Hi, it's me, Amber. Is anyone awake?

So, it's officially 1:09 AM as I sit in Landon's room.  He's wide awake.  I'm surprisingly not as exhausted now as I was two and a half hours ago when this whole fiasco started.  We have made the decision not to swaddle Landon any longer.  It seems as though it's getting a little "dangerous" because he squirms and tosses so much that we are honestly worried that he is going to hurt himself.  He has been using his neck to turn over due to his arms being in the straight-jacket.  It just really seems that he's going to strain his neck or hurt his shoulders.  Alas, we haven't had much sleep in the last few nights.  It's been rough.  I don't know why he's having such a difficult time adjusting (aside from the fact that swaddling is "normal" to him).  He falls asleep in his car seat (sometimes) and his legs and arms are "free" there.   He will fall alseep in our arms with his arms and legs just dangling.  We've tried every position for sleep, too.  If he's on his back, he kicks his legs and moves all over the place...usually getting himself trapped in the corner and very unhappy.  He isn't happy in the sleep positioner on his side now that he's not swaddled.  And, oh, he does not like being on his tummy.  That's the position we tried for hours tonight.  We patted his back, "shhhh-ed" him, let him cry...we've done all of this for over two hours.  Ugh.  We are tired.  We are ill.  Any suggestions?

The worst thing about all of this is just how it makes us feel during the day and night.  Sleep deprevation is very hard, and it is taking its toll on relationships around here.  Scott and I have been short with each other; we have limited amounts of patience, and when that gets used up...watch out.  I hate that exhaustion wears on us so much, but this really is a form of torture.  We leave for my mom's house tomorrow after church, and that just spells more exhaustion because Ella Beth doesn't sleep well there either.  Two babies up for hours with zombies for parents = great need for prayer. 

Is there an infant dosage for Tylenol PM??????????

Yawn.

Poop ain't for the weak!

OK, people.  Poop is just icky.  No way around it.

My new friend, Allison (shout out...Hey, Allison!!) and I were talking the other day about how no one ever tells you how DISGUSTING parenting is.  People tell you how sweet, how special, how rewarding, even how time-consuming it is.  But never did anyone tell me how GROSS it is.  So, for all you moms to be out there, here's your warning:

POOP AIN'T FOR THE WEAK!  (Neither is vomit.  But that's another post.)

So church just doesn't come at the greatest time of the day for babies.  Poor Landon was just exhausted when it was time for Waumba Land today.  Since the nursery ladies are pretty stretched thin, I just took him with me to "big church" b/c I knew that he would sleep in my arms.  He doesn't sleep well in the nursery b/c they just like to put him in the swing...(which I know is easy for them, but not for Landon...but, I digress).  Well, he slept like an angel in "big church" - mouth hanging open, paci barely holding on to his bottom lip; just precious!  Then he woke up.  I smelled it.  Never heard it.  But the nose doesn't lie.  It was at the end of the service, so I just thought I'd wait and change his diaper in a couple of minutes.  So, I waited.  He patiently sat in my lap kicking his legs and smiling away.  It wasn't until I walked into Waumba Land to pick Ella Beth up that I realized not only had Landon's diaper exploded all over his Strausburg dedication outfit (hey, I wanted to get a little more use out of it!), but Mommy was wearing Landon's poop all over her, too.  Gotta love it!  Come on, people, anyone with me here?!?

I made it home only slightly embarrassed.  And slightly stinky.

On to potty-training.  Sunday afternoon.  Same day.  Potty-training with Ella Beth has been a blessing.  As much of a blessing as it can be.  We consider her 95% trained, and it's been relatively easy.  Nice.  She's very proud of her new potty abilities, and loves to do the "I tee-tee'd, I tee-tee'd dance" at every opportunity.  (It's seriously one of the cutest things I've ever seen.  I'll be getting it on video!)  I guess I should say that potty-training was a blessing until Ella Beth's tummy started hurting today.  Anyone out there got a shout out now?!!  Oh My Word!  The poor thing couldn't run to the potty fast enough to keep up with her tummy.  Did I mention that we can't find pull-ups or panties small enough for her?  Do you know what that means???  Everything that comes out just keeps on coming.  Down her legs, all the way to her feet.  Now, I did feel sorry for my sweet little girl b/c she got very upset each time she had an accident.  But let me be honest here and say that I was felling pretty sorry for myself, too!!!  All 5 times!  It ain't for the weak, people!!! 

Here's hoping for a cleaner, more sweet-smelling start to your week. :)

Hayden Lukas

So, I left you with a teaser at the end of my last post.  My latest excitement has been the arrival of our nephew, Hayden Lukas.  Karla, Greg, and Kaitlin welcomed him on August 18, weighing in at 8lbs, 2 oz! 

Kaitlin is a proud big sister. :)

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!