Happy Holidays

Wow. The holidays are here already?! Mark and I survived an interesting week- to say the least. I decided to get an ear infection and couldn't move my jaw- awesome. Hadley decided to get the 24 hour bug which resulted in a LOT of puking. My dog continues to puke throughout all this ridiculousness?!?!?! Hadley ALSO has another ear infection, but taking it like a champ. On a VERY positive note, my little blondie has mastered sleeping...yes I'm saying it out loud, hoping to NOT curse ourselves. She has had to be re-binked a few times but for the most part is staying down from like 8 or 9 until I wake her at 6, or like 9 on the weekends. Finally I am starting to get myself back together, no more sleep deprivation!!! I may actually be able to spell my name or stay up past 830 haha!! Enjoy the pictures, we will have more following the debord Christmas this afternoon!

BIRTHDAY

Today my husband turns 29. If you ask him he thinks he is only turning 28 but that's a whole different story. Looking back over the past 4 years, it amazes me that I've only known him for four years. He is in all my memories and the life we have created with each other in four years is UNBELIEVABLE even to me who is a part of it. A great marriage with two beautiful daughters, we are beyond blessed. Last year I listed 28 things I love about him. This year I have two children under the age of two so that is not happening. I caught a quick break between feedings, baths and dinner so this is what you get. I love you. Period.



I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DADA I CAN'T STAND IT...



How'd I get so grown up?!




I LOVE OUR LATE NIGHTS TOGETHER (Mark stays up with her until she goes down at like 1130)



Could they be any cuter?

Back to Work, Ugh

So I started back last Wednesday and man was it rough. Getting out of the house in the morning seems like a marathon. Starting my day at 530 is rough, granted I'm usually already up with Gweny?!?! If she could just make the WHOLE night life would be a lot better for us!! (okay, me). Gweny is becoming a real talker, cooing, sighing and grunting to our delight!! She has adjusted to going to the sitter like a champ, I honestly don't know that she even realizes I'm not there ha, except being boob-less!!! Jackie (our sitter) just adores her and think she sounds just like Hadley. I of course still have some impact on her beautiful looks! Potty training is still an attempt with Hadley, hence these pictures. Not everyone has a potty in their living room do they??! Mom had to for the times Hadley just had to go when I was feeding sissy!!



I can't believe how grown up she is...









The silliest songs make Gweny laugh like crazy. This is our Lion King sacrifice song that we get going with Hadley & Gweny- THEY LOVE IT!!!

What a Week!

My last week of maternity leave has been a ROLLERCOASTER of emotions. Mark and I got to spend two nights without our children at the casino- Belterra. We gambled a little, had a FANTASTIC dinner, and just relaxed. It was so refreshing and much needed couple time! We then packed up the car and headed up to my parents to spend the rest of the week. We planned to paint a mural in the playroom, which we did and it turned out AWESOME. I didn't take a picture, I actually didn't get my camera out one time the entire trip home. What was supposed to be a long holiday weekend with the family turned into chaos. Our family suffered a great loss on November 25th. My grandpa, Hank Elling, passed away and grandma, Lucy ended up in the ICU for two days with a broken arm, multiple stitches in her head, and rising heart enzymes. We were blessed in that she came to baseline and was discharged on Friday. Looking back at my memories with Grandpa I am flooded with emotions. He was the bossy old man that LOVED his grandkids (21) and great grandkids (33) soooo much. He always wanted to show you his garden and make sure you had plenty of food. So many sayings come to mind when I think of grandpa- "if you do anything bad name em after me, or excuse the hogs the pigs is coming." Priceless sayings that I won't get the joy of hearing any more. I will miss being referred to as "sunshine" and of course, getting a view of grandpa's naked hoola lady on his arm from those days in the service. We are blessed though that I get to hear grandma say, "don't forget we still love you." We are blessed that our entire family (70 some) was able to be there for the viewing. In memory of grandpa a shot of black velvet was taken following a toast which had some powerful words. "We are who we are, because of who he was." Much love grandpa, I am blessed that you got to meet both of my angels and I will share my memories with them as they grow up.

Where did the time go?

So sad to say, but my time off work is coming to an end and my emotions are going crazy. I want so much more time with Gweny but I'm also to the point where I am getting stir crazy and only so many day time tv shows are interesting. If Gweny were sleeping better I'd probably be more excited about work and pending adult interactions but she's not. The past two nights have been miserable. She has a slight cold and so her nose is stuffy which means no bink- UGH. We have survived and I keep saying it will get better. I officially set up the nursery with a tv because when I start back to work nights are rotated and I don't do well with noise in the bedroom like my hubby. To kick off the holiday week Mark is taking off and we are going to Belterra for two nights without the kids- FREEDOM! Am I ready?!?! Yes and no, but it's only two days and we are close if I can't stand it!! Then we are going up North to be with my family closing the week with his family on Sunday then............off to work BOOOOOOOOOOOO.

These pics define happiness...

Growing Up

Where do I even begin? My baby girls are getting to BIG. Hadley has moved into her toddler bed without blinking an eye. It's harder for mom then her. She doesn't even get out and wonder around. We have gone four nights and multiple naps and she has handled it like a champ. Mom on the other hand was a nervous, anxious wreck. So worried. Hadley has also decided to give potty training a whirl. Out of no where asked to go potty so we took her and she peed and has done it four other times since last night. How can she be getting so big. The number of things she is doing- throwing away diapers, helping with sis (bringing blankets, burp rags, binkies). She's talking more than ever and can play with her imagination more- like making dolls dance or covering up her babies, it's beyond precious.

On to her sister. She's had her moments. We've been able to stretch her feedings to every four hours, giving me what feels like HOURS of freedom. With my parents help the weekend of the Buckeye Bash, I got some sleep. Mom and dad stayed up with her both Friday and Saturday night and we learned another Gweny trick...she has to be swaddled. Those crazy arms wake her ALL the time. So she's had some hit or miss nights (ranging 3-6 hour stretches). She has moved into Hadley's crib and it's such an emotional issue for mommy. She seems so lonely in that big old room. We had visitors on Veteran's Day, chilled with some co-workers, put up Christmas decorations, playdates with cousins, and tried to adjust to these growing girls!?!?! We are geniunely blessed!

Sad News

Apparently I should never talk about it when Gweny sleeps through the night as we were back to every three hours, BUT a positive was that she is out of our room and with the swing went to sleep right after the 2 AM feed. Choose your battles right?! Today I've been struggling with a toddler that is getting all of her I-teeth and completely miserable, even waking up screaming. Her poor hand has to be getting sore from chewing on it... Thank goodness her quiet time turned into an hour and a half nap for all of us!!

To explain these pics, Gweny had a play date this week. My co-worker started back from maternity leave and her day care was closed so we played (thank goodness I've never had twins!) Claudia is 4 weeks older than Gweny and I must say for being a pound and a half lighter at birth, Gweny is catching up!!!








Lastly we decided to play with Hadley's hair which has definitely gotten long in the past few weeks...she's special :

Daily Life

I think both of my children have grown leaps and bounds in the past two weeks. Hadley has just soaked up all information she can. Whether it's names, colors, facial labels, anything. She is also pulling through as a GREAT big sister. Bringing me her burp rags, blankets, putting her "uh-oh" in when she crys- less eye poking too!! She helps during bath time, handing us the necessary items and attempting to scrub her hair. Gweny has continued to be a perfect baby during the day, long naps- little fussing, but a night switches to a little terror!!! She's not THAT bad, but continues to struggle with sleeping. We have officially kicked Mark out of the room so she can sleep either in the boppy in bed or just in bed (hoping to be able to get her used to life without the blasted boppy) however we've continued the every 2-3 hour trend remaining awake usually at the 2 or 3 AM feeding for about 1-2 hours after?!?!?! In desperation I put her in her swing over night last night and had success...can we do 1130-630 two nights in a row?? I will keep you posted! With these late nights and precious days, Gweny has REALLY found her voice. In addition to baby cooing she sings and almost yells, it is AWESOME!! In addition to the sleep chaos, she has not stopped GROWING!!! She has officially moved on to 3-6 month clothes (all at 7 1/2 weeks!). Her 2 month check up is on Monday, and if she continues with her usual trends she will probably weigh in over thirteen pounds (Hadley's weight at 4 months?!?!?!). How can these babies be so different????????

Even with our nightly chaos, we have attempted to make sure we get pictures of Gweny. I see the one with her and Mark and flash to a previous picture with him and Hadley. It is frightening how much Gweny is beginning to look like her big sister...here I thought I was gonna get a little input on this one!!

Halloween Weekend

Man have we been busy!! We had Mark's bands reunion show/Halloween party last Friday and man are we removed from the scene. It was nice to get out with my hubbie- the biker, but even better to pick up my girls. We got home and crashed for a few before we loaded the van to head to my parents. Next it was to Jilly's Bridal Shower. Right after the shower it was time to take Hadley trick or treating- well attempt as it was really cold and we woke her up for a nap- our expectations were low and she seemed to have fun!! For those who don't know, she is Foofa from Yo Gabba Gabba!!


She is just too pretty...



My two girls all dressed up for the shower...Hadley's hand-me-down gold slippers were the talk of the party...







Grandma had to teach Hadley how to trick or treat, so sweet!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Yeah, Gweny looks terrified but with Hadley in charge I would be too, plus she's hungry...







I know I whine about her not sleeping but other than that Gweny is a really good baby. Rarely fussy except when she's hungry which is a lot but she really is just sweet as pie...



This picture was not posed but is WAY TOOOOO funny...

Busy Week

This past week was jam packed!! I had my check up last Wednesday and everything is just fine. The doctor was beyond amazed that Gweny still had her hair and of course how BIG she was!!! That night, Mark's mom offered to take the girls overnight- I warned her that she was crazy but a full nights sleep...really?!?! So Mark and I went bowling and had a blast, once I stopped worrying about the girls. I have been so couped up in my little world that I forgot how to function in public without my babies, but no worries I eventually remembered! I slept from 10pm to 8am minus a few pump breaks, but it was HEAVENLY!!! Thank God for loving, helpful family members! Thursday was a busy day too. Grandpa Goins came over for pizza night, then a big surprise was that Grandpa and Grandma Elling came in town with Mae-mae!!! Hadley was in shock and got so excited. It was such a blessing that they came. Hadley and Mae had the time of their lives, staying up late, sleeping in and playing like maniacs ALL day!! With Mom and Dad's help we got some major stuff done in our house- our garage is now functional again, the basement is organized, Mark has an art room in the basement, the back room is open (NO MORE GATE!!), and the back bedroom is ready for the Hadley transition- when I'm brave enough. All in two days, it was amazing!!! The pics are of course from the weekend...

Grandpa spoiling the girls, he is so darn good with them...



Grandma spoiling the newest grandbaby



Isn't this shirt too much? My co-worker gave it to me and Gweny's face just says it all!



Hadley's big girl room- yes those are spongebob stickers all over her walls!! The sheets are soon to be Yo Gabba Gabba or as Hadley says "gabgab."



These two entertained each other all weekend, it was amazing...



Hadley being cute...



Lastly, a preview of the matching Halloween outfits that will be posted later in the week. I just couldn't resist. This picture amazes me in that Hadley and Gweny have both gotten so big in the past month and a half. They have both adjusted to so many things, like life for Gweny and having another sibling to contend with for Hadley. I love that those are my babies and will always be babies in my eyes...



As for Gweny and sleep, we are still a work in progress. She has had a few 4-5 hour periods at night but then some night she's right back to every 3 hours or worse yet...refusing bed. I know it will get better or I'll just not remember a way of life before (one that consisted of sleep ya know?). Difficult nights are part of the package that is God's blessing...