Outdoor Fun

It is hot here this week. I can't really complain as it has been really mild all summer but it does limit the amount of time we can spend outside (not comfortable taking a 6 week old out in 90 degree for very long).

This morning Erik spent time playing with the sprinkler while Lainey got in a good tan (kidding of course -- she was under an umbrella and had a hat on).

Nap Time

Erik goes down easily. Elaina has other ideas. Today I tried to put her down for a nap in her crib, twice. Both attempts failed. So, I moved her back to her swing. She eventually conked out but this what she thought of nap time at first...

Cutie Pie

I often have Erik and Elaina both in the bathroom with me while I am taking a shower. Erik usually reads books and Lainey sleeps. This morning Erik thought he would try something new. What do you think?
That's eye shadow on his cheeks. I am not sure where he was planning on putting the mascara!

My All Star

I am so proud of Erik! I started potty training him on Sunday and he has done really well. He still wears diapers all day but I have had him sit on the potty about 3 times a day. He has been peeing and pooping in the potty chair without any problems!!

This is not a quick process however. He often sits and plays or listens to stories for 30-60 minutes at a time. I would be fine if he got up sooner but he doesn't like to get off of the potty chair until he has actually gone to the bathroom. So I spend a lot of time sitting on the floor reading stories to him on the potty chair.

I am so thankful that he has embraced this. I am going to work hard at it with him for a month - we don't have a lot of things happening in August so I think it is a good opportunity. If it is still a work in progress I may focus on it less when he starts preschool in September. We will see! Wish me luck!

This is Erik style potty training. I find it quite humorous!

Erik vs Elaina

Erik and Elaina both at approximately one month of age. They both have big eyes and round faces (Elaina's eyes are a dark blue/gray and Erik's are brown). I think they look quite a bit different other than that though. It will be interesting to see what Elaina looks like when she gets older. What do you think?

Potty Training

Isn't Erik cute in his Elmo underwear? As Erik approaches two I have been trying to decide what to do about potty training. I read a book that suggests exposing them to the idea of potty chair early. We have had a potty chair in 2 of our bathrooms for a few months. Erik knows what it is and recently has been acting more interested in it.

The book suggests after a few months of exposing the child to the potty chair you should start adding time on the potty chair into your normal routine in addition to letting your child run around in training pants. I am going to start by trying to have Erik sit on the potty chair 2-3 times a day and building up from there.

We started this yesterday and he has been successful 3 out of 4 times. It is time consuming so it will be difficult to fit in on busy days. He seems to like it though. He likes to read stories, eat a snack, and "drive" his potty chair around. After sitting on it for 5-10 minutes today I told him he could get up. He didn't want to. He stayed on the chair -- played with toys while on the chair -- for 30 minutes only getting up after peeing!

We will see how this adventure goes!

6 weeks Old

I should be folding laundry but don't want to disappoint GG! Here is a picture of my baby girl who is 6 weeks old today!

Another form of peace

A baby who is content while awake now that she has been started on reflux meds...A sleeping baby....

Peace

How would you define peace? This is Webster's definition....

1: a state of tranquility or quiet: as a: freedom from civil disturbance b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom peace> 2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions3: harmony in personal relations4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

I think as a Mom it is uncommon to have moments where you are truly peaceful. Even after the kids are asleep I find myself thinking about all that needs done, how little sleep I am going to get if I stay up to do it, trying to spend 5 minutes talking to Victor without commentary or crying, going to the gym, etc. I know for me peaceful moments are rare. I have lots of nice moments but I would describe them as -- loving, grateful, humorous, etc. Not necessarily peaceful.

That being said, yesterday I was able to capture about 30 minutes of peace. For 30 minutes I was not distracted by laundry, cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, talking on the phone, internet, places to go, marriage, whining kids, crying newborn!

I took the kids to Burke Lake yesterday morning. It is a beautiful lake with a 4.8 mile trail around it. I love to walk/run around it but haven't been able to since being pregnant (need a bathroom sooner than that). Yesterday, Erik played at the park while I fed Lainey. About 9:45 we took off around the trail. Erik had been awake since 5:30 that morning so he fell asleep along with Elaina. Ahh!

So for 30 minutes while running, slowly, I was able to just enjoy the beauty surrounding me. No requests for a lollipop, no crying, no bombarding thoughts. It was truly peaceful! What a luxorious feeling! At that moment I felt as though I had no concerns or worries and all was right with the world. I was actually able to run 3.5 miles without stopping (first postpartum run) because I was not distracted by thoughts of, "Boy, this is painful!" Instead, I just enjoyed my surroundings.

30 minutes in though my peaceful moment was over when my cell phone rang bringing me back to earth. After that I started noticing all the weird people going around the lake with me. First, I passed 2 men walking their perfectly normal bikes around the lake. Behind them was man walking on the gravel path with no shoes -- he was carrying them.

Soon after that Erik woke up crabby and my peaceful moment was a thing of the past. Hopefully, it won't be too long before my next one.

When do you feel most at peace?

Kid Stuff

Erik quote of the day:

Ann: What do you want for breakfast?

Erik: (very excitedly says) " Broccoli!"

Which he ate a large serving of in addition to toast.

Lainey update:

I took her in to the doctor today due to spitting up, crabbiness, arching her back, etc. The doctor agreed that she has reflux. We are starting her on Zantac. I will take her back in two weeks for a follow up. The shocking news of the day though was that she weighed in at 9 pounds 10 ounces. She was 6 pounds 7 ounces at birth. That means she has been gaining 1.4 ounces a day. They expect breastfed babies at this age to gain 1/2 to 1 ounce a day. Guess she has a good dairy cow for a momma.

Human GPS....

otherwise known as Erik! Erik is only 22 months old but he seems to pay close attention to where we are driving and can anticipate what he is going to see next -- even though I don't tell him where we are going.

Today we went to his friend Sean's house. On the way there we pass a shopping center. About 3 weeks ago Erik was at the shopping center with Victor. They heard some church bells. Now every time we get close to the shopping center Erik announces that the church bells are off.

We also passed by a playground on the way to Sean's house. We have been to the playground 3 or 4 times. Today we were about 1/3 mile away from the playground (you could barely see the school that it is part of). Erik must of noticed because he announced that the boat was coming up. You can't see the boat from the road but he knows where a boat is parked close to the school.

I am amazed that Erik pays attention to where we are going and also impressed that he can remember what is coming next. I have to say that he seems to be a pretty smart little boy (of course I am a bit biased).

Smile!

Erik loves to lay next to his sister. Today he was trying to teach Lainey how to smile.

Unfortunately, she wasn't interested. Better luck next time!

One Month

Can you believe that my baby is one month old today? I can't. The first month has gone by quickly. We are so thankful that Elaina is part of our family. She is a great baby and growing fast. She likes to eat -- every 2 to 3 hours during the day and every 2 1/2 - 5 hours at night. I love the nights when I go to bed at 10 pm and don't see the clock again until 2 am. It doesn't happen every night but I appreciate it when it does.

Elaina is a pretty happy baby. She fusses at times but is pretty consolable. She seems to have some reflux (not sure it needs treated yet) so sometimes I think she is fussy because her stomach hurts. I sure seem to make babies that like to puke.

Elaina's eyes are still blue. Some of her hair has fallen out but I think she will keep most of it. We are not sure what color it will end up being because the hair on the top of her head is really dark brown but the hair on the side of her head is light brown/blond.

Erik loves Elaina. He wants to hold her, kiss her, share with her, etc. He has displayed almost no jealously so far and has made the transition from one to two kids easier for me.

We have had a lot of visitors this month -- Grandma Kay, Grandma Sandy, Aunt Sonja and Hanna, Grandpa B and Grandma Kay. Phew! We are lucky to have such a supportive family.

We are also thankful for such a supportive neighborhood. They set up a neighborhood meal schedule -- people drop food off for us 2 -3 days a week for 4 weeks. Amazing!

I recovered much quicker from delivery this time and was back at a normal pace within 10 days or so. I am finding it harder to get the rest of the weight/abdominal flab off this time though even though I have spent a lot of time at the gym. I am just now starting to be able to wear my old shorts. Hopefully, the rest of the weight will come off in the next few weeks. We will see.

I am so thankful to be mommy of two wonderful kids and look forward to watching them grow!

For GG

My parents have been visiting this week. Dad went home Monday morning and mom just left for the airport now. Great Grandma had requested a photo of Mom, me, and Elaina which we had neglected to take until today. Unfortunately, there was no one there to take our picture so we had to do it ourselves. I hope you like them Grandma (GG)!

Grandma and Grandpa Williams

Grandma and Grandpa Williams are spending time with us this weekend. They have been nice to have around and seem to enjoy spending time with their grandkids.

Mom of Two

If I don't always answer the phone when you call this may be why....

Big E, Little e. What begins with E?

Pretty cute kids and shirts!

What's For Dinner?

Erik has always been a good eater. He seems to prefer fruits and vegetables over meat. Tonight was a typical meal -- we had roasted vegetables, oranges, and chicken. Erik ate all of his sweet potatoes, broccoli, edamame, and orange. He then ate my broccoli. Only then, after bribing him with ketchup would he eat his chicken. Pretty cute! I can only hope that Elaina is just as good of eater.

Tiny But Tough

She may be tiny but when she needs something she makes it known! Lainey is a pretty happy baby; generally speaking even if fussy she is easily consoled once that need is met.

Aunt Sonja

Yesterday Aunt Sonja and her sister Hanna came to visit. It was fun to see them. Sonja is 17 weeks pregnant with Erik and Elaina's first cousin. We are excited!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July! Our neighborhood had a small "parade" for all the kids followed by a brunch. We live in the best, most family oriented neighborhood! It is great!


Erik was very excited about having his bike decorated with flags.

Where did the Chinese genes go?

When I was about 13 weeks pregnant I dreamt that I was going to have a strawberry blond baby girl that looked like me. She really doesn't have strawberry blond hair (it is brown with blond hair under it) but otherwise I think the dream was pretty accurate. What do you think?

These impressive photos were taken by our neighbor Irene Timm. Aren't they amazing?

"I Share"

Erik wants to share all of his toys with Elaina. He has handed her his golf clubs, baseball, large diggers, etc. He doesn't quite get that large diggers weigh almost as much as she does. I love that he wants to share everything with her though.

In the photo below he was sharing his new snack cups with her.