Playground and Favorite Songs

Yesterday was our first trip to the playground as the three of us. We walked over to the playground from Grammie's house, in our wonderful double stroller (that daddy doesn't like), and started playing. Emma, of course, gravitated to the swings. Emma is in love with the swings and could swing all day long. Jackson didn't like sitting in his seat in the stroller, so I got him out and carried him in the Baby Bjorn...which was his first time in, and he loved it!

Jackson and I continued to push Em in the swing, and Emma then wanted to go down the slide. We (the three of us) went down the slide together, three times. Everyone loved it and our trip to the playground was a success.

After the park we had our first trip to eat lunch with daddy. He had to show you both off to everyone.

All throughout the day Emma wants to do nothing more then sing songs. Her favorite songs to sing are Zoom-e-Oh, Working on the Railroad, Wheels on the Bus If You're Happy and You Know It. Sometimes she will sing them at the top of her lungs. It doesn't fail that if you start singing one song, she will say again at least 5 times. She has two favorite verses for Wheels on the Bus-People on the Bus go up and down and the wheels on the bus go round and round. She has one favorite verse for Happy and You Know It, and that is shot Hooray.

I adore Emma and Jackson, and people who are touched by them do as well!! Everyone says Emma is adorable and the cutest girl she knows, and Jackson is just as cute as his sister. People think that Emma is beginning to look like me. When she was born she looked just like her father. Jackson looked more like me at birth, but I think he is looking more like his sister.

Mondays, Playdates, and Markers

Mondays are great for one thing...rainy days! Em went to Grammie's house to play with her friends, so mommy could get some rest. Jacks is keeping me up at night because I was attempting the "dream feeds" that are not working for us. So, instead, Jacks and I hung out in the house and enjoyed each others company. Jacks works on rolling over (already, I know). He has rolled over from his belly to his back at least 4 times now. It thought the first time may be a fluke, but no fluke, it's happening. He is also smiling. At four weeks he is smiling. He has smiled at me, Auntie Meggie, and his loving sister.

On Tuesday we enjoyed a great play date with Henry and Hazel. All of us mommies met at childbirth class, and have managed to stay friends. A chance meeting makes for great friends. It just so happened that Henry was also born on Emmie's birthday. So, mommies are not only friends, but our babies share a birthday. Emma had a great time playing with her friends and eating lunch. It's unfortunate that Molly and Hazel will be moving away, but in the meantime, we are going to join them at Hershey Park to play and hang out.

Later that evening, the Kline's came over for dinner. I made meatloaf and mac-n-cheese (everyone's favorite). After Emma played with the other Emma, Emma Lee decided to color all over her legs and arms with a green marker. It was a sight for sore eyes, but adorable.

Emma continues to be a wonderful girl, full of language, singing songs, and using manners. Jackson continues to be a great baby, sleeping in different stints, but bringing joy to everyone.

Trips, fish, and dream feeds

The weekend was a success. The kids were fantastic on the trip home. This was our first trip home, with just the three of us. Emma watched the Wee Sing video about trains and sang songs (her favorite songs to sing are Wheels on the Bus, Row Your Boat, The Alphabet Song by Dr. Jean, singing the alphabet, and counting to 12), and Jacks slept the entire time. It was a stress free trip. We arrived to be greeted by Pop and he was ecstatic to see the kids. Auntie and Ellie arrived not too much longer after wards, and we played the entire afternoon outside. Daddy couldn't come home because he had work and football. Otherwise, he loves spending time with you just as much as anyone. The sleeping arrangements at Mimi and Pops house were crazy. Em slept with Ellie and Auntie in our room and I slept with Mimi and Jacks in Mimi's room.

Saturday was a day filled with playing outside on the swings that Pop built and fishing. Pop got each of the girls a Disney Princess fishing pole. They went searching for worms and then cast their reels. Each girl caught two fish, and Emma loved kissing the fish on the lips. She had no problems with touching the fish and being hands-on. We then went up to Great Nanny and Poppy's house for dinner and spent time with Uncle Toddy. Oh, one important thing, Jacks smiled at Auntie. She loved it!!

Sunday we made the trip home, and it was successful once again. We got home, unpacked, and had dinner with Emma Marie and her parents. I decided to try the dream feed tonight. It went ok. Jacks slept until 3:30...however, I didn't get to go to sleep until 10:30, so it was really only an extra hour for me. We will try it again on Monday night to see how it goes.

Still loving being a stay at home mom to two under two!
(Friday 4/23-Sunday 4/25)

Painting, worms, and runny noses

This week has proven to be the true test of a new mother of two. Jackson started off the week with getting up more frequently, which meant less sleep for me. I attempted to take him out of his bassinet, however, he has a cold and the post-nasal drip is giving him a hard time, so he is back in the bassinet. I feel all I am doing is sucking out his nose with the blue sucker from the hospital. So, being tired already, Em was up and in rare form on Monday.

I did the first outing with the two of them on Monday. We went to Wal-Mart. It wasn't bad at all. Em was great and Jacks slept the entire time. After Wal-Mart, Em started painting. Lucky for me, they are non-toxic water colors. Why lucky for me? She drank the water for her paint brush and painted on her face. I didn't snap a picture because I wasn't quick enough, but she is something else.

Today, Emma and her daddy went out looking for worms for the worm race at school tomorrow. School is what we call her Grammi's daycare. She does this funny thing that her Mimi taught her. "Worm stew...ewwww." Well to hear her say ewww is so cute. When her daddy asked her if she wanted to go out and find a worm, she immediately looked at me and said, "worm, ewwww."

Two things that happened last week, that everyone will get a kick out of involve a delayed nurser and an early smiler. On Tuesday, Jacks smiled at me. I know they don't really smile purposely, however, he wasn't sleeping and he didn't pass gas. He did it again to Em two days later. On Sunday, Emma thought she needed to start nursing. She leaned in towards me while Jackson was eating, and put her head on the other side. As I told my mom, she had her chance and blew it. Emma was not a good nurser. I needed to pump for 8 months because after she decided to not gain weight, I had to supplement her every feeding with a bottle, and pretty soon, she only wanted a bottle.

Having two under the age of two is never dull and always fun!

Spitting, Swimming, and Sleeping

Today wraps up a busy week. Emma had her second swim lesson. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend either to get pictures, but next time. The first time Tommy said she wasn't a huge fan. This time she did better. She started going when she was about 8 months and loved it. She did everything the instructor wanted the infants and toddlers going. This time, not so much. Her daddy said she is more concerned with bubbles and watching the other kids then she is on swimming. Picture above is from Emma swimming this summer.

Jackson is starting to change his ways. He is still on a great schedule. He eats every 2.5 hours during the day and wakes two times at night. It's funny though, because he eats the same times every day and night. He is awake every night from 6 until bed time, and is awake in the morning until about 9-9:30. However, he is spitting up much more. I change his outfit at least 2 times a day. Even though I said I was done with weight checks, I have to take him on Monday just to be sure he is not losing weight. Due to his spitting up, his sleeping is changing a bit as well. As I told my mom, he is not the sound sleeper he used to be. I guess we will get used to the changes as they happen.

Emma had a great week. Her auntie came over alot to visit and her Grammie took her to the zoo on Friday morning. She had a great time. Thursdays are busy for her because she does gym class in the morning and Kindermusik in the evening. I will be sure to post pictures from gym class next week, along with music. She loves both and does a great job of following directions and interacting with the other kids.

First time

Since the C-section, I have not been alone with Emma, because of lifting. Today was the first day that I was alone with Emma and Jackson. It was only from 11-3:30, but nonetheless, it was just me and two kids. I have been thinking how it would be without anyone else...now I know. Being with Jackson and Emma is fun, chaotic, and wonderful all at the same time. We are extremely blessed to have two healthy, beautiful children at home, and I know at some point in time I am going to have to get used to being the only one home with the two of them.

Great way to start off the week after a wonderful weekend. As I previously said, Saturday was spent with my family, which is always great. Sunday was spent with Tommy's family. We had everyone over for a cook out in the evening, which was nice. Even though we have lived in our new house for 8 months, it was the first time that some of his family have seen our new home. Also, believe it or not, we finally put up curtains in our living room. Tommy seems to think it makes the house look great, and I tend to agree. There will be pictures coming soon that show daddy's little helper with hanging the curtains. Emma is the best little girl. She loves helping out and is always on the go. I know having 2 under the age of 2 will keep us very busy! Thank God for family.
Today I had to take Jackson to the Dr for a weight check. He gained 5 oz in 6 days, which was "awesome" (in the Dr's words), and we don't have to go back until he is two months. This may not seem like much to some, but with Emma I had to take her to Dr for the first 7 weeks to get her weight checks. She refused to gain weight, and is still a slow weight gainer. However, her Dr says she has the "perfect body for a girl." She is the the 40th percentile for weight, but 90th for height. The pedi. says she has the "little black dress body." I just hope it stays that way because Lord knows I don't have the little black dress body.



Up until Saturday, Jackson's sleeping has been great. However, on Saturday night Jackson was up a bunch, which was out of his normal schedule. He made it up to me on Sunday night because he was only up twice. I have a feeling that tonight he may give me another run for my money because right before bed he was extremely gassy and needed his de-de to fall asleep. Not a big deal though...you have to take the good with the bad.

Family

This is my first blog and I must say I am excited about starting it. I am looking forward to creating a place to remember the special times in my kids lives. I am happily married for almost 5 years, with a 20 month old daughter-Emma, and a 2 week old son-Jackson. I am a twin and the youngest of three. We are all very close. My brother, Todd, is getting married and my twin sister, Meghan, is my best friend (along with my mom too). Tommy (my husband) and I are very lucky to be surrounded by so many people who are good to us.


My parents (Mimi and Pop) called last night to see if we would be up for company. Not that they ever have to call to see if we are up for their company. When they come they are nothing but help. My mom cleaned the bathrooms, made chili, watched the kids, did the laundry, and my dad watched the kids and helped hang shelves. My sister (Meghan) also came with Ellie (my niece). Emma (my oldest) loves Ellie. They are best friends. It was nice to spend the day with my family and get things done around the house. They always help to reassure me (as a new mother of two) and do a great job of loving and nurturing the kids.

It was a great day, however, Emma was a bit naughty. She was not her chipper, cheerful self today. Everything was, "No Mommy, or no daddy." At one point she even got into a shoving match with her cousin. We think she may be getting sick, but only time will tell. It is important to remember that she did have a busy day. It was her first morning of swim classes. I stayed back with Jackson, because Lord knows this post-baby body is not even close to getting into a swim suit! After swimming Tommy took her for the usual doughnuts. Emma loves doughnuts!! The day ended with a tubby with her cousin and kisses from Mimi, Pop, Auntie, and Ellie, and she was ready for bed.

Jackson continues to be a wonderful newborn. (knock on wood) He is a joy to have as part of our family. Everyone says he is growing, but I am not seeing it. I guess I may be paranoid because his sister was a slow weight gainer. I had to take her for weight checks for the first seven weeks of her life, until the pediatrician had me supplement with formula. Time will tell with Jackson. In the mean time, I will continue to feed him and hope I am not stuffing him full of skim milk.