Pictures

Check out her leg. We kept covering her up and she wiggled until that leg came back out.


C making brownies with Daddy.


C eating corn on the cob. She LOVES it.

First day at the daycare for R. Notice she has pulled the bear up over her face and I didn't know it so I didn't take another picture.

Trying on the new hat Aunt Ronie got her.

Working up to rolling over.

Coloring Daddy a picture.

Rollover

Today Miss R rolled over for the first time from her belly to her back. I think she was as shocked as I was but then she cracked up laughing. It was great. I think it's only a matter of time before she goes from her back to her belly because she's able to roll over onto her side.

In addition to the rolling, she is also doing a lot of hand exploring. She lays with her fingers interlaced or in her mouth or just staring at them. They are the most fascinating thing to her right now.

She seems so big...she's grown out of most of her 0-3 month clothes and is in 3 -6 month stuff. Her hair is also getting darker and filling in, along with her eye lashes. I think she's going to end up with darker hair as it seems like the blonde is all gone. We shall see.

First Week

I survived my first with back to work with only minimal incident. Got thrown for a loop when Miss C woke up Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the middle of the night crying for us. She's been doing that since she moved to her new bed.

Wednesday, she had a low grade fever and woke up multiple times before midnight. We knew she wasn't feeling well and it was a struggle, I am not going to lie. The part that made a sick child even better was the fact that her Daddy was leaving Thursday morning to go on a trip to Chicago for 4 days.

I was a mess.

In addition to going back to work, getting woke up every night and having my husband going out of town for 4 days, I was having some pretty excessive bleeding. What I haven't written about here was the fact that I had my tubes tide the week before I went back to work. That's sort of a personal medical thing that I didn't really want to share until now.

So, I was bleeding...A LOT. More than any period I have ever had in my life and was worried it was related to the procedure. Thankfully, it wasn't, but it made this past week even more exhausting and trying.

The good news is that I survived. Mom and Aunt Ronie came up on Friday and I was able to get some rest while they hung out with C and it was a really nice visit. I will be glad when SP gets home, but I am thankful that despite all the craziness going on C ended up feeling better and we made it through the week.

Many firsts and lasts

Last night I sat in the rocking chair with Miss R in my arms, rubbed my cheek against the softness of her baby-fine hair and cried. I think I was crying for many reasons ranging from the ridiculous to the deeply rooted emotional reasons.

Today I started back to work and as I rocked Miss R last night I whispered in her ear how sorry I was that we could no longer spend our days together but how much I completely enjoyed every second of our twelve weeks at home today. I told her that while Mommy was sad she wouldn't get the one-on-one time that Miss C got, Mommy was happy knowing that C would be there to look out for R every day when Mommy wasn't there.

I am also sorry that I am not that woman who could be a stay at home mom. I told R this too. It's not that I don't love her and C with the fierceness of a gazillion stay at home moms, because I do. It's actually because I love them both so much that I can admit that while I could be a successful stay at home mom, I enjoy working. I am good at what I do and believe that I have realized over the last two plus years what it will take for me to balance my work life and my family life. I also have realized I will NEVER sacrifice the latter for the former...EVER.

I hope one day my girls understand that while I choose to work and not stay at home with them, I did it knowing they would be well taken care of where they were. Should I ever have doubts we would make changes, like we did with C's first day care, so they are. That does include me staying home with them if that is what is necessary to give them the best life has to offer.

I went and visited R today in the Cardinal room. She was fine. Tiny in such a small place with other kids stumbling and bumbling around. She didn't know I was gone. The women who care for her are the same ones who cared for C when she first started and they are great. I know R will thrive just like her sister but it's never easy to leave your baby. There is so much trust one must have to turn and walk away with someone else holding your child. One of the hardest things I have EVER done in life.

Toes and Smiles

Miss R is spending time exploring her toes. Today I put one of those sock things with a rattle on it on her foot and she went to town kicking those little legs. In the end she managed to pull it off, hold in her right hand for awhile and somehow manage to get it into her left hand. While in her left hand she rubbed it all over her face. That girl loves rubbing stuff against her face for comfort.

Another comfort thing she does, which is also a clear indicator she is tired, is she cups the tops of her ears with her little hands and rubs her ears. It is the cutest thing ever to see her ear in her hand.

At this point SP thinks R smiles and laughs more than Miss C did, if that is possible. We called C Smiley Coyote because she smiled so much so early. R is giving her a run for her money. R smiles and cackles (think I spelled that wrong) when she is happy. It is a wonderful sound to hear...like a deep belly laugh mixed with a high pitched laugh. I love it.

Back to work

I go back to work in a week and I am not looking forward to it. These last 12 weeks have flown by and I feel like I haven't had a chance to spend enough time with Miss R.

This time around we won't be able to keep R at home like we did with Miss C. Remember that? The daycare C was in freaked me out so we pulled her out and we were blessed to have Miss Amy to watch her until she was 9 months.

R is much smaller and seems so much more fragile. I feel like I am in some way depriving her of some experience that her sister got and I have been trying really hard to keep that from happening. But, it is inevitable. There are things R will not get to experience in the same way that C did...and vice versa. Good and bad I know. Still, I can't help but feel a little bit of guilt for not being able to do this for her.

Of course, this time around we know what the daycare will be like. We know the people. They know us and C will be there to look after her Baby Sister. It isn't going to be easy for sure, but knowing what to expect and seeing how well C has thrived while at this daycare comforts me a little.

So Monday will suck. I'm not going to lie.

11 Week Pictures

Craptastic 11 Week Pictures

On Friday we went to get Miss R's first pictures taken along with some of all of the family. The picture place we go to is always a little chaotic but we like the pictures so we endure the chaos. Since I am still on maternity leave we were able to go during the week when it's supposed to be less crazy. It was, if only by a little.

Before the pictures were even taken Miss R crapped with such force it went up her back and all over her outfit. Thankfully, it wasn't the outfit her pictures were being taken in, because I trashed it.

It took two of us to change her because the changing table at the picture place is about at chin height for me so it's sorta difficult to manage when there isn't poo everywhere, but throw that into the mix and it's a mess...literally.

We managed to get her cleaned up and after her ginormous poop she did wonderful. We got some really great pictures of her as well as Miss R and Jake.

Moving to the big girl bed

Since the climbing out of the bed incident we decided to move Miss C to her big girl bed. I plan on leaving the rail covers on in case she decides to eat the bed again. So far she's slept there for 2 naps and 2 nights. I don't think she's figured out she can get out yet and we are keeping that to ourselves for now.

Miss C's first Reds Game

1 chair 2 girls

High Jumper

We made the decision when planning for Miss R's arrival to not move Miss C from her crib to a toddler bed. The reason behind our thinking was we were already moving her to a new room AND introducing a baby sister into her life. She didn't need anything else added to the mix.

Unlike some of our friends who have kids her age, we have not experienced any issues with her trying to get out of her crib. Until now.

Saturday we had some friends over with their twin boys. I came in from saying good bye to them to hear her crying in her room. I walked in to find her standing in the middle of her room not safely tucked in her bed where I had put her.

She managed to put her bunny on top of her pillow and get out of the crib. We think she straddled the railing and fell onto her bum. The straddling is pure spectulation because she didn't give us that much detail only that she hurt her bum. Thankfully, she was more scared than anything else.

Looks like we'll be moving to her toddler bed. Wish us luck.

Hi toes and other things

Miss R grabbed her toe today and I think she was shocked. It didn't last long, the toe grab, but she's on her way to full fledge foot grabbing. In addition to grabbing at her toes, her clothes, her blankets, her rings, etc. she's been doing some other things as well.

Hung out on our bellying on the Boppy and drooled a little.

Took a nap while Copper sat guard.



Tried out sitting up in the red chair.

Friends

My best bud Jen came to visit today. I don't get many non-family visitors up here so it was WONDERFUL to have her. I am sure I talked her ear off because, well...I don't have very many people to talk to and visit with outside of SP.

It becomes more obvious how much I depend on my work friendships when I don't have that daily interaction. It also becomes more obvious how much I miss my family and friends when I get the opportunity to spend time with them like I used to.

There's something to be said for people who have known you pretty much your entire life. You can't really hide when you are with them and if they are good friends, you shouldn't have to. It's nice to be able to be real and just talk about your life, warts and all, and not feel like you will be judged.

It was a good day.

2 Month Observations of Miss R

Dear Little Bit,
You are now two months old. Amazing. You are the perfect addition to our family and we are blessed to have you in our lives.

If I have learned nothing else during my time as a Mommy, it's that time moves very quickly when you have little ones and you have to take time to savor every single moment. One day I will look up and you will be a two year old, like your sister is now, and I will long for today, for this moment with you.

Right now I am watching you sleep. So calm. So peaceful. Sometimes you smile and laugh in your sleep and I wish I knew what you were dreaming about that made you so happy. I like to think it's us, your family, that brings that smile to your face. You tend to smile and laugh at us A LOT when you are awake so it seems fitting that you would do the same when you are asleep.

You smile and laugh at other things too. Tonight, you were laughing at the sofa cushion...I swear, and it was the funniest thing to you. Seeing you so thoroughly and completely enjoy something so simple makes me laugh too.

These first two months of your life have been pretty busy but through it all there have been smiles and laughs that increase daily. Here are some of the highlights:

• I've noticed a little dimple on your right cheek that often accompanies your crooked smile.
• You've traveled to Louisville multiple times.
• Took a trip to Gatlinburg and handled it like a champ.
• Met your cousins and hung out with your Aunts and Uncle.
• Watched your Big Sister and laugh and her silliness. She thinks the world of you and wants to be involved in everything you do.
• Met some of Mommy and Daddy's friends.
• Ate (formula only) at the restaurant where Mommy and Daddy had their first date, and your namesake Ramsi's.
• Cried a lot.
• Smiled a lot.
• Pooped but need to poop more.
• Got baby acne and it drove Mommy nuts. Appears to have cleared up all on it's own.
• Talked to the hippo, zebra and monkey that are on your wall.
• Swung your arms to hit the toys hanging above your changing table and not just on accident.
• Played on your exercise mat and got tummy time. You actually don't get totally ticked being on your belly.
• Rubbed your face against many blankets and pulled on your ears to help yourself fall asleep. It is the cutest thing to watch you grab blankets and pull them up to your face and then turn your head so your face rubs against the softness of the blanket. It puts you to sleep almost immediately when you do that.
• Grabbed rings, your shirt, our fingers, etc.
• Kicked and pushed your away around your exercise mat and pack n play.
• Went on lots of walks and shopping trips.
• Starting sleeping 8 hours...10 PM - 6 AM. Impressive.

I feel like I can't do justice to all of the things you have done these last two months. The biggest news is you now weigh 10 pounds and are 22 inches long. Definitely a growing girl.

This moment right now is bittersweet because your growing also means I am closer to going back to work, which I don't look forward to. I know you will be fine and will thrive in day care, but I am not ready for you to go.

Thank you for brightening my day and for making me a Mother of Two.

Love your Mommy

Busy Weekend in Photos

Busy Weekend

This weekend we did A LOT. On Thursday through Saturday we were in Louisville and got to visit with some family and friends.

• We stayed with Nana and Papa and I think Miss C enjoyed getting some one-on-one attention since her cousins were out of town. We did a lot of swimming and playing. Wore her out. I got to get some rest which was much needed and nice to have.
• Miss R got to go to the restaurant that she was named after...Ramsi's. It was were SP and I went on our first date and that date forever changed our lives for the better. It was great to catch up with Yadi and Mitzi. Wish I could see them more.
• We also got to hang out with Jen and Edie and go swimming. It was great to watch Miss C and Edie play. I am quite sure that they will be giving their Momma's a run for their money just like Jen and I have done over the years. If they can look back one day and say they've been friends for over 20 years like Jen and I can, then I will be happy.
• Saturday we hung out at home and played in Miss C's pool. We also got her a new playhouse that she LOVED.
• Sunday was our 4th anniversary and Independence Day. We took the girls to Pirate's Cove for dinner. Miss C loves the boats and the band there. SP and I loved the Coronas.
• Today we went to the Zoo with Shane, Devon and Lincoln. It was a hot day. Thankfully we got there early.

My Do It My-SELF

It's a given that with two VERY independent parts Miss C was going to be an independent girl. That has manifested itself recently in her desire to do everything herself...and I mean everything, even those things she really can't do. I am just waiting for her to declare she'll drive herself to school.

Her assertions of independence are often accompanied with the phrase "MY DO IT MY-SELF" with a heavy emphasis on SELF. Some days this works out ok, others, not so much. If we can let her do what she wants, or what she thinks she wants, we tend to keep the breakdowns at bay. It's not always feasible to let her do what she wants...she can't get out of her own crib for example. So, we try to let her try what she wants and then offer some help. Most times she's quick to accept the help if she's tried on her own.

HOWEVER...there are times when she wants to do it HERSELF no matter what and that is when the tantrums ensue. Sometimes those are just inevitable. Sometimes they make my ears split and make me want to run out the door. Sometimes I lay on the floor with her and kick my feet like she does and that ends up making her laugh.

I anticipate may more days of her doing it HERSELF and many more struggles over things she thinks she should do. I think we'll survive...most days.

In this picture she's playing with her play-doh which has become one of her favorite activities. She can sit forever and make things like "mac-e-ro-nee" or "dinosaurs" or "balls" or whatever tickles her fancy. Notice all the colors have been mixed together...makes me nuts but it's her toy.

Sisters