Crying and Dancing

Sometimes, just before dinner, this happens (see photo above and first video below)
and I try to figure out why everyone is so upset...

Luckily, later on, stuff like this can happen...you really just have to dance to New Edition.  Don't mind me overreacting b/c I thought Chloe was going to fall on her head.

Discusstin' (translation disgusting)

Want to hear something funny? After I typed the title word as pronounced by Michael and Liam, I had to go look up the actual spelling...it totally threw my brain for a loop. What's the statute of limitations on the "baby brain defense"?
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There are apparently many things during our day that earn the label "Discusstin'"

Or sometimes, it is reduced to the less complicated "yuck" depending on the mood of the day.
Here are our Top Five:

1. It's okay for you to burp all day long but as soon as your baby sister does it, it's discusstin'.

2. It's no big deal to get some lint out of someone else's belly button but mashed potatoes are, in a word, yuck.

3. You can actually pick your nose but if someone else tries to wipe their booger on you, that's discusstin'.

4. You can lick the window on the front door which is perfectly acceptable but if your baby sister spits up a little formula- you guessed it--discusstin'.

5. You might have eaten a meatball last Tuesday but the following Wednesday, meatball status has changed to "Yuck".

So tell me, what qualifies at your house?

Just wanted to say hi!

Since I am lacking the focus necessary to post anything coherent or interesting, I give you the first in a series of comparison photos. I always find this fun and hope you do too! Some days, I think Chloe looks just like Michael and at other times, I almost call her "Liam" because she reminds me so much of him. You be the judge :)

I feel so out of touch with the bloggy world! I also miss writing and capturing daily thoughts, events, etc. But whenever I sit down to write, I hit a wall--writer's block? Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and share these. I wish I had 3 pictures taken at the same angle but this is the best I could find...they are all 2 days old.

Michael

Liam

Chloe (if the pink didn't clue you in!Talk to you soon!

Need Your 2 Cents...

I know I owe you a birth story & you probably want to see some new pics BUT...

nursing could be going better so here is what I need advice on:

HOW do I get Chloe to nurse for more than 5 minutes?? Aside from the undressing her and using a nipple shield, how do I get her to really, truly get what she needs?

Any advice is very much appreciated b/c I can't make enough time in the day to pump AND feed AND wash bottles, etc. I'd like to keep this going if I can!!

Thanks!

Chloe Jane- pics

Chloe Jane- brand new!

Before adding brothers to the scene...

Michael- experienced big brother


Liam- so proud of his little sister!

Stories to come...

Even though I am always late...

...my little Chloe decided that she needs to be EARLY. She couldn't wait another 4 weeks to meet her big brothers.

Pictures soon my friends! We are home and doing well. I updated my profile and the little Lilypie ticker- but that's it for now.

Thank you so much for all of your well-wishes! There are some pics on Facebook if you ever hang there. I promise to deliver more info and pics very soon.

Things to do...

Here are some of the things I would like to have done before Baby #3 arrives- in order of priority:

1. Finish a good cleaning/dusting/etc. of our bedroom and then maintain that as best I can. (The other two bedrooms are in good shape).

2. Get cradle put back together as well as papasan (infant) seat (the swing can wait)

3. Set up pack and play downstairs

4. Rearrange living room in anticipation of holidays+extra baby stuff (also so I can get the little nooks and crannies cleared of any dust) and then maintain...this also includes putting together a new TV stand- which will a)give us some additional storage and b)look nicer!

5. Make Christmas gift decisions so that if we don't shop before baby, we have our game plan. Money is a little tight due to a random (costly) car repair so I don't want to blow a bunch of money right now. We are torn between a train table and Geotrax as the main joint gift.

6. Boys moved to 3rd row and infant car seat installed- I am getting the boys' seats checked for correct installation next Thursday at a safety check--done in by finding local car seat safety checks on http://www.safekids.org/

7. Move a few things in our basement and clean off two other outdoor riding toys so they are in our basement which will allow the boys to blow off steam during the bad weather days when we can't get outside

8. New crib put together--this isn't higher on the list because the baby will be in the cradle in our room for the first couple of months

9. Finish washing some of the baby clothes I pulled that we can use regardless of boy or girl baby.

10. Finish packing bag- which is mostly packed and I have a list of the few things that need to be put in there so if Mike needed to finish up, he could without any difficulty.

I also need to buy tapes for our video recorder because we only have 12 minutes left on the last tape. That, as well as charging the camera, are up at the top as well but I just thought of it!!

It sounds like alot, doesn't it? If anything isn't completely ready, I am not going to sweat it. NOTHING was worse than moving one week after having a baby!!! We survived that with Michael so the fact that most of what we need is in our house & readily accessible is just fine with me. I'll keep you posted on our progress with this list :)

More sickies

Here is today's list of ailments:
*Sleep deprivation-Mike and I achieved less than 3 hours of actual sleep last night
*Liam has a double ear infection.
*Michael has a single ear infection (but his infection is worse).

And so we have 2 antibiotics (different ones),2 cool mist contraptions running and 2 children sleeping for the moment. Mike is working...I should be in bed but I just need to unwind after this crazy day.

Mike was home with the kids for most of it. Today was an evaluation day at my job- and I organize those days so it's sort of important for me to be there- but I was able to leave 2 hours early. I am PRAYING for sleep tonight and if it doesn't happen, I am taking some sort of half day tomorrow b/c I am already feeling stuffy and do not need to get sick.

Can I tell you that my kids are real troopers when it comes to illness? These ear infections must have been brewing since the weekend at least. I thought Liam just had a bad cold with alot of phlegm. Last night was the first time Michael complained about his ear.

I ALMOST went to the doc on Saturday morning but didn't because I thought I was being a paranoid-type mom. You think I would have learned by now to always trust a mommy's gut instinct.

Because I am tired and don't have much else to say- I am going to call this a post and wish you all a very restful sleep.

In the next few posts, I should catch up on several topics:
-my mom
-michael's new bed (he's sleeping in his doorway as I type this)
-the fact that there have been multiple occurences of arson in my general area in recent months and it's getting very freaky and scary

"On the Night You Were Born"

If you don't have this book to read to your little one, I recommend it! This was one of our Christmas gifts to the boys last year. I have been wanting to include a brief post about it for a while but it keeps slipping my mind.

I just read this to Michael this evening. And my only complaint about this book is that I have a hard time getting through it without getting teary-eyed and a lump in my throat. I think it is a beautifully written book and it has a sort of spiritual quality to it. Just another way to let your little ones know just how special they are.

If you don't have this and are looking for a new book, I really love this one.
The author is Nancy Tillman.

Any suggestions for me? We always like to include books under our tree.

Got Diapers?

Quick Survey:

1. Cloth or Disposable?
2. If cloth, what style/kind?
3. If disposable, what kind?
4. If disposable, have you liked any generic brands?

My answers:
1. Disposable (At this point, I have my own landfill)
2. Did not try cloth (Wish I had tried!)
3. Pampers or Huggies are my faves. Luvs-I don't love. Have not found a generic that is reliable (meaning, that doesn't leak too often for my tastes)
4. Playskool dipes are not good. I also tried a couple of grocery store generics- not good experiences.

Post-Post Additions:
*I like Pampers Baby Dry over Cruisers (you get a few more and they are more reliable in our experience). We also LOVE Huggies Overnight dipes- to contain the pee.
*I like Huggies Snug&Dry but they used to be cheaper than Pampers- now I find that they are the same price.
*I have a hard time with generics because of the chunky-thigh factor (especially Liam). Both boys wear size 5 at this point. I dread when they move up another size and hope to get Michael potty-trained in the not-to-distant future.