Flashback Pic

Here's a comparision picture of Natalie at around 2-3 months. Nicole does look a lot like Natalie did at that age, although she is definitely bigger than Natalie was. She is already in 3-6 month clothes where Natalie tracked with her age. At this age, Natalie weighed 10lb 10 oz, where Nicole must be 13 lbs right now.

Pictures

Here's a picture of Nicole today. She has the best smiles!

Here is a picture of Natalie, sitting in a bucket of water. She just went over and sat down in it when Woody was washing the other day. She keeps us laughing!

Fireproof Date

We went on another date (wow, this is getting to be somewhat regular!) last night. We went to see the movie, Fireproof. It was a really good movie, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone--you don't have to be having marriage problems to enjoy it! It has enough action for the guys to keep them interested. Exceptional for a non-Hollywood movie!

Of course, we went to the matinee showing. And, we had to do one baby errand while we were out--we haven't changed our date style. Our romantic dinner at the mall Chic-fil-A was the last stop. I love Chic-Fil-A!

Natalie enjoyed playing with her Grandma and Grandpa while we were gone, and Nicole was mostly enjoying just being held during that time! Natalie made a cute elephant out of craft balls that she enjoys keeping on the table. Thanks again, Grandma & Grandpa!

Nighttime Sleep

Wow, it has been a good week for nighttime sleep for Nicole. We had gone back to 3-5 hours between feedings for quite a while. However, this week, Nicole has gone up to 8-9 hours between feedings. That means all night! I feed her at about 8 pm and don't hear anything again until after 4am. It has been a blessed time! It's not a coincidence that my BSF group started praying for more sleep on Thursday night and Thursday night was the first night she slept. Saturday night, she went more like 7 hours, but that was still great!!

Natalie had her first sleepwalking experience this week too. I heard a noise while sleeping, turned over, and there was her face! Her eyes were closed, so I knew she was sleepwalking. She went back to bed, but I was awake for about an hour afterwards, I guess from adrenaline!

I'll try to post some more pictures of the girls soon. I've had a lapse in blogging because we've gotten into our fall routine and not much else lately.

Fruity Attitude

Blogs can't all be about the events and happenings without a little bit of the challenges. I know that our BSF quotes John 16:33, "...in this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." And, we've had troubles with Natalie these past few weeks. It has changed from being disobedient over a few minor things to refusal and screaming at the top of her lungs while kicking. The main blessing is that this behavior seems isolated with us. It may be related to being a new big sister as well. We've tried more attention, some rewards. Now, we've tried some discipline and removal of toys/videos. The videos are the way we're heading now. I would rather take all the videos to the Salvation Army than to keep them and have this behavior. Of course, with a new baby, videos are a help to keep her occupied for short stretches of time while I tend to the baby. But, they are becoming an issue as well, with her shouting if we turn off a video. I may post a picture of her tantrum antics for posterity on the blog. The main times of "battle" are during mealtimes and nap/bedtimes, which are usually tough points anyway. But, this is going above and beyond what we have ever seen before.

Any suggestions or help is appreciated for this type of situation. We love her so much and want this "phase" to be over with us making the right choices for discipline instead of any bad ones. Prayers are welcomed too! We're focusing on what the Lord is teaching us through this tough time, and using Galatians 5:22-23 as it seems to be where we come back to every time (that's why the fruity title).

Shot Scare

This picture was taken this weekend, before today and the shots. She has a good smile on her face here. We went for her shots this morning, and then a few errands and I went to the dentist. Natalie was back at preschool, feeling back to normal with no coughing. About 4 hours after the shots, Nicole woke up screaming. Nicole is normally not too loud and is good about quieting down once you pick her up if she is. Nothing would calm her down. After about 30 minutes, I called the doctor and headed back. After examining her, it appears she just has a little more pain and a little more fever than normal. We're monitoring her (and praying!), but it appears this will take a little time to work out. Until then, she is getting a lot of holding time.

Something to pray about

We've been praying for our family in the path of Hurricane Ike. Aunt Sally (Mommy Sally per Natalie), Susan, Trenton, Jack, Sarah, Ron, Pam, Meredith, and Drew. We rejoiced to hear that they were safe with minor damage to their property. Praise the Lord!

Thank you, God, for

Natalie has been contributing prayers at dinnertime for some time now. She went through a phase where she decided not to pray. Then, she went through the repetitive phase where she said every one she loved 3 or 4 times during her prayer, including herself a few times. Yesterday, she shortened it quite somewhat when she said, "Thank you, God, for me." I guess thankfulness starts at self?

Picnic Date

At our 8 week celebration of Nicole's birth, we were able to go out on a date, just Woody & me! Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa coming up and watching both kids while we were out. Of course, we did not stay out long, we don't know how to have a date anymore I guess! We had a really nice romantic picnic in a local wooded and natural area. It was good that nobody had that same idea on a Friday night. It was great weather although the forecast was for rain. It was quiet and nice to just sit together and talk when we wanted to talk, just enjoy the time together.

Spreading out the blanket
The nice butterfly gardens nearby, although the powerlines give it away that we are still in the city. (I know you know where this is, Jo Ellen!). We walked through the wood trails together as well, just enjoying nature and the time.
Here's the shot of us both, I've still not perfected the hold it up and shoot shot.

We had a great time and were refreshed to be together.

BSF Start

I'm so thankful that I was able to go (at least to the discussion group part) of BSF today. It was great to be back. I'm in a group that I don't know too many people, but that will help me make new friends I guess! I decided not to take Natalie, even though she was feeling better. Just one more day and she should go back to school. Nancy was an angel and watched both Nicole & Natalie today while I went. Thank you, Nancy! Natalie started being a handful after a while, and I'm glad I came back before the lecture to relieve her.
We're studying the Life of Moses in BSF this year, which is Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. I have learned in the notes that Moses also wrote Psalm 90, which I didn't know. I am sure I will learn much more this year, as the two years I have done of BSF have taught me a lot!

Health Update

When we get through these health issues, we will be so grateful for good health! The good news is that Nicole had her 2 month checkup today. She is doing great, 23 1/2 inches and 11 lbs 13 oz. Everything is looking great on her, except for a little reflux issues. She didn't get her shots today, however, because Natalie is sick. Natalie woke up from her nap on Monday with a sore throat and cough. Per the doctor, it appears she has the croup. We are monitoring and keeping her comfortable with Tylenol. She won't be able to go to preschool tomorrow because she had a temperature this morning. But, she didn't have a fever this afternoon, which is a blessing. We're praying for her to be better tomorrow, so she can go to BSF on Thursday. We're looking forward to the start of BSF and don't want to miss it!

Another Challenge

The thing I have feared about nursing...mastitis. It appears that I have developed this, although I have tried to avoid it. God has another challenge here, and I don't know whether this means to persevere through and keep nursing or pull back and start the weaning process. Prayers are welcomed for healing and wisdom!!

Family Beach Shot

Thanks for sending the picture, Grandma & Grandpa!

Not there yet

No, Nicole only went 3 hours between feedings last night. We're not in a habit yet...still praying!

First Day at School

Wow, Natalie had her first day at K3 today. Last week, we were at the beach, so we missed the actual start of it. Today, Woody was home as he didn't go into work until later, so he volunteered to take Natalie to school at the church. They have carpool lines, which work well but take getting used to the new rules.

While Natalie was enjoying her day, Nicole and I went shopping. Shopping other than the grocery store, that is! I hadn't been anywhere (except to Walmart once) other than the grocery or drug store in the area since Nicole's birth. It was good to get out to try and get clothes for Natalie for next summer while they were on clearance. I didn't have a chance to look for shoes, but you can't do it all in one morning!

I'm glad Woody took her to preschool, as I was tearing up while I saw the little kids escorted out of the building. I can't believe my little girl is in school! She saw the car a few cars back and yelled a happy "Mommy!" Once in the car, I asked her what she learned. She said she learned to listen to Jesus. Oh, what melts the heart! Then, she said something about time out. Worried a little, I asked her if she had been put in time out. She said, no, Davis was in time out. I had to smile a little, as I had Davis in Sunday School last year. I put him in time out quite often myself. He was in time out for sitting on the table and dropping his note, per Natalie. I told her, I understood, because when I was a teacher, I put Davis in time out myself. She was surprised and asked if I was a teacher. I said, I was a teacher last year. She said, but you turned into a Mommy. Which is true--we're taking a break while Nicole is little. She asked if I would turn into a teacher again. I said I would if the Lord wanted me to teach again. Then, she said, some day she would be a teacher. I told her, whatever you want to do, whatever you feel the Lord wants you to be!

Of course, last week, she said she would be a doctor when she grew up. We'll see what next week holds for profession preferences!

Nicole Favorites Part 1

I just wanted to record Nicole's cute loving ways. She loves to rub cheeks as I'm burping her on my shoulder. She likes to hold hands too. And, she has started rubbing her little hand on my arm. So cute!!

Her favorite toy right now: the play gym. She coos and makes really happy sounds while batting around the link-doodled animals.

She is very alert and wants to sit up. I don't know if anyone has any experience using the Bumbo seat, but if they do, could they post a comment if it is worth the money. And how old their child was when they used it.

She has gone 5 hours between feedings the past two nights, without any formula. Praise the Lord! We're praying for more of a schedule and more sleep at night. Also, praying for reflux as it seems she is developing a little of that at this point in her development.

Beach Bums

We've been away all last week, being beach bums! We enjoyed staying with Grandma and Grandpa at the beach. We also had the blessing of Peter, Emily, and Nate arriving at the end of the week as well. It was a great family time. God also blessed us with fabulous weather.
Nicole didn't much care for the beach this visit. Of course, we had to completely keep her out of the sun in a sun tent or carry an umbrella to & from. Maybe next time she'll enjoy it. I know Nate enjoyed his visit, although I don't have any pictures! We put up items that would be anything to grab once he arrived, and I put my camera where I forgot to take it on the way out the door.
One activity was flying a kite. Woody made sure that we knew Natalie picked out the pink flamingo instead of him.
Natalie loves water, but she didn't go into the ocean like last time. Last time, she loved the waves. This time, she was scared of them. She would stay in the little pools formed as the tide went low, but that was about it. We tried our best, but she would scream when carried near the water this time.
Proof I was on the beach too!
We also rode a Sea Doo as another fun activity. I drove once, but it didn't handle as well as Woody driving it.

We had a great time, now back to reality here at home!