Happy St. Patty's Day

Hope everyone had enough green beer to keep them set until next year. Over here, we settled on having A beer, which was good enough for me.

We've had a busy few weeks over here, between doctors and dentist appointments, teacher meetings and playdates - whew. We are exhausted. And it won't calm down for a while. Last week we had Kindergarten registration. What a step to know that your oldest is getting ready to go to school for real! And to know that your life will be tied to the school calendar for the next 20 years or so.

We've started having movie nights and sleepovers (Ryan in Emma's room). They love the movie night and we're finally starting to watch all of the Disney movies I've collected over the years. Ryan and Emma love the popcorn and being able to eat it in the basement. They tend to get bored a little shy of the ending, but have made it through. We've been trying to get them accustomed to sleeping in the same room and have had three sleepovers and one botched one. The first took them 1.5 hours to calm down, the second 1.25 hours and the third .5 hours. The last one was botched because Emma had moved to the big bed (see below) and Ryan wanted to sleep in the crib. But a lot of climbing and running around was happening and it was called off.

Today, Ryan had his tongue clipped. We have been waiting to get this done, but wanted to do it now and take advantage of all the speech therapy coming our way (we jus started back at Children's hospital). He did really well from what Kris said. The dentist showed how Ryan could now push his tongue out of his mouth. Ryan struggled for the first few hours afterward because we had to put gauze in to mop up the blood and make sure nothing stuck. But once that stopped, he stopped complaining - especially after the lunch of ice cream, pudding, baby oatmeal (who would have guess he would think it was cool). This afternoon, he was back to normal and enjoyed playing outside.

Emma's update is that she is now sleeping in a big bed. And not just a toddler bed or twin - no a queen bed. She looks so little in it. We've had a few nights of her crying and sleeping on the floor, but we tried to put her back into her crib and she climbs right back out. Oh - all this was spurred by her climbing out and opening the door (the first time for that too) and joining me downstairs! That was last Friday. Since then she's gotten more used to the bed and has not really given us any problems. She is talking up a storm and wants to know what everything is. She loves asking questions, especially if she already knows the answer. We just realized that her hair is finally long enough to put in pigtails and ponytails, so she enjoys getting to pick how we do her hair.

Nick is becoming a happy baby. He does pretty well through out the night, but isn't sure when to sleep during the day yet. He will need a nap schedule established for him soon. He's smiling now and becoming a little entertaining. Not really doing much else though. We just moved him up to 6 month clothes and are enjoying dressing him up.

Easter 2010 Pictures

I, along with my mom, took the kids today to get their Easter pictures taken. They all did a great job. Some cajoling was necessary and no one wanted to miss their choice of treat at the food court. But they did beautifully. Everyone looked great! Thank you to my mom, I wouldn't have been able to do it alone!

Nick's 1st Pictures

Here are some pictures from Nick's first trip to the JCPenney's studio! He's so cute. Can't believe he'll be two months old in a few days.

We've been doing some experiments around here. At all our parents houses, we are running out of room to put the kids in individual rooms (had to happen eventually). So we've been trying to get Ryan and Emma accustomed to the idea of sleeping in the same room. We've made a big deal of it by having movie night with popcorn. And then let Ryan sleep in Emma's room. They think it's hilarious. The first time we did it (two weeks ago), they stayed up for an hour and a half talking. This past week it only took them an hour and 15 minutes to calm down. So I'm hoping this week it will be only an hour. If I could keep Ryan in the bed instead of running around, it probably wouldn't take so long. So here's hoping.

Not much else. Snow days are moving to warmer days this week. Ryan has to sign up for kindergarten next week. My mom and Robin are here to help with the kids while Kris is in PA for Doug's bachelor party. We're trying to schedule Nick's baptism. And I finally got to go back to the gym. Kris wants to run the 10k at the Flying Pig and wants me to do it with him, along with my sister and his brother (and anyone else who wants to join). So I need to get in shape! Should help lose the last few baby weight pounds. Took 6 months with Emma and a year with Ryan. I'm hoping for 4 months this time around!

More snow and more snow

We had another 3 snow days this week. Well one of them was Presidents day, but it would have been a snow day. So 3 days with Ryan home. By Thursday, we were ready for school to start (no idea what I'm going to do over the summer). We played a lot around here. We broke out the Moon Sand, which the kids loved - I don't think the carpets did though. We've danced a lot and played bus. But mostly Ryan did things he shouldn't and we end up cleaning a lot. Oh well. Life with a 4 year old with no impulse control. Last night he dumped a bottle of soap all over his carpet and chair in his room. The night before he had dumped an entire bottle of soap into the bath (seems to be a trend).

By Wednesday, we were dying to get out of the house, but since Emma was sick........... Anyway, a great friend of mine offered to take Ryan to the museum with her boys. He had a great time and we were so thankful for the quiet. Emma is still getting back to her normal self. Not much of an appetite and still cranky, but eating and no more puking!

As for Nick. We think he's going through a growth spurt. A couple of nights ago he was up every hour between 1 and 7. Lots of fun for me!! But then last night he slept great. Who knows. He has a little cold, so I elevated his head and hope that helps. Right now, he's about to wake up from an almost 3 hour nap. It's quiet - the other two are sleeping as well.

I put him in the only 'outfit' that was 3 mo that Ryan every used (not a lot of need for long sleeves for a July baby). He looked so cute and Emma just wanted her picture taken (way above). Above are pics of Nick and Ryan in the outfit. They look a lot alike (but Ryan was 3 months in the pic and at least 7 lbs heavier by then). Below are pictures of the two on the floor also (Nick on left, Ryan on right).

Snow Days for Mo Days

Yes, we are having more snow days here. Today and they've already called it for tomorrow. While I know I should be planning something to keep everyone busy, I'm writing here! At least if I get some things done tonight I won't be trying to do them tomorrow!

As I am finding, keeping three kids happy is hard and almost impossible! Both Ryan and Emma have been doing some not so pleasing things to get some attention. For Emma, it's climbing all over me and over kissing the baby. For Ryan, it has become more destructive. On Friday, Ryan pushed over his book shelf (I know we need to tether it). Books were all over the floor, but luckily no one was hurt. I told him he had to clean them up and this time I wasn't helping! Well he still hasn't cleaned them up, but they are no longer in his room also. Eventually, he started ripping books up (which he knew I would be mad about since he had done it the night before with the same response). So all his books were taken away. Then he was told to clean up the mess and given his garbage can. Since it was wicker, he decided to tear it up and then proceeded to get the vacuum cleaner out to clean it up! After I finally sat in his room while he cleaned, it was all picked up. Now he is earning 5 books back a day and hopefully, he'll have them all back by the time we move Nick into his room - since that is where I put them! Of course, he got out the vacuum again today - not sure why - but he figured out quickly that I wasn't happy.

Ok onto funnier things. Friday, the kids were playing in my bathtub - dry -and I asked if they wanted to take a bath later. Ryan's teacher was visiting soon, so we couldn't do it right then. They loved taking a bath in the middle of the day and just being able to sit and play. I have some pics here. In fact, they loved it so much, that they decided to do it themselves yesterday in their bathtub. They forgot one thing - to take their clothes off (and to use warm water)!

As I said, we have snow. Kris took Ryan out to play on Saturday, so after watching it snow today, he really wanted to go out. So after I got Emma and Nick down for naps, we went out and shoveled the driveway and played a little bit. Kris took Ryan and Emma out after he got home from work also, so there was a lot of outside time today. Hopefully, it will wipe them both out and maybe Ryan will sleep past 7:15 tomorrow.

As for Nick. Well he doesn't do too much. Sleep, nurse, poop. What a life. He is pretty good though, with some crabby times. He likes a pacifier, which I was hoping to avoid. If you keep moving him to see new things, he's pretty happy. One month already, where does the time go?

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Kris celebrated his 35th birthday last week. He was excited that his mom would be visiting us and he asked her to make his favorite lasagna for his dinner. Emma helped me make a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting at his request also. He got some great gifts. Besides curtains for Emma's room from me, he also got tickets to the monster truck rally this past weekend. He and Ryan had a great time - although they said they'd bring ear plugs next time. They got there early enough to get to go see the trucks on the floor.

We're almost done with our visitation times after Nick's birth. Grammie will be leaving tomorrow. We are so happy that my mom, Kris's mom and Robin have been able to come out and help us out. Here are pictures of what they did (aka - hold the baby).

Ryan and Emma have been keeping us busy. One of Ryan's favorite things to do when there is company is be 'Mrs. Nickell' - his preschool teacher. He gets a chair, puts a cushion on it and a stool in front and reads books to us. I'm still trying to get it on video, but I did get a picture.

And in case you're interested in how Nick is doing. I've included a pic above. He's doing well. Eating and sleeping pretty well. He has his one month appointment next week. So we'll get to see what they say. I've tried to weigh him here. On the big scale I got about 11 lbs, which I didn't think was right. So I put him in some Tupperware (fun stuff going on in our household) and put him on the diaper scale we have for our diaper study and he was 9 1/2 lbs. I can't believe he'll be a month on Saturday. The time flies!

Missing Some Sleep?

We sure are! Nicholas went from being a great sleeper to a NOT great sleeper! Last night, he was up for hours just looking around. Drove us both batty! Luckily for me, I got a nap in today. Besides that we're doing great around here. Nick is growing - he was a few ounces over his birth weight at 2 weeks. He looks so much like Ryan did. He loves to be cuddled and kept really warm. We went for our first walk outside and he liked my wrap. Hopefully, he'll start to like my new ring sling - since I washed it and got the yucky smell out.

Ryan and Emma are doing great with Nick. Ryan helps when asks and wants to hold him, but besides that isn't too concerned. A little more strapped for attention, but seems used to it already. He's acting out a little since my mom has been here - but that is something we are used to. Emma loves to give Nick kisses and point out all the facial body parts. His nose is of great interest to her. She loves to try to help but usually ends up getting in the way.

Emma got moved into her new room last weekend. Kris had finished painting it around New Years and we got the curtains and roller shades up. I finished up with new sheets and duvet cover. Kris tethered the dresser and bookshelf and we were good to go. Emma has done fine since the move and Ryan has decided that it is a great play room. We have had to put a door handle outside so Ryan will stop waking Emma up in the morning - she sleeps longer than he does and really needs that extra sleep! Plus, we've found Emma out of her crib once and the crib moved across the room once.