Back To Work

Yesterday was my first day back to work. It has been 8 weeks already-8 WEEKS-can you believe it!! When I had Brooke, I took off five weeks. FIVE WEEKS! What was I thinking?? Caroline still seems so small and I don't know what I would do if I had to take her to daycare. I couldn't do it. We are so lucky. Only one day a week do we have to take Caroline anywhere but our home. She will go to her grandma Mary Anne's while Brooke goes to her pre-school. The other days, either Gary or I are home with the girls. Not many people can have this kind of flexible schedule so I cannot complain. It is still hard to leave both of them, though. For as much as I have complained or felt closed-in while being home these last 2 months, it has also been nice to be with them both.

When I got home yesterday I was so excited to see them both. Brooke could have cared less to see me...she was busy watching The Wiggles and singing Fruit Salad (while dancing of course). When I picked up Caroline, though, from her dad I was greeted with a HUGE smile! She recognized me..or my voice at least! It is a great feeling-a big gummy smile at the end of a long day :) I am sure it will get easier as the days go by and maybe one day I can stay home with them more, but right now we feel lucky to have the schedule that we do and if I can get those smiles everyday I will be just fine.

Giving In...

I thought that I could do it on my own...I did it with Brooke. However, as I head back to work tomorrow (total other post regarding nerves, guilt, etc) I still have baby weight on my stomach, thighs, booty (as Brooke so lovingly refers to it as) as well as my arms...some people do gain baby weight in their arms ok? I have tried on pre-pregnancy clothing only to be discouraged by the 'tightness' of the items. Skin-tight and me don't go well together...it is not a pretty sight and let's be honest...even if it was is it really comfortable??

Ok-there I go again with the comfort...I am currently wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. This would be ok if it was what I threw on just this evening or as I was cleaning the house. I have had this on all day. It is what I wear everyday. Make up?? Not sure if I own any these days. I have been told it is not wise to go back out in public before getting a little work done around the 'eye brow' area....Let's just be honest-staying at home these last 8 weeks has lead to letting myself go a bit.

I am glad that I have a husband that doesn't say anything to me about this 'glamour' of mine. Maybe he is just used to it now. He also doesn't take me out at all though...a hint perhaps? I have some major life events coming up in the next few months. I have friends and family members getting married, having babies, etc. This involves party and wedding attendance and a look that I am not rockin right now.

I have 3 pounds to lose to be back at pre-Caroline weight. I honestly think that she shifted my body, though, and their is additional work to be done. I realistically need to lose about 3-5 lbs on top of that. Since (apparently) Nip/Tuck is not a reality show and I will not be able to meet with Troy/McNamara anytime soon...I will be joining a gym and doing this the old fashioned way. I am also seriously considering a trip to the mall for a few new items and maybe stopping at a make up counter, but I don't want to get out of control. I may just start at Walgreen's...they still sell Wet n' Wild right?

So I start tomorrow.

Nothing Better...

Than a baby's smile :)

Double Chins & Rolls

Someone is getting chubby...and we couldn't love it any more :)

This weekend we bumped Caroline up to size 3 month clothing and size 1 diapers. They are both still roomy, but newborn sizes are getting way too short and a bit too snug. She is getting little rolls on her legs (that I love!) and a cute double chin which must be from her fathers side :) We have a 2 month doctors appointment next week and I cannot wait to see how much she has grown!

Debt Collectors-Take Two

So-it happens again. Someone who had my phone number previously didn't pay their bills and now it is driving ME crazy!! I am not kidding-almost a year ago last February the collectors came calling for Kelly Coragan. This time it was Amanda. Some law office calls my house every. single. day. The automated message asks to speak to Amanda Marks. It says that if you are not her to hang up...which I have happily done 100 times. I mistakenly thought this would send them the message that she does not live at this number-silly me. I finally had it today. They called again and before I let them leave their millionth message on my machine, I called them back....sat on hold for ten minutes...and politely asked them to remove this number from their list as Miss Marks is not a resident. I was prepared to argue, but luckily we didn't have to go there (vs. the Kelly Coragan incident....see Feb. 2009 for details). If they call again, things will be different-I HATE these solicitors!! Amanda Marks-if your out there...your on my list.

Side note-my mom used to be a debt collector. If you have met her...how funny is that?? Can you see her really 'going after someone' for their debt?? Sooo frightening...:)

Picture Roll

It's been awhile since I posted a bunch of pictures so.....enjoy!

Someone LOVES to have her picture taken these days. She constantly picks up the camera, brings it to be and says, "cheese!" Then we have to look at ALL the photos on the computer. She must take after her Aunt Tracie :)

Not sure what this was all about-I asked her to smile. It kind of reminds me of some cheerleader face or something...

Just getting a little facebooking time in-making friends-chat rooms, you know...the regular

Lounge time.

Caroline is starting to like her swing, bouncer and laying on her tummy.

We have one toy that she likes to lay underneath and check out the light show above.

All good things to mom can get a few things done...

The Dad / Godfather shot.

This is Uncle Mike and his new baby boy Caden with Dad and Caroline.

Both brothers are the God-Fathers of each others new babies :)

Sweetest Things

Today I was upset. There were some tears. Brooke saw me and asked, "mommy, why you cry?" She then ran over to me, climbed up on the couch said, "no cry mommy" and gave me a huge hug and kiss. No matter what had happened to make me so upset, how can that no make you feel better instantly? I love that girl :)

(cheese face)

stirred, not shaken

Caroline is a total spitter. Brooke used to spit up on occasion, but never on a regular basis. Caroline spits while she eats, after she eats and sometimes even 45 minutes after she eats. She is a secret spitter and doesn't cry or make noise when it is going to happen. Usually I will just glance down while holding her and find massive amounts of formula all over my clothes. I am quiet positive that I have gone out in public with hidden throw up all over me. I don't care. I think that when you have kids somethings just get thrown out the window. Humility tends to be one of those things for me.

I think that my pediatrician is totally sick of me. I like to call him. You would think that I am a first time mom with some of my questions, but again one of those things I just don't care about. So what if I am the annoying mom they talk (or laugh) about when they get off the phone!! I called him today about the spit up. To be fair, my niece and nephew both had bad reflux and had to be on medication. I was afraid this may be the case. Could it be her formula?? I didn't know. He again reassured me that it was nothing to worry about. If she appeared to be in pain, they could treat that. Otherwise, it is more of a laundry issue. Apparently there is no medication to assist with the increased amount of laundry.

So, we are keeping her upright 30 minutes after a feeding. We are stirring her formula vs. the instructions to shake. We are making sure that it is warmed up to room temperature-Caroline's preference-and we are burping quite often. It seems to be working, though. After her last meal she was quite content and no spitting! We will see if she can keep this up.

Cousins!

Brooke and Caroline have a new cousin named Caden :) He was born exactly one month after Caroline! We couldn't be more happy to have him in our family. He is absolutly adorable and so tiny! Caroline and I got to go and visit him and his mommy today while Brooke as at school. We just had to take a few pictures of the babies. Look how HUGE Caroline looks next to Caden!

I think that Caden wanted to cuddle...Caroline was all about it!

All stretched out :)

A Letter

While getting the mail on Saturday, I noticed that Gary had a letter which is pretty unusual. Not really thinking anything of it, though, I left in on the counter for him to open later (also unusual because I am typically a if it's for you, it's for me I will open it anyway). Later on, Gary opened up the letter and filled me in on some interesting information. Apparently, he may (or may not) have fathered a child back in 1993.....when he was 11.....and now has the opportunity to adopt this 17 year old child if he would like. WHAT??? The mother provided names (yes, not just one) including Gary's and said that they lived our state you may have fathered her child. If you had that name(s) you received this letter letting you know of your 'possible' parenthood and offered the opportunity to call. Do you think that Gary has anything to tell me? What is really sad about this story is that it is legit and there is some 17 year old child without parents. What is bizarre is getting that letter in the mail....and wanting to keep it on your refrigerator for a good laugh just for a little bit :)

Sister Sister!!

Cute right??

Snow Day =

Picture Taking

Angry about the snow...

and content...

Weighing In-Long and Lean

Monday was Caroline's official one month check up. She weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz. She also grew a little bit and is now 21 3/4 long. If you want to talk percentiles (which I typically don't like to because really...who are we measuring up to right??) she is in the 75% for height and the 20% for weight. To compare, at Brooke's one month check up, she was 9 lbs 2 oz and 21 1/4 long. So, they are still different, but not too much. The doctor seemed fairly pleased with her weight gain, but still wants her to be packing on the pounds. He said that she might just be one of those kids that is tall and skinny...not my genes.


Now that we have been home for awhile, it is interesting to see how the girls are similar and unique as babies. Brooke loved to be held, but she was also quite content in her swing and would only sleep in her swing or car seat for the longest time. Brooke also was an on-demand feeder. She never let us miss a feeding-you knew when she was hungry! Caroline loves to be snuggled and held. This may be due to her two aunts that were in town over the Holidays and held her non-stop :) I think that since this is (maybe) their fault, they should have to come home and help. She will go in the swing, but only for a few minutes. Eating?? She could take it or leave it. We usually have to remind her that it is time to eat again. She is so like me...yeah.

Brooke is warming up more and more to Caroline. She has started saying love you! more and more to "Cayline" (as she says) and asks if she can hold her...quickly followed by "Mommy put baby in bed!" We are getting there. She is still adjusting and has become more emotional then she used to be. The tears come quickly and when in public or with friends, it can be a bit embarrassing. Being two with a new sister is rough guess :)

New Years 2009

While most of my friends were out toasting the New Year with drinks and delicious food, Gary and I were hanging out with a two year old, a one month old, Ryan Seacrest and a breast pump. Jealous?? I did make it until 10:30 when I fell asleep watching something on HGTV (did I mention we got cable??...amazing for these Winter months and late night feedings..). I was up at 12:30 for a feeding, but there was no watching the ball drop for me. I cannot complain too much when I have these two adorable faces right?? Happy New Year!!