroom a day (minus the shower in ours because I can't get down to clean it well enough these days) and then the organizing pantry and drawer before Saturday. Saturday will be the big floor day, as I need AJU1 to distract AJU5 while I mop (i.e. to avoid toddler in the bucket issues). Then the house will be clean and organized for the in-laws!

But, then I think of how the in-laws house looks most of the time we go there. We end up cleaning and organizing half of the time because there is going to be a big gathering and it needs to be done. So, part of me wonders why I am spending so much time getting everything neat and organized for them. But, that is just how I am. I hate having people over when the house isn't clean!

And T minus 2 weeks until the baby is hear (if not before)! I think I am ready...

Not Superwoman...

With AJU5 I had no real pregnancy issues the last trimester. Yes, I had to get up and pee in the middle of the night and it was a little harder to get up and down, but I was definitely not complaining about any of that. I don't think physics and anatomy would allow those issues to not exist! this time around - not the case!

First, my fingers started to swell a few weeks ago. They still don't look huge thanks to my large knuckles, but I can't feel things as well and I always wake up with them asleep/tingly. I know I am definitely better off than some women in this category - but still!

Second, getting up and down is not so fun anymore. I can still do it, but don't ask me to do it too much! If I am on the floor, expect me to stay there for at least 15-20 minutes. My joints just can't take lifting this much weight over and over and over again! The same goes for getting out of low chairs. I raised my office chair one inch today, and it made the biggest difference in how my knee muscles felt. I wish I had thought of that earlier...

Third, I get other pelvic pain I never had with AJU5. This little one is punching and head-butting things AJU5 never did. Luckily, they aren't constant or even very often. But still...

One plu sto all of this - I think some of it is because this little one is sitting lower. AJU5 never dropped, so this is giving me a little hope that the VBAC will be possible. And I am definitely praying for a VBAC. AJU5 won't be able to visit me in the hospital due to the silly flu and all. So, I want to be able to come home within 48 hours if at all possible! The girl is just not used to not having mommy around... And since she won't be able to come, AJU1 will have to stay home with her once the baby is delivered so she doesn't totally lose it!

Okay, enough moaning and groaning for one morning :)

Product Review Friday - DVRs

Okay, so this post isn't about specific DVRs - it is more about how much I love being able to record TV. We actually use a program called SageTV which runs via computer to record shows. We had to pay for some hardware and a one-time purchase of software, but that is it. I know other options have monthly service charges, but I am not all researched-up on those...

So, here are the big benefits of a DVR:

• Commercial skipping. Most DVRs will mark commercials and automatically skip them. They skipping isn't always perfect, but you do get to "miss' most of the annoying commercials with no work!
• Favorites! Most DVRs allow you to record all airings of a favorite show. You may also have options as to which episodes of a favorite are recorded (like channel, time, or first-run restrictions). This means you don't have to think about when your show is on.
• Library of Shows. This is a big plus for toddlers. We record all of the Curious Georges and Word Worlds that are on our PBS station. Then, we can cycle through the list and watch them when she wants TV. Once we have watched all available episodes once, we can go through the list again. It is like having a DVD with all of the episodes on it for free1

Do you have a DVR? Do you like it?