Today's weather has turned cool. My favorite! You ask, and you shall receive! We went out for our walk with our family friend. As soon as we got to our last lap, the sky got dark. We picked up our pace so we wouldn't get drenched. We turned the corner to her house and felt sprinkles. Got in the car and off base when it started raining. Perfect timing!
Tomorrow I have a busy day. We are having our friends come visit and they will be staying with us now. Have to reorganize stuff to fit the air mattress so they can be comfortable. Not too bad, I'm glad to have visitors. Hubby sent me an email with their itinerary on their arrival and departure, so I asked him why he never asked if they wanted to stay with us and save some money. He did, and they gladly accepted and will cancel their hotel reservation.
Whenever we have company, I always want to make sure my guests feel comfortable and "at home". So many thoughts run through my little brain. What if they don't like the food? What if they're allergic to something? What if they find a spider? Or a dust bunny? Is the home clean enough? Are we boring them? I'm such a paranoid freak, I'm sure I have nothing to worry about. Reminds me of when we were going through the home study. Worrying about everything when worry was not necessary.
We also received an email today that Sterling's passport and birth certificate are in. I'll go in the morning to pick those up and pray that Xanders is in along with hers. I'm excited to see what the birth certificate looks like and what it says since it won't have a state on it.
Thursday, May 31
Taking it all in
I love summertime. I love the sun. I love the early sunrise and late sunset. I love being outside. Summertime allows me to enjoy myself. It's felt like summer has been here for the past 2 weeks. You see, living in Germany and having a "real" summer is not ideal! It's NOT any fun when the temps get mid 70s and higher. It's miserable outside AND inside. Germany is most fun when the temps are in the 60s with sunshine. It's not miserable, it's not cold, and its not hot...it's "perfect" in my eyes. Because we've been in the high 70s and 80s for 2 weeks now, I've been praying for some cooler days. Even rain. I HATE rainy days, but I'm asking for it to cool us down some. It's in the forecast, however, the forecast is usually NEVER right over here. I'll keep praying though.
We've been enjoying some nice long walks. Water playing is Xander's favorite. Lately he's not enjoying sitting in the stroller for the walks. He starts fussing and wanting out to walk himself. So young. Mr. Independent.
Sterling has been a mess lately. I'm thinking it's from the heat. She's spitting up a lot more than usual. Eating less (getting 26 ounces compared to the 30 she used to), but eating closer together. Only wants to be held outwards. Very demanding little girl. Wants what she wants long before she "asks". Keeps me on my toes. I have to admit that she had me stressed out from 1 month to her second month. I realized that she can sense my stress, and when she does, it just stressed me out more. So, I have learned to be calm and chill around her to keep her calm. So far, it's been better.
Xander has been clingy. I think the jealousy factor has finally kicked in for him. At night before bed, he wants me to hold him and he'll drink his bottle. Before, he's always sat in his highchair, then off to bed. Now, I have to hold him, calm him down, then off to bed. Maybe he sees me holding Sterling when she drinks her bottle and wants the same? These kids confuse me some days. Lately he thinks he's too big to take naps. He definitely needs them though, no doubt about it. I'm fighting tooth and nails to get him to sleep. Like now, he's supposed to be sleeping, but he's gagging himself so I go in there. He's been "trying" to sleep for the past hour, but just plays...most recently, gagging is added to his nap time. His schedule has been thrown off, and it's probably why he's been acting out. He's started watching learning videos. I'm looking into getting him flashcards, but just not sure what type for his age. What should he be learning now? We're working on colors, ABCs, body parts, playing with toys properly, outdoor things (his favorite), and music time.
I'm hoping once Sterling gets on a schedule, life will get back to normal. Right now it seems like our days revolve around Sterling and her temperament. I think Xander was between 3 and 4 months when he was really set on a schedule, so I'm hoping soon, Sterling will be too. We have a great night routine/schedule with both kids, but having a hard time during the days. It's my fault, I know. I want to do so much. I hate being stuck inside so they can be on a schedule. I try to work around the nap times, which normally it works out fine, but I think it's wearing Xander out.
School started on Tuesday. I haven't had time to look further than the syllabus. I have to find time to get my work done before the weekends without taking my days away and the kids getting ignored. Being a full time mom and a full time student will prove to be challenging. But, I can do it.
The past few weeks I've been horrible at taking pictures. Hopefully I'll get better soon. We have friends coming in tomorrow evening so maybe I'll get a few shots with the kids playing or something.
Thanks for all the sweet birthday wishes. I forgave Nick the same night, as usual, but I will never forget what he did :)
We've been enjoying some nice long walks. Water playing is Xander's favorite. Lately he's not enjoying sitting in the stroller for the walks. He starts fussing and wanting out to walk himself. So young. Mr. Independent.
Finally a picture with both kids
This picture has a story. We went to the lake with some friends on Monday. We were getting things set up so we could have a picnic lunch and I decided to take a picture of the kids on the blanket. As I was taking the picture you can see the baby sitting up touching Sterling's head. Well this sweet innocent baby was pulling Sterling's hair. If this camera was not a point and shot and I had to actually view the scene before taking the picture, I would have seen this. Well as soon as I snapped this picture, Sterling was screaming. I mean screaming! I dropped the camera and realized sweet Lily had a handful of Sterling's hair. She's alright, maybe had a headache for awhile?
And this...this is Sterling's favorite position to sleep with her daddy.
Xander has been clingy. I think the jealousy factor has finally kicked in for him. At night before bed, he wants me to hold him and he'll drink his bottle. Before, he's always sat in his highchair, then off to bed. Now, I have to hold him, calm him down, then off to bed. Maybe he sees me holding Sterling when she drinks her bottle and wants the same? These kids confuse me some days. Lately he thinks he's too big to take naps. He definitely needs them though, no doubt about it. I'm fighting tooth and nails to get him to sleep. Like now, he's supposed to be sleeping, but he's gagging himself so I go in there. He's been "trying" to sleep for the past hour, but just plays...most recently, gagging is added to his nap time. His schedule has been thrown off, and it's probably why he's been acting out. He's started watching learning videos. I'm looking into getting him flashcards, but just not sure what type for his age. What should he be learning now? We're working on colors, ABCs, body parts, playing with toys properly, outdoor things (his favorite), and music time.
I'm hoping once Sterling gets on a schedule, life will get back to normal. Right now it seems like our days revolve around Sterling and her temperament. I think Xander was between 3 and 4 months when he was really set on a schedule, so I'm hoping soon, Sterling will be too. We have a great night routine/schedule with both kids, but having a hard time during the days. It's my fault, I know. I want to do so much. I hate being stuck inside so they can be on a schedule. I try to work around the nap times, which normally it works out fine, but I think it's wearing Xander out.
School started on Tuesday. I haven't had time to look further than the syllabus. I have to find time to get my work done before the weekends without taking my days away and the kids getting ignored. Being a full time mom and a full time student will prove to be challenging. But, I can do it.
The past few weeks I've been horrible at taking pictures. Hopefully I'll get better soon. We have friends coming in tomorrow evening so maybe I'll get a few shots with the kids playing or something.
Thanks for all the sweet birthday wishes. I forgave Nick the same night, as usual, but I will never forget what he did :)
Have a great day!
Friday, May 25
Happy Birthday?
So today is my 32nd birthday, but was it so happy? It was until hubby came home. My day was going great, kids in a great mood and I was in a great mood. The kids and I went to our friends house to hang out then go on our daily walk we've been doing. That's been a great mood booster for me, hanging with my friend being able to chat about whatever. After the walk, the kids and I had to run to the store for a few items. I put the kids down for their nap, then I got started on these birthday cake cookies I saw. They smelled really good. They looked really good. I was in the process of frosting the cake/cookie to make into a sandwich cookie. That's when hubby walked in. "It smells like cupcakes in here?". He walks around the corner to the kitchen and sees what I made and says: "looks like we'll be throwing those away!" That's where my mood reversed. I don't even want to look at him right now. It's my birthday and that's what I wanted for my sweet treat. I tossed ALL of them in the garbage.
A little back story now...we're trying to lose weight, so he's always trying to control and make me feel guilty for every little thing I want or eat. Yes, I need to lose weight, I know that. This is the moment where I'm tempted to starve myself like back in '99 when I hated my body. Would that make him happy? I'm sorry that I LOVE sweets. I'm sorry that I feel like I have to have a sweet every. single. day! Sure, I want to NOT eat sweets, but it's not realistic for me. Should I be like him and eat only dinner? That's NOT healthy! But he thinks it is because he's only eating once a day. That's just plain stupid, in my opinion. Yes, I'm hoovering around my pre-pregnancy weight and would love to go about 20 pounds lighter. One day. One day I will be there. Until then, it will be a struggle.
Whenever hubby makes me feel guilty about my food choices, I get all emotional and don't know what to do. I'm usually irrational, doing what I'm not supposed to, or know that I shouldn't. Should I be the type of person that hides food to eat it? That's not healthy. I just don't know what will make this man get off my back. In a way, its good that he's so critical on what I eat and buy, but today?
Sorry for my vent...
On a happier note...Sterling is rolling from her back to her stomach already. She's done it 3 different times today. That's scary. Xander didn't accomplish this task until he was nearly 8 months. She's only 2! I'm hoping it will be a fluke and only happen today, but "mama hercules" is destined to accomplish great things early. She's also been loving laying on her floor mat this week and not loving her bouncy. With the hot weather, we're back down to 4 ounces this week so she can hydrate more often. Today Xander fell asleep in the stroller on our walk. That does not ever happen, so I thought it was great.
I did get the birthday cards I'd hoped for. He even wrote with crayons on the kids'. It was sweet.
A little back story now...we're trying to lose weight, so he's always trying to control and make me feel guilty for every little thing I want or eat. Yes, I need to lose weight, I know that. This is the moment where I'm tempted to starve myself like back in '99 when I hated my body. Would that make him happy? I'm sorry that I LOVE sweets. I'm sorry that I feel like I have to have a sweet every. single. day! Sure, I want to NOT eat sweets, but it's not realistic for me. Should I be like him and eat only dinner? That's NOT healthy! But he thinks it is because he's only eating once a day. That's just plain stupid, in my opinion. Yes, I'm hoovering around my pre-pregnancy weight and would love to go about 20 pounds lighter. One day. One day I will be there. Until then, it will be a struggle.
Whenever hubby makes me feel guilty about my food choices, I get all emotional and don't know what to do. I'm usually irrational, doing what I'm not supposed to, or know that I shouldn't. Should I be the type of person that hides food to eat it? That's not healthy. I just don't know what will make this man get off my back. In a way, its good that he's so critical on what I eat and buy, but today?
Sorry for my vent...
On a happier note...Sterling is rolling from her back to her stomach already. She's done it 3 different times today. That's scary. Xander didn't accomplish this task until he was nearly 8 months. She's only 2! I'm hoping it will be a fluke and only happen today, but "mama hercules" is destined to accomplish great things early. She's also been loving laying on her floor mat this week and not loving her bouncy. With the hot weather, we're back down to 4 ounces this week so she can hydrate more often. Today Xander fell asleep in the stroller on our walk. That does not ever happen, so I thought it was great.
I did get the birthday cards I'd hoped for. He even wrote with crayons on the kids'. It was sweet.
I hope you are having a great and fabulous day!
Sunday, May 20
Pool fun
I decided to set up the pool for Xander last week on one of the nice days. He had fun splashing around. Sterling enjoyed it also and didn't fuss at all. I thought for sure when Xander would throw water at her she would, but nope, not a squeak. Today we played with the water table we just received. I think he has more fun with the pool though. I like the table, not as much of a mess :)
2 months
On the 17th Sterling turned 2 months. We had her 2 month well baby that morning. She weighed 13 pounds (93%), 23 inches (77%), and 71% for head circumfrence. She's a big baby. We are starting to wear 3-6 month clothes, size 2 diaper, and between 4 and 5 ounces of formula.
I decided to do a photo shoot this day also, well it was an adventure to say the least. She had her shots at her well baby appointment so she was pretty uncomfortable. She ended up having a fever that night and next day. Never went above 100, but was darn close. Note to self...no pictures after shots!
This is the true picture of how the shoot went...oh it was bad!
Monday, May 14
Exhausted
Are you ever so tired that your eyes burn, hurt to open, body aches, and head is pounding? That's me today. It was a rough night last night. Xander woke up at 130 screaming and didn't go back to sleep for 2 hours. With him crying for 2 hours, I was worried Sterling was going to wake. She didn't, thank God! It would not have been good if both babies were up in the middle of the night. I think Xander's molars are bothering him. All four are coming through. 1 is 90% though the top, another is just starting to come through the top, and the other two are poked through on the sides. They seem to start on the sides then poke through the top...anyways that's what I've noticed with Xander. Today I had my post baby appointment to make sure I am healing well from delivery. Everything is great.
Hubby had planned to come home and watch the kids so I wouldn't have to take them, but work got in the way and he couldn't leave. I don't get upset, it's just nice not to have to run around with them. But since I enjoy taking them out, off to my appointments we went. But in order to get out the door, it takes about 3 hours to get us all ready.
Xander does not enjoy sitting in the stroller when its not moving, so I figured we'd have a little "moment". I was right. It was a moment that lasted the whole appointment, and when he starts his moment, it gets Sterling all rawled up. Now I have to kids screaming. Joy. Pure Joy. Once the appointment was over and we started moving, the both were quiet as can be. Oy! When we got to the car, both kids were fast asleep before we left the parking lot. But I had to go to another clinic about 20 minutes away to finish the appointment, so Id have to wake them without going to their beds to finish the naps. I hate when I have to do this because Xander values his sleep and is not a happy camper when its interrupted.
I didn't get the opportunity to work on finishing Sterling's bow holder today. We didn't get home until 330, then it was time to chat, clean up, and start dinner. Maybe tomorrow?
As Nick says...you're so exhausted you have time to post a blog? Yes hunny, this is really important...LOL
Hubby had planned to come home and watch the kids so I wouldn't have to take them, but work got in the way and he couldn't leave. I don't get upset, it's just nice not to have to run around with them. But since I enjoy taking them out, off to my appointments we went. But in order to get out the door, it takes about 3 hours to get us all ready.
Xander does not enjoy sitting in the stroller when its not moving, so I figured we'd have a little "moment". I was right. It was a moment that lasted the whole appointment, and when he starts his moment, it gets Sterling all rawled up. Now I have to kids screaming. Joy. Pure Joy. Once the appointment was over and we started moving, the both were quiet as can be. Oy! When we got to the car, both kids were fast asleep before we left the parking lot. But I had to go to another clinic about 20 minutes away to finish the appointment, so Id have to wake them without going to their beds to finish the naps. I hate when I have to do this because Xander values his sleep and is not a happy camper when its interrupted.
I didn't get the opportunity to work on finishing Sterling's bow holder today. We didn't get home until 330, then it was time to chat, clean up, and start dinner. Maybe tomorrow?
As Nick says...you're so exhausted you have time to post a blog? Yes hunny, this is really important...LOL
Hope you're having a great day!
Sunday, May 13
Mother's Day
For all the years I've dreamed of being a mom, celebrating this day with my child(ren), I've now celebrated 2 of the best days of my life. Last year our son's birth mom chose adoption for him and chose our family to raise her son as our own. Adoption has forever changed our lives, for the better. Last Mother's Day, it was Xander and I in a hotel hoping and praying to come home to Germany. I cuddled him, stared at him, cried thinking of everything we've been through. This year, we played. He "helped" me bake a poppyseed bundt cake, wash dishes, make lunch, played some more. We also had little Sterling this year to enjoy this special day with. What a blessing our kids are! She slept a lot today, but we did get lots and lots of smiles from her. I love watching her, she's seriously the happiest baby I've ever known. She even allowed herself to be on a 4 hour feeding schedule today. First time ever. It was so nice, I'm hoping it continues.
I was a little disappointed in hubby today though. I didn't get a card from him or the kids. That's all I've ever wanted. He bought me gifts, which are nice and was nice of him, but I really want the cards. They mean so much more to me. We'll see if next year he remembers...lol. He gave me 2 necklaces, one from him and one from the kids. His is 2 hearts connected with diamonds, the kids' is 2 feet with each of their names on a foot. I love them! Very thoughful.
Tonight for dinner I made Orange Chicken. First time ever making it and it turned out fabulous. I have to say that I've been finding amazing recipes on Real Mom Kitchen website. So far, we've liked everything but 1 recipe we've tried. I get excited to make her recipes.
Hubby gave me some "me" time today. I was able to start Sterling's bow holder I'm making for her. I have it almost done, just need to add the ribbon and do some touch up paint around the painting. It looks awesome. I just hope it looks as good with the ribbon on it...lol.
I was a little disappointed in hubby today though. I didn't get a card from him or the kids. That's all I've ever wanted. He bought me gifts, which are nice and was nice of him, but I really want the cards. They mean so much more to me. We'll see if next year he remembers...lol. He gave me 2 necklaces, one from him and one from the kids. His is 2 hearts connected with diamonds, the kids' is 2 feet with each of their names on a foot. I love them! Very thoughful.
Tonight for dinner I made Orange Chicken. First time ever making it and it turned out fabulous. I have to say that I've been finding amazing recipes on Real Mom Kitchen website. So far, we've liked everything but 1 recipe we've tried. I get excited to make her recipes.
Hubby gave me some "me" time today. I was able to start Sterling's bow holder I'm making for her. I have it almost done, just need to add the ribbon and do some touch up paint around the painting. It looks awesome. I just hope it looks as good with the ribbon on it...lol.
Happy Mother's Day to ALL mothers
Have a great day!
Tuesday, May 8
iPod photos
So I just discovered that there's an app for blogger and I can now post my photos from here. How exciting! I won't go back far, but here's a few recent pics...not sure how to do captions though. 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)