megan, blake, carter & addie

Thursday, January 1, 2009

East Texas + December = LEAVES

As most of our family and close friends know, Blake's dad (Lance) had triple bypass open heart surgery less than 3 weeks ago so we headed up to see him the day after Christmas for almost a week!

One of the first days, I decided to bleach the entire house (bachelor pad) and got a little carried away and literally "burned my lungs" while cleaning the tub and toilet. I had to have almost every window and door opened in the house and we all had to evacuate for a few hours! It was bad... but I guarantee not a germ is alive!

So we went outside and started cleaning up there... we started with the leaves... this is a before and after of just one part of the yard!

Then Blake took on the gutters!

So this meant lots of fun for Carter in the leaves!

Trying to keep Carter in check, we had lots of fun making up fun games for him at at Pa-Pa's house! Here we are with "hat over the head and walk around when you can't see game!"

Then it was "bring the enormous rake inside game!"

Lots of "grocery shopping in the driveway game"!

We took a nice break to go and visit Great Grandma George and bring her some Christmas presents!

Lots of time to practice crawling!

We're just so happy that Pa-Pa is feeling as well as he is and hope that rehab goes well, which started yesterday!

Christmas Afternoon and Evening

After Santa's visit at home, it was time for some naps and off to Ya-Ya and Grandpa's house for Christmas Day lunch and more gift opening.

Uncle/Godfather Sean gave mom and dad some time off and kept Addie entertained for a while! Thanks Sean!

Carter giving Mema a big "thank you" hug for his gift!

Addie is doing so well standing up on her legs for long periods at a time! Thanks Aunt Erin for Addie's adorable dress that was perfect for Christmas Day!

Carter had a fascination all afternoon with a grocery food shopping basket he pushed around for hours! Addie just hung out with all the family. It was lots of fun with Ainsley, Macy and Marshall!

Carter loves Grandpa and riding on the golf cart with all his cousins!

Then it was straight over to the Nash's house for an Italian themed Christmas Day dinner. Thanks Paulette and Charlie for all the wonderful food! We got to spend lots more time with Aunt Hey-Hey, Uncle Chris and of course Cousin Carson and Me-Me! Here, Uncle Chris was being the best uncle helping mom and dad burn some Carter energy off!! Thanks!

We love Cousin Carson!

Carter got a Cars Race Track from Me-Me that kept all the little ones entertained for a long time!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Addison - Milestones in 2008 (0-7 months of age)

In Descending Order:

Reaching and grabbing everything - watch out walking by anything! - 7 months of age (end of 2008)
Weighs 21 pounds & wearing 12 month clothing-7 months
MEDICAL:1st ear infection - Dec 22, 2008 - 7 months old
Rejecting everything that goes near mouth - food, medicine, puffs, EVERYTHING! 7 mo
Fed 10 OZ at 7 PM, in hopes of sleeping without additonal feeding @ 9; worked well, down to 4 feedings - 7 months
Re-started rice cereal, prunes & bananas again - 6 mo & 4 wks
MEDICAL: Started Prevacid - 6mo & 2 wks-we think seems to be working, she is still spitting up some but less coughing at night, 4 wks in, hardley any spitting up and NO cough - it's working
Wearing Size 4 diapers - 6 mo & 2 wks
MEDICAL: Tried Xantac for Acid Reflux - stopped after 2 days b/c of S/E - 6 mo & 1 wk
MEDICAL: Dr. said to hold off on solids for a month more. 6 wk & 1 wk
MEDICAL: Doctor diagnosed Addie with reflux! 6 mo & 1 wks (Looking back on this when she is 26 months, was it milk and rice allergy?!??!)
Wearing mostly 12 month clothes!
Sleeping on stomach - 6 mo & 1 wk
Packed up the swing.. she would rather sit up now!
Officailly Sitting up - over 5 minutes without falling (finally girlfriend! :))-6 mo & 1 wk
In LOVE with Maverick! - 6 months
Started carrots - 6 mo & 1 wk; still tounge reflex
First trip to Tyler - 6 mo (did great in car)
Squash - 6 mo
Tried bananas and applesauce - 5 mo 3 wks
Really putting weight on legs to push up 5 mo & 3 wks
MEDICAL: Started Soy formula - 5 mo & 3 wks (looking back on this when she is 26 months, this is yet another signal of milk allergy at less than 6 months old... wow)
Nicknamed "CHEEKS" by mom
Nicknamed "SMILES" by dad
Going to sleep around 7:30 with one more asleep feeding at 8:30PM
Really enjoys the bumbo!
Not so big on the swing anymore - 5 1/2 mo
Sitting up in bath tub - 5 mo &1 wk
MEDICAL: All foods stopped to see if allergy - 5 mo
wearing 9 months clothes - 5 months
Rolling Over - back to stomach 4 mo & 3 wks
Eating prunes - 4 mo & 3 wks
Eating cereal - 4 mo & 2 weeks
Enjoys playing with toys on car seat - 4 mo 10 days
Noticable more alert - holds head and shoulders all the way up when carrying her - 4 mo & 10 days
Grabbing her toes! - 4 mo & 1 wk
Eating 5 times a day - 7oz bottles - 7AM,10:45, 2:30, 6:30, 8:30PM - 4 mo & 1 wk
Pushing up on hands - 4 months
Blowing bubbles/gurgling almost 4 mo
Holding head up well on tummy time - 3 1/2 months
Sleeping 9-10 hours consistently - 12 weeks
Only Eating 6 times a day - 12 wks
Started Day Care - 12 weeks
Smiling when she wakes up instead of crying-10 wks
Sleeping 7-8 hours at night - 8 weeks
Smiling - Since 7 weeks old

Friday, December 26, 2008

What a Memorable Christmas Morning...

At 7AM both kids were "talking" about Santa coming in their cribs. I went to get Addie and Blake got Carter. I heard Carter yell "potty" right when Blake walked in, which is normal. So Blake immeditately took him and sat him on his potty like we have done 100 times in the last 3 months. He sat and read books and then like a Christmas Miracle, he "pee-pee'd" in the potty for the very first time on Christmas morning! So he got a popcicle. We told him he can have a popsicle everytime he goes in his potty!

Then it was breakfast time and "Pops" came over at 7:45AM to watch the kids open all their presents from Santa. Carter liked opening the wrapping paper.

Me-me was there with her famous stockings for the kids... Carter kept going for the football that was in there, she had to hide it to get him to keep looking in the huge stocking.

Then, the last present in Carter's bag from Santa was a brand new basketball... he dropped everything and yelled basketball like it was the first time he had ever seen one. We told him Santa had left one more present upstairs and we all walked up stairs to find his new 4-6 foot goal! His eyes lit up, it was the perfect Christmas morning scene! He shot baskets forever!

Addie enjoyed some good time with "Pops!"

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve was super fun and exciting all day long. In the morning right when Me-Me got here, we made cookies for Santa!

Then Cousin Carson came over to play during lunch.

We went to church together, even Carter came to "Big Church," he was shockingly perfectly behaved... he loved all the music!

Then it was family get-together time. We have a saying in this family...

"It doesn't matter how you got here... by blood or marriage.... we are all family!"

We had a Brown, Ernst, Metcalf, Johnson, Blagg, & Nash Family Christmas Eve Mexican Fiesta dinner here at our house! It was so much fun!

One of the highlights of the night was setting out our cookies and milk for Santa. Carter insisted on testing them out to make sure they were "safe" for Santa to eat!

Then us adults had a wild night and stayed up playing good ol' board games and waited for Santa to drop off the gifts! We had fun helping him carrying them in. Santa insisted on no pictures.

Then it was off to bed to wake up to see the look on the kiddo's faces! We hope everyone had a happy Christmas Eve where ever you were!

Delaney's Milestones

2 Month Well Check Up: 11 lbs & 11 oz (58%) height : 23 inches (73%) head:15.4 (71%) McCray said she was perfect. Continuing waking up every 5-6 hours at night completely due to my comfort. Dr encouraged me not to wake up and pump instead. Still I having perfect nights sleeping hard since birth.
WEIGHT GAIN: at 5.5 weeks weighed 10 pounds at lactation center. At 7 weeks, weighed 11 Lbs 8 oz. Tremendous growth in last 2 weeks. Moved out of Newborn diapers at 6.5 weeks, should have moved up 2 weeks prior!
Hates PACIFIER - since 5 weeks
SLEEPING: 7 hours at 3 days old. She has always had nights down going 4-5 hour stretch since 2 weeks old, 5 hour stretches regularly at 3-4 was old and 6 hour stretches by 5-6 weeks. At 7 weeks old, have to wake her up after 6 hours because of nursing. During day going 2-2.5 hrs getting 9-10 feelings in a day
SMILES: started at 3 weeks during Easter weekend when YaYa talked to her. Much more regular at 5 weeks and on demand starting at 6 weeks for sure,
One Month Check Up Stats: 9.1 pounds (42%) height: 21.5" (64%) head circum: 14.6" (61%): Dr. McCray said she looks perfect and not concerned at all about lower % since birth since sleeping upwards of 4-5 hours in between feedings.
Schedule at 1 month: eating 7 to 8 times a day. Every 3 hours at most during day, going 2 stretches of 4-5 hours at night. Has never fused going to bed after 10 pm feeding thru 7 AM feeding, doesn't ever take pacifier at night thus far. Most fidgety time of day 7:30 to 9:30 likes to me held or sleeps those 2 hours in bed with us but then 100% fine at next feeding. Goes to sleep instantly after 3 nighttime feelings and stays awake for 45 to 90 min after each daytime feeding before napping until next feeding.
First smile to YaYa and Aunt Julie Easter Weekend at 3 weeks old, lots more smiles right at 1 month old
Weighed 7 pounds 9 oz at 3 day check up at doctor's appt, back up to 7 lbs & 12 pz just 3 days later at 1 week check
Born March 8, 2013 at 12:28 PM weighing 8 pounds and 20.5 inches

Addie's Milestones in 2012 (3.5-4.5 years old)

March 8'm2013 - became a big sister to Delaney. She was actually excited at hospital mad in first week seemed not too interested in Delaney. We didn't push it and then she started bringing drawings for the baby home from school and in second week started wanting to hold and touch her more. At 11 days old, she was excited to show her off to all her friends at school. At first I was concerned but then Blake pointed out she has been on her best behavior, hasn't been acting out at all and is still 100% the same... She is still our awesome little Addie!
March 2013 @ 4 years and 10 months, decided she wanted to get her ears pierced (see blog post)
February 2013: first kiss (see blog post)
January 2013: loves that she learned how to both snap and whistle this month. She is so proud of both new talents
January 2013- She is fully obsessed with her hair, headbands and wanting to wash her hair every night. she will sit in her room and brush it, ask me to braid it all the time. she has slept in a headband for the past 2-3 weeks. her favorite headband is one from Macy from Gymboree with Ladybugs across the top.
Medical Update- Jan 1, 2013 while in Breckenridge. While there, developed common cold that due to her asthma turned into full blown asthma attack, we treated with 3 doses of steroid and albuteral every 3-4 hours. 10 days later, cough gone but she complained of ear hurting whike at school, took her in immediately to find slight ear infection in left ear, treated with 10 days of 2x/antibiotic. she was fine following day and it best mood ever for following week!
December 2012: 4.5 years old. GREAT great age for Miss Addie B. she just started randomly talking constantly about a boy from her school in her neighboring class- Brady. His twin brother, Owen, is in her class and they all play alot.
November 2012: Right at 4.5- her favorite things are stuffed dogs and SPARKLES. Everyday she comes home with rhinestones or sequins that they find at school. the other 3 girls in her class; Bella, Sophia and Amara even bring them from home to exchange. Her Christmas list this year includes: 1) Sparkles 2) Pink Wallet 3) Stompeez house shoes 4) Pink unicorn 5) Barbie "Rocktar" Guitar. Her other favorite gifts: frilly pink Princess nighgown and 2 Hallmark Storytime talking dogs- Nugget and Jingle
May 2012: 4 Year Old Checkup Weight 36 lbs (59%) & height 39.5" (46%)
Jan 2012 - Turned completely OFF the kid's room audio and visual monitors in our bedroom. Addie was 3 yrs & 8 months and Carter - right at 5. We haven't turned it on once since then although it still sits atop our dresser. Kid's know not to get out of room except for one bathroom trip and must stay in until clock says 7. On rare occasions one may come in if not feeling well to let us know. (Jan 2012)

Carter's Milestone's Since Turning 5 (2012)

December update: Carter thriving in DL Spanish immersion class. He comes everyday telling us a new Spanish word. His little accent when he talks is amazing. All semester Carter has excelled in math and his teacher has recommended testing for GT after holidays. Almost 6 years old
November: Carter started very first season of flag football. he is defintely a natural and lives getting the flags. He has practice 2X a week in addition to a game on Sundays.- Almost 6
October: Carter in the middle of his first semester of Kids Choir at church. he looks forward to attending but isn't as into singing the songs outside of class as Addie is. I think it is helping him come out of his shell a little more as the lime light, except on thesports field, has never been Carter's thing- 5.5 yrs old
August 27, 2012: Carter at 5.5 years old started the Spanish Dual Language class at Vineyard Ranch with Mrs. Mori. In his room, three of his friends from Concordia, Cash McPeak, Addison Pol and Brooke Volz. Absolutely loved his first week!
At 5.5 Years old, started playing first ever baseball season at JCC with six and seven year olds. It was so cool watching him learn the game for the first time ever, never really playing even tball before, besides in the backyard. (Summer 2012)
At 5 years & 1 month: Playing in third year of Winter basketball, playing in SPURS league with the Kindergarden and First Grade League. He is doing great, high scorer and top rebounder even if they are all 5-8 inches taller. He is REALLY into writing anything and everything he can right now. He is also really into addition and subtraction and loves playing math games on IPAD.
New Year 2012 (5 years old)

My Favorite Parenting & Other Books

Strong Mothers, Strong Sons by Meg Meeker. (February 2015) Read when Carter was 8. So many topics it covers but amazing everyday reminders on importance of our relationship when they are young, from affection to how they change in the tween years, teaching them how to communicate their feelings, how to talk to them to get them to open up, bullying, video games, importance of relationship with father, so much. Glad I read now but need to re-read every 2-3 years, especially when he is 11 or 12.
Books To Read To Kids: It's Not the Stork - Plan to read to them when they start asking, "How are babies born?" Body part questions, body changes, how babies are made (sperm/egg - first intro that it's not the stork), 2 mommy /daddy questions, adoption, "okay" touches and "not okay" - haven't used as of Feb 2015 at ages 8 and almost 7
Books To Read To Kids: Good Pictures Bad Pictures - Porn Proofing Today's Young Kids - When to read depends on personality of each kid. Read Ch 1 only with CB when he was 7.5 and it brought about some good questions about why there is this danger. I could tell this was all brand new to him and focused on importance of him telling me any time anyone talks about or want sot show him "bad pics." My plan is to bring in back out in 9-12 months (March-July 2015) to re-visit to ensure we are starting to have very open lines of communication. As far as Addie, unless she shows other signs or starts asking ANY questions, I plan to introduce to her at 8 years old.
Books to Read To Kids: I Said No! - A Kid to Kid Guide to keeping private parts private: I think think this one is perfect for mature 6 yr olds and all 7 year olds. *Perfect book to read before they have any playdates or sleepovers.
Books To Read To Kids: Your Body Belongs To You - Read to CB at 7.5 and AB at 6yrs. It was pretty elementary for them both but good concept and to actually start talking about - "specifically if anyone ever tries to touch you and begs you not to tell" you say okay and come right to mom and dad. ***Keep for DB and introduce to her around 4.5-5 yrs old. (July 2017)
Simplicity Parenting- Sept 2012 Good reminders on what excess and clutter can do to children and families and how it can cause too many choices and create entitlement. Taught me to me more aware as they get older to "soul fever" and teach them to pull back.
5 Love Languages For Kids. Aug 2102. Initially, I believe Carter is quality time and physical touch and Addie is words of affirmation(ages 5.5 and 4)
Too Busy For Your Own Good - Confirms I am handling busy life well but gives great reminders about staying in balance and the importance of getting rid of stress by handling life well so that you lead an all around happy life.
Raising Girls - great reminders of what today young girls are facing (need to re-read when Addie 5 & 6 yrs again) Christian views on raising a confident young girl and setting her expectations how how men should treat her. Somewhat old fashion mentality but overall important reminders
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child-great for Carter and reminding us how to approach sensitive children
Loving Your Child Is Not Enough (acknowledging feelings, emphasizing, etc... good little reminders)
Montessori Madness (amazing introduction to this incredible environment) Sensitive periods
Family First - McGraw - good at identifying parenting & child styles and how to bring out the best in one another
Dumbing Us Down - on public school education
Love and Logic for Early Years - April '10 - (when Addie was 23 months & Carter almost 3.5)
Potty Training (Back chapter of popular book) like Toddler Wise? Maybe (all about rewarding for staying dry) - Carter was 23 months
123 Magic - Carter was 20 months (worked perfectly for him)
Baby Whisper For Toddlers - When Carter was around 10 months
Raising Boys - 2007 (Need to re-read when Carter 6-7 yrs)
Baby Whisper - Before Carter Was Born (Thanks to Ali and random book she mailed me when she found out I was pregnant with Carter!) SIMPLY THE BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD!

Things I Have Learned as a Mom

Don't tell them not do something if it really isn't a big deal, it really only does cause them to do it 10X more. EX) 4/11 They were playing in the bath tub pretending to buy drinks and they were asking for "Diet Coke" out of the blue. I told them they don't drink Diet Coke, how about water, milk or lemonade? For the next 30 min, every other word was Diet Coke.
There are still occassional really rough evenings with a 3.5 year old and 2 year old
Weekends away as a couple are so very important and it is equally important for the bond to form between toddlers and grandparents while we are away - Early 2010
Parenting 2 little kids full time can defintley but strain on a strong marriage at times - Carter 3 and Addie 1.5
There are REALLY REALLY rough days and nights with 2 under 3 - late 2009
Follow that inner mommy intuition ALWAYS! - After 4 nights of Addie being extremely fussy while molars breaking through with NO temperature. Took her in at 8:30 PM and had ear infection at 15 months.
Potty trainning a boy is filled with lots of "ups and downs!" - Carter at 2.5 years
A Family Vacation is not really a "vacation" with a 1 and 2 year old but still very fun!
I couldn't have 2 children as close together if I didn't have such a hands on and involved husband... SERIOUSLY.
Consistent and lots of positive reinforcements works well between 12-24 months!
No matter how close together you have 2 children or the fact that you try to do everything exactly the same... your children are completely different people and have their own personalities!
4 oz of formula coming out seems like a LOT more than 4 oz going in (The first time Addison was sick with stomach virus)
You can get a 2 year old to happily do anything for a popsicle and sticker - (Potty training Carter at 24 months)
Don't give into a toddler when he doesn't want to eat any meat for a week (Carter at 15 months) They will give in if you keep giving them what you want them to have!
Allow them to "talk" or slightly "fuss" in the middle of the night, 90% of the time, they will put themselves back to sleep (When Carter was 3 months old; duplicated with Addie)

Why are we blogging?

We are so glad you stopped by. There are 3 purposes of us blogging.

The first and foremost reason is to keep our out-of-town family & friends updated on the activities of our family. Since we have had this blog, we're able to stay connected with the kids & their everyday happenings in all of our lives. Blake & I realize how fast time is going by and don't want distance in miles to keep our families separated.

The second reason is to keep our in-town family & friends updated. In this crazy and fast-paced world, it is easy to miss important and not so important, however, meaningful moments in all of our lives. After reading a friend's blog, I cannot tell you how many times I have picked up the phone and called someone that lives down the street and said... "Now tell me more... I didn't know that was going on!"

Finally, I see this new technology as a perfect way to document our family's actions on a weekly basis through the years. I will turn each year's "jounal" into a hard back book and look forward to surprising Carter and Addison on their wedding day with 25+ voulumes of everything they ever did, documented! I would love if I had that to look back on now that I am a parent!