Cupcakes with Maggie

It's been a while since we've had a play date with Maggie.  Now that everyone is well (for now) in our house, we can have friends over again!  What better way to spend the morning than baking Halloween cupcakes!  It was a rocky start at first.  Addy didn't want to share toys, Travis didn't want to be in the walker.  Luckily, Maggie & Alyssa were pretty happy.

No Title - Now that's creative

Last night Addison slept MUCH better.  She only woke once around 3am & wanted to be rocked.  I rocked her for a few minutes & she went right back to sleep.  I don't get to rock her very often since Blake usually does her bedtime routine & I do Alyssa's (until she decides to take a bottle)!  After not rocking her for a while it's more noticeable how much she has grown!  WOW!  She's a BIG girl now.  I'm so glad that I held her ALL THE TIME when she was a baby.

Addison was so excited about all the pumpkins!

Alyssa wasn't excited at all!

Our Sunday stroll

Off to school!

 

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

On the Seventh Day

THERE WAS POOP!  Alyssa is right on schedule as usual!  I guess you could say she's 'regular'!

We've done so many breathing treatments that Alyssa has started helping me hold the mask!  Ha, not really!  She's actually trying to eat it!  Silly girl!

How is it my 3 month old sleeps better than my 2 1/2 year old?  Addison hasn't been sleeping well lately & I can't figure out what the heck is going on with her.  Last night she woke several times.  One time she wanted to lay on the couch & watch cartoons.  Another time she wanted me to take a monkey picture off the wall & give it to her???  Then, she starts calling me by my name (NOT MOMMY) & tells me she needs her head band.  Seriously, l'm ready to turn the monitor off & put a noise machine in my room, so I can't hear her!  LOL!  But, then I wouldn't get any Mother of the Year awards!  I just continue to repeat 'this won't last forever'.  While all this is happening & I'm getting up & down out of bed a million times, Alyssa is resting peacefully & doesn't wake at all!  Thanks again, Jesus!

My new GREAT niece has arrived!  Arabella Ryleigh was born last week!  Aimee & family are doing great!  She had her 100% natural after laboring at home all day.  When Aimee got to the hospital she was already 6cm & 2 hours later Arabella was born!

Mother, oh Mother

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peek-a-boo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
and out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
but I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Sick Baby, Sick Mommy

Well, I ended up catching a nasty bug this week along with Alyssa.  I went to the doctor on Wednesday & got a shot & some antibiotics.  We are both still recovering.  It's just been such a lousy week.  When mommy doesn't feel well nothing seems to go right & the whole family dynamic falls to the side.   NEXT WEEK WILL BE BETTER!  Aunt Katie & Uncle Jimmy arrive from Florida on Friday & we are looking forward to their visit!

Alyssa's First Breathing Treatment

It was only a matter of time before Alyssa had her FIRST breathing treatment.  Last night she woke up with a fever, runny nose, cough, congestion.  It was a rough night.  I called the pedi first thing yesterday morning & got an appointment.  The tests for RSV and flu both came back negative, so the pedi ordered a CBC at the hospital lab.  The blood test shows the bug Alyssa has is viral.  It was just awful when they took her blood.  It was just as bad when I pulled the bandage off her arm.  Why in the world do those techs think they have to use half a roll of tape on a itty bitty baby arm??  Speaking of an itty bitty baby - my chunky monkey weighs 13.6lbs!  Her appetite hasn't decreased at all since being sick.  SHE LOVES TO EAT!!  I can't believe we'll be starting purees in 2-3 months.  Next thing I know she'll be gnawing on a chicken leg!

So far she is handling the breathing treatments okay.  She isn't crazy about them, but also isn't screaming the whole time.  Last night she slept really well, unlike the night before.  This morning has been tough for her.  All the mucus is breaking up & causing her to cough & sneeze more.  BUT THAT'S A GOOD THING!!!  Very messy though :)

Alyssa 3 months old

3 MONTHS OLD!!!  Time is going by too fast!  Seriously!  I'm enjoying this time with Alyssa as an infant & remembering when Addison was this age.  Watching your kids grow has got to be one of the greatest events in the world.  Alyssa has rolled over from tummy to back once.  She talks all day.  Doesn't cry much.  Sleeps like a dream.  Eats like a champ.

Addison

Dresses

Addison & Alyssa got these adorable pillowcase dresses as a gift from family when Alyssa was born.  The dresses are big enough to even wear when the cool weather arrives.  Just need a shirt underneath & some tights!

Even though the girls may not like it, I LOVE taking pictures of them together.  

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't!

Alyssa Rolled Over!

Alyssa rolled from tummy to back yesterday during Tummy Time!  Oh my!  She'll be scooting all over the place before I know it!  She spends a lot of time talking & watching Addison.  It's so sweet when she watches Addison & gets a big smile on her face.  Those eyes light up & you can see how badly she wants to play with her big sister.  Addison is sharing her toys more, but still insists that Alyssa is 'mommy's baby' & only I should hold her!

This morning when we got to MDO, Addy ran the other way & started playing.  I was talking to Ms C & a few minutes later Addy came over to give me a kiss & tell me bye.  I kinda felt like she was saying 'okay, get out mom'!  Today was an early release day at MDO.  I'm always EARLY to pick her up even though I TRY to be on time.  I just can't wait to see her & hear how her day went.  Today I peeked in the window on the door & saw Addison sitting on Ms C's lap during story time.  All of the babies were listening & following the story so intently.  I waited for Ms C to finish reading the book before I went inside.   I picked her up she had a sticker on her hand.  Only 4 out of 10 got stickers because they helped pick up all the toys!  **Proud Mommy Moment**

Alyssa in Addy's doll bed - 3 months old

Alyssa in Addy's doll bed - 2 weeks old

 Ohhhhhhh this picture would have been perfect if my camera settings would've been set properly!  I was trying to get a few pics before school this morning & forgot to change the settings.  I photoshopped the hell out of it trying to fix it!

Well, look who decided to take a decent school pic!!  

Last year her pic looked like a mugshot!

Not much, just pictures

Time for bed!

My girls will be sporting personalized license plates on their tricycles!

I got a little creative this morning with breakfast!  

Don't worry, we don't have M&M's with our pancakes everyday!

Sleeping Beauty!  

I would brag about what a great sleeper she is, but I don't want to jinx it!

Poop Watch: Day 9

GOOD MORNING & HOLY POOP!  I put Alyssa in the car seat this morning while I fixed breakfast.  The car seat has brought on the poop in the past.  I was hoping it would happen again because it seemed she was getting uncomfortable.  She got very quiet & the look of relief came over her face.  I gave her a few minutes then went to check out the situation....

 Ready to tackle the poop!

MDO & Jealousy

**POOP WATCH DAY 8** Nothing to report.

Another good day dropping Addy off at MDO!  She was a happy camper.  Unfortunately, she didn't take a nap while there.  Ms C said she laid on her mat & talked the whole time.  At least she didn't stop the other babies from napping!  Usually, if she doesn't nap at MDO I put her down when we get home with no problem.  She was still going strong at 8:00 bedtime!

The last couple of days Addison has been objecting to Blake holding Alyssa.  She will say 'no, mommy's baby, no dada' or 'no, put Alyssa in bouncer'.  Looks like it's time for a daddy/daughter date with some quality time spent with each other.

                                             

    

Happy MDO Day

Yippie!  Addy was a happy little girl this morning when I left her at MDO!  What a relief!  My day is better knowing that she is okay.  When I picked her up she was just as happy!  She told me that she had a great day & named off everything they did today.

Here are some photos from Alyssa's newborn session at 4 weeks old.  It's hard to believe she is about to be 3 months old!  Amazing!  She's a very happy baby, always smiling & cooing.  Except when I try to give her a bottle.  She loses her mind...  Yesterday, I managed to get her to drink 1/2oz while we were outside playing.  I thought if I changed her environment it would help.  Tonight I will try giving it to her while I'm bathing her.  My hair is a wreck & if she doesn't take a bottle soon I'm going to see if my stylist makes house calls!

This crochet hat came from the hospital when she was born.  

I emailed the White House yesterday to request a 'congratulatory letter' for Alyssa's birth from the First Family.  Blake & I got one when we were married & another when Addison was born.  It's a special keepsake that I hope the girls will enjoy when they are older.