In the spotlight

This past weekend we headed into the suburbs of Chicago for one of my best friends weddings. I was a bridesmaid, and Reese was the flower girl, so we both had to be there for rehearsal Friday evening. Thank goodness my parents were also invited, because they were life savers. I don't know how I would have done it all weekend without them. Saturday morning my mom, Preston, and I went to my friends house for hair and makeup before heading to the church, and my Dad, Kyle, and Reese met us there after her nap for pictures. Once she got her flower girl dress on, she turned on the charm :) She was in the spotlight, and loved every minute of it. I had some reservations about her walking down by herself, especially since I went first, and she came in last (right before the bride) but once she stepped into the church, she turned it on and did exactly what she was supposed to (even better I think:) She smiled the whole way, walked nicely, and greeted the people in the pews with "Hello's" and high fives. Thatta girl! We survived Saturday and I hung on by one tired thread, and enjoyed the reception and dancing. It was nice to see all of my college girlfriends again, and we will meet up again the end of October for another friend's wedding in downtown Chicago. I will be kids free for that one :)

Preston is developing a personality and becoming much more alert during the day. About a week ago he started to wake up a lot more during the day, but I am still trying to figure out his tummy issues. Monday night he had a major meltdown for about 20 minutes, just screaming non stop and in a lot of pain. He then had a bowel movement, leading me to think that all that crying was caused by his need to poop. I called the doctor on Tuesday, since the things I have been trying do not seem to be helping (cutting out tomatoes, propping him up after he eats, etc.) I told the nurse about his screaming fits, lots of gas passing, and quite a bit of spitting up, and she recommended trying gas drops (over the counter) for a few days before we do anything else. I started them yesterday, so we will see if it improves. He had another 15 minute meltdown last night, but I am not sure it was due to tummy problems. This little guy is throwing me for a loop I tell ya. I am still trying to figure him out. Reese was so content all the time that I never had to experiment different things with her. Preston is a bit more picky. He likes to be held a certain way and his butt patted when going to sleep. He is just giving me a run for my money more so than Reese did. They always say your second is a bit more "demanding". Well, Preston is living up to it, that's for sure :)

Reese is still doing a great job of taking on the role of big sister. She is excited to greet him in the morning, and gives him nice, gentle hugs throughout the day. She is much more a "mommy's girl" right now, and craves my attention at time when I have to give it to Preston (i.e. feedings and diaper changes). She reminds me when I am done feeding him to "put him down" and come and play with her.Overall she is doing really well.

The time has come, moving day! We close on our new house this Friday morning, and will slowly be moving things in over the next week while living there. We are excited to get in there and get a sense of "normalcy" back into our lives. This past month has flown by at my parents house, and I will sure miss all the help when we are gone. I think a certain few people will be missing us (I mean Reese) as well--the grandparents! :)

A bit of a difference

I was reflecting back yesterday on how Reese was when she was 3 weeks old, and I have noticed some differences between Reese and Preston. Let's start with the obvious. Reese is a girl, and Preston is a boy. That being said, I have been peed on a couple of times in the middle of the night with Preston, and that clearly never happened with Reese. All of a sudden in a sleepless haze, a waterfall shoots straight up catching me off guard in just enough time to get the diaper on him again. I think I am mastering the tactic of changing him faster and keeping him covered the entire time :)
Here are some other differences between the two.
1. Reese NEVER spit up, ever. I never had to use burp rags or bibs with her, and rarely did I have to make sure I got a burp out of her. Preston is the exact opposite. He spits up constantly. If I don't burp him, it is much worse, but even with burping, he spits up all day long. I have done some research and am already trying different things to try to help. Right now, I am avoiding tomatoes (as they say the acid in them can make babies spit up more.) I have also had him sleep in the swing one night to see if elevating him helps, but right now I am just trying to do a process of elimination to see if he may have a food sensitivity, or if he may have some reflux issues (or if he is just a spitty baby!) Either way, he is never without a bib or burp rag.
2. Reese was gassy, but not to the point of pain. Preston cries when he has to pass gas, making me think it was something I ate that is bothering his tummy. Again, I am now remembering and watching what I eat to see if it may be due to a food sensitivity.
3. Preston LOVES the swing. He will sit in it awake or asleep. Reese wouldn't last more than 5 minutes in there before she cried to get out.
4. After eating in the middle of the night, Preston goes right back to sleep. Reese would stay awake for another hour or so, keeping me up much of the night. With Preston, he is eating about every 3 hours, giving me 2 hour stretches of sleep (since the actual feeding takes about an hour with a diaper change.)
5. Preston likes to sleep on his side in his crib. Reese wouldn't lay down to sleep for the first 5 months (she slept in a bouncy seat!) Not making that mistake again!
In general, Preston is a very content baby, just as Reese was. I would say Preston probably fusses more than Reese did, but Reese literally never cried for the first 6 months, so his little bouts of fussiness are nothing compared to what I am sure some babies are like. I think I am pretty lucky thus far with him!

Fall Festival

This past weekend was Lena's annual Fall Festival (the "Cadillac of Small Town Festivals") according to many newspapers in the area! Saturday we took Reese to the parade, which she loved! This is her 3rd parade this year and she is now a pro. As soon as she saw the parade coming down the street. she got right out there, cupped her hands, and yelled "CANDY!!" So much for being excited about the music, fire trucks, cop cars, etc. That girl just wanted candy. She must be my daughter :) She got more candy than we know what to do with, so Mom and Dad have to help her eat her tootsie rolls, what a shame ;) The parade lasted an HOUR and 45 minutes! It was a long one especially since it didn't start until noon (her nap time.) But with everything going on, she held on and even made it uptown for some lunch before crashing on the way home in the afternoon.
Sunday we trekked up to Monroe to have one of Kyle's old co workers take Preston's newborn pictures. I am so excited to see them. She did some really neat things, and he cooperated very well. 1/2 of the time he was sleeping, and 1/2 awake, so I bet we got some good ones!
This weekend we are headed to Chicagoland for one of my best friend's weddings on Saturday. Reese is the flower girl and I am a bridesmaid, so we will be busy but it will be fun! My parents were invited as well so Kyle and I will have some helping hands around (thank goodness!) We haven't traveled alone yet with two little ones, granted for a whole weekend.

Who turned the lights out?

This past week, Reese has been talking a lot about God and asking many questions about him. This discussion was prompted when Kyle and her were outside and Reese made a comment about how dark it was outside. She then asked Kyle "Who turned the lights out?" :) Kyle told her God did. Reese, not being one to like the dark, responded with "Well, I don't like God." Mind you, this is a little girl who likes a night light in her room, so she is not too fond of anything that is associated with the dark. Then yesterday, we woke up to wet windows as it had rained the night before. I told Reese to look outside and see the wet deck. She then asked "Who made it rain?" I told her "God did." This opened a can of worms in her little intuitive mind. She then wanted to know all sorts of information about God. Where does he live? Why is he in the clouds? Why can't I touch him? Will he come down so I can touch him? When is he going to come down and play with me? Why is he hiding? and on and on :) I told her many times we can't see God, but we just believe in him and he loves us. This morning when I went into her room to get her out of bed, I said "Good morning" and she replied "We can't see God." I think this concept has the wheels in her head just turning and turning!

Long weekend

Everyone survived their first full week together in what my parents are used to as a house of two, then became a house of 5 in no time (6 when Kyle is here.) We had a great week last week, did lots of swimming, unpacking, and organizing. We have gotten settled in for the remaining 2 weeks we will be staying here. We "hope" to have our closing date moved up tot he 19th, and the seller's sound very optimistic about this, so 2 weeks from today we will hopefully be homeowners once again.
Our transition last week went very smooth. I was expecting Reese to ask about school, or her friends, but she still hasn't yet. Yesterday she did say she wanted to go bye bye, and I asked her where she wanted to go. She said "Our house". If that isn't enough to break your heart!! But, these next 2 weeks will fly by and she will have so much more space and yard to romp around in at the new house that it is worth the wait.
This past weekend we celebrated Labor Day with lots of swimming and a pool party at my parents on Monday. It is always great to see friends and family friends, especially while we are living here.
Preston is being a good 2 week old, sleeping about 20 hours of the day :) He is such a calm, laid back baby. I think somebody up above knew that during this time, I needed that! At his 2 week appt. yesterday he weighed 8 lbs (37%tile) and was 21' long (97%tile). Long and lean! The doctor was asking if I was getting any rest, and I told him it is just different with 2 kids now instead of 1. I am lucky though to have been blessed with my parents and Kyle's parents helping out so much these past 2 weeks. I am not sure if reality has really set in yet that I have 2 kids since I have had so much help. Ask me again in 2 weeks when I am alone with them for an entire day at the new house :) The doctor made me chuckle when he quoted Bill Cosby. Any parent of more than one child I thought would appreciate this. "Parents who only have one child are in all actuality just practicing parenting"- B.C. Ain't that the truth!!
This coming weekend is the Lena Fall Festival so Reese will enjoy the parade and rides. I am also having Preston's newborn pictures taken...lets hope he cooperates and maybe open's his eyes for some of them!