Father's Day

Father's Day is one of those days that I look forward to and dread at the same time.  I am so excited to celebrate Steve as a father because he does a heck of a job at being a great daddy.  I have a feeling that both of my girls are going to be "daddy's girls". 

At the same time, I hate not being able to celebrate my dad.  It took me a really long time to get through a Mother's Day and Father's Day without shedding some tears, but I think being able to celebrate Steve as a dad has made it a lot easier!  Although I only got 23 years with my dad, I still think of him each year and celebrate him through memories I share with Lottie and Steve.  He was a great daddy and I wouldn't have wanted any other man to be mine!

This year was a very relaxed sort of Father's Day.  I grilled a couple of Ribeyes for Steve and I.  I don't know what it is about Father's Day, but grilling "meat" and making mashed potatoes just seems darn right appropriate.  Steve is a meat and potatoes kind of guy so you can't really go wrong with that combo.  After lunch, we somehow managed to get both girls down for a nap so we took advantage of it and napped ourselves.  Rare I tell you - long gone are the days of laying around watching movies and catching a nap.  It is virtually non existent now!

Lottie made Steve a couple of little "treats" at school and couldn't wait to show him what she had made.  We also got him a polo shirt, pair of jeans and a 6 pack of craft beers/IPAs that he loves. 

All in all, it was a pretty perfect day!  Steve sure does love his girls!  He tells me every day!  The relationship a daughter has with her father is such a special one.  I can't wait to watch it grow and mold into something reminiscent of what my daddy and I shared!

Where in the blankety blank am I sending her to school????????  As much as it costs us, they couldn't spell "glad" right????  I think I might need to have a word!  :)

 



What a train wreck!  I attempted to mold Stella's handprint / footprint but failed miserably.  I did NOT follow the instructions on pouring the mold!  To top it off, I really ticked off Stella.  She hated when I was trying to put her hand/foot in the mold.  She was kicking and screaming.  Good times!  Oh well, Steve got a good laugh and afterwards, it went directly into the trash!!  :) 

 

Happy Father's Day Steve!!!

 

You are doing a GREAT job!!!

 

xoxo

Stella - 6 Weeks

 

My sweet girl - I could eat her up! 

 

6 Weeks! 

 

xoxo 

 

 

Stella's First Beach Trip

Two weekends ago we loaded up the car and headed to the beach.  Well, I loaded the car and headed to the beach with the kiddos.  Steve had to work until 6 p.m. and I felt it would be easier for me and the girls to head down around lunchtime when Lottie was due for her nap. 

We recently purchased a portable DVD player for Lottie to have on long trips to the beach this summer.  Lottie had always been really good for the most part on trips to the beach, so I never felt the need to purchase one before now.  With Stella thrown in the mix, I thought it best to keep Lottie entertained as much as possible on our three hour journey. 

We did okay for the most part.  I only had to pull over twice.  Once was to fix Lottie's movie b/c she accidentally paused it.  The second time was to spank her!!!!!!!  That little bugger took her seat belt off about an hour into our trip.  I couldn't believe it.  She said something and I turned around and she had taken her belt off.  I could have killed her (not really, but you get my drift).  I definitely felt like my dad a little in the sense that my sister and I were threatened numerous times on road trips as kids if we were misbehaving.  He always said he was going to pull the car over and give us a good spank. And many times it happened.  It didn't matter if it was the shoulder of I-95 or a back country road.  Thankfully in my case, there was a gas station that I was able to whip it into.  I gave her a pop, put her belt back on and told her if it happened again, there would be MAJOR consequences once we got to the beach.  She got the drift and ten minutes later was out like a light for her nap.  I really hate to pop her, but I'm old school and time out in the car doesn't exactly work. 

I ended up making the trek and getting to my sister's house just in time for Stella's next feeding and Lottie waking up from her nap. 

Steve took off the Monday and Tuesday of the following week so we had two really nice days out on the beach.  Unfortunately, it poured rain on the Monday, so we weren't able to take the girls to the beach.  We finished up going to the arcade at the pier and having lunch, then heading back to my sister's house to relax. 

Stella did great on the beach.  We pitched the canopy and also had the Pop n Play tent.  It is perfect for the beach, a great spot for her to nap, change diapers, etc.  It is a must if you are beach bums like we are or if you visit the beach more than once a year. 

Here's a few pics of our little trip!  Lottie absolutely loves the beach.  She loves collecting shells, building sand castles and splashing around in the water.  She also absolutely adores my sister.  Her face lights up as soon as she sees her and won't let her out of her sight until we absolutely must.

 

You seriously can't go wrong with the Graco Pop n Play tent at the beach!

 

Lottie is at the best age yet!  She is talking away like crazy and has such spunk! 

 

She's also been very "posey" lately and whenever you take a photo of her, she always insists on you taking more and showing her what they look like.  Cracks me up!

 

 

Uncle Anthony & Lottie

 

Stella and I hanging under the canopy watching sissy play with Aunt Amy.  I swear my sister is like my third child so as you can imagine, her and Lottie get on really well!  :)

Lottie was so worn out in the afternoon!  She snacked on some chex mix and next thing you know, she was out like a light!

 



Dad and Stella

 



 

My sis and her nieces.  She's got the magic touch!

Stella - 1 Month Old

Where has the month gone?  Pretty sure I completely forgot what it was like having a newborn again.  Maybe that's why we woman get pregnant again!  I kid, I kid......  Stella has been your typical newborn - she cries, eats like a beast, sleeps here and there and fills a diaper non-stop!

Weight: 9lbs 2 oz (45%)
Height: 20.5 (21%)
Head circumference (87%)  Ha, Massive!  (Big Brain)

Stella has gained 3 whole lbs since we left the hospital.  She was born at 6lbs 12 oz and left the hospital at 6 lbs 2 oz. 

Eating: Okay, seriously, this child is a beast!!!!!!  She is literally eating me out of house and home.  I've recently started supplementing formula because I just can't keep up with the needs of this child.  A typical feeding went a little something like this - I would nurse on each side for 20 minutes, then pump for 15 minutes and once I finished pumping, I would give it all back to her.  Every time we nursed and finished, she was NEVER satisfied.  I would sometimes nurse her up to an hour at a time.  And every time, she would wail for more food after.  So, naturally I would pump and get about another half ounce (maybe) and give it right back to her.  Even then, she would sometimes not be satisfied.  I sought help from a lactation consultant outside the hospital twice because I didn't feel like I was producing enough and of course couldn't keep little one happy.  After each visit, we learned Stella was a really, really sloooooooooowwwwwwwwwww eater and I wasn't producing very much milk.  Ugghhhhhhh, so frustrating.  So, after all has been said and done, this kid is eating at least 4 to 6 oz at each feeding.  The differences between her and Lottie is dumbfounding!  Lottie didn't start taking 4 oz until she was at least 4 months old.  Whoa! 

Sleep: This kid is a little night owl.  She is eating every 3 to 4 hours, so sleep has been minimal.  By the time she starts eating, it seems like she is only sleeping about two hours in between.  And today, oh wow - she has literally had an hour nap all day.  I am hoping that means she is starting to get her days and nights finally figured out.  But at the same time, I am going to need for her to take at least two long naps each day!!  If not, I am NEVER going to get anything done.  She woke up at 3:00 a.m. last night and had me up until 5:00 a.m.  With that said, I decided to go ahead and hit up a Group Power class (5:30 a.m.) - holy jello legs..... OUCH!  For now, she is sleeping between the bassinet and rock and play.  She has such bad reflux (constantly spitting up) that I have to keep her elevated while she sleeps so she doesn't choke.  It was the same with Lottie.  These babies do NOT like laying flat on their backs.

Crying:  She is usually pretty good during the day, but between the hours of 4 and 10, she is definitely fussy!  The doctor said his kids were the same way.  I think it is just overstimulation during the day and not knowing when to give in.

Milestones:  I got my first smile (on purpose) within the last couple of days.  It felt so good to finally feel like we are really connecting and she knows her mama is working hard for her.  I think Lottie started smiling around the 6 week mark.  Hard to say, but we took her to England when she was 7 weeks old and she was smiling like crazy when we were there.   

Sibling Love: Lottie has been GREAT with Stella.  Apart from those first couple of weeks, Lottie has been really cute.  She helps me change diapers, hands me burp cloths when needed, pacifiers. the BUMBO, anything I ask for.  She loves feeling like she is helping.  She also loves stuffing a pacifier into Stella's mouth.  Stella has not come around to the idea of having a pacifier yet, so when Lottie tries stuffing it into her mouth, she gets so mad!!!  When I pick her up from school with Stella, she yells to everyone that her sister is there and she loves her.  One of my favorite things is when Steve takes her to school in the morning and before she leaves, she tells Stella and Mommy, "BYE, LOVE YOU Mommy and Stella!"  So cute, I could eat her up!

Likes: Being held, eating, riding in the car, going on walks with mommy

Dislikes: Being hungry, pacifier (I know, just shoot me now!!!)

Memorial Day Fun!

On Memorial Day we went to my second set of parents house (The Byrums) for a cook out and a little pool time.  The water was still a little chilly, but that didn't stop Lottie from filling up a cup and pouring water over every one.  It was really nice just to be out in the sun.  My poor body needed some Vitamin D like nobody's business. 

 

We set Stella up in the building beside the pool - she had her very own rocker and fan!  She loved it!

 

 

Later that week, Steve built Lottie and Stella a swing set.  He ordered it right before Stella was born.  He found a steal online and decided it couldn't be passed on.  He built it from scratch.  He did such a great job.  He literally has been super dad lately.  I honestly don't know what I would do without him. 

 

 

 

 

Lottie absolutely loves her new swing set.  She begs to go outside every day when I pick her up from school.  It has become a great bargaining tool when it comes to her behavior.  :)  We plan on picking up a bucket seat for Stella to use in the next month or two and replacing it with one of the current swings until they are both big enough to use the bigger ones.  I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time outside this summer!!  



Stella's First Bath

Her little belly button cord finally fell off and I was able to give her a full on bath about 2 weeks after she was born.  She loved it and still does.  She doesn't like coming out of the bath but while she's in it, she seems calm and relaxed.  Lottie hated the bath the first few times I bathed her, in fact, she still hates the bath.  So weird!  Hopefully, Stella will be my bath loving child.  After about 2 minutes of Lottie being in the bath, she is ready to come out.  I have a feeling she is going to be more of a shower girl.  :)

CHAOS!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a month since little one entered into this world and since that day, my house has been referred to as an absolute mad house!!!  Between the never ending feeding frenzies, diaper changes, recovery, etc., it was been a bit chaotic around here.  What's funny is that taking care of the newborn has been somewhat of a breeze - it is the 2 year old that has me really running ragged and ready to pull my hair out in an instance.  Between her constant yells, tantrums, crying and not wanting to take "no" for an answer, it has been tough.  I knew going into it that it would not be easy especially with Lottie not receiving all the attention she was used to getting, but dang until you are living it, you don't actually know how hard it is!!!!  :) 

Most days, I find myself repeating these words over and over again - "T - this will not last forever, in another 2 years time, the girls will be older and you will have survived!  Hang in there.  It won't last forever!!!" Again, "It won't last forever, it will get easier!"

And to top it all off, I received a phone call from my boss wanting me to return to work next week part time.  I just had a baby!!!!!!  Unfortunately, the person we hired to replace me during my maternity leave up and quit!  Awesome!  Since then, they have not been able to fill the position.  Makes me so angry.  Not only am I so freaking tired and worn thin, I just do not feel that I am physically or emotionally ready to go back.  I am a bag of hormones right now.  But what can I do?????  I just feel so pressured and really didn't want to even think about going back to work for another 8 weeks.  Needless to say, the tears have really been streaming.

I feel so blessed for all we've been provided and thank God every day, but gosh raising a newborn, a 2 year old, having to already go back to work is just really weighing on me. Life is a little tough right now, but I know I will get through especially with the help and support of Steve by my side.  The guy has been super husband and dad these past few weeks.  I don't know how I'd get by without him.

Of course, I don't know what I would do without my girls either.............