Wait! What just happened? It's 2013!

So the holidays have come and gone and celebrating C's first Christmas was so much fun. He really enjoyed hanging out with everyone until he puked. Yeah, I forgot to mention that Christmas was almost ruined thanks to the parents of a little girl at Daycare. They thought it would be a good idea to watch their older son in the Christmas play do his thing while his poor little sister vomited on everyone else, ruining Christmas for a lot of other families. (I have to blame someone). So B got the stomach bug and was over it by mid day Christmas Eve and then on schedule, C vomited Christmas Eve. I am just thankful that both kids only puked once and felt fine after that.

C had fun trying to open gifts, but really just loved the wrapping paper. B was so excited to see that Santa brought him an indoor trampoline and a dinosaur. He is finally realizing the magic of Christmas and it is so much fun to watch his imagination just take off. This year was our first year doing Elf on the shelf and we had a lot of fun with that as well.

C has had an exponential growth spurt lately, not only physically but intelluctually as well. He can now walk with a walker and climb over just about everything. He constantly babbles, he got two new teeth (left bottom and left top), and he is into everything! He is such a little explorer. C is perfectly contant being alone and exploring his world (the opposite  of B). B always wanted to play with us at that age. Unfortunately, with all this brain growth, he is having a hard time "shutting it down" at night and is waking up for hours in the middle of the night, ready to play.

B is really starting to show his protectiveness over his baby brother. The other day C fell over and the walker fell on top of him, hurting him. B got up  and said "poor baby" and grabbed the walker and through it across the room. Then went over and hit it while saying "bad walker, you don't hurt my baby brother". While initially Mike and I were stunned disturbed over such violent behavior we also thought it was quite sweet.

Christmas Time again

I distinctly remember saying last year to Mike, "just think, this time next year we will have two kids here for Christmas." And now we are here. I can't believe how fast this last year flew by. I realize every year goes by faster and faster and it makes me a little sad. C is about to celebrate his first Christmas and I think all he will care about is the wrapping paper. B has been so good about not opening his presents until Christmas and he makes sure everyone that comes over knows that too.

This year we decided to try out "Elf on the Shelf" which, if you haven't heard about it, is a fun new tradition we decided to start. It involves a small elf that B has named Norman (he got the name off a show Fireman Sam), that flies in everynight and props himself up somewhere in the house and watches over the childrens' behavior then reports it back to Santa. The kids can not touch him because he'll lose his magic and will be unable to fly back to Santa. The elf can not speak either per request from Santa, but he can hear and will tell Santa whatever the kids want to say to him. It's cute and we are having fun with it. Its fun to watch B try and find him every morning. As far as behavior goes, well it sure doesn't prevent him or alter his naughty behavior.

Tonigh his B's first school play of the first Chirstmas and he plays a wiseman. He has 3 lines and he already has it memorized. I am so excited for this play that I might cry watching him up there. I know I am that mom.

looking like Papa Lyle

C is pulling himself up now in his crib and the bathtub. I think it is time to drop the mattress. Just another reminder of how big he is getting. He is just so darn cute I could eat him up. I think he is looking more and more like my dad, especially now that the bags under the eyes (classic Penner eyes) are becoming more prominent. He is such a good baby and so chill. Love. And to think I was afraid I would not love him as much as B, ha!

Long Time No Write

Just when I thought I would give up on writing a blog because I am too busy or because I thought no one was reading them, Gene comes through and demands  a post with pictures.  I am glad he did because one day I will look back on these and be glad that I did it even though I felt like it was a waste of time ...at the time.

So, where do I start as far as updates go? Well, B is a full on 3 year old with back talking and everything. His favorite thing to say to us when he is mad at us is " I don't like you, you're not coming to my birthday party!" When we would say "Ok, I guess I will return your present and cancel the party", he started to get a little more smart. He changed his tune and starting saying " I don't like you, you're not coming to C's birthday party!" Once the party was over we were looking forward to not hearing that phrase for a long time, but that was short lived. His favorite movie now is The Sandlot, and he will watch it everyday and act out every scene.  He loves playing baseball and is actually really good, better than most 5-6 year olds. He can slam a ball pitched to him, he just recently started catching balls with his glove and his favorite move is sliding into home (or any base for that matter). My favorite words that he says, that still remind me of how young he is, are; bana (banana), hairy dogs (prairie dogs), hosbibal (hospital), almons (almonds), and instead of saying "I" he says "me". For instance "me don't know", and "me want it". Right now B is either the sweetest angel child or he is the devil and it can switch within seconds of each other. He is all about his independence and wanting to help out. For example, he tried to wash my iPad for me in the sink, he wants to cut his own food and dress himself. It is a lot of fun watching B grow up, he is such a funny kid. Oh and he can draw the best robots. His pictures have gone from scribbles to actual things now.

C lee is now crawling all around and making all kinds of new sounds,  He can clap and loves his jumperoo. All around C is a very observant  child and is already showing signs of independence. He already is better playing by himself then B was at this age. The one thing C can't do as well a B at this age is eat solid food. He seems to have a very sensitive gag reflex, so I have a feeling I will be pureeing his food for a long time. His hair is just as out-of-control as ever, but as with B, we are not cutting his hair until his first birthday. C is sleeping well through the night, 8pm- 630 am and I hope that doesn't change although once his first tooth gets ready to cut I am sure it will.

New Beginnings

I have officially switched jobs. I now work in an OB/Gyn office, but I can't say I love it yet. I have been there for 2 weeks and feel like an idiot. For those of you who know me, I hate feeling like an idiot. They do things so differently and it makes me second guess everything that I do. Their paranoia has now become my paranoia. The nice thing about working in an office is that I get all weekends and holidays off, the bad thing is that I can't work a 12 hour shifts which I enjoyed because I got to get four days off a week. I guess its give a little take a little kind of situation.

The boys are getting so big. B is in the terrible two's and is approaching the horrible 3's. He is still not potty trained and at this point I am so tired that I don't even feel like training him. This kid is so hard headed that if anyone suggests to him going in the potty he won't do it. If it is his idea then he will, and he will do both poop and pee. He's know how he just won't. I sort of gave up, but the daycare lady is also frustrated and is dropping hints that it is time and she is sick of changing his diaper.

B will often say he his your "best friend" one minute and then the very next he will tell you that you are mean and that he doesn't like you. He hits, pinches, kicks, and screams at us. We try to discipline him, but he just doesn't care. He could care less if you spank him, put him in time out, take toys away, or yell at him. Some days I want to rip my hair out. Unfortunately we are at the point where there are more bad days than good. I just want my sweet B man back already! Who stole him?

At least I got one kid who likes me or at least my boobs. Yes, I am still nursing, but not for anything more than comfort. C lee just loves the boob. He could sit there for hours with it if I'd let him (ok sometimes I do, especially if B is throwing a temper tantrum and I tell mike I am busy and he has to deal with it). B was just too interested in the world around him to stare at my chest, C is still ok with it. He is rolling all around and now he just starting eating cereal. He is sleeping through the night better now with the cereal and really enjoys it. He get pretty excited when he sees me preparing it. My biggest fear if that we will have constipation issues like we did for B, so far so good.

Life is getting more challenging now with too boys. C needs to be entertained and B is being 3, so it is so tiring. I wouldn't trade it for any thing though. I love them so much.

Mike has really stepped  up his father roll and with me working 4 days a week, he has taken another step deeper into being a stay- at- a- home -dad. He mostly enjoys it and I know the kids love it too. I am glad that at least one parent can be home with them for most of the week.

Adios

Ramblings

So C has an official diagnosis of Sandifer Syndrome cause by gastroesophogeal reflux (GERD). This is something bengin and something he will grow out of. The sensation of the reflux messes with his immature central nervous system causing him to have these "shudders". Weird, I know, but I don't care as long as he is fine! The nuerologist says he looks great and is developing on schedule if not ahead of schedule so praise the Lord for that.

We had our garge sale over the weekend and sold about $180 worth of stuff. I still have a lot of baby clothes that I don't know what to do with. I might save them for when my sister has a baby, no pressure or anything ;-).

B is still not potty trained and Mike is a little worried about it, but I reassured him that there are a lot of boys who aren't potty trained by 3 (hopefully we are not one of them). B is repeating everything we say now and I realize there are a lot of phrases that I say which I didn't realize. Since he communicates as we do I notice him saying "Oh my God/goodness" , "cool", "awsome", "come on", "please and thank you" (this one I like), "hi my baby", "babe", and many others. He is really turning into a little man and its excited yet sad. I miss my baby.
Speaking of, I can't decide if I am done having babies. Mike is done for sure so I guess I have to be. Since I am most likely switching jobs we are thinking he needs to get "the big V" while I am still on Kaiser insurance since it will be cheaper. The thought of making it permanent is so sad. When I see brand new babies it makes me miss it (even though mine is 4 months old). I really thought I was done while I was pregnant, but for some reason I just don't know.

C has followed in B's foot steps yet again and has started developing dread locks. I saw his first one this weekend. My kids have freakishly long and wispy hair that tangles up into dread locks that I have to try and comb out or cut out. We won"t be cutting his hair until his first birthday, so I have a long journey ahead of me.

Seems like both kids have been sick a lot. C has been sick 3 times in his four months of life and B seems to have been sick off and on the entire summer. I really hope this gets better and I am sure they do to. C can't eat very well because he can't breath out of his nose, so he get really fraustrated. Loving being a mom though.

5 Months Old!

I can't believe my baby, my last baby, is 5 months old today. He is such a good baby. He only cries when he needs something and is always observing his world around him. He loves watching his brother and, believe it or not, wrestling. Yes, wrestling. He likes to roll around and run into you. He'll even try to crawl over and on you. I can barely believe it myself. He also gets the concept of Peek-a-boo. He will put his toy or stuff animal over his eyes and then pull it down real fast, then will laugh when you say "peek-a-boo". He is darling. I love him so much and I am already wrapped around his little finger, hence why I still get up with him at 4 am to nurse and let him nurse/snack all day long on me. I love it and he loves it too. The only real milstone he hasn't quit grasp yet is name recongnition, but its not his fault. He has a lot of names. Here they are and I am sure I am missing some; Carter Lee, C-lee, C- lo- green, Cartier, Lee, Lee Lee, Baby Carter, Leo, Leopold, My Baby and as the years go on I am sure there will be more.

B and C's interactions are so adorable. While I hold the baby and tell B what toys to pick up, after every toy he turns and looks at me (and the baby). C just finds this so funny and will do an all out belly laugh after every toy. Of course, B lives for this kind of attention so he is so happy that he can make brother laugh. Also, at the store I will wear C and B wants to sit in the front of the cart while I push it. Since they are face to face now, it is all out giggles the whole shopping trip, and I LOVE IT!!! Their relationship has really made a 180. I will catch B randomly reaching for C's hand in the stroller, B will randomly walk up to C and give him a hug and kiss. He is always asking if C can come with us on our B and mommy day. C is always looking for B and lights up when he sees him. I hope this lasts forever. This is the best part about having two kids. It really melts my heart, like literally melt my heart, I can feel it, I swear.

My Shudder Bug

So of course C Lee found out that B man gave us a scare as a baby when we found that hemangioma on his liver so he decided to give a little scare of his own with shudder attacks.  We didn't know thats what it was because they look very similar to seizures. Two emergency room visits and new underwear later we are convinced that C lee is having benign shudder attacks. What are these that you speak of? Well, sometimes when we start to fall asleep or we are asleep and we jolt ourselves awake once, imagine doing that over and over for a few seconds and you got a shudder. We noticed that when C lee was tired (around his morning nap) we would feed him and as he difted off to sleep he would start shaking (seizure like) for a few seconds and then stop. All the while still eating. It really scared us, especiall since he fell off the couch two days prior. We didn't know if the fall damaged his brain or not ( we were reassured by docotrs that it did not). So basically, he does this as a result of an immature central nervous system and he will eventually grow out of it within the year. To make sure, we still want to consult the neurologist and show him the video Mike was able to capture. If she agrees we will probably not do the EEG and just watch him and make sure it doesn't get worse.

On another note, I am probably going to take on a new job that is closer to home and I will get to do more OB work. I am exicted not to drive down to Denver and am looking for to the change in scenery and new challenges. I will update you on more when I know more.

B man and C lee are getting along so good right now. C lee loves watching B jump around and is always smiling at him. B likes that he can make his brother smile. He is a natural comic.