"Sit down John!".....says Grace.

I love this!! The other day Grace spotted the boppy's in the closet. Duh,,,,, why didn't I think of this!! She wanted me to get them down. So I did! I put them in her room. She sat in the purple - one and then pointed to the green one and said, " Sit down John!". It was sooooo cute! I said ok... this is John's seat. So now every time we go to her room she will tell him to sit down. He loves it!He will just sit and look around. It actually works out really well b/c not only is he using his neck/back/stomach muscles, he does last a long time in it. Just what I needed!!! :-)

Today

This was today..... in the morning. They were both fed, changed, and ready to head out the door. Guess what time it was.... YUP 7:30. We are early risers. I realized a while back that I'm not one of those moms who ounge around until late in the morning. Even when it was just Grace we were both dressed and ready by 7. I know- sounds early. But once they are up- I like to get the day started. It's been a good routine for us. John gets up first and I get him all ready. Then Grace gets up, and then it's her turn to get ready. It just works. PLUS- now that school started- traffic is much heavier. We have to leave the house by at least 8 to beat some of the traffic. It's still heavy though. John and I went to the gym again. I love it b/c they have those TV monitors that you can watch if you want to while you work out. SO I just keep checking on him while I'm trying to get a workout in. Today one of the ladies just held him the whole time. He loved watching the bigger kids play. This is good for him. Even when he is hear- if i hold him up to watch Grace- he will just stare the whole time with an occasional smile. SOOOO cute!! Today I got Grace's first fund raiser for school. I thought it was funny to give this age one- since it pretty much means here parents go out and sell. But whatever- I guess they have to include the little ones. See her school is infant - 7th grade, so it's pretty big. But it doesn't feel too big. Just right I guess. She will be REALLY ready for school now :). Ok- time to relax!!!

Healthy Boy

I just had to post a belly shot. He is just so cute naked!!! He looks so chunky and yet he is such a picky eater. He still sometimes goes 6 hours before he eats. Like today for instance,,,, he ate at 9:00- and then would not eat again until 3:30!!! I don't know... just when Grace becomes a good eater, this one is picky. At least it's not everyday that he does this, just some days.

Today

We had a great day today. Our first day with an official routine. Well..... kind of that is!! Here is how the day went. John and I usually end up sleeping downstairs half the night. He is not the best sleeper still- so he ends up sleeping on me so that we can both get a little sleep- anyway- he wakes up at 7. I know Grace will soon wake up so I try to have him fed, changed, and dressed before she wakes up. YUP- I did!!! He was happy and just smiling at me when i heard Grace. SO I run up stairs- get her, bring her down with us, and let her watch a show of some sort. She usually watches "Bible". It's the Bible on DVD with songs and such. Anyway- then she has her breakfast and "coffee". (Carnation milk- yippy she drinks milk now). OK so after the two of them are fed, changed, and dressed- I start the loading process. I pack her lunch, load him in his car seat, put her shoes on and out the door we go!!! John and I dropped her off at school and off to the gym we went. Oh and she only cried for a second. See they had the week off last week- so I expected her to cry- but she stopped right away. Anyway- I decided to take John with me to the gym. I knew he would be fine while I ran for 30 minutes..... and he was. He did great. He was awake and just cooed and smiled the whole time. Hmmmmmm perhaps he just likes to be out and about. So after I ran we both came home. We read books, did tummy time, spent some QT together, he ate, slept, and then I took a shower. It was really nice to have extra time with him. We soon left to get Grace. That was pretty much our morning. It went well. I just hope it's like this everyday!!! It went smooooooth..!!! I love this cool weather. I missed the seasons when I was in Texas. MI weather is still my FAV!!!! OK that's all today. I need some Zzzzzzzzz............

Awe.... Aren't they cute!!!

Grace and John are doing good. John has his days still. He is a little better at times, but still a fussy boy. We went to the Lake house to be with my family on Saturday. Man.... I love being so close. We left and came home all in the same day. I JUST LOVE IT!!! Grace loves being around her cousins, grandparents, and aunts. I am so thankful to be in MI. Anyway- she had off all week of school. Tomorrow is her first day back since a week ago. I am sure she will be glad to be back and kept busy. I am tempting to take John to the gym tomorrow if he eats ok and sleeps ok. We will see. The gym I go to is busy- but the childcare is not. I think he will be ok for a 1/2 hour while I run really quick. I have a wedding in November to get in shape for. Good motivation :)!!! Other than that, I;m going to try really hard to establish a good routine here now that we are all alone. We will see how it goes. These two kids are keep me busy- but I need to get them structured. OK that's all for now!!!

Hang On John!!!

I had to buy one of these to carry John around in when Grace needs me too. It works pretty good. Grace wanted to wear it and put John in it. NOPE!! I told her he was way too heavy for her. It's day 2 that Adeyiza's mom left. We do miss the extra help, but things are going pretty good. I am trying to get them on a routine. Grace didn't have school all week b/c they are cleaning- so it's been busy. John is doing SOOOOO much better. Eating, sleeping, and pooping on his own. Oh and did I mention that Grace is drinking milk now? Ok I have to add that instant carnation breakfast to it, but it's packed full with vitamins- so it's all good. She calls it her coffee. I am so glad. She is a great eater now too. I used to struggle to get her to eat. But now she will eat most things with no fuss. I am glad she is growing up in that area. It gets hard when she is difficult to deal with on top of John. BUT things are going much better with the two of them. We are going to my parents lake house tomorrow for a cook out. Pretty soon it will be cold.... so we are enjoying this hot weather while it lasts!!!

Gamma!!!

Gamma is what Grace calls Grandma Momoh. It's so cute!!! She has been with us since the 1st of August. I do feel spoiled. Especially in the mornings. She wakes up extra early to let me go to sleep. She's also had her hands full while I go out and about every morning. I leave to take Grace to school, go to the gym, go run errands and/or shop, and then come home. I will miss those days of running around alone. And of course her cooking is GREAT! Our freezer is packed for at least 2 months - maybe even longer. It helps me so much - especially those nights when they both want me around dinner time. I can just pull some food out and that's that!! Anyway it's been nice, but I'm sure she is missed at home. I just love how John smiles now at us. It's so cute!! I love this stage - well I love all stages I guess!! That's why we are going to have 3 more kids. :)

Baby John

John is doing much better!! He ate well today and last night. He didn't cry as much today. Wow- does it make a big difference when he is calm. See... when he cries.. Grace usually gets upset in some form. If I have to leave her to tend to John... she becomes very NAUGHTY!! She will start throwing stuff on the floor and yell "Uh OH" over and over again until I give her some attention. That's the mild version. She does things that I will not even mention. Anyway- she will just have to learn that I have to help John too. OH and she got invited to a birthday party today. I was so excited. We are planning on going to the party. It's actually right by our condo. I knew she would be a popular kid. LOL just joking!!!

John's 2 Month Check Up!

Doesn't he look just so happy, sweet, and problem free? Ha Ha Ha!! NOT!!!! OK although it could ALWAYS be worse...........John sure is giving us trouble. Poor baby though- they don't know what's going on either I guess. 2 weeks ago it was reflux...well that's gone. Then it switched to having problems passing stool (I guess that's how I say it properly). We would have to help him each time. Then he stopped eating. I mean just refused a bottle and nursing all together. It was going on 26 hours- with nothing but s few sips b/c I shoved some down his throat. I called the doctor the day of his 2 month check up to see if I had to take him to the ER- but he said just wait 2 hours and bring him to his check up. OK...I thought. Oh and did I mention that every night he is very colic. Just cries and cries and cries. So at this point- I am just a bit frustrated- sad- overwhelmed- confused- and you know all the above!! Now - he does has moments when he is super good and just seems as happy as can be, but shortly after "something" will come up. It's weird b/c when we have people over or sometimes travel- he is good. Everyone is like what are you talking about???? But seriously, he is a hard baby. OK anyway-- so I took him to his appointment and of course he is happy- cooing- smiling- kicking- all the things that doctors check to see if they can do- he is doing. So while I'm explaining what's going on- he's probably thinking this lady is nuts. This baby is fine!! HA HA! So he checked him out- talked to me about a few things to try- and then I was pretty much told that I may just have a fussy baby. Great... I thought!! I'd rather it be a fussy baby than something wrong. So I took him home.... and guess what??? He ate, pooped, and cooed all night. I thought to myself Am I Going Nuts? But for real- he NOW is getting a little better. He ate ok today and last night- so I am so thankful for this sudden change. I hope it lasts b/c with Grace still wanting her mama ALL THE TIME .... it's gets kind of stressful. Oh and his weight is 12.6. So he is a healthy boy !! Oh and the blanket behind him was made by my grandma.

Grace and John...... Awe~~!!

Don't they both look so cute and sweet????? Well..........don't let the "look" fool ya!! Ha ha!! John is still a fussy boy. We thought he was over it b/c he had one great day... but NOPE!! He will just cry and cry for a while. It's usually at night- but sometimes during the day too. I hope he grows out of this colic behavior. It gets exhausting. Anyway- other than that his reflux is better (if not gone) and he is doing better with his bowels. Grace is still doing great at school. She asked to go today. Sorry Grace!! Oh and she is eating so good there and now at home. For those of you that know- I was having such a hard time with her wanting to eat food. She was just wanting baby food. Anyway- that's not even an issue any more. She is also sleeping through the night. 2 weeks before John came she was starting to sleep longer with out getting up. So do the math.... yes we've had lots of sleepless nights long before John came. She will now sleep from 9 to 7. However- she will get up at 5 and then 6ish- but if we pat her back to sleep she will last until 7ish. That's a HUGE improvement. Anyway- that's about it with them. We still have Adeyiza's mom here and his sister with her little boy. So it's been pretty busy!!!

Big Smile!!

John is really starting to smile more and more. If you get close and make faces while talking in a high pitch voice - he will smile!! It's so cute!! You forget how exciting each stage is with your 2nd baby. I just love it!! He is doing good. Still very fussy though. Yesterday he had a great day. But today he only at a total of 7 oz and cried a lot. It's sometimes frustrating- but what can you do!?!

Name that part!!

Grace loves to name all of John's body parts. It's so cute!! He doesn't seem to ever mind. Good boy John!!!

I Am 2 Months Old Today!!

Where does the time go???? I can't believe John is already 2 months old. He is doing much better with his eating, sleeping, and bowels. We just continue to pray he keeps up the good work.

My Two Little Busy Bees!!!

Wow- these days fly by. These two keep things moving. John has had a little trouble going poo poo and didn't eat all night one night- but things are better now. He is still a fussy baby. I used to think he was my perfect angel... NOPE! He doesn't nap for more than 20 minutes at a time, he is restless for most of the night, and he is a bit colic at night (and early in the morning). So between him and Grace- this house gets crazy sometimes. It's good thing Grace gets to leave for a few hours a day. For her sake and mine!! John does have his good days. He's not too bad everyday- just for the most part.

Now for Grace!! She loves going to school. NO TEARS this whole week!! YIPPY !!! I was so happy on Tuesday when I took her and she didn't cry at all. It's probably because John was crying all morning and she was ready to get out of the house. Ha ha. Sometimes I will peek through the door to spy on Grace at school. She is so cute. I watch her eat lunch with all of her friends. It looks like they have a good time together. After they finish, they are expected to clear the table. She takes her plate, silverware, and cup over to the dirty dishes bin. Then she pushes in her chair and walks over to her backpack. She puts her lunch box in her bag- and looks up to see me. "Mama, Mama!" She always says. I give her a big hug and kiss and say, "OK let's go home!! Did you have fun at school?" I say the same thing everyday. (routine talk) I am so happy to always see that she ate all of her lunch. The first couple days she didn't, but now she does. The teacher told me that she does eat it all and that most of the kids do b/c they watch each other. This is great since we've had issues with her eating prior to this.So.... that's all for now. The kids are in bed- so I better get what I can.

Pool Fun

We got Grace a mini pool to keep cool in. She loves it!!! On those hot days we needed something to do while keeping cool. This works for now. OK they are both sleeping- I guess I should try to get some Zzzzzz's myself.

First Sleep Over

Cousin Kaitlyn stayed the night with Grace a few weekends ago. They had a blast. They played, snacked, and giggled all night. We love being so close to family and friends. Today we went to play with my friend Sally's kids. We now had 3 play dates with them. She has almost 3 year old twins and a 5 year old. They all play great together. I will take my camera next time we go. I love keeping Grace busy and social. :-)

Updates.....

They are both sleeping. Ahhhhh peaceful. Maybe I should be sleeping.... Oh no... I'd rather keep everyone posted about what's been going on. Just in case you were wondering :)

Grace is doing great at school. The first day was so hard for me. I cried the night before- the way there- and when I dropped her off. I tried to hold it in- and I did for a minute while I took her in- but lost it right after. I called around 10 to check on her and the teacher said she was having fun and did a great job. The second and third day- was again great. Today she said, "WOW- she talks!" Ha ha I said. Yes- she is a motor mouth but if she doesn't know you , she won't say a word. At home she is none stop talking- but seriously- when we are around anyone she doesn't know- it takes a while for her to open up. Well sometimes that is. Some people get her to talk right away. Anyway- I am sooooo glad I decided to do this. The time does go fast- and they've already done so many projects and activities.

Oh and I forgot to mention that she does eat lunch while she's there as well. I love this because she is eating at a table with other kids and one adult. I pack it in her Dora lunch box everyday. I I then put it in her Dora back pack and off she goes. Today she was saying, "School, school!" So we went early. Of course she cried when I dropped her off, but I watch- it only lasted 2 seconds then she started playing.

John is doing better. Still very fussy- but he seems to be having quiet times now during the day. He finally went poo poo. 2 days of no poop scared me. But today he went!!! YIPPY. He is cooing, smiling, and staying awake more. He is not a napper. He lasts about 30 minutes tops. Which is not the best thing- but what can you do !!!

ME- I've been doing fine. I went and joined a gym today. I can't wait to start working out again!! Soon enough... I will start on Tuesday. I better do it now that I have extra help. :)

John, John, John

John, John, John!!! What are we going to do with you???? That's what I sometimes say to his cute little face. So........he's been keeping us on our toes!! I took him to the doctors yesterday b/c we thought he had a bad case of reflux. Yes - he does. Well not too bad- but bad enough to where he is fussy A LOT and doesn't sleep much. BUT- Thank God that's all. We are just trying to keep him comfortable and happy. He is just a stinker right now- so it's actually good that Grace is at school during all his crying fits. It gets to the point where he is crying then she starts crying... then it's just a crying battle. I know it will get better with time. He is just testing my patience right now. Oh and Aunt Krista is holding him. LOVE this picture!

First Day Of School!!!

Grace had her first day of Montessori School today. I woke up extra early (ok- I was up anyway dealing with John- but that's a whole different story !) to make her a special breakfast. She loves when I bake something yummy- so I baked her a coffee cake. She ate a good breakfast- then off to school. Yesterday I kept crying wondering if I'm doing the right thing, but after I talked to a few people- I was certain that it's probably the best thing for her right now. I was going back and forth b/c it's a big deal. Part of me wanted to keep her home, but part of me knew she needed some friends to play with and things to do. (John is taking most of my time these days.) So - Adeyiza and I drove over to school- and dropped her off. She cried at first- but then I heard her settle down. The best way to go is a kiss and to say bye- bye. Of course I was a mess- but I soon got over that. I called around 10 to check on her and her teacher said she only cried for a couple minutes then was fine. So I think she will be ok. Also- Adeyiza's mom is here with us for the month- so it will be great to have help. When we were in Boston Grace loved being around kids. As of now- it's just hard to get out with him. But I will take advantage of the extra help and start doing more things. I also wanted to start this month b/c I can take her alone without bringing John. That way she doesn't get jealous and sad. That's just hard for me too. So- I will keep you all posted on how things went. I get her in less than an hour. OH YES- the time goes fast. I am just glad she is playing and socializing and all that fun stuff. Other than that she is doing well. She still loves to say her numbers, alphabet, shapes, colors, and now she can even count to 10 in Spanish. She surprises me every day. I put numbers and letters in random order- and flash them to her. She knows all of her numbers and almost all of her letters now. BUT- the funny thing is that she wants to "play" numbers/ letters. She thinks it's a game. I love it!!! i also bought her a little art area. We color, paint, and trace letters/numbers. I know sounds so "teacherish" but it keeps her busy and she loves it!!!