On the Mend

After a scary week of both kids sick with the RSV virus we are finally on the mend and both kids are getting back to their normal happy healthy selves. It was a hard week for all of us but we made it through. I am so thankful for healthy children. Once the kids started to feel better we celebrated with a trip to the park in this gorgeous weather!



Here I go mom....

Boom, landed on my bum!

No Daddy, my turn!

Julia hanging with Mommy.

Julia spends most of her time in the bjorn when we are out, but today she tried out the swing and loved it!!

Jack was so excited to help push his Sissy on her first swing ride!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

EARLY Mornings

Why do some kids get up early and others sleep? Jack gets up early. I mean early! If we make it into the 6's with Jack we do a happy dance. When Jack wakes up he is ready to go. We bring him in bed with us in hopes of a little more sleep or quiet time but to Jack it is play time. He will snuggle, wrestle, jump, talk, whatever to get our attention and keep us from sleeping. Jack is always in such a happy mood in the morning it is often hard to keep from enjoying his company and laughing with him. This week Jeff has been traveling for work so it has been me and the kids. Jack is getting his two year molars which have impacted his sleep and also make it so he wakes up earlier than usual. Jack and I have spent some quality time together at 5am. I tried snuggling, tv, books, everything but Jack wants to play. Each time I would start to drift off to sleep I get an enthusiastic 'hi mommy' with a giggle and a bop on the head. Someday I know I will look back and miss these early mornings so I will try and enjoy them now. If I could only get my espresso machine into my bedroom.

Swaddling Wars

Julia has never loved the swaddle, but I believe it helps babies sleep and gives them a sense of comfort. We have swaddled Julia for every nap and at night since she was born. We have tried three different swaddle blankets, the miracle blanket, Velcro kidapotomous, and even a double swaddle. Some have worked for a period of time and others have not, but I have been determined to stick to it as I thought this was my answer for better sleep. Regardless of the type of swaddle Julia would wake up screaming breaking out a few times a night and I would battle with her to get her reswaddled and back to sleep. Recently she learned to roll over both ways. A few times she rolled over in her swaddle and got stuck since she had no arms. So last night we went cold turkey and just did a sleep sack. I guess Julia had been trying to tell me she hated the swaddle because she had her best night's sleep in weeks. There may be more sleep in our future, at least for one kid!

Double Lattes and Wine

I am writing this blog from my iPhone at 2am while cuddling with Jack hoping the motrin I just gave him for his teething pain kicks in soon. He won't go back to bed but does not seem bothered by my one thumbed typing. As I sit here at 2am I find my mind wandering between the glass of wine I had a few hours ago after the kids went to bed and my double latte that I will be having in a few hours. Right now I am caught in the middle of my two favorite beverages missing the relaxing wine feeling and anticipating the jolt from my latte. The instant my latte hits my lips in the early morning a signal goes off in my body saying okay Jodie now wake up and let's go go go! And we do all day long. Similarly at the end of a long day when my wine hits my lips my body says okay time to shut the engine down and relax. It is in these first few months of being a mommy of two and enduring numerous sleepless nights and busy days that I have found great comfort in these simple pleasures.

Happy Girl!

Julia seems to be taking after her mother as she is in a very happy mood today with this fabulous weather!!

Sissy

Jack calls Julia Sissy. He could not say Julia when she was born and came up with Sissy on his own. Now that it has been four and a half months we all call Julia Sissy. It just seems to fit. She may grow up thinking her name is Sissy but I guess we will sort that out later. Jack is showing his big brother qualities more and more and he gets older. Today we went to our neighborhood coffee shop to pick up a latte for grandma and myself and a donut for Jack. While I ordered Jack went over to Sissy's car seat and hugged her and played with her hands making her giggle. Our coffee shop baristas (whom have known Jack since he was a few weeks old) were in awe of Jack's sweetness and affection towards his sister. So was I.. We all love our Sissy!