Past 2 months

So we are alive. We are surviving. Like I've gotten out of the house and taken at least a few showers. ;)
I have to admit, though, it's been a lot harder then I expected and some days I feel like I'm barely hanging on. I LOVE newborns always have always will. Gabe was an excellent baby...Jayce is not as easy, but he is a good baby. We have had nights of 7-10 hours of sleep. Woohoo!!! I can't tell you how happy I am when I:

a. wake up before him, or

b. wake up to his sweet noises and grunts. There's nothing like a full night's sleep. Sigh.

There are several reasons why it's harder this time around for me.
Jayce is really fussy especially in the evenings. He cries A LOT whereas Gabe barely cried. Gabe loved his car seat and never cried in the car. We rarely have any car rides where Jayce is NOT crying. It's very overwhelming and it makes us all anxious.
Nursing is new to me...didn't nurse with Gabe and where I am very grateful that I seem to have a good supply this time and Jayce latched immediately it's not my favorite thing to do. It has definitely gotten way better though and it is such a blessing to not to have to spend so much money on formula.
I'm somewhat concerned still with the transition for Gabe. He's super sweet to the baby...But me? Well, he says he doesn't like me. He glares at me. Talks back to me. He intentionally scratches or hits me. He seems very angry. I know that part of it is because he's 3, but this has been the part that has been the hardest for me. It makes me sad. This will get better right?

NOW a bunch of pictures:

We're home

Things I never want to forget #14-#18

14. When I was pregnant with Jayce, Gabe woke up from his nap and said he wanted to watch a movie. I said no and he climbed up in my lap and snuggled with me for a while. After about 10 min or so he said "Hey Mommy, the baby is talking" I said "oh yeah what is he saying?" to which he replied "he wants to watch a movie"

15. We were getting into the truck (Sep 10th) and Gabe said "hey Mommy look at those clouds...I want to go into the sky above the clouds and see Jesus!"

16. Gabe hasn't been able to pronounce words that begin with L . He says:

• Love = Wove
• Lily = Wilwy
• Like = Wike
• Lots = Wots
• Lion = Wion
  
• Ladybug = Wadybug
  
  

17. Jayce loves the little monkey decal on the wall next to his changing table. He talks to it and smiles SO big. It is the cutest thing ever.

18. Almost every time Jayce sneezes he follows it with an "Ah"

It's offical!

He's still in pull-ups at night --- but otherwise, 100% --- no accidents --- fully committed --- so much that he goes up to the bathroom on his own and doesn't even need my help --- potty-trained.

So for a couple of weeks back in Feb I encouraged the potty. The first of those weeks went really well. We started the morning in front of the TV on the little potty. But then Lots of accidents. Hiding. I was inconsistent and hit or miss. Going out places not staying home. Sometimes avoiding it all day and he regressed. Didn't want to do it anymore. I decided not to push it...I was getting frustrated and he wasn't ready IMO.

We decided that we wouldn't try again until after baby arrived. Bryan had three weeks off and I got this harebrained idea to start the week Bryan went back to work. NOT a good idea...what was I thinking trying to potty train my very first week alone with a newborn and a 3 yr old. But then when I was at a baby shower on Aug 7th Bryan texted me saying that they were potty training. That Gabe tore his diaper off and said that he wanted to wear undies not diapers.

I was a little irritated, because Bryan wasn't going to be home to follow through...I was going to have to do this. I was in it for the long haul. With several accidents and stubbornness on both our parts he finally just decided it was cool to NOT poop in his undies or pee on the ground and he's through with that. Done. Moved on. Big boy!

I'm just so THRILLED that somehow, all of a sudden it STUCK.

2 months

stats:

-weight 11lbs 2oz 25%

-height 23" 40%

-heed 50%

he's:
-smiling
-cooing/"talking"
-gurgling/bubbles
-spitting up like nobody's business
-doing cute lizard moves with his tongue
-taking frustrating short naps but...
-usually sleeping 8 hours at night

-eating his chocolate nummy's (hands)
-kicking when he's excited
-making the Arsenio Hall "whoo whoo" hand motion

-lots of good tummy time

-rolling from side to side.

Day at the Oregon State Fair

I still remember taking Gabe to the Clark County Fair in 2008 with the family.

After church we piled everyone into the cars and carpooled to the Oregon State Fair for the afternoon and evening. It was a warm beautiful day and we saw tons of animals, heard music, ate yummy greasy fair food, rode on rides, saw big huge dinosaurs and had a blast! I love going to Fairs!

Dino Exhibit

Ice Cream bars, Animals, night time and rides
My little Family