All good things must come to an end

So the day has finally come, my maternity leave is over :(  I have enjoyed this time so much and am so sad it went so quickly!  I really feel like I got  robbed this time since I was in the hospital for 4 days and on limited mobility for the last few weeks we didn't get the chance to do everything I wanted to the last week, I had all kinds of fun things planned!  We did at least get to go to lunch together, play in the play area and ride the carousel at the mall!  Addy had such a wonderful time I thought I was going to go broke riding that thing!  All I could hear was "weeeeeee"  "more"! 

I am so thankful for the 10 wonderful weeks we got to spend together bonding, playing and relaxing. Its a little easier going back this time knowing how wonderful their daycare is and knowing he will be in the best hands. They treat our kids like they are their own, its the best feeling! I must admit I am a little excited to go back to work and have some adult interaction and get on more of a schedule but my heart just aches from missing them but will cherish these memories forever!

 This picture is for you Grandpa!  Already a Land Rover rider! 

Sesame Street Live!

We were fortunate enough to get tickets to Sesame Street Live with our friends Chris, Michelle and Callie!  Michelle and I were a little worried about how the girls would do sitting through a show but boy were we wrong, they loved it!  Both of them just danced and clapped for the whole hour and a half!  I have never been able to get Addy to watch Sesame Street but she does know who Elmo is and loved seeing him dance on stage!  It was so cute and so fun! 

Giddy Up Horsey

The first two weeks Lucky lived in the basement and she would go down for a visit every once in a while but wouldn't touch it, pet it or barely come near it. She was scared to death of this thing!  After some coaxing we eventually got her to get a little closer and closer each night until we finally just set her on it to see what would happen.  She eventually warmed up to him and now we have to beg her to get off of it to eat dinner and take a bath! 

"Lucky" really has no idea how lucky he is! Addy loves this horsey so much. When you push one of his ears he sings and the other ear makes little comments like how he loves riding through the meadow with her, etc. She rides this horsey like she is literally riding through the meadow at 20 miles per hour!  Lucky gets goodnight kisses, goodbye kisses, she brushes his hair and even Shya gets a ride every once in a while!  Its so adorable!

Bauer 2 Months

What a big boy! He is changing so much every day!  He is such a happy and smiley baby and is in love with his sister!  She catches more smiles than anyone! 

*At his 2 month check up he is 11 lbs (25%), 23.5 inches long (75%) and his head circumference is still in the 65%.  He is getting big fast! 

*He loves to blow bubbles and and smile from ear to ear!

*Starting to hold toys in his hands but not for long

*Now loves his pa-pa and has to have it to sleep

*Started out the month sleeping about 6 hours straight during the night until his ear infection and then he has started waking up every 3 on. the. dot to eat!  He definatly doesnt have any patients when it comes to eating, he wants it now!!!

Caught A Smile!

Luke's Visit

Mat's brother Luke and his girlfriend flew in from Oregon for a visit. We havent seen him in over a year so it was great catching up and celebrating a late Christmas with them, Eileen and Hunter.  Eileen got Addy a spring horsey that she is absolutly in love with.  It look her about two weeks to warm up to it but now we cant get her off of it!  (more to come on the horsey!)

Bauer 1 Month : Addy 21 Months

Its nearly impossibly to believe that Bauer is one month old already! It has flown by! We are all still adjusting and learning how to manage without having any free arms! Here are some of the most recent things Bauer is doing:

* Sleeping about 5-6 hours at night time and is awake more and more every day but still sleeping the majority of the time.

* Eating 4 oz. every 3 hours

* Has colic pretty bad starting at about 5:00pm until about 11:00pm. Also has acid reflux that we just got some medicine for! (THANK GOODNESS!)

* At his one month doctor appointment he weights 9 lbs, 8 oz (25th percentile), 22 inches long (75th percentile), and head circumference is in the 75th percentile as well.

* Starting to coo and smile once in a while but have not caught it on camera yet

* Loves to be held and talked to and loves baths but hates putting lotion on!

*Not so sure about a pa-pa yet, but have caught him sucking his thumb once in a while

Addy is just as adorable as ever!

Talking up a storm and is starting to put words together but the majority of them begin with "no!" For example, "no bath" , "no mess" , "no ouchie".  Most of the time when I hear kids say the word "no" its annoying but hearing her say "no" and the way she says it actually melts my heart!  I don't think its just because she is my child either, it really is cute!  I will try and catch it on video.  She is still such an observer and watches every move!  We have been taking her up to the mall to the play place to climb and slide and she spends more time watching the other kids play than actually playing!  She has started to be a picky eater however she will eat anything with dip, yes...ranch, ketchup, syrup, soup, anytime she can dip her food she will eat!  Who would have thought blueberries with ranch would be good?  She loves music and has a few of her favorites on the radio that she dances to in her car seat, this girl has some moves!  Shya, her baby, still gets to go everywhere with us along with her doggie and horsey most of the time.  Naps are starting to dwindle a little and are only about 1-2 hours now in the afternoon but still sleeps about 12 hours at night.  Bubble Guppies cartoon is her favorite pass time, especially the episodes with Mr. Grumpfish, she thinks he is grumpy attitude is pretty entertaining.  I think that she could watch that show all day long and never get sick of them, us on the other hand find ourselves singing and humming along and becomes part of our normal conversation. Funny!  She is starting to become very snugly, not sure if its because Bauer is here now or if she is just finally starting to become a cuddler but I am not complaining!  After bath she loves to be held and rocked while I sing Barney and pat her back. If I don't pat her back she takes my hand and puts it on her back to pat and she pats me back.  Something I don't want to ever stop!  Since I have been on maternity leave it been so wonderful to spend so much time with her!  I don't want to her ever grow up!   

 This is the first picture I have gotten with both of them!  Addy looks thrilled huh?

Its Christmas!!!

 What a great Christmas! Addy must have been really good this year, she got so many fun new toys! Our good friend Kyle came out a few weeks before Christmas and took some professional pictures for our Christmas card and managed to get all of us to look at the camera at the same time for a few of them! It was a bit of a struggle but were able to get the 70+ cards out in the nick of time!

We did things a little different this year for the first time ever! We celebrated with my family on Christmas Eve by having brunch at my Aunt Nancy's house! It was so wonderful to see everyone and spend time catching up since we didn't see anyone on Thanksgiving. The food was wonderful as always and the company was even better!

Christmas morning we spent at our house and Addy woke up to her new kitchen, dishes and shopping cart that Santa brought her! Much to my disappointment she woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning and was super grumpy! I could barely sleep the night before because I couldn't want to see her reaction and right when she saw it that morning she barely paid any attention to it and didn't want to play at all. Oh well, it just made me realize that I cant set any expectations! That night after a good long nap she ended up loving it and plays with it all the time! Bauer and Farley have had lots of juice, pickles and eggs! :)

That afternoon we went to my parents to open presents and WOW did Addy have a blast! She loved opening and playing in between with her new Elmo, Barn, Magna-Doodle and Shopping Cart. She had such a wonderful time! 

 Opening Presents is exhausting!

 Cant wait for next year when Bauer is one and Addy will be almost three!

Decorating for Christmas

We were a little late getting decorations up this year since we have hand our hands full but did eventually get them up. Addy was an exceptional "helper" this year and helped untangle the lights, put ornaments on the tree (not without biting them and throwing them first) and helped Daddy put the star on top and said "wowwwwww!"

Bauer

I told myself this time around we wouldn't struggle with the name game like we did with Addy but sure enough it came down to the wire again!  I have always told Mat that if we have a boy he could name him so he chose Bauer and I got to choose the middle name as Chase, my maiden name. 

Addy got to meet Bauer the 2nd day in the hospital and it didn't go too smoothly.  She had been staying with my parents have a blast being spoiled by getting two baths a day, staying up late, running around like a wild child.  Once she got to the hospital she was very confused as to why I was in bed and couldn't really hold her much, it was sad to see the confused look on her face.  She had a few tantrums while we were there about being gentle.  She kept pointing at Bauer and saying her famous line "whazzzz tat?"  Every time he makes a squeak or cry she giggles! The second day of meeting and going home was smoother since I was up and around and at least looked normal, to her.  We came home around 1:00 after going through the Arby's drive thru for some good eatin!  That afternoon was hectic trying to unpack everything and get settled, I think it was a challenge for all of us! 

Mat of course has been so wonderful trying to spend good quality time with Addy and keeping everyone happy! He is so great!  We are trying to keep things as normal for Addy as we can to try and prevent jealousy and resentment but I have already noticed that there are not enough hours in the day or enough hands to go around!

Here are a few pics to begin our journey being a family of 4!

Leaving the hospital

We're Home!!

She likes his hair

So BIG (with her big sister shirt and sticker)

This picture is hilarious, we know Addy, we totally rocked your world, poor thing!

Handsome Like Daddy

Sweet sweet boy!

First Bath

Thanksgiving, SO much to be thankful for

Since I was ready to pop any second this year we decided to play everything by ear. We went to my parents house and relaxed and ate and I started having some pretty strong contractions that started around 1:00 or so.  My about 3:30 they were 6 minutes apart so we decided to head to the hospital. I got all checked in by 4:00 and the contractions were getting closer and closer.  I had my epidural by 8:30 and started pushing by 9:30.  Our handsome little guy was born at 10:00pm sharp!  Maybe this will mean that he will be on time for things in life unlike his parents!  :) 

He is so perfect! He weighed 7.11 and 19.5 inches long.  I am feeling so much better than I did with Addy. Looking back on it I think a lot of the pain from last time was from my tailbone breaking but it has not givin me any problems this time around. 

We couldnt be more thankful for an easy delivery, healthy baby and family. This is the BEST Thanksgiving ever!

Addy and Daddy getting ready to eat!

Here is our last family picture being a family of 3

 Here we go!