Mornings

I am not a morning person, never have been & probably never will be. I've always said that the phrase "good morning" is an oxymoron and I rarely say it. Often when people say it to me, I don't reply or just say hey. It probably comes across as rude, when really I don't feel that way. I just don't have the desire to say much before 9:30 or 10 am. I haven't slept that late in who knows how long and probably wouldn't even if no one woke me up. I just need a few hours to adjust to being awake before I'm verbal.

When we had Grant, I knew that sleep as I had known it in the past was over. He has had ups and downs with sleep, but he's always been a late sleeper just like his mommy and daddy. Since he's been in his big boy bed, his mornings seem to start earlier and earlier, but it's a small price to pay for getting to sleep alone again. Claire added a new twist to things and sleep once again was hard to come by. At around 6 or 7 weeks, she started sleeping through the night and I thought we had turned a new corner. She did that until the week I went back to work. Since then, every night has been a new adventure. The nights she actually sleeps all night, Grant doesn't and vice versa.

It's been a very exhausting few weeks, especially because I'm having to get up no later than 5:20 to get everything that needs to be done done. The upside is that I've discovered mornings are wonderful things. I can be so productive with no one to bother me or mess up right behind me. I can start getting things together for dinner that night, pick up, empty the dishwasher or dryer, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, I'd still rather be sleeping, but there is something beneficial to being an early riser. One of these days, I'm hoping that we'll all get on a regular schedule and at least I'll know how much sleep I can reasonably expect to get. I know there will still be those nights when someone is sick or whatever, but hopefully they will be the exception rather than the rule!

The Land of Why

This is where we live right now. Grant says "Why?" after everything you say. It's driving me crazy, even though I know it's normal. I feel like I need to give him an answer, but lots of time there is no answer to the why. I just finished reading Parenting by the Book by John Rosemond. It provided some valuable information and I feel like we'll be changing the way we do lots of things around our house. I had no idea we were doing so much wrong. I learned alot and hopefully I can now teach and lead more effectively.. we'll see. One thing the book didn't address is never ending whys of an almost 3 year old! How long does this stage last?

Here's a picture of my cuties after one of our daily walks at the park. Aren't they cool in their shades?! Yes, Claire actually keeps hers on. Everyone we pass comments on them when she wears them, it's hilarious!

Back to the Grind

Well I'm back at work today. I've been up since a little after 5 am, which is truly uncharted territory for me. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get everything done if I wasn't ready before everyone else started waking up. We did pretty well this morning, but it will be interesting to see how tired I am this afternoon. Pookie was in Las Vegas until last night and I'd had nightmares every night about someone being in our house the whole time he was gone. I didn't really think I was scared to stay by myself, but apparently my dreams indicate otherwise. So, at least I slept much sounder last night without any crazy dreams.

Grant had Mother's Day Out this morning, so we could leave a little later today than we will most other days. I had to pick sweet Claire up out of her bed to get her ready. She was SOOOO happy this morning. It was precious. I so hated that I didn't have the time to sit and talk to her and watch her smile and coo. I know she's in good hands, and she's probably thankful that I'm at work because it means she won't have to ride in her car seat for at least 6 straight hours! I've been dragging her all over the world lately. I've already called to check in on her this morning, and she was doing great.

Claire had her 3 month pictures taken yesterday. You can see them here. Click on customers, and the password is summar. She did ok, but I think 3 months is so awkward! They can't sit up, but if you sit her down, she immediately tries to sit up. You lay her on her belly and she starts sucking on whatever she's laying on or tries to roll over. It was interesting. I didn't use the same photographer that I used for Grant's panel, but this is the guy we've gone to for Grant since he was 18 months and we've loved everything he's done. He has so many gorgeous outdoor settings, but I'm such a sucker for black and white baby photography, which is what the lady we went to with Grant specialized in. I haven't decided how I feel about these. Some are sweet, but I'm not thrilled. I always just loved Grant's so much. Maybe it was because he was my first... I don't know. Is it crazy that I'm thinking about taking her to the other lady too? I really need to refrain and save my money! I always rationalize it by saying they'll only be this age once.

Only 3 more hours in my day...I'm counting down. Although, it's been nice to have adult conversation and the morning has flown by. I'm getting hungry now though, and I'm missing my stocked home refrigerator. Sonic is across the street and it's an awful thing when you want to lose at least 5 more pounds!

A Day of Fun!

We had a fun day with Grant on Saturday! Claire went too, of course, but she was just along for the ride. We got up that morning and drove to Murfreesboro to Barnes and Noble for story time and to meet one of Grant's favorite characters, Curious George. Grant was all about George from afar, but when it was his turn for a picture he wasn't too sure about him. You can tell by the look on his face! He says he wasn't scared of him. I just think the giant monkey freaked him out a bit.

After that, we went to lunch at Five Guys. They seem to be building lots of them around here, but we'd never eaten there. The burgers were great and I've never seen so many french fries in my life! It got really crowded while we were there, but we really enjoyed it.

When we were through eating, we headed over to The Discovery Center. We had never been there, but had heard good things and thought that Grant might enjoy it. He loved it. We practically had to drag him out of the place. He loved the water exhibit a little too much. He was soaked when we left there and had to ride home with no shirt on. He covered himself up with Claire's blanket in the car because it was chilly on Saturday. They had some neat stuff to do there and Grant got to pet an iguana and a ball python. Here are some pictures of the day:

Here's Pook and Grant dressed like firemen and riding in the truck. They had the whole ensemble, but Grant couldn't move in it, so he had to take it off to climb up in the truck.

This is Grant at the bottom of the tunnel slide. It starts upstairs and ends downstairs. I didn't know if he'd do it or not. He's kind of scared of big slides, but he went down and seemed to enjoy it.

Here's our little bubba (as we like to call him) after a long day. He was pooped! Notice he's holding his polaroid of he and Curious George.

Here's a few pics of Claire just for the heck of it. She's looking so so big these days!

Tummy time....usually doesn't last long!

Ready for church!

Quiet Times

I don't know that I've ever posted at night before. Usually by this time, I'm sound asleep, either in my own bed or in Grant's. Tonight I purposely stayed awake in Grant's bed because I thought I'd have a little while until I was tired. I started getting kiddos to bed around 8:20 and have just finished. Claire went down easily, but she's woken up twice since.. I think her belly was hurting because she burped both times. Grant on the other hand needs no sleep I've determined. The child could stay up all night long. So I've been laying in his bed with him for over an hour. I know that we need to find another way to do bed time. I'm looking for suggestions. He slept with us for so long that he has a hard time going to sleep without me. He sleeps in his bed fine now almost every night, but I still have to lay with him until he's asleep. I would really like to just read to him and then say good night and him go to sleep on his own. Any advice is appreciated! We will definitely not make the same mistake with Claire.

Anywho! It's back to work on Thursday. I'd love to say I can't wait, but I'd be lying. Warmer weather has whetted my appetite for outdoor things right before going back. I knew that would happen! I thought I would have time these last 2 weeks to get stuff together for a yard sale, but it hasn't happened. Maybe I can get it together before the end of the summer. It's such a hassle, but it needs to be done. I've barely been home at all during the day these last few weeks, and it looks like this week will be no exception. We already have lots planned....trying to savor every last minute of my break!

Claire is 3 months old!

I can't believe that Claire is already 3 months old. I think that it definitely goes much faster the second time around. While I am ready for her to be able to sit up so she can play a little more with Grant, I don't want to wish all of her baby stages away. She has really turned into a great baby!

This past month Claire moved into her crib and out of our bedroom. She is sleeping great in there. Usually, she goes to bed around 9:00 and wakes up around 6 or 6:30 am. There are nights when she wakes up around 4, but they are getting to be fewer and fewer. When she gets tired, she wants to suck on something but she will not take a pacifier. It is very frustrating. For awhile, she would suck on the arm of our shirts, but now she wants either the sheet on her bed or this little frog lovie that was Grants. She totally buries her face when she does this and then just falls asleep. She leaves big wet rings on her bed sheet and it makes me a nervous wreck, but that's what she likes. She also flips her head back and forth about fifty times before she finds a comfortable position. I think this is why she's lost a little hair on both sides of her head. The top and back are still totally full of hair!

She still loves to eat but we have gotten on a much more regular schedule. Last month, some days she could go 3 hours and sometimes it seemed like an hour and a half between feedings. I think she's weighing in at about 14 1/2 pounds. I have no idea how long she is, but I do know that she's outgrowing all of her 0-3 month clothes. They are all getting too short. We're ready for warm weather because all of the 3-6 month stuff I have is very summery.

Claire is very attached to her mommy. I have been trying to take her to the nursery at church now and she gives me this pitiful face and sticks her lip out and starts screaming as soon as I hand her off. She doesn't do this anywhere but church or when I hand her to her daddy! I had no idea separation anxiety could start this early. I'll be glad when this phase passes. It's exhausting. She has stayed with her babysitter, nanny, several times and has done great. I go back to work on the 17th, so I hope that it continues when she's there with her brother and for more than an hour or so.

We've been on the go alot these last few weeks, and Claire wants none of it. She seems more content to be at home. She HATES her car seat. She does sleep in it, but if she's not sleeping, she's screaming. There doesn't seem to be a happy content state in it yet. Good thing that we don't have any long trips planned any time soon. I don't think I could deal with it. Her cry is just so pitiful.

This girl loves her big brother. Her eyes follow him every where he goes and she just grins at him. He's not even talking to her most of the time, but she smiles so big at everything he says. I know she'll be following him around very soon! Grant is doing a little better with her, but every day is still a struggle. I'm not so sure if it's just that he's almost 3 and the age is just tough, or if it's the sibling jealousy thing. Several people have said that from 3 to 4 is the hardest year. If these last few months have been any indication, it will be a very difficult year!

Onto Grant....

I took him to his first movie last Friday. We went to see Horton Hears a Who! He loved it and has already asked me when we're going back. He was very confused that other people were going to see his movie with him. Every time someone would laugh, he would yell at them, "Hey, what are you laughing at?" Then he told me that they were laughing at me. It was really fun hanging out with just him.

This Saturday, we're planning to do some fun things with him, so we should have some good pics of the weekend. He's also been very busy trying to figure out what kind of birthday party he wants to have. It changes every day. We have the place picked out, but the theme keeps changing. We're having it at the putt putt place. I'm not sure how well a bunch of 3 year olds and putt putt mix, but that's what he wants. At least there will be an inside room for cakes, etc. It has been SOOOO hot the last 2 years at his party.

Grant has also learned how to use the computer recently. Pookie showed him how to use the mouse and he's had fun playing games on Sesame Street's website. I never imagined him doing that at this age, but I guess they do everything earlier these days, at least that's how it seems.

Sorry for such a long post. I can't seem to find time lately to do much blogging!

Still Here

We're still alive and kickin, just busy. I haven't gone back to work as planned. I'm going back next Thursday. We've been so busy these last few weeks that I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm there all day. I need about 6 more hours a day to accomplish anything meaningful. Baby girl will be 3 months old tomorrow! I will plan on updating with pictures, etc. then.