My Journal
Saturday, October 30, 1999
What a fast week. Seems like I never catch up lately. We had Trick or Treat here on Thursday night. I thought it would be today and found out Thursday morning it was that night. Just lucky to find out. Oh Boy. Anyway, luckily I had everything ready thanks to my Mom who sent both girls a costume. We received the box on Monday. We went to Mema and Papa's house first. Then to our former neighbors, Ms Eleanor Pollock and Jenny Marshall across the street. I was a little emotional walking up to Jenny's house. I remember taking Julia there dressed up in her little bunny suit on her first Halloween and visiting with Jenny's father who died recently. He just thought the world of Julia that night! We miss him. We also went to Ms. Glenda's house. By the time we were done with visits to these it was time to go home. The girls were both great though which was a relief. We took pictures of both of them before we went and it didn't go very well. They were both irritable and hard to work with. It blows my mind. All the great pictures we have done of so many other people's kids and it is sooo hard to do our own. Julia is almost always difficult and has been since the beginning. Oh well, think we got a couple that will be O.K.Julia really looked adorable in her penguin costume!!!! I just loved it. She had a stuffed penguin to carry with it and the cutest Halloween socks under her penguin feet. Rebecca was the cutest little duck too. She took along a pair of stuffed ducks also. And she had "My First Halloween" socks under her orange duck feet that Mom made. She also had a "My First Halloween" bib with pumpkins on it. Too cute! Of course the added bonus is that we will be passing these along to Kellie and Jon's baby too. So it's not the end of the line!! I have started a box of Rebecca's baby things for them. She has outgrown a lot already. Don't know if it ever gets very cold out there, so some things probably won't work as they would be too warm with their baby due in the spring. Can't wait!!
Kayla came to play with Julia on Thursday too. They are so cute together. Three in diapers is a little much for me though! I will be glad when Julia and Kayla are better potty users. Both are still sporadic.
Rebecca had her 4 month check up on Monday. She weighed in at 16 lbs, 13 oz. That was less than what I thought she might weigh since she was already 16 lbs a month ago. But she's still at the 95th percentile. She got 3 immunizations. Didn't cry much this time! Received a perfect bill of health in every way! I feel so very blessed to have two such healthy and beautiful children! Dr. Wahbeh, the pediatrician, said we could give vegetables and fruits to Rebecca any time now. She is enjoying her cereal a little more. I give her a couple ounces about once a day. Thinking of going to twice a day soon. She has been up at night more again these past few days. But she has been napping well which is nice. I think we are about ready to move her into Julia's crib and move Julia into a Toddler Bed. Mark and I looked at Toddler beds on the internet today. Don't know how Julia will take the move. I tried to put Rebecca in Julia's crib for her morning nap and Julia did not like it. So it may be a difficult transition for her. I don't know how hard it will be for her to stay in the Toddler bed or if she will be getting up and down a lot. But think we will try it. We might have to have two cribs for a while if it doesn't work and then try again later. We will see.
I've been doing some typesetting for Mr. Cecil as his computer is down. Guess that is one reason I got behind on this journal. I was doing that for him during the time I would normally be doing my journaling. And then also had Kayla and Halloween this week. Also, had a bunch of picture orders to do this week too which is good, but time consuming. I still have not gotten started on the framing orders I got a few weeks ago. It's not a rush for the customer, but I want to get on it as soon as I can. Picked up a few pecans this week too. We've got lots of them this year!
My schedule plan is working very well though! I've got a clean bathroom and kitchen! The laundry is under control and I'm having lots of fun with the girls! It also gives me a feeling of accomplishment and relieves stress. I don't feel like I have to do everything everyday! Thomas ate supper with us Tuesday night which was really nice, and we have decided to make every Tuesday night Thomas night! He will come over and eat supper with us, and he gets to choose the menu. It will be Pizza this Tuesday - still his favorite food. I'm looking forward to it. He has been here today helping Mark, and he also went to the grocery store for me. Really appreciate that!
Saturday, October 23, 1999
HAPPY DAY, HAPPY DAY!!!! Rebecca slept all night for the first time last night! From 11-6 and back to sleep after nursing until 8:30!!!!! And she has been soooo good today. It's been a really fun day. Julia and I made Play Clay this morning during Rebecca's 1st nap. She loved it! Entertained her for hours. She helped mix the flour (2-3 cups), salt (1 cup), water (1 cup) & oil (1 tsp). Got out cookie cutters and various small containers and utensils. Lots of fun!!!Mark had to work today. AM at his regular job, and photo shoot in PM. When he came home at lunch, he watched Rebecca while Julia and I played outside. We had a great time jumping on the trampoline! We played Ring Around the Rosie which Julia loved and wanted to do over and over again. Then Julia said, "Lay down Mommy and I'll sing you a song." So I lay in the middle of the trampoline looking up at her smiling little face and the beautiful blue sky while she danced around me singing for all she was worth "The Little Mommy Song". Guess she made it up.
I have started a schedule recommended by one of my Parent Soup Friends. You make an index card file with a place for each day of the month. You make cards with different chores on them (Clean Miniblinds) (Clean Bathroom) etc. And I also made cards with different treats and fun things to do on them. Today's was "Make Play Clay". Others are "Go to the Park", "Have a Picnic", "Listen to music", "Do a Scrapbook page", "Give both girls and Mark an extra hug" etc. After completing the card's instructions It can be refiled however many days/weeks until needed again. The fun cards I put in randomly so we will have a surprise every few days.
Monday, October 18, 1999
Today went really fast. Lots of laundry again. Julia used the potty all day!!! We are spending a lot of time in the Bathroom lately. Bless her little heart! No dirty diapers from Julia today, but Rebecca kicked in with a doosie. All over her bassinet, stuffed animals, me, and the changing table. Fun, fun, fun.I can't believe Rebecca is 4 months old today! She ate a bowl of rice cereal today and really liked it for the first time. I pumped about an ounce of breastmilk to mix it with. It only takes about a minute to get an ounce now. I have a supply of pumped milk in the freezer too now. I used some on Sunday for church. And it will be good to have just in case I get sick or something. I can usually get about 3-4 ounces in less than five minutes now. I am so grateful that Rebecca is a good nurser and after a sort of rocky start, breastfeeding has worked out so well for us.
I was rocking Rebecca today and she fell asleep. I looked down at her and she looked just like me in one of my baby pictures! It was a strange feeling. I hold her as much as I can. One, I think she is happier that way. And two, these baby days are going by sooo fast! She is so soft and cuddly. And that smile of hers melts my heart every single time!
Julia and I had a great time jumping on the trampoline together today! I would never have guessed she would enjoy it so much. Went on a walk just Rebecca and me. Julia played on the swings, etc. with Daddy while we went. Mr. and Mrs. Harris came over and brought us some yummy sweet potatoes and a sweet potatoe pie! All hot out of the oven. Mrs. Harris helped give Julia her bath too.
Both girls went to sleep about 9 PM tonight. Rebecca has been awake briefly a couple of times since. (It's 12 midnight now) Not too bad. Sometimes she is really fussy from 9 to 11 or 12. Occasionally she sleeps from 9 or 10 PM until 2 AM. She still usually is up about 2 AM. The infamous 2 AM feeding, I guess. And after that maybe once more between 2:00 AM and 7:00 or 8:00 AM. Sometimes she will go back to sleep until 9:00 AM or so after that. Then sometimes take a nap at about 11:00 AM. Although, sometimes not until 12:30, 2:30, or 3:00 PM. A little unpredictable. But on the whole she is sleeping much better than she was. Mark cleaned up the kitchen tonight after supper! So I have had a little time to myself tonight. Awwwww. Several SAHM board members have echoed my sentiments: You have to get a little alone time, and take it whenever you can - usually early morning and/or late night. I have really enjoyed the Parent's Soup board group. It's like having friends around to talk to whenever you want. But also, fine it you don't have the time. There is a Toddler and Baby Board too which are informative. But the Southern SAHM one is the most fun!
Sunday,October 17, 1999
Well, I actually heard the sermon today in church! Happy Day! Right after Sunday School, Rebecca fell asleep, so we went on in to the sanctuary. Julia did well, and Rebecca slept for about 3/4 the service, then woke up and was O.K. until about 5 minutes before it was over. I really enjoyed it. We sat by the two cutest, sweetest little girls. Hailey and Lauren, sisters about 7 and 5 yrs old. They love Julia. And they are a big help to me. They were so cute sharing their Dreamsicle Bibles with Julia. After church Hailey brought me Julia's juice cup that we had left accidentally. The church was packed and there was luckily one place left to sit when we went in. And it was by them. There is talk of building a new sanctuary. Really do need more room. Julia was a little clingy in Sunday School, but she did enjoy it. There were 5 girls and 3 boys in her class today.Mark had a wedding to shoot yesterday. I wished I could go with him, but we don't have anyone to keep the girls. He said it went well. He had to go to work yesterday and today 1/2 day. I hate it, but we do need the extra money. He grilled Hamburgers last night for supper, and he grilled chicken tonight and corn on the cob. I am sooo glad he likes to cook.
Julia was into coloring today. She is really intense about it. She was cute when she came to a picture of a peacock in her zoo coloring book, she said, let's send this to Mimi at her house. Mimi has beautiful peacock wall paper in her dinning room, and I was surprised that Julia hasn't forgotten it. I don't remember mentioning it since we were there. She really has an amazing memory.
Spent some time on the swings, slide, and trampoline which Julia dearly loves. Rebecca likes the trampoline too. I hold her and gently bounce up and down on it. And Julia also played in her sandbox. It was another really beautiful day.
Rebecca will be 4 months old tomorrow! Plan to post a four month report on her web page. Also add some pictures that Dad e-mailed to me. I really want a new scanner! Maybe Christmas if I'm lucky. Mark is talking about a digital camera, but they are so expensive.
Connie called yesterday. We are trying to think of a way to meet on their way to Disney World. The are staying in Macon, so don't know if we will try to go up there or try to meet up with them in Valdosta. Hope it works out.
I've gotten a good response to my first series of "Southern Belle of the Week" questions that I posted today along with my biography. I used questions that had something to do with Sun since it is Sunday. Lots of fun.
Friday, October 15, 1999
Rebecca laughed out loud today! While Julia was napping, Rebecca and I were dancing around the room to Bob Segar's song, "Against the Wind". I was holding her up in the air above my head and then lowering her down and kissing her tummy. She was just cackling. It was one of those deeply connected moments for me like the first time I saw her heart beating in the ultrasound, the first time I held her when she was born, and the first Dr. visit when I had to watch while the nurse squeezed the blood out of her sore little foot for the PKU test. It was one of those times when your heart feels so full of love you think it might burst. She slept much better yesterday, last night, and two naps today.I have been appointed "Southern Belle of the Week" of the Parent Soup Southern SAHM Message Board Group. I get to share a brief biography of myself and post questions for the other members to reply to. I have really enjoyed the Group. Lots of laughs, interesting people and ideas.
It is sooo quiet in the house right now. Both girls are asleep. A rare treat. I had gotten behind on the laundry, so Julia went over to the Harris's this morning while Rebecca took her nap, and I got most of it caught up. Julia has had a lot of leaky diapers lately. So I really had to get all the stinky stuff washed up. Guess she is so active now that they get out of position. I posted a message on the SAHM board about being "burried in laundry..." Someone replied, "wait a minute, I'll get my shovel and dig you out. Oops, can't find my shovel, probably lost under all my laundry." I was LOL (Laughing Out Loud). I sent a message back saying, "Thanks for the laugh, it really lightened my LOAD!"
Thursday, October 14, 1999
Catch up time. I haven't been able to write anything for 5 days. Rebecca's been so fussy, and I've been so tired. Usually I write while she is napping or after she goes to sleep at night. But she has not been sleeping well, waking up a lot all night long. I would nurse her to sleep, and as soon as I'd try to get up she'd cry. It would happen over and over again. So finally I got to the point I that I would just stay with her. She seemed better today, and so far so good tonight. She is drooling a lot and chewing on her hands, and I am wondering if she could be an early teether.So I'm thinking back to Saturday, October 9th: We had lunch at the Harris's and Starr, Amy, and her boyfriend, T.A. were there. Delicious meal! Amy brought Julia a birthday present and Rebecca a baby present. Julia's was a really pretty, long sleeve red velvet dress. Rebecca's was the cutest corduroy jumper and top to go with it. Julia loves Amy. Amy came over to our house later, and she and Julia played in Julia's room. It had rained so they didn't get to jump on the trampoline.
Sunday, October 10th: We went to church. I have resigned myself to just being satisfied that Julia is enjoying it so much. She wore her pink and white striped dress that she got for her birthday from our neighbor, Ms. Idna. She looked really cute. Julia insisted that I stay with her in her class. So we put Rebecca in the nursery and she was O.K. in there for a little while. Julia was really enjoying her class, so when I heard Rebecca crying, I slipped out and went over to the nursery. Suddenly I heard Julia screaming for me. Guess I shouldn't have left without telling her. Anyway, I went back over to her class with Rebecca in tow. Julia calmed back down and continued enjoying her class. Luckily, Julia's class and the nursery are right next door to each other. The G.A.'s (3rd, 4th, 5th grade girls) were doing a special program in church. So while Rebecca was content in the nursery swing, Julia and I slipped into church to hear them sing and put on a skit. Gwen is the leader. It was very good. Julia doesn't understand about not talking in church, so we went back to the nursery when they were through. For once Rebecca was not crying when I came back! Halleluiah! When we got home, Julia would not take off her dress until we had gone over to show Ms. Idna how she looked in it. So we went over for a short visit. Ms. Idna is just the sweetest. We are really lucky to have such a kind neighbor.
I don't remember too much of anything special about Monday and Tuesday of this week. Just the usual routines. I was very tired. Oh yes, now I remember. Tuesday, I was really exhausted. I napped when the girls napped. And Julia went over to play at Leslie's house. Gwen picked her up about 5:30. She loved it. I told Mark I needed a break. He kept Rebecca and I went to the store, Winn Dixie, in Camilla. Got diapers and groceries. When I got back Rebecca was not crying! Happy day! And I felt better. I just need to get out once in a while I guess. When Rebecca gets a little more settled, I plan on going back to T.O.P.S. and going to church on Wednesday night.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was a little better. And today I feel pretty good. We had a picnic lunch out in the back yard with Daddy at noon. Julia jumped on the trampoline. She loves it! And it is really fun to watch her. There is just pure joy on her face. And we all went on a nice walk this evening.
Kellie had her ultrasound yesterday. Think it's a girl! I'm so excited for them. And we will pass some of Julia's and Rebecca's baby clothes along. Sure do hope we can go out there some time.
Rebecca is smiling a lot now. I love her smile. She is usually pretty happy as long as I am giving her my undivided attention. It does get exhausting sometimes trying to keep her happy and keep up with Julia at the same time. Julia is usually really good. She brings me diapers and is really a good helper. Today she was searching for trouble though. Opening every cabinet, every drawer, pounding on the computer keyboard, etc. Don't know what got into her. She was really cute this evening though. She was rocking Rebecca in the swing and singing to her. Rebecca LOVED it! And so did I! Julia has been singing a lot lately. We got her a Pooh Sing-along video for her birthday, and she loves it. It is about Pooh searching for his own special song. Julia will say, "Here's my song". And then she will sing. Sometimes it is hysterical. She will combine parts of different songs together. Once it was, "Jesus loves me this I know, his fleece was white as snow (from Mary Had a Little Lamb). Another was the "Kangaroo Jesus" to the tune of "The Kanga Roo Hop" one of the video songs. Too cute. We have been building with the lego blocks a lot too. She wants them in the bathroom while she goes potty, and she wants to take them to bed with her too. She really is good with them I think for her age. She is building towers as tall as she is. And she puts the bigger blocks on the bottom to be the base which I don't know how she knew to do.
We had some good bedtime stories tonight. My picks we read were "Mimi and the Picnic" to go along with our first picnic that we had today; Winnie the Pooh in "Good as Gold" about friends and rainbows; And "Scardy Cat" the cutest Halloween book that my Mom gave Julia last year at Halloween. Julia's picks we also read were "Bambi" and "Grover's Resting Places". "Grover's Resting Places" is a really fun book. It has shapes that you are requested to rest different body parts on. Julia loves it and caught on right away. It ends up with Grover in his whole body, night time resting place and suggests the reader find his or her own night time resting place and get in it. Julia responded right away, pointed to her bed and said that it is her resting place. Rebecca has been really good about laying on a quilt in Julia's room while we clean up and then have our bed time stories. She likes the Pooh Gym. She also lays on a quilt in the bathroom while I bathe Julia and while I take my bath. Sometimes I bathe the girls in the tub together. It is funny, after I get Rebecca out, Julia gets in the little bath tub and lays her head over the edge and I wash her hair. It's like her being at the beauty shop.
Rebecca is sleeping much better tonight! Thank goodness.
