megan, blake, carter & addie

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Our Weekend

Since Blake will be out of town this entire week, I had a girls' night dinner with some close girl friends on Friday night.

Addie has been a little stopped up if you know what I mean, so after only 3 attempts at cereal, we moved on to prunes today and it it worked like a champ! (in less than an hour!)

Carter, of course, had to try prunes as well. He was dipping his chicken nuggets in them! GROSS!

Sunday morning before we left for church!

Mema (my mom's mom) turned 94 as well as our Aunt Carol last Thursday and we went out to celebrate in style! We went to El Mirasol and it was perfect because there is a water fountain that we sat right next to it so Carter threw penny's, nickels and dimes into it all night long! The weather was an absolute dream as well! In combination, it made for a great night out with kids!

We are are so blessed to have "Mema" in our lives and I cherish the pictures I get with her and the kids!

4 Generations - Addie, Megan, Erin, Cheryl (Ya-Ya) and Mema
The Birthday Girls - Mema and Carol

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Brother/Sister Bonding Time...

We have been very pleasantly surprised at how patient, kind and loving Carter is toward Addie. Surprised because I can only imagine what it can feel like for Carter to go from having all attention on him to sharing it with another little person and unlike an older child... he really doesn't truly understand yet what happened. But maybe that is why it has gone so smoothly the last 4.5 months (as far as his reaction to her). I keep saying any day now Carter will start getting annoyed by her, but so far so good.

Carter reading his "Baby" book

One thing we have been doing with Carter to work on his vocabulary is flip through regular magazines (like Parents, Money, Golf) and have him point to all kinds of different pictures he sees and knows! It is really fun. Here he is showing Addie how it is done!

Addie went in to help get Carter up one morning!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Packing up Addie's clothes...

This morning, I decided to clear out Addie's closet of her adorable outfits that are too small. It was very sad as I folded all her Newborn, 0-3 months and majority of her 3-6 month outfits. I think in part because we don't know if we will ever pull them out again?

Some of the outfits make me really smile and think of her during theses last 4 months so I took some pics to remember some of our favorites!

One of the sweet girls at daycare made Addie a bow last week, so we had to wear it this morning to school and say "thank you." We decided to celebrate A&M's victory this past weekend, because we don't know how many more wins we will have this year! Thanks Ashley for the adorable Aggie bow! (And yes everyone - it is clipped on her hair and it does stay in! ;)

Addie is definitely trying to sit up, she does not like to be leaning half way back (like in the bath tub.) She will try with all her might to sit up!

This weekend Carter was showing Addison how to roll over...

Sunday, October 5, 2008

80's Date Night!

This weekend, for the first time in the 22 months of having kids, we got a real babysitter and headed to a real club to see a real 'rad' 80's cover band. They were a blast and half way through we moved to the front of the stage and eventually us girls were on the stage singing and dancing!

Look at this guy... hilarious... all 4 of the band members were dressed up to a tee in 80's gear!

When "Girls Just Want to Have Fun...." came on, we all screamed so loud! Wow... memories. For anyone that knows Blake - he thinks 80's music is 'totally tubular!' (like my nice use of 80's slang)

It was a super fun night out with friends that we will remember for a long long time!

Friday, October 3, 2008

The REAL Superdad!

In the middle of night Tuesday, a high high temp, going from freezing cold to sweating because I was so hot, super sore throat, body aches and dizziness hit me like a ton of bricks! I haven't been this sick in several years. It literally knocked me on my bottom. I have to say that being this sick 2-3 years ago would have been no big deal, but 2 kids later and it changes EVERYTHING! Having a temperature of 103 for over 32 hours among the other symptoms... I really considered moving out of my house for the first 2 days until the antibiotic kicked in and I was not contagious... I would just feel so guilty if either one of the babies got this horribly sick. (We are still praying that they don't get sick in the next week!) My high fever finally broke yesterday at noon and already today (Fri) I am feeling significantly better. But during the last few days, super dad was here and it was so incredible while I was in bed for 48 hours straight....

On Thursday afternoon when Blake got home with both kids, I got up out of bed to find out why it was so quiet in the house and this is what I found outside.... in effort to keep it quiet for me to be able to sleep, Blake had taken Carter outside to eat dinner.... so thoughtful!

I couldn't help but smile at the outfit Blake had dressed him in that morning!

For everything you have done this week Blake...thank you so much... I am so incredibly lucky and blessed to have you as my wonderful husband and father to our kids. You will never know how much you do every single day for all of us (not just when I am sick) means to me.

This is a little thank you from Carter that he colored for you this morning before you took him to school! (You truly are his hero and hopefully you already know that!)

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Cereal and More Common Scenes From the Brown Home...

This weekend... Addison tried cereal for the first time. Carter actually had the honors of feeding her her first spoonful. She opened right up for it and didn't make any gagging face at all. She just couldn't figure out how to swallow it... it was like she was trying to suck it down but then she would smile and it would all come streaming out. I think she is ready for it... however, she just has to figure it out... we will try again in a few days!

You almost miss the cereal streaming from her mouth when you see her beautiful blue eyes!

The babies hanging out and doing what babies do...
(Carter even wanted in on the fun!)

Addie (4 mo) and Carson (5 mo)... just imagine what it is going to be like next summer with both of them walking along with Carter.... watch out MeMe and Pa-Pa!

This is a typical sight for anyone driving down our street morning or night. Carter running next door to play with the basketball goal and collect any and every ball he can find! (At one time!)

Another common scene in our home... look at that form.... great follow through! ;)

Addie gets a "smooch" from her brother and cousin!

Heather, Carson and Nash! (Thank you Chris!)

Believe it or not, this is the same costume that Carter wore 1 year ago on Halloween. I didn't realize until I was packing up the costume a month later that they had sent me (or I had mis-ordered) a size 18-24 months when Carter was only 10 months old last Halloween! I wondered why it was so big at the time....

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Cousin Carson is in town!!!! Yea!

We are so excited to have Carson (and of course his parents Heather and Chris) in town. Carson is 5 months old and such a sweet big boy. Here are some sweet pics of him and Addison interacting together last night when we just layed them next to each other. I was truly surprised how much they did interact and looked and played together! We kept saying to each other last night how great it is going to be having them the exact same age! They will be friends for life!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Addie is 4 months old!

We celebrated with a visit to our favorite Dr. Cuming! I won the bet Blake, I and the rest of the office staff made on what Miss Addison would weigh with just a diaper on. Blake guessed around 16.5 lbs and I said 16.10 lbs... well she surpassed even me weighing in at....

Yes, the scale says 16 pounds and 13 oz, an increase of exactly 9 pounds in just 4 months! (This is the 97th percentile)

She was 25.5 inches long. (90%)

Her head circumference was 43 (cm...I am guessing) (93%)

Now, let's take a second and compare this to her older and (at least for now) bigger brother Carter at exactly 4 months of age.

Carter Addison

weight 15lbs 4oz (50%) 16lbs 13oz (97%)

height 26.5 inches(95%) 25.5 inches(90%)

head circ 43.5 (95%) 43(93%)

Overall, doc said she was super healthy and to keep doing what we are doing!

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!

megan, blake, carter & addie - early days