Look how big she's already getting...
Friday, June 13, 2008
Sisterly Love?
Keeley is clearly in love with Kayden. I'm beginning to feel like that love is not reciprocal yet. Kayden will stop eating if Keeley comes to love on her or is too vocal near her. Last night and today, I would almost swear that Kayden pretended to be asleep until Keeley went down. It was literally moments after I walked back into the room with Kayden after putting Keeley down that Kayden woke up and looked around wanting to eat. I guess she prefers her meals to be a little more peaceful than big sister is allowing!
Look how big she's already getting...
Look how big she's already getting...
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Land of the Living
This morning the only person that wanted to nap in my house was me. I decided that, instead of deal with Keeley being clingy while I nursed Kayden non-stop (we are going through a growth spurt), I would try to take Keeley to Little Gym. I figured that the worst thing that could happen is that I decide it was too hard to have two little ones with me and I could leave early.We very quickly got ready and out the door and managed to get there just as everyone was walking into class. Keeley went off to explore (she rarely sits with me on the rainbow mat anymore) and Kayden slept in the Moby Wrap * for the entire class. Class went great. There were some things that I couldn't do with Kayden in the sling but, fortunately, Keeley wasn't interested in doing them either so that was okay.
I feel like I'm now officially ready to say that we have entered the land of the living. I've survived two outings with both girls by myself and both went well. I'm not planning any long outings (like grocery shopping...) but I am encouraged by how well things are going.
* The Moby Wrap is BY FAR the BEST investment we've made since having children. It was the only thing that seemed to work on a somewhat regular basis to calm Keeley down for the months she cried. Keeley enjoyed our cruise to Alaska in the wrap. Toward the end of my pregnancy, Keeley enjoyed some afternoons on my hip in the wrap. Kayden spends much of her days in the wrap now because that way I can have both girls with me instead of Kayden in her crib or lounger while I play with Keeley. I would HIGHLY recommend that every new mom have one!
I feel like I'm now officially ready to say that we have entered the land of the living. I've survived two outings with both girls by myself and both went well. I'm not planning any long outings (like grocery shopping...) but I am encouraged by how well things are going.
* The Moby Wrap is BY FAR the BEST investment we've made since having children. It was the only thing that seemed to work on a somewhat regular basis to calm Keeley down for the months she cried. Keeley enjoyed our cruise to Alaska in the wrap. Toward the end of my pregnancy, Keeley enjoyed some afternoons on my hip in the wrap. Kayden spends much of her days in the wrap now because that way I can have both girls with me instead of Kayden in her crib or lounger while I play with Keeley. I would HIGHLY recommend that every new mom have one!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
First Outing
Kayden's first doctor's visit went well. She only got mad when the doctor tried to poke on her tummy when she was hungry. After I fed her a little, she took the tummy pressing much better. The main goal of today was to make sure she gained back her birth weight. She weighed 8 lb 7 oz at birth and was down to 7 lb 10 oz when she was discharged (totally normal).
Today, two weeks from her birth, she weighed in at 9 lb 8 oz. Apparently all her super short feedings are working because that is a great weight gain! Birth weight plus one ounce!
Here are her stats:
9 lb 8 oz (84%)
21 inches (74%)
She is still smaller than Keeley was at this age, but very healthy.
The appointment was quite an experience as my first outing with both the girls. I feel extremely powerful and competent now that I have learned how much I can really do. I can carry two babies, nurse Kayden and feed Keeley...
All went well at the appointment but I will say that it will not be a frequent occurrence that I take both girls out - at least not for scheduled things. I feel like it took 30 minutes to get both diapers changed and get everyone loaded in the car and then 30 minutes to get out of the car and into the doctor's office! That's a lot of time and we didn't even have any blow outs or complications to delay our visit. We'll see how the next outing goes. I think I might try to take them to the bank....I can't stay home all the time or I will go crazy!!
Today, two weeks from her birth, she weighed in at 9 lb 8 oz. Apparently all her super short feedings are working because that is a great weight gain! Birth weight plus one ounce!
Here are her stats:
9 lb 8 oz (84%)
21 inches (74%)
She is still smaller than Keeley was at this age, but very healthy.
The appointment was quite an experience as my first outing with both the girls. I feel extremely powerful and competent now that I have learned how much I can really do. I can carry two babies, nurse Kayden and feed Keeley...
All went well at the appointment but I will say that it will not be a frequent occurrence that I take both girls out - at least not for scheduled things. I feel like it took 30 minutes to get both diapers changed and get everyone loaded in the car and then 30 minutes to get out of the car and into the doctor's office! That's a lot of time and we didn't even have any blow outs or complications to delay our visit. We'll see how the next outing goes. I think I might try to take them to the bank....I can't stay home all the time or I will go crazy!!
Adjusting to life
Well, Keeley has had a few meltdowns. Friday afternoon she got pretty upset (that was the first day Kelly had been back at work). It is funny because she doesn't get mad at me or at Kayden in particular, she just gets frustrated. She cried for a LONG time. Serious crying where she squatted down and cried with big breaks as she gathered enough air for the next crying spell. At one point, she did get mad at me and stomped off to the computer room saying "dada, dada, dada". She got up here and looked around to realize that Kelly wasn't here. The crying started again. Mom suggested that I let her play in water. That worked like a charm - until she fell off the stool. Oh well. We are bound to have a few rough days!
Overall though, she really, really seems to love Kayden. The first thing she does when she gets home from being gone with one of us or when she gets up from a nap is ask to see the baby. She also shares EVERYTHING with her - even a hat and her favorite book.
Adjusting to life with two is so different that I imagined but we are having so much fun too. It certainly seems less overwhelming to parent the second one than it did the first. We are both less stressed about all the newborn care issues. In fact, the other night Kayden lost her umbilical cord. I don't know when. I called Kelly when I woke up and asked him if he had changed her diaper during the night. When he said no, I told him there was a missing cord because she had it when she went to bed and it was gone now! Gross!
We are trying really hard to make sure that Keeley still has lots of one on one time and I think that is helping her adjustment. Here are some cute pictures of the girls enjoying the weekend.
Today will be my first outing with both the girls where I actually get them out of the car. I have had two trial runs loading them into the car - one to the drive through and one to take the dogs to the vet. We'll see how getting them out of the car goes. Also, it should be interesting to see how Keeley does during Kayden's check-up.
Overall though, she really, really seems to love Kayden. The first thing she does when she gets home from being gone with one of us or when she gets up from a nap is ask to see the baby. She also shares EVERYTHING with her - even a hat and her favorite book.
Adjusting to life with two is so different that I imagined but we are having so much fun too. It certainly seems less overwhelming to parent the second one than it did the first. We are both less stressed about all the newborn care issues. In fact, the other night Kayden lost her umbilical cord. I don't know when. I called Kelly when I woke up and asked him if he had changed her diaper during the night. When he said no, I told him there was a missing cord because she had it when she went to bed and it was gone now! Gross!
We are trying really hard to make sure that Keeley still has lots of one on one time and I think that is helping her adjustment. Here are some cute pictures of the girls enjoying the weekend.
Today will be my first outing with both the girls where I actually get them out of the car. I have had two trial runs loading them into the car - one to the drive through and one to take the dogs to the vet. We'll see how getting them out of the car goes. Also, it should be interesting to see how Keeley does during Kayden's check-up.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Big Sister
Keeley is obsessed with Kayden. The other day I went in to get her up after her nap and asked her if she wanted to go see Dad or eat lunch. She said "ba" for baby so we went to see Kayden. Kayden will definitely be baby that can nurse through distraction because Keeley frequently spends Kayden's meal times "kissing" and "stroking" her head. Having a child that can nurse during distractions will be a first for me as Keeley wouldn't allow any talking while she nursed. ANY talking. That didn't mean from me, that meant from anyone around. She would pull off and look around until the talking stopped. This made for one very awkward road trip with Dave and Cara when Keeley was 3 months old. We were stopped for close to half an hour on the side of the road in pouring rain while Keeley ate. Four adults sitting in a car silent for 30 minutes while a baby nurses is a bit uncomfortable...
Anyway, Keeley is being a very sweet big sister. She's even trying to teach Kayden the arts of talking on the phone and reading.
Giving her the book and phone
Signing "more" when Kayden doesn't do anything with the gifts Keeley has shared
The phone repositioned by Keeley - as though that would help!
I've been surprised at how well Keeley is adapting to sharing me. I realize this will come in spurts, but for now (in my sleep deprived state) it is nice to not have to fight that battle. Last night we put her down early because we are AGAIN waking up between 4:45 and 5:30 on a regular basis - STUPID teeth. Anyway, after 30 minutes, she just started screaming. I went in there and she just wanted to cuddle. So, I restarted her music and rocked with her in her chair while she calmly cuddled with me. After a few minutes, she started talking. This is usually not a good sign as it means she's getting herself worked up. Last night, however, it seemed she was just talking to herself. It was very cute. She was just practicing her words. She started with "mama" and "dada" and some other common ones. Then she moved on to the ones she is working on right now like "ark" and "walk". She was just quietly repeating them to herself. So very, very cute. After about 30 minutes, I walked to her crib to lay her down. She squeezed my neck, patted my shoulder, and then let go.
Having a newborn and an almost 15 month old makes me really realize how quickly time goes by. I'm trying my absolute best to treasure all these minutes...even then ones that make me want to scream. I know it will not be long before I am looking back wondering how it is that my two babies are already in college. It will be then that I might truly miss the endless cuddling and clinging to my legs....
Anyway, Keeley is being a very sweet big sister. She's even trying to teach Kayden the arts of talking on the phone and reading.
Giving her the book and phone
Signing "more" when Kayden doesn't do anything with the gifts Keeley has shared
The phone repositioned by Keeley - as though that would help!I've been surprised at how well Keeley is adapting to sharing me. I realize this will come in spurts, but for now (in my sleep deprived state) it is nice to not have to fight that battle. Last night we put her down early because we are AGAIN waking up between 4:45 and 5:30 on a regular basis - STUPID teeth. Anyway, after 30 minutes, she just started screaming. I went in there and she just wanted to cuddle. So, I restarted her music and rocked with her in her chair while she calmly cuddled with me. After a few minutes, she started talking. This is usually not a good sign as it means she's getting herself worked up. Last night, however, it seemed she was just talking to herself. It was very cute. She was just practicing her words. She started with "mama" and "dada" and some other common ones. Then she moved on to the ones she is working on right now like "ark" and "walk". She was just quietly repeating them to herself. So very, very cute. After about 30 minutes, I walked to her crib to lay her down. She squeezed my neck, patted my shoulder, and then let go.
Having a newborn and an almost 15 month old makes me really realize how quickly time goes by. I'm trying my absolute best to treasure all these minutes...even then ones that make me want to scream. I know it will not be long before I am looking back wondering how it is that my two babies are already in college. It will be then that I might truly miss the endless cuddling and clinging to my legs....
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Week One
Kayden is officially one week old now! She is sweet as sweet can be. She spends a lot of time looking around like she is studying her surroundings - and she does this quietly. It is almost like she realizes there is already a drama queen in the house. Or, she could just be waiting to make her voice heard! ;-) She also really likes to cuddle.
Keeley is handling being a big sister SO much better than I thought she would. She really likes to "help" with Kayden as much as possible. Since I am frequently nursing or changing Kayden, Keeley spends a great deal of every day at my feet or side. Keeley is also very sweet to Kayden; she's always kissing, patting, hugging, or sharing toys with her. It is very cute. Here are some highlights of our girls this week.
Meeting Granddad
Showing off her cowgirl gear
Sweet smiles
Keeley covering up Kayden
Keeley playing at Mom's feet while she feeds Kayden
Changing Kayden's diaper
Hugs for Kayden - look at Kayden's face
Daddy and his girls
Helping Daddy change Kayden's diaper
Keeley is handling being a big sister SO much better than I thought she would. She really likes to "help" with Kayden as much as possible. Since I am frequently nursing or changing Kayden, Keeley spends a great deal of every day at my feet or side. Keeley is also very sweet to Kayden; she's always kissing, patting, hugging, or sharing toys with her. It is very cute. Here are some highlights of our girls this week.
Meeting Granddad
Showing off her cowgirl gear
Sweet smiles
Keeley covering up Kayden
Keeley playing at Mom's feet while she feeds Kayden
Changing Kayden's diaper
Hugs for Kayden - look at Kayden's face
Daddy and his girls
Helping Daddy change Kayden's diaperTuesday, June 3, 2008
Stretch Marks and 911
We are all still doing well and I will post more pictures later. Keeley is adapting MUCH better than I anticipated to having a baby sister. She's become quite the "helper" as you will see in the pictures. I just wanted to share two comical (at least I think so in my sleep deprived state...) things that happened today.
1. I realized I have stretch marks IN my belly button!!!! I didn't know that was possible. Bizarre.
2. Keeley loves to play with cell phones and Oma just bought a new one. So, we let Keeley have the old one. She was having a great time with it because it lights up and still works - it just doesn't have an actual number. This morning while Kelly was working on the computer and Keeley was playing in the study, he heard "911 can I help you? Hello? Hello?" He just hung up. I suppose they can't track you down very well if you don't actually have a phone number so no police showed up at our house. The battery has been removed from the phone. Crystal, our children should not be allowed to play together once they can talk. I can't imagine the stunts Keeley and Jackson would plan together....
1. I realized I have stretch marks IN my belly button!!!! I didn't know that was possible. Bizarre.
2. Keeley loves to play with cell phones and Oma just bought a new one. So, we let Keeley have the old one. She was having a great time with it because it lights up and still works - it just doesn't have an actual number. This morning while Kelly was working on the computer and Keeley was playing in the study, he heard "911 can I help you? Hello? Hello?" He just hung up. I suppose they can't track you down very well if you don't actually have a phone number so no police showed up at our house. The battery has been removed from the phone. Crystal, our children should not be allowed to play together once they can talk. I can't imagine the stunts Keeley and Jackson would plan together....
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