2 Months Old

I can hardly believe that Madeline turned two months old on the 21st. Time has flown by since her arrival. She has changed so much too!!! She continues to get heavier and is filling out. She no longer has that lanky new born look. I can barely carry the car seat carrier and pray that she doesn't outgrow it before she can sit up on her own. I definitely look forward to her "well baby check-up" on May 3rd, as I can't wait to find out how much she weighs. Madeline has started making some interesting "cooing" noises, and she smiles often. She tries very hard to hold that heavy head up for extended periods of time. We bought her a Bumbo seat the other day and can't wait until she can sit in it (3 months and up). Hannah grows increasingly helpful, wiping Madeline's face, fetching things, re-inserting the "passy," and even recently helped feed Madeline a bottle while I was trying to get an early dinner on the table one busy evening. I pump so Madeline can have a bottle at church or if we are eating out, and we noticed that she is now inhaling the 4-5 ounce bottles (drinking them dry), so I may move to the 6-8 ounce bottles. She is definitely a growing girl! Madeline has begun sleeping about 6 hours straight at night-- with a lot of help from Mommy (giving her the "passy" over and over for about the last 30 minutes). So, on a good night, I get about 5 hours of virtual uninterrupted sleep. We're getting there!

Hannah absolutely loves Madeline, and I so enjoy seeing her interact with her baby sister. Madeline gets a big smile on her face when Hannah talks to her. I can't wait until Madeline starts laughing at her very silly big sister. God has truly blessed us with two very special girls!


Hannah and Madeline model their initial shirts from Emely Polhill (Clewiston). Very cute!!! Thanks Miss Emely!


Madeline trying to lean forward and sit up.

We Are Alive And Well

Hello blog world! We are alive and well . . . just super busy. I plan to update my blog tonight while (God willing) the little ones sleep. So, check back in.

Here are some pictures of Hannah's most recent (shorter) haircut . . . to keep you satiated. Haha!

Pajama Party

It was cold and cloudy yesterday. So, after we had already showered, dressed, and run errands, Hannah and I decided we would have a pajama party. Everyone (including Madeline) put on some fleece PJ's, and then Hannah and I enjoyed some Ben & Jerry's ice cream. It was a small and very silly thing, but we had so much fun!

Like Daughter, Like Mother

I've lost at least four inches!!! No, not off of my waistline . . . off of my hair. I have felt sort of frumpy lately, and haven't sported a short "doo" in three years; so, I got my locks lopped on Monday. Hannah and I now share the same hair style, which she thinks is quite cool! I am pleased to have a style that requires less time with the hair dryer and makes me feel perky.

Eyebrows

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Quick Trip To SC

Good Friday was a paid holiday for Jonathan (at the Imagination Station), so we decided to take a quick trip to Boiling Springs to see his family. We had not been to Spartanburg since Christmas of '05, so it was nice to head that direction for a change. Hannah was so excited to see her cousin Philip. They had so much fun playing together. We were glad that Kim, Matthew, and Philip could finally meet Madeline as well. Kim is in the final stages of her pregnancy and has not been able to travel.

Hannah and Philip kept us entertained--singing, dancing, and generally being very funny. Grandma served all of our favorite meals and treated us to ice cream (picture above) on the warmest afternoon-- I think the high was 60 degrees (haha!). The girls also had a chance to visit with their Great Aunt Elise, cousin Mollie and her husband Michael. Our visit was short, but it was a much needed trip.

Mommy and Hannah being girly! The azaleas are beautiful right now!

Hannah and Philip bundled up for a ride on Grandma's John Deer. What can I say . . . we're simple folk!!! Haha.

Uncle Matthew pulls the trailer of tots (the kid kind--not the potato kind).

Madeline snuggles Great Aunt Elise.

Hannah and Philip work on an Easter activity/lesson with Aunt Kim. It was a neat activity that illustrated Jesus' burial and resurrection. The important part-- both Philip and Hannah were talking all afternoon about how Jesus is not dead, he's alive!

Uncle Matthew works hard to keep Madeline awake.

Philip wrestles with Uncle Jonathan.

6 Weeks Old And Oh So Big!

Madeline turned 6 weeks old on Monday. I can't believe so much time has passed since we brought our sweet baby girl home from the hospital. She is growing and changing so fast. It seems to be going by faster than it did with Hannah. Madeline is already out of her 0-3 month clothes (which never really fit her well) and is now wearing 3-6 month clothes and some socks I dug out of Hannah's clothing box marked 9 months (Hannah had tiny feet though).

We are working toward getting Madeline on a schedule of feeding, wake-time, lay down for a nap. She still won't go much longer than 3-4 hours at night-- the girl likes to eat!!! Madeline started smiling (intentionally) over a week ago, and she has begun to make some cute noises. She's a cutie pie and we love her bunches. I thank God daily for my beautiful sweet girls!


Madeline and big sister.




The tail end of a smile . . . they're hard to catch!


First nap in her crib (she still sleeps in her pack 'n play in our room).

Some tummy time.

Starfall

Playing on the computer is one of Hannah's favorite things to do these days. A friend of mine who home schools her four children told me about Starfall, a website that allows children to learn their letters, sounds, form words, and learn to read. Hannah only uses the "ABC" section right now. Jonathan and I are amazed as we watch her move through the program on her own, clicking the mouse and following instructions all by herself. She really has the hang of it.

Hannah earns computer time by completing a row on her "NO accidents" potty chart-- something we had to resort to recently when she completely reverted to infancy (peeing and pooping in her panties because she quote "wanted to"). We were told by my OB and pediatrician that this would happen when the baby came home, and low and behold . . . it did. However, we have had several weeks with no accidents and she has told me twice today when she had to go--hip hip hooray!!! It seems earning computer time is just the right motivator. Who would have thought a 2 1/2 year old would be using the computer? My how times have changed. If you have a tot, check out "Starfall."