Sicky-Poo

In kindergarten, Drew learned that if he was sick, he got to stay home from school. My beautiful, honest child began to take advantage of my compassion and suddenly had a belly ache at least once a week. So, to curve this newly-forming habit, Sean created the "sick rule." If he stays home from school because he's sick, he can't play and has to stay in bed until school is over. Amazingly they belly aches went away! Today though, the sick rule hasn't phased him. He has been asleep in my bed (daddy's rule didn't say who's bed. hee hee) all day. Poor kid! He's so routine... to bed at 8pm and up at 6am every morning...he hasn't slept outside of those times in years. Well, except the night he stayed with Kevin, but that's a whole story of it's own. Anyway, I sure hope he feels better soon.

My New Toy

I downloaded some new photo editing software for free off of cnet. It's SO easy to use, and I absolutely LOVE it! Looks like I've found a new hobby :)

My precious baby girl

I love her SO much. I could just lay here for hours and stare at her.

Smashed Cars and Broken CDs

Mikey sent me a CD with pictures of him in Russia. He e-mailed me a few weeks ago & told me he was sending it, so, needless to say, it's arrival has been greatly anticipated. It finally came today, and I was SO EXCITED. I ran to the computer to pop it in, wrote Mikey a quick e-mail to let him know I got it, and then tore into the package. Sadly, when I opened it up, it was broken. I'm devastated and just hoping that it broke on its long journey home and not during my enthusiastic package-opening, but either way it stinks!

We've had a great weekend (other than the CD breakage). Last night we rented the Dr. Seuss movie "Horton Hears a Hoo." I love Friday nights spent cuddling on the couch with a good movie. Then this morning we went to the PJs and pancakes primary activity at church. Drew always loves going and playing with the other kids, and pancakes just happen to be his favorite breakfast food, so he was one happy boy.After the activity, I took the kids to work with me. The monster trucks were in the arena today. They were too loud for Maddi, but Drew bought his headphones, so he got to watch the show and even go down onto the floor and see the trucks up close while Sean and I worked. I'm not sure why he has suddenly become obsessed with monster trucks, but he watches them on the speed channel and knows all of their names; he even has a bunch of little monster truck toys and makes them jump over his matchbox cars just like they do in the shows. Big, loud, smelly trucks smashing things... it's definetly a boy thing, but I'm glad he got to see them none the less.

Cub Stub Stud

Drew's school has started a new program in which they pass out "cub stubs" when they see a student doing an act of kindness. Drew got one today, and he was beaming with pride! He's such a sweet kid, and I love him more than words can say.

Warm fires and Snuggly babies

Another week has come and gone with nothing spectacular to write about.

We did get to go to church together as a family. We weren't able to go for a while because I was on bed rest and then Maddi was too small, so it was nice to finally go again.

Drew went to the dentist and got sealants put on his molars. He really doesn't like going to the dentist, and his mouth is so small that they cut his little lips trying to get to his back teeth. Poor kid! So, I surprised him by going to K B Toys after he was done and together we raided their close-out sale. He got 2 four wheelers, a monster truck, a motorcycle, and an army gun all for less than $10.00!! He said it was like Christmas time again. lol. I started going a little crazy and grabbing things for Maddi to "grow into" since they were like 80% off, but as I was walking to check out, I looked down and realized the doll I was carrying was bigger than she was! So, needless to say, I put the toys back..there will be plenty more sells and I just can't handle having clutter sitting around waiting to be used.

We have really enjoyed the cold weather lately. Sean makes a fire every night. I love the sound of the crackling fire and the smell of the burning wood; it's so nice to end the day relaxing together and enjoying its warmth.

Maddi is 29 days old now! She went to the doctor yesterday, and she weighs 8 lbs. She gained exactly one ounce a day...absolutely perfect. She already has her own little personality and can be quite temperamental if she doesn't get he way. Drew was always so calm and easy-going...I'm just not sure what to do with this moody little girl and have had several of those days where I wonder what I've gotten myself into. I just never seem to have enough time, money, or energy, but I guess those are just the woes of motherhood. Thankfully, the woes aren't quite so woeful when I'm snuggled up with my babies by the fire.

chunky monkey

My amazingly talented cousin made this BEAUTIFUL birth announcement for us!!!

Here is a link to my cousin's site if you want to check out some of her other creations. http://stewartstudio.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Lyd :)

We took Maddi to the doctor today, and she weighed 7 lbs 11 oz (her original birth-weight.) It seems like all I've done for the last 2 days is feed her, but I am so relieved that she's finally plumping up!

light-weight

I took Madison to the doctor again today; she has grown 2 inches but has only gained 2 ounces since we left the hospital! She's suppose to gain an ounce a day, and she's only gained 2 ounces in 3 weeks! What kind of loser mom can't fatten her kid up?!? So, we are supplementing with formula, and will go back Thursday for ANOTHER weight check. Wish us luck...

On a brighter note, Drew made all A's on his report card this semester. He also took a reading placement test this week. He only scored a .3 on the one he took at the beginning of the year, but he scored a 2 on the most recent one which means my little first grader is reading on a second grade level now. I am so proud of him and all his hard work, and I truly cherish the time we've spent together doing homework, reading library books, and reading our chapter books together at bedtime. I LOVE reading, and it doesn't get any better than a good book about snakes and spiders or a good Scobby-Doo mystery with a cuddly boy snuggled up by my side.

20 days

I had to get the ol' calendar out and count the days because it honestly seems like one really long day with a few naps thrown in here and there. Madison is doing great though and we are finally beginning to settle in to our new family of four. Madison only weighed 7 lbs 3 oz at her last check up, so we have a bit of work to do to get her back to her birth weight. We are finally comfortable with nursing though, so hopefully she'll start packing on the ounces.

Andrew is AMAZING with Maddi. He calls her "little missy" and always wants to hold her and kiss on her. She just stares at him in contentment as he talks to her about all of the things he's going to teach her when she grows up...it's so precious. I am so lucky to have such awesome kids. I went to work for about 7 hours on Saturday, and they both sat there in my office with me the entire time without a single whine of protest. I forgot toys for Drew (I was just proud of myself for making it out of the house with all three of us dressed and clean!) so we listened to Taylor Swift together and sang at the top of our lungs while Drew played his air guitar and danced around and I typed my busy little fingers off. Thank goodness no one else was in the office :) It stinks to have to go back to work so soon, but I am so grateful to work with such compassionate people who let me take my little angels with me.

Well this week, my goal is to try and go somewhere other than work...maybe we will try the grocery store or church or the library or something. I just feel so tired and overwhelmed (not to mention out numbered). Sean has already taken Maddi to Drew's school to have lunch one day while I was working, so I know it's possible. I just need to get up the courage to bundle up my babies and with my purell in hand, venture out into the chaotic, germ-infested world again.

And a Happy New Year

What a year! My mind is flooded with all of the memories we created last year. Our family grew and changed in so many ways. We had wonderful times..weekend vacations, lazy days, and amazing surprises; we had hard times...a stressful pregnancy, health concerns, job layoffs, but here we are..we made it through as a family and are ready for all of the adventures that the new year holds for us.

We didn't do anything spectacular to ring in the new year. I was sick and went to bed early, Drew went to sleep as usual, and Sean stayed up with Madison so I could sleep. He said they watched the ball drop together and then finally went to bed. I sure love him :)

I must admit, I've had a bit of the baby blues :( I'm stressed about going back to work, wishing I was in school, having a hard time nursing, the migraines are back with a vengeance, and I'm fat. I hate to whine, but I went to work last week and a lady I work with who is usually very kind and must have momentarily lost all sense and compassion asked me when I was going to have my baby. As I looked down at my pudgy post-partum flabby stomach, I realized I have many hours of yoga and treadmills ahead of me. I only gained 50 pounds this time instead of the 60 I gained with Drew, (I despise every pregnancy article I've read that says you should only gain 20-25 pounds...they LIE) but I just hate the awkward in between time while you're trying to loose the weight and afraid to go anywhere without the baby propped in your arms like a war medallion. On a brighter note, Huntsville Hospital gave me a 3 month membership to their wellness center for free. How amazing is that!?! They even have yoga and aerobics classes there. I can't wait!

We had a fun week. Sean's brother Greg and his wife Candice came into town. They brought SO many gifts for the kids...I couldn't believe it! They are so amazing. Sweet Candice helped with the kids and helped clean, and Greg brought Guitar Hero World Tour Edition. It was the first time we had played and it was so fun...that's literally all we did the entire time they were here. I know we sound like losers, but it was SO FUN. Ben came over and brought my little sisters to visit. I love just sitting and talking to my brother. He is so kind and compassionate and F-U-N-N-Y! We can just sit for hours and talk. I miss him while he's gone, but I'm so proud of the awesome things that he's doing with his life. He's so bold and fearless and nothing holds him back from chasing his dreams. We also took Drew roller skating. He was invited to a birthday party by a classmate, and we wanted him to give it a try before going to the party. We had fun, but he likes skating on his heely's and not the roller skates. He just couldn't understand why they wouldn't let him wear his heely's instead of the skates...poor kid. Sean began with a huge ever-so-graceful wipe out. It was beautiful with all 6 foot 4 inches of limbs flailing about, but he quickly got back into the groove of things and helped Drew learn to skate.

So, as we boldly begin our journey into 2009 carrying all of our hopes and dreams and goals for our future, I find confidence in knowing that as a family we will face the joys and challenges of this year together, and as long as we continue to try to do our best, God will continue to bless us and guide us along our way.