Mr. Holden

Other than the occasional cough and runny nose, up to this point Holden has been a very healthy little baby. He started running a fever Saturday afternoon and it was up and down all thru Tuesday morning. He wasn't acting too awfully fussy, but the poor guy just felt like he was burning up. Unfortunately, he does not take after his sister with how well she takes medicine (I now appreciate that she is/was like that!). We were alternating Motrin/Tylenol to try and keep the fever down and keep him comfortable, but this little guy just does not like medicine. He would see it coming and would literally pucker up his lips and spit it out. Or if I did get it in his mouth, he would gag and throw some of it up. Then you have the question of how much medicine he actually got and whether or not you should give him a little more. Anyway, I took him to the doctor on Monday and it turns out that he has an ear infection and probably an upper respiratory infection. So now we have antibiotics to get down him twice a day.... what a challenge that is! The only way I have found that works is to give it to him when I'm feeding him, so I sneak a little in between bites. He still gags, but most of it is going down!

Interestingly enough, I was giving Holden some Tylenol after leaving the doctor's office on Monday and I saw that he finally has a tooth coming in on the bottom, yay! The letter to santa asking for teeth must've done the trick! Then later that same day he also finally started getting up on his knees, he hadn't even been doing that yet. Now he is already on the verge of taking off. Now I'm rethinking my desire for him to finally start crawling! He also weighed 17lbs. 10oz. at his doctor appointment... my little man is growing!

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve! I am so excited to celebrate our first Christmas as a family of four. Having kids at Christmas brings back all the magic of the holidays that I remember as a kid. Our celebrations start tonight and last thru Saturday... the house will probably look like a tornado went thru by Saturday night!

Merry Christmas to everyone!!

More Christmas stuff

I've gotten behind, so this is my attempt to catch up...

Macy and Holden had their first Christmas program at daycare a couple weeks ago. As much as I like to think that Macy has star quality, this event only confirmed that she won't be the next American Idol anytime soon. I don't know if it was all the people or what, but Macy had a meltdown and was crying off to the side. Luckily her teacher was able to calm her down, but Macy pretty much stayed off to the side and didn't really do any singing to speak of. That's okay, I just felt bad for her. She did have fun though!

Macy showing off her antlers they made from her handprints.













Holden showing off his antlers... made from his tiny footprints.













Santa made a stop after the Christmas program, but Macy wanted nothing to do with him. As you can see, Holden wasn't so sure either!













We also went to the Breakfast with Santa event. I warned Macy in advance that this would probably be the last time that she got to see santa this year so she knew this was her last opportunity to let the big guy know what she wanted for Christmas. She didn't actually sit on his lap, but she did stand by him and even told him she wanted a baby doll for Christmas. Holden was really smiley so we were able to get a good picture - yay!















This was actually a spontaneous picture... we went to my dad and step-mom's after breakfast with santa and so I had my camera on me. How awesome is that... I was dreading trying to get a good pic for our Christmas cards this year!

















My little present.













Then my other present decided that looked like fun, so she needed to do it too.













Then daddy decided we couldn't leave Lexi out.

God is in Effingham?

Okay so I know that God is actually everywhere, but it caught me off guard yesterday when Macy asked me if God was in Effingham. We had just gotten back from taking Holden to the doctor there, so I assumed that's where it came from. Well then she says that Mary is there... I assumed she was talking about Mary from daycare and thought that was a little odd. Then she adds that Joseph is there too. That's when it clicked... she was talking about Bethlehem, not Effingham!

Santa Day

On Saturday, I (with the help of my mom - thanks mom!) took the kids to Santa Day at Lincoln Trail. I had never been to this event before, but Macy really had fun. She got to make some ornaments, decorate and eat a sugar cookie, get her face painted, make some reindeer food, and have a balloon flower made for her. Oh, and of course we can't forget that she got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus too. She was all stoked about seeing the big guy, but of course when it was her turn she got scared and wouldn't even make eye contact with him let alone tell him what she wanted for Christmas. So I just plopped Holden on Mrs. Claus' lap and snapped a pic. I'm surprised she even half smiled in it.

Then later while we were doing the other activities, she kept asking about Santa and saying she wanted to see him. This is exactly how it went last year... all excited about seeing him until the actual moment arrives. Last year we were walking away from him when she apparently realized she better tell him what she wanted, so she yelled back to him that she wanted a baby doll. So far this year she hasn't been quite as specific in her Christmas request, she says she wants candy and toys. I'm pretty sure santa will be able to deliver on that!

Macy showing off her balloon flower and candy cane on her cheek. Neither lasted much longer after the picture was taken.
















I'm really excited for Christmas this year... it is going to be so much fun with two kiddos!

I'm thankful...

• for a supportive and loving husband that is always there for me no matter what (even when I wreck the van!)


• for two of the most beautiful and loving kids a mom could ask for


• for wonderful friends and family
  
• that no one was hurt in the accident (see previous post for info if you missed it)


• for DVR... seriously, this is a life changing invention people!


• for Netflix... Shanon and I have 'date night' every Friday after the kids are in bed thanks to this gem.

On a more serious note... I don't understand why, but God has and continues to bless me more than I deserve. It's easy to let the day-to-day activities get you down, but when you take a step back and think about the big picture, does all that really matter? This holiday I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and remembering just how much I have to be thankful for and to give all the thanks to God.

The curse of the van

Well, I did it. On exactly the one month anniversary of purchasing the van, I wrecked it. Yep, yesterday I rear ended a car at one of the bagillion construction sites between Oblong and Robinson. Aside from being shaken up and severly embarrassed (thankfully no one was hurt), it got me thinking. I've only had this darn van for one month and so far:

• After having it for a week, it died on me twice and had to be towed to Mattoon for the dealership to fix it. Apparently the fuel pump had come loose and was leaking fuel... can you say scary?!


• Saturday morning one of the tires was completely flat, it apparently had a nail in it.


• The accident yesterday.

A couple other fun facts:

• The man that came to tow the van yesterday was the same one that fixed the flat tire on Saturday... of course he recognized me. I really wanted to melt into the pavement.


• We had just increased our insurance deductibles a couple weeks ago since "we never use it anyway". Seriously, is somebody laughing at me up there?

Did I also mention that I was just coming off a two day migraine 'episode' and that I was headed from work to Newton to have 'Thanksgiving lunch' at daycare with Macy? Talk about a gynormous case of mommy guilt for missing that! I tried to make amends with a quick trip to DQ that afternoon. Surely she won't be scarred for life.

Maybe this van thing just isn't meant to be for me? Or maybe just this specific van is cursed? Either way, surely things can only get better from here on out! Embarrassment aside, I'm just very grateful that no one was hurt!

Joining the rest of the universe

Alright already, I caved. I was really thinking about trying to be the very last person on the planet to join Facebook... then I found out that even my mom has a page and is in fact giving me updates about MY friends via Facebook. I love ya mom, but something is wrong with that picture. So.... between that and constant prodding from pretty much anyone with a pulse, I got a wild hair and decided to finally join Facebook. Crazy, I know.

So now someone needs to teach me what the heck to do. The word on the street is that 'the wall' is where it's at... whatever that means. Now somebody be my friend please!

Weight update

I forgot to post an update about Holden's weight gain. I took him back to the doctor's office last week for a weight check since his growth had slowed down. At his appointment a month earlier his weight was 15lbs. 4oz. and this time he was at 16lbs. 10oz., so he's growing just fine. About a week before I took him back, he finally started eating more and I could tell he was getting heavier and fuller looking in the face. Several people have even commented lately about his double chin!

Unfortunately, now that he's eating more he has acquired a new problem... a going #2 problem. He's had a few instances of crying because it hurts and when he does go, it is usually hard. We never had this problem with Macy, so it's new to us. I've been told to give him Pedialyte, but he won't drink it. We have fed him prunes (yuck!), which he actually will eat, and that does seem to help. He also has a cold now, which not only means a runny nose, but also leaky eyes. So those sweet slobbery kisses now include snot and eye gook. You feel like you've just taken a bath afterwards, but really you now need one... gotta love it!

Say your prayers

The other night we were all at the table getting ready to have supper when Macy announced out of nowhere that she wanted a new baby. Then she got more specific and said she wanted a baby girl named Megan... just like MacKenzie (her friend at daycare who has a sister named Megan). I thought it was funny and wasn't sure how to respond, so I told her that she needed to talk to God about that because babies are gifts from God. So then she decided to say the prayer before we ate. She thanked God for the food and various other things that I couldn't understand, then added that she wanted a baby sister named Megan, Amen. So cute.

She really is such a great big sister to Holden. She makes him laugh all the time and this morning she ran off with a tissue and I found her in Holden's room trying to wipe his nose because she noticed he was in dire need of being wiped up (he has a cold and both eyes and his nose are like faucets). Those two are really going to have some fun times together in the future!

Mouseketeers

We had a Mickey and Minnie Mouse for Halloween this year.



























Macy was super excited about Halloween this year. All month long she had been asking when it was gonna be Halloween and was practicing trick-or-treating with her friends at daycare. This was the first year that we actually went to houses other than just grandparents. She wasn't so sure about that at first, but once she realized they were all giving her candy, she was completely cool with it.


































Later, we met up with Terry, Kathy, Trent, and Gracie and went together up and down the street at mom's. The kids had a ball (especially when Macy got to see her bud Payton Harris) and it reminded me of the good ol' days when I did the same thing with my cousins. Macy is already looking forward to Halloween next year and I think we probably have enough candy to last until then!

30 and a van

Yes, I'm admitting that I turned the big 3-0 yesterday. Even more than that, I'm admitting that I am now the owner of a mini-van. As if entering my thirties wasn't enough, I had to go and relinquish any iota of coolness that my Camry with two kiddos in the back gave me. I don't think it means that I've "given up", just that I now see the value in having more space since the crumb catchers take up so much of it. I'm not sure that turning 30 and buying a van at the same time was the greatest idea I've ever had (where the heck did all those wrinkles come from?!), but hey, there are worse things.

So, the next time you see me crusin' in my green Town & Country with the windows down (one of the kids and/or Shanon probably ripped one) and the music cranked (probably rockin' out to a little 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' action)... just remember I'm still super cool!

Look alikes?

Macy and Holden at six months... do you think they look much alike?

Half Birthday

Holden is six months old now and getting cuter by the minute.

The latest:

• He's a rolly polly little guy, making the trek from one side of the living room to the other.
• He's still wobbly on the whole sitting thing.
• He is babbling and squealing more than ever.
• He's a belly sleeper. I put him to bed on his back, but almost always find him on his tummy in the morning. He's mobile enough now that I don't worry about it too much... plus he's sleeping thru the night more often now, so maybe that's the reason!
• He is so funny when he gets excited, he gives a bunch of laughs/squeals while flapping his arms and rubbing his feet together... similar to what his big sis used to do. He is rarely sitting still, always moving and squirming around.
• He still loves to giggle and his favorite source of entertainment is Macy. His eyes light up when she's 'performing' for him. You don't even have to tickle him, just do something silly and he will belly laugh if he's in the right mood... SO cute.
• He's enthralled with Lexi (our Yorkie) these days and loves to watch her.
• He is eating baby food now and so far is a huge fan of carrots and squash and insists on 'helping' mommy with the feeding. Often times I have to literally pry the spoon out of his hands so that he doesn't gag himself.

Some recent cute pics:

His six month check up was on Monday and he weighed 15lbs. 4oz. which puts him down to the 11th percentile. I was concerned that he hadn't been putting on as much weight as he was previously (at his 2 month check up he was over the 40th%) because he still isn't a big eater during the day at daycare. They told me to come back in a month for a weight check. Other than that, he's doing just great!














Here are a couple of other random photos. I had to throw in a rare pic of me and the kids... I need to do better with getting in the pictures.















Daddy and Macy had some fun with play-doh one day.

Preschool

I know, I know... this is WAY late, but nevertheless my little angel started preschool last month and I still have the need to share, late or not. Unlike most of the other blogs I had read posting about the teary-eyed transition as their little one went off to school for the first time, Macy's first day of preschool was pretty much like any other day, plus a new backpack. She goes to preschool at daycare, so the 'big change' consisted of moving to a new room. She was disappointed when I told her she didn't get to ride a bus. Of course I'm okay with the lack of change because it makes it easier on me... maybe I'll save the tears for kindergarten!


























I did get some pictures, but as you can see Macy was in her typical foul morning mood (I just don't know where she gets that from!) and wouldn't give up a smile to save her life. You'd think she was headed to a torture chamber... how sad are those faces! As you can see there's no fancy schmancy new school outfit for her... that thing would get trashed in a second at daycare! So hello hand-me-downs and garage sale finds! Dave Ramsey would approve anyway.

An important detail I didn't know about before preschool started.... it's in the afternoon. No nap + 3 year old = craziness Macy is a girl that really needs her naps (I don't know where she gets that from either!), so this has been a rather difficult transition. I think it was on day three... we get home and I unbuckle her and get her out of the car. She starts in with the whining and does the limp noodle thing and so I let her throw her little fit on the ground while I go around and get Holden and my other stuff and go inside. After I put everything down and let the dog out, I open the garage door and yell for Macy because I don't see her.... she doesn't answer so I walk out into the garage and see her still laying on the floor of the garage where I had left her to have her fit. I am not happy that she is laying on that dirty floor so I yell at her to get up off that disgusting floor and come inside. No response.














So I march over to her and this is what I find...


























Yes, I found her asleep on the garage floor and yes I immediately felt guilty for yelling at her. Then I did what any mom would do, I got the camera. After snapping a few, I then carried her inside and put her in bed. She slept all night, thru supper, only waking to get a drink and use the restroom. We even had to wake her the next morning. That poor girl was tired! We haven't had any more nights like that, but we shoot for a bedtime of 7:30 now. This really makes the evenings fly by.

Macy really enjoys preschool though and feels like such a big girl. It is so cute hearing her recite the pledge of allegiance as well as some of the songs they sing at school. Who knew Miss Mary Mack would still be all the rage with the preschool set. Our little girl is growing up!

Benefit on Saturday

I posted previously about Shanon's mom, Glenda, recently having a hysterectomy due to uterine cancer, so I just wanted to let everyone know that there is a benefit on Saturday (tomorrow) for her to help with medical expenses.

There are lots of things planned:

• A meal at the Lion's Club in Noble, serving from 12-4pm.
• A poker run in Clay City at the 111 Club, sign in is 11-12, leaving at 12:15.
• An auction that evening as well as a DJ at the 111 Club.

If you're looking for something to do, come on out!

Pics

Here are some miscellaneous pics that I thought were too cute not to share:



























I thought this one was funny because it looks like he's trying to pose Macy's face... finally telling her what to do for a change!














Yet another pic of Holden with a "I'm not so sure about this mom" face.














Is it just me or does that face look ornery?!






































My little man is turning into a big man so quickly these days. He's rolling all over the place and is already so squirmy on the changing table like he wants to roll right off! He is still such a good boy and has been giving mommy more sleep-filled nights lately!

Child abuse?

Some may call this child abuse, I call it being economical.

It's really called child #1 was a girl and 'needed' pink things. Child #2 is a boy and inherited those pink things. I still think he's cute!

New Toy

Last weekend Shanon went and bought a new toy...

I know, I was also surprised that it wasn't a toy for him! He actually first bought a bike seat for Macy, but upon trying to attach it to his bike, he learned that it wouldn't work. You see, since he is an avid bicyclist,complete with spandex shorts and everything.... okay I'm kidding, but for some reason he couldn't have just your regular old Wal-Mart mountain bike, he had to have a 'professional' grade bicycle that you can't attach things like seats for kids to ride in.... why think of the wind resistance that would create!

So anyway he came home with this bike trailer and at first I was skeptical, but after giving it a go myself (see below), I was impressed with how smooth it is. I could hardly tell I was pulling anything... unless you're going uphill.

I don't think Macy really understood what it was at first, but she really liked her helmet and after going for a ride, she really like riding in it.

So guess what else these fancy bicycles don't have.... kickstands! I know, I couldn't believe it either! Shanon asked me to help him by holding the bike so he could adjust something and that's when I discovered this. This makes it interesting to try and get Macy out of the trailer without dumping the 'fancy' bike over. I don't have a bicycle yet, but you can bet mine will be a good ol' Wal-Mart cheapie complete with kickstand!

4 months

Yes, yes, I know this is late, but I figure better late than never. Holden is 4 months old, almost 14 lbs. and over 25 inches now. Although he has and can roll over, most times he still gets stuck on his arm. He recently discovered his voice and is making all kinds of loud, funny noises now. He is also noticing he has two feet down there and trying to get at them. We've put him in the Bumbo seat several times now and he seems to enjoy it.















I know I've said it before, but he is just so darn sweet. There is nothing better than when he is naked on the changing table and and I tickle his little belly... he is very ticklish and just giggles and giggles. He even thinks his sister is pretty funny most times.

We tried rice cereal this weekend and as you can see he decided we should wait a little longer before trying that crazy stuff again.

















He has been sleeping better the past few nights, so mommy is hopeful that it will continue. He's really getting into that stage I just love where he is always doing and discovering new things and he's just so sweet that it's hard to not hug/squeeze/kiss part or all of him all the time!! Here's to four more months of loving my little man!

Bubby and Sissy

Just wanted to share some sweet pics of the dynamic duo. Macy has really started taking her role as a big sister seriously lately. On Saturday, she was making trips back and forth from Holden's room to the living room bringing toys to him which was very cute. She also always makes sure to notify me when he's crying (as if I hadn't already noticed) and she loves to cuddle up next to him in bed.

Can you tell they're related??

The white flag of surrender

I give up! :)















There is just something about my kids that causes them to have a strong urge to suck, just not on a pacifier. Oh well... there are definitely worse things. I'm just glad to have my happy baby boy!














Some new 'Macyisms':

She crawled into bed with us Saturday morning and was apparently looking at the back of Shanon's head because I heard her say, "Daddy, your hair is getting white... you need to wash it." Poor guy!

Tonight I heard her talking about her right hand, so I quizzed her and asked which was her right hand, then which was her left. She pointed to the correct hand both times. Then she proudly pointed to her chest and said "this is my right boobie and this is my left boobie". At least she got it right I guess!