Friday, October 18, 2013
Pumpkin Patch Fun
We made our annual trek to Tate Farms today! The weather was perfect. Brennan loved having Maeleigh to play and explore with this year. He is going through a phase of not wanting his picture taken (I thought I had a few years before this arrived), but we did manage to get a few good shots. I'm SO sad that we forgot to take a picture by the How Tall Are You This Year sign. I was looking forward to starting that tradition with Rowe, and it would have been Brennan's fourth. I think his favorite part this time was probably the corn wagons pulled by a tractor. I would ask him but he is sacked out from all the fun!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Two Months
- About 12 lbs.
- 22 1/2 inches
- Sleeps 6-7 hours some nights, and then some nights stays awake until 1 a.m. or later and hardly sleeps at all
- Eats every 3-4 hours during the day
- Size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes
I think you've had a month of adjusting, transitioning, and making yourself known Rowe. You have kept me on my toes. Just when I think we have a routine and I know what to expect, you show me differently. Some days you take three naps and then go to bed around 10 p.m. and sleep until 5 a.m. or so. Other days you hardly sleep more than fifteen minutes at a time during the day, and some nights you fuss and cry until as late as 3 a.m. I think you do have the right idea, so I'm hopeful that the routine that sticks will be a good one. You've had some tummy troubles and that has caused you to be less than content. It seems to be an issue that you're growing out of so I know better times are coming. The huge smile you've started to show us more than makes up for all the lost sleep! You first smiled at Brennan one night at the dinner table. You're whole face lit up when you saw him. You are changing almost daily. You are getting so long! Your eyes have gone from being really dark to more of a blue/hazel color. Your hair is growing even more and you haven't lost a bit. You are looking more like Brennan, and maybe even a little like me. You've brought a little girly flair to our house. We have an abundance of pink and cuteness after the consignment sales this month. There is also glitter all around thanks to a Halloween costume project I started.
Life is back to its normal pace for our family. One Saturday afternoon you hung out with Daddy and watched football while I went shopping. You came along while Daddy and I worked at the big church yard sale this month. You seemed to enjoy the first day of extra attention especially. You also had your first immunizations that same week. You were pretty fussy for a couple of days, but didn't seem to have any other reactions. Daddy has started traveling with work again, so we had our first nights alone. Aunt Lucy spent one night with us during one of his trips. You helped us celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. We took family pictures and then all went to eat. You were great the whole time, with the exception of a little car riding time which you only enjoy if the car is moving. We went to the homecoming parade at UNA and had lunch on the lawn with Nonna, Emily, and some of Nonna's friends. You slept a lot that day, but did manage to go through three outfits and caused Daddy and I to both have to change later in the day also. You attended your first birthday party for Luke Cooper. We went to Biscuit's Backyard and the train store. You welcomed your two month birthday at midnight and partied until about 2 a.m., and then slept most of the day!
September 28: First day with Daddy while I shopped a consignment sale
September 29: First smile
October 2: Two month checkup and immunizations
October 3-5: Church yardsale weekend
October 11: Mommy and Daddy's Anniversary
October 12: Homecoming at UNA, Luke's party
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Homecoming at UNA
Yesterday, we took the kiddos and met Mom at UNA for Homecoming. We went to the parade and then had lunch in the alumni tents on the lawn. After lunch, we took Brennan to see a little bit of the campus. He has a children's book about Leo and Una, the lions, and it talks about places on campus. He got to see a few of the places from the book. The real lions were resting up for the big game last night, so we will have to go back to see them playing. Brennan loved the parade, all the candy he caught, entertaining Nonna's friends, and running off his energy. Rowe apparently enjoyed napping on such a beautiful day. She slept until we were ready to drive home. We didn't stay for the game this year, but really enjoyed our time in Florence.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Happily Ever After
Saturday, September 21, 2013
The Second Time Around
Overall, bringing home a second baby has been a lot less life changing than the first. I guess we have learned a few things about being parents. That's not to say we haven't had a few crazy days, but my meltdowns have been fewer and farther between so far. I've discovered new ways to do a few things, and new products that make life a little more enjoyable. It turns out a lot has happened in the baby world in three and a half years!
1. No bumper pads in the crib: I read a lot about not using bumper pads, and ultimately came to my own conclusion that either way could probably be fine. I decided to try it without any, since that is recommended now, and see how it goes. So far I like it. It is SO easy to change the sheet and easier to see Rowe from any angle (like laying in the bed beside her crib). Of course, she isn't rolling into the sides yet either. I can always add them later if needed.
2. Muslin swaddle blankets: With a winter baby it was all about keeping him warm, but with little miss August it is more about that secure feeling of being swaddled. I have loved these large blankets for that! They are thin and soft. I use one to swaddle her legs (she wants her arms free and above her head) when she sleeps in her crib. It is large enough that it wraps around my big newborn, and I don't have to worry about her getting it loose and close to her face. I also use these when we are out and about and the AC may be a little chilly. I have a few of the Aden and Anais brand (used by Prince George and Princess Rowe) and I made a solid white one from fabric I found at Hancock. By the way this fabric is called gauze in the U. S., but muslin in other countries.
3. Old Navy gowns: We got several sleeper gowns, and I have loved them all for a summer baby. They seem to be just the right weight for night sleeping, and are so much easier than all those snaps on regular sleepers when it's time for a diaper change. I have really liked a couple that came from Old Navy. They fit so well and are super soft.
4. Abdominal wraps (for Momma): I didn't know about abdominal wrapping when I had Brennan. I heard about the Belly Bandit when he was several months old. I knew that if I had another baby I wanted to try it. The idea is to cinch your belly to help support it after giving birth, and some people feel that it helps it go back to it's pre-pregnancy shape. Other cultures have done this for years. I researched different brands during the last months I was pregnant. The Belly Bandit is well known now, but sort of pricey. Some people need a couple of different sizes as their body changes. They look like they would be terribly uncomfortable. I finally decided to spend the bucks and get one, then I couldn't find one in my size. Then I came across interesting news....you can actually request one in the hospital at no "additional" charge. I'm well aware I paid for it somehow. I started using mine the day after I had Rowe. The one they provided was not as soft as the bamboo Belly bandit, but it turned out to be pretty comfortable. I loved the support it provided. I only needed one size. It started out barely fastening and within three days there was a lot of extra fabric hanging over. I stopped using it after about five days because I still had so much swelling in my legs and feet, and read that wearing tight clothes could cause that. I don't think it's typical for it to cause issues with swelling though. My stomach did shrink more quickly, but it is not flat by any means. I still have some work to do, but overall I am glad I tried it and would use it again.
5. Iced Coffee: My go-go juice! I'm a person that really needs my sleep. I can go on 6 hours for a day or two and then it catches up with me. Some days we can enjoy a napping house, but Brennan doesn't nap everyday. I tried this little treat the second week with a newborn and it has become my happy indulgence. I just have a small glass each morning with breakfast, but after not having any caffeine for several months just a little does a lot. Luckily, I can't tell that it affects Rowe at all and that is all the caffeine I have for the day.
1. No bumper pads in the crib: I read a lot about not using bumper pads, and ultimately came to my own conclusion that either way could probably be fine. I decided to try it without any, since that is recommended now, and see how it goes. So far I like it. It is SO easy to change the sheet and easier to see Rowe from any angle (like laying in the bed beside her crib). Of course, she isn't rolling into the sides yet either. I can always add them later if needed.
2. Muslin swaddle blankets: With a winter baby it was all about keeping him warm, but with little miss August it is more about that secure feeling of being swaddled. I have loved these large blankets for that! They are thin and soft. I use one to swaddle her legs (she wants her arms free and above her head) when she sleeps in her crib. It is large enough that it wraps around my big newborn, and I don't have to worry about her getting it loose and close to her face. I also use these when we are out and about and the AC may be a little chilly. I have a few of the Aden and Anais brand (used by Prince George and Princess Rowe) and I made a solid white one from fabric I found at Hancock. By the way this fabric is called gauze in the U. S., but muslin in other countries.
3. Old Navy gowns: We got several sleeper gowns, and I have loved them all for a summer baby. They seem to be just the right weight for night sleeping, and are so much easier than all those snaps on regular sleepers when it's time for a diaper change. I have really liked a couple that came from Old Navy. They fit so well and are super soft.
4. Abdominal wraps (for Momma): I didn't know about abdominal wrapping when I had Brennan. I heard about the Belly Bandit when he was several months old. I knew that if I had another baby I wanted to try it. The idea is to cinch your belly to help support it after giving birth, and some people feel that it helps it go back to it's pre-pregnancy shape. Other cultures have done this for years. I researched different brands during the last months I was pregnant. The Belly Bandit is well known now, but sort of pricey. Some people need a couple of different sizes as their body changes. They look like they would be terribly uncomfortable. I finally decided to spend the bucks and get one, then I couldn't find one in my size. Then I came across interesting news....you can actually request one in the hospital at no "additional" charge. I'm well aware I paid for it somehow. I started using mine the day after I had Rowe. The one they provided was not as soft as the bamboo Belly bandit, but it turned out to be pretty comfortable. I loved the support it provided. I only needed one size. It started out barely fastening and within three days there was a lot of extra fabric hanging over. I stopped using it after about five days because I still had so much swelling in my legs and feet, and read that wearing tight clothes could cause that. I don't think it's typical for it to cause issues with swelling though. My stomach did shrink more quickly, but it is not flat by any means. I still have some work to do, but overall I am glad I tried it and would use it again.
5. Iced Coffee: My go-go juice! I'm a person that really needs my sleep. I can go on 6 hours for a day or two and then it catches up with me. Some days we can enjoy a napping house, but Brennan doesn't nap everyday. I tried this little treat the second week with a newborn and it has become my happy indulgence. I just have a small glass each morning with breakfast, but after not having any caffeine for several months just a little does a lot. Luckily, I can't tell that it affects Rowe at all and that is all the caffeine I have for the day.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
One Month Old
- About 11 lbs.
- 21 1/2 inches
- Sleeps 4-6 hours at a time at night
- Eats every 3-4 hours
- Size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes
We've known each other for a month Rowe, and you have fit right into our family. Your brother is so proud of you! He doesn't like for you to be upset and often says,"Don't cry my baby!" He has also given you several nicknames, with Daddy's help, including: Rowe Cat, Robot, and Rowe E (with a long e on the end). Overall, you are a pretty easy baby. You love to sleep in your swing, like car rides ok but prefer the car to be moving, have made your own schedule for eating and sleeping during the day, wake easily to loud noises including Brennan and Wells, and like to be awake most when we are ready to go to bed each night. You started sleeping in your crib at about two weeks old because you kept scooting to the side of the bassinet and putting your face up against the fabric side. That's how you were sleeping during your last ultrasound, so I'm sure it was comforting to you....but pretty scary for me. You are holding your head up for longer periods of time and starting to interact with us more each day. You have had lots of visitors in your one month here, and gone lots of places with us. You are also growing and growing. You no longer have to have a supplement bottle, but do still take one or two at night to help you be full. You are sleeping better at night, most nights at least. You usually sleep about four hours, eat, then sleep another four. One night you did sleep six straight hours. You still sleep quite a bit during the day too.
August 19: Came home
August 23: 1st trip out other than doctor
August 30th: lost umbilical cord
August 28th: Debut at church
August 29th: 1st pictures
September 1st: 1st Sunday at church and 1st bath
September 4th: Back to birth weight
September 6th: Date night with Mommy and Daddy
September 9th: First checkup 10 lbs. 6 ozs. 21 1/2 inches
September 14th: Celebrated Daddy's birthday
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