This is one of those Mondays that makes me wish for a 3-day weekend. I'm wiped out. On Friday, we celebrated Annika's third birthday. Some friends and one of my brothers came over for a celebratory dinner (thanks for the amazing salmon, Jack). After dinner and some quick cleaning, my brother and I made caramel-filled chocolates - so glad for the extra help!! Saturday morning, Eric and I quickly packed up some clothes, kid supplies, the kids, and a ton of food and headed up to Whidbey Island for a family reunion at Eric's parents house. We spent Saturday hanging out with some of Eric's immediate family members (Hi everyone!) and had a great time catching up with them. We also had part 3 of Annika's birthday celebrations. She was very excited to open more presents (thank you everyone!) and eat cupcakes with VERY yellow frosting. We were also touched by the fact that Eric's sister made a crochet blanket for Conor. It is amazing! She made a reversible blanket in UW purple and gold; we couldn't ask for a better blanket (already in his crib) for our little guy!
On Sunday, the flood of extended family arrived for the official reunion. It was fun to meet new people and catch up with those we already knew. Annika and Conor got to meet lots of new cousins and had a great time doing so. The kids were so wiped out from the weekend, that they fell asleep on our way home (5:30 PM); little Annika was so exhausted that she slept until 6:15 this morning! Will post a few pictures from the reunion ... stay tuned.
We got home in time to unpack the car, reheat leftovers for dinner, start some laundry, unload/reload the dishwasher, and watch Mad Men on an HD channel (which means it is on 3 hours earlier than on the standard channels). All-in-all, a tiring but fun few days.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Happy 3rd birthday, Annika!
Three years ago today, our lives changed in a way we never could have fully anticipated. Eric and I became parents. We were taken a bit by surprise because Annika wasn't due until August 25th; she just decided to make her grand debut on the early side.
We have been so blessed to have this amazing little girl in our lives. She brings joy and laughter to use on a daily basis. Her personality has developed by leaps and bounds over the past three years. Now, she'll talk your ear off, do silly dances, tell stories, laugh until her sides hurt, play, explore her imagination, and give countless hugs and kisses just because she wants to show us that she loves us.
God truly smiled down on us when he sent us our Annika.
Happy 3rd birthday, our sweet girl!
Newborn Annika
3-year-old Annika
We have been so blessed to have this amazing little girl in our lives. She brings joy and laughter to use on a daily basis. Her personality has developed by leaps and bounds over the past three years. Now, she'll talk your ear off, do silly dances, tell stories, laugh until her sides hurt, play, explore her imagination, and give countless hugs and kisses just because she wants to show us that she loves us.
God truly smiled down on us when he sent us our Annika.
Happy 3rd birthday, our sweet girl!
Newborn Annika
3-year-old Annika
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Annika has a wedge, too!
Last night, Annika professed that she had a "wedge" and then proceeded to remove her jammies, fix her Pull-up, and put her jammies back on. Eric and I were in hysterics that she called a wedgie a wedge. Too cute!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Conor's Wedge
It's no secret that our little Conor has a major case of acid reflux. We lovingly call him Barfy Boy for a very good reason — the boy can upchuck like no other!
He's been on medication for it since he was 2 months old. The meds help, but not as much as we'd hoped. At his 4-month doctor's appointment last week, Conor's pediatrician recommended we go to the OT/PT people at Children's Hospital to have them custom make a wedge for him. Boy! Did they ever make a wedge for him. This thing is gigantic. It keeps him at a 30-degree angle; the idea is we're giving gravity a chance to keep everything in his stomach as much as possible.
The first night on the wedge was a bit tricky. Conor had no inclination whatsoever to sleep on it. I don't blame him. It felt weird and smelled like funky foam adhesive and it was in a room he'd never slept in before (until that night he'd slept in our bedroom in his bouncy seat). It took 45 minutes to get him to sleep on it the first night. Each time I put him on the wedge, he'd wake up and start screaming. Last night was night number two and it went much smoother. He fell asleep on my shoulder after his last feeding and easily transitioned to the wedge.... whew! Conor slept through the night both nights on the foam; I'm not sure if that is a coincidence or the wedge. Whatever the reason, I'll take it!!
Here is our sleeping Prince Charming on his massively industrial wedge.
He's been on medication for it since he was 2 months old. The meds help, but not as much as we'd hoped. At his 4-month doctor's appointment last week, Conor's pediatrician recommended we go to the OT/PT people at Children's Hospital to have them custom make a wedge for him. Boy! Did they ever make a wedge for him. This thing is gigantic. It keeps him at a 30-degree angle; the idea is we're giving gravity a chance to keep everything in his stomach as much as possible.
The first night on the wedge was a bit tricky. Conor had no inclination whatsoever to sleep on it. I don't blame him. It felt weird and smelled like funky foam adhesive and it was in a room he'd never slept in before (until that night he'd slept in our bedroom in his bouncy seat). It took 45 minutes to get him to sleep on it the first night. Each time I put him on the wedge, he'd wake up and start screaming. Last night was night number two and it went much smoother. He fell asleep on my shoulder after his last feeding and easily transitioned to the wedge.... whew! Conor slept through the night both nights on the foam; I'm not sure if that is a coincidence or the wedge. Whatever the reason, I'll take it!!
Here is our sleeping Prince Charming on his massively industrial wedge.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Annika's birthday party
On Saturday, we celebrated Annika's birthday (celebration 1 of 3). Because Annika is really into princesses and dresses right now, we went with a rather girlie approach to the day. We decorated with pink and purple balloons, made a pink/purple princess cake, and Annika got a new dress to wear for the occasion. My side of the family came over for a BBQ lunch and to celebrate our little girl's 3rd birthday.
This is the first year that "birthday" has really meant anything to Annika. When she saw me working on her cake the night before and I told her it was her birthday cake, she got so excited and even started doing a birthday cake dance. It was quite entertaining... lacking rhythm, but entertaining!
Annika and her cake
Opening her present from Aunt June
Opening her present from Kat and Ian
Modeling her present from Uncle Troy and Aunt Staci
Silly girl!
The party mood remains, long after her energy is gone (wearing her new frog jammies from Nana)
This is the first year that "birthday" has really meant anything to Annika. When she saw me working on her cake the night before and I told her it was her birthday cake, she got so excited and even started doing a birthday cake dance. It was quite entertaining... lacking rhythm, but entertaining!
Annika and her cake
Opening her present from Aunt June
Opening her present from Kat and Ian
Modeling her present from Uncle Troy and Aunt Staci
Silly girl!
The party mood remains, long after her energy is gone (wearing her new frog jammies from Nana)
Friday, July 30, 2010
4 months old
I don't know how it is possible, but Conor turned 4 months old on Wednesday. In some ways, it seems like he's been part of our family for as long as our family has existed, but it also feels like he was just born. He continually proves to be a very happy baby (unless Eric is holding him when he's hungry; when that happens, take cover!!) and has a laid-back personality. Conor seems to interact with his surroundings more and more each day. He has taken to playing in our exersaucer (thanks for the hand-me-down, Troy & Staci!) and loves to laugh at the silly things his big sister does to entertain him. He can roll over (both directions), but tends to push himself around in a circle more than anything when on the floor.
On Wednesday, Conor had a routine checkup and was given a clean bill of health by his doctor; she was very happy to see how well he's growing (14 lbs, 8.5 oz) and that he's reached the milestones for his age (rolling over, grabbing at things, cooing, etc.). Of course, it does a mother proud to hear that her kids are doing what they should when they should! She did refer him to Children's Hospital, though, to see if they can do anything to help his acid reflux/barfing issue. It definitely would be nice to get that under control, but even if they do, I doubt we'll stop calling him "barfy boy" and singing the barfy boy theme song! It is just such a catchy tune. :)
On Wednesday, Conor had a routine checkup and was given a clean bill of health by his doctor; she was very happy to see how well he's growing (14 lbs, 8.5 oz) and that he's reached the milestones for his age (rolling over, grabbing at things, cooing, etc.). Of course, it does a mother proud to hear that her kids are doing what they should when they should! She did refer him to Children's Hospital, though, to see if they can do anything to help his acid reflux/barfing issue. It definitely would be nice to get that under control, but even if they do, I doubt we'll stop calling him "barfy boy" and singing the barfy boy theme song! It is just such a catchy tune. :)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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