Maternity Leave

Coming up on the last few days of maternity leave, I've had the best 6 weeks!! Abby is the best best little baby! She is so good in fact that I have actually googled "why is my baby not crying much" and "is it ok that my 5 week old is sleeping 5 hours straight at night." To add to her not crying often and sleeping great, she only poops like every 3 days, which after searching google is also normal for a breastfed baby! We love our little Happy Abby, she started smiling on her 5 week old birthday.  She smiles with her whole face like she is ready to start laughing, it is a contagious smile.  I've tried taking pictures of it, but the photos do not give her justice to the joy she brings.  She is also attempting to focus in on things, but her eyes cross every once in awhile.  She makes the best faces! I'm thinking these will be perfect for a graduation or wedding slide show someday.

We also had the BEST visitors last week! LOLLY (or as Jaden says "La-La") and GRANDDAD came to Vegas!! Here are beautiful pictures of our pantry and fridge after Lolly and Granddad went on a grocery shopping spree.  We had been eating rice and beans and suddenly they came and everything changed!  My mom made us casseroles to heat up after she left and sadly we ate the last of the tator tot casserole today, so I think it's time for them to come back!! My mom woke up every morning and hung out with Jaden and Abby while Kyle and I slept, and she helped refresh my memory on some new songs to sing!! We woke up the day after they left and thought, dang, back to reality!   They even watched the kids and we went out on a date to the movies.  I wish Texas was closer!

Jaden has been in top form on the hilarity scale!! I wish I could follow him around with a video camera to capture this stage forever.  I love how much he is learning and growing.  He cracks up laughing about everything, loves dancing and singing, and has recently gotten into Elmo!  He talks up a storm, and I am always curious to what he is saying.  He can say all his animal sounds now, which is nice because for awhile there, his answer was "Moo" or "RAAR" for every animal. He knows how to ask for his favorite foods "nana", "apple", and "cookie" and of course he ask for "more" everytime he eats.  He eats bigger portions than me! I have also made sure to teach him the essentials like "Texas Tech" and how to put his "Guns up" and when I ask him who his best friend is, he always answers "Abby."  So far this is the most fun stage!

Although the circumstances have not been ideal with Kyle in between jobs, we have had the best time enjoying the time as a family of 4!  We go to the park, to Mt. Charleston, or walk through model homes dreaming of living life as millionaires.  I'm sad that this is the last couple of days as Kyle starts his new job on Wednesday and I return to work for a few weeks on Tuesday!

3 weeks with The Abster

We are 3 weeks in with our two under two. Up until this week, I have had an unrealistic and fairytale view of what this is going to be like! Abby has basically slept through the past 3 weeks, she stirs slightly when she wants to eat or has a wet diaper and then goes back to sleep. She has also been sleeping well through the night, waking up once at 12:30 and again around 5am.  I am not sure how long this bliss last, but I will take it for now!

 For the first two weeks we kept Jaden in daycare, so it was nice for Jaden to keep his same schedule and for us to have the day to remember what it's like to care for a newborn.  All that has changed this week because Jaden's last day of daycare until I go back to work in August was last Wednesday.  We were so sad to say goodbye because we love love love his teacher! It has been a crazy balance between keeping Jaden engaged and stimulated throughout the day and taking care or Abby.  Kyle has been out of work this month, so he will wake up with Jaden at 6:30am and let me and Abby sleep until around 8am! We then switch kids...I take Jaden to the library or park and Kyle hangs out at home with Abby. After Naps, Kyle takes Jaden to the park or the gym and I hang out with the Abster and we clean the house and watch Gilmore Girls!

In between his morning and afternoon park adventures, we have been trying to toys and activities that keep him busy.  We are on the search for craigslist backyard toys, so he can run out his energy when he needs to. Currently we have found that anything that is a ball or musical instrument can keep him entertained for awhile! He loves all things music!  I know many moms are all about "no tv until they are 2"....not this mom..I've been trying to get him into a tv show, so I can put it on when I need to feed Abby, but noooo this kid has no interest...Elmo..nope...Daniel Tiger..he could careless...but any concert, music, songs, or sports game....He is locked in!  We have watched a few mother goose songs and I think I have sung over 1,000 miles of Row, Row, Row your boat!  At night to wind down, we will watch a few Bethal or Hillsong Worship videos and he is completely intrigued and often moved by the music.  When we stood on stage for Abby's baby dedication, Jaden could not stop checking out the guitars and drums.  He wanted to get down so bad, and go play.  His vocabulary is growing everyday and it is fun to watch!

My sister, Kylie came for a few days and it was the best time!! She got up with Jaden in the mornings and Kyle and I slept like we were college students on Christmas break!! She even had Starbucks waiting for us when we woke up!!  She did our dishes, folded laundry, and scrubbed our toilets when we weren't looking...all the chores I hate doing, but could never ask someone to do, and she just did it!! It was the best time, we already started planning our next adventures!!

My mom and dad are coming this week and we will get to celebrate Abby's 1 month birthday together! I'm hoping my mom will hook us up with these delicious breakfast muffins she makes, and perhaps some of her meatloaf...(Hint, Hint, Hint)!