Why I love where we live...

While it's hard to be so far away from family, it makes it somewhat more palatable to live in such a beautiful area. Friday, Matt took the day off and we took the boys out to the Chau Ram County Park that's less than 20 minutes from our house. It is a great place along the Chauga river with waterfalls, hiking trails, and even a small playground. It was a beautiful day, in the 70's. Jack had a blast going down the big slide ALL BY HIMSELF...man is he getting brave.

After playing for awhile, we loaded up the kids into the backpack (Jack) and the Snugli (Patrick) and did a little bit of hiking. Jack just loved the big waterfall, and kept pointing and rambling on about it...

Patrick loves walking around with mommy in the Snugli lately...
It was so much fun (and not to mention the most exercise that I've gotten in a while!) I can't wait to go back. I think that when we get some pictures made in a month or so, that we'll do it there.
When we got home, daddy took care of the boys outside so that I could continue with our yard work. I can't wait to get it done so that we can enjoy our yard. It's rainy this weekend, so Matt's working Sat and Sun nights. I hate that he's going to miss the Elite 8 games, but that's what TIVO is for! I was actually on call this morning for work from 7-1, but it's now 11:30 so it doesn't look like they'll need me. I'm going to go do some housework while "wearing" the baby in the Snugli. He's been so good lately, smiling and interacting and even going about 3 hours between feedings, so I'm beginning to feel a little less tied down and able to do more with Jack and around the house.
Next most exciting thing on the agenda, my first day back at work is April 11 and Jack's b-day bash on the 19th - I can't wait!

Rabbit Day...

Sorry this blog is a week in the making just about. It seems like ever since we got back from Raleigh on Monday, it has just been crazy hectic. Anyways, Easter Sunday was great! We got to spend time with so much of our family and the boys were angels. Jack had so much fun seeing Granny Betty for lunch and then over to Dennis and Judy's for the massive Easter egg hunt that had several HUNDRED eggs to be found. Jack was the first to go and had a such a good time running around grabbing eggs and throwing them in his basket. He just ran around squealing and giggling while Matt, Jennifer and I chased him with his easter basket and cameras, respectively.

Dennis and Judy also enjoyed holding Patrick some, even though he was somewhat of a fussy-butt at times...

And Patrick felt the need to show off what a chub-a-lub he has become with a nakey picture...

How better to say Happy Birthday than with a corn box...

Jack was surprised this morning when he came into the living room and saw his birthday present out on the deck...a "crabbie" sandbox filled with 100lbs of whole kernel corn. Granted, his birthday is not until April 11, but since the weather is improving we wanted to go ahead and get it for him so that he could enjoy it for more of the season. He seems to like it...we've already had lessons in "don't throw the corn," and "keep the corn INSIDE the box."
I'll get some pictures later - it's still chilly this morning and I'm sure we'll be out there a lot this afternoon after his nap when it's nice and warm. My babysitter is coming over this afternoon since Matt is working a 3-midnight shift so that I can continue the "spring cleaning" that I started on Wednesday. I got the upstairs knocked out, but the downstairs needs major work.
In other news, we'll be heading out of town tomorrow to NC to see the fam for Easter - can't wait!!!

As promised...

Jack was caught mid-kiss...
One proud papa...
Patrick perfecting his smile for daddy...
Daddy and Jack using Patrick for dress-up...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I promise to post the boys in their St. Patty's outfits later on today, but both are sleeping at the time and photo ops are no good reason to wake them.

I'm sure that you all are wondering how my afternoon went yesterday since it was forcast to be such a lovely day - well, as planned we spent the whole afternoon outside. I even got some of our shrubs and trees trimmed. I need to finish that up today and then I have to start clearing the yard of leaves and branches, cut the grass and maybe even plant some new things if I'm feelin froggy!

Jack had such a good time yesterday climbing onto and off of our old picnic table on the deck - we've let him eat lunch and dinner out there lately when it's nice. Yesterday's adventure was drinking out of my sport water bottle full of flavored water - I think he thought he was doing something he wasn't supposed to, so he kept doing it...

And feeling so very proud...

Harley couldn't miss a photo op (Sandy was MIA, probably running around the woods with the neighbor dogs)...Someone needs a haircut!!

Oh so sweet...

I just snapped this picture of Patrick snoozing away...I could watch him for hours..

What a big boy...despite reflux issues...

So Patrick went to the MD on Thursday for his 1-month check-up and weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 13.5oz and 23.5 inches. I can't believe how big he's gotten in just 5 weeks - he was 7lbs 3.5 oz and 20 inches at birth. I especially can't believe how well he's growing since he has pretty bad reflux and seems to spit up everything he eats. The MD wants to avoid any meds for his reflux since he is growing so well and he honestly doesn't think that they really work - Matt agrees. And I hate to medicate him just because it's such a pain in the butt to change his outfit (or mine) 3 times a day and always smell like spit-up (like a TRUE BLUE mommy!!). Hopefully it will get better soon. Of course this morning it was like a geyser - he had the hiccups and with every hiccup, "Here comes some more!!"

Jack is, I believe, starting his TERRIBLE TWO's early. He is just being so ornary and acting so frustrated with everything. Nothing goes his way. He is being great with Patrick, loving on him and kissing him, but every little thing is just a huge upset to him - which he shows by squealing and the top of his lungs and whining incessantly. I hope it'll pass soon. He has spent a lot of time in TIME OUT (which involves simply 2 mins in his crib with the door shut to let him (and me) get a grip). He seems to respond pretty well to it and behaves for a little while afterwards.

The end of last week was absolutely beautiful weather-wise. We spent a lot of time outdoors, which he (and I) love. I cleared the deck of all remaining leaves and branches and then we took Jack's high chair outside to give it a good wash-down (it was nasty!)...

I can't wait to see everyone next weekend for Easter. I'm sure that Jack is going to LOVE the Easter Egg Hunt at Dennis and Judy's. Plus, we get to see Granny and Amber/Ronnie/Kids for Sunday lunch before that. I hope the weather's nice. Speaking of, I am going to go straighten up the house some so that we can go outside when Jack gets up from his nap. The forcast is calling for a high of 70 with plentiful sunshine in seneca, sc which makes me a happy girl!!!

My baby can sleep by himself...

So, I decided to kick myself in the butt last night and attempt the unthinkable. I moved Patrick's bassinet from beside my bed and into his nursery (his crib won't be here until next week). I was determined that he needs to sleep by himself. I am not against co-sleeping - it has it's advantages. But it just wasn't working for us. I was uncomfortable in my own bed and Matt and I both awoke to his every little grunt and groan. Not to mention the fact that he thought it was kosher to nurse ALL NIGHT LONG, leaving me to wake up and get him latched back on at every wimper.
Believe it or not, the night actually went quite well. He ate between 9 and 9:30 and then we started the marathon of laying him down to sleep. It took about 3 tries and several passy retrivals before he finally got himself to sleep (without "crying it out") around 10:40. I layed down and got 30 minutes of very peaceful sleep until he awoke and was ready to eat again. After eating, he layed back down and went right to sleep all by himself, much to my surprise! He slept from about 11:30 to 1:30. Then, he was wide awake from then until a little after 3 - he ate a couple times and spent a little quality time with daddy at this point ; ) Then he went back to sleep until about 5:30 and ate and went right back down. Then up for good at 8:30 along with his big brother. So, all in all, he is averaging night wakings about every 2-3 hours which is wonderful considering I wasn't sure that he would even sleep by himself and before I was averaging 30 minutes - 1 hour of sleep at a time. It should get even better over the next few weeks as he learns to cope with sleeping without mommy.
So far, I am scheduled to go back to work the week of April 6. Which is a couple more weeks than I had planned. I just talked to my manager and she's going to see about getting me too pick up some call days or something in the next two weeks. I'm thankful that I will be free for Easter to see family. I need to get the boys some cute Easter outfits (matching of course - Matt hates that!!).
The boys have been so great this morning. Jack has been playing well with minimal whining so far and Patrick has eaten, slept well, and even played some on his own. Jack and I set up his play gym in Jack's room this morning and got out some of Jack's old baby toys:

And what a good listener Jack was being. When I said, "Help mommy clean up baby's toys," here is what happened:

Much to my amazement, he actually listened and didn't turn around when he was done and dump them all out again!!
I'm going to try to go and catch a nap while both boys are doing the same. Then later, I might try to set up the digital picture frame that Matt got me for my birthday! It's so neat! Matt's working a double shift today so I'm on my own until tomorrow, so I need to get some extra rest today.

Weekend in Greenville

So we went to Greenville on Thursday and stayed through yesterday to see the Higgins, since they had yet to meet their new grandson. The car trip went pretty well - the baby slept the whole way except when he woke up to eat and Jack watched Elmo, Wiggles, Barney and snacked in the car. Being in Greenville was weird - so many memories of when Matt and I first met and started our lives and family together has made me feel a bit nostalgic lately - and has made me realize how fast time flies. It's hard to believe that Matt and I have been together for almost 6 years now. Now we are married and have 2 kids - CRAZY. Okay, enough of the reminiscing.

The weekend was fun, but I wish that I had felt better. This cold that I've had for 2 weeks now is now manifesting itself as a sinus infection and Patrick is still stuffy making him work really hard to eat and rest. So, neither of us slept very well all weekend and were a little cranky. Jack even started exhibiting some jealousy mostly when Matt was holding the baby - Jack would start whining and reaching for Matt to hold hime. I was like "Where is this coming from?" He's been so great so far.

Judy and Dennis and Clay came over Saturday night to eat dinner and meet Patrick. Everyone seemed to enjoy him and he seemed to enjoy everyone - he about broke his neck trying to look at whoever was holding/talking to him - it was so cute!

Jack had a good time too, he got lots of Easter presents. He especially loved the bubbles (it came with a cool container that was no-spill which is PERFECT for Jack!!) Both boys got some matching outfits too - I can't wait until it's warm enough to wear them. Jack did go ahead and wear his elephant overalls - they were just too cute that I had to see them on.
I got some great stuff too for my birthday, which is today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me! Not really that special-feeling, just another Monday which isn't so bad. Matt's present to me (which I proposed) is once the baby is out of our bed and sleeping better, he will take care of both boys for one full night and let me sleep in the next morning. All I want for my birthday is one full night's rest, uninterrupted. Otherwise, the boys and I are just hanging out today, we'll go outside later and finish cleaning up the mess that the raccoons made of our trash out in the yard while we were gone.

Enjoy some of the pictures that I took this weekend. I'm off to do another load of laundry and straighten up the house some - not too much though. I go back to work probably next week so I'm trying to spend as much time with the family before that.

The day after another rough night...

A little groggy this morning - pretty much the same that I've been every morning for the last month. With that said, I feel the need to appreciate and celebrate Patrick's 1st month of life as of tomorrow. He is getting so big. This picture is of him in his bouncy seat a few nights ago. (Also note the picture below that of Jack at about the same age.) He is already holding his head up pretty well and has been for several weeks. He's started "cooing" and "talking" a bit too - I describe this as any sound he makes that's not crying. To explain the "rough night" part of this message - Patrick is sick with stuffy nose and cough, the same mess that Jack and I are recovering from. Anyways, the poor baby is having a really hard time sleeping and nursing since he has to work so hard to breathe through the boogies. I spent all night irrigating his nose with saline and bulb-suctioning out lots of little critters just so that I could feed him. Which means another night of him snoozing in bed with me, as much as I am committed to getting him to sleep in his bassinet. We'll try again tonight and see if he does any better. The longest he's ever slept without me being in close proximity is 2 hours. Of course, he does well with his naps during the day and will sleep for hours in his pack-n-play downstairs - go figure!

As for the other little one - Jack is feeling much better, but going through a little bit of toddler anorexia - I guess eating is just not really a priority for him. He usually eats one big meal a day and then snacks and drinks juice and milk all day. I suppose that's normal for his age. We're getting all geared up for his birthday party in April that the Higgins are hosting in Raleigh - from what I hear, it's going to be Elmopalooza! We're all excited. Every day he's talking more and more. The most discernable thing he's said lately is "Night, mama." when he goes to bed. Melts my heart!! He says "Bye bye, go, thank you, shoes, juice, yummy, here ya go." And of course tons of jibber-jabbering that isn't the least bit understandable. Of course he understands just about everything you say to him. The picture of him is when he and daddy were wrestling on the guest bed the other night.

As for the family, we are all looking forward to going the Greenville to stay with Matt's family for the weekend. They haven't even seen Patrick yet, so it'll be great because Jack loves being there too. I have to stop by the hospital and see some of the girls that I used to work with that I haven't seen since last May! Matt has his last call night on Wednesday for the next 2 months!!! We are so excited to have him around a little more. His ED rotation starts after that and he only has to work 13 9-hour shifts in the month to fill his requirement. Ok, so I promise every post won't be as long-winded, just wanted to catch everyone up on the current happenings. Have a great day!

New at this...

Ok, so I decided that I should give this whole "blogging" thing a try. I've seen several other people that I know doing it (so my idea is terribly unoriginal), but it seems like especially for those with kids, it's a great way to keep loved ones updated on what's going on in everyone's lives. Also, this way I can post pictures that everyone can see without having to send a million emails - which can be difficult to do when Jack is "helping" me upload photos. So, I hope that everyone enjoys this - feedback and messages are always welcome!!