I like ...

Oh twogirls...I need to start an "I like..." book for both of you but since I haven't yet, I'll put a few things here...

Hadley, I like how you wake up in the morning squealing and happy.
Hadley, I like how you think you are the greatest person ever b/c you can escape your swaddle.
Hadley, I like you smile so easily. You have a great gummy smile.
Hadley, I like how your arms go flying up the second you're set free from your swaddle.

Morgan, I like how you are one of the smartest little girls I know.
Morgan, I like how you love your family so much and readily say so.
Morgan, I like how you give the best hugs a little (big) girl can give.
Morgan, I like how you're so creative and insightful.

Adam, I like how you're the best father I could have ever asked for for my babies.
Adam, I like how you're the best husband I could ever have asked for.
Adam, I like how your so smart and help make great decisions for our family.
Adam, I like how you put up with some of my antics when it might be easier not to some days.

I'm so lucky to have my family. Best. Family. Ever.
xoxoxoxoxox

Catch up

I hate not having time to blog. I’m missing everything, not to mention not posting pictures on here that I’ve wanted to for…oh…months and months now.

I took the girls back to WI this weekend since Adam traveled and we didn’t want to just hang out waiting for him to return. It also just so happened that my to-be SIL’s bridal shower was on Saturday, so I was eager to go with only one thing that had to be done. We also appreciated those who stopped by to see us since we were there for a very quick visit – it helped that we didn’t have three days of driving all over the countryside and just had two.

The ride TO WI…yikes. All was well the first 45 minutes or so…then it broke. Hadley was fussy until we were about 10 minutes from our first stop in Dubuque where I planned to get gas, nurse, and get everyone in jammies. This is exactly how it all went…except it took almost an hour and a half to accomplish! We left our house at 5pm…left Dubuque at 8pm. This wouldn’t ordinarily be a big deal, however, I had minimal sleep the night before and was worried about driving them so late into the night. We arrived at 11:45pm or so…almost 7 hours of travel. My saving grace for the last 45 minutes was a ring pop I hijacked from the goodie bag. No worries – Morgan didn’t even know it was missing.

A fun thing that worked out was the girls sharing a room. Hadley was up multiple times to smile and have fun and Morgan had no idea. Morgan was also super patient Friday night while Hadley was begging to stay up and play rather than go to sleep.

We had visitors, went to the shower, saw lots of female family from Adam’s side (several of whom hadn’t met Hadley yet), and made our way home. The rest of the day was relatively relaxing save for the sass that resulted from twogirls not getting enough sleep/naptime. I surely enjoyed that glass of wine after they were in bed. ;-)

The drive home went really really well until we were 15-20 minutes away. Hadley filled her diaper and within about a minute the sirens were going off. I was really hoping both girls would have stayed asleep after our last stop in Platteville but nope, they were up and ready to be out (gee, I can relate!). It got to be super stressful and sad for me b/c I knew she had a real reason so I prayed and thanked God for no cops on Hwy 38 and made my way home as fast as I could. We were exhausted but it was totally worth the crazy weekend!

That said, a few items of note:

Morgan has some sass on her. Wow. Especially when she is tired or over tired. She’s also pushing buttons a little more here and there…fun times.

Morgan is also growing exponentially in terms of language and cognition, but more so her language. She continues to pull out words that I don’t expect out of her with a few lately being “quickly” and “not quite” among others I can’t remember right now.

Hadley is growing like a weed and I can’t believe she’s going to be 4 months so soon…which reminds me to add baby cereal to the grocery list although I may put off giving it to her for a week since we have a travel to WI in there (April 14^th wedding) and it’s one less thing to deal with for that trip (mother of the year? Put off feeding your baby cereal b/c you’re lazy during travel). Back to growing – I sent her to daycare in a 6 month outfit today and it fit nicely. :-/ She does still have some 3 month things but most of what fits is 3-6 months.

Hadley is a talker. She loves to talk back and forth and is really good at /h/ so it sounds like she says ‘hi’ sometimes (sounds like – is not actually what she ‘says’ – I’m not a miracle worker, people).

Hadley is scooting! Well, scooting on her back as she digs her heels into the ground. She is also starting to *just* scoot to the side too, but I don’t see a real roll over any time in the very near future. It’s so fun watching her go through her milestones.

Morgan loves to swing on her new big girl swing. Unfortunately, she learned the hard way before I could get the words out yesterday that the swing should either be stopped or minimally moving before we get out. She’s fine. Her heels came clean and her arm no longer hurts. ;-)

Hadley is still taking medicine for reflux and usually lets us know in the evening that it’s getting close to time for her to have it. The morning is ok and she seems totally fine without it, although routine has us giving it to her as soon as she’s done nursing so we don’t have too much lag time.

Hadley’s home schedule (which I know is different from daycare):

Weekends – 3 hr schedule that starts b/w 7-7:30 usually. By her 4pm feeding, she needs 1-2oz of formula after nursing. She also takes 1-2oz (usually 2) after her bedtime nursing. As for naps, she takes a hard morning nap, almost 2 hr midday nap, one hour late afternoon nap, and a 10-20 minute cat nap (which she still really needs) around dinner time.

Daycare days – up by 6:15am, nurse, get ready, go to daycare. Eat like a piggy all day and take an extra feeding than she’d get if she were home. Continue eating like a piggy (see 4pm statement above) until she goes to bed. Maintain tiny waistline (jealous mommy). ;-)

Adam and I – We are going to Vegas in June. Adam has to go for a work thing M-F of one of the weeks so we’re heading out early the previous Saturday morning and I’ll fly back Monday midday or so and be with the girls. Adam’s parents are coming down to watch them. With Hadley only being three months old, I’m terrified. Knowing that she’ll be fine/older/in good hands is what’s getting me through this. Also, I can’t stress how much I NEED this time with their daddy. I almost miss him and I remember feeling this way when Morgan was tiny. That said, I’m going to be Vegas bound, baby!

I think I’ve finally hit a wall. Sorry for the long post if you’re still with me. One other thing I want to try (why not add yet another thing to my list of life) is to start an “I like” book for each of the girls. I’ve seen professional versions of them online but am way ok with making a much cheaper (and probably not quite as pretty) version myself. In it, Adam and I will write the things we like about each of the girls. For example – Hadley’s could say “I like how it takes almost nothing to get you to smile at me” and for Morgan, “I love your intuitive nature and natural curiosity about everything around you.” Just something fun to look back on later. 

To end, I’ll tell you a little funny from this weekend … 

Adam's dad found and gave Morgan a dime Saturday morning. Pretty soon she's sitting in the chair digging in her undies. I asked her what on earth she was doing and she told me she was getting her coin. When jammies don't have pockets, apparently her undies is the next most appropriate place for coins to be stored. And sure enough, when we finally ended up pulling everything off to find it, out falls a tiny dime. Nice, Morgan. Nice.

A Longie...

Oh my goodness I have sooo many things I want to write and not forget about these girls. I've had the best broken spring break (several days off between two weeks, not straight traditional spring breaks) ever with my twogirls. They are so beautiful and smart and amazing...I'm just going to start with diarrhea of the mouth and see where it takes me.

Morgan was sick. I mean sick sick. As in Saturday at dinner we were eating (Adam was feeding fussy Hadley a bottle in the recliner so he got to miss it, lucky him) and I (and my dad, who was visiting) thought she was choking only to find that she was trying really hard not to be sick. It backfired. She was so upset but we cleaned her up and I thought she was doing better. Long story short she was sick on/off from about 8-midnight and then no more (thank God). She had a little fever briefly the next day but didn't eat much of anything and I had the hardest time getting her to pump liquids. I am pretty sure she thinks the carrot that she took a bite of before being sick at the table was what made her sick as she almost had a fit today when I offered her some for lunch. :-/ Either way, she's almost 100% and feeling better. Whew.

Hadley hasn't gotten sick so far (and hopefully she won't). Several kids at daycare had it so it wouldn't shock me if she did too. She was a little fussy this afternoon but at bedtime when she nursed and then took 4 more oz of formula after made me think the poor thing is starving. Sounds like more formula to me and I don't even care. Whatever she needs! Few more weeks until cereal...

Hadley (again) is a JOY of a baby. Oh my goodness, I can't get over how happy she is almost all the time. Today she fussed this afternoon (not thinking she was hungry b/c she only nursed for ~5-6 minutes each side which is totally not her but I wasn't sure if she was getting sick too...) and I almost didn't know what to do with her b/c she either rarely fusses anymore or if she does, she's quick to soothe. She smiles ALL the time and is starting to laugh when shit gets really funny. I could eat her up all day and can't believe I don't get to share her with the world more often. She's going to be a huge hit this weekend when us girls brave it to WI without Adam while he travels over the weekend (ick).

It is now DAYS later than when I originally started this post so I'm going to be the worst blogger ever and just post it. Someday I'll get my head back in gear...how did I blog so much when Morgan was this little!?!?

And on to WI we girlies go after I'm done with work today! I'm hoping to somehow scoot out 1/2 hour early but I'm not sure how that's going to go yet. Since Miss Hadley was enjoying parties last night, I only got about 5-5.5 hours of sleep (being excited for WI didn't help) so the earlier we start the better as I'm anticipating an 11pm or later arrival. Ah, the joys of nursing.

BUT we have to celebrate b/c last night was the SECOND night in a row that Hadley slept (well, last night it was "slept") the WHOLE night through without a feeding. I'm stuffing her silly at her second last and last feedings of the day which may be the culprit. More on this later...but two nights ago when I slept in my bed the entire night without be woken up for ANYthing was some sort of bliss I don't remember for many many months. Here's to hoping for a safe drive tonight! *clink*

HANDS! EYES! 3 Months OLD!!

(I preface - I started this post days ago. Days. Sorry for any disconnects that you find!!)

I'm so sad that I've been the worst blogger ever. I'm pretty sure a 1/2 a person is following me and it's probably a crazy creeper that should cause me to make this blog private. Enjoy, crazy creeper. I'm here for the time being. Although I'm hungry, so I don't know how long this will last. :-D

Ok, snack obtained and being consumed between sentences. :) I feel like I'm missing so much Hadley documentation and a little of Morgan too. When that happens I get all bullety so here goes...even though tomorrow Hadley is 3 months and I'll need to do a 3 month post tomorrow...

Hadley, 1 day shy of 3 months old (although as I post this for reals she's 3 months, 3 days old)

• Hadley sort of found her hands earlier this week. Today she found her HANDS. And did her very best to try to fit both of them in her mouth, often at the same time. (add) As of today, she actually kicked her paci out of her mouth to make room for fistisis.
• Hadley seems to really have developed her eyesight this week as well. She's looking around at things with more intent and actually gets mad sometimes when she can't see Morgan playing. One day we were playing together (the three of us) and Morgan ran off to pee. Hadley started yelling...and then when Morgan came back she was fine. (add) Today she started sleeping on her back for naps (and is on her back in bed right now...) and after her 2nd nap, she already knew which way to look to see me "hiding" in her room back behind her head. 
• She sits in her bumbo on occasion but still needs a hand behind her head just in case she gets tired and bobs backwards. (Morgan also sits in the bumbo...) (add) No more hand behind the head. She now just sits in it like a big girl. Sigh. 
• Hadley still nurses 1x/night. It varies anywhere from 2:00-4:30, although the 4:30 one was a 1x deal. We don't change her diaper over night - we're all business. (add) the past two nights she has gone 10 hours between feedings which means around 5am she eats. Love. The reasons might be twofold - one, she gets 2oz of formula after nursing before bed. She seems like she's still hungry, so that's what we're doing and two, she might just be ready. Either way, it was glorious last night when everyone cooperated and no one needed us for SEVEN HOURS while we were in bed. Oh. Em. Gee. New woman today. Felt guilty drinking my mocha (caffeine) to celebrate since I so didn't need it. 
• Hadley eats more than I can make across the span of a week. If I didn't pump after morning feedings and occasionally get a 1/2 ounce-ounce extra here and there, we'd be in trouble. This week a few times I had to give her 2oz of formula after a feeding b/c she's still hungry. Fine by me. I'll feed her whatever she wants. 

Morgan

• Otherwise known as "Sass" this week. I think she's testing out what it could be like for her "thrilling threes." 
• She's also had some really sweet moments too. She's been helpful with Hadley and just a peach all around when she's not practicing her "Sass" moments. 
• Her articulation is getting even better. Her /l/s are starting to emerge with more urgency and she's aware of her sounds in a way I wish some of my students were. 
• She's been GREAT at our back up sitter's. Both days she was there, she's been sad to the point of tears when it's time to go. While I don't like tears, my heart melts in the fact that she likes it and is comfortable. 
• I wish I could remember every funny thing she says but there are so many I can't remember them all in a day. I put this on FB the other day but don't want to forget. Adam built Morgan-friendly steps for Morgan to get into her "tree house" on her swing set and after going up/down them 100x, she looked at Adam and said, "Daddy! Thank you soooo much for building my steps! I so proud of you!" It warms my hears that she hears us when we say these things to her and uses them herself later when she truly means it. 

Other items of note - we are getting another....NIECE!! Teegan Monroe will be joining our family this summer and we couldn't be more excited. FIVE girls on my side of the family...that's a lot of estrogen. Super excited for Hadley that she'll have someone close in age to play with at those family functions. :-D

I took some time to look back at Morgan's info when she was Hadley's current age. It's crazy what Hadley will be doing in the next month...two months...I had to cut myself off from reading or I would have ignored any and everything around me. 

Another item of note...I concede. Hadley and Morgan look ridiculously the same at this age (3 months). Hadley's got a different twinkle in her eye (oh no, is it worse sass then Morgan's going through right now?) but they look very very alike - adorable!! 

Ok, there, a post...hopefully more sooner than later. It's later than I thought so I'll have to do pictures another time. I SUCK at pictures lately. :-/ Sorry. 

Our baby is 3 months! Morgan is 29 months! awwwww....

And...we have colds.

Well, just us girlies have colds. Adam is avoiding it until we're most of the way through ours and then he's going to get a lesser version of it. Mine has been 3 days of sore throat and today the water/nose works started. Morgan has just barely started hers and the source, Hadley, is doing ok with hers. Just lots of boogs. Gross.

We have a 12 week old baby. Wow. She's doing so well, too. She was a little sad and snuggly this afternoon/evening but when I'm not feeling well, I'd like to do that too. She's not rolling over but on occasion she sticks both arms and legs up in the air and tips to the side. She's so much happier now that her reflux is under control. She slept on her back in her crib for about 4 hours last night before she got fussy and we put her back in her car seat to sleep. Then today she took all her naps (save for her nap through church) on her back in her crib like a "real baby." Hadley smiles often, loves being talked to, and talks back. She just started to really find her hands and put them in her mouth the past few days. Other than that, there is more but I'm getting tired thinking about the week and can't think of anything else right now other than she'll be 3 months old on Saturday. Sigh. Fast fast fast.

Morgan is coming into her own all of a sudden. She's suddenly growing out of her 3T shirts while her 3T pants are a good length and still falling off her non-existent hiney. Today she took a short nap and combined with starting to get a cold, we got to hear some fun "I'm pretending to be in my thrilling threes" moments come out of her..."Mommy be twiet! (quiet)" "Stop yelling at me!" (no one was yelling) "among others we can't remember off hand.

There just aren't enough hours in a day right now. I want to blog so much more but all I can think of is my clothes that need to be put away and getting up 2 hours earlier than I had to on Saturday. Speaking of Saturday, I had a massage on Saturday and someday I'm getting one every month when I grow up and be a big girl with my lottery winnings (should probably start playing soon...). One other thing...Adam's flight was delayed out of Chicago on Friday d/t snow (so dumb, it wasn't even that bad) but thankfully he was able to drive home and only be about an hour later than we had planned on. Whew.

Bed. Well, clothes first so I can find my bed. :)

Almost...there!

He'll be home by this time tomorrow. 19 hours left. I cannot tell you how many times I've prayed for flights to be on time and I've already informed Adam that he is in charge of the girls in the overnight hours until 3am for Hadley, but he's got Morgan and her ridiculous overnight antics that include but are not limited to the past few nights:

1. "Mommy! Mommy!" "Yes, Morgan, what do you need?" "Um...goldfish crackers!" NO.
2. 5am (15 min before my alarm goes off): "Jake and the neverland pirates..." this would be SINGING IN HER SLEEP but waking me enough to have to figure out if she was calling for me or, what turned out to be, singing.

That said, I have a little wine to finish, a few last minute things to pack, and bed to visit. I'm exhausted. I must say I've been so lucky that the girls have been so good this week. No one has been overly whiney, screamy, or anything negative. Morgan's been a little whiney at times and has been driving me nuts with almost constantly crawling all over me (which I know is b/c she misses her daddy so I've let it go in stride unless I'm about to A) fall over, B) poke Hadley's eye out with her medicine syringe, or C) just need a break from it). 

What a week. I hereby call off making any dinner tomorrow and we're getting take out b/c it's too much work to go and pray the girls are simultaneously silent angels while we're out. I'm feeling a little incoherent right now and I don't think it's the wine talking. :) Bed. I can't WAIT to see you and pray a little that I don't need to see Morgan until 6:15am.