2018 :: 12/52

3 week comparison shots; Trevor in a newborn sleeper, Tova in a 3 month sleeper :)

Tova is 3 weeks now and by the end of the week was getting a little more used to gas/pooping but still crying quite a bit esp when she's tired or has a dirty diaper. she does NOT fall asleep on her own (as newborns are supposed to do) and likes to be held and walked and patted. but she's been sleeping pretty good at night usually only up twice to eat and grunts a lot after the 2nd feeding (4ish usually) but i'm super thankful she's sleeping decent at night even if the days stress me out. I tried to get nana to take her this week :) and trevor said no, we have to keep her here with us. Awww :) she likes to sit up and can hold her head up pretty good especially compared to trevor and his big ol' head (he didn't hold his head up for a long time). she has strong legs, big blue eyes, and a tiny little mouth/lips that do a lot of different looks/positions. she's still sleeping in the rock n play so that she's upright a bit since every time I lay her on her back throughout the day she spits up. She is officially in all 0-3 month clothes (doesn't fit in newborn stuff anymore).

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Monday night we were up from 330-630am grunting and crying, trying to poop. then I got up at 730 to get trevor up and Tova got up at 815. Grandpa Peter came to help Al with the bathroom window trim and brought his saw that was needed in order to do it. Tova and I went to look at and pick out the pictures we had taken for her newborn photos and Trevor's 4 year photos. Tova cried the whole time I was looking at and picking out pictures but then slept in the car so I was able to get my couple errands done just had to carry her heavy infant carseat the whole time (usually i'd put it in a cart) so she'd stay asleep. we tried gas drops once we were home and she seemed to poop without crying although she did still cry when she was tired and wouldn't fall asleep or really stay asleep without someone holding her or a pacifier in... they got the bathroom trim done, trevor and I got our easter stuff out and practiced hiding and finding easter eggs while Al tried to get Tova to sleep. after lunch grandpa peter went home as we attempted naps.

Wednesday Al went back to work and it was the first days and nights I did by myself... Wednesday morning was rough; tova cried a lot and didn't sleep much which made her crankier. I lost my patience too much with trevor because I was stressed due to tova's crying. Tova ended up waking Al up just before noon but I was thankful for the help. I fed trevor and got him down for nap (he didn't nap but that was ok with me because then he fell asleep much faster for bed time and had an earlier bed time) while Al tried to get tova to sleep. the whole afternoon we'd get her to sleep then she'd wake up crying within 30 minutes. I think it was gas related even though we were using the gas drops. both kids were sleeping by 8pm so I got some downtime before I went to bed shortly after 9. Tova only woke up twice so we got some decent sleep.

Thursday was a much better day! tova only cried a little bit, pooped 3 big ones without crying, and actually napped during the day. we got our new sit & stand, double stroller so about 1045a we walked over to Jodi's just to say hi and walked back. we love our new stroller! the infant carseat fits in it so I don't have to carry Tova (she slept the whole time, as long as we were moving) and trevor loved that he could get in and out of it as he pleased. then home for lunch and nap for Trevor (again he didn't sleep but it's ok) and Tova napped a little longer. Al got up just before 3 so I put him on baby duty and took trevor outside. we came in quick to feed tova and then me and the kids loaded up in the stroller again and walked down to the park to meet Jodi, matt and the daycare kids down there to play. then home to say bye to Al, eat, watch a little tv, and put trevor to bed about 730 (he was out right away due to no nap and being outside so much). tova was a little cranky during this time but nothing compared to the previous days; she fell asleep a bit before 7 so I was able to do bedtime easily with trevor again. I woke her about 8 to change her, play a bit, feed her and put her to bed. she woke up about midnight to eat and then was up from 330-430 and super grunty all morning.

Friday morning Tova was back to her crying and not napping much/well. trevor and I did get some crafting in. we went for a walk again about 1115a and the wind was chilly but it was good. after lunch, trevor didn't move a muscle after I laid him down, he was out. once I laid Trevor down, tova woke up crying so I fed her and then was eventually able to lay her down. Al got up shortly afterwards and he was off Friday-Sunday. mom came down after work. we had pizza for supper then played until bed time. tova cried lots so between Al, mom and I someone was always holding her and most of the time had to be walking & patting her.

Saturday morning mom and Al took care of the kids while I got some things done around the house including cleaning/organizing the workshop/storage room which I've really been wanting to do (I hadn't put away the Christmas stuff yet...) So I felt much better getting things done and having some no baby time. Tova actually had pretty good days both Saturday and sunday but again between the 3 of us, she was held most of the time including during her naps... just before lunch, mom, T, To and I went for a windy but good walk with our new stroller. then lunch and naps (Trevor didn't nap). after nap, all of us went to menards. we used 2 carts one for Tova in her carseat and some stuff and the other for Trevor and some stuff. :) then for supper Al grilled hamburgers and they were delicious!

sunday morning was for some games and then mom, trevor and I went for another windy walk; trevor rode his big bike finally and did great! mom left after lunch, trevor eventually took a short nap, and I was eventually able to put tova down for a nap too (after holding her to sleep...). Al grilled pork chops for supper (I love grilling season!) and tova actually fell asleep in her bouncy seat although she did need a pacifier to do it. she didn't stay asleep long due to our noises but at least she did it (and with only a bit of crying.) then I fed and put Tova to bed about 730 (boy, would it be nice to have Al here for bed time every night... darn overnight shifts!)

 practicing easter egg hunts :)

 new stroller walks

 enjoying the snow while we still have it

he walked on all the snow he could during our walk

 pizzas and a book (at menards)

 wearing one of the jumpers nana crocheted for her :)

 she actually fell asleep on her own (with nuk)!!

 legos!

 she loves to sit up; if only she could hold her head up we could put her in the baby play seat we have

 Tova loves bath time!

 we get smiles once in a while and this is the goofy one :) tucked in bottom lip

 new hat from nana!!

here are the pics we got from tova's newborn & trevor's 4 year old photo shoot

2018 :: 11/52

Monday was tova's appointment with dr sarumi. it was a quick morning since Tova was awake from 5-6am so I slept until my alarm at 730 then had to eat breakfast, get trevor up, get ready, feed tova, and get Al up all before 820am... but we made it and Sarumi says Tova is perfect :) she gained 7 oz in 4 days! and is up to 9 lbs 13 oz; guess she's a good eater. all the questions I had about her were answered with "it's normal" which put me at ease. although dr did say I shouldn't be letting her nurse to sleep every time because then she'll get used to it and need it to get to sleep. gotta clean her wrinkles a bit better as she's been getting chafing/diaper irritation in them and got the ok to bathe her more frequently. she's at the 95 percentile for weight, height and head size. :)

then we came home, tova took only an hour nap but in that time Al and Trevor painted more window trim and I sorted girl clothes a little farther (mostly the keepers from trevor's clothes.) then we had lunch, tova finally took a good nap (she was super tired after the dr appointment but wouldn't sleep) and trevor fell asleep at 330. I got a shower in finally and Al got his workout in.

Tuesday morning grandpa peter came to help Al with the window trim. by Wednesday night they had all but the bathroom window trim on and the new shades bought and put up in the kids' rooms!! yay!! the trim technically still needs another coat of paint mostly just to cover the nails but that can wait until we can open windows and isn't a huge deal. Tuesday afternoon I had my follow up from my hemorrhoid surgery and everything is looking good, still healing, but doing good. I shouldn't have to go back in for that, in fact the doctor says he doesn't want to see me again. :) the nurse was mad at me for not bringing the baby tho; I left her home since I had just fed her and she was due for a long-ish nap. she slept the whole time for Al.

grandpa peter stayed until Thursday morning and we got outside at least once just about every day this week since it's finally starting to warm up a little bit. tova is in the carrier and just zonks out each time as long as I stay moving/walking. :)

on Thursday, Tova and I went to the chiropractor. I had been contemplating whether or not to go in for both of us as Tova wasn't too bad some days as far as gassy/tummy issues but other days would cry every time she was awake. and I really wanted to bring her to my chiro in the cities but we weren't going up there any time soon so I decided we both could use it. and i'm glad I did. she was pretty tight in her lower back/hips probably from being so squished in there cuz she was so big. and my entire back was super tight not just my hips and shoulders/neck as usual. so i'm glad we went! once we got back I fed Tova and then was able to play outside with trevor without the baby attached to me!

Friday Al slept in since he had to go back to work, so I got the kids and I ready, fed, and out the door before 930am!! we just ran a couple errands, most of which we could stay in the car for. so it was pretty easy especially since Tova slept most of it (she doesn't like when the car stops, that's when she cries) but I felt pretty accomplished for getting out with both kids by myself for the first time. then we came home, did some crafts, had lunch and naps. mom came down after work to help out since Al worked all weekend and so we could celebrate her birthday.

Saturday morning, mom, the kids, and I went to the grocery store then we came home and played until lunch and nap time. after nap, we took a walk and played outside for a while since it was beautiful outside!! it was so warm and sunny! Al was awake and Tova was sleeping so I got to walk without the baby attached to me! then I fed tova outside on the front walkway (kept her covered tho since she can't be in the sun) and it was wonderful! After Al went to work, we came in and had supper and cupcakes for mom's birthday. then matt, Jodi, cam and chloe came over to have some cupcakes and play for a bit too. tova got a bath and then it was bedtime. Tova pooped right before bed (she's still grunting/getting used to bowel movements) and ate twice in 1 hour so she slept for 5 hours!!! but then it was back to grunting and she was up every 2 hours. I can't wait until she gets used to pooping, maybe she'll actually be a good sleeper!!

sunday morning we played inside until 11 then we went for another walk before coming in for lunch. After our walk Tova cried a lot and would not go to sleep even tho she was super tired; it was about 3 hours with just a couple little 15 minute sleeps in there. mom left once I got trevor down and fed Tova again and luckily Al got up shortly after to help with Tova. sunday night was my first night of doing bedtime by myself and it actually went great (i'm not expecting that every time.) Tova was so tired from not sleeping during the afternoon that she was in bed (I couldn't wake her other than to eat a little bit) shortly after 7 so I got to do a normal, slow bedtime with Trevor. I slept in our room, Tova in hers, and Trevor in his for the first time and it went pretty good although I kept thinking I wasn't going to hear Tova. she slept a 5 hour stretch although I didn't go to bed until 930, and then a 4 hour stretch. I got up at 630 just before Al got home from work, but I shouldn't have because I was super tired all day.

Monday was a rough day with Tova, luckily Al was off but he didn't get up until 1230p. Tova again only had a couple 10-15 minute naps all morning and was crying most of the other time. tired momma, crying baby doesn't make for a very enjoyable day for anyone. and poor trevor didn't get much consecutive attention and kept saying "why's she crying, she's still crying?, the baby is crying again," etc. she finally took an hour nap once Al got up and got her to sleep, so I got a little nap in then she woke up so I fed her and she slept a while longer. then cried some more, had a little ok awake time but then was so tired but wouldn't fall asleep. Al finally got her to sleep about 630 so we just put her to bed.

 squishy baby; she got some baby acne this week, doc says it's due to my hormones

 walked to the park :)

 where's tova? :)

 snowball fight

 holding on to momma :)

 painting easter eggs

 books

 tova wore the sweater nana made for trevor to the park

 window trim and shades up in trevor's room!

we can finally open his curtains every day!

 start of at home haircut season! :)

 making a snow castle with dadda

 the big snow mountain at the school

 holding and kissing squishy

 shoveling the big snow pile that covers part of our driveway so that it'll melt :)

 chalk

 outside is nice even if you can't enjoy the sun on your skin :)

 birthday cupcakes for nana

 I finished mom's quilt for her birthday; the squares were done by family members a long time ago, auntie marlene put the top together, then I did the backing, got it quilted and did the binding