Christmas

This picture captures my favorite moment of Christmas this year.  Due to a lack of space and lack of trust that Abby would leave the presents alone, we didn't have any presents under the tree at all this year.  I had been up for an hour waiting for Abby to wake up Christmas morning.  Emerson was asleep after his 6 am feed and finally at about 7 am Abby was awake.  Daddy, Abby and I all came down the stairs and saw presents under the tree.  She stopped halfway on the staircase and looked and said "presents?".  Then she kneeled down in front of the tree and just looked.  She was so darling.  She would bring us one gift to see if it was for her or Emerson and amazing only opened her gifts.

The first gift she opened was a hit.  She played with this for awhile and then we had breakfast.  Sweet little Emerson stayed asleep long enough for us to enjoy a leisurely breakfast.  Breakfast was amazing - Christmas Brunch Casserole.  I used breakfast sausage instead of bacon.  The hash browns on the bottom were browned nicely.

  She opened the rest later in the morning.  When Emerson woke up, she opened his gifts for him and explained them all to him.  It was the perfect low key, calm, relaxed Christmas morning I wanted it to be.  I'm already excited for next year.

2 months old and Christmas outfits continued

Emerson is growing and growing.  He grew 2 inches this month and jumped to the 95% ile (24 1/2 inches).  He'll be taller than me by age 12 at this rate.  His weight was holding strong in the 75%ile at 12# 3 oz.  We're increasing his reflux medications and he is a much happier boy.  (Guess you'll be getting that bottle of wine soon AK).

I don't remember much from Abby's first months so everything Emerson does is a surprise.  Yesterday he rolled up onto his side.  Christmas night he slept 8 hours.  He is an avid "talker" already and gets real loud if you aren't paying attention to him. His most frequent sound is like a soft wolf cry.

He spent most of his time during the Christmas parties trying to sleep or eat.  Can't wait to see him next year running wild with Abby and Reiland.

And here is your photo montage.

7 days of Christmas

We have been blessed to get hand me downs from September baby Orla and October babies Kristian and Kayden.  So when I went through Emerson's winter gear I realized he had 8 Christmas outfits, but there were only 7 days left to Christmas.  Let the montage begin.

On the first day of Christmas, my dear friends gave to me . . . 

One warm holiday sleep sack.

On the second day of Christmas my dear friend gave to me . . .

A joyful long sleeve onesie.

.

Purbfect

With a newborn in the house and many parties and obligations this year we are just using a 4 foot tree I had in my single days.  A few days ago I brought it out for Abby and I to decorate.  Before I could even get out the lights she was putting ornaments on from her box.  Every ornament she put on she would look at and say her version of perfect "purb-fect".  When I finished the lights and put them on she exclaimed "Wonderful".  It was amazing to see her so excited.  Next year will be even more amazing when she will understand Santa and maybe remember some Christmas traditions from this year.  

Abby in action. 

The first ornament she put on.  My Dad made it as a boy.

A job well done.

The next day we went to the Domes to check out the Christmas display.  Emerson napped most of the time and Abby just glowed.  She talked the whole time and didn't have any tantrums. We just walked and enjoyed the snowman, the Koi fish, the waterfall and the cactus.

Taking it all in.

Her favorite snowman

Enjoying Mommy time.

"Surprise"

Emerson - 1 month

Hi friends and family.  Emerson just wanted to give a little wave and a smile.  

 Thursday we had his one month appointment and after asking the doctor why our baby always seems so sad and he went into a full Emerson screaming fit for her pleasure we received a prescription for anti-reflux medication.  I have never been more proud of my little guy.

He's taken 3 doses and he seems so much better.  He is still spitting up but not every time he eats.  Grandma Kathy even gave him a 2 oz bottle that he kept down today!!!  This made me happiest of all because know I can leave the house GUILT FREE.  It also means Tim and I can take turns putting Abby to bed because he can give Emerson a bottle.  Also, he's taken several naps today, did tummy time, sat in his bouncy sit contently for 35 minutes, and "played" in his play yard with Abby without crying.  This is how I remember it being with Abby and I feel so relieved.  He still has small crying fits but things are looking much better.  It's so frustrating to know your child is hurting and that there is nothing you can do to help.

 His stats this month were 10# 10 oz (75th% ile), head was 75th% ile and length 22 1/2 inches (85th % ile).  Uncle Jay says he's going to be a big boy like his uncle and Daddy.
  

Emerson started smiling at Thanksgiving and a few days later started making cooing sounds.  He's very interested in what Abby is doing when she isn't right in his face.  He sleeps in his swing or the car seat so his meals will stay down and can sleep for 4-5 hours at night if he is comfortable.

Abby is in love and in many ways too helpful.  She wants to carry him, burp him, dress him, shove his nuk in his face and show him how to play with every toy they both own.  For the first few weeks of his life she called him "baby person" but has taken to calling him Emerson.  Tim and I miss it but know this nickname will stick with the rest of our family even if Abby doesn't say it anymore.  She is a really loving sister just a little too strong and loud, but she is so helpful getting me towels, burp rags and throwing away diapers as I need it.  Her temper tantrums are getting stronger and longer so this weekend will be a special one for Abby.  Saturday she will have an adventure with just Daddy and Sunday with just Mommy.  That's right folks, Mommy is going to give up precious football time for this little girl.

Waiting

He only sleeps this good in someone's arms.

Have you ever seen an infant spit up/vomit so hard that it is pouring out of their nose and mouth?  It's pretty traumatic and unfortunately I've seen this 4 or 5 times now in 2 weeks.  I'm typing with one hand, wishing Tim was home and waiting for the nurse to call.

Last week the pediatrician told me all babies have reflux and since he gained weight they don't need to treat it.  With each day I grow more anxious about feeding him.  He always seems hungry but the doctor said they spit up the extra they take in.  Common advice is to give small, frequent meals.  What does that mean?  How often and how long?  How do I know how much he is getting?  To all the patients I have given this advise to I apologize.

I'm really not prepared for this.  All my pregnancy worries were about how would this baby affect Abby.  So here I sit worrying, wondering, wishing and doubting myself.  Hoping there will be advise soon to ease his discomfort and my anxiety.  Come on phone please ring.

The second child

 It's official, I have a full blown case of mama guilt.  I'm trying hard to enjoy these first days at home with two but you're stretched so thin it's hard to ever feel like you are doing a good job.

I feel guilty that Emerson is not getting the attention that Abby did when she was born from us and the extended family.  Yes, that is true but he won't remember right?  I feel guilty because we don't take a dozen pictures a day of him.  In fact a whole week probably went by that we didn't get a photo.  I feel guilty for continually comparing him to Abby -super baby, one of the easiest babies ever born.

Abby is as wild as ever, which prior to a second child I loved.  Everything she said or did was so funny or cute to me, unless she was harassing the cat.  Now all these endearing qualities drive me insane.  I worry that she feels left out or less loved because Mom is busy more often and doesn't play as much.  I hate that she has picked up the catch phrase "not yet", because we say it too often to her now.  I worry that at night when she is crying about having more milk or a certain stuffed animal or a diaper change that she is really saying I need one more hug.   I worry that she's not as happy as she used to be.

 But these pictures of Abby with her little brother give me hope that despite all this hardship for Tim and I now, that these two will be close.  I hope that they will love each other their whole lifes and be each other's first call (well maybe second after Mom) with all good or bad news in their lifes.  I hope that they will be good to each other and close friends.  I hope that their kids will grow up together and share every birthday.  I hope they will be in each other weddings. I hope their spouses get a long.

Most of all I hope that they will have as much fun together as these little rascals did and that they will always have each other to go to when mom and dad are driving them crazy.