A note to Connor

Dear Connor,

Please sleep between the hours of 12 and 5 AM instead of between the hours of 12 and 5 PM. Thanks so much.

Love,
Mom

Oh, I just LOVE them!

Yep, I'm a little partial, but I just can't get enough of these kiddos! After our "screaming photo shoot", we were waiting for the perfect opportunity to try again. The other day Connor slept through an entire 30 minute hair blow drying session. I figured he was out like a light for a while. Marla said to come on down, and sure enough, he was the perfect sleeping model. I changed his outfit 3 times, changed his diaper, posed him in many different ways including naked, and he barely even blinked. Megan was VERY interested and um, curious (you guessed it, right in the middle of everything). She started posing for the camera, and Marla shot several of her as well. She really enjoyed being a model. THANK YOU, Marla!! We had fun, and they all look great!

Tea Party

Megan insisted upon including Connor in the tea party this morning...by the looks of things, I think he enjoyed it.

Visit to Great Grandma's

Although technically we're supposed to still be holed-up in the house, we snuck out to introduce Connor to Great Grandma. He slept the entire time, but we had a wonderful visit with her. We promised to bring Megan next time to provide entertainment (she was at school and missed the visit).

Baby photo shoot

Well, I don't know what I was thinking. I had this idea in my head that I'd just scoop Connor up, take him over to my friend's house for pictures, and he would be the perfect little sleepy model. HA! Connor had other plans. He screamed and screamed. My friend Marla was SO patient and SO good with him, but he just did not want his picture taken today. However, thanks to her cuddling and shooshing, she got some very good ones. You can find them HERE on her blog. Thanks, Marla!

Typical

Exhausted mom + 2 wound up kids = FUN!

I am not proud of this picture of me, but I want to remember the survival days someday...you know, one of those days that I've had 8-10 hours of sleep I can look back and say, "I did it on an hour and a half!" It'll also serve as a reminder lest I have a brain fart and think of ever having another kid! :) No more room on the lap!

One month - already?

Seems like only yesterday I was blogging from the delivery room and begging for an epidural. Yep, Connor is one month old today. Where did the time go? All I know is that I was awake for most of it, but it went by so quickly.

We went to the dr. today for shots. He weighs 10 lbs 12 oz! That translates into over 3 1/2 pounds in a month. Amazing.

He's an active little one month old. He turns his head when he hears his name; smiles (not just gas smiles!) when he has eye contact with any of us, especially Megan; he holds his head up for a while (in one month terms) during tummy time; and last night he rolled over from his tummy to his back a few times.

He's such a good baby. If we could only get his days and nights straightened out. Please. This woman needs some sleep!

It's 4 a.m. - what are you doing?

Although it looks like a poopin' face, it's a screaming, crying, cranky face.

a glimpse into today...

Mommy: Megan, please do not sit on your doll swing.
Megan disappeared into the office with the swing. It got quiet.

Megan: I was just waiting for the Wonder Pets to save me.

Making progress

Megan has always been slightly picky about her foods. She LOVES fruit, and would eat almost any fruit (with the exception of melon), but she would not eat a single veggie. She'd eat most meats, but she would not eat anything considered to be "mexican food" - enchiladas, tacos, burritos, etc. The whole chicken nuggets or turkey and cheese meal routine was getting a little old. I decided the heck with her pickiness...I was going to start putting things on her plate (duh...took me a while) and encouraging her to at least try the new stuff.

Fast forward. Now she'll eat spinach if it's in something, enchiladas, and various other things she wouldn't even ever touch. Today she floored me. We went to Costco, and of course it was sample city. You'd think the girl hadn't eaten in weeks the way she got excited about Costco samples. One sample today was dry roasted edamame. She loved it! She asked for more, and even asked for us to take some home. NO argument here - a new snack food to add into the goldfish/fruit snack routine. Later, we tried the mahi mahi, and she begged for more. We asked her several times if she'd eat it at home, and she said, "Please can we take some home?" Uh, yeah! I've been waiting for her to come around to my way of eating. HA!

So, small steps, but it is progress. And once again, I love Costco!

Plans changed

We were planning on a boring Friday night, but I think the grandparents felt sorry for Megan having to be so bored with a boring mom and dad. Both sides of grandparents called within 20 minutes of each other asking if it was okay to come see the kids (is still weird to type kids, as in plural). Grandma and Megan had fun organizing and playing with Barbies. It looked like a Barbie invasion! Grandma brought me blue/boy scrapbook supplies to use for Connor - my first real boy stuff. She did so good picking out...I hadn't even given her any suggestions! I can't wait to get into my scrapbook room to start his book.

After being VERY patient, Papa finally got a turn to hold Connor...he hadn't held Connor since the hospital. Of course Megan (Cinderella) couldn't share Papa's lap, so they all three sat there together. It was so cute!

My lil koala

Aussie Gran gave Connor a koala outfit when he was born. I love it even though he didn't at first...

Some extremely exciting footage

We're trying to help Granna and Double G, plus other out of town friends and family members, see Connor. Sorry so exciting. Give him a break...he's only 3 weeks old.

Survivormom, Day 1

Today was my first day alone with both kids, and I survived. Par-tay!

At first I didn't think I would make it through the day. It was ugly first thing this morning as Megan and I started off on the wrong foot. But after a few tears, from both of us, and a very heartfelt conversation about working together as a team, we made peace. We managed to escape the house for a few hours today and even enjoyed a picnic at the park with our favorite Aussie pals (thanks!).





After the play in the park we went back home. The afternoon was not without a few little confrontations. The main issue seems to be that Little Miss Hands has a hard time NOT sticking her fingers in Connor's eyes, ears, belly button, etc. I try to get her to stop, she has a fit, starts to freak out, and then it all goes downhill from there. We finally made peace, again, in the mid-afternoon after she shouted down the hallway, "you are the meanest mom in the whole big world". Honestly, it made me chuckle, but there's no way I'd let her know that!

I've been putting today off (Monday was supposed to be my first day alone) because I was so scared, but there really wasn't any reason to be so worked up about it - I can see that all clearly now. In my defense, I only cried 3 times today although I anticipated that I would cry all day long. Overall, the day was a success. Tomorrow is another day, and to be honest, I'm looking forward to it.

Parenting school

Connor only needs me for food purposes...Megan has everything else under control (she thinks).

Megan: I want to play with Ellie, and I want to play with cousin Mandy. Can I have a sleepover?

Mommy: Well, we're not going to have anyone spend the night right now because baby Connor has been staying up all night, so I haven't had any sleep. I'm so tired.

Megan: He's been staying up all night? Why?

Mommy: I don't know. He just won't sleep.

Megan: Well, you have to sing him a lullaby. That calms him down.

Mommy: I tried. He just doesn't want to sleep.

Megan: A lullaby works. It works for me.

Mommy: I tried last night. It didn't work for me.

Megan: *deep, large sigh* Fine. I'll do it for you.

Torn

I can't decide if I should cry or dance a jig. Why? Because I packed up my maternity clothes tonight. Yep, I'm considering whether or not to cry over all those clothes that I grew to hate and swore under my breath each time I had to put them on. It's rather bittersweet. It's nice to be finished with them, but it's kind of sad that I'll never need them again - sort of. Weird and slightly ridiculous. So I won't cry. I'll just be very, very happy and work hard to get back into the poor abandoned clothes residing on the opposite side of the closet...

Calling the HRT

I think we need to call in the "hostage rescue team." I was running a fever earlier this weekend, so we asked Gran and Papa if they'd keep Megan on Friday night. That's the last we've seen or talked to her. She's taken Gran and Papa hostage and won't name her ransom. She's had a grand 'ole time over there, and she refuses to talk to us on the phone. We're worried for Gran and Papa's health and well being. It's got to take a toll on them to use all of their spoiling muscles at once and for so long. I'm feeling better, so Megan can come home already, but she won't! I'm going to keep resting...Connor decided that his bedtime would be at 5 a.m. this morning - little stinker!

Is ANYTHING safe anymore?

Did you see the report on the harmful chemicals found in baby products?
Do you know how many of THESE we have at our house? Scary.

Freedom!

Late last night, Connor lost his belly button "corder". I went to change his diaper, and it was just sitting there. The actual site grossed me out, but Megan and Daddy didn't mind examining it. Yuck. Anyway, with the "corder" gone we decided to do tummy time. It was his first time, so it didn't last very long.

Yeah, this video isn't much...how interesting can a 2 week old be? But it's more so you can "see" him in as-live-as-it-gets action.

Visitors

Last night, Ryan and Kati came to visit Megan and Connor. Megan immediately attached herself to Ryan for the entire night. They were so cute together. They colored, played hide-and-seek, had a pillow fight, played Megan's version of Simon Says - Megan Says, and many other activities. I bet Ryan slept well last night...Megan did.

Kati got lots of Connor snuggles. Megan decorated them with Halloween stickers - who knows. We all got stuff accomplished...I got to ask important wedding planning questions and they answered while playing with/holding my kids. Thanks!

2 week check-up

Yesterday we went to visit Dr. H for Connor's 2 week check-up. Megan introduced Connor to Dr. H and also got to help with the exam. He got a clean bill of health...jaundice is almost gone, etc.

Stats: weight - 9 lbs 1 1/2 oz (50th percentile); length - 21 1/2 inches (75th percentile); head - 14 1/2 (25th percentile).

The only bad thing about the visit was that she gave us a stern talking to about taking Connor out and about in a group setting, especially around other kids, right now. She said the flu strain is rampant and dangerous for newborns, and she's already had to admit several little ones to the hospital this week. She asked us to wait until he gets his 2 month shots - April 21st - before we really get him out around other people or kids. We're going to be careful and guarded, but of course I'm questioning the whole thing. Does it really hurt to continue life as usual? Should I ignore her advice? If we really stay in for that long, I'm going to go nuts!!! I hope my friends don't forget about me or replace me in the meantime...

Here are a few pics from yesterday.


For some reason he smashes his face on my shoulder when we're snuggling.


Megan is just so enthralled - still. She loves to help change his diapers, just like she said she would. Her job is to undo the tabs on the old diaper and then fasten the tabs on the new diaper. Today she told me: "Connor is the poopin' hero! He is the yellow poopin'ist little thing I ever seed."

Introduction

Connor, meet your Uncle Scott! He's home for Spring Break, and we went to meet/hang out with him last night. Megan was SO darn excited! She was attached at his hip and talked his left ear off the entire night. My favorite..."Uncle Scott, let's wrestle again!" Thank you, Uncle Scott!

For the most part, I can handle the fact that I live so far away from my siblings. We talk, instant message, text message, and web cam often enough to keep in touch and even stay friends. But when it comes to my kids, I HATE that my siblings and I live so far part. So far, the only one of my siblings that has met Connor is Uncle Scott - and that just happened last night. It makes me so sad! I know that each one of my brothers and sister (and their spouses) make a special effort to get to know and have relationships with my kids from afar, and for that I am extremely grateful. We look forward to meeting/hanging out with aunts and uncles over the next few months...

Princess movie

Monday, Grandma took Megan to a special Princess movie event at the movie theater. They got to dress up as Princesses, do a few activities, and watch Mulan. Megan dressed up as Cinderella.



They went with Alynna (Sleeping Beauty) and Avrum (Prince Charming).



Megan participated in the "Curtsy School". She showed us her perfected curtsy when she got home.

In the end, Megan did not want to go home. She threw quite a fit and did not want to go home. I've seen that "No, I don't want to do..." pose before with the little crooked finger.

And apparently if she covers her eyes, we can't see her, so the situation is over???

Anyway, thank you Grandma! She had a blast!

Just a sleepin'

When Megan was this age, she was a swing snob. It took us 5 swings, and a chunk of change, to find one that she'd sit in without screaming her head off.

Enter Connor. He'll sit anywhere in anything and snooze the day away. It doesn't matter as long as it isn't the Co-sleeper next to our bed. His current nighttime "bed" is the bouncy chair, which is probably considered some form of child abuse, but he loves it! He sleeps in 3-4 hour blocks, wakes to eat, and then goes back to sleep. During the day he sleeps in the swing and loves it.

Camera Shy

I tried to get an updated picture of Connor to post on the blog - because he's changing so much so fast - but this is what I got.

I finally got something...check out those cheeks!

On the Record with Megan

Oh my we have had some interesting conversations with Megan the past few days...

Connor pooped (very loudly) in his diaper.
Megan: This is ridiculous! All that poop makes me nervous!!

Mommy: Please finish eating your dinner.
Megan: Are there onions in these stuffed shells?
Mommy: No. I didn't put onions in there.
Megan: I doubt it.

Mommy: Want to help change the diaper?
Megan: Sure. Need a wipey?
Mommy: Yes, oh darn, he leaked onto his outfit. I have to take it off.
Megan: Be careful of his belly button quarter. (By the way, she warns everyone to be careful of his belly button quarter/corder...we're not quite sure what word she's saying.)

Connor was crying.
Megan: Why is he crying?
Daddy: I think he wants Mommy.
Megan: Why?
Daddy: I think he's hungry.
Megan: (lifts shirt) I have a boob.

Grandpa Games

Grandpa always comes up with such interesting things for Megan to do, and I just love watching her participate with him. Tonight they asked for cotton balls and Scotch tape. Okay. Grandpa taped their eyes closed and then they told each other what pictures to draw while they couldn't see. Megan, being the perfectionist that she is (have no idea where she gets that - ha!), didn't want to draw unless she could see. It was funny to hear her negotiate.

Keepin' it real

A good friend of mine called me out today, and I'm glad she did. She said the pics on the blog look good, but what's the real story? Well, I'll tell you the real story...

I'm a new mom all over again. Hormonal, happy, scared of the unknown, thrilled, overwhelmed, in love, sentimental, and every other emotion under the sun.

It was touch-and-go around here for a few days. I was extremely weepy, just like I was when I had Megan. In fact, last night Megan called my mom and asked her to come back because I was crying! How embarrassing. Gotta love hormones. I would cry at the drop of a hat, try to figure out what I was crying about (nothing), convince myself that there was a problem, get worked up, get calmed down, and repeat. If you haven't heard me say it a thousand times, my brain drives me crazy. It is always thinking about something and mostly nothing.

At the same time, and probably contributing more than I could ever imagine, I was having serious nursing issues. Perhaps I missed my true calling in life...I should've been a cow. Not a Chik-fil-a cow or a Happy Cow from California but a milking cow. And that's all I'll say about that.

In the midst of my wallowing, I had somehow lost perspective.

I was in a foul mood this morning when my friend asked me how things are really going, but I am SO glad she did. I responded the truth, and at the same time I started reflecting. I went to my thinking spot (the shower), and it's like something snapped. The same brain that drives me crazy helped me sort everything out. I now have a completely different attitude and haven't cried in about 20 hours! :)

I know what I need to do and have a plan. No more tears here. Two kids can't be that hard...

3

The 3 reasons I do what I do...

O-R-E-O

Megan and I had a special "Mommy time" dessert last night...Oreos dunked in milk. MMMMM....delicious!

I 'na snuggle Connor

Megan made a bed next to Connor and wanted to snuggle him. Don't let the eyes fool you...she wasn't really asleep. But before she actually fell asleep, she jumped up and played princesses around and "with" him.

The first of many, I'm sure

So last night sucked! Literally, I guess.

For the past few nights, Connor has gone on this 11 p.m. to about 4 a.m. feeding frenzy. He starts eating, and he doesn't stop. I feed him over and over and over again. We were warned this would happen when he started staying awake longer after the jaundice went away and to indulge him to help clean out his system. But holy crap. It's a vicious cycle and taking its toll on my body. To make matters worse he's like the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". If you feed him, then he poops and pees; if he poops and pees, he needs to be changed; if he is changed, then he wakes up; if he's awake, he needs to eat; if you feed him, he poops and pees...and repeat, repeat, repeat. We've done this for a few nights, but last night: enter Megan. She had some "issues" throughout the night and kept coming into our room. Thankfully Grandma took her and had Megan duty while we continued the feeding frenzy. And the feeding frenzy did not stop at 4 a.m....it's still going as we speak. I had to take a break to eat something! Back to the trenches....

Pretty sad...

I can't believe I'm actually posting this picture...but it humors me.

Kerryn, Aussie Gran, and Georgia came over to meet Connor today. Aussie Gran is headed back to Australia this week, so we tried to take a picture of her with our family that she could have to take back with her. Megan and Georgia had been playing "nighttime", so Megan was in a nightgown. In addition, she pulled her hair down right before the picture and decided to throw a fit. So, Aussie Gran's documentation of our family includes a ragged out post-partum mom, a sleeping Connor, and a Medusa-like Megan. At least Aussie Gran and Daddy looked good. We've decided to get dressed up and stop by for another picture before she leaves.

1st Bath

After much pooping and peeing all over the place, we gave Connor his first bath. It was a family affair. Daddy did the washing, Megan did the face-making in the mirror, and I did the rinsing. He smells delicious!

A few little updates...

We are finished with the whole jaundice thing. After just 2 extra trips to the doctor to smash the blood out of his heel, we don't have to go back. He weighed 7 lbs 4 oz as of Saturday morning. But he's eaten 25 times since then, so I bet he weighs much more now. I see the cheeks puffing up as we speak.

He slept for a 4 hour stretch last night, and Daddy and I enjoyed our deep 4 hour sleep. He slept another little 3 hour stretch, too. Amazing.

Life is good.

Goldilocks?

Megan has very straight hair, but she and Grandma decided to experiment last night with "pin curls". They got it all ready last night.

And then they took the pin curls out this morning and had this. She loved it!