Eager to Read

Lately, Ada has been asking me again and again to teach her how to read certain books.  I think in her head, she has to learn how to read each book separately, and she is trying her best to memorize the ones that we read over and over.  She also uses the pictures to make up her own stories. 

I finally told her that I would teach her to read, but that we would have to start at the very beginning, one letter sound at a time.  I checked out several books at the library, so that I could actually look at the books before buying one to use as Ada's reading curriculum.  I still have a couple that I need to pick up from the library, but I am loving Phonics Pathways so far.  It is very user friendly, and each lesson takes about ten minutes a day.  Plus there are several fun games to play to reinforce what we are learning.  Perfect for not-even-four year old Ada.  We are starting with the vowels. 

Ada knows the sounds of most consonants, and she often puts three consonants together and asks me what it spells, so I am glad we are starting with the vowels.  Plus, the vowels seem the trickiest for her because they have similar sounds.  We are tackling the hardest part first.  She is so cute when she says the sounds because she says the sound so hard, practically shouting it and concentrating so.  It's too cute.  She is doing great with A, I, and O, but she always makes the I sound for E.  We are working on that.  Tomorrow she will learn U.  I think we will probably camp out here for a week or two because the books says her reading the vowel sounds needs to be as automatic as saying her name. 

Again, it only takes about ten minutes a day, and we usually fit it in during John's morning nap, or we just get it done while he plays around us.

Today she learned I and reviewed A and E.  She practices writing them as well as reading them.

We spent the rest of John's nap time playing in the backyard and soaking up this beautiful Spring weather (with plenty of allergy medicine in my system)

The other "exciting" event of our day?  Ada received her first black eye from John.  I say first because I feel like it won't be the last.  I don't know, I didn't have brothers, though Ann and I did pull hair once or twice.  It was a complete accident, obviously, but John wacked Ada in the face with a weight, and I, randomly, caught it on camera.

They were being funny playing together, and I tried to get a picture of that.  Instead I got a picture of Ada right after John wacked her.

Look at John thinking, "what's the problem?" 

It was funny, though, because I was doing Thirty Day Shred, and John was trying his hardest to do it along with me.  Moving his pink weights to the music;)  Ada then wanted to be helpful and explain to John that he was doing the wrong thing, and that is when he "punched" her with the weight.  Sad for Ada, but funny too.

And one last thing to report, which won't make much sense to some of you.  But...

Ever since we moved into this house, there has been an empty lot next to us.  An overgrown, very ugly, empty lot.  When we first moved in, we assumed they would build there, and then, of course, the real estate market took a nose dive, as did our neighborhood, and we have been staring at a big pile of dirt and weeds and trash ever since.  Well...As of today, the lot is leveled!!!!!!  This is a huge praise!!!!  I am not sure what the plan is for the lot, but it looks so much better.  Still dirt, but nice, leveled, no trash, no weeds, dirt.

And last but not least, this weekend, Scott and I are going to buy the rest of the paint for downstairs.  I know paint colors for every room except for the half bath.  I am stumped.  Do I do a gray to blend with the hallway and living room.  Do I do light brown to go with the dining room, or do I do a completely different color to add some fun?  I thought about doing some kind of orangeish-red to match a lot of my pillows and vases in the living room.  I am stumped.  Feedback, please?

Five Months

On Monday, John had his four month check up (though he is actually five months as of last Thursday; we are a bit behind, which is so typically us!!!)

For the most part, everything was looking great.

The doctor and the nurse commented on his strong legs and strong grip.  He kept grabbing the paper on the table that he was lying on, and we would have to pick him up and get it straightened out.  It's really funny because Scott and I both possess a normal amount of strength, and it could probably be argued that my strength level falls in the weaker range, but our children tend to be strangely strong.  Ada can move things twice her size, and John seems to be following in her footsteps.

Anyway...he weighed in at 15 lbs 8 oz, putting him in only the 40th percentile.  I was surprised because he seems like such a chunk to me, but Ada was also in the 40th percentile at his age, so we'll see, I guess.  Ada didn't drop to the 1st percentile until she started walking around.

Things to note at 5 months.

This seems to be the month.  The time I have been waiting for since six weeks.  Overnight John has become a much happier, much more content baby.  He smiles much more easily now, and he even attempts to laugh.  He is definitely showing a preference for me, and he usually cries when left with anyone other than family.  He didn't do this with my parents or Scott's parents, so maybe he can already sense that they are his family, even though he doesn't know them well yet. 

He is still a cuddle bug, and I kiss him all the time.  I can't get enough of those sweet baby cheeks pressed up against mine.  And the smell, oh my goodness.  I really am savoring his babyness more than I did with Ada.  I want to soak it up--memorize every aspect.

Thanks to finally letting him cry-it-out a bit, he is waking up usually once a night around 3:30.  This is amazing to me considering that a week and half ago, he was waking up four or five times a night.  He continues to be a great nurser, and his weight gain is great, so I am holding off on solids for a little bit longer.

He is loving to turn over, and seems to prefer his stomach both for sleeping and playing.  He also enjoys the bumbo for short periods of time.

He loves Ada, and Ada adores him.  She usually wakes up before him in the morning, and she gets so excited when he wakes up, jumping up and down when she hears him on the monitor.  She loves to talk baby talk to him, hug him, and kiss on him, but she gets very possessive of her toys, and she doesn't like it when she recognizes her old toys that John is now playing with.  He is only five months old, and I am already having to make her share.  I can't wait to watch their relationship develop over the next few years.

The other thing to note about John is his tendency to get very, very upset.  So, upset, in fact that he forgets to take a breath and turns a bit blue.  That is why I say that, for the most part, everything went well at the pediatrician.  He has been doing the hold his breath thing since the first night he was home from the hospital, and the home health nurse gave him his antibiotic shot.  He used to have these "episodes" as often as once a day, but lately he rarely does it.  Though the last two Sundays in June, he did it in the nursery, and the workers came and got me because it is a rather frightening thing to watch.  I mentioned it to the doctor, and John ended up having an "episode" after the nurse gave him his shots.  The doctor and the nurse (and me) think that it is probably nothing, just a tendency to get upset and not be able to calm down--I am thinking his personality might come from me ;)--but the nurse was a bit concerned just because it takes him so long to breath after this happens.  So...after witnessing the episode, the doctor is sending us to a pediatric cardiologist as a precaution.  Again...this is truly not a big deal.  To quote the pediatrician, "we live in a metro area where a pediatric cardiologist is available, so why not get it checked out."  So, really, I don't think he's concerned.  But... we are going next Thursday. 

And I think that is all of the significant five month things. 

I can hardly remember what it was like before John.  Isn't that the way it goes?  These tiny little lives have a way of weaving into the family and making their presence so very known, so very necessary, and there is no going back.  Ever.  We love him so, and are so thankful for his little life.  Our little John Thomas.

Full Weekend

Here at the Moore household, you will most likely find us relaxing at home during the weekend. 

There was a time, back before children, where I wanted us to go, go, go all weekend long (which caused many an argument during that first year of marriage), but now that I am a mom, by Friday, I am exhausted, and I like to soak up time at home with Scott here to help. 

Plus, I am discovering that during this infant stage, when John is napping three times a day, it just isn't easy to get out of the house much.  Ada was a car seat sleeper, so I would load her up, and she would nap on the go.  John, however, requires a bed, so we are simply staying put during this season of life.

But this weekend was somewhat of an exception.

We began the weekend with Cow Apprecation day at Chick-fil-a.  I heard about this last year, but I didn't have the nerve to dress us all up like cows.  This year, I decided to swallow my pride and head out for some free food.  Besides, Ada was thrilled that we were all dressing up like cows.  She called me, "Mommy cow," but when I called her "baby cow," she reminded me that she is not a baby, so I changed it to, "little girl" cow.  I also recruited some friends to meet me at Chick-fil-a, so that I was not alone in my "get up."  Here is the only picture I could get of Ada.  She did not want me to take a picture, but I snapped a quick one anyway, as Scott was getting John settled in the car.

That was Friday night.

Saturday morning we did what we do every Saturday morning, we grocery shopped.  We are up and at 'em so early on Saturdays anyway, and I have found that the grocery stores are fairly empty that early on a Saturday, so the whole family does a weekly run to Kroger and to Publix.  I have to be able to think in order to coupon, so Scott drives Ada and John around in one grocery cart, and I take my own cart and we all meet back at the check out when it's time to go.  Ada really enjoys the grocery trip each week.  See the picture below to understand her excitement.

Ada came home with two balloons, two stickers, a sucker, and a cookie.  Really, grocery shopping is the highlight of her week.

And then, the best part of the whole weekend, I went out to dinner and movie with my women's bible study from church.  What. a. treat.  I can count on one hand the number of times I have been to a movie theater since Ada was born.  That is just one thing you cannot do with a child in tow.  It was such a needed break from the norm, to say the least, to have quality, uninterrupted, girl time with these dear, dear women.  (Really, the Lord has given me such Godly women to connect with here in my little corner of GA).  Plus, these women worked around John's schedule, and we ate dinner near my house, so that I could run home and feed him before the movie.

I am really soaking up John's baby stage, more so than with Ada.  Perhaps because this time around I better understand how fleeting it is.  I am relishing the cuddles, the smells, the baby sounds.  However I am also remembering what a lonely stage this is.  We truly are homebound most of the time, due to John's nap schedule.  I find myself longing for adult interaction.  This weekend met that need in abundance.  Thank you, Lord, for the litte things.

Big Sister

Milla asked how Ada was responding to John's grumpiness.

I think this conversation best sums it up.

Ada, "I want mom to go back to the hospital.

Scott, "why?"

Ada, "I want them to put John back in mommy's tummy.  I don't want to be a big sister anymore."

So, really, she's doing great with it all ;)

Monday Morning

So...this isn't the proposal story.  I'll get to that at some point, I am sure.

Instead, I thought I would give you a little glimpse into our Monday morning.

First of all, there are two things you should know.

1.  Scott and I thought it would be fun to pull out the old wedding video on Saturday night.  You know, to kick off anniversary week.  And it was fun, the first time we watched it.  And then, I thought it would be fun to show it to Ada yesterday morning, giving her something to do while we got ready for Church.  And again, it was fun, the first time she watched it.  Now that we are on the 100th viewing in about two days, well, I am really sick of watching myself get married.  The funny part is that every single time she watches it, Ada cheers at the end when the car drives away, as if we were all on the edge of our seats wondering what the outcome would be, the outcome of our wedding video. 

2.  Ada went to a birthday party yesterday, a pirate party to be exact.  Hence the eye patch.

Then we moved things upstairs, so we could do things like get dressed, wash faces, and, you know, get on with our day.  I put John in his bed where he could stare at himself in the mirror, something that he thinks is just hilarious.

And soon the pirate joined us.

And John became her own personal baby doll.  Bless his heart.  And I just took pictures while it happened.

And then I rescued him and dressed him.

And that's all before 9:00.  Oh the excitement.  I can hardly stand it.

Normal

Thanks to a little thing called sleeping at night, my life is starting to take on a new routine of normalcy.  Thank you, Lord. 

John doesn't do six and seven hour stretches every night.  He likes to mix it up with three hour stretches every other night, but even then, he goes right back to sleep once his tummy is good and full, so it all adds up to plenty of sleep for me.  (Granted plenty now compared to plenty before children are two different things). 

And the sunshine outside is really helping the situation.  When Ada starts to get a little too "cooped up," I just send her out the back door.  One of these days I would love to get a screen door, but until then, I just leave it wide open while I clean the kitchen or cook dinner or do whatever needs "doing." 

And Sunday when Scott and I were still eating lunch, and Ada requested cartoons, I just opened the door and sent her outside instead.  We are trying to cut way back on the cartoon watching because the last two months have been cartoon full, as you can imagine.  By the way, she did not wear the crocs with that dress to church, but they were the better option for outside play.

And that green dress in the first picture, Ann made it!!  I'm so impressed with her newly acquired sewing skills.

In other news, Sunday afternoon, once both kids were sound asleep, I headed out the door for a little alone time.  With a Sonic diet coke in hand, I decided to scope out the nearby outlets to see what clothing deals I could find.  Scott and I are both in dire need of new clothing.  Goodness gracious, our wardrobes are a sight.  I am so thankful to live so close to such good outlets.  J. Crew has polos for guys for 19.99 a piece.  Can't beat that, and kakhis (sp?) for 24.99.  I wouldn't mind if Scott wore only J. Crew.  I love their guy clothing!!  Plus, while pregnant, a new BCBG outlet opened, and I was finally able to see what it had to offer.  It had some very cute pieces for only 9.00 a piece.  Can you believe it?  I didn't buy anything this past Sunday because I am going to try to be very strategic and buy only what we really need, but I wanted to see what our options were before I developed a game plan.

And while gone, John took a bottle!!  His first since the hospital, really.  I had 3 ounces of milk in the fridge, and he drank it all.  I have no idea how much milk he normally drinks, but that 3 oz was enough to get him back to sleep, and it bought me a little more time out on my own.  Yea.

So, yes, life is starting to look more and more normal, and I am so very thankful.

Another Monday

I love my life.  I am so thankful that I get to be mom to Ada and John.  What a gift!!  But...the days can get a bit mundane.  Drowning in laundry and dirty dishes and spit up and dirty diapers.  I have already changed three today. 

Here is what we are doing on this Monday morning.

cooking dinner--pot roast, potatoes, and carrots.  One of my favorite meals when I am nursing and oh so hungry at the end of the day.

Ada is strolling her "baby."  Today her baby is a slice of her Melissa and Doug green pepper.  Who knows.  Never mind that we got her that wonderful American Girl baby doll for Christmas.  Really, play with the pepper, Ada.  Well, at least I am seeing her imagination come to life.  She lives in her pretend world all the time.

And this little guy is spending some time on his tummy because apparently that is what he prefers, so I am all for it.  Tummy time it is. 

Before I placed him on his tummy, he was in his swing, finally calmed down after several minutes of crying.  Ada walked over to the swing and started to push him very hard.  I was begging her to stop, trying to reason with her, and she kept saying, "I want to push him!!!"  Then when he started crying again, she looked at me so innocently and said, "John's crying, mommy."  I was like, you think?!

The other thing we are dealing with is projectile spit up.  Are you familiar with it?  I had not had first hand experience with it until John came along.  What I mean by projectile is all over everything everywhere.  When John does it, it lands in his eyes, ears, hair, furniture, all over me...etc. etc. etc.  Apparently, when I was a baby, I projectile vomited after every feeding.  So, on Saturday night, when John vomited five times in a row--it was amazing to see that much milk come out of a tiny baby--I immediately called my mom.  I was sure something must be seriously wrong with him.  My shirt and pants were completely soaked through, as if I had stood under a shower completely clothed.  His clothing was completely soaked through, and our love seat was also covered in spit up.  But he never even cried.  It didn't phase him.  And mom said he was fine.  She has seen it all, you see, after her experience with me as a baby.  Anyway...these are the little things that are making up our days.  But, I know that I know that I know, that each day I am making eternal investments.  I have to keep that in the forefront of my mind so I remember the why behind the routine.

Another Day

A few more pictures from our week in Scottsboro, courtesy of Sarah and her camera.

What we have here is Ada demonstrating to you what all of my days and nights consist of.  A lot of nursing, a lot of burping, and these days, a lot of praying;)  Last night, I practically begged God, on hands and knees, for some sleep.  He said yes in the form of my husband.  At 2 am, when I was going on two hours of broken sleep, I finally made my way upstairs, and begged Scott to take over.  I was desperate for some sleep.  I told Scott that if he could just give me two hours, then I would take John back downstairs.  So, Scott rocked John for an hour (I think), and then John slept for two hours, and then Scott brought him back to me at 5 am.  So, three hours of solid sleep!!  Woo-hoo.  It's enough to get me through another day.  My bloodshot eyes are becoming a familiar sight each morning.

And John asks, "what's the problem?  If you would just hold me all night long and let me sleep in your lap, things would be just fine."  That would be "Near's" lap that he is sleeping on. 

And below, he is fast asleep on a quilt my great grandmother, Ella, made.

Oh man, I am sleepy.  That seems to be all I say or think about lately.  I just think about putting one foot in front of the other without falling down flat on my face.  And we make it through each day that way.

Actually, today, knowing that I couldn't sleep through the day, I decided to tackle various things around the house.  I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher.  I folded and put away clothes.  And I attempted to teach John to put himself to sleep.  So, while I folded right outside his door, he cried himself to sleep (well, he cried for a few seconds before I went into his room and gave him the pacie).  And Ada played doctor, her favorite game these days. 

But now, Ada is asleep, and while I typed this, John fell asleep in the swing, so I am off to the couch where I hope to sleep.  I wish I had more to tell you.  One of these days I will talk about more than sleep, I promise.

Another Day

Last night was, um, better? 

I feel...very sleepy.

How are we getting by?

We began the morning, with John on the boppy, eating, and Ada in front of us, also eating.  I let her eat Cocoa Puffs.  I do not agree with giving kids junk cereal.  I do, however, agree with doing what you have to do to survive on a few hours of sleep with a 2 year old and a 2 week old.  I kept one hand on John, making sure he was staying "attached," and with the other hand I fed Ada.  At least I had enough sense to not let her feed herself.

As he ate and she ate, I drank caffeine free diet coke.  And I wished with all my heart that caffeine free would some how help in much the same way as her caffeineted cousin.  It did not.

John spent the morning eating and crying, eating and crying, and finally sleeping long enough for me to take a shower.

And then the baby swing, the glorious baby swing, saved the day, and he took a long nap while Ada played by herself, and I turned the television off and enjoyed the quiet.

And then John woke up and cried some more while Ada napped.

But, things continue to go well.  Emotionally I am stable, and this is incredible news ;)  I am taking this thing one day at a time.  Hey, I am taking this thing one hour at a time.  He may cry this hour, and my house may be a wreck this hour, but the sky's the limit next hour.  With Ada, I was taking it 18 years at a time, and that is where I went wrong.

p.s.  Mary, as you can see, Ada was thrilled to find her surprise waiting outside.  She named the baby, "purple baby," and she played with it all day long.  In fact, she would not let me read her the books because, as she explained, they belonged to "purple baby."  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mary, Abby, and Irene!!

Our New Normal

This is the scene in my kitchen this afternoon, as I try to gather up a grocery list and coupons.  I am waiting to tackle the grocery store until Scott gets home.  I am not ready to do it on my own with two in the grocery cart. 

I am figuring this thing out, one day at a time.