Growing Up

Easter

Birthday Party!

Livia and Ethan

Dome Climber

We gave A a dome climber for his birthday and it is a huge hit.  He is so proud of himself for climbing to the top.  And EVERY kid in the neighborhood wants to play in our back yard now.  I had no idea this thing would be so popular!  His grandparents gave him a sandbox for his birthday which he just loves.  I have a feeling I won't be seeing him much once the weather is nice!

Two Month Stats

Livia had a normal two month check up.  She weighs 10 lbs 2 ozs (25-50%) and is 21.25" long (10th percentile) and her head is 37.5 cm (25%).  Livia loves to be held and loves to be in the sling.  She smiles for mom and dad all the time now.  She has already had her first cold thanks to her brother.  Right now she gets up once per night and is usually fussy in the evenings right before bedtime.  Otherwise she is a pretty relaxed baby and doesn't cry much at all.  We joke that she sounds like a crazy cat when she cries.

8 weeks?!

Wow time flies!  We have been so crazy busy since Livia was born - she is 8 weeks today!

Jared was off for five weeks and we were able to spend a lot of time together as a family which was nice.  My recovery didn't exactly go as planned and I ended up having a few complications and a nasty hospital infection.  Everything is fine now, but that meant lots of doctor's visits and extra treatments/medicines in the weeks following Livia's birth.  At least I couldn't feel the pain I was in...;)

We relaxed the first couple of weeks, and then decided to do a small kitchen remodel which turned out really great.  I'll have to post pics soon.  J took out some cabinets and made the kitchen much more accessible for me, and I'm loving the change.  Wish we'd done that three years ago!

J being back at work means I get up with Livia all night.  I'm hoping she starts sleeping 8 hours soon!  Anthony did around two months so my expectations are high! Right now she gets up 1-2 times per night which isn't bad and I'm not feeling too sleep deprived.

I feel like most of my time is spent feeding kids and cleaning the house.  Some days are super productive, and others I get nothing done.  It's certainly been an interesting transition with J back to work and me on my own during the day.  Most days are good, but there have definitely been some frustrating days thrown in there.

I have gone on a few play dates with both of the kids and we make it to Wordshop every week; I really need to learn to manage my time better.  Hopefully we'll get a routine down soon and I'll be able to accomplish more during the week.  I think the biggest change for me really has been the disrupted schedule and just figuring out how/when to do the things we want to do.  Not sure that I'll try shopping with two kids any time soon.  I'm trying to slow down and just enjoy spending time with Anthony and Livia and not plan as many things to do and places to go during the day.  This totally goes against my natural inclination, but I don't want to miss this precious time with them while they are young.

Having an infant this time around is so much easier.  I'm sure it's because I'm not adjusting to a baby and a wheelchair at the same time.  Everything seems so easy this time!  I've been able to get Livia in/out of the car with no problems and use the ring sling to carry her around on the wheelchair.  With Anthony something as simple as preparing a bottle seemed like so much work, and I don't feel like that at all this time around.  I wasn't really sure what to expect, so I'm pleased that it's been as easy as it has.  Life has definitely improved since three years ago!

3 Years Old

Anthony is three now!  Jared was off work for five weeks after Livia was born, so we were able to have a really fun day with Anthony on his third birthday.  He wanted to open presents as soon as he woke up.  We took him to Red Robin for lunch where they sang to him (he kept a straight face the whole time) and then went to Build-A-Bear where he chose a green St. Patrick's Day bear that he dressed in a red football uniform.  The bear's name is Green Bear.

At three years old:

Anthony weighs 32 pounds and is 36.75" tall. He seems so big now.  There is no chubby left on him; he has really thinned out lately.  He stopped taking naps about two months ago and sleeps about 11-12 hours a night.  Anthony is so active and always moving.  We have so much fun playing with him. He talks all day long and asks questions about everything. He is really starting to get a sense of humor and loves to be teased, and tries to tease back.

Discipline is really starting to become an issue for us.  He's always had a strong personality, but listening has been a struggle lately.  We are working hard to find creative ways to get him to listen to us, because time outs and spankings are totally ineffective with him.  Taking away toys seems to work, at least for the time being.  Two was an age that I really loved, and I'm hoping this new phase will be short lived.

Anthony can be quite stubborn.  A few nights ago we put him to bed without a bed time story (punishment for not listening).  About five minutes later he opened his door and said "I had a bed time story."  I guess he read it to himself and just wanted to stick it to us.  Jared was known to be quite stubborn as a child and it looks like we have a Little Jared on our hands.

He is going to start preschool in the fall which he is looking forward to.  He still loves to be tickled and to play Hide N Seek.  Hot Wheels are one of his favorite things to play with.  He loves baths.  He will spend hours and hours playing outside. He loves to be with other kids and he plays rough.  

He stills eats peanut butter sandwiches (no jelly).  He eats many types of fruit, but we still have to force him to eat his veggies.  Potatoes and bread are his favorite foods.

Anthony is so excited to have a little sister, but we have to watch him all the time.  So far I've caught him putting water on her, pinching her, and growling at her to try to scare her.  I once told him not to touch her while I was in the other room; three minutes later he yelled "Can I touch her with my foot?"

Livia at the Canal

Livia took her first trip to the canal at three weeks old and slept most of the time she was there.

Style like this can't be bought

Here my husband is in his coat from junior high, which he keeps down at the canal, Anthony's hat, and sporting his new beard.  And he is holding a mug that says "You can make it happen in Auburn."  I know what you're thinking - I am a lucky lady.

Pictures of our Kids

 Livia at three weeks.  She looks just like Anthony did when he was a baby.  She still has a very sweet temperament ~ rarely fusses and is usually happy with being fed or being held.  She is seven weeks old now and typically gets up 1-2 times per night.  We think she weighs about ten pounds now.  Livia first smiled at about 5-6 weeks old.

 Anthony is three now and Livia is one month in these pics.  He adores her and always wants to touch her - we have a hard time keeping him away from her when she's sleeping.

Scooter

Anthony's favorite thing to do right now is play outside.  He loves this scooter and has mastered riding it now.  He speeds around the cul de sac, and even brings it inside to ride when it's raining out.  At age three we continue to be impressed by his athletic ability and coordination.  He is not afraid to go fast or run into things (or people!).

It was a big step for us, but we've started letting him play in the cul de sac with the older kids when we are not outside.  The neighbor kids are good kids and he really loves to be with his "friends."  So hard to believe he is mature enough to not have mom around every moment of the day!

Swaddle

Anthony wanted to be swaddle just like his little sister.