Exciting Changes!

Last week was an exciting week!! :-)

I finally got my return date back to work finalized, so with that in mind my list of things I wanted to get done before I returned looks a mile long compared to the time I have to finish it in!! :-)

I am in the process of trying to get Libby onto some sort of schedule for several reasons really.  I really like knowing "why" she's crying, and when she has a set routine, that makes distinguishing her cries a lot easier.  Also, with 3 kiddos to tend to, *I* really need structure to my day...at least some sort of structure anyway!   The boys (especially Luke) are very routine-oriented kids, and any change to some of their daily routines (nap time, for example) really wreaks havoc on their moods.  Meshing the kids' schedules keeps the boys happy, too. :-)  I also think our babysitter will appreciate this!  


We're getting some help from Moms on Call...you would think that I'd know what I was doing after 3 kiddos. :-)  Okay, so I'm not a complete mess, but each child is very different and you never really stop learning anyway!  They've been a HUGE help, and have introduced little tips that I never knew about! 
I know I have some friends with toddlers that are having sleep issues...they offer advice with toddlers as well!  I would encourage you to take a look at their site (linked above) to see if they're a good fit for you. :-) These ladies know what they're doing!!!

So far, Libby is a very mild-tempered baby.  She eats well, naps well, and seems pretty content during her wake periods.  Bless her heart...she's gotten very accustomed to noise in our household, so she sleeps like a freight train. :-)  We have started swaddling and sleeping in her crib.  It just seems like so early to be out of the cosleeper!!  Can she be nearly 2 months already?!  The boys were both a bit older when they started sleeping in their cribs, so we're doing things a bit differently with her.  Hopefully she (and we) will be more rested this way.  The past couple of nights I've been camped out in her room with her.  We do have an Angelcare monitor, so once she's gotten into the swing of things, I'll venture back to my room. :-)

{She loves her swaddle!}

The boys have done very well with the arrival of their new sister.  They are however, both going through developmental periods. :-)  Levi is going to be 3 soon, so he's exiting his terrible two's and entering his horrible three's.  He is the sweetest little boy, but he has an ornery streak in him that is pretty extraordinary!! We're working with Luke on his listening skills (selective hearing runs rampant in our household).  He'll be entering his second year of preschool soon, and listening is one of those things that is very important!  Anyway, we've found a system that we're going to try that rewards good behavior.  Both boys, as different as they are at times, both have one thing in common...they LOVE to be praised and told how good they are. :-)  So, hopefully this helps!

{Image from Etsy Store}

The most exciting news is that B and I became Aunt and Uncle to a handsome little fella on Friday.  This is B's first nephew!  I was so thankful that I was able to be nearby when Knox was born. :-)

{Meet Knox Logan!}

Knox was 7lbs 13oz and 21 inches long!  Healthy and handsome. :-)

{Knox and Libby}

Libby turned 6 weeks old last Tuesday and hit the 6lb mark!  She is also 20 inches long.  YAY, Libby! :-)  She is starting to coo and smile...love it!

{Snuggles with Daddy}

I'm starting to gear up for one of my besties' weddings!  SO exciting!  I'm channeling my inner-crafty and working on a few projects.

So, the Olympics is in full swing!  I haven't been able to watch too much of it, but I love watching gymnastics and swimming when I get the chance. :-)  Any viewers out there keeping up?!

Mish-Mash

Rain?!  YES!  We're finally getting a little bit of rain in bursts.  Thank goodness!

This week, Libby turned 5 weeks old.  She is 5lbs 10oz, so she's growing like a little weed. :-)  She has started spitting up quite a bit more.  I've suspected that she has had reflux for some time now, but these days I guess they don't do anything for it unless she's not growing or showing signs of pain.  I've been burping her every 1/2 oz, keeping her upright for 1/2 hour after her feedings, and letting her sleep at an incline.  (I'm all ears if there are any more suggestions to help!)  I know it has to be uncomfortable...I had it *BAD* with all 3 of my pregnancies towards the end, and it was miserable!  Poor little gal arches her back and cries...sometimes the milk even comes out her nose. :-(  Hopefully she'll grow out of it, just as Luke did.

I had my post-op Doctor's visit, and aside from over-doing it a bit, it went well.  I'll be returning back to work in a few weeks, and I'm honestly just not ready.  I don't really think Moms are ever reallly ready, though. :-)  Luckily, I love my job, the people I work with, and our childcare provider, so that makes things a bit easier.

{Taking Mommy to the Doctor...I tightened her straps before we left :-)}

This past weekend, we took the boys to the Circus. :-)  Luke was much more interested in it than Levi was.  Levi is just not into sitting and watching things...unless it's Scooby Doo. :-)

With this insane heat, the boys and B have been enjoying pool time in the evenings.  The boys are so lucky to have such a fun Dad! :-)

{Ready...}

{Set...}

{Flip!}

  

{Do it again, Daddy!}

We did have some visitors this past weekend, also. :-)  Of course, Levi managed to flush a mystery surprise down the toilet, which backed it up on the one day we had guests.  We thought we had it fixed before the guests arrived...that is, until Luke went #2.  Fabulous!  With the help of a snake and a crowbar, B was able to wedge the toy telephone out.  Yes, toy telephone!  Anyway, we had a great visit with my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, and Sister.  Libby and the boys were of course showered with gifts, and everyone got a taste of just how energetic it is in our home these days! :-)  We did get a few sweet pictures:

{Sarah and Libby}

So, changing things up a bit...have any of you been keeping up with The Bachelorette?!  I started the season, and then got lost in the middle.  During my midnight pump fests I've been catching up, and I must say that Jef is just too kewl for skewl! :-)  He has my vote, hands down!  Arie is just too intense for me.  There's just something about him that I didn't like from the first day I saw him on the show, and I can't really pin down what that is.  I'm sure he's a great guy in real life, though. :-)  Anyway, can't wait for the Finale this Sunday!  

I was looking for some cute pictures of the boys around Libby's age to post, so that everyone could see how similar she looks to Luke and Levi.  I think she looked like Levi at birth, but she's looking more like Luke now.  Anyway, I didn't find any really good comparison pics right away, but I did find this picture of Levi:

He was about 8 Months old.  What a little sweetie. :-)  Just thought I'd share since I'm all random today!

Hope you're all enjoying your week!  AND "May all your days be CIRCUS DAYS!". :-)

  

Happy 1 Month!

Today, Libby is 1 Month old!

{5lbs 3oz, 19.25 inches long}

We celebrated by having lunch with some of my good friends and co-workers.  :-)  This was one of our first real excursions out, and it was nice to be in such good company!

Libby is growing like a weed!  Since we brought her home, she's gained 1lb 2oz, and she's grown 1.25 inches!  One pound may not seem like a lot, but that's a little under 25% of her birth weight, so we think it's a lot. :-)  Libby is now taking 2.5oz of breast milk in a bottle every 3-3.5 hours, and she sleeps 4 hour stretches at night.  She's finally starting to fit into Newborn clothes.  Preemies tend to be a little too short, but she can still wear them if they don't have feet. :-)

A couple of weeks ago, we took Libby to Harmon Photography to get her 2 week pictures taken.  They turned out too cute for words...seriously!  Bridgette and Lindsay did an awesome job...they were very patient, and you can tell they have a lot of practice working with newborns and small children!

Take a look!

{These little kiddos melt my heart!}

{I love her squishiness in this picture!!}

{Beautiful!}

{This is one of my favorites...really captures that newness of a  Newborn!}

{For Grandpa and Daddy!}

{Great Grandma and Grandma Davis crocheted this hat...with a button on the flower from Great Grandma Logsdon!}

{Another one of my favorites...such a tiny ball of love!}

Thanks, Harmon Photography for another job well done!

...and Happy 1 Month Birthday, Libby!!

 

Happy Due Date, Libby!

What a busy week!

Monday was Libby's official due date, and my Grandpa in Heaven's Birthday.

I can't believe we've had her for 3 weeks now...time certainly does fly by too quickly!

Tuesday, Libby turned 3 weeks old. :-)

Luke had his 4 year old well-kiddo check, and he is 40.75 inches tall and 33.2lbs...skinny and tall. :-)  Libby also was weighed, and she was up to 4lbs 13oz, so gaining about an oz a day.

This year, the 4th of July was right smack in the middle of the week.  We didn't do much, really.  B bought some small fireworks for the boys here at the house, and we went up to see Walton's fireworks in the evening.  I suffered with a migraine behind my right eye for most of the day. :-(  Luke was *not* a fan of fireworks this year, so he sat with me and Libby in the car and watched from the window, while Levi and B got out and watched from outside. :-)

Did any of you do anything special for the 4th?!

ps...Levi is really starting to *love* holding his baby sister. :-)