Growing up

No, I haven't fallen off the earth!  Things have been busy, busy, busy around here.  Hopefully, blogging will fall more into the routine soon instead of belated, random posts. ;)  Let's see if I can re-cap on just the most important things that have been going on...

Ella Beth's second birthday was wonderful!  I still can't believe she is 2!  Scott and I both rearranged our work schedules so that we could take Ella Beth to the aquarium and to the Imagine It Museum in Atlanta.  We all had a nice time - especially Ella Beth who has really come out of her shell in just the last couple of weeks.  She would have explored the entire aquarium by herself had we let her!

 
She just loved all of the animals and fish! 

And...swinging on anything she could find!

This was taken right after a little boy mowed her down.  No tears, but she did get her feelings hurt a bit.  (This was the only time she was still all day!)

She loved poking her head put of this and yelling, "HEY!" as loudly as she could.

I can already tell that 2 is a big change around here.  Not only is Ella Beth not even a fraction as shy as she used to be, she's also feisty beyond belief.  Goodness, she's a mess.  Miss Attitude.  Miss Independent.  Miss I-won't-do-it-if-I-don't-want-to.  Whew!  I'm in for it! 

Ella Beth had a fantastic birthday party, too.  She got so many fun gifts, but her favorites are a baby doll she named "Miss Mariam," a keyboard shaped like a cat, Fancy Nancy dress-up clothes, and a doctor's kit.  I just loved her party, too.  This year she was excited before, during, and after the party which just made it that much more exciting for me, too!

Despite Ella Beth being blurry in this shot, I still love it b/c it shows just how excited she was!

She went in for her 2 year check up last week.  All went well.  She did have to get an unexpected shot, so that was no fun, but she was as brave as she could be.  She just kept telling me, "Mommy, I want to go home now.  Plllleeeeeaaasssseeeeeeee.  I want to go home."  Talk about a heart-breaker.  She's still not on the chart for weight (21 lbs), but is in the 35% for height; maybe that means she will be taller than her 5-foot even mama one day.

Ella Beth also started pre-school last week.  She is having a very good time, and she is already attached to her teacher, Miss Amber (gotta love it when your child's teacher has your name!).  So, I had prepared myself for a rough morning dropping Ella Beth off - I was ready for a flood of tears, arms reaching out, "Mommy! Mommy!  Mooooommmmyyy!"  What did I get?  A kiss.  That's it.  She simply kissed me and walked in the door of her classroom.  Oh My Word!!!  It was a little bitter sweet.  She is growing up so fast. My little squirt amazes me on a daily basis.  Just when I think I know her, she goes and changes! 

She is so proud of her new back pack!

Landon is also growing up these days.  He's such a talker!!!  Loves for anyone to talk to him, and he makes the cutest (and loudest) noises in response!  I absolutely L-O-V-E this stage!!!  He is nothing but fun, fun, fun!  And cute to boot!

We are, however, going through a little struggle getting him to eat solids.  He wants NO part of them.  At all.  If he does happen to swallow a tiny morsel of food, he will literally gag himself to get it back up and spit it out.  It's hilarious that he will go to so much trouble over the tiniest bit of food.  We've tried cereal, pears, applesauce, sweet potatoes, you name it.  So far the only accomplishment we've made is a few good videos and photo moments!

This is his "locked lip" stance.  NOTHING can get in that mouth once he's locked it shut!  And I thought the second child was supposed to be easier.  What was I thinking?!?!

OK, that's it for this re-cap.  I have more excitement to share, but it will come in a later post.  This Mommy is ready for bed!

My girl

 
 
Dear Ella Beth -

How did this happen?  Where did you learn to put your hands on your hips??!  How have two years passed in only an instant?  How do I love you more today than yesterday, yet not as much as I will tomorrow? 

My girl is two.

Ella Beth, you are beautiful.  Inside and out.  Always remember that the inside is much more important, and that is what God truly cares about. 

You are the smartest little thing I've ever known.  You have known all of the ABCs since we brought Landon home from the hospital; that was almost 6 months ago.  You can count to twenty.  It may not seem like a big deal when you're old enough to read this, but trust me, it is.  You know lots of different colors and like to point them out. Yesterday, we were in the car and you said, "Mommy, see that green truck?  See it?"  I sure did - it was bright green.  I also saw your pink socks, Landon's blue bib, and the white cow you pointed out. :)  Some of my favorite things you say right now are: "Mommy, tickle my belly.  Tickle my toes.  Tickle my esophagus!!!"  "Daddy, that's not a rhinocerous; it's a hippopotamus!"  You seriously crack me up!  How did you get so smart? 

You love to sing!  Loudly.  No matter where we are.  You know every word to Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Wheels on the Bus, Don't Throw Your Junk in my Backyard, Sally the Camel, Old Time Religion, Skitty Ma Rinky Dinky Dink, Rockabye Baby, and many more.  However, lately you like to come up with your own songs, and they really make me happy.  You sing about blueberries, Landon, your PJs, really just about anything that's on your mind.

It's so fun to watch your imagination bloom.  You love to go around the house and "pick" blueberries for your basket to share with everyone.  You also love to take care of Baby Anna, "just like Mommy takes care of Landon," as you say. 

Oh yeah, how could I forget...you L-O-V-E to talk.  Constantly.  Incessantly.  Without ceasing!

Landon has a wonderful big sister in you.  You are very sweet to him, and I can already see the bond between you growing stronger.  You are very protective of him, and you already want to teach him everything you know.  We have to remind you (often) that Landon can't talk because sometimes you forget.  "Landon.  Landon.  LAAAANNDONNNNN.  What do you think, Landon?  Landon?"  Don't worry, sweetheart, he's growing up way too fast just like you.  He'll be answering soon.

And, my goodness you are one feisty little squirt.  Whew!  You definitely have your opinions and you're not shy sharing them!  Good for you, I say.  Just be careful that you are nice to others.  "Oh, I see," is what you would say.

You amaze me.  You frustrate me.  You wear me out.  You make me smile.  You make my cup runneth over!  I love you.  I have loved every single day that I have had with you over these last two years.  My heart bursts at the seams with love for you.  I love being your Mommy.  I love how much you enjoy spending time with me.  I am reminded how much you love me when you light up just because we're playing together.  Nothing is more special to me than that. 

Thank you for being my girl.

I love you.
Mommy

When spit turns funny

Over the last month, Landon has learned to blow raspberries.  He is never dry!  He can soak a bib in 5 minutes flat, and he usually has 3 outfit changes per day.  Well, along with Landon's new stage has come Ella Beth's.  She has decided that since Landon spits she should, too.  Oh, she just makes a big mess!  Everywhere.  She will spit on things, spit in her hands and share it with us, or just let it drip down her chin..."I'm just like Landon," she says.

So, lately she has been getting in trouble for spitting.  The cuteness of her copying Landon wore off pretty quickly.  Yesterday, we were driving in the car and she was spitting into her hands and rubbing it everywhere.  Gross.  I kindly asked her not to that again.  She did.  I told her not to do it.  She did.  I told her that if she did it again I was going to pull the car over and she was going to be in trouble.  So, I'm watching her in my little mirror that hangs from my rear view mirror that lets me keep an eye on her, and I see her put her hands up to her mouth ready to spit again.  I turn my head around and give her the look, and she immediately closes her eyes and says, "God is great.  God is good.  Let us thank Him for our food.  Amen."  I busted out laughing, and just smiled the rest of the way home.  Priceless. :)

Playing Catch-up

So, it's been a while.  I do have a good excuse...I've been busy!  I can't believe my official work week started last Monday.  That's over a week ago!  Work has been great.  It's been a great "release," and it's been a great working experience.  I've been exhausted, but it's a good exhausted feeling.

My new typical day starts at 5:30.  That's 5:30 AM, folks.  (Need I explain where the exhaustion comes from?!?!)  My goal each morning is to leave the house by 7:30...that's with both babies when I have to drop Ella Beth off at her Nana's.  That is difficult.  It's difficult because Ella Beth usually sleeps past 7:30, and she doesn't wake up quickly...much like her Mama. :)  But, she's usually a trooper and does pretty well being drug out of bed and into her car seat.  Landon, on the other hand...oh my!  Our commute has proven to be interesting.  He h-a-t-e-s his car seat.  I'm not exaggerating here.  He screams the entire way to work.  All 40 minutes.  Oh, my blood pressure is through the roof when I pull in the parking lot.  I've been enjoying listening to 104.7 The Fish quite loud driving down 400. :)  Ella Beth loved her car seat; I would put her in it sometimes just to get her to fall asleep.  If we want Landon to wake up we put him in!  I guess no two babies are alike.

I've really enjoyed being at work.  I've already learned a good deal, and it's been keeping me on my toes.   My new cubicle is starting to feel like home.  I got to order some organizational desk accessories, and once they are in I'll be good to go.  Right now, my desk is a little scattered and it's driving me a little crazy.  However, everyone I am working with is really great.  The whole atmosphere is great!  I feel so blessed to have taken a job that I know I am going to enjoy.  And, the icing on the cake is that the Weekday program for my babies is awesome!  Once we arrive, Landon is a happy fella.  His teachers are absolutely wonderful, and since I get to nurse him at noon each day, it's like this happy, smiley gift that I look forward to each day!  Just holding him and cuddling with him and smelling him for those 20 minutes really adds such a joy to my day!  I am so thankful that NP is so accommodating to mothers and their babies. How wonderful it has been to find such a job!!!

During the day, I have been busy.  I'm learning the ropes; learning how to best serve my team.  I hope I don't let them down!  I do feel valued, though, and that is so nice.  I hope to be working at NP for a long, long time. :)

A week from this Thursday...THIS THURSDAY...Ella Beth will be two.  Ahhhhh!  My baby girl is growing up.  I am getting very excited about her party.  We are going out full force in butterflies.  I'm having her cake specially made, and I can't wait to see it!  I have all of her decorations and party favors.  So fun!  The best part is how she is getting excited about it.  When we mention her birthday is coming up, she starts talking about singing "Happy Birthday" and talking about presents!  She knows what it's all about. ;)  We'll be getting more things ready this weekend.  Just one more thing I'm enjoying about being a mom!

I hope y'all have had a great week.  I'll try not to be so tardy with my next post!

CAUGHT!

Yesterday, I was going through the up-teen emails in my inbox.  Ella Beth was playing in the room with me, and she found my pocket book.  My pocket book is her f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e thing.  By far.  When I turned around, I heard her say, "I got too much."

Too much what, you ask?

Look closely.

Do you see it?  How about now?

Oh, she was so proud of putting on Mommy's lipstick!  I just had to take her to the bathroom so she could see how beautiful she looked.  She laughed and laughed at herself!  It was very cute. :)

Something else that entertains Ella Beth is "drawing" herself...aka - having someone trace her.  It is usually done outside with sidewalk chalk, but the other day we got creative.

She loved it!

And here is a one-of-a-kind photo of Landon sleeping on my shoulder, without being swaddled, AFTER getting him out of his car seat.  He was one tired fella.  (I know the quality is horrible, but I just had to document it somehow!)

I am feeling better.  I made it to church this morning and everything. :)  I still need a good nap each day, but other than that I can tell a major difference.  I was even able to eat yesterday!!!  Can you believe that yesterday was the first day I've eaten since LAST Sunday???  Well, other than the 20 goldfish I was able to eat on Monday.  The craziest thing was, I was never hungry.  Not once.  I guess my body just knew that it couldn't handle food, so it didn't want any.  I've lost a good amount of weight.  I would say that I was still carrying around about 5 pregnancy pounds, but those are gone...along with a few more.  I am sure they will come back on quickly since I can feel my appetite returning.  And for the record, I would much rather carry around extra weight than have Colitis to take them off.  Yuck.  I wouldn't wish this on anyone.  Ever.  Not even Oprah, who I really dislike lately.  My whole abdomen is still very tender.  I can't wear pants or shorts that push against my stomach while sitting down b/c it hurts and it makes me very nauseous.  I've been mentally going through my closet to decide what I can wear comfortably tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow.  Tomorrow is my first day back in the "working world."  I've been feeling a little more anxious and guilty about going to work part time, but I really think that it's because last week was such a let down.  I had something fun planned for every single day last week that Ella Beth and I could enjoy together.  We didn't get to do a single thing. :(  She was at my mother-in-laws for two whole days, and then Scott stayed home from work Thursday and Friday while I was laid up.  Oh well.  I just can't wait for the days that I don't work and have the time to spend with her.  And Landon.  But, he wasn't quite as neglected since I still had to nurse him.

Speaking of which...my milk supply got extremely low due to one of the medications I was taking.  I stopped taking it.  Bad patient, I know; but what else am I supposed to do?  My supply is still low, but not so low that he's not getting what he needs.  I am just trying to guzzle down as much water as I possibly can so that my supply will go up.  I need to get my emergency supply back just in case it's needed.  Formula just won't cut it in this household.  No matter how hungry both of my babies got, they would rather starve than drink it.  They get that stubborn quality straight from their daddy!  (Love you, Honey!)

OK, off to do something else productive.  I've been getting things ready for Landon's first day at Weekday tomorrow.  It's weird to think of dropping him off, but I know he will do well.  I've met all of his teachers, and they are just wonderful.  I know without a doubt that he will be well cared for.  And, since NP is just awesome, I will get to see him twice during the day b/c I'll be nursing him.  Ella Beth starts on August 12th.  My mom is coming to keep her tomorrow, and then she will stay at Kathy's (mom-in-law) Tues/Thursday.  This will probably be her schedule until preschool starts. It will be good for her to have time with her Mimi and Nana, and I won't have to worry about two babies getting adjusted at the same time!  I'll let you know how work goes!

Update from home

So, I am officially home.  Not officially well.  I am better, a little.  I am still in a lot of pain, but the cramping and spasms come and go now; they aren't constant any longer.  A little relief.

I have been able to nurse Landon since 12 noon today.  I am on 5 different medications:  3 separate antibiotics, an anti-nausea medicine, and a pain killer.  I called our pediatrician yesterday to ask about what type of formula to give Landon.  We ended up talking and she looked up all of the meds that I am on, and told me that I can nurse Landon while I take the meds.  I only have to be careful with one; I have to take it right before I nurse him so that it's not in my milk when he's nursing and it has passed through my milk before he has to feed again.  Other than that, there is no problem. 

I can't tell you what a relief that is.  Especially for Scott.  Poor Daddy.  He was up for hours last night with Landon who completely refused to take formula - despite the fact that he had not eaten in about 11 hours.  But, I can't blame my little fella.  He's used to Mommy's sweet milk, and formula just stinks.  I can't imagine how bad it tastes when he's already used to the good stuff. 

My official diagnosis is Colitis.  If you ever know anyone who has Colitis...be nice to them.  Be very nice.  I have never been in so much pain...and I've given birth twice.  Contractions have nothing on Colitis.  I am not exaggerating.  All of my intestines (all 5 or so feet of them) are infected and inflamed.    I have much more respect for my internal organs these days.  Just barely touching my belly is painful.  There is nothing but cotton shorts going around my waist for a while. 

Anyway, I am sure this email is seeming a little off.  Blame it on the narcotic I took about 30 minutes ago. :)  Thank you for your prayers.  We are hoping tonight goes well.  Scott is still going to be helping me feed Landon b/c I just can't pick him up; however, he should eat well and go to sleep.  You know...now would be the perfect time for him to start sleeping through the night.  I'll be praying for that.

Hello from the Emergency Room

After being in severe pain all night, getting sick about 20 times, and sleeping a total of maybe and hour...I told Scott that I needed to go to the hospital.  We arrived at the ER about 8:20 this morning.  I have gone through lots of tests, a CT scan, and things I can't really remember (I've been very doped up).  Turns out, I have the same infection that Scott had last fall.  Scott kinda thought that I was just being a weenie b/c we thought I had a stomach bug.  Now, I have his full sympathy!  He hasn't forgotten how horrible and how painful this is.  It is honestly pain beyond explanation.  Just trust me when I tell you that it is bad.  V-E-R-Y bad. 

Right now, I am receiving an antibiotic via IV.  I've had lots of things go through my IV today.  Because of that, and because I will be taking 4 more medications for the next week, I have to "pump and dump" my breast milk.  After these last two days, my emergency breast milk supply is gone.  That means we need MAJOR PRAYERS because not only does Landon have to take a bottle, but he has to take formula in the bottle.  For a week.  Scott will be feeding him at night, but he is still going to have to take bottles of formula from me during the day.  Oh boy.  He has refused all formula, and all but refuses the bottle from my mother-in-law.  It's going to be a struggle, but I trust that once he is hungry enough (hello! he can't go a week w/o eating!) he will take bottles of formula.  Also, because of his GERD, I have to get special formula with no lactose...and I hear it smells and tastes awful.  I will be so appreciative of your prayers!

This is also going to be a whole new world for me.  I've never fed my babies by anything other than myself, so now I will have to have bottles prepared each day.  Is the best way for me to do this is measure out formula in each bottle first thing in the morning and then add water when it's time for him to eat?  Can I warm the bottles in the microwave?  HELP!

OK, I'm closing this so I can get some more rest.  Thank you for your prayers.  I'll update again when I start feeling better and have more energy.  I haven't been able to walk anywhere by myself today b/c I've been so weak.  I haven't eaten in 48 hours, and now the doctor says I can only have liquids for at least two more days.  After that, I can "slowly incorporate solids back in my diet."  Do milkshakes count as a liquid?  Since I have to pump and dump anyway, Landon wouldn't be affected by me consuming dairy.  I'll be sure to ask the doc before I leave.  Yawn.  Off to rest.