Milestones...

I now have a five month old...as I think back over the last five months I'm incredulous with all that has occurred.  I was blissfully naive to having two kids...somehow I thought that by having another girl, it would be easy...a breeze really.  Like riding a bike...I've done it once b/f how hard can it be again.  Well, I found out and let me fill you in on a secret: having another child isn't a walk in the park and (surprise!) it's hard! I wouldn't trade it for anything but running morning, noon and night has a whole different take with two...but in just five months I've gotten to see a newborn grow into a baby and do all these things:

• roll from her belly to her back
• eat rice cereal and single grain oatmeal
• belly laugh
• pull her toys down from her activity mat
• move all around her crib like she's looking for an escape route!
• become excited when she sees her mommy 
• sit and support her head in the Bumbo chair
• eat her hands
• rock from side to side

And now onto the next five months and to a whole new set of milestones...

Never dull...

It is never dull, is it?  Hannah has decided she wants to be even more "independent" and doesn't need mommy's help anymore in helping her dress, putting her shoes on or getting her breakfast.  She can do it all...or so she says.  I'll admit, I secretly love that she is my independent, defiant child b/c I love that she is making her own way in this world.  However, some days it makes for trying times.  Last night was no different.  We decided to head to Red Lobster as a family.  Tim and I had a full week, neither of us felt like cooking and we just wanted to be out amongst the people.  So, off we headed to Sandusky for dinner...Hannah was actually really good and sat all during appetizers, salad and dinner.  However, it wasn't without a few challenges, mainly her desire to take items of clothing off.  Yes, that's right, along with the independent, defiant streak, I also have a child who relishes in being in minimal clothes...God help me when she's 18!

Back to the story: thankfully no shirts or pants came off but shoes and socks did. And she refused to put them back on b/c as she said "I like to see my feet mommy! And they're tired..." Oh, okay Hannah, I think... So, for me it wasn't a battle worth fighting during dinner until it was time to leave and then she had no choice. A meltdown was about to ensue when a lightbulb went off: Max and Ruby.  Yes, everything revolves around those damn bunnies! But, they did just the trick...by promising she could watch the show in the car, Hannah happily put back on the shoes and socks.  Another crisis averted, for now...

Valentine's Day...

It's funny to me how Valentine's Day has evolved.  It used to be about Tim and I, flowers, gifts and special dinners.  I would make a nice, romantic dinner where we'd sit in the dining room and have a lovely evening.  OR we'd go out for a nice dinner to Real Seafood or Mancy's Steakhouse. 

Fast forward to today and well, it's a slightly different image.  Last night, I bought Papa John's pizza and breadsticks home, we ate as a family in our kitchen and then went upstairs to watch Nick Jr. in our bedroom with the kids.  Yet, it was wonderfully relaxing!  Hannah told me she loved me "so very much" and Caroline talked, smiled and laughed all while bouncing in her bouncer.  Sure a bouquet of flowers  would have been a special surprise, however, having one moment with just the four of us where we weren't rushing was just as nice too...although perhaps next year I could get roses too (sorry Tim but I'm a girl who loves roses!)!

3 years old...

Yesterday Hannah turned three and I think I was just as excited as her.  This year was the first year where she understood that it was her birthday and had a say in what theme to decorate...and it was Max and Ruby, the beloved rabbits from Nick Jr.  The girl LOVES Max and Ruby and I mean LOVES.  She can't go a day without singing their song and watching at least one episode.  I think she knows every episode by heart but you'd never know it b/c she is engrossed in every one like its the first time she's ever seen it. 

She had a lot of fun and it filled me with happiness to see her soo happy.  As I looked around at my crazy house yesterday, I felt a sense of calm as if that was how it was always meant to be =)

The Birthday Girl starting to open her presents...

Hannah with her cousins Olivia and Cailynne...they all got into unwrapping!

Singing Happy Birthday to Hannah!!

The Max and Ruby cake...from Haas Bakery in Oregon

Eating the Ruby piece of her cake =)

waking up to....

I love having kids for the simple fact, one never knows how the day will start. And today, it started with two cries--one from a hungry 4.5 month old and one from a 3 year old who "went" in her pull-up.  While I tackled the baby, Tim had to change the pull-up, much to his unhappiness... but order was restored and both girls are asleep once again...for at least another 20 minutes! =)

(This picture is from last month, but they just happen to be wearing the same pjs last night, so I thought appropriate to post!)

feeding babies-cnn story

So I read an interesting story on CNN that the American Academy of Pediatrics believes that feeding a baby solids before 4 months will increase their risk of obesity three fold...really? I'll admit I didn't feed my kids solids before four months but I know plenty of friends who did and guess what? Their kids are fine and within normal range. I think as parents we need to have those conversations with our pediatricians and do what we feel is best for our kids. Caroline is just over four months and taking rice cereal like it's her job...no matter how much formula I gave her the chick wanted food and loves when she sees the spoon headed her way...and she's only in the 40th percentile for her weight yet 95th in height :)

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Vocabulary...

Maybe I don't remember but I think kids are more advanced now then when I was growing up...at least in their words.  I'm truly amazed at some point most days but Hannah's vocabulary and how she uses certain phrases at just the "right" time.  Today was one of those days...We decided to do a little Pre-Super Bowl party with her and made guacamole and some other appetizers.  Well, all was ready just as Tim came in from putting corn in our corn burner (that's a story for another time...) and the minute Hannah saw the snacks and then saw Tim, she looked from one to the other saying "You go back outside daddy you've been bad...all snacks for mommy, me and Caroline." Where she unearthed any of that I have no idea but it was all I could do not to laugh! 

Fast forward a few hours and Tim (again) was eating and dropped something on the floor...she looked at me, shook her head and said "That Daddy.  He's a boy."  That was one where Tim and I couldn't even try not to laugh... =)

I am beginning to wonder what things Caroline is going to say and am a bit worried at the things she'll pick up from her big sister....

Snowmageddon....

Today we were supposed to have more than a foot of snow on the ground....it didn't quite happen.  Instead Mother Nature gave us sleet that coated most things.  Sure it was combined with some snow but overall the "biggest storm of the century" missed us and broke a part. 

BUT I still managed to have the day at home to work and be with the girls as we had a level three snow emergency here...Hannah was all about it b/c it meant she could stay in her p.j.'s all day.  And for Caroline it meant that mommy could care for her as she's trying to recovery from a cold and ear infection.  The poor four month old looks rough but yet through it all she's still smiling and laughing. 

People (ie our families) are amazed that Tim and I had two kids with great dispositions when they are sick.  Hannah is similar as she musters through her illness with a smile and time to play.  However, Caroline definitely take it to a whole new level...even after the sleepless nights and the excessive spit up episodes, she's still smiling and cooing.  If only I could be like that...even when I don't have a cold!