One Month Later...

I can't believe Ava has been around a whole month lately!  She is getting bigger and more alert each day.  She is starting to smile (well, I think she is...) and she has big, beautiful, blue eyes.  I'm hoping they stay that way.  Her hair is still dark, and it doesn't look like she has lost any of it!  She likes being held... a lot.  There are times I can get her to be content in the swing or bouncy seat or even the car seat, but when she gets mad, holy cow, she is intense!  She is still sleeping swaddled in the car seat because she get so stuffy at night.  We start off our night with 5-6 hours of sleep, then I get two 3-3 1/2 hour spurts from her between feedings.  Of course, last night was NOT the case, as she did not fall asleep until almost 10:15 and only stayed asleep 4 1/2 hours... oh well.  Just when I think I have her on a schedule... *sigh*

6/22/13 - One Month Old!

Lucas turns 3 tomorrow.  I can't believe it.  Seriously... where have the last 3 years gone?  He is so funny, and such a chatterbox!  He definitely has his own ideas and opinions about EVERYTHING these days and is SO smart, I'm going to be in a lot of trouble in a few years!  Yesterday, it was POURING outside and he knew Scott was working.  He looked at me and said, "Mommy, Daddy is getting wet outside!"  When Scott came home, Lucas even asked him if he got wet.  I'm sure other kids are like this, but I'm going to be THAT parent for a minute and brag about the random things my kid says :)

We decided not to have a full blown party for him this year.  With the new baby and Scott working so much this summer, it just was not in the cards (or in my energy span) to have a million people over, cook, entertain, and clean up after.  So, we are just going to do a small, immediate family party for him over the weekend.  I figure, it won't scar him for life if we don't have a party for him this year.

My Big Boy!

As for me, I've reached the stage of Cabin Fever.  I'm getting a little stir crazy with not being able to drive.  Not that I really want to go anywhere right now, but it would be nice to have that as an option!

Okay, let me rephrase - I'd like to go somewhere, anywhere ALONE.  The thought of going anywhere with 2 children without a double stroller sends me into a panic attack.  I'm starting to feel guilty because when I look at what my friends are doing, I'm in the mentality of, "Everyone is having way more fun than I am".  I know I won't be anti-social forever, but I'd love to just go outside for a little bit other than to get the mail.  That is the other issue - it is so hot and muggy down here that being out for more than five minutes is just not fun.  

I got back to the doctor next week for my 6-week follow up.  I just want to feel normal again.  I feel very run down (so even if I DID go out, I wouldn't last very long), and still have moments of being really sore in my back and belly.  That's when I know I've overdone it with being productive. 

Both kids go for check-ups next week.  I can't wait to see how big they've gotten! 

3 Weeks!

Another week has flown by.  I don't like how quickly time is passing. 

Mommy News:
Can't remember if I posted this news, but my wedding/engagement ring fits again!  I couldn't wear it for the last few weeks of my pregnancy.  Not sure if it was the weather or some minor swelling (just in my knuckle!), but whatever it was, it is better now!  I love my rings, so having to wear them on a necklace for a little over a month killed me!

I'm down another 3 pounds since having Ava.  Still have about 8 to go, but I'm thinking that won't go away until I finish nursing... ha ha!

Still can't drive.  Still can't twist certain ways.  Bending is still tough.  I go back for my next check up on July 2.  Hopefully everything will be finished healing so I can go back to normal.  In case you were wondering, it IS possible to continue wanting to "nest" after the baby is born.  I have a To Do list that everyone has been helping me with as they come to entertain Lucas.  I'm a crazy lady and have been thinking about school and classroom stuff for next year already.  I did not do a very good job packing (if you saw the shopping carts stuffed with, well, stuff, you would understand!), and am already dreading August when I have to reorganize it all!

Ava News:

2 Weeks, 6 Days... because Mommy forgot what day it was!

"Really, Mom?"

Weight: 10 lbs!  Her doctor was shocked when I said that I wasn't supplementing with anything!

Length: 20 1/2 inches
Eyes: Dark Blue still.  I hope they stay that way!
Hair: Still has all of it.  Still dark!
Sleep: We're working on getting her to sleep more than 2 1/2 hours.  Although, if I'm timing feedings from the start of one to the start of the next, she is eating every 3 hours.
Eat: Clearly, she is getting enough!
Health: She is still pretty stuffy at night, but since I started using the saline, it seems to have gotten better.  Unfortunately, it seems to make her belly not feel so good and she is spitting up a little more, but at least all of the grossness is getting out of her nose one way or another.

Lucas News:

He looks so grown up with his new haircut!

Umm... behavior is not going well.  Okay, it isn't THAT bad, yesterday afternoon was just really rough.  He is definitely testing my patience.  I give him as much attention as I can when Ava is sleeping or just flopping.  He pouts.  A lot.  He is just ignoring us when we talk to him.  I'd almost rather him continuously saying "No" than completely ignoring us!  Potty training is also a big challenge.  He likes the Pull Ups.  He wants to wear them.  He is NOT getting the concept that he shouldn't be going potty in them!  I'm thinking my plan of action with the M&Ms is going to need to be a 1, 2, 3 model: 1 for just sitting on the potty, 2 for peeing, 3 for pooping. 
I can't believe he is going to be 3 in a couple of weeks!  It is so mind-boggling to me that I have been a mom for 3 years!  Even though we are in a rough period right now, he is still my Little Bug and I love him with all of my heart.  He adores his sister and tells us all that he loves us.  He keeps telling me that I'm his best friend! 

Family News:
Father's Day is on Sunday.  My sister comes down to visit on Saturday.  Exciting stuff!  Scott has been amazing since Ava was born.  He does bed time like a champ and is becoming the master of poopy diapers... he really can't wait for Lucas to be potty trained... Ha ha!  He knows when I've reached my patience limit and does everything he can to help.  I'm so lucky. 

2 Weeks Old!

Wow... it is so hard to believe that two weeks have passed since Ava was born!

Just look at the difference in the Mommy Body:

5/22/13

6/5/13... What a difference 2 weeks makes!

Ava is doing really well.  She eats, then sleeps for 2-3 hours.  She is starting to stay awake more during the day.  I get two or three moments during the day when she is awake for at least 30 minutes and looking at me!

So happy when she is fed and dry!

Two weeks old... so squishable!

We went to school today for a little bit.  She was a bit out of sorts and kept waking up thinking she wanted to eat.  Different lights, different noise, and LOTS of people coming over to look at her got a little overwhelming for her, but she did pretty well!  My thumb pacified her for a while, but then she wanted to "real deal".  What is it with my kids not wanting an actual pacifier???

Here's the two-week stats:

Weight: 9.2 lbs... we go back to the doctor on Monday

Length: 20 1/2 inches
Eyes: dark blue... I think.  They aren't really open long enough to tell!
Hair: Lots of dark hair!
Sleep: Depends on the night.  Some nights, I get a nice 4 hour stretch and then a few 2 1/2 hour spurts... other nights we're up every two hours!
Eat: That's the only downfall with nursing - I don't know exactly how much she is eating!  She eats until she is full, then she stops.  Most of the time, nursing takes 30-45 minutes each time she eats. 

Lucas is doing well with her.  He's had some behavior things the last few days, but we'll get through it!  Lots of crying, "I don't want to...", "No!"  I know it is a phase, but my tired patience isn't doing well with it.  Next week, he will be home with me and Ava all day long.  Scott is working this summer, but thankfully will be home by 2:30 or so each day.  I have alerted my army of help to the fact that I will need LOTS of help this summer, as I am already over having 2 kids in diapers!  I told Lucas this is the last week for diapers and that next week we are going to wear underwear and Pull Ups.  Heaven help me...

He's so cute...