Know when to make 'em, know when to break 'em

I've been trying to get around to making this post since Monday (or maybe it was Tuesday) when I took the pictures. Which makes the gist of what I plan to say a bit ironic. Apparently I don't have things as under control as I would like to think. And a few people know about my little meltdown this week, so again...maybe I'm not supermom after all. :)

But what I was going to say was how people are constantly asking me "How do you manage to do it all when your husband is gone so much?" And for me, the answer is...the truth is...you learn it's okay to break some rules sometimes. And these rules would be my rules. And this is a picture of one rule being broken...


Before Thomas was born I decided to follow the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics and not allow Thomas to watch television (and when I could help it, not even have it on when he was in the room, even as a baby) until he was 2. Now this is not to say that if any of my fellow mommies out there choose to allow their toddlers and infants to be exposed to the television it's a bad thing. It's just not our choice. I remember my friend Nancy blogged about this subject not too long ago. In the end, we all want what's best for our children and we make personal choices to that end.

We have done pretty well with this goal (and I've come to really enjoy the peace and quiet it allows to not have the TV on all day long, as I used to do just for background noise). And now that he is 2, I planned to limit his television watching to one hour of age-appropriate programming a day. But now that I have a baby thrown into the mix and I often have to figure out how to feed two kids, fix dinner, clean the house, bathe the kids, etc. all by myself much of the time, I learned that the TV and DVDs can sometimes be my friend. This is a rule that gets broken (though I still keep it under 1.5-2 hours/day). Pretty much all he watches are Sesame Street & Bob the Builder. In the end, I don't think Thomas will be harmed, and I know I will be much better off!

The other rule involves Parker. Now I know that when I was a baby, everyone thought babies should sleep on their stomachs. And nowadays the American Academy of Pediatrics feels it's best for babies to sleep on their backs. Well, I've learned lately that in the afternoon I can be very productive and have some playtime with Thomas before I fix dinner and get him fed if I allow this:


And if you can't see that well enough, here's a better picture:


Parker sleeps so well... I mean, he sleeps like a baby if I let him do this in the afternoon. So I break another rule (and I constantly watch him on the video monitor...not sure how we lived without that thing with Thomas).

I'm no Supermom and if there is one thing I have learned, it's that I'm quite human. We all have good days and bad days. And in the end, we just have to do what works to make it through the day. I'll try to keep my rule breaking to a minimum, but when it's necessary, I won't be afraid to do it!

Daddy's favorite shirt

I think I won big points with my husband last week. He was probably a bit skeptical when I told him I bought an article of clothing for Thomas that he (Trey) was going to love. After seeing me buy one too many (in his eyes) sunsuits, rompers and jon-jons (which he generally thinks are too girly/baby), I guess I understand his skeptism. So he was mighty surprised and quite pleased when he saw Thomas wearing this:


If you are a fan of the movie Animal House and/or John Belushi, you will get the reference.

Thomas decided it was the perfect outfit for playing in the drizzling rain:


And for going to the Children's Museum with his friend J (J not pictured...):


And for helping Mommy make cupcakes (while he talks on the phone to his Nana):


He got cupcakes on his mind that morning when his Daddy read him The Very Hungry Caterpillar. One of the many things the caterpillar eats is a cupcake so Thomas came down to me saying, "Want cupcakes!" I'm not sure he really knew what he was asking for, but since I have quite the sweet tooth I was happy to oblige. Since I am now also on the dairy-free diet with Thomas, I just love that Duncan Hines makes baking products that fill that need. Thank you Duncan Hines! :) Once they were made, Thomas wasn't really that interested (as I didn't think he would be...he does not seem to have his mother's need for sugar!), but we had fun making them together nonetheless. He does at least enjoy giving the beater a good lick or two...



And not to leave off Parker, here he is with his best, "What have you done to my hair, lady?" look:

A Happy Fourth

Our new family of four spent the weekend of the Fourth with Nana & Umpa. We all had a great time and it was nice to introduce Parker to his grandparents' house.



We also got to spend some time with Nana's sister and her family. Here are the two sisters holding our two boys:


Parker was able to meet some of the locals, but I fear his fussiness might have left a bad impression. Hopefully he can be a little better behaved and not show off so much on his next trip. :) His Umpa seemed to have the trick in helping him doze:


And Thomas had a blast, as usual:


He enjoyed his new fire truck very much and took it with him outside:


And he took it with him when his Umpa (and Nana) took him to the local fire department:


Sometimes I very much agree with the sentiment of this picture (the boy can have his moods!):


Since Thomas is the IV, it's always neat to me when we can get the three generations of fellas with the same name in the same picture. Here they are:


And that is not our dog in the picture. This was our first trip we had to leave her behind. Having Parker and his gear has, for the time being, eliminated space for her on the trip. Hopefully we can find a way to take her next time, as she loves to go too. And hopefully the solution is something other than buying a new car! Many thanks to Nannie & Papa for keeping her for us...especially on a fireworks-filled weekend with our very skiddish dog!

Two month WBV

Parker is Mr. Fussyman lately but I've finally snagged a few minutes before Thomas awakes thanks to the helpful swing. Today Parker had his 2-month WBV (and Thomas tagged along and got a shot too just not to be left out-- well, kind of, he was due for his chicken pox vax). And now it's official, our little man is not so little! He thinks it's pretty funny, see?



His stats...
Weight: 14 pounds, 12 ounces (97th percentile!!)
Height: 24 inches (90th percentile)
Head: 16.25 inches/41.3 cm (not sure of percentile)

This compares with Thomas at that stage...
Weight: 13 lbs, 2 oz. (75th percentile)
Height: 23.5 inches (75th percentile)
Head circ: 39 cm (25th percentile)

It is possible Parker's weight was increased due to a slightly wet diaper (Thomas's former pediatrician always stripped him down to his birthday suit before weighing), but still! I guess the nursing thing is going just fine. ;-)

Parker had one shot today (three vaccines), and here he is sporting his bandaid.


Compare that to Thomas at two months, sporting his post 2-month WBV band-aids:


And a few more of Parker.... The mysterious hand there would, of course, be his brother's. He can't seem to let him have the limelight ever!





The doctor said everything seems great with Parker. He is a healthy, growing baby boy!

Swimming with and checking out the fishies

Last week I took the boys for an overnight visit at my parents' house because my car needed a little work and I've recently discovered that the best way to take care of that while Trey is out of town is to head up their way. While waiting for my car, I took the boys down to the lake. Unfortunately the water has dropped a few feet in the past few weeks, but it still worked just fine (with more beach!).




I forgot Thomas's newer hat and had to use this one from last summer. It was a tiny bit small...





The dog, as usual, enjoyed the lake more than anyone...


And I say that I took "the boys" down to the lake. Parker never actually went in the water, he just supervised...or napped...from his perch on the shore. Thomas made sure we both went and checked on him frequently...




He's a little too big for his beachwear:


Thomas and I had a good time playing in the water and building sand castles (or garages for his cars, rather). And Thomas is getting braver and braver with getting in the water.




As usual, I take too many pictures and never can pick between them, so I post too many here...




All in all, it was a great day and a wonderful time. We look forward to more time this summer down at our own little private "beach." :) It sure makes it much easier for me to take both boys all by myself!


That was Tuesday, then on Wednesday we met some folks (a friend (Lily's mom!) and her two kids and my sister-in-law B (who's also a friend!) and her little girl/my niece, Eliza). They were all patient with us as we were terribly late and then once we arrived I somehow managed to leave my wallet in the car and had to run back to it with Parker wrapped on my chest, but we had a good time nonetheless.

Here's the crew taking a little break:


Eliza is six weeks older than Parker and Lily's little sister, Sarah Ellen, is six weeks younger than Parker. My boys are surrounded by girls! All my friends seem to have girls (Caroline, I'm holding out for you!)!!

Lily & Thomas checked out the fish:


And poor Lily was teething and not feeling much like posing for a picture. And Thomas, well he never likes to cooperate with picture taking lately!


I only have one matching outfit so far for the boys. It's this silly little t-shirt from Carter's, but I thought it was fitting for the aquarium...


I couldn't resist. And Thomas can't resist being a ham...


We definitely had a fish-filled week last week, but it was all a lot of fun!

Two months old!

Somehow I blinked and already Parker is two months old!


Knowing this is probably our last baby, I'm pretty sad about how quickly the time is passing! So far, Parker has been a really good baby. He tends to get a bit fussy during the ever popular and well-known "witching hour" of the early evening, but for the most part, he is very easy going. He still sleeps a great deal and though his night wakings have been a little closer lately (except last night when he slept from 8:30 until 4:30!), he at least goes to bed rather easily (most nights) if he is tired. Of course tonight was a strange night for him, but most nights if he's tired I can put him down awake and he gets himself to sleep without a fuss. This was never the case with our rock-to-sleep-every-night Thomas, but then again, we vowed to not let Parker really know that was an option. Poor second child...

He's often serious and studying the world around him. Sometimes he'll crack a smile. I hardly ever can catch it on camera though. Here's a half smile...


And sometimes he puts up a little fuss...


But most of the time he's just a very laid back baby...


And his brother doesn't like to give him a moment to himself. The whole time I was taking Parker's picture, Thomas was trying his best to get on the chair too. I promised him if he'd wait that I'd let him up and take his picture too. Poor Parker...always has to share. Hey...there's that elusive smile!


Of course Thomas only wanted to steal his bear (and Parker was none to happy about that one!)...


He tolerates his brother, for the most part. And his brother tries (a little too hard sometimes) to make him happy. But he tries...


And as you can probably tell, he's a BIG baby. I pulled out his hand-me-down 6 month clothing the other day. I can't believe it! He's pretty much getting too long for his 3 month stuff and quickly growing into the larger things. He weighed nearly 13 pounds at six weeks, so I'm eager to see his weight at his 2 month well baby visit on Monday. He's also already in size 2 diapers and has been for about two weeks.


Not much else to report on a two month old. :) He tolerates his baths with little to no fuss, he sleeps well in his carseat when necessary and he loves to give his Daddy great big smiles.

And speaking of baths, here's our big baby boy...

(I decided to save him from future ribbing and cover him up! No future girlfriends need to see that!)

Like his brother, he loves his little play mat. Of course he rarely gets any time on there by himself, but sometimes we sneak some time when Thomas isn't looking...


And that's Parker at two months! Hopefully things can just slow down a little for these next two months?!?