Never a dull moment

 What a week – I haven’t been able to sit down and blog, and now I don’t know where to start!  I guess I’ll start with today and work backwards because the fun never stops around here and I have stories gallore running through my head!

* While taking a shower today, I had Tripp sitting in his baby tub (so he could sit and play with toys without falling backwards) and Abby Ruth was also in the bathroom.  This is a normal occurance – as most mommas know, you don’t ever get to shower alone!  Usually they are fine – sometimes Tripp will fuss, or Abby will get into something she shouldn’t, but today definitely takes the cake!  I stepped out of the shower to watch my daughter pour a cup of water over her brother’s head.  I had to cover my mouth with the towel so Abby Ruth wouldn’t see me laughing… the look on Tripp’s face was priceless!  I did scold her and took her to bed (it was naptime anyway) – hopefully she won’t do that again, and if you are wondering why I was upset, stop for a  moment and think about where she got that water…  Tripp was then given a bath :-)

* Abby Ruth has been adding to her vocabulary on a daily basis – last week it was: dark, stuck, tear, tissue – just to name a few.  Now she is starting to string words together and she says the FUNNIEST things!  Sunday we had the following conversation at the breakfast table… Abby: “Abby and Doot Doot stuck!”  Me: “You’re stuck?  Do you want to get down?” (She got down from the table and walked over to Tripp’s highchair) Abby to Tripp: “Are you stuck?  Don’t be stuck!  Mommy, Doot Doot stuck!”  She cracks me up!

* We have a picture frame in the stairwell with pictures of many different family members in it.  After naptime the other day Abby Ruth randomly started naming EVERYONE in the frame.  It is amazing what she notices and picks up on everyday!   

* Tripp is starting to crawl!  He isn’t up on hands and knees yet but can scoot around on his own and is sooo much happier for it!  He does get up on his knees but hasn’t figured out the rhythm yet.  Abby Ruth never crawled (until after she had started walking) so it is really fun to see this stage in development!

* Running update – I ran 2.5 miles without stopping!  2 months ago I went back to the gym and couldn’t run more than .25 miles without needing a break – since then I’ve lost 4 pounds and am running over 3 miles each workout.  I can definitely tell a difference and I’m excited that my hard work is paying off - I’m officially BELOW pre-Abby Ruth weight and feeling great!!!

Like I said, there is truly never a dull moment at our house.  We are busy with life and loving almost every minute of it ;-)

Cold Turkey

That’s how we do things around here… and it works for us, or at least it has thus far!  There are times I would like to ease our kids into the next phase of life, but my husband is a very black & white, hot & cold type and I follow his lead on these things.  For example, when Abby Ruth turned 1, the bottle disappeared and so did formula.  In one week we moved from bottles at bedtime to nothing .  This went very smoothly and I realized we  (ok… just me) had been worried for no reason!  So when it came time to put her in a bed, we once again pushed forward and didn’t look back.  Within 3 days she was sleeping in her “big girl bed” at naptime and bedtime – again, no big deal.

So, last week when Tripp hit the 6-month mark, he also arrived at his first “cold turkey” experience – lose the pacifier.  Tom said, “It’s going to be a loud few days,” (as he heads off to work – lol) and that was the understatement of the century!  The first day was pretty rough, Tripp cried quite a bit and it was very difficult for me to withhold the one thing I knew would calm him down.  Day 2 was a little better, and he did get to use the pacifier because we went to the gym (I don’t plan to have a screaming child in public if I can help it!). 

Long story short, that was a week ago and Tripp is pacifier free (at home) and doing great!  I am glad we tackled this hurdle now because soon we will enter the seemingly endless months of teething, and who wants to take a pacifier away from a child who is in pain??  He has continued to use it when we are out (if he gets fussy), but I have already noticed that he needs it less often than he did a week ago – SUCCESS!

A friend asked if I would use the pacifier again with baby #3, and I think I definitely would.  It hasn’t been hard to take away and it made life much easier when he was small.  I will just have to remember that breaking the habit means a few very loud days :-)

Spontaneity isn’t dead… yet!

Here is my very delayed post about our trip to St. Louis!  This was a very spur of the moment trip – we decided to leave at 5:00pm on Thursday and were in the car at 6:15!  It was a little insane, but totally worth it!

Tom’s sister lives in St. Louis, and his parents were visiting for the week – so off we went to get a “family fix” and a change of pace for a few days.  It is a VERY long drive from Birmingham (9 hours if you don’t stop) so we opted to drive to Memphis on Thursday night (we stopped in Hamilton to leave Zoe with my parents) and finish the journey on Friday.  This turned out to be a great plan because the kids slept most of the way to Memphis and took naps on Friday as well.  All and all the drive up wasn’t bad – considering we were traveling with two very small children!

We had a really wonderful visit with Tom’s family and I got a nice break from full time motherhood.  Abby Ruth stayed at Kimmy’s house while Tom and I (with Tripp of course) headed to a hotel.  This was such a treat – beds you don’t have to make, breakfast you don’t fix or clean up after, towels that magically appear clean and folded – heavenly!  Also – one child is SOOO much easier than two – as Tom’s mom said, “One is the easiest number!”  We didn’t bring a lot of toys for Tripp, but who needs toys when you have a sink and shampoo samples?

We really enjoyed spending time with family – Abby had a great time with her Aunt Kimmy, Uncle D, Mimi & Poppy (yes, my daughter is calling Tom’s dad “Poppy” instead of Papa)!  It was a beautiful weekend and the kids got to play outside a good bit.  Abby Ruth loved watching the boys play ball – she even got in there and tried it a bit… but I don’t think she will be very successful without her eyes being open!

It’s good to be home and back in our routine, but the break was a welcome one and a trip we will remember for years to come.  We are very blessed to have a family (on both sides) that loves us and wants to spend time with us.

6 months old

I cannot believe my baby boy is 6 months old… it seems just the other day I was holding him in the hospital!  Here are some things he’s up to these days, and what’s to come!

* Tripp weighs around 17 pounds – I think… his 6-month appointment is next Friday and I will update his height/weight after that.

* He can sit independently and play with toys, but he isn’t dependable yet and will fall over if he isn’t watched. 

* Tripp is VERY strong – he can pull himself to a sitting position if he’s holding your hands.  Considering how strong his upper body is, I think he will be crawling in the next month or two.

* He eats solids twice each day and nurses 4 times – he then takes an 8 ounce bottle before bed.  Tripp’s favorite food is carrots – he LOVES them!  We will add a 3rd feeding of solids soon and then Tripp will probably drop one of those nursing sessions.

* Tripp is a social bug!  He hates to be left alone and loves to “talk” to people.  He and Abby Ruth are beginning to “play” together which is a huge blessing and adorable to watch!

* He’s a big fan of the pacifier – this unfortunately has to stop…  Not looking forward to weaning him from the object that keeps him quiet and happy so often.

* Tripp is still a GREAT sleeper – he takes great morning and afternoon naps (about 1.5 hours each) and sleeps for about 11 hours at night.  For a long time he woke up between 5 and 6 every day – but it seems that is changing to 6 or 6:30, a welcome change!

* No teeth yet, but I think the process has begun.  He keeps his fingers or toys in his mouth at all times – not a lot of drool yet, but I’m sure that’s coming too.

We are in love with this little guy – I cannot say that enough.  Even when he has a bad day and fusses a lot… he has the most precious smile I’ve ever seen and it melts away frustration.  I’m enjoying every moment – and hate that it’s going so quickly.

Weekend Whirlwind

It truly was a whirlwind since we just returned from Hamilton yesterday!  Here are some short updates about the littlest Nelsons :-)

* Abby Ruth had a word EXPLOSION last week!  She is now saying: fly, oh my, what’s wrong, star, pool, swing, slide, chip, running…. like I said, it was a big week for words!

* Tripp is sitting!  He isn’t very steady, and loses his balance if he leans side to side.  If he starts to fall backwards (onto his boppy), he can pull himself back to sitting – now those are strong abs!

* Potty training hasn’t been great… I think it’s normal that when you visit a new place there are more accidents, and boy did we have some accidents!  Hopefully this week will be better :-)

* I ran 1.75 miles without stopping!  There is a 3+ mile loop at my parents house that I am determined to run without stopping on my next visit.  Running outside in the heat and humidity - not as easy…

* We are looking forward to getting back to our routine.  Hamilton was a great break and the kids are worn out – but it’s always nice to be home!

Swim, Swing, Sand… Repeat!

We have been spending the week with my parents in Hamilton and Abby Ruth thinks she is at a resort!  We have spent our mornings rotating between the pool, the playset and the sandbox.  She is having a blast, and wearing herself out in the process – I have to admit, I’m pretty tired too!

Every time we visit my parents Abby Ruth wakes up VERY early – she knows her nana and papa are early risers and is motivated to get started… before 6!  The lack of sleep combined with playing outside in our Alabama heat makes for a very crabby child by lunch.  Over the past couple of days she has been ready for her nap by noon and it’s all we can do to get lunch in her belly before she passes out!  Tripp has been off his schedule as well – just part of visiting a new place I guess.

The last time we visited, Abby Ruth fell in love with the new swingset – especially the swings.  She points in that direction and says, “Whee?”  She has always loved playing in the sand, and the pool is fun – but has also held a healthy amount of fear and uncertainty for Abby.  Well, not anymore!  Abby Ruth is getting VERY brave when it comes to the “big pool.”  She can get in and out by herself and does so whether she is in a bathing suit or not.  She is working on blowing bubbles while kicking her feet and she has started jumping in from the side (if I’m there to catch her).  I love that she is enjoying the water – I’ve always loved to swim and I hope both my kids do too. 

As you can see, we are having a great time.  I miss Tom and the kiddos do too – but it’s nice to escape the normal every once and awhile.  Thankfully, my parents welcome our visits and help out with the kids enough that I feel like I’m getting a mini-vacation!  Hopefully I will go home refreshed, and the littles will be so tired that they will sleep in and take long naps for a few days…. well, I can dream can’t I?

Weekend Whirlwind

Notes from the weekend:

*  Abby Ruth is now in jail – well, she’s locked in her room at least!  She had been leaving her room to roam the halls in the middle of the night.   Instead of me having to get up and return her to bed, we turned her lock around and she is now stuck.  She doesn’t like this new system at all, but it keeps her safe and me sleeping!

*  Abby Ruth had a low-grade fever Thursday & Friday – so we began the weekend in “recovery mode.”  On top of that Tom had to work ALL DAY Saturday so I was flying solo :-(  We did get to meet him for lunch – a very welcome treat!

*  Tripp is almost sitting!  His balance needs work, but his back and abs are very strong – I think he’ll be sitting on his own soon!  He has also started pulling hair – an achievement that really upsets and confuses his sister.

*  Sunday was Father’s Day and the daddy at our house (who we love SOOO much) wanted to chill out :-).  So we had a calm, quiet Sunday.

Weekend Whirlwind

I will try to blog a few memories from each weekend on Mondays – hopefully this will cause me to have at least one blog post a week!

*  We had successful potty training days – including poo-poo in the potty!

*  Tripp added pears to his food list – he says they are much tastier than green beans :-)

*  Abby Ruth has begun picking up any object and pretending it’s a phone – SOO funny.  Her words are a blur but the inflections are all there and she always says “Hi” and ”Bye!”

*  As I was getting the kids ready for baths on Saturday, Abby Ruth decided to help… by pouring a cup of water on Tripp’s head BEFORE he got into the tub.  We had a very wet bath mat :-)

Tripp – 5 months

I need to update Tripp’s stats for the month – before another month passes!  He is now 5 months old, which is hard for this mama to believe.  It seems like just yesterday I found out I was having another baby and wondering how I would ever handle two kids under two… now I’m potty training a two-year-old and my 5 month old is eating solids – where does the time go?!?!

*  He weighs close to 17 pounds (according to our home scale).  He wears 6 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

*  He nurses 4 times a day and takes a bottle before bed – he also eats solids in the morning and at night – we are doing fruit and oatmeal in the am and a veggie at night.  Thus far Tripp is not a fan of the veggies… but that’s understandable since he is used to sweet milk as his main food source!

*  He is an EARLY riser!  Tripp goes to bed around 7 – but he wakes up at 5!  However, we have discovered that he will go back to sleep for and hour or two if you go in and give him his pacifier… so that’s what we do!

*  He is VERY good at holding his head and chest up while on his tummy.  Tripp will do whatever it takes to get to his stomach – he does NOT enjoy being on his back and struggles through diaper & clothing changes because he wants to get onto his stomach.

*  Tripp loves his sister and thinks she is hilarious.  The other night Tom was playing with Abby Ruth and had her giggling – Tripp couldn’t even see them but started laughing with his sister!

*  He isn’t a big cryer – but he does complain a lot!  Tripp is more of a loud whiner… trust me, this is just as irritating as crying :-)

*  He loves to be out of the house, just like his sister – neither of my kids like to stay home!

Tripp is 4 months old!

This is Tripp’s monthly blog update.  It’s a little late because of all the excitement surrounding his 4 month birthday, nevertheless, here’s what Tripp is up to now that he is 4 months old!

*  Tripp is a BIG boy – at his 4 month appointment (May 14^th) he weighed 15 pounds, 9 ounces (without clothes or a diaper!!!) and was 26 inches long.  This puts him in the 75% and 85%!

*  He has definitely had some crabby days mixed in with his otherwise happy demeanor – he spits up a lot and I guess that might have something to do with his irritability.  The doctor prescribed Zantac and so far it has helped reduce the spitting.  Tripp is happier and we are cleaning up fewer messes – a definite win!

*  Tripp rolls from front to back AND back to front now.  He actually rolls from back to front more often than the other… which is harder to do!  The boy loves his tummy and I definitely don’t have to worry about him getting enough “tummy time.”

*  He still sleeps for 10-11 hours each night – his bedtime has been moved closer to his sister’s and he is now in bed by 7:30 each night.  If I could just get him to sleep until 6 every day I’d be happy!

*  He continues to eat 5 times a day (sometimes a 6^th snack feeding is in there)– nursing 4 and a bottle before bed.  We haven’t started solids yet but might do that in the next month or so.

*  He takes 2 long naps (one morning and one afternoon) now and that has been a GREAT transition.  I have been using the morning nap to get something done around the house (while Abby Ruth plays by herself) and the afternoon nap is dedicated to some R&R.  I love that both kids are down at the same time every afternoon – what a life saver!

*  He’s a talker!  Tripp is almost never quiet – he is a happy little man, but he is definitely a boy.. so loud!