ole schnikees: 2018 :: 13/52 :: Easter :: Tova 4 weeks & 1 month

WARNING: lots of pictures!!!!

cute Trevor moments: when we got in the car just he and me, he looked over and said "aw no Tova? Tova's not coming with us?" and he sounded disappointed. and while Tova was crying, I asked if Al was going to take her to work with him and Trevor said, "NO dadda!!" also, some people have asked if they can take Tova/I've suggested they take her and he always says no right away. he loves to sing songs right now and will burst into song at any moment; current faves: wheels on the bus, easter songs, jingle bells, this old man, mary had a little lamb, where is thumbkin,

in these comparison photos, i'm trying to make the blocks the same size and I think they're close here & Tova looks so much bigger than Trevor :) but she was 2.5 pounds more than he was at birth so I guess that makes sense.

Tova has still been crying quite a bit this week but seems to have a better handle on pooping, although still seems gassy. she cries every time before she goes to sleep/when she's tired and takes a long time to be actually "out" to where she could be set down. she wakes up many times crying. but she gives smiles easily when she's content so there's hope that she can be a happy baby :) she eats great (although sometimes pulls off and cries a little, a bunch of times within the feeding), she's great at night (thank goodness!) usually just up twice to eat and some of those times i'm waking her to eat since she's grunting, her baby acne is just about fully gone, she still loves baths but not getting lotion on afterwards/getting dressed afterwards, 3 month clothes even though they're a bit big still, I've been reading "happiest baby on the block" which is so far just about colicky babies and finally got to a part that really made sense with me and seemed to align with Tova so I'm hoping I can have a better mindset about it going forward & I can better help her.

Al was only off Wednesday and Thursday this week and he had to go to training Thursday night; uffda! Tova was also pretty cry-ie this week, wed & Thursday. Wednesday was all afternoon/evening until she went to bed and she slept her usual (5 hours, then 3 hours) at night. Thursday she would only sleep max 20 minutes before waking up crying unless we were in the car.

Tuesday morning, T, To and I went up to the cities (our first drive up there, 1 hour 15 min, and it was just me & the kids but went well!) once there, Jodi, luke and Henrik came over to visit, play and see Tova. they left after lunch, Trevor went down for nap, and Tova and I went over to my cousin Aryn's house so Tova could meet her 5 week older cousin, Camden. :) Tova was really sleepy so we didn't stay long but they're pretty cute together, about the same size, but Camden was much more "chill," he didn't cry at all, and he was much more smiley & wiggley (just being older I think.) then we went back to mom's, had a little bit of time. then we all hopped in the car and went to family dinner night at parkway pizza over in st louis park. my uncle tim was in town from Colorado so there was lots of mom's side there. they all got to meet Tova for the first time and Trevor got to play with his cousins. it was a busy day; Tova took a while to get to sleep but then slept pretty well, and Trevor was a little bit of a bear by the end of the night due to no nap, but it was fun to see everyone and let them meet Tova.

Wednesday morning we left pretty early/quick in the morning so we could get back and walk to Jodi's house to play outside since it was so nice out! it got to be 50 something outside by the afternoon! then back home for lunch and to see Al when he woke up. after nap time, Trevor didn't nap, he and I went to the grocery store quick and then picked up an ice cream cone treat. :) we finished them outside once home, then Al and Trevor played outside while I fed Tova, then we went back to the neighb's house for supper and dying easter eggs. it was lots of fun even if Tova cried the whole time once she woke up after we ate supper.

Thursday morning, all 4 of us went to Jodi's again for the daycare easter party which included a craft, snack, book and easter egg hunt. then tova started getting fussy and it was close to lunch time, so we went home. during nap time, Tova and I ran to drop off the mortgage, take her to the chiropractor (she was pretty tight/twisted), feed her in the parking lot :), then to the grocery store to pick up food for easter weekend! once home, Al had to start getting ready to go to training so he and Trevor showered, ate supper, then Al left. I finally got Tova to sleep in the swing for a bit so Trevor and I could play some legos. then Trevor and I gave Tova a bath, I fed her and put her to bed. then pjs for T, snack, books and bed (he was actually out right away!) These kids have actually been great during the bedtimes that I have to do by myself so far, but I don't expect them all to go this well.

Friday mom came down about 2ish and it was a great weekend with her here (thank goodness for nana!!!) although it was snowy and cold so we didn't get outside. I was able to get some things done that have been nagging on me and Tova loves to nap/fall asleep in nana's arms. I also got some good quality time with trevor.

Saturday we had our Easter meal for lunch so Al could have it before work. then the easter bunny #1 came and hid eggs, and trevor and tova got to open nana's easter baskets for them. trevor loved finding the eggs and seeing what candy was inside. tyler was supposed to come down but because it had snowed Friday night he had to go in and plow.

sunday easter bunny #2 came and left the kid's baskets. we played and ate and cleaned all morning. then mom was on kid duty during nap time while I slept a little bit. then mom left, trevor didn't nap but that's ok cuz it made bedtime easier for me, and Al got up shortly after mom left so he was on Tova duty while I hung out with trevor a bit. sunday night didn't go as smoothly at bedtime as it has but it was awful. Tova didn't sleep during trevor's bedtime routine until the very end. she sat in my arms through one book but then cried through another. I had to put her down for brushing teeth and getting trevor to bed so I put her in the swing expecting her to cry and she fell asleep, so I didn't have to stress about putting trevor to bed quickly. then he was out shortly and I woke her an hour later to feed her and put her to bed.

dadda's little hot dog baby :)

first time in her sit-me-up seat I bought used for her and she clearly loved it! her little faces are so cute (wish she was happy/content more often!)