Happy Mother's Day - A bit late...

I really need to keep up w/my blogging! It's crazy to think that last year was my First Mother's Day w/a 6-1/2 month old and now my Second Mother's Day, was w/an 18-1/2 month old and a 2 month old! It's just nuts on how much can change in a year! God is FULL of surprises!!

Strummer and Edyn got me a card, a balloon and flowers. Strummer even brought me my card and balloon this year! He's growing up so fast! It however wasn't to 'relaxing'. When your husband is a teacher and it's towards the end of the year, he's really busy. So he was busy grading papers and I watched the kids all weekend. :P

I am so thankful to be a mommy to 2 of the greatest kids on the planet! I thank our Heavenly Father for our precious little miracles!

Unfortunately, I do not have a pic w/both kids for this Mother's Day. Maybe next year! :o)

Here are a few pics of my fun gifts!

My balloon

Pretty Flowers!

A chocolate covered apple from The Chocolate Season.

I also received some awesome hand lotion, but take a pic of it.

My mother's day gift from my mom!

Thanks mom! It was delicious!

Pretty-Pretty-Princess!

Yes - I am that mom who decided to pierce my daughter's ears w/out asking how she feels about it! Oh, and Brad didn't care, so that also helped! :P

I heard from other friends that if you are planning on getting their ears pierced, it's best to do them really early (at 2 or 3 months) or you should wait until they are a lot older (like 6 or 7) so they don't fiddle around w/the earrings or else the piercings will more likely get infected!

So - since Edyn had her 2-month appointment on Friday (May 7) and had her shots, I made an appointment for her to get her ears pierced the next day. I did quite a bit of research and asking around to see where to go. I ended up going to ANUDU in Boone. I called them to make sure they do infant piercings and I was told they have done quite a few.

So on Saturday, May 8 at 10AM we went to ANUDU to get Edyn's ears pierced. They had 3 different earrings to choose and I chose the diamonds for her! Once they were ready, Edyn and I sat in the chair, then they needed to mark her ears on where the piercings would go. This took awhile. The girls wanted to get it just perfect! One of the girls told me Edyn had good ears for piercing b/c she had a natural crease where they should go! Once the ears were marked, I held Edyn facing out - I tried to have her keep her pacifier in, but she wouldn't b/c she didn't need it during that time. Then there was one girl on each side and they said 1, 2, ready - and when they were both ready, one of the girls said 'go' and the piercings were in!

It's nice that they do both ears at the same time, that way it's just a one-time deal. It's just like getting her shots. Edyn cried for literally one minute - about the same as her shots, and then she was fine!

After we left, we headed to DSM for Crystal's baby shower! It was fun showing everyone Edyn's newly accessorized ears! I even told Hannah that Edyn has pretty ears like she does!

If you live in the Boone area and want to get your girl's ears pierced, I recommend going to ANUDU. They are super-nice and the piercing (which is free), the earrings and the cleaning gel was only $13! I guess it's less expensive when you go to a local place instead of chain store in a mall! :D

Just arrived at the salon

(It was super-cold! I'm so glad I bought the adorable coat and hat at Sarah's garage sale!)

Right afterwards

No earrings (at her doctor's appointment the day before)

Earrings!

Pretty Ears!

2-Months Old!

It's hard to believe Edyn is now 2-months old! She seems to change everyday! Her doctor appointment went well and she took her (3) shots like a champ! Just cried for a few minutes and she was asleep by the time we left the clinic! She now weighs 10 lbs 12 oz (50%), is 22-1/2 inches tall (67%) and her head was at 15 (39%).

She has thus far slept through the night 3xs! It all depends on when I last feed her. She only wakes up to eat (which is what she's been doing from the beginning), so that's awesome!

She's getting better at her head and neck control. She'll hold her head in place for a 5 sec or so at a time. Which is what she's suppose to be doing. She will also support herself on her legs every so often - more often if she's upset and has more momentum :P She is a mostly happy baby, all though a bit more fussy than what Strummer was. I'm guessing it's a 'girl-thing' and she's a bit more emotional :D

She is still sleeping in her bassinet next to our bed. It has been very convenient when she wakes up to eat. I just grab her, feed her, then put her back to bed.

She also seems to be close to rolling over! It seems very early, but now I'm more careful when she's on the couch...just incase! Every so often she'll get herself on her side! Pretty crazy!

Edyn has also developed quite a grip! She hasn't really grabbed onto any toys yet, but if she gets ahold of your hair! Watch out b/c she won't let go! :P

She is 'talking' more! I think she's going to be a good babbler like her brother! She started smiling when she was 5 weeks old and is starting to smile a lot more often now. Strummer seems to make her smile! It's so adorable!

We love our little girl and are so happy that God 'surprised us' when I found out I was pregnant! She's such a blessing! :o)

Length Chart ~ 67%

Weight Chart ~ 50%

Waiting to be called

Strummer found things to stay occupied during sister's appointment

All smiles b/f Dr. Parsons arrives

Getting her oral shot (it's a liquid drink)

Right after her 3 shots - poor girl!

Ready to leave! All better! No more tears!

18 Months Old!

Mr. Strummer is growing so quickly! I can't believe he's already 1-1/2 years old! He seems to do new things every day and becomes more independent everyday. All though he still loves snuggle time! He's now 33 inches tall and 28 lbs. Big Boy! :P You can be assured I have extreme bicep strength when I have to carry him in one arm and Edyn in her car seat in the other! hee-hee-hee

At his appointment they did something new that I wasn't ready for! They weighed and measured him in the hallway instead of in the room! If I would have known that, I would have taken my camera out for his first experience being weighed on the big scale and being measured with the height adjuster!

He says a lot more things that you can actually recognize! He apparently also said his first sentence during Easter. I unfortunately didn't hear it, but he said it 2 times! Once Brad heard it then Sara heard it. He said "I Love My Momma"!

As far as starting to potty train, he knows what the potty is, he knows what he is suppose to do on the potty, he just hasn't done it yet. We're not forcing him, it'll just be a gradual learning experience. It was pretty funny one time. I found a Elmo Learns to Go Potty video on You Tube. We watched it and when it was over, Strummer ran into the bathroom, grabbed his potty seat, put it on the potty and took his step stool so he could 'go on the potty' :D

He has learned how to wash his hands in the sink. He is also getting better at using silverware, but still prefers his hands. I'm sure there are more new things he has learned, but I can't think of them right now.

Strummer loves being outside! I think he would play all day if he could. He loves going to the park and running around the jungle gyms! He also just doesn't walk, he usually RUNS everywhere!

He's also started to show a sign of the 'terrible 2s' already. If he doesn't want to do something or if we tell him no to something he wants, he lets you know how he feels about it! We've seen a few tantrums already. Not extreme, but lets just hope it doesn't get worse! I guess it just comes with the age! He'll have to learn about a 'time-out'!

Overall, he's our sweet, easygoing, lovable little man, that is usually full of smiles and giggles! :o)

72% for height

77% for weight

Sliding down the slide at the 'Fish Park'

Running across the field at Page Elementary Playground

Being his goofy self!

It's been 1 whole week...

...Since I've been w/out my wonderful MacBook Pro. I have first and foremost to not have a mug of water (w/a lid) around my computer unless I'm right next to it.
While I was feeding Edyn, Strummer found my water mug, lifted the tab to take a drink and my computer took in the water instead of my wonderful - had no idea what he was doing - 17 month old toddler. Before I could do anything it was to late!

I took it into Heartland Technologies after I talked to my insurance company. I wasn't sure if it would be covered, even though we did have it listed on our homeowners policy. Thankfully they called back saying my computer would be covered! Woo-Hoo!

After I heard back from Heartland Tech, I again called my insurance company. They then caLled the tech guy to figure out what to do. Since it was either a minor repair or it could possibly be a major mess to fix. So I'm waiting to see of it's a repair or replace. I am still waiting on the decision. All though on Friday, my dad did say he saw they were working on my claim.

Being one who is on my computer daily, it's been quite strange. Sure I could go on Brad's desktop, but then I would have to go to the basement and could really only do that when both kids are sleeping. Thankfully I have my BlackBerry to help 'keep in contact' w/everybody. I just might go nuts if I wouldn't be able to check my email or FB (I know, totally sad)

My main concern if it is a replace ordeal, they can retrieve aLl my photos and design files! I have also realized I really need to invest in an external hard drive so I can back everything up!

That's all for now! It sure was interesting typing everything on my BB! So if there are mistakes throughout the post...SORRY! :D
Have a fabulouso day!

I Can Do It All By Myself

Mr. Strummer has become Mr. Independent! Even more so after his sister arrived. So - here is a list of things he does himself (and gets upset if you help him and he doesn't want help!)

*Going Up The Stairs ~ Using a banister or someone's hand

*Going Down the Stairs ~ Using a banister or someone's hand

*Walking behind or ahead of us on his own - or using his monkey backpack

*Walking to the door from the Y parking lot

*Walking to and from the car ~ at home and non-busy parking lots (like the Y)

*Turning on (and off) the CD player, DVD player and TV

*Getting sister's pacifier, blanket and other things she may need

*Throwing sister's diaper in the diaper champ

*Brushing his teeth and hair

*Putting his toys away

*Getting up and down on chairs, couches, strollers and the piano bench to sit

*Sliding down the slides

*Opening doors he can reach

*Closing all doors, cupboards and anything else that needs to be closed

*Getting his potty seat and step stool to 'go potty' - and no, he's not potty-trained, but he at least knows what to do when he gets into the bathroom!

***I'm sure there's more, I just can't think of them right now***

***Pictures to follow in another post - I haven't uploaded all the pics yet***

1 Month Old!

Tomorrow Edyn will be 5 weeks old! How is this possible?? Yesterday (April 14) I went to go get her weighed and measured, just to be sure she is growing like she should be. Since she was 2-1/2 weeks early and only 7 lb - 1 oz, I needed the reassurance that she is getting bigger. Indeed she is! I must be producing super-milk b/c she is now 2 lbs heavier! I guess feeding her on-demand is working swell! Here are her stats!

Height ~ 20.75 inches (52 percentile)

Weight ~ 9 lb 2 oz (46 percentile)

I'll be posting some pics from her 'photo shoot' that I did once they are uploaded!

However here's a pic w/the panda from 1 week to 1 month

On a side note: this is the panda i received on my 9th or 10th birthday. I thought it would be fun to have Edyn take monthly shots to measure how big she's getting!