Tasty Thumb

Three Months Old!

What has Jack been up to lately?

*He has been eating 5-6 oz of Nutramigen every four or five hours during the day and one 6-7 oz bottle before bedtime.

*He has started sleeping a little better and will usually go down between 10:30 and 11:00 p.m.  For some reason lately he has been waking up around 4:00 a.m. but usually all it takes is putting a paci back in and he is fast asleep until around 7:00 a.m.  This is definitely a huge improvement from last month but I'm hoping it will continue to get even better as we try to start adding rice back to his bottle in the next few weeks.

*He is wearing a size 2 diaper and 3-6 or 6 month clothes.

*He has found his hands and thinks they are just the tastiest things he has had in a while!  He also tries to suck his thumb but hasn't quite figured that out.  If he is anything like his brother he will probably toy with the idea but never turn into a serious thumb-sucker.

*He has been "talking" up a storm lately and has the sweetest big smile.

*He is absolutely fascinated with his big brother and loves to be propped up so he can watch whatever Sam is doing.  Sam is always sweet and tries to tell him about things we might see on TV ("Baby Jack...that's Caillou!") or toys he is playing with ("Look at this hammer...I do my work with it!").  I can't wait until they can get in the floor and play together!

Happy Three Month Birthday, sweet boy!  We love you!

Back to Work...Again!

I've been telling myself for a while now that going back to work after maternity leave might be easier the second time around.  But seeing as how tomorrow is my first day back at work, I'm beginning to realize I was terribly wrong and it will probably never get any easier to leave my sweet babies!  I have enjoyed every minute we have spent together these past three months.  While our time has been filled with some adjustments, lots of crying and very little sleep, I still wouldn't trade it for anything in this world.  The hugs, smiles, kisses and laughter we have shared in our new roles - mine as a mother of two and Sam's as a big brother - more than make up for any of the rough times we went through.  Sam has been extremely patient and understanding as I have had to give a good bit of attention to baby Jack.  I'm so proud of the big boy he is becoming and I love watching his excitement each morning as he wakes up ready to love on his baby brother and tell him "Good Mornin'!"  As tomorrow quickly approaches, I'm trying to stay focused on the positives that I'm so thankful for: a wonderful part-time job that ensures I won't miss very many of these precious days at home with them and the blessing of two healthy children that will be waiting for me at the end of each work day.  What could be better than that?

Super Bowl Sunday

These two boys are ready to cheer for Eli!

I'd Say We Picked Out Some Pretty Sturdy Furniture!

"What'chu Talkin' 'Bout, Willis?"

Potty Training

Early last week Sam ran up to me and said he wanted to go use the bathroom in the big potty instead of his diaper!  To be honest, potty training has been the last thing on my mind since Jack's arrival but I couldn't let the chance pass me by if Sam was really ready.  For the first few days of training he wore big boy underwear and we stayed around the house to practice.  He was definitely able to tell us every time he needed to go so I knew he was mentally ready but I could tell he was not totally on board with the whole idea of giving up diapers.  I can't say I blamed him either.  Diapers are certainly much easier when you are out at a restaurant or running errands with a little one plus what boy wants to have to stop playing to go use the bathroom!  ;) 

A few days in I decided to add a little bit of fun and motivation to the process along with a change in strategy.  I found a potty chart and some fun Sesame Street sports stickers and let him put a sticker on the chart every time he went to the bathroom in the potty.  If he had an accident we had to start over with the stickers on a new chart.  We told him that when he filled a chart with stickers (25!) he could pick out a toy of his choice.  We also took Didi's suggestions and let him go around the house in nothing but his shirt and moved his little potty out of the bathroom and into the living room closer to where he spent most of his time during the day.  This made it easier for him since he didn't have as far to go when he realized he needed to use the bathroom.  Our new method was magic...IMMEDIATELY!  He didn't have any more accidents after we started this and I could just tell it had all come together for him.  He was so proud of himself and got so excited every time he went and we got to put another sticker on the chart.

This afternoon we put the 25th sticker (yes, 25 successful trips to the bathroom over the past few days with no accidents) on the chart and we celebrated.  Hugging, dancing, cheering....all much deserved for his hard work!  After dinner tonight the two of us hopped in the car and went on a special trip to pick out his prize.  He kept saying he wanted a bulldozer but that all changed when he spotted a big white hummer that had a man and a motorcycle all in one box!  

It's hard to believe this boy is already potty trained.  I bet before I can blink again it will be Jack's turn.  Why do these sweet things have to grow up so fast?!