Lauren got her seventh tooth today, so now she has all four on the top!! It was the top second left one. :) I couldn't get her to show me all her teeth, but you can see her top two here. :)
Showing posts with label Lauren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lauren. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thursday, August 9, 2007
It's Been a While...
It has been a while since I posted a blog or update, so I thought I'd write a bit to catch up. We've been super busy the past few weeks with Carter's birthday and travelling. We had a total of three birthday parties – one in Ft Wayne for family, one here for friends and family that could make it, and one at my parents' in Ohio to celebrate all the recent birthdays (five in all). We also took Carter to a minor league baseball game in Indianapolis on his birthday and he loved it. Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful gifts (that Carter likes to scatter around the house while playing with all of them!) – I promise thank-you cards are on the way! Thanks also to everyone who helped coordinate the festivities with me!! Matt had a birthday two days after Carter, so some of the celebrations were for him.
Carter went to the doctor today for his three-year physical and checkup. He's super healthy, and hadn't been to the doctor since his two-year appointment. He is 3'5" tall (>95%) and weighs 38.5 lbs (95%). Everything checked out great and the doctor was very pleased. Carter had his blood pressure taken for the first time, but saw me get it done every pregnancy visit and has a toy sphygmometer so he knew what was going on. He made the nurse do it three times because he liked it so much, and he listened through the stethoscope the last time. He did get a Hepatitis A vaccine, as they are just now adding it to the schedule, but did very well. I wasn't sure how he'd react, as he's always cried a bit in the past, but all he did was say "Ow" and liked getting a bandaid on his thigh! We did a developmental questionnaire too, and actually ran out of questions before we were done (I forgot to ask when the nurse came back if there was more I should answer). So we got as far as 3 yrs, 10 months developmentally, so Carter's at least there.
We're still working on potty training, as Carter is always so preoccupied with playing that he doesn't want to stop to use the potty. We've started using a timer, to give him the power when it's time to go (rather than us telling him to go), and that's working pretty well. He does stay dry fairly long now, except overnight. He also doesn't want to go #2 in the potty… No idea why! So if anyone has any suggestions to help us along, please give them to me!!
We thought about sending Carter to preschool two or three days a week starting in the fall, but we decided to wait. One reason is the expense, another is we feel he's already ahead of the game. He's known his alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors, and now knows his presidents and states. Since Lauren's been born, however, it's been harder to teach him new things, but we hope to get back to it soon. Perhaps he'll do one year of preschool before kindergarten to get him accustomed to school. He likes routines so it shouldn't be too hard, and he is very social with kids at the playground or bookstore so we're not worried about that.
Lauren is also doing well. It's hard to believe that she'll be three months old tomorrow!! She had been regularly sleeping six hours at night, and the past couple of weeks she has been sleeping nine-ten hours! She's also started taking more regular naps, usually one-hour in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. I'm hoping to get things more routine still, but was just waiting for her cue. She's now sleeping in her crib all the time, but I'm still keeping the bassinet up in my bedroom just in case we need it in the next couple weeks. I'm doing much better since I usually don't get woken up in the middle of the night anymore, and get my evenings back most days to read, watch a movie, or get stuff done around the house. She'll go back to the doctor on Sept. 6th for her four-month checkup and vaccines.
Lauren is doing more and more each day. She's such a happy baby, unless she's hungry or has a tummy-ache, and loves to socialize. She'll just sit (or stand) on my lap or sit in her Boppy and talk away! She's recognizing more and more things, reaching for them, and following them with her eyes really well. If she hears Carter, she strains herself to try and find him! We've also introduced her to the Jumperoo, which was Carter's absolute favorite thing, and she loves it just as much. She loves to stand and be up, and will hop from leg to leg in it watching the lights and talking to the kangaroo. She's also started to play with rattles – it's funny to watch her get her "serious face" when she's checking something out! It's just amazing to watch her grow and develop, and to watch the two kids interact.
August is another busy month… Matt and I are going to a Dave Matthews Band concert with Mandy and Jack next weekend. It will be fun to have a little break and time to ourselves! Carter is going to spend a weekend in Ft. Wayne with his grandparents the last weekend in August, so that will be a new experience. I'm sure he'll love it, and I'll enjoy a little quiet around the house and some non-guilty time with Lauren! I know Carter understands that Lauren needs more attention, but I always feel guilty that I can't spend a lot of one-on-one time with him like that. When Carter was a baby, it was different – he'd take a nap and I'd have time to myself or could get things done around the house. When Lauren takes a nap, I don't get a chance to get much done because I want to do things with him (and her naps aren't too long yet!). So if I do something around the house, I feel bad for not doing something with him. But if I do something with Carter, I hate that my house is a mess! That's the one bad thing about trying to sell the house before Lauren was born – I got so used to it being spotless that it drives me nuts having any bit of mess now! But… sometimes it has to be like that because I can't do it all right now. And that's hard enough for me to admit!
Although things are very busy, I'm getting very accustomed to being a mother of two. It is quite an adjustment, especially when you're used to doing things when you want or running a quick errand whenever. I totally had to change my day-to-day, but things are slowly returning to a new normal. And with Lauren getting on somewhat of a schedule, it helps things out a bit too.
I've posted lots of pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/hoosier.nik so check them out! I'll be continually adding more as well. Until the next update…
Carter went to the doctor today for his three-year physical and checkup. He's super healthy, and hadn't been to the doctor since his two-year appointment. He is 3'5" tall (>95%) and weighs 38.5 lbs (95%). Everything checked out great and the doctor was very pleased. Carter had his blood pressure taken for the first time, but saw me get it done every pregnancy visit and has a toy sphygmometer so he knew what was going on. He made the nurse do it three times because he liked it so much, and he listened through the stethoscope the last time. He did get a Hepatitis A vaccine, as they are just now adding it to the schedule, but did very well. I wasn't sure how he'd react, as he's always cried a bit in the past, but all he did was say "Ow" and liked getting a bandaid on his thigh! We did a developmental questionnaire too, and actually ran out of questions before we were done (I forgot to ask when the nurse came back if there was more I should answer). So we got as far as 3 yrs, 10 months developmentally, so Carter's at least there.
We're still working on potty training, as Carter is always so preoccupied with playing that he doesn't want to stop to use the potty. We've started using a timer, to give him the power when it's time to go (rather than us telling him to go), and that's working pretty well. He does stay dry fairly long now, except overnight. He also doesn't want to go #2 in the potty… No idea why! So if anyone has any suggestions to help us along, please give them to me!!
We thought about sending Carter to preschool two or three days a week starting in the fall, but we decided to wait. One reason is the expense, another is we feel he's already ahead of the game. He's known his alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors, and now knows his presidents and states. Since Lauren's been born, however, it's been harder to teach him new things, but we hope to get back to it soon. Perhaps he'll do one year of preschool before kindergarten to get him accustomed to school. He likes routines so it shouldn't be too hard, and he is very social with kids at the playground or bookstore so we're not worried about that.
Lauren is also doing well. It's hard to believe that she'll be three months old tomorrow!! She had been regularly sleeping six hours at night, and the past couple of weeks she has been sleeping nine-ten hours! She's also started taking more regular naps, usually one-hour in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. I'm hoping to get things more routine still, but was just waiting for her cue. She's now sleeping in her crib all the time, but I'm still keeping the bassinet up in my bedroom just in case we need it in the next couple weeks. I'm doing much better since I usually don't get woken up in the middle of the night anymore, and get my evenings back most days to read, watch a movie, or get stuff done around the house. She'll go back to the doctor on Sept. 6th for her four-month checkup and vaccines.
Lauren is doing more and more each day. She's such a happy baby, unless she's hungry or has a tummy-ache, and loves to socialize. She'll just sit (or stand) on my lap or sit in her Boppy and talk away! She's recognizing more and more things, reaching for them, and following them with her eyes really well. If she hears Carter, she strains herself to try and find him! We've also introduced her to the Jumperoo, which was Carter's absolute favorite thing, and she loves it just as much. She loves to stand and be up, and will hop from leg to leg in it watching the lights and talking to the kangaroo. She's also started to play with rattles – it's funny to watch her get her "serious face" when she's checking something out! It's just amazing to watch her grow and develop, and to watch the two kids interact.
August is another busy month… Matt and I are going to a Dave Matthews Band concert with Mandy and Jack next weekend. It will be fun to have a little break and time to ourselves! Carter is going to spend a weekend in Ft. Wayne with his grandparents the last weekend in August, so that will be a new experience. I'm sure he'll love it, and I'll enjoy a little quiet around the house and some non-guilty time with Lauren! I know Carter understands that Lauren needs more attention, but I always feel guilty that I can't spend a lot of one-on-one time with him like that. When Carter was a baby, it was different – he'd take a nap and I'd have time to myself or could get things done around the house. When Lauren takes a nap, I don't get a chance to get much done because I want to do things with him (and her naps aren't too long yet!). So if I do something around the house, I feel bad for not doing something with him. But if I do something with Carter, I hate that my house is a mess! That's the one bad thing about trying to sell the house before Lauren was born – I got so used to it being spotless that it drives me nuts having any bit of mess now! But… sometimes it has to be like that because I can't do it all right now. And that's hard enough for me to admit!
Although things are very busy, I'm getting very accustomed to being a mother of two. It is quite an adjustment, especially when you're used to doing things when you want or running a quick errand whenever. I totally had to change my day-to-day, but things are slowly returning to a new normal. And with Lauren getting on somewhat of a schedule, it helps things out a bit too.
I've posted lots of pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/hoosier.nik so check them out! I'll be continually adding more as well. Until the next update…
Friday, July 6, 2007
Time is Flying...
It's so hard to believe that Lauren is almost two months old already! It just seems like last week we were bringing her home from the hospital. Time sure is flying by… I have noticed that with the first child you're always pushing to hit the milestones, giving them toy after toy to play with, and basically trying to do whatever you can to pass the time with someone who can't really talk back yet! With the second you try to hang onto every moment so they don't grow up too fast. Not to say I'm not pushing Lauren to strive, but I'm more content just holding and talking with her instead of trying to give her tummy time or seeing if she'll play with this toy or that toy. Having Carter does make the time pass quicker during the day it seems. I remember how lonely I would get when Carter was a baby, watching the clock hoping it would suddenly say 5:00pm and Matt would be on his way home from work. That's not really the case now and I'm so glad! I do still get a little lonely and in dire need of some adult company, but motherhood gets easier with the second child. Of course, I knew a little more what to expect and have a lot more experience.
Today Lauren went to the doctor for her two-month checkup. I can tell she's growing like a weed, but was excited to see the actual numbers. Here is her progression so far:
Birth: 8 lbs 3 oz; 20 in (left hospital at 7 lbs 13 oz)
5 Days: 7 lbs 15 oz
2 Weeks: 9 lbs 2 oz (95%); 20 in (25%, which I think was mismeasured)
TODAY – 2 months: 13 lbs 4 oz (95-97%); 24 ½ in (?97%)
So in six weeks time, she's gained a little over four pounds!! She is completely breastfed, so it makes me feel great that I can give her the nutrition necessary to grow like she is. I'm just amazed…
Lauren got her first round of shots today (with the exception of the Hep B vaccine she got at birth). She got four shots and a liquid and was not happy about it! I have never heard her cry like this before!! As soon as she was done, I picked her up and she calmed down quickly and went to sleep. An hour later and she's still zonked!! She's normally a very good sleeper. She's gone as long as 6 ½ hours at night, but it's usually more like 3-4 hours. She's got to wake up to eat, you know… What a chunky monkey!
She's excelling developmentally as well. She's been smiling since three weeks, rolled over at four weeks, loves to sit or stand up, and has been cooing more and more every day. The questionnaire we do at the doctor's office put her at 5 months, 2 weeks developmentally so I'm really pleased. Maybe it's all the talking I do with her all day long – she also likes talking with her mobile or stuffed lambs. Watching her interact with Carter or seeing things for the first time is just amazing. Lauren is thriving, and it's a joy to experience each day with her!
Today Lauren went to the doctor for her two-month checkup. I can tell she's growing like a weed, but was excited to see the actual numbers. Here is her progression so far:
Birth: 8 lbs 3 oz; 20 in (left hospital at 7 lbs 13 oz)
5 Days: 7 lbs 15 oz
2 Weeks: 9 lbs 2 oz (95%); 20 in (25%, which I think was mismeasured)
TODAY – 2 months: 13 lbs 4 oz (95-97%); 24 ½ in (?97%)
So in six weeks time, she's gained a little over four pounds!! She is completely breastfed, so it makes me feel great that I can give her the nutrition necessary to grow like she is. I'm just amazed…
Lauren got her first round of shots today (with the exception of the Hep B vaccine she got at birth). She got four shots and a liquid and was not happy about it! I have never heard her cry like this before!! As soon as she was done, I picked her up and she calmed down quickly and went to sleep. An hour later and she's still zonked!! She's normally a very good sleeper. She's gone as long as 6 ½ hours at night, but it's usually more like 3-4 hours. She's got to wake up to eat, you know… What a chunky monkey!
She's excelling developmentally as well. She's been smiling since three weeks, rolled over at four weeks, loves to sit or stand up, and has been cooing more and more every day. The questionnaire we do at the doctor's office put her at 5 months, 2 weeks developmentally so I'm really pleased. Maybe it's all the talking I do with her all day long – she also likes talking with her mobile or stuffed lambs. Watching her interact with Carter or seeing things for the first time is just amazing. Lauren is thriving, and it's a joy to experience each day with her!
Friday, May 25, 2007
First Dr Appt & Adjustments
Okay, so it's not technically her first appointment, but the 5-day appointment is really just a weight check and to see if we're adjusting at home okay. At her 5-day appointment, Lauren weighed 7 lbs 15 oz (two ounces more than when she left the hospital). The doctor was pleased that she had started gaining some back (after losing 6 ounces in the hospital, which is normal) and that my milk was in and she was eating well. No problems yet...
Today we had her two-week appointment, and little Miss Lauren is growing very well! She weighs 9 lbs 2 oz, so the doctor was super happy! Let me tell you... as much as she nurses, I'm not surprised she gained that much in two weeks! Everything else looked great, so still no problems (other than occasional fussiness from little tummy-aches and she thinks she needs to eat more... ). She is completely breast-fed (no supplementation like Carter needed), and I hope to start pumping and offering bottles soon so I don't feel "stuck" to Lauren!
We're adjusting well to home life. We've had many visitors, but the days I've been alone with the kids have been fine. Lauren sleeps well (and often) in her bassinet and is so content all the time. When Carter was a baby, he needed constant stimulation and interaction and didn't take long naps-- we're already seeing huge differences between the two of them! Carter is still like that today, so maybe that means Lauren will be a little more laid back. The one that it's the hardest on is Carter. He's doing well, he's just learning that Mommy can't be there every second (and knows when I'm nursing I can't get up to stop him!). It's going to take some getting used to, but I'm not worried about him. He is a big helper when Lauren is being changed or bathed and likes being the "Big Boy Brother". We're all getting sleep, even if it is sporadic, but it helps to feel rested. I've learned when I need to lie down, and most the time Carter lets me catch a few zzz's. That's one thing that's harder with the second, but with her sleeping pretty well both during the day and at night it's not too bad. Lauren's also great when we run errands -- she falls asleep in the car and so far she's slept the entire time we're out! That makes it a little easier to leave the house too. I'm so glad she's been such an easy baby!
Lauren will go back to the doctor on July 6th for her two-month checkup and first round of shots (other than when she was born). Carter will be going to the doctor at the end of July for his three-year checkup. He hasn't been to the doctor since his two-year appointment! I always look forward to seeing where he is deveopmentally -- last year he was the equivalent of 3 years, 1 month. Maybe the constant stimulation isn't so bad after all...
Today we had her two-week appointment, and little Miss Lauren is growing very well! She weighs 9 lbs 2 oz, so the doctor was super happy! Let me tell you... as much as she nurses, I'm not surprised she gained that much in two weeks! Everything else looked great, so still no problems (other than occasional fussiness from little tummy-aches and she thinks she needs to eat more... ). She is completely breast-fed (no supplementation like Carter needed), and I hope to start pumping and offering bottles soon so I don't feel "stuck" to Lauren!
We're adjusting well to home life. We've had many visitors, but the days I've been alone with the kids have been fine. Lauren sleeps well (and often) in her bassinet and is so content all the time. When Carter was a baby, he needed constant stimulation and interaction and didn't take long naps-- we're already seeing huge differences between the two of them! Carter is still like that today, so maybe that means Lauren will be a little more laid back. The one that it's the hardest on is Carter. He's doing well, he's just learning that Mommy can't be there every second (and knows when I'm nursing I can't get up to stop him!). It's going to take some getting used to, but I'm not worried about him. He is a big helper when Lauren is being changed or bathed and likes being the "Big Boy Brother". We're all getting sleep, even if it is sporadic, but it helps to feel rested. I've learned when I need to lie down, and most the time Carter lets me catch a few zzz's. That's one thing that's harder with the second, but with her sleeping pretty well both during the day and at night it's not too bad. Lauren's also great when we run errands -- she falls asleep in the car and so far she's slept the entire time we're out! That makes it a little easier to leave the house too. I'm so glad she's been such an easy baby!
Lauren will go back to the doctor on July 6th for her two-month checkup and first round of shots (other than when she was born). Carter will be going to the doctor at the end of July for his three-year checkup. He hasn't been to the doctor since his two-year appointment! I always look forward to seeing where he is deveopmentally -- last year he was the equivalent of 3 years, 1 month. Maybe the constant stimulation isn't so bad after all...
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Lauren is Here!
I'm finally getting around to uploading pictures and such, so thought I'd post a quick blog. Most of you have probably heard that Lauren Taylor Wolf has made her arrival. She was born on May 10, 2007, at 1:07pm. She weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz and was 20 in long. She looks like big brother Carter, and she has dark brown somewhat-curly hair, big hands with long fingers, and tiny ears! Labor was good -- I went in to be induced at 6:30am and was already having regular contractions eight minutes apart. With just a little pitocin and breaking my water a little after 8am, labor was underway. Contractions got hard pretty quickly, and by 11:15am I was 4.5 cm. The anesthesiologist was paged and by 12:30p I had my epidural, along with some pretty sharp pains. The nurse checked, and in a little over an hour I had made it to 9 cm! Ten minutes later, the doctor said to get me ready to push. I started pushing at 12:55pm and she came at 1:07pm -- out in six contractions!! She was a great delivery and I was up and around with her that first night.
We came home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon (May 12) and have been adjusting pretty well. She's a great eater, and breastfeeding is going great. Carter is adjusting to not having all the attention, but is doing pretty good. It's going to take some time to get a routine going and for him to be used to having her around (and not having Mommy to himself!!).
The pictures are uploaded into two albums:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hoosier.nik/Lauren
http://picasaweb.google.com/hoosier.nik/LaurenAgainFromOthers
I'll upload more as we get them. Enjoy!!
We came home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon (May 12) and have been adjusting pretty well. She's a great eater, and breastfeeding is going great. Carter is adjusting to not having all the attention, but is doing pretty good. It's going to take some time to get a routine going and for him to be used to having her around (and not having Mommy to himself!!).
The pictures are uploaded into two albums:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hoosier.nik/Lauren
http://picasaweb.google.com/hoosier.nik/LaurenAgainFromOthers
I'll upload more as we get them. Enjoy!!
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