Memories... 2010!

I can still remember it like it was yesterday.  My birth experience with Lucas was eventful, and nerve-wracking.  I had to be induced because he was big, and very comfy.  So, on June 24th, I was admitted to Helen Ellis Hospital (which has now changed names) to begin the process.  I'll spare the details, but trust me, it was not pleasant.  I could not sleep.  I was prescribed an Ambien and within 20 minutes, was out cold.  I had NEVER taken any kind of sleep aid before, so waking up the next morning was crazy.  I legitimately had no idea where I was for a few minutes. 

The stuff they gave me on the 24th really didn't do much to begin labor, so they started me on Pitocin the morning of the 25th.  If you've never experienced the "joy" of being induced, let me break it down for you.  It hurts.  A lot.  You get absolutely no break from contractions once labor starts.  It sucks.  Thankfully, my doctor was fine with me getting an epidural as soon as I needed it... which was about an hour after I finally went into labor.  I was 1 cm dilated and felt like a wimp, but once it was in, I really didn't care.  Pain meds make me loopy, and I kept telling the nurses that my legs felt big and fuzzy.  Because Lucas was still taking his sweet time to enter the world, my mom and the nurses had to flip me over every hour or so.  Finally, after 8:00 that night (I had been in labor for 12 hours at that point), Dr. Goldman came in to see how I was feeling.  He'd asked if I felt any pressure, but I had no idea... he checked and said I was more than ready.  I cried.  I cried a lot.  I was SO not ready for this.  Lucas was, so I had no choice.  3 pushes (and some pushing on my belly from a nurse) and at 9:03PM he was out.  8lbs, 15oz.  20 1/2 inches long. 

Now, I had quite an audience for this... my mom, Katie, Scott's mom, and his Aunt Vicky.  THEN, once all was said and done, his brother walks in with another one of Scott's friends.  Looking back, this was completely awkward, but I was so exhausted at that point, I didn't care. 

Full disclosure: I did not fall in love immediately.  It sounds awful.  Lucas was born and laying on my belly and my mom was like, "He's here!  You can touch him!"   I think I reached down and grabbed his hand, and that was all I could do.  I was so overwhelmed. 

For the first month, I couldn't even say his name.  I gave him the nickname "Bug" in the hospital.  He didn't look like a bug.  I cried a lot those first few months.  Scott was wonderful and did EVERYTHING.  Lucas was a very hungry baby and wanted to eat every hour.  No one slept much that summer. 

Now he is 4.  I seriously cannot believe that time went by so quickly.  He is so smart.  He makes me laugh, he drives me insane, and he is the most loving child I have ever met.  I look at him every day and think, "Wow... I was a part of creating that".  It is a crazy feeling.  I try to be the best mom I can for him.  He loves to read, loves to sing, and loves to dance.  He is so creative and makes up stories with his cars and trucks.  He is truly one of my greatest accomplishments!

A whole year!

"Really, Mom?  Another wacky outfit and head thing?"

I cannot believe that Ava is now an entire year old.  I took her for her 12-month check up the other day.  She weighs 21.8 lbs and is 29.25in long!  She is crawling everywhere and pulling herself up on anything that stands still!  She was SUPER grumpy after her last set of shots.  Thankfully, we are almost done with them!  She is still not a great napper, but is doing better at night.  She has 4 teeth totally through, and 2 more on the way.  She is a biter... Mommy is her favorite teether.  Working on combating that!

She still does that head shaking thing occasionally.  It still isn't affecting her developmentally, but we have a follow up with the neurologist at the end of June just to be sure... unless she stops doing it now that she is 1!

Seriously... how was this a year ago??

We are starting her on some foods besides baby food and cereal.  She has tried (and LOVED) mashed potatoes, watermelon, cheerios, and goldfish crackers!  She is not a fan of cupcakes just yet.  I'm sure she will be soon, though!  The best part of Ava turning 1 is.... NO MORE FORMULA!!!!!!  We were so spoiled with Lucas, because I was able to nurse until he was 10 months old and only used formula when he was at daycare for a couple of bottles a day.  With Ava, she was straight formula from 4 months old.  That's a lot of formula at over $30 a container.  So, that will be a savings of about $120 a month.  Although, with the amount of milk we go through now, it might just even out!

She is trying to say words.  Everyone is "Da" or "Da-Dee".  She points to dogs and says, "Da".  Some days, I swear she is singing the alphabet.  She loves Mickey Mouse.  She starts freaking out, clapping, and smiling when he comes on the TV!  Oddly enough, she does the same thing when my mom comes over...

I am definitely looking forward to the summer.  I can't wait to just relax with my babies and play!  Lucas is going to attempt swimming lessons again (since last year was pretty much a disaster), but this time we will have someone come to our house and teach him.  I can't.  I'm terrified.  He can fall and I'm fine I can deal with blood, throwing up, poop... I can't deal with Lucas choking on water learning to swim. 

I say it all the time, but maybe this summer, I will post more often... ha ha!  Believe it when you see it, friends and family!

9 Months!

So crazy that this little girl is 9 months old already!

2/22/14

We had her check up today.  She is 20.31 lbs and 28.25 inches long!  Such a big girl!  She is sitting up completely on her own, and is crawling EVERYWHERE!

She has 2 teeth, so far.  More are coming.  She is MISERABLE.  Once again, nothing like Lucas.  This child is going to give us a run for our money, for sure!  She wakes up twice a night to eat.  Her pediatrician told me to stop that and let her cry, otherwise it will cause teeth issues and sleep issues.  Great.  That ought to be fun.  We will start that tonight so that (hopefully) by Spring Break, we will all be sleeping for more than 4 hours at a time!

Ava has been doing this weird shaking thing for the past few days.  I told her doctor about it, and she also did it in the office.  So, later this month, we will be traveling to St Pete to a pediatric neurologist to rule out minor seizures.  When she does it, she looks like she has a chill, but does it multiple times a day.  I'm not going to stress about it just yet.  She is developing normally, so whatever this is, it isn't affecting her developmentally!

Lucas is good.  He is such a good big brother. 

He is very "3" at times, but for the most part, he is 3 going on 30.  The things he says are just hilarious.  Of course, at this moment, I am so sleep deprived, I can't remember any of them... I've got to start keeping a notebook.

That's all for now.  Here's hoping the sleepless nights end sooner rather than later...

So... yeah...

Okay, so I haven't posted anything since September.  I had been doing so well.  Oops.  We are all sleep deprived.  Well, not Lucas - he isn't sleep deprived.  That kid sleeps through EVERYTHING (except fireworks...).

The last 3 months have been good.  School is draining for both Scott and I  (hence, no posting because I get home, check Facebook, and fall asleep by 9!).

September was Ava's Baptism.  My Dad came down for it.  It was a really nice day.  Beautiful weather.

Ava did NOT like the water being poured on her head!

Lucas was being very silly on this special day!

October brought Halloween.  Ava's 1st. Lucas was Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  He was sick last year, so he never wound up going trick or treating.  He was supposed to be Jake that time.  Good thing the costume still fit!  Ava was a ladybug.  It was cute and comfy since it was gross and humid outside in typical Florida fashion for the end of October.

Thanksgiving was small, but tasty. Ava had sweet potatoes for her dinner that night.  Yum. 

Ava had her 6-month check-up in December.  She was 18.2 lbs and 27 1/2 inches long!  She is a big girl and a good eater! 

Christmas was exciting!  We got a new car.  A van.  A sporty van.  A van that doesn't look like a van.  We drove it up to Connecticut.  It was beautiful to have so much room! 

Lots of milestones happened in December.  Ava started to sit up on her own!  She loves that!  Ava's first tooth made its grand entrance on December 21st.  Just in time for our trip.  She did pretty well when we were in Connecticut, but did not sleep well when we were in New York.  

Poor Lucas just wanted to see snow.  We saw roughly 12 flakes as they fell from the sky on Christmas Eve, but nothing really stuck.  Its always so nice to see everyone up there, and it is never long enough. 

Christmas Eve Sibling Love!

My little model!

Christmas Day Smooches!!

So, that brings me to present day, January 2014. Ava now has two teeth.  Teething has been a NIGHTMARE.  Everyone keeps telling me that life would be boring if my children were exactly the same.  Sleep-wise, if they were exactly the same, life would be awesome since, at Ava's age, Lucas was sleeping for 12 hours a night.  Oh well.  This too shall pass.  I'm not wishing her baby time away.  She is so close to crawling.  She gets up on her hands and knees, rocks, then flops like a fish and screams as if she can't understand why she isn't getting anywhere!

Ava's 1st Bounce House!

Here's to 2014.  Off to a crazy start, so far.  My resolution was to work out (ha!) and eat healthier (ha! ha!).  I've gotten my family to like green beans.  Next veggie to try: kale! 

I suppose I'll try not to wait another three months before I blog.  I'll shoot for every two weeks... maybe once a month...

Ava slept long enough for me to type this.  Back to full Mommy Mode!