Wow, they are getting so big. Here are achievements from yesterday or today:
Connor - got out of tub, dried self, and completely dressed himself (in an outfit that's almost too small - quite a feat). Only later, after pottying did I notice he forgot underwear... oops! Oh well, I'm not a picky employer.
Katie - we only knew she was awake and out of bed upon hearing the toilet flush.
Kara - I just went in to peek on her. I had reluctantly put her to nap while on a feed (she tends to be mischievous with her tube) but she REALLY was acting like she needed it. When I peeked, she had found her lovey and put in her binky.
I think I'd better pay attention, or I'm going to work myself out of a job!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Our top ways to spill milk (and sometimes cry over it!)
By order of frequency:
1) Meg - forget to unclamp Kara's extension tube (connects the tummy port to the feedbag tube) and press "start". Come back 10 to 20 minutes later and discover a huge puddle on the floor because the pressure has caused the medport door to pop open and feed the carpet instead of the Kara.
2) Kara - because sick or due to overfeeding, throw up large quantities of milk on Mommy, Kara, the glider rocker and the floor.
3) Kara - find the BEST toy, EVER - the extension tube. Chew on it and play with it so it comes out of the tummy. Since Kara's one-way valve into her tummy is no longer one-way, milk comes out of her tummy AND out of the feedbag during the feed. 2 for 1 FUN! (We do have an old extension tube that is, honestly, her favorite toy - but it doesn't always prevent this scenario).
4) Kara - roll over and turn 180 degrees in the crib to find where the extension tube meets the feedbag tube and munch on it. Pop the medport door open so a few ounces spill out before Mommy investigates. Remind Mommy to be thankful that her babies aren't early crawlers/rollers and that she has already had a long time without worrying about these shenanigans.
5) Meg - have a spastic hand movement at 5:45 a.m. after pumping and knock an 8 oz bottle over, spilling most of it on the counter.
6) Katie - decide that the leg works just as well as a flat surface for placing a 3/4 full cup. (Oh, wait, this wasn't milk, this was grape juice!!)
We are trying to laugh, instead of cry, and even typing this out is helping me have a "Merry heart" which "does good like a medicine" Prov. 17:22
Katie mentioned to me both yesterday and today that she would like me to wear my flower pants. I think I was at least in high school before I tried to tell my Mom what to wear... hmm...
Here are some pics of the kiddos:
1) Meg - forget to unclamp Kara's extension tube (connects the tummy port to the feedbag tube) and press "start". Come back 10 to 20 minutes later and discover a huge puddle on the floor because the pressure has caused the medport door to pop open and feed the carpet instead of the Kara.
2) Kara - because sick or due to overfeeding, throw up large quantities of milk on Mommy, Kara, the glider rocker and the floor.
3) Kara - find the BEST toy, EVER - the extension tube. Chew on it and play with it so it comes out of the tummy. Since Kara's one-way valve into her tummy is no longer one-way, milk comes out of her tummy AND out of the feedbag during the feed. 2 for 1 FUN! (We do have an old extension tube that is, honestly, her favorite toy - but it doesn't always prevent this scenario).
4) Kara - roll over and turn 180 degrees in the crib to find where the extension tube meets the feedbag tube and munch on it. Pop the medport door open so a few ounces spill out before Mommy investigates. Remind Mommy to be thankful that her babies aren't early crawlers/rollers and that she has already had a long time without worrying about these shenanigans.
5) Meg - have a spastic hand movement at 5:45 a.m. after pumping and knock an 8 oz bottle over, spilling most of it on the counter.
6) Katie - decide that the leg works just as well as a flat surface for placing a 3/4 full cup. (Oh, wait, this wasn't milk, this was grape juice!!)
We are trying to laugh, instead of cry, and even typing this out is helping me have a "Merry heart" which "does good like a medicine" Prov. 17:22
Katie mentioned to me both yesterday and today that she would like me to wear my flower pants. I think I was at least in high school before I tried to tell my Mom what to wear... hmm...
Here are some pics of the kiddos:
The bumbo seat is great for all our kids!
Enjoying Jeremy's work picnic (and some chocolate, apparently)
Sweetness (and some squash? Or is that green beans? Poor 3rd child,
Mommy doesn't even know what's on your face in this picture.)
We LOVE these special shirts, that were special ordered for Kara
from our friend, Anastacia (and her family). Thanks!
The boogies, loving on the Kara!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Cranes, Forklifts, and Diggers!
Today I (Jeremy) took Connor and Katie to a job site to see some construction. I was hoping to see three concrete wall panels be installed. But they were a couple hours behind schedule so we just watched them raise a wide flange beam and some metal decking.
We also saw a digger (front end loader/back hoe) and a large fork lift scurry in and out of the building. I had a great time and I think they did too.
We also saw a digger (front end loader/back hoe) and a large fork lift scurry in and out of the building. I had a great time and I think they did too.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Kara Update
It has been a while (I think... I'm not THE best at keeping track) since a Kara update. Oh, sweet Kara. She brings joy wherever she goes. We were at Children's yesterday and she got at least 4 comments about what a sweet baby she is (big smiles help). This from people who see babies ALL day long. She is a very content baby (if you don't count the week where I wasn't putting her down for naps quick enough as well as she was in pain because we had prematurely lowered her reflux meds, but I digress...).
She is occasionally taking (like just now) a 5.5 or 6 ounce bottle by mouth. Woo hoo! I thought that eating didn't fatigue her too much - or that I couldn't see signs of fatigue. I have since realized that it does. She no longer does the "suck-suck-pant-pant-pant-pant" that she used to do. But she does have a higher breathing rate, and her chest looks tighter (technical term is restricted, I believe). And she takes breathing breaks. It took me about 2 weeks to realize this, as well. She would stop eating and push the bottle out, so I would do the normal Mom thing and burp her. About 2 seconds later, she would fuss, arch back and grab at the bottle. I was pretty perplexed until I finally realized she was just needing a few big breaths and then was ready for more milk. Sweet Kara, she IS much more "normal" but not so much that I can put it on autopilot. I still need to evaluate, pay attention and calculate calories.
she's also very much a normal 6 month old. Sitting up, grabbing at everything (currently going for keyboard and mouse) and very distracted by brother & sister. She eats MUCH better if I discipline myself to go to another room for her 30 min. bottle. Another situation of deciding what's "best" for which child at which moment and trying to not ALWAYS put the same child's needs ahead of the others.
Please continue to pray for Jeremy & I. We are weary - God's Plan A is hard for us to accept with joy, at this moment. Thank you.
She is occasionally taking (like just now) a 5.5 or 6 ounce bottle by mouth. Woo hoo! I thought that eating didn't fatigue her too much - or that I couldn't see signs of fatigue. I have since realized that it does. She no longer does the "suck-suck-pant-pant-pant-pant" that she used to do. But she does have a higher breathing rate, and her chest looks tighter (technical term is restricted, I believe). And she takes breathing breaks. It took me about 2 weeks to realize this, as well. She would stop eating and push the bottle out, so I would do the normal Mom thing and burp her. About 2 seconds later, she would fuss, arch back and grab at the bottle. I was pretty perplexed until I finally realized she was just needing a few big breaths and then was ready for more milk. Sweet Kara, she IS much more "normal" but not so much that I can put it on autopilot. I still need to evaluate, pay attention and calculate calories.
she's also very much a normal 6 month old. Sitting up, grabbing at everything (currently going for keyboard and mouse) and very distracted by brother & sister. She eats MUCH better if I discipline myself to go to another room for her 30 min. bottle. Another situation of deciding what's "best" for which child at which moment and trying to not ALWAYS put the same child's needs ahead of the others.
Please continue to pray for Jeremy & I. We are weary - God's Plan A is hard for us to accept with joy, at this moment. Thank you.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Potty Humor
The scene: 3 kids and Mom are in the family room. C & KT are eating picnic lunch. Kara is playing on the floor, Mom is pumping. Katie announces she has to potty and needs help with her pants. In a moment, off she goes to potty. Soon after, we hear "Mommy! I had a pooper! And I pee peed all everywhere... all over the seat". Connor asks "May I go give her some toi-yet paper?" I answer yes, and off Connor goes, saying "Katie, I'm coming to the wes-cue!"
Does it get any better?
Actually, it does. When I was able, I went to see Katie. Katie's version of pee peeing all everywhere consisted of only some dribble on and under the seat (which she had wiped the seat, just not the under part). And so ends our morning.
Does it get any better?
Actually, it does. When I was able, I went to see Katie. Katie's version of pee peeing all everywhere consisted of only some dribble on and under the seat (which she had wiped the seat, just not the under part). And so ends our morning.
Picture!
Looks like I need to begin downsizing all our pictures to make the file smaller before uploading - um, what that might mean is that I'll blog less pictures, sad! Hopefully that is not the case. Here is a picture of our good friend, Kate with the kiddos. As you can tell, the kids are SO sad (ha!) that Mommy had to tutor and Kate was watching them with her brother, Matthew.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Quotes
Kara - pppplllllppppplllll (blowing raspberries)
Katie - (follow up to a comment I made about when Connor was a baby): "When Connor was a baby, he slept in Kara's bed. And then he was a boog, and then I was a baby and I slept in Kara's bed."
Connor - his first completely made up rhyme (that actually rhymes): "If you have a super gun, you could have a little fun!"
Katie - (follow up to a comment I made about when Connor was a baby): "When Connor was a baby, he slept in Kara's bed. And then he was a boog, and then I was a baby and I slept in Kara's bed."
Connor - his first completely made up rhyme (that actually rhymes): "If you have a super gun, you could have a little fun!"
Friday, September 9, 2011
Update
It has taken a while to get this posted. Reason one - life is busy! Tutoring has started, we've been able to be at my Mom's for a bit to help with her knee, and normal life with Kara is keeping us more than occupied. Reason two - we cannot get pictures uploaded. Bummer. Maybe fixing that will make its way to the top of the to do list eventually, in the meanwhile here's the verbal account of what's been going on.
Connor - I do not think I've blogged this (my apologies if I have). One day at my Mom's house, Connor looks at his elbow and says "I only have one funny bone. This one's serious."
Yesterday at breakfast, Katie wanted to use an adult chair (not good for spilling, so she sits on an easier to clean chair), and I said when she was older. Connor then told her, "Katie, when you are a Mommy and you (looking at me) are a Grandmommy, then..." and he continued to narrate all the wonderful things that would happen then.
Growing kids - We went to help my Mom refill ice packs, etc., the other day and I had forgotten my keys. We went to the sliding glass door to try to sneak in. It was unlocked, but there was a bar in place that only enabled the door to open a few inches. It was quickly apparent that I would not fit through, even sideways. I had Connor try, but his head could not make it through. Thankfully, Katie was able to get through. After quite a bit of explanation and almost some tears, I tried to see if I could get my head in to help explain. And I could. So... the insight we gained is that, yes, Connor's head is large. In fact, it's larger than mine. We have not joked about this to him (and ask for you to do the same). My brother distinctly remembers being self conscious about his big head (at about age 4). But for now, we enjoy a little chuckle about it, and wrote it in his journal for him to read later =)
Kara had her 6 month check up. She's doing great. Eating-wise she's about 50% (going down because her volumes are going up). Please be praying for wisdom as we continue to tweak things for what's best for our family. Keeping up with her milk and her increasing needs because she's older is a challenge. Also pray that she will really start to eat solids.
Her length is 75th percentile - it's been identical to Katie's at 2 months, 4 months, and now 6 months. Hooray! Her weight is low for her length, so I need to increase her calories. Again, I'm reminded to be thankful for that gift - she is able to develop (is now sitting independently for a few minutes), and grow length-wise because we can give her food. I'm also reminded how abnormal it is, for me anyway, to be so consumed with exactly what my baby eats. What a great chance to cast my cares on the Lord.
Oh, and we have been enjoying unseasonably awesome weather here. SUCH a blessing. Such GRACE! As we say in our household for sunshine, "Thank you, God!" or "Mommy, there's sunshine! We can go on a walk!"
Connor - I do not think I've blogged this (my apologies if I have). One day at my Mom's house, Connor looks at his elbow and says "I only have one funny bone. This one's serious."
Yesterday at breakfast, Katie wanted to use an adult chair (not good for spilling, so she sits on an easier to clean chair), and I said when she was older. Connor then told her, "Katie, when you are a Mommy and you (looking at me) are a Grandmommy, then..." and he continued to narrate all the wonderful things that would happen then.
Growing kids - We went to help my Mom refill ice packs, etc., the other day and I had forgotten my keys. We went to the sliding glass door to try to sneak in. It was unlocked, but there was a bar in place that only enabled the door to open a few inches. It was quickly apparent that I would not fit through, even sideways. I had Connor try, but his head could not make it through. Thankfully, Katie was able to get through. After quite a bit of explanation and almost some tears, I tried to see if I could get my head in to help explain. And I could. So... the insight we gained is that, yes, Connor's head is large. In fact, it's larger than mine. We have not joked about this to him (and ask for you to do the same). My brother distinctly remembers being self conscious about his big head (at about age 4). But for now, we enjoy a little chuckle about it, and wrote it in his journal for him to read later =)
Kara had her 6 month check up. She's doing great. Eating-wise she's about 50% (going down because her volumes are going up). Please be praying for wisdom as we continue to tweak things for what's best for our family. Keeping up with her milk and her increasing needs because she's older is a challenge. Also pray that she will really start to eat solids.
Her length is 75th percentile - it's been identical to Katie's at 2 months, 4 months, and now 6 months. Hooray! Her weight is low for her length, so I need to increase her calories. Again, I'm reminded to be thankful for that gift - she is able to develop (is now sitting independently for a few minutes), and grow length-wise because we can give her food. I'm also reminded how abnormal it is, for me anyway, to be so consumed with exactly what my baby eats. What a great chance to cast my cares on the Lord.
Oh, and we have been enjoying unseasonably awesome weather here. SUCH a blessing. Such GRACE! As we say in our household for sunshine, "Thank you, God!" or "Mommy, there's sunshine! We can go on a walk!"
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