Spring is in the air!

We had a beautiful weekend here in NC. Spring has definitely sprung. On Friday The Sioss’ joined us for some basketball watching. It was great to spend some time with them, it had been a while. The boys really enjoyed seeing each other and got along really nicely.

(please check out Natasha's blog by clicking here, as hers is always much better than mine!!)

Brennan... sorry you got a bit chopped out of the picture, your Dad was moving too quickly for me!
As you would have guessed – Reagan and Kenzie just hung out. They too will soon be best buds, enjoying tea parties together!

Josh and I decided last minute to have a spring cookout with some friends on Saturday. It was a GREAT day for some corn hole playing and beer drinking.

Cute shot of Caleb (Noah's brother). We were too busy keeping the boys from hurting each other, we did not get a single shot of them.

Frank enjoying some sweet Kenzie time!

Friday's Five!

1) We took Mackenzie to the Orthopedist on Wednesday and thankfully her hip is not dislocated like the pediatrician thought it was. However, it does become dislocated when he pushed on it just right – so, there is still a chance she will end up in a brace. We go back in two weeks to see if it has corrected itself. If it does not, she will be in a brace for 6 weeks. As much as I don’t want my little princess to be put in a brace, I have to stay positive and tell myself that it could be much worse.

2) My 1st week with no help was not as bad as I had anticipated. I do however feel like I’ve run a marathon by the time I get home from bringing Carter to school (and picking him up). It is definitely much more work with Kenzie in tow.
Granddaddy & Kenzie having a heart to heart.

3) Carter seems to really enjoy being a big brother, that is of course when he even notices she is in the room. He often walks by her swing and says “I’m your big brother” and gives her a kiss on the cheek. With the exception of a few instances he has not shown any jealousy. I’m sure it will come and go over the next few months. Josh and I really do our best to give him undivided attention until he goes to bed. Right now that is pretty easy, since Mackenzie is very content in her swing. Carter’s big thing lately is to tell us we are the bestest Mommy, Daddy & Baby in the whole wide world. It just melts my heart.

We do a lot of racing around the house – it is so cute, Carter says on your mark, ba-set, go…. of course he must have on his lighting McQueen slippers – no matter what lightning McQueen WINS. We’ll have to break him of that sooner than later.

April 1st he moves into the 3 year old class room at school. As most of you know, Carter does not do change well, so I’m a bit nervous for the transition – however, I really do like his new teacher Miss Julie. So, hopefully it goes better than expected.

4) Little Princess here has got to be the loudest eater ever. I’m pretty certain you could hear her next door! She seems to be a bit gassy, some days more than others. With the exception of some very loud grunting it doesn’t seem to bother her much… luckily. She is staying consistent with eating every 4 hours, or so. We’ll often put her down around 10pm and can almost always expect a wake-up call @ 2am… then again at 6am. It really hasn’t been too bad – but, I’d really like a few more hours of consecutive sleep. I have taken the brunt of the feedings since Josh has such a long commute – thankfully, he steps in on the weekend so I can catch up a bit.


5) I’m pretty certain Mackenzie is smiling at us… though most would say it is still a bit early and with all her gas it is unlikely – but… I feel certain it is a true smile. I’ll be sure to keep the camera close by and do my best to capture it and let you determine for yourself.

5 on Friday!

1. Carter has been home from his week long vacation at the Lake for a week now, and things couldn't be any better. It is so wonderful having the family together. Carter is a great big brother. He really enjoys giving Mackenzie a bottle and holding her on his lap. Of course it doesn't last long - playing with his toys are much more fun! Luckily, it last long enough for a few good shots!


2. Wednesday, March 10th marked the two week birthday for our little princess. She really is a good baby. I'm afraid to praise her too much, as we know how quickly things change. However, she seems to have fallen into a fairly good routine already. She is eating every 4 hours pretty much on cue. Some nights she even gives me 5 hours straight.... oh how I love those nights. She enjoys her days either playing or sleeping..... oh, and peeing and pooping! We took her for her two week check-up and she was given a great bill of health.

Weight: 8lbs 8oz - 50%
Height: 21 1/2 - 90%
Head: 14 - 50%

If you remember, she measured 22 1/2 inches long at the Hospital. Her pediatrician doesn't think she is shrinking, she is pretty certain they mis-measured her in the Hospital.


3. On Tuesday, March 16th Josh and I will be taking Mackenzie to Duke Pediatric Orthopedic to have an x-ray of her hip done. She was born with a dislocated hip, which is very common for breech babies. There is a possibility they will put her in a brace. As soon as we return from the appointment I will update the blog with the details. According to her pediatrician we should not worry, since it was caught so quickly there will be no long term set backs. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

4. Nana's week long vacation is unfortunately coming to an end. She will be missed by all of us. Carter and Mackenzie have had some wonderful bonding time with their Nana (as have I) - which is so very special for everyone. I have had the luxury of coming and going when I please - I will have a reality check next week.... having to get Carter to school with Kenzie in tow will be a feat. One I'm not sure I'm quite ready for....


5. This past weekend was absolutely beautiful - so, we took the kids to the park for a few hours. It was packed... but, Carter had a BLAST. I'm pretty certain he played on every piece of equipment. However, he clearly had the best time chasing Josh on the diamond.




Mackenzie was very content sleeping!


Be sure to check out the Picasa site for more pictures!!

Livin' it up!

Carter is going to be bored stiff once he comes home... he has had the time of his life at Nana & Granddaddy's this week. Here is a quick recap of his last two days at Lake Murray. We can't wait for him to come home tomorrow!!

Mommy and Daddy,

We had a change in plans today. Because it was such a pretty day, we decided to play outside and not go to Chucky Cheese. We played a long time on the playground equipment at the local park, ran around the bases on the baseball field, saw a deer in the state park, went for a boat ride and fed the sea gulls (dozens of them).

It was a very busy and fun day. I am exhausted, I plan to go to bed at 8 p.m. when Carter goes down for the night.

Granddaddy








Mommy and Daddy,

We had another good day on Friday. Carter played the piano, watched a Thomas The Train movie, took a long walk, played baseball, played basketball and rode around on the pontoon for two hours. The boy only has two speeds when driving the boat: really, really fast and super fast (Carter's words). We also fed two boxes of Cheerios to the sea gulls.

Granddaddy

Week one....

.... is under our belt - do I dare say it has been a bit easier than I expected?!? I've probably just jinx'd myself - but, what can ya do. We seem to be getting on some what of a schedule, it has been nice to have this week just the three of us; however, I miss my little guy more than words can describe. I'm ready to get into a grove as a family of four.

I tell ya what... having a scheduled c-section and not laboring for 18 hours really is much easier on your body. I feel much better physically and emotionally this go round. Amazing what a little bit of experience will do for ya, too!

On Monday night we decided it was time for Mackenzie to meet our friends at La Rancharita - a local Mexican restaurant in Apex. 5 days old isn't too soon for a little rice & beans, is it? All well if it is, Momma needed a Margarita!

Two nights ago I decided it was time for Mackenzie to sleep in her own crib. We had her in a pack-in-play in our room, and it just wasn't working. Hopefully, once Carter is home we are able to keep her in her bed without too much distraction to him. Fingers crossed. I'm pretty sure Josh was able to get an entire nights rest last night... I'm sure that felt good considering today was his first day back in the office.

Check out our 1st weeks worth of pictures by clicking here!

More lake time!

Carter playing with some of Josh's old cars!

Enjoying some fishin' with Granddaddy! According to Carter they didn't catch anything... but were going to try again tomorrow!


Quality time with Nana & Granny!

What is my kids obsession with baby bath tubs... he is convinced they are his boats. Already reading a boat book... look out Granddaddy, you'll be buying Carter a boat for his 5th birthday at this rate!

Enjoying a Dinosaur book with Nana before bed time!

Camp Nana & Granddaddy!

On Sunday Carter was running a bit of a fever so Josh's folks offered to take him back to the Lake with them on Monday for the week. Of course my first thought was no way, as I had already felt like I hadn't seen much of my favorite lil' man because of the hospital stay, etc. But, after some thought and discussing it with Carter, we decided it was probably for the best. It wouldn't be any fun having to tell him over and over again not to get near his new baby sister. So, on Monday morning he left for his adventure.... as you will see from the pictures below he is having a BLAST, to say the least.

Nothing like some Noggin watching on Nana's bed with his WVU hat....

Having the time of his life at Monkey Joe's! Climbing on up.....

Slidding on down.....

Of course you know our little peanut had to ride the bull dozer ride!