Family Night!

Saturday the weather was perfect here. It was about 79 with a cool breeze. Caleb got home from work and asked if we wanted to take a walk. We decided to go to the park.

 Since Presley's birth we have been given several gift cards to restaurants. We decided to use one Saturday night and eat it at the park.

Presley and I waited in the car, while the boys pick up our food. Presley was so happy, smiling and cooing up a storm!

We ate and then let Brady play on the playground for a while. It was really crowded, but you can't really tell by the pictures.

Apparently someone has been watching too much gymnastics. We could not get Brady off the monkey bars! Ha Ha! I think Caleb has started planning Brady's Olympic career.

We finally managed to pry Brady off the high bar and take a walk. Brady started out on his tricycle, but made it about 2 feet. He decided he would rather ride in the stroller. Fortunately, we had both strollers in the car. I think Presley enjoyed the walk the most of all.

It was  perfect, cheap family night! Caleb requested we make this a regular family event. I think we will.

Updates

Sunday was our last Children's Bible Hour for the summer of 2012. Brady completed his worksheet, so he received a prize, a $5 McDonald's gift card. When we got home Brady exclaimed, "Hey Dad! Guess what, I got a McDonald's credit card!!!!"  He keeps us laughing!

Presley had her 1 month Dr appointment today. She weighed a whopping 10 lbs and 4 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. Girl is a great eater. There are no concerns of how much she is getting here.

I had a super normal and low key birthday this year and it was just perfect. We had a really yummy steak dinner at my parents house. Caleb got me a cookie cake. I took in lots of kisses from my sweet babies. Noah(my nephew) got me a cupcake birthday card that said, "Happy Birthday Daughter-In-Law!" It was perfect.

Sunday morning when I got Presley out of her swaddle blanket to change her and get her ready for church, she started pee peeing every where. That is pretty normal, but I was rushing and wadded up her gown and swaddle blanket and thought I threw it into the hamper. Fast forward to Monday after I did the laundry I couldn't find the swaddle blanket anywhere. I looked high and low, but still couldn't find it. I jokingly said to Caleb I hope I didn't throw it away when I threw the diaper away. I started thinking and thought I should check the trash. Low and behold, there was the swaddle blanket and her gown. Yep, I threw it away! Way to go, Mommy!

We have a pretty normal week this week. Life with 2 kiddos is twice as crazy, but twice as sweet! We are really enjoying all of it! :)



1 Month and 28 years

Presley is one month old today!

Today also happens to be my 28th birthday!

This month has gone fast and Presley is growing like a weed. She has easily maneuvered her way into our family. It truly feels like she has always been a part of our family. She has her one month Dr. appointment next week, so I will update her stats then.

Of course Brady had to get in a picture.

At one month Presley is...

• nursing every 3-4 hours pretty regularly.
• The past few nights she has ate at 9-10pm, 2-3am, and 6-7am. Before this week she would eat around 10pm -12 am and was waking around 2-3am and again at 4-5 am and then again at 6-7am. She usually falls right back to sleep after a quick diaper change.
• She has developed somewhat of a routine, eat, wake/play, sleep.  
• She likes her bath, especially when I sit her up in the water. Her first bath was 7/16/2012.
• She loves the swing and her soft pink blanket.
• She is sleeping in the bassinet in our room. I will probably transition her to her crib over the next couple weeks, especially if her new sleep schedule sticks.
• She can still wear a few newborn clothes, but is mostly in 0-3 months and a few 3 months things.
• She is wearing newborn diapers and size 1, I am not buying any more newborn when we run out.
• She has found her voice. She oohs, coos, and smiles at us when we talk to her. 
• She makes this super sweet aaaahhh sound after she sneezes. It is super sweet and super girly!
• She takes a paci and likes it. Mams is her favorite. They were also Brady's favorite.
• She is usually has a 2-3 hour awake stretch in the morning or mid-day.
• She usually only cries when hungry or her tummy bothers her. Gas drops or feeding her usually do the trick.
• She does not like a wet or dirty diaper. It is a full time job keeping her in clean diaper.
•  She loves to snuggle and prefers being held close.
• She is holding her head pretty steady and gets stronger every day.
• She notices Brady and watches him closely.
• She loves her mommy. She and daddy are still trying to figure each other out. :)

She is such a good baby. She has her fussy moments, but even at her worst she is still pretty good. She fits so well into our family. Brady adores her and is constantly aware of where and what she is doing. We all think the world of our sweet baby and can't imagine our lives with out her.

The above pictures are from our second attempt at a one month photo shoot. These are from the first attempt. Just keeping it real!

The one good one.

Wordless Wednesday



Do we really need groceries?

I made a stock up on staples grocery trip the Friday before I went in to have Presley. I made sure to have several boxes of cereal, juice boxes, granola bars, snack foods, bread, sandwich meat, paper products, and quick breakfast foods. I managed to stick with my budget and I was pretty proud of my stock pile.

So, here we are some 4 1/2 weeks later and we have managed to survive on quick trips to the store for milk and a few odd items. I mostly had Caleb pick those things out after work or when he was out. We have done really well, in large part due to our meals being prepared for us for the past several weeks, our moms, and my stockpile grocery trip.

The meals have ended, the visitors have slowed, I have survived a week on my own, Caleb and the moms are back to work, and we are out of nearly everything!

I had to take a trip to the store.

Dum, Dum, Dum....

I managed to get us all three cleaned up and ready to go for my first trip to the grocery store being outnumbered.

It started out fine. Presley was asleep in the carrier on the top of the buggy and Brady was happily driving his cozy coup attached to the buggy.

We barely made it through the produce and I had reminded Brady at least 5 times to keep all limbs and head inside the vehicle.

By the time we made it through the meat/cheese section that number had tripled and Presley was crying. Crying! Not whimpering, not grunting, crying!

I picked her up and carried her upright on my shoulder while one handing that awful, ridiculously difficult to maneuver car cart, while Brady's leg drug on the floor and his head hung out the front window section. (Don't ask me how he managed that, but he did.)

Did I mention I had coupons?

Oh, because I did and a list.

Presley got calmed down, so I returned her to the carrier. Shot the death stare to Brady and reminded him that I am taking the ice cream back to the freezer if he does not sit his bottom down in that stupid red car. ( I didn't actually say stupid, but Oh I was thinking it.)

We made it through check out, only $4 over my ideal spending amount and swung by to visit Daddy. (Caleb works at an in store bank, so we usually go to that grocery store to also visit daddy.) Fortunately Caleb had a second and he walked us out to the car and loaded my groceries, while I attended to the children, but not before Presley began crying again.

Really?! She is not a cry baby unless hungry and I knew she wasn't hungry. Why is she crying?

I decided she hates the grocery store and say welcome to the club, young girl.

Once I got her loaded in the car I realized her diaper was loaded which was the problem. I decided to change her there in the car, so we could have a peaceful ride home. It worked, she was back to sleep by the time we got home.

Caleb took the buggy back to the designated location for me. Thank goodness, because that is a whole other can of worms.

The trip actually went much better than I expected, but two little ones is a whole different ball game than only one.

I can't say I am looking forward to the next grocery trip, but we will adapt. I think anyway! ;)



A Little Vacation

Brady spent the past few days with my brother and SIL in KY. This was his first "bacation" with out us. Of course, he spends the night with my parents, Caleb's parents, and my sister on occasion and he stayed with my parents while went on our cruise last fall. However, this is the first time he has traveled away from us.

(The pics are ones they texted us throughout the weekend.)

He did great!

Caleb met Lauren on Thursday afternoon and Brady happily went with her and never looked back.

They had a great weekend full of golf, swimming, farmer's market, playing with the dog, and eating. I am not sure what else they did, because Brady wouldn't talk to us while he was gone.

Caleb met Cameron this morning and to our surprise, Brady was actually happy to see him. He had lunch and we quickly put him down for a nap. He gave me 5-6 kisses before he fell asleep. :) He slept for over 3 hours today.   I would say that means his trip was a success!!! He still hasn't talked much about what all he did.

The trip gave me a chance to rest up and just focus on Presley. I am finally starting to feel like my normal self.  It was a nice little break. I kept saying I can't believe how quiet our house is. Ha Ha!

As much as we missed him (and we really missed him), I am so so so proud of him. Not many 3.5 year old little boys would be able to go several hours away with out parents for 4 nights. I am so thankful for his independence and good behavior. BUT I really missed him and it seems he missed us as well. I am happy he went, but I am glad he is home.

Thank you so much to Uncle Cam and Aunt Lauren for loving our boy so well. As a mom, nothing warms my heart like someone treating my child well. I now often determine ones like ability by the way they treat my children. Cameron and Lauren (and all our family really) are oh so good to my babies and it doesn't go unnoticed. I am so very thankful for our children to have so many wonderful aunts and uncles!

On Our Own

Today was my first day home alone with 2 kiddos. Caleb went back to work last Saturday(July 14th), but I wasn't quite ready to go it alone. My mom, sister, and my mother in law came to help out all week last week. Caleb was off Friday and the weekend, making today my first day alone.

I just put her asleep on her tummy for a minute to take her picture. Don't worry, she sleeps on her back and she doesn't sleep with stuffed animals. :)

I felt much more confident starting out this week, than last. Brady woke up super early today which kinda started us off with a rough start. I am not a morning person, at all. It takes me a little bit to get it together. Brady, however, is a complete morning person.

After some cartoons, playing with tractors, watching a Thomas movie, Mommy taking an unexpected nap, filling up Presley's infant tub without plugging the drain, a time out, a major meltdown, tons of diapers, and it taking well over an hour to heat and eat my lunch, I managed to get things under control.

Presley went to sleep in the swing, so I read Brady a few books. He willingly went right down for a nap after that.

I had about 2 hours with both babies asleep. I was able to shower and straighten up around the house, before Presley woke ready to eat. I really needed those 2 hours, so I am beyond thankful for them.

Presley and I had some awake/play time before she fell back to sleep and Brady woke.

Brady played the Wii while I did a few other things around the house.

This is the last week people are bringing food, so by this time the food had arrived. ~Just a side note, the food thing has been so great. Not having to think, prepare, or go get food has been a huge help.~

We ate dinner. Our friend Taylor came and played chutes and ladders with Brady, then hung out for a while. Caleb came home and gave Brady a bath and got him to bed. He enjoyed some cuddle time with Presley before we all went to bed.  

The day has gone super fast and there is a lot going on, but overall I think it was a success for my first day solo.

Also, Today Presley is 3 weeks old!!! It is already going so fast. I feel like she is getting so big. She is quickly growing out of all things newborn.

Guess who is 2 weeks old today!!!

Miss Presley is 2 weeks old today.

Caleb started back to work on Saturday after being off for 2 weeks. I am not on my own just yet, though. My mom came Saturday, today, and is coming tomorrow. We went to my parents house yesterday. Caleb's mom and my sister are also coming this week. Then Caleb will be off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. My first day completely on my own will be next Monday.

Presley continues to be so good! She had her first bath today and is growing like a weed. She is so sweet!

One Week Old

Presley is one week old today!

We had her first visit to the Dr today. She weighed 8 lbs 1.5 oz. She is doing so well. We don't go back to the Dr until her 1 month appointment. So thankful! She is such a good baby! She is so snugly and laid back. The Dr.'s exact words to describe her today was "delightful". And she is just delightful. I can't say enough how thankful I am for her. She is the perfect addition to our family!

While we were waiting on the Dr to come into the room, Brady said, "I don't think the Dr will look at the baby, because she is just too small." I love how his little mind thinks.

 

We decided to have lunch out while we were out. Our first lunch out as a family of 4 went well. Presley slept in the car seat the entire time. I realized today with the second child, this is one of the easiest times to take them places, because she stays strapped in and sleeps a lot. Brady not so much. Ha! When Brady was an infant people would say things like if you think it is tough now wait until this or this starts. I hated that, but with each stage comes new challenges and suddenly the old ones don't seem so bad. I feel like I can enjoy each stage a little more this time around.

We also made a stop at Babies R Us to get a few things. Caleb's office sent us $50 in gift cards to Babies R Us and $50 in gift cards to Bonefish Grill. We are planning to have a date night in a few weeks when I feel better and things settle some for the Bonefish one. It was so nice of them to give us that! We were shocked when we got it!

My grandmother gave Brady $10 when she visited yesterday, so we let Brady pick something out and use his money. He loved doing this! He picked a little motorcycle. He paid for it himself and everything. I meant to take his picture, but I had ran to get something while he was doing it. Oops!

We made a quick stop at Caleb's work to visit and show off our baby and for Caleb to get some things taken care of. We grabbed a few groceries(basically milk) and headed home.

Brady is just crazy about our baby! He wants to hold her, love her, and help all the time!

It was so nice to get out for a bit, but I was worn out when we got home!

We have meals being delivered from several members of our church over the next several weeks on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It is such a relief to not have to worry about food each day. The meals for moms our church does is so nice and helpful. We have eaten well since Presley has joined our family and there is more to come. :)

Tonight,  Caleb and Brady attended a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. I think it did Brady some good to get some one on one time with Daddy. He is doing well, but it is an adjustment and it is obvious he is craving a little extra attention from us. He gets upset about little, silly things more often.

I am so thankful for my sweet husband. I realize not all daddy's would take their 3 year old to a birthday party solo.  He is good man for taking one for the team at Chuck E Cheese so Brady didn't have to miss out. However, it is possible Caleb had as much fun on the ski ball as the kids. ;)

A baby story- Presley Lynn

Of course, I planned to have a scheduled c-section on July 2nd at 7:30. I had a c-section with Brady and our local hospital and Dr.s have a repeat c-section policy. I considered changing Dr.s  and explored some other options to be able to deliver via VBAC. However, I really, really like my Doctor combined with a few other concerns and reasons decided to just stay with my Dr. and schedule the c-section. Brady's birth story is here if interested.

I will start at Saturday night for documentation sake. :) This will be long and is basically for my documentation only.

 Saturday June 30, 2012

My good friend Rebecca's wedding was scheduled for this night at 7:30 pm at her parents house. It was over 100* that day, but I didn't want to miss the wedding. We all attended the wedding. It was beautiful and I felt great while I was there, but I was sweating like crazy.

When we got in the car, it all started to hit me. I was exhausted and having a lot of tightness in my stomach. We spent the night at my mom's for convenience and because we were leaving Brady there the next night to go have Presley. By the time we go to their house, I was having tightness combined with cramping like pain and lots of pressure. I went to bed. I tossed, turned, moaned, and groaned for a while, Caleb got me some water and I moved to a more comfortable bed. I finally fell asleep.

Sunday, July 1, 2012
We got up and went to worship service. The AC was acting up and it was so HOT inside the building. It was another 100* day, so I sweaty and swollen during the entire service. I was absolutely miserable! Our class is down stairs and I told Caleb it was at least 50* cooler down there. I made it through class fine. We went out to eat with the whole family for Mom's birthday after church. Caleb and I decided we would go home for good until going to the hospital in the morning. Of course, Brady stayed at my parents. We spent the entire day on the couch and in the ac. Caleb also had a bad headache, so we took it pretty easy. I wasn't feeling great, but I was 39 weeks pregnant so it was expected.

Monday, July 2, 2012
Caleb and I got up a little before 4 am. We had to be at the hospital at 5 am. We showered, finished packing, loaded the car and headed that way. I made sure to put my make-up on and straighten my hair before.  It only takes about 10 minutes to get there from our house. We checked in and they quickly got me hooked up to monitors and an iv. As soon as they started monitoring me, it was clear I was having tons of contractions, some were very painful. I was miserable. I could not get comfortable and felt terrible. I told Caleb this was it, I am never ever doing this again. (I may or may have not said this with Brady as well around this point and well you know that wasn't true.) I was completely hooked up and ready to go by 5:30am, but my c-section wasn't until 7:30 am. I had to allow the iv and other things to settle before I was really ready. Mine and Caleb's family showed up between 6:45 and 7 am. I spoke to everyone and hugged Brady before they set up camp in the waiting area. A little after 7 the anesthesiologist showed up and had me sign some papers. Shortly after my Dr. showed up and talked me through some things. The first thing she ask was if I was feeling all the contractions, to which I replied yes. She said well than it is good we scheduled you today, because she was coming anyway. Ha Ha! By 7:15 am I was being wheeled into surgery. We arrived to the operating room at 7:20 am. At 7:37 they began the c-section and by 7:47 am they lowered the curtain to show me our sweet, chunky, Brady look-alike. Mine and Caleb's first words to each other were at the same time, "she looks just like Brady"! I was feeling nauseous right before she was born, so they put meds in my iv and put that paper under my nose to keep me from getting sick. They told me I was blood pressure sensitive, this makes so much sense and was good info for me to know. That is whole other issue though.

Back to it, Caleb went with Presley. He cut the cord and carried her to the nursery to be weighed and monitored, but not before a few pics with mommy. The Dr. told me to rest while they finished up with the c-section. I closed my eyes and listened. At one point, they called the nursery to find out her weight. Everyone in the room made guesses before someone announced 8 lbs. I informed them that was Brady's exact weight. It was no time and I was being wheeled back to the Labor and Delivery room.

I am a little foggy on some of the details at this point. I have no idea what time it was! I know the nurse got me settled and at some point Caleb showed back up. I also remember the nursery nurse bringing me Presley. Again, I have no clue how long this all took. The nurse told me my postpartum room would be ready around 10:30 am, so that gives you some idea. I nursed Presley and she did wonderfully! Then the influx of people started rolling in. Caleb tried to monitor it so it wouldn't be so crowded. The L and D room was pretty small and the next c-section was being prepped in the same room with curtains drawn. Awkward.

Some time before 11 am, I was rolled down to Postpartum and set up in my room. Presley was taken to the nursery for a bath and returned to my room approximately 1 hour later. My postpartum room was much bigger and a lot more comfortable. Visitors rolled in one after another to meet and love on our sweet girl. I was in and out of it due to the surgery, iv, and various meds. I was just so tired, I couldn't always keep my eyes open. Apparently, it was pretty comical at times.

Everything went smooth and I am recovering. This time has been more difficult. I know my Dr removed any scar tissue she came across while she was in there, so I contribute that to some of it. Presley is perfect! I am crazy about her, we all are. She is so beautiful. I am humbled and feel so blessed to have two healthy, beautiful children. I am so thankful for both our sweet kiddos. I am also so thankful for all the sweet friends and family that love our family so well. We had tons of visitors welcome Presley into our family.

We are truly blessed in so many ways.