Week in Review ~ 5/19

Here is a quick list of the highlights of our week.

Sam was baptized in my hometown church on Sunday, and it was a wonderful Mother's Day.

After being so good all day Sunday, Sam seemed to fall apart, basically the rest of the week.  Between Sunday and Friday, his naps were never over 30 minutes unless someone was holding him, and even those naps are pretty fitful.  Sometimes I can get him back to sleep and sometimes I can't.  If I get him up, he's happy for a short while then falls apart when he's tired again.  The Prevacid has yet to make any improvements that I can see, other than he doesn't eat so fast anymore.  He cries after some of his bottles and is still very congested.  It's kind of tough right now, especially as sleep is the issue that drives me right over the edge as a parent.  We dealt with this with Avery, and she improved around 11 weeks, so I'm hoping the same will happen for Sam.  Whether it's reflux, poor napping habits, or a combination of both, Sam and I both need him to nap.  I'm praying that this will be resolved or better before we're all home this summer so that Avery isn't playing by herself all day long.  If not, Sam is going to be signing up for some sleep training.

It's a good thing he's cute!

I have been having crazy ankle issues since we moved.  It started with pain and swelling in my right ankle the weekend we moved.  I attributed it to doing lots of walking in flip flops that hadn't been worn for an extended time since the summer.  It eventually got better but then returned in my left ankle a few weeks ago.  This one is taking a little longer to go away, and I'm walking around with a limp.  I'm wondering if it's from being off my feet for two months and now being on the go again in flip flops.  I need to go to the doctor but just don't feel like hearing a diagnosis right now.

Avery started with another runny nose and cough this week.  I feel it's ENT time again as she was done with all this by this time last year.  Other than maybe a quick stomach bug in the fall, she's been healthy all fall/winter/spring except for her ears.  We missed a play date Saturday morning so we wouldn't share germs with anyone, so she and I headed off to Walmart to run a few other errands instead.  We picked up some "cakes" that she was happy to sample.



My mom picked Avery up Friday afternoon and brought her home.  Ned rushed in the door after work as she was leaving, and I rushed out as well.  I went to a baby shower for our friend Brittany.  For most of the day I was unsure if I would be able to get a shower and go, but I've just accepted that that's life right now.  It was good to get out for a bit and even better to stop by Sonic on the way home.

I can't wait to see these two interact more and be able to play together.  If giggles from one is fantastic, giggles from two will be spectacular.

We wanted to go out to eat Saturday night, and the deciding process turned out to be lengthy.  I wanted to go but didn't want to deal with all that goes into taking a baby out to eat.  We went out every weekend with Avery because restaurants were one of the few places she would sleep in the early weeks.  Sam usually doesn't want to miss anything.  We went back and forth for awhile, making me very grumpy, until we decided to just get Mexican in town.  We get served there very quickly, which is greatly appreciated, and Sam just checked everything out from his seat.  Avery had been asking all day to ride in her wagon, so Ned pulled her when we got home and I pushed Sam in the stroller.  Avery is excited that Sam will soon be able to sit in the Bumbo and ride with her.  Sam fell asleep, so we hung out in the backyard, trying to decide where Avery's birthday play set will go and also a future patio.

Saturday night was the night Sam was going back in the crib for good.  After a report on the Today Show, I made Ned take the bumper out of his crib.  Avery used one, and still does, but they are really pushing for stores to stop selling them now.  He moves a lot and really likes to bury his face in my arm when rocking, so I didn't want to take any chances.  We'll do a breathable bumper when we stop swaddling and may put the bumper back in once he's much older.  He surprised us both by sleeping from 9 p.m. until almost 6 a.m.  The crib elevation gave him some trouble though, and even a small blanket under his bottom could not keep him in place.  The blanket came out as he started to go perpendicular in the crib, and by morning his head was at the other end.  We've since lowered the crib a bit so he's not rolling all around.

Those are the main happenings from our week.  My last week of maternity leave is somewhat busy, and we're looking forward to Memorial Day weekend at home.

A Mother's Day Baptism

Mother's Day was such a special day for our family.  We baptized Sam at my hometown church, had a delicious lunch with our family, and I had lots of time with my sweet babies.  When I opened my eyes yesterday morning, I did wonder why I had planned so much on a day where I could try my hardest to get some relaxing in.  Now I wouldn't have chosen to spend it any differently.

We got Avery up and I started working on her breakfast.  Then her tiny voice started saying "Happy Mother's Day" and "Surprise!"  She had cards from Ned and from her and Sam which she gladly helped me open.  I opened what was in the gift bag and had a huge shock when I pulled out an iPad.  This is way out of our normal gift-giving range, so I had to fuss a little bit, but I was excited.  There was no time to play, though, since everyone had to get ready.  Sam helped us all out by sleeping until 8 a.m.  Our goal was to be out the door at 8:50 and we squeaked out by 9.

We arrived at church as my parents did, and Rob was already there.  We got settled and Mimi and Vincent arrived.  There is no nursery at my church anymore, which makes me nervous, but we all needed to be in the service anyway.  Sam was tired and could really have benefited being swaddled in his gown.  Since that wasn't an option, I just fed him a little even though it wasn't time to eat.  That settled him enough to go to sleep.  I was so thankful when the sermon was over and it was time for us.  Avery decided she wanted to go up with us, and I think she was quite sure she was the star of some type of theatrical production.  I guess it won't be the only time she steals a bit of Sam's show.  I only had to nudge her with my foot a few times to keep things in order.  Sam slept until I handed him to the preacher, and he never made a peep as the water was poured over his head.  The preacher walked him around to see all the people, and he just took it all in.

We sang "Jesus Loves Me" and the end of the service, and Avery just sang her heart out.  I think there is nothing sweeter.  After the service we got some family pictures together.  We needed some with the grandparents, but there just never seems to be enough time.

Sam wore Ned's christening gown, which Avery wore as well.  I changed him out of that since we would be going out the eat.  They had already started closing up the church, so yes, I am in the sanctuary.  This is the only picture of Avery and Sam in their matching outfits.  We'll get a good one one day.  I'm trying hard to balance the picture taking with being present in the moment.  I actually have no idea who had my camera at this point.

Sam also used a blanket that Mimi's mother had made.  I was nervous to use it and wanted Ned to make sure I could, but Mimi was happy to see it.  With special family things I get nervous, then they end up like Kevin's skates in Home Alone, unused.

We left church and travelled about 20 minutes to a restaurant to eat lunch.  Avery had gotten so excited in church when Poppa told her we were going to a restaurant.  They have a big buffet, and they were packed, almost too packed.  Lunch went well though.  Avery ate and behaved, and Sam surprised us all by taking things in from his seat then falling alseep, even though it was time to eat.  We gave Lolli her cards and told her about her present, and then it was time to go.  Sam's nap didn't last in the car, and he was hungry, so we stopped on the way home to feed him.  Avery fell right asleep and Sam must have too, because we had a nice, quiet ride.

Everyone went down for naps when we got home.  I thought Avery would at least rest some more, but she went from singing to jumping to yelling.  Ned got her up and took her to the store and to deliver Mimi's cards and gift.  Sam slept and slept, so I rested in the quiet and then took out my iPad.  I went to the grocery store when Ned and Avery returned, and even that was ok on Mother's Day.  Avery and I snuggled for a bit when I got home, then I put her to bed.  Ned and I fixed baked potatoes, and I ate mine holding Sam.  He went to bed early, and Ned and I watched the Survivor finale.

I apologized to my mom for making the day more about us than her, but she said that was silly.  I didn't get a ton of rest, but I got to celebrate Mother's Day because I'm a mother, and rest doesn't always come with the job.  It was a special day for me and a special day for our family.

*Edited to add: Yes, same dress to both baptisms! I'm down to just a few church dresses that fit nicely!

Week in Review ~ 5/12

Avery and Ned went to church Sunday morning, and I stayed home with Sam.  We got burgers for lunch once they got home, then it was nap time.  After naps, we went for a long walk, and walked past our very first house.  I had ridden Avery by it the week before, but she didn't recognize it.  The family has put in new windows and a new garage door.  It's still odd to see that they have made it their own.

Sam had his 2-month appointment Monday morning, and I took Avery so she could have her ears checked.  Sam got a good report as far as his weight and was in good health overall.  We decided to go back to Similac Sensitive since the Allimentum didn't reduce his stomach noise.  Anrae fed Sam a bottle so she could hear it, and while she couldn't explain it, she said it shouldn't be a problem since there are no other {known} stomach issues.  I do think he's suffering from some terrible gas.  She switched his medicine to Prevacid to see if it would help with his daytime sleep.  Avery's ears were clear, so no ENT for the time being.  She was excited to give Dr. Applewhite the card she had made for her in Sunday School the day before.  That lesson came at just the right time.  Sam got 2 shots and one oral immunization before leaving.  He only cried for a bit, and saving a little bottle to finish really helped.  It seems to be a tradition for us to go to Dairy Queen after we visit the pediatrician.  Then it was time go go home for naps.  Ned tried to pick up Sam's prescription that night, but the doctor's office had only called to see if it could be filled instead of actually calling in the prescription.

Avery went to Jennifer's Tuesday and Sam and I stayed home.  He was tired from his shots and napped fairly well.  We found out that our CVS would not mix Sam's prescription, so we had it called in to the Farm Fresh in Franklin.  Only one pharmicist there will do a compounding prescription, and luckily he was working.  Sam and I arrived to pick it up, and again, a nurse had called to see if it could be filled but hadn't sent in the prescription.  I was told I could wait 30 minutes, so we did, only to find out that the prescription has to sit with the top off for a few hours because it produces a gas.  It would even be too late for my dad to pick it up, so we still didn't have his medicine.  Sam and I picked up Avery and headed home.  I'm not sure what we did during the evening, but I know my eyes could not stay open through The Voice.

Sam and I were home again Wednesday, but the good naps did not continue.  Ned got off a noon, and he kept Sam while I went to get Sam's prescription.  I'm hoping to convince someone here locally to do it for us, but Farm Fresh is a much better option than a CHKD pharmacy in Norfolk.  I picked up Avery when I was done.  Ned's brother had been in town keeping the dogs while their parents were at the beach, so he came for dinner.  Avery was excited to see Rob and of course had to show him her room and playroom.  A few weeks ago, Avery and I saw a smaller tricycle in Walmart, and Ned got it for her Wednesday.  The old one she has here is just a bit too big to learn to pedal well, and it's a bit too hard for us to continue pushing.  After dinner, we showed her the bike and let her ride around in the garage since it was storming.  She is getting the hang of pedaling but still has some work to do.  Ned had moved Sam's pack-n-play to his room that afternoon, so we put him to bed in there.  Even though he is used to his room and pack-n-play, he didn't sleep as long between feedings.  We'll probably make the move to the crib next week.

I have no idea what went on Thursday!  I know Sam and I picked up Avery, and she was excited to give me my Mother's Day gift.  After dinner, Ned had drill.  We watched Grey's Anatomy after Sam went to bed, and I stayed up too late.

Sam and I were home Friday, and we finally had spotty Internet service.  We still have a temporary phone line run to the house, and we are not sure if our troubles are from that, our modem, or something else.  I will say that Verizon is one of the most incompetent companies I have ever seen, and they can be that way because we don't have a choice of phone provider here.  We had tons of trouble when we moved to our rental.  This time, they managed to fix the Internet at our rental, even though we are being billed for service here.  I made the most of the Internet while I could and did some shopping for the kids and uploaded pictures.  Ned brought me lunch because I had to sign more things from the bank.  Sam and I picked up Avery and came home and put Sam down for a short nap.  I ordered pizza, and Avery and I sat on the porch and waited for that.  I ate quickly once Ned got home, because I was going to a jewelry party at Lexi's.  It was so nice to get out for a bit and get a new necklace.  Mimi came while I was gone and brought Avery new pink Crocs.  She held Sam while Ned put Avery to bed and was giving Sam a bottle when I got home.  Ned and I watched some shows on the DVR before going to bed.

Ned got up with Sam to feed him early Saturday morning.  He had of course slept longer since Ned was getting up.  I got Avery up, then Ned and I traded.  He fixed Avery's breakfast while I tried to get Sam to sleep.  I had a hair appointment so I got out for a bit.  It was nice to enjoy a fountain drink and a beautiful day on the way home.  Ned took the kids for a walk while I was gone.  They were eating lunch when I got home and Sam was waking up.  I did naps for everyone and Ned left to run errands.  We went to our friends Jay and Connie's with lots of other friends.  They were cooking oysters and soft shelled crabs.  Avery had so much fun with all the boys there that she worked up a sweat jumping in the cool evening air.  Sam hung out in his car seat for awhile, had a bottle, then got held by some pretty ladies.  I brought them home around 8 p.m.  Sam was not so happy in his swing while I got Avery in bed.  Luckily, I got him calmed down quickly, because the cat started throwing up everywhere.  Never a dull moment!  I bathed Sam and got him to bed before doing a few things to get ready for our big day Sunday.  We're celebrating Mother's Day by baptizing Sam and going out to eat.  I doubt it will be restful, but it will be special.  Last year on Mother's Day weekend, we moved into our Battery Avenue house.  We had house plans on paper and baby dreams in our heart.  What a year it's been!

Arriving in Your Mailbox

I wanted to share Sam's birth announcement with all of our blog friends, even though I'm about a month behind.  We combined his birth announcement with our moving announcement, so Sam was a month old before they actually went out in the mail.  Once again, Conway Photo Shop did a great job!  I'm borrowing their Facebook image and have blurred our address.

2 Months

Dear Sam,

It's hard to believe that you've been here two whole months!  This month you seem to have lost more and more of your newborn look and are starting to look like an infant.  Some of that is due to the fact that you've grown.  At your appointment today, you weighed 10 pounds 3 ounces (17th percentile) and were 22 3/4 inches long (44th percentile).  Your head is in the 47th percentile I believe.  Your weight percentile increased while the others remained relatively stable.  I packed up your newborn sleepers, and your legs no longer get tangled in 3 month ones.  Newborn onesies are getting a little snug, especially in length, and 3 month ones are only slighly blousy.  Pants are a bit of a problem, because newborn size are starting to look like capris, but most 3 month are too big in the waist.  That's been Mommy's problem forever, so I do sympathize.  You are still in newborn diapers, but I tried size 1 yesterday because newborns seem snug.  Size one didn't seem too big but you managed to pee right out of it, covering you and me.

Your schedule seems to be becoming more regular.  You eat 3 ounces with 3 tsp. oatmeal every 3 hours during the day, but if you do happen to be asleep, I let you continue.  At night, you range between 5-8 hours after your bedtime bottle then another 3-4 hours until morning.  You have your last bottle between 9-10:30 p.m., and you start the day between 6 and 7:30 a.m.  I am thinking of starting the Moms on Call pattern of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. bottles to have a firm bedtime.  We usually have to wake you for your bath and last bottle, so I think it's time to move bedtime up a bit.  Naps have been all over the place this month.  You have days where you take multiple 2+ hour naps and days were naps last 30 minutes on the dot.  Even the Rock and Play is producing short naps now.  Since naps are usually short anyway, we've put you down for some in your crib.  You spent one night in your crib and did pretty well, but we put you back in the pack-n-play until we figure out your reflux and get you some more rest.  If you've slept well previously you can stay awake comfortably for about an hour, but it varies by how you napped before.  I'm looking forward to that being a little more consistant.  You must be swaddled to sleep, and the Miracle Blanket is still the only thing that can contain your arms well.  Swaddle Me sometimes work for naps and the swing.

You are becoming much more alert and are taking in the world around you.  You like for people to talk to you, and you try your hardest to talk back with your sweet little coos.  You started smiling at me around 6 weeks, and your smile becomes bigger every day.  You like to smile at your sister too.  I know she'll provide hours of entertainment for you in the near future.  You just started noticing the ceiling fan in the family room and like to check it out whether or not its moving.  Car rides are still hit and miss, but they have been a little better lately.  Your car rides are usually at least 30 minutes so I know that's tough.  You rarely sleep in the car these days and I'm wondering if it bothers your reflux.

Sam, you are a strong little boy already, and that concerns me a bit.  You started rolling from front to back pretty consistently before you were 6 weeks old.  You can lift your head completely up during tummy time and look all around.  You can hold your head up for quite some time.  If you are semi-sitting, you try to sit up further and can keep your head level while doing so.  You seem to like tummy time much more than your sister did.  You are liking the swing more and more and still like to watch things unfold from your bouncer.  Since you're noticing the ceiling fan, I've gotten the play mat out and washed it to see if you'd like to watch those toys swing around.  Strolling is fun for you too, and you are much happier out of the car seat and stretched out in the new stroller.  You don't sleep in the stroller either!

You are such a sweet boy and try so hard to be good.  We do have crying but that seems to relate to pain or tiredness, and we're working on that.  Usually you start off with little fusses and wimpers and poke out your bottom lip.  You often sound like a little baby goat or lamb.  You use white noise to sleep, but lately I've noticed the white noise app will really calm you down, especially if you are swaddled.  You like to snuggle, and sometimes only Mommy will do.  You get squirmy when you're tired or uncomfortable and try to fight me a little bit.  Diaper changes and dressing rarely involve tears anymore, but you still aren't so sure about the bath.  You take a pacifier when you're fussy, but many times you have no interest in keeping it in.  We usually give you one to help you fall asleep, but we either take it out or it falls out before we put you down.  Sometimes you use one for nap, but never at night.

Sam, our love for you grows and grows, and we can't wait to see what's in store for us this month.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Week in Review ~ 5/5

Avery and I headed off to church Sunday morning.  We each went to our Sunday School classes, then she stayed with me while I kept the nursery.  Ned kept Sam at home and managed to get him to take a good nap.  Avery took a very short  nap, though, when we got home.  My mom came mid-afternoon to bring the strawberries we had forgotten to get the night before.  Avery had to show her her room and playroom while she was here, as she does each time someone comes.  After she left, Ned's mom brought his granddad and his wife to see the house.  Sam woke up from a short nap while they were here and then had a bottle.  Avery provided some entertainment.  Once they left, I hurried to make Million Dollar spaghetti found on Pinterest.  I try to cook one of our bigger meals for the week on Sunday and hate when our afternoons get rushed and I have to cook.  The spaghetti was delicious and we all enjoyed it.

Sam was still not napping well and seemed so over-tired and out of sorts Monday.  We picked up Avery and he did well on the ride.  I called the pediatrician and she suggested trying Alimentum to see if it helped with the gurgling in his stomach while he ate.  I made poppyseed chicken for dinner and had a very unhappy baby while I did so since he doesn't normally nap in the car.  Then he's tired when we get home and I often have to cook.  Our neighbors came to welcome us and brought us a gift basket with peanuts.  We were able to stroll after dinner since Ned's officers' meeting was cancelled.  After bed time for Avery, I went to Walmart and got the new formula for Sam.  He sucked it down that night without us having to mix it with the formula he had been on.  I don't think the smell is as bad as people make it seem, and he either doesn't mind the taste or is too hungry to notice.

I didn't see major improvements in Sam on Tuesday, but I knew we had to stick with the formula for awhile.  I managed to get odds and ends done during his short nap, including paying bills and ordering our double stroller and vacuum.  I'm eager to get both of those.  We picked up Avery and returned home.  Ned had a meeting for Ducks Unlimited at his office, so he came home quickly before that started.  My plan was for Avery and I to eat dinner while Sam rested in the swing.  Then I could feed Sam and he'd be happy while I got Avery to bed.  I don't know why I make plans anymore!  I could hear the thunder starting as Ned left, and I knew it was just a matter of time until Avery heard it as well.  A loud "boom boom" occurred just as I got her plate on the table, and she burst into tears.  Sam was already having a meltdown in the swing.  I finally got Avery calm enough to put her down to get Sam, and we all sat on the couch and rode at the storm.

The head control scares me. 

Our storm spot, taken from the front camera on my phone.

Avery was ok as long as we were together.  I did get nervous once the satellite went out and the hail started.  I much prefer the cable that we had when the weather gets bad.  Avery let me get up to get Sam's bottle but still would not eat her dinner.  So Sam ended up eating first then hung out while Avery and I ate.  He fell asleep in his swing allowing me to bathe Avery without worrying about him.  Ned got home while she was in the bath tub and surveyed the water in the back yard from Avery's window.  It seems as if the ducks will have a permanent pond in our yard.  The grass is coming up though, so we can't wait to get all our toys moved to this house.

I got up Wednesday morning and took Felix to the vet to have his back claws removed.  We had initially thought doing his front would be enough, but he's still a bit destructive.  If we could have his teeth removed we'd probably try that too.  I hate taking him to the vet to stay, so I cheered myself up with breakfast at Dairy Queen.  Avery stayed home, so once Sam took a nap, we went outside and did chalk then came in and did Play Doh.  It seemed like most of the rest of the day was spent trying to get Sam to nap and keeping Avery entertained and out of trouble while I did that.  Ned played in the YMCA golf tournament that afternoon and got home just before Avery went to bed.

Thursday was a special day!  Avery and all her buddies from Jen-Jen's were going to Bear Path Acres.  She was up early, so it was good that Ned was staying home to keep Sam.  He was having a tough morning with lots of crying.  He finally pooped for the first time since starting the Alimentum, so I hoped that meant things were moving through his system.  Avery's summer shoes for Jennifer's were unacceptable for some reason, even though she had worn them Tuesday.  My patience was running thin with her tears, then I felt terrible when I adjusted them and she tried so hard to make them better.  She still wouldn't walk in them though, so I decided the white Keds would just have to take one for the team at the rural zoo.  Avery thanked me through her tears for changing her shoes and I again felt terrible.  She asked where her field trip was all the way there and was so excited to see everyone when we arrived.  We saw farm animals, monkeys, a bear, a cougar, a panther, a lion, and so many other interesting animals.  This is pretty impressive for a "zoo" behind someone's house in this area. 

Avery was over the animals as lunch time approached, as were many of the other kids and moms.  We had a little picnic lunch then went into Franklin to use the bathroom.  We then had to stop and get Felix.  Avery could not figure out why her doctor was not at Felix's doctor's office.  It was well after naptime when we got home, but Avery had stayed awake which thrilled me.  She went right to bed, and I worked on getting Sam to sleep while Ned went to work.  Sam hadn't slept much, so Ned started the oatmeal in his bottle again.  The pediatrician said to try it again a few days after switching formula since we didn't do it long enough over the weekend.  I got Sam down for a short nap then woke Avery up because it was after 4.  We played with Sam and Bitty on the floor until Ned got home. 

Tummy time for Bitty.

We ate dinner, then I ran errands while Ned played with Avery and Sam in the playroom.  Ned gave Avery a bath and put her to bed once I got home, then he left for drill.  I just held Sam and at some point fell asleep.  Ned got home around 9:15 and fed Sam and put him to bed.  I folded a load of laundry and got Avery's clothes ready for Lolli and Poppa's.  I told Ned I couldn't make it through the Grey's we were recording though.

Avery was ready to go to Jennifer's Friday morning and was excited that Lolli was picking her up.  I finally got around to wiping out the rest of our laundry room cabinets so we could put more things in those.  I also did some laundry.  Ned brought me lunch because I had to sign a paper for FINALLY closing on our mortgage a month after moving in.  A great time to buy/build means things are selling for cheap and appraisals are tough.  Our house appraised for more on paper than it did as an actual house because of the way similar houses were selling, and it took this long to work everything out so that we could keep the good rate that we locked in at forever ago...the rate that the bank gave us.  I'm starting to think banking is a bunch of balogna as it was definitely the most frustating part of building.  I finally held Sam for a nice, long nap, and I could tell he felt rested when he woke up.  We sat on the porch and waited for Ned to come home.  Sam was probably wondering where all the noise from his sister was.  Ned brought Chinese home, and even though Sam hadn't gotten much rest during the day, we decided to still try him in his crib.  I knew that since Avery was gone, I could sleep in her bed if needed.  Then Ned decided to get up with him all night.  Sam couldn't get settled between dinner and bed.  I fed him around 9 p.m. and he went right into his crib.  He woke up but put himself back to sleep...for 30 minutes.  Not sure if it was the big storms we were having, the newness, or nothing at all.  Then there wasn't much sleeping until 12 a.m. when Ned fed him again, although Ned and I both tried.  I had a blanket rolled up to keep him from sliding since we elevate his crib, and I finally took that out so see if it was the problem.  It was almost midnight by the time I went to bed, as I had been watching storms hover over my parents' house on the radar.  I was so worried Avery would wake up scared and keep my parents up.

After Sam's midnight bottle Saturday morning, he slept until about 4 a.m.  He took awhile to go to sleep after that one but then slept until 7.  I got up with him and let Ned sleep awhile.  Sam decided he would have no parts of napping, so I held him awhile while Ned got his hair cut, then he actually slept in his bouncer while I was at the store.  I came home, put groceries away, and made a strawberry cake.  Our vacuum came and I was very excited to see Ned very excited about it.  He can try it out anytime he would like.  Ned left to run errands and work in the yard.  Since Sam wasn't trying to catch up on the sleep he missed the night before, we decided to go pick up Avery instead of my mom bringing her.  She was napping when we got there but was excited to see us when she woke up.  As usual, she had a fantastic time and had gone to the furniture store with my mom.  She had even slept through the big storms.  More storms popped up while we were there, so we had to wait them out.  Once we got home, I got a bottle ready for Sam and got dinner in the oven in a matter of minutes.  After we ate dinner, we took a spin in our new double stroller.  It's a hit with everyone!

By the time we got home, it was bath and bedtime for Avery.  Ned took care of that while I tried to get Sam to sleep some with me.  Other than just some dozing, he had basically been awake from 1:40 p.m. until almost 7 p.m.  The poor thing is obviosly struggling with something, so we decided that he'll stay in his pack-n-play to get as much rest as possible until we try a new medicine.  The pack-n-play will probably go in his room, so Ned's alarm and fire pager aren't bothering him.