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.

The Weekend

It's been an odd day for several reasons.

We were all dressed and ready for church, when a few things began to delay us. 

Just as we were ready to walk out the door (already ten minutes late), John decided he needed to eat, right then.  Ada's diaper was suddenly dirty (she still isn't potty trained), and then John's diaper was also dirty.  By the time all of that was taken care of and we were in the car on the way to church, we were 30 minutes late and still had a ten minute drive.  Scott and I decided we weren't going to make it.

One of these days I will get the hang of getting two children out the door on time.  I was always late before I had John.  Now I can hardly make it to places before we are too late.

So, with the whole day ahead of us, we decided to run to Target to pick up a dress I spotted yesterday.  I needed something that is dressy and nursing friendly for Spring and Summer weddings.  There was one at Target that I thought would work, and I was afraid my size would be gone quickly.  Sure enough, it was gone by the time we got there--and I just saw it yesterday.  So the girl working in the women's department called another Target that is 30 minutes away, and that store put the dress on hold.  John was sleeping soundly, so we decided to go ahead and make that trip while he napped in the car.  Ada was so confused because when we originally left the house we were headed to church.  Anyway, we finally got the dress and headed back to our house.  At that point, it was nap time for everyone.

The dress is only one reason it's been a great weekend.

I am also excited because I finally have a library card at the local library.  I can't wait to check out so many books!! 

The weather was amazing, and I spent much of yesterday outside.  My house is a disaster as a result, but that's okay.  It's supposed to rain for the next two days, so I will spend that time cleaning.

And the final reason it was a great weekend is because Scott spent Friday and Saturday night with John, only waking me when it was time for John to eat, so I slept more soundly than I have in a while.

This is Ada playing with the little girl who lives next door.  The girl is a couple of years older than Ada, but she is very patient and kind with Ada, so they play great together.  Yesterday was the first time that Ada rode in the girl's barbie car, and Ada thought it was the best thing she had ever seen.  They rode that thing in circles forever.  (They are in the swimming pool parking lot.  The swimming pool that continues to be unfinished).

While they rode, I talked with the girl's mom.  Because I was holding John, the conversation naturally turned to babies and then nursing.  The mom proudly told me that she nursed her daughter for 2 1/2 years.  Isn't it funny how moms can't help but compare notes about these things.  I then shared my story about Ada and how she was such a terrible nurser right from the start.  Funny, funny, these things we feel compelled to share.

Anyway...that was our weekend.  How was yours? 

(the bad part of the weekend--with Spring, come allergies.  Terrible allergies.  I kept kleenex by my side all weekend.  And apparently, according to the Target pharmacist, all allergy medicine dries up breast milk.  I am making a phone call to the OBGYN first thing tomorrow to discuss a solution to this problem.  Suggestions, anyone?)

Friday

It is in the 70s today, so what did I do?  I dropped the day's plans--things like cleaning and such--and we headed to the park. 

Oh the wonderful sunshine.  Warm sunshine, at that. 

We picked up a couple of hamburgers, and we enjoyed the day, along with every other mom in town:)

John also enjoyed the park:)

And now, while both children are asleep, I might sit outside and enjoy the sun even more.  It's good for my brain, I do believe.

Hurry, hurry, hurry, Spring

May I please join the rest of the blogosphere in voicing my absolute need for Spring to arrive.  And arrive soon.

I cannot take anymore rain or cold.  Or snow, for that matter. 

I am dying to feel that warm sunshine on my face and shoulders, so when Ada asked if she could play outside today, I said, "yes mam, oh yes, you can!!!"

And lo and behold, John even cooperated.  He napped on the guest bed, while Ada and I played in the backyard.  (I left the door open so that I could hear him, should he wake up).  (on that note--I think we are working our way to the other side of these very hard newborn days.  If he can nap soundly on the bed, we are getting somewhere).

And when we began to get hungry, I decided a picnic on the back patio was in order.  Why go inside when the sun was shining?

Now, if you are wondering why Ada's cup is buckled into the highchair, then you need to know--it's her baby.  These days, everything is her baby.  No need to bring a doll outside, the sippy cup will do. 

Sunday afternoon

It's beautiful outside. Absolutely beautiful. This kind of weather is good for the soul, don't you think?

An exercise video inside my house was not going to cut it today. So...we loaded up the car (Scott, Ada, and me) and headed to the local high school track. Ada played, and Scott and I took turns running. I wanted to run three miles, but I only made it through two miles. I am seriously out of shape. It felt so stinkin' good to be outside in the sunshine getting some exercise, three miles or not.

Exercise and sunshine, it's a healing combination.

Welcome, First Day of Spring!!!

Let's all shout hallelujah that winter has passed and spring has come. Really. I have been craving sunshine for months now. Bring. it. on.

How did Ada and I celebrate? We loaded up the car and headed to Walgreens for some claritin. Claritin and I will be BFFs for the next couple of months. Pollen will not hold me hostage inside my house. I will medicine up and face the sunshine with gusto.

I put a bright pink outfit on Ada, watermelons and all. I placed a big white bow in her hair and pink crocs on her feet. We greet this season with open arms and a foggy head from all the medication. But that is okay. A foggy head does not prevent my face from feeling the sunshine beating down.

p.s. I also celebrated the first day of spring with a 1/2 lb lost. Thank you, Tae Bo. Thank you fresco menu at Taco Bell. Thank you jeans that are way too tight reminding me that I have let the pounds gather over the last few months, and it is way past time to nip it in the bud. I'll keep you posted. For now, Billy Blanks and I have a kickboxing date.