{Everly 4 Month Update}

Well, I have officially done it.  I have tried so hard to not let it happen, but it happened.  I officially have, "now that we have a second child, I take no pictures and cant keep up a baby book for thing 2" syndrome.  While I knew it was going to happen eventually I think I was living in denial for the first three months of Miss Evie's life - I catch myself making comments to myself like -

"So what if I haven't started her baby book, she is only a few months old" or "I will blog next month" or "It's no big deal, I don't think I started Anna's scrapbook until she was like 6 months old" (not true), and my favorite - "I am SURE I will have time to start it this summer" (also so not true!).

The reality is I really haven't started a baby book of Evie yet and we really don't have as many pictures of her as Anna, and lord knows when I will get to that scrapbook, but we sure are lucky to have two beautiful girls and while our world is really crazy right now, I wouldn't trade it for anything, I just really do hope Everly will forgive us someday for the lack of pics:).  And I do think I will get around to it all and I do really try to take more pictures and write down as much as I can.  It really is crazy how wrapped up we can get on our day to day life, I find I often have to remind myself to stop, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moments that are flying by ever so fast.

Everly will be 5 months on Friday, so I suppose this update should be more like her 4/5 month update, but I am going to stick with 4 months and try to remember where she was at then.  She is doing absolutely fantastic.  A few weeks ago, Everly and I flew out east for Michele's baby shower with my mom and Liz and she did great traveling.  She is still very easy and go with the flow.  She is very alert, active and strong.  She started rolling to her tummy around 3 months and now rolls both directions.  She started rolling in her sleep a few weeks ago, so we did away with the swaddle and now sleeps swaddle free on her tummy.  And we never know what position we will find her in when she wakes up.  Unfortunately for us, right around the four month mark she started waking up again around 4 every morning.  She goes back down until 7ish or so, but we cant seem to break her of this yet.  She often goes down for the night around 7, so it is understandable that by 4 am she is super hungry.  It would just be easier on mom and dad if she could stay up a little later at night and sleep in a later in the morning, or if we could go to bed at 7 too :)  We will cut her some slack though, because she is just 5 months and pretty stinking cute :)

She is a pretty good eater when she wants to eat, but can be tricky to give her a bottle and will cry like heck if she doesn't want it.  She also doesn't tolerate her face being touched.  If I need to wipe her nose or face, she just cries, which is kind of strange given how laid back she is in all other areas.  We have started giving her solids.  So far she has tried rice cereal, sweet potatoes and apples.  She does OK with it, but isn't very impressed with it either.  She still does absolutely LOVE her bath, whenever she is fussy, which isn't often, but if she is a bath always cheers her right up.  Another thing I have noticed, there are times when she might be scolding or fussing, but as soon as Anna comes up to her, she cheers right up, laughs, giggles, and smiles.  I absolutely LOVE to see that happen.  Melts my heart.  I love that I can say I have never seen Anna irritated or annoyed by Everly or the attention we have to give her and that we can tell Everly already adores Anna.  They are already the best of friends and we cannot wait to watch that friendship grow!

Happy Little Girl

Can't get that finger out of my mouth

"I think I will roll over now"

"Much better"

{Evie 3 Month Update}

A little late but nonetheless I thought I would share Evie's three month update.  At three months Evie is doing absolutely fantastic and certainly keeps us on our toes!  She has quite the happy and easy going personality.  She absolutely loves to talk to just about anyone who will listen to her babble, and is very alert and loves to be in the middle of any conversation that is taking place.  She is also quite active, for the past month, Evie has been very content just laying on the floor on her back kicking and cooing.  Then, about two weeks ago she actually rolled from her back to her stomach, I figured it had to be a fluke, but she has worked at it ever since and now very easily can roll onto her tummy from her back and it takes little to no effort for her to do so...it is so fun to see her learn these new tricks and grow, but it makes me so sad given how fast it is all going! 

Evie is doing great as far as sleeping, she sleeps through the night until 4:30 or 5:00 am, wakes for a quick bite to eat and goes back down until 7 or 8 - no complaints here :)  She is also growing like a weed, already into 6 month clothes as she is much too long for 3 month clothes anymore. 

I feel like we have really started to settle into a good routine, some days seem to be more overwhelming then others, but whenever I start to feel overwhelmed I take a deep breath and remind myself that these crazy days will pass and I certainly will miss the kiddos being so young. 

The past two weeks we have had the stomach flu come and go from our house and I am really really hoping the worst is past us.  So far Evie hasn't gotten it and my fingers are crossed she won't.  Anna had it this past weekend but has seemed to bounced back fairly quickly.  She started a new swim class through daycare today and seems to be very excited about it.  She very excitedly told me about how she swam all by herself today (with floaties).  It is very exciting stuff :)

Unfortunately, Anna has to have her surgery to fix her thumb on Thursday and I am so dreading the whole ordeal.  I know she will be fine and it really isn't that big of a deal, but am not looking forward to her being put under, can't wait until it's over:)  Below are some pics of Evie in her cute Easter attire for her 3 month photos....and two videos of the girls...Enjoy:)

 

 

{Everly's 2 Month Update}

It's been two months since Everly arrived!  How it is possible she is already 2 months old, I will never know.  We are certainly treasuring and savoring every little cuddle, coo, and smiley face with Evie as we know from experience just how fast they grow and it won't be long before we start looking back at pictures and say, "I just don't remember her being that small." 

At 2 months old, Evie is doing fantastic, she is such an awesome baby, I can't stop saying if we were guaranteed to have another baby as easy as this I would do it again in a heartbeat.  She is a very content and happy little girl, flashes her fabulous grin more and more each day and is starting to be very content to play on her playmate or enjoy her swing a little more each day.  She is sleeping pretty well too.  We have yet to establish a good nap routine, but I am sure that will come in time.  I honestly can't remember how we did it with Anna or if it naturally happened on its own, but I have faith it will come together soon.  As far as her nightly routine, Evie still loves her bath and goes down each night somewhere between 9 and 10 and sleeps until 2 or 3.  She gets up for 1 feeding and goes back down until 6 or 7 each morning.  Our only complaint is that she is the S.L.O.W.E.S.T eater ever.  But she rarely seems to have an upset belly and all systems seem to be working just fine, so in my opinion, the slower the better:)  She goes in for her 2 month appointment on March 5 and I will update with her stats then.  I think she gets her first round of shots as well, so not looking forward to that!

Anna still loves to help with Evie, although I have noticed her interest in the "chores" ("Anna, can you throw this diaper in the garbage for mommy?") seems to have diminished, but she loves to kiss and play with her.  Anna is obsessed with Doc McStuffins, which she cutely refers to as "Doc McDolphins", and her favorite toy to play with is her Doc McStuffins doctor kit we gave her for Valentines Day.  On a side note, that thing was impossible to get my hands on, I had no idea this show was such a hit with the preschool crowd, anyway, Anna loves to "fix" Everly with every chance she gets, which is absolutely adorable until she tries to jam the medicine thing down her throat and then it is time to put it away. 

I go back to work on March 12 and I cannot believe where the time as gone.  Our days seem to fly by and yet most times it doesn't seem like we do anything exciting.  I know Bob can't wait for me to go back so our pocketbook gets a rest, but seriously what else can you do in the dead of winter with two little ones?  I am so loving my time at home with the girls.  Anna goes to school on Tuesday and Thursdays and while I certainly miss her while she is away, I love that I get to spend special one on one time with Evie.  I am also enjoying the extra time with my mom and Elizabeth, we are so lucky to have awesome supportive family so close. 

Below are more of Evie's 2 month pictures -

February was a busy month for us as Elizabeth and Brett got married Feburary 16th.  We all had a blast at the wedding.  It was so fun to be apart of it and I am so thankful that they included us to be a part of their special day.  I was a bridesmaid and Anna was a flower girl.  I am sad to share that Anna never made it down the isle..it was a long day for her and I don't think she was feeling the greatest.  By 2:00 in the afternoon, she had had enough and wasn't interested in going down the isle, but she did great at the rehersal and made up for it with her dancing shoes at the reception later on:)  Overall it was a beautiful wedding and day and we all had fun celebrating all weekend long as a family.  I want to wish a big congratulations to Liz and Brett and hope they are enjoying their honeymoon in Disney!  It sure beats our winter weather, so jealous! 

 

{Sisterly Love}

Last week I caught some sisterly love on camera that I thought I would share - love these two!!!

{Everly's 1 Month Update}

I can't believe it's been a whole month since Miss Evie joined our world!  In the past month Bob and I have been reminded of all the joys and fun that come with an infant (the cuddles, smiles, and those cute squeaky noises they make) and of course the hard parts (is it really time to get up and feed her again?!?!) but overall we are adjusting quite well to a family of four and it kind of feels like she has been with us for as long as I can remember.

Evie is doing great (other then a stuffy nose and congestion), she is a wonderful eater, takes 3 ounces every 3 hours or so and is starting to sleep really well. (As well as we can expect a one month old to sleep I suppose :)). We are getting 4-5 hours out of her and then another 2-3 hour stretch after she wakes to eat and has her diaper changed.  Evie weighed 7 lbs, 12 oz when she was born and at her two week checkup, she was up to 8 lbs, 15oz.  I can't get over how fast she is growing and how much she eats!  Some feedings she will take up to 4 oz, a much different eater then Anna was.  She is a very content and passive baby (must be all that nutrition!). Evie absolutely loves her bath, as it has become part of our nightly routine, I heat the bathroom up with a heater and fill the bath with an inch or so of warm water and lay her on a towel. She coos and and kicks and it really seems to relax her. The other night she actually fell asleep in the tub!  She is still sleeping much of the day and we are doing our best to make sure she has enough wake time, tummy time etc during the day and it seems as though her internal clock is slowly starting to sort out day time from night time.

 

Evie fell asleep during our first monthly photo shoot, apparentlty she is not impressed having a camera in her face...

I'm happy to say that Anna is also adjusting so well to the new addition. She cutely refers to her as "baby sister" instead of "Everly" more times then not, and has nothing but love and affection for her and loves to help hold the bottle, change diapers, etc. We have had a few jealous moments but I think those are to be expected and we absolutely cannot wait to watch Anna teach Everly all kinds of new things as they grow.  Anna has continued to go to school two days a week while I am off and we are starting a new tumbling class this week and I think the consistency in her schedule has really helped with the adjustment.

Anna has her stool set up at Evie's changng table so she can help with diaper changes

Bob and I are doing good as well other then the fact that we cannot seem to get well. I have been sick on and off, (although it feels more like on) since mid December and cannot seem to get rid of it.  It feels like my body never really caught a break between the flu, labor, caring for a newborn, etc. I finally broke down and went to the Dr and got an antibiodic and I am hoping that helps.  Bob recently came down with it and I am sure it would be easier to get rid of if we were getting more sleep. Bob is crazy busy at work as it always seems to be, but he has still been such a huge help when he gets home and durning the night and I know how exhausted he is and couldn't be more thankful for his help.

It seems like the only healthy one  in the family is Anna right now as Evie has been extremely congested for the past week or so.  I have decided I am totally over winter and flu season. It was much easier to have a baby in the summer (note to self if we decide to have 3:)).

Other then that we are just starting to adjust to a new "schedule" with Evie and taking it day by day.  Some days are harder then others, and alot of housework goes undone, but am really enjoying my time off with the girls and yet find myself looking forward to going back once we are sleeping more:)  Now that we know where the girls will be going to day care I am so much more comfortable with going back to work as Anna has done so well at First Preschool, we know it will be great for Evie as well.  I just wish while I was home with the girls I had another 2 hands to do things:)

Michele impromptuly came home for a weekend 2 weeks ago and it was so great having her here and really enjoyed her visit, we went for a nice dinner out at Eve's, did some shopping and celebrated Liz's 24th birthday. As always, her visit went by way too fast, but we enjoyed our time with her, especially Anna!  They played with makeup, did hair, played with toys, read books, and had a sleepover together and I know Michele really enjoyed her time with her.  Anna was convinced she was going to go back to Chelly's house when she left and when she was told she needed a plane ticket to do so, she asked just about anybody she saw for a "ticket" for the next day or so. We are hoping to plan a trip out east sometime this summer.

Michele enjoys a cuddle with Miss Evie

We took the girls up to Heritage Lake to swim this past weekend and really enjoyed getting out.  No
matter how exhausted we all are, it feels good to get out of the house, especially in the winter and so we enjoyed some much needed family bonding time and watching Anna live it up the pool, she loves
to swim and play in the water and mommy really enjoyed relaxing in the hot tub for the first time in 9 or so months:).

Cocktails in the hot tub:)  Yes, Anna asked for her own "cocktail" (white soda and lime)

Grandpa enjoys a snuggle :)

Evie loved the warmth of the pool area

Next on tap for the Seidel's - more basement work (starting electrical) and  getting ready and looking forward to Liz and Brett's wedding in a few short weeks:)

{PHOTOBOMB! - Evie's Newborn Pictures}

Shortly after coming home from the hospital, Kelly came over and took pictures of Miss Evie. One of my regrets with Anna was that we took her to have her picture taken around 3 months and never had pictures taken right away and they are only so tiny and "pose-able" for so long. So when Kelly asked if she could come and take some pictures, I was thrilled. We had fun taking the pictures and I loved that I got to use so many of my favorite hats (My favorite winter accessory for Evie!). I think at one point I even commented I kind of want to have another one so we can do this again, but Bob has reminded me that is no reason to have a baby, so we will wait on that for now:).  Anyway, Kelly sent over so many cute pictures, but below are just a "few" of my favorites!