Go to sleep

Jake, the little stinker, is beginning to grow out of taking 2 naps.  Some days he will sleep in the morning and skip afternoon nap, and other days it's reversed.  I'm sad because I want those 2 hours to myself, not just to read, but to actually do some chores around the house.  So what do we do instead of napping?? We head outside and do plenty of fun but tiring activities!

                    Playing with the car

            Walking around with dads tools

                Picking and tasting flowers

                                  Swinging

Exploring the woods (one of the neighbors cut trails behind our house. Jake loves walking on them)

Snack cups

Whoever invented these snack cups is a genius.  

It is the perfect way for Jake to get a snack and not leave a mess throughout the house.  The lid lets him reach in, but doesn't spill any food when tipped over.  

He loves to carry it around and most of the time he doesn't even eat the snacks.  It helps him be independent and learn to feed himself.  Plus it keeps him entertained when nothing else will!

Congenital hypothyroidism

We received a letter last week stating that Caleb's blood spots taken at the hospital came back positive for congenital hypothyroidism.

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth. If untreated for several months after birth, severe congenital hypothyroidism can lead to growth failure and permanent intellectual disability.

Some symptoms are :

-excessive sleeping

-reduced interest in nursing
-poor muscle tone

-low or hoarse cry

-infrequent bowel movements

-exaggerated jaundice

-Low body temperature 

The letter went on to explain that this doesn't mean he has it 100% for sure and they need us to get his blood spots done again and rechecked.   When I first read the letter, i immediately felt heartbroken. No parent wants to hear that their child has or might have something wrong.  Then I researched  information on CH and found that it is easily managed and controlled.  This made me feel immensely better.  Apparently he would have to take a pill that is crushed up and put in his bottle once a day.  I don't know if this is something he will have for life or improve or go away as he grows.  

Friday Dan left work early, picked us up and drove to the hospital to get his blood spots done.  I felt so bad for the little guy when the nurse pricked his heel.  He screamed his little head off.  I tried asking the nurse when we would get the results back, but she was not very friendly or forthcoming.  We shall see if went away or he has it.  Hopefully the next letter comes quickly and doesn't keep me waiting.

My boys

I survived! I made it all week by myself, caring for my boys without going insane or falling asleep in the middle of a task.  

The week started easy.  The boys were on opposite schedules, so when one was sleeping, the other was awake.  I was able to spend one on one time with both of them.  I think this helped Jake not feel jealous of Caleb.  Towards the end of the week though, they were on the same schedule and I become easily stressed trying to keep everyone happy.  A couple of times, Jake got upset with me when I was feeding Caleb and wouldn't let him climb in my lap. 

It does help that Caleb is a great baby.  He might just be easier than Jake was. He never fusses or is unhappy.  He sleeps most of the day, but when he is awake, he is content to sit in his bouncy and watch Jake and I play.  He also sleeps over 6 hours during the night!  Jake didn't do that until he was 2 months. I really hope I didn't just jinx myself and that my kids continue to be so well behaved.

Mystery package

Today in the mail I received a box from Target.......

I didn't order anything from there and the return address was from Target, not a persons address.  In the box was.......

A 2 pack of swaddlers!!! 

The packing slip said it was from target and not a gift from someone.  

I don't know if someone ordered these off the website and had them shipped to me, or if it was from the hospital, or just from Target as a congratulations.  Whoever sent them, thank you, Caleb loves being swaddled!

Double the fun

I have done a lot of complaining to my family of how I will not be able to take a walk with 2 kids.  Jake is still too little to walk down the road, plus I don't trust some of the drivers (they drive really fast down our lane). My family knows I like to take Jake for walks, but had no way to take a baby and a toddler.  We do have a baby Bjorn, but it hurts my back like crazy.  My mom suprised us over the weekend with a double stroller! 

Apparently you can fix both seats in several different ways.

Look at all those options.  I like how it grows with the kids.  Seeing as mine are so close together, this stroller is perfect.  We have been spoiled.  Thanks mom!!

Photos from our week

Our week together has come to an end. :-(. I am so thankful Dan was able to have the whole week off from work.  Dan was very helpful by taking over some night feedings, and playing a lot more with Jake. Him and Jake have bonded and now Jake runs to him instead of me.  Monday I will be by myself with 2 kids under 2. Yikes!

Newborn pictures!

The hospital I delivered at offers a newborn photo shoot.  I wanted one with Jake, but because he was in NICU for 3 days, he was passed over.  At the time I wasn't too upset because I figured I could take pictures and have them turn out okay.  Boy was I wrong.  We got Calebs newborn pictures in the mail today and they are amazing!  The photographer knew what she was doing, that's for sure.

We got:

A photo book 

A usb with all the pictures on it

Several 5x7 photos

Several 8x10 photos

An 8x10 announcement

And a gigantic photo, it's so big I don't think I will put it up. 

Here a 5x7 on top of it so you can see the size difference

I love the photos and I am glad to have a keepsake of Caleb, but I really wish I had professional ones of Jake. :-(

Dinners for the week

My mother and sister in law made us a whole weeks worth of dinners!!! It was very thoughtful of them and must have taken some time to buy and prepare it all. Thank you so much guys, it has made this week much easier for us.

The menu:

SUNDAY- Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and Lima beans

MONDAY- chicken linguini and breadstick (from Dan's parents)

TUESDAY- homemade chili and honey cornbread

WEDNESDAY- homemade meat sauce, noodles, and garlic bread (we had enough for 2 dinners)

THURSDAY- coney dogs and French fries ( enough for 2 dinners)

FRIDAY-Mexican chicken

They also made us brownies with frosting for dessert.  I admit I ate most of them!

More clothes!

About 2 weeks ago I wrote a post on how Jake is growing out of all his winter stuff and I couldn't find his size at any store. Well, my amazing sister in law, who always listens to my needs and complaints, send Jake some clothes!!! It wasn't my intent for her to buy clothes for us, but she was being thoughtful and we appreciate it!  She picked out some pretty cute stuff.

Shirts for Caleb.  This one is my absolute favorite

A jacket for Jake

3 pairs of pants!!!

Thank you so much Beth! I have put him in a new outfit everyday this week and always tell Jake that his shirt, or these pants are from Aunt Beth!!