Wordless Wednesday

From Newborn to Infant

This is according to Enfamil, the makers of formula, that have suggested a different formula, the Newborn type, be used for babies up to 3 months of age. If you've seen the ad, "I'm a newborn, not an infant". Can I just say that Ben will be a newborn until he walks??? :)

So, yesterday we celebrated Ben's 3 month birthday! I took the requisite picture (see below) and we gave him a bath and a weigh in: 12lbs, 12oz. That's 6lbs over his birth weight -- way to go, buddy! He's got a healthy appetite and more than that, a precious smile and a calm demeanor...what a gift to our family. He seems to be interested more and more in toys overhead and in batting at them and holding his hands together, really getting the mid-line. This is all developmentally appropriate. He's not a big fan of tummy time...just sort of submits to it, but, it's not his favorite, by far. He has big smiles for his sister, especially when she's supplying a blanket to keep him warm.

And, ten days ago, marked Rachael's 17 month birthday! Where has our first 'newborn' gone? She is just growing and changing before our eyes! She really loves to kick a ball and crawl through tunnels in the gym at school. She's also a really good helper in the classroom -- putting things away where they belong. Can't wait til we can get her to do that at home. After school and on the weekends, she loves to play with friends -- Evan, Samantha, Emily and Claire. It's been a ton of fun to have Evan right across the street -- the two squeal when seeing each other for the first time after school. Swapping toys and going from driveway to driveway are favorite pasttimes.
When hanging with her buddy Samantha, the two like to wrestle and can be found in their booster seats screaming back and forth across the dinner table. Ahhh.....fun times! Samantha just welcomed her baby brother Jackson and we had fun getting together with Shannon, Phil, Samantha and baby Jackson...now we've gone from 4 to 8! We've doubled! It'll be exciting to see Ben and Jackson grow up so close in age...just two months apart.
Last, but not least, we celebrated Father's Day last weekend with  a very special visit from the cousins: Mary, Darren and baby Devon and Allyson, Nick, three-year-old Alex and baby Aidan! Just a year ago, Alex and Rachael were the only two on the scene. Here we are, one year later -- 5 kids 3 and under! (See the photo below!)
Nick, Darren and Mike are wonderful daddies to these children and loving husbands to us girls! We are so blessed.
We're looking forward to a 4th of July and college graduation celebration for my baby brother, Alex in northern VA with family next week -- can't wait!

Happy Summer!

They make it "all better"

You know that phrase? When you fall and scrape your knee and Mom promises to make it "all better"? Well, today was one of those days and honestly, having these sweet babies to hold made it "all better". Let me tell you about this day.....
Rachael was scheduled for a follow-up VCUG -- it's an x-ray involving a catheter and being strapped down to a narrow board while the technician fills your bladder and watches the bladder and kidneys. Needless to say, it is NOT a fun procedure, as anything that involves strapping a child down certainly isn't good.
Well, we requested that they give Rachael some light sedation to help make her more comfortable (and compliant) for this procedure. Therefore, we had three appointments today at Duke: 1) Getting the sedation -- just some valium-like medicine to help her relax (HA!) 2) the VCUG itself  and 3) the follow-up with the Urologist.
Let me give you the arranged schedule for the day:
Appt # 1: 10am.
Appt # 2: 10:45am
Appt #3: 1:20pm.

Let me tell you the ACTUAL times:
Appt #1: 11:45am - - YES -- 1 hour and 45 minutes after the scheduled start!
Appt #2: 12:30pm
Appt #3: 2:25pm

This is all the while dealing with an almost-17 month old and an 11 week old.....they don't do delays and LONG appointments. We were in 3 waiting areas, three treatment rooms, and saw two doctors and 4 technicians. The two of them were both troopers....managing as well as they could given the scenario! Mike and I were very frustrated and disappointed with the staff at Duke.....our poor Urologist, who we like very much, had to apologize profusely for the lack of service, even if it wasn't her fault.
Why am I telling you my tale of woe? For sympathy? (Well, ok, maybe a little would be nice..... :) ) but, truly, I'm really telling this story to say that these babies made this day "all better", even after all they had been through.
When we arrived home, Rachael was playing with her toys and Ben and I were sitting nearby on the floor. She came over and turned her back to us and backed her little rear end right up to my cross-legged lap and said "sit down" on her way there. (Luckily, I shifted baby brother out the way, just in time!) She then put her head back on my chest, fingers in her mouth and cuddled in to me. At that moment...holding both babies in my arms....giving them each kisses on their sweet heads...all of the day's chaos and craziness melted away. They make it "all better" and make each day, no matter how nutty, the best day anyway.
Sweet Rachael and Ben....I hope you know and that I tell you and SHOW you how much you mean to me, each and every day. I am honored to be your Mom...there's no better thing on earth!