Week in Review ~ 9/29

It was another crazy week, but I'm determined crazy weeks are not going to become our new normal.

Avery and I went to Sunday School Sunday morning, and then I had to keep the nursery during worship.  We're planning to start taking Sam to worship soon, but church seems to be ending later and later, then there's family to see, so it's 12:30 once we get home and a rush for lunch and naps.  We took a walk after dinner and went by our first house.  Avery doesn't remember that one which is sad.  I'm sure I did some school work during naps and one the kids went to bed.

Sam started a new schedule Monday.  He's now getting breakfast with 2 oz of formula and his main bottles are 4 hours apart.  I was nervous about how he would do, but he was fine. That afternoon we came home to get Avery a bath, fix dinner, and then get to Bible Zone.  Avery was upset when I left, and I thought I would end up staying, but after calling Ned I listened outside her room and the teacher was busy telling the story.  I came home and put Sam to bed and made Ned go back a little early.  She had a great time and went to bed as soon as they got home.

Tuesday night we had open house at school.  I picked up the kids and took them back to my parents' to see my mom.  We visited for awhile, then I met Ned so that he could take them home.  Avery had to potty, so she used the restroom in the parking lot of the high school.  My mom says you can get a ticket for that, but sometimes I think we'd go for the ticket over taking the car seat cover off and cleaning everything.  I got some dinner and got a little work done before everything got started at school.  I enjoyed my quiet car ride home with sunroof open and heat on, listening to everything from Maroon 5 to some Mary Chapin Carpenter on the classic country station.

Wednesday afternoon we had an inservice after school.  I had Ned pick up the kids so that Avery would be home in plenty of time to get a bath and dinner before bed.  We finished at school just in time for me to meet a man and make my first Christmas purchase.  I had been looking at the Fisher-Price Incrediblock for Sam but couldn't justify the cost since we have an activity table.  I happened to stumble across a like-new one for sale in a Facebook group, so for $45 I got the Incrediblock and the set of alphabet blocks.  Then I just had to fight the urge to let him have it now.  I rushed home and actually got to eat dinner before taking Avery to dance.  I worked a little and then we got a demonstration of what they had done.  Avery is catching on to some things and putting her own spin on others.  They were sleeping bats Wednesday night, laying on their backs with feet in the air and eyes covered.  Avery curled in the fetal position.  So...we really need to work on watching what the others are doing and not migrating from her spot.  The teacher keeps reassuring me that's she's doing just fine.  Once we got home, I worked and watched Survivor in hopes of finishing my work for the next week, but did not get as much done as I had hoped.

Thursday did not slow down to ease us into our big weekend.  After school I rushed to pick up the kids and we headed to Conway Photo for Sam's 6-month portraits.  I'm a bit behind which I hate, but our weeks have been so busy.  He cried in the car for the first time in forever on the way there, so I was nervous.  He was a little bashful in the first pictures but then he warmed right up.  He wore Ned's bubble from when he was a baby, then he wore the same camouflage outfit that Avery did in her 6-month portraits.  I'm not a camo person, but it does seem appropriate when you're photographing with duck calls.  The outfit was a little snugger on Sam, but it really wasn't capri length as it looks in the pictures.  The portraits were fantastic as usual and it's crazy to think that we'll be back soon for Christmas pictures.  I thought Ned was going to be gone at dinnertime, so I told Avery we'd eat at Chick-Fil-A.  We were late leaving Conway, though, and Ned decided to stay home, so I talked her in to taking it home.  Someone didn't nap Thursday, and it was apparent.

She was on a nap kick and had napped every other day this week.  We ate dinner then I rushed to pack all of Sam's things before he went to bed.  I put off packing Avery so that I could sit down with the kids for a minute.  I put Sam to bed since I'd be leaving him, then I tried to get a little done for our trip.  I needed to do school work as well but didn't.  Working on weekends and each weeknight can definitely lead to feeling burned out.  Ned was a little late getting home from drill, so I waited to watch Grey's Anatomy with him.

I'm stopping our week there so that I can give a full post to our Thomas trip!  And because my buddy is poorly represented, here's one from last Saturday:

Roasted

While I love to cook, I admit that I've never been one to do a lot with fresh vegetables.  We seemed to stay in a rut of canned green beans and frozen corn and broccoli with fresh sweet potatoes and the occasional white potato thrown in.  I don't eat carrots, Ned isn't a fan of butterbeans or cabbage, and neither of us are much on garden peas, although I have put them back in the rotation.  We do eat zucchini and squash, but I often forget about them when they are not in season.

Thank goodness for Kristen posting the recipe for roasted cauliflower.  I'm in love!  It's quick and easy (the cutting takes the longest) and is so good.

I cut up a head of cauliflower and spread it on a baking pan, drizzle it with olive oil, sprinkle with seasoning salt, and toss.  They bake at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes depending on how cooked you want the pieces.  We use Jane's Crazy Mixed Up Salt but any seasoning salt or combination of spices would work.  Kristen says the leftovers are great, but we've been eating it all! 

I found a similar recipe on Pinterest for zucchini and carrots, so I tried a few zucchini sticks last week. They were fantastic too, so I need to try the carrots.  Broccoli is great like this as well.  Get roasting and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Week in Review ~ 9/22

It was another whirlwind week.  This week will be busy as well, but after that I'm hoping for weeks with just Avery's two nightly commitments.

When my feet hit the floor Sunday morning I knew I'd never get done all I needed to.  That's not a good feeling on the day of rest.  Ned and Avery went to church, and while Sam napped I did some school work.  I headed to the grocery store when Ned and Avery got home.  Once I returned it was a mad dash for lunch and naps.  Avery never actually napped and had to get up early for Emerson's birthday party at 2 p.m.  Sam took a short afternoon nap and was waking up as Mimi arrived to keep him.  One of his top teeth was just coming through the surface and was affecting afternoon naps.  He stayed with Mimi while Ned and Avery went to the party and I went to a baby shower for our friend Alison.  I had to leave that at 3 because I hadn't told Mimi how to feed Sam.  I went home and picked him up, and we went to the party.  Avery was having fun playing ball with Kristin's mom and some of the other guests.  Sam and I left so that he could take a nap, and Avery and Ned came home a little later.  I fixed baked spaghetti for dinner and worked on school work all night once the kids went to bed.  Sadly, that only got work done for the first part of the week.

Avery did great at Bible Zone Monday night.  Emerson went for the first time and she was excited.  I came home this time.  It rained and I was worried it would storm and scare her, but it didn't.  While I was putting Sam to bed the phone rang and my heart just dropped, but it was just something political.  I guess my heart will always drop when my children aren't home and the phone rings.

We were supposed to have Open House at school Tuesday night, but it was canceled due to the threat of severe weather.  I had a doctor's appointment so I still didn't get to go straight home, but I was at least home in time for dinner instead of after bedtime.

Wednesday is turning into a rush to get home for dance.  Ned was finishing aerating the yard, so I had to try to get Sam down for a nap since he didn't in the car and bathe and feed Avery.  Sam never napped, which made me nervous to leave him with Mimi while I took Avery to dance.  Ned had a dinner to go to and helped the kids' dinner a little before he left.  I worked on school work at dance and then we got to watch the last few minutes.  Another parent noted that Avery had picked up on a few things, but I'm not sure.  She loves it, though, so we're in it for the long haul now.  Poor Sam was falling asleep in the bouncer when I got home.  I quickly fed him and put him to bed then got Avery to bed.  I finally had dinner around 8 p.m. which is quite a stretch from my 11:15 lunch.  My dad reminded me that Survivor started so I worked and watched that.

We were actually able to come home Thursday and Friday afternoons.  Thursday night we took a walk and played outside after we ate.  We got pizza Friday night, then Avery and I made a late-night (6:30) trip to Walmart for groceries.  I put her right to bed once we got home then tackled the groceries and lesson plans.

Both kids slept until about 7 a.m. Saturday morning...2 Saturdays in a row which I'm loving because Saturdays are my mornings.  We made muffins then Sam went down for his nap.  We woke him up about 10:30 to head to the Peanut Festival Parade.  It was fun but kind of hot in the sun and LONG.  We were there almost 2 hours.  The way the parade runs, it cuts off one side of town from the other, and we watched at our church on the opposite side of town.  Luckily everyone did fine because we would have had to walk through the parade to get home.  Sam didn't want to stay in his stroller so we moved back in the shade so that he could roll around on the blanket.  Avery had been looking forward to the "hiporade" for weeks and had to wear her "hiporade" shorts from the 4th of July.

My parade pictures were limited as I was further from the road.  We returned home starving for lunch and naps.  I actually took a break during nap time and even dozed off for a few minutes.  Sam is now working on his other top tooth so he only napped about an hour and Avery didn't nap.  We packed back up and headed back to the Peanut Festival for fried Oreos, the petting zoo, and a few rides.
 

Llama Llama!

Not much sight seeing on the tall train.

Avery wanted to ride one more thing, but Sam needed a nap and we were done.  It was almost a meltdown.  Grandaddy was there and snapped a picture of the four of us.

Sam napped and I picked up some dinner.  My parents were supposed to come and celebrate my mom's birthday, but she thinks she has strep throat.  We were disappointed since we haven't seen them in almost 2 weeks.

Our busy day resulted in early bedtimes for the kids.  I continued my day off, and Ned went to walk Dixie.  Fireworks started for the Peanut Festival around 8:30 and we realized we have a pretty good view from our back steps.  Ned has now gone to a wreck and I'm thinking about closing my eyes on the couch until he comes home.

Week in Review ~ 9/15

I'm late with this one, but school is WINNING.  We had an extremely busy week, and I don't like those.  I much prefer going home from school {on time} and staying home.

Sunday was promotion day at church.  Avery stays in her same class, but her teacher promotes to different levels.  Ned stayed home with Sam because he was napping.  We are doing the Nooma series in our class and I really like the DVDs.  Sam didn't nap for long that afternoon and Avery didn't nap at all, which was expected since I was trying to do school work.

Avery had her first Bible Zone Monday night, and she was an excited little girl.

She went right in her class without hesitation, and when she saw that no one else had loveys, she gave me Giraffi to take to the car.  Another check on the big girl chart and it breaks my heart and makes me thankful at the same time.  I ran a few quick errands then did some work in the car just in case she needed me.  Bible Zone is at our church, but she has a different teacher and her classroom is "up not down."  Avery was having a blast doing music in the sanctuary when I went in.  The teacher did report one teary moment but she perked up for singing.  Bible Zone lasts until 7:30 so we hurried home to bed.

I had a hair appointment on Tuesday, so my mom picked up the kids.  It was the first time she had picked them both up, but everyone did fine.  I picked them up from her and we headed home.

We had a staff meeting that ran late Wednesday, so I was in a panic because it was dance night.  Luckily that's Ned's day to get off early, so he was home.  We quickly fed Avery and Sam then Avery and I took off.  Parents did not get to watch this time so I worked on school work.  We did get called back for the last few minutes.  Avery has yet to pick up an actual skill but is enjoying herself thoroughly.  I even asked the teacher if she thought she was too young, but she said she was just where she needed to be for her age.  Dance is not cheap so it never hurts to make sure you're headed in the right direction.  At one point "Call Me Maybe" came on in the other room and Avery really needed to dance to that.  We left dance and picked up dinner for Ned and me.  Sam was in bed when I got home and it was time for Avery to go as well.

The adventures weren't over on Thursday.  I left school at 2:30 to pick up Avery and Sam for Sam's check-up.  He got a good report and the highlights were: increasing reflux meds due to weight once more then will see if we can wean off {I think he was good on the lower dose, which should mean he's getting better}, staying on Alimentum until we introduce some dairy via yogurt around 9 months, starting a second solids meal, and growing, growing, growing!  He weighs 17 pounds, 7 ounces and is 27 3/4 inches long.  His height is above the 80th percentile!  Unbelievable when Avery has been and is still so petite.  We were in there a long time but everyone did fine.  Avery entertained herself and the pediatrician.  Sam got the flu shot along with his immunizations, which put him at 3 shots and one oral.  They were out of the  Pentacel (DTap) vaccine.  I am nervous about pertussis but I opted to wait a month to see if they would get more instead of having 3 more shots for Sam.  I fell asleep on the couch that night and didn't wake up until almost midnight.  When I checked on the kids, I moved Sam's Duckie from his face and he woke up.  I had let him have it because he was upset at bedtime.  He was then up until almost 2 a.m.  I wasn't going to let him cry after shots, so I'd get him calm and almost asleep, then put him down.  He'd stay quiet for awhile then start crying again.  On my 3rd visit in, I opted to leave Duckie in the crib with him, and I never heard another peep.  Duckie is now a sleeping companion at night.

I was of course pooped Friday morning, and it was an interesting day at school.  Avery had been asking to go to the restaurant, so she chose the "sign pancake" to celebrate the end of the week.  I had the apple streusel french toast and it was almost as delicious as it was last fall when I was pregnant.

Avery and Sam both slept until almost 7 a.m. Saturday morning, which was a fantastic treat since I get up with them on Saturdays.  We took a few pictures to send to Yaya on her birthday since she was celebrating at Mt. Vernon.

Ned had to go feed the dogs at his parents', so he picked up breakfast.  I then had a rare day away at Short Pump.  Even rarer, I bought mostly for myself.  It was a great day for the open air mall and lunch outside.  After the mall I hit Target and Hobby Lobby to replace a broken frame then it was time to head home.  Ned cooked steaks for dinner and then we took a walk to the pond.

Our ducks have recruited a new friend and Avery was determined to catch it.

This week hasn't been any calmer, and we've got another busy, fun weekend ahead.  I thought our weekends were full through the end of the month, but we're actually full until mid-October.  Hopefully our weekdays will at least slow down and I'll soon be victorious over school.

Week in Review ~ 9/8

What a week! It started off with a holiday then went full steam into the first week of school.

Avery and I went to church Sunday.  The afternoon was filled with normal nap time for the kids, then we had our parents over for dinner.  We had a big storm with tons of rain after my parents got here.  Ned's parents waited it out a little at their house, and Ned ended up having to cook our burgers inside.  It was a fun night, and Sam was so busy bouncing away in his seat I forgot to put him to bed on time.  After everyone left, I worked on finished up my plans for the week so that I wouldn't have to do them on Monday.

Ned hunted Monday morning, so we just stayed home and hung out.  I'm trying to play more in the playroom, especially since there is lots of soft floor for Sam to roll around on.

The rest of the day was just spent as a family, and Sam had his first solids.  Then it was time to get everything ready for the big day.

Everyone had a good week.  Sam started slow on his solids, but by his third night was eating a whole container.  Avery had a wonderful time at her first dance class Wednesday night and on Thursday told Jennifer she was going back that night.  I have a good class, but it is going to be a extremely busy year with the new changes that have taken place.  Family is first in this house and I'm praying daily for a refill of patience each day at 3:30 p.m. and for guidance on how to do it all well.

We were all happy to see Friday arrive.  I was pooped after our four-day week that felt like 10.  I picked the kids up that afternoon and took Avery to my parents' to spend the night.  Lolli has received a name change and is now going by Yaya, which is how Avery has been pronouncing Lolli all along.  I was adamant not to change names, but my mom has wanted to forever and Avery agrees.  I'm too anal for all that but whatever.  Ned picked up subs for us and we enjoyed a night home with Sam on his 6-month birthday.  I think I was on the couch asleep pretty early.

Ned got up Saturday for a hunt club work day, so I got up with Sam.  I had to wake him from his 2-hour nap, which was so lovely in my quiet house.  We went out to the ATM and to get lunch, then it was time for another nap.  Ned came home, then I ran out to the store before my mom brought Avery home.  I cooked tomato spinach tortellini from Pinterest for dinner, and it was good.  I think I was asleep on the couch once again pretty early.

We've hit the ground running in September.  It's crazy to think that the next free weekend we have will be in October.  We have some special things coming up, including my first night away from Sam so that Avery, Ned, and I can go ride Thomas in North Carolina!

6 Months

Dear Sam,

It is so unbelievable to me that I typed 6 months in as the title of this post.  Half of your sweet first year has gone by in the blink of an eye.  Driving you home today I heard a song on the radio that I would hear frequntly as we traveled to my many appointments to check on you before you were born.  It is amazing how that can see like just yesterday and so long ago at the same time.

We will get your growth stats at your well-visit next week.  I can't wait to see how you've grown, because I know you've done a lot of it.  You are feeling heavy and looking so big!  Your size is especially noticeable to me now when you're in your bouncer, car seat, or when someone else is holding you.  You are now a hip baby.  You wear size 6 month clothing, but 9 month one-piece items are just around the corner.  You wear a size 2 or 3 diaper depending on the brand.

You are still an eater!  I have not stretched your bottles out any, so you are still getting 5 bottles a day.  They are all 5 ounces with the exception of the nighttime bottle, which is 7.  We still put cereal in your bottle, and you are still on Alimentum formula.  I'm not sure if Dr. Applewhite will suggest trying to get you off one or both of those.  We started solids on a spoon Monday.  You got off to a slow start, but by the 3rd night of sweet potatoes you were eating like a pro.  Avery loved that you were eating sweet potato soup.  After 3 nights of that we moved on to squash, and you're now eating the whole container.  I've completely forgotten how we did this with Avery, so I'm hoping to get some guidance next week.  Dr. Applewhite said you could have as much as you want, and if that's the case, we already need to move to stage 2.  Lots of food still rolls back out of your mouth, and your toes end up in the mix if we're too slow with the spoon.  You now have 2 teeth.

Wake-up time is between 6 and 6:30 a.m. and you still go to bed after your 7 p.m. bottle.  We have not have any sleep disruptions or early wake-ups since the last tooth (knock on wood).  We do have 18 more teeth to go so that could change.  You are on a fantastic nap schedule now that you're at Jennifer's.  During the first week or so going there, you would catch a nap in the car on the way, so you were then able to stay up until after your 9 a.m. bottle.  We just kept you up on weekends and pushed past the drowsiness, and it's working great.  I guess I should have kept you awake longer before, but I knew it would work out somehow.  You now take naps between 9-9:30 a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m. for an hour to an hour and a half, sometimes longer.  You take a cat nap in the car on the way home from Jennifer's, or around 4-4:30 if we're home.  You are in the crib unswaddled for naps now (and have been at bed time for awhile) and put yourself to sleep for naps and at night.  At home you nap with Duckie, but not at Jennifer's or at night since you really like to put him over your face.  On Tuesday morning I got up and checked the monitor and found you on your stomach.  You've been that way every morning since and got on your stomach one night before I had gone to bed.

You still enjoy laying on your back, and now you roll all over the place.  We've got to expand our area for you to lay so you're not bumping your head on the hard floor.  Rolling back and forth can get you in some strange positions.  Things are also getting tricky on the changing table.  On your stomach you are trying to get your legs up under you, and you can pivot around with your arms.  You have good balance sitting up, but when sitting on your own you like to lean straight forward.  I think it's your love of your toes.  You've started propping on your arms so you can sit for a few seconds at a time.  You still love your bouncer and can kick to make it move at an unbelievable speed.  We had the grandparents over Sunday night for dinner, and everyone laughed at you kicking through the entire meal.  You enjoy spending short amounts of time in the exersaucer, which is good, because I think the swing will be going away soon.  You're trying to sit up in it, and you're pulling up on the mobile.  Everything still ends up in your mouth, including your toes.  Today you ended up with Avery's new shoe in your mouth, and she didn't really care for that.

(Proof of the rolling...you started on the blanket.)



You have the biggest smile in the world, and your eyes are so smiley too.  You share your smile with the people you know, but strangers usually comment on how serious you are.  You love to laugh, and Avery still brings it out best.  You just finished your 3rd week at Jen-Jen's, and her reports of you being so happy all day make me so happy as well. 

 

Sam, we couldn't love you more if we tried.  I could kiss your sweet cheeks all day, and I usually do.  Now I've discovered that I can do it at night without waking you, so I get a few kisses in while you're sleeping.  You fell asleep drinking your bottle last night, which is rare, so I made sure to get in a few minutes of rocking with your head on my shoulder.  Sleep rules can go out the window every once in awhile, because you're growing faster than I ever thought possible.  We love you to bits and pieces and are so happy you are ours.

Love,
Mommy