Abby's First Birthday

Wow...wow wow!!! I can't believe this will only be the 4th blog I've written since Abby was born! Obviously a lot has happened. Abby is 100% walking. She started shortly after she turned 11 months just like Seth did. It was a fight to get her to take any steps but she would stand up on her own without holding onto anything from sitting. I knew she COULD walk if she tried, but she just never wanted to try. Which I WAS fine with. She and Seth interact a lot more now too. Abby will crack up at Seth and that eggs Seth on to make her laugh. It really is awesome to see that. We went through a VERY dificult couple months with Seth right before and right after he turned 2. He was NO FUN! He spent a TON of time in timeout and it felt like we were constantly getting on to him. But timeouts are not very common anymore and we do the "if I count to 3" thing. It REALLY works. I can tell him to do something 100 times, but as soon as I tell him "if mommy gets to 3 you go to time out, do you understand me" and he responds "yes m'am." He listens. It REALLY is amazing that it works! But it makes me realize that all the hard work DOES pay off even if it IS easier to let some things go.
We are starting to realize that we probably spoil Abby a little too much. She has started whining when she doesn't get her way. But she's so darn sweet we usually give her what she wants because she plays on her own and is so happy and easy to get along with. We continued with her crazy sleeping patterns (from the last blog) until right after Christmas because it was just easier to get up with her than have her wake up little Seth. But when we got home from Seth's parents, we decided "it was on." So the first night, we let her cry, and of course, ever since then she's been consistantly sleeping til 6:30 or 7. So bedtime for both is now 8pm and wake up ranges from 6:30-7:30 for the 2 of them....so nice!
So let me reminice (sp?) a little for a minute. Abby was up at 6:30 this morning and I was thinking, now is about the time last year that I was NEEDING an epidural...and then at 9:30 I was thinking I was probably holding that baby girl in the hospital. And then I put her to bed tonight. She layed with her tummy on mine while we said prayers and I sang to her and I sang the song that I made up in the hospital for her. Our first night together, Abby and I spent alone. Seth went home to feel better and take care of little Seth. So I was struggling a little feeding her and getting her to go back to sleep. So I sang this little silly song: Abby Jo, Abby Jo, Abby Jo, I love you so, I love you so my Abby Jo. I sing it sometimes still, but not very often. But it reminds me of our first night together. Just us girls...I can't wait til we have many "just us girls" times. I love having my little boy, our times together and those big hugs and kisses from that sweet guy are uncomparable. And I love having my little girl, to look at me with those big eyes, and give me unsolicited kisses and hugs when she gets up from her nap. It's amazing. I feel so blessed. My little family 100% feels complete...and I'm a lucky lady...

where has the time gone...

So my baby is 8 months old today...where did the time go? How much has changed!!?!?!? Who knows...and a ton! Seth is talking like crazy...up to 3 words together. He knows what he wants and he knows how to push mommy's buttons. He is a handful these days and has a TON of energy. He needs to be going going going...BUT he does love his Yo Gabba Gabba. He's pee peeing on the potty again. Not all the time but a decent amount, but only pee pee...it's a start! We're going on about 3-4 weeks now. He'll tell us sometimes...but not all the time. If this trend continues longer we'll do something more to get him really potty trained...these $45 a box diapers for 2 kids is EXPENSIVE! They wear the same size diapers though, so really I only have to get 1 box at a time. Yep, you heard me correctly, my 22 month old and 8 month old can wear the same diapers!
Abby is the best...she is SUPER happy...I thought SJ was happy, but Abby, is crazy happy. I love it. She's getting a little needy lately though. She wants to be right next to me all the time, has to see me and if I'm down on the floor, she is in my lap. If I'm changing SJ's diapers, she's right there in the way. Her smile though...the thought of it even, just makes me smile. Don't get me wrong, SJ's smile makes me smile too...but he is more of a handful at this point. Abby has 5 teeth now, and is crawling like a crazy woman! She started that shortly after she turned 7 months. She's pulling up on everything too. I have no doubt she'll be walking before she's 1 too. Which is completely fine with me! She gets heavy to carry...fast! But I do love that she likes to snuggle some still....because SJ is too busy right nowfor that. I know it will come back soon.
Abby's sleep changed from 12hours to waking up at 5:30 am most nights andthen back to sleep for 2 more hours. I'm not complaining, she goes from 7:30-5:30, but we could have done without this change. We get up and give her a bottle then even though the doctor told us not too...but the dilema is...let her cry and wake SJ up and have both of them cry (because believe me they do feed off of eachother when it comes to crying) or get up for the 10minutes it takes to give her a bottle and put her back down. I choose the 2nd rather then having 2 screaming babies up at 5:30 am for good!
I love my babies more than anything...they are so much fun and I am such a lucky person to have them and Big Seth. I can't imagine my life without them in it. Awesome...that's all I can say! Seth and I both think our family is perfect right now. I honestly don't think I could do the infant thing again anytime soon...I'm worn out!

How quickly things change...

So it's been a LONG time since I wrote a blog...
Abby had her 2 month appointment and weighed close to 14 lbs. She was sleeping til 5 am for the longest time and going to bed around 9. The past week or so we've put her down (well Seth has) around 8pm, right after SJ goes to bed, and she's been sleeping til 8:30...one day til 9!!! So WONDERFUL! She's sitting in her bumbo and holds herself better everyday. I can't believe she's almost 3 months old already! I tried to put her in her crib for naps last week and almost lost my mind. She was fighting me pretty good and barely slept each day.So I gave that up quickly. Then this week she fell asleep rocking in my arms and I took her up and she slept in her crib for 45 minutes. I did that 2 days. Today, I did the same thing and we're going on 2 HOURS! Seth is also in his crib and we're going on 45 minutes of them taking naps simultaneously...which is why I have time to write this!
Seth peed and pooped on the potty this week too. First time on my Birthday and he pooped twice and peed 4 times. The next day he did it again and then Wednesday he went all day with a dry diaper. He pooped in it but no pee. Then Thursday he only used the potty once, and today, after starting to pee on the floor, I put him on the potty and that's been it for today. Oh well...
We've been playing outside a lot, and Seth LOVES it. The weather has been mid to upper 80's a few days this week...so I've been in heaven too...I love it! I like the cool, windows open weather too, but summer...I can't wait for summer!!! Big Seth and I took SJ out this past Sunday morning to play while we had some bloody mary's and Abby napped. It was wonderful....we've planned to continue this as long as we can...Bloody Mary Sundays...
Not too much else going on...super busy with work and just LOVING this time of year and feeling so blessed with my little family...Seth and I tell each other every day how lucky we are...we don't taken any of this for granted, we're so thankful.

Birth of Baby Girl Greer!!

2 weeks and 1 day old and just now posting her first blog. And rushing through it at that, but I guess that's how things are going to be for a while...a blur...rushing. But I still want to take it all in. That's one of my big reasons for this blog. I know it allows people to see whats going on in our lives, but not having time to do a baby book or scrap book right now, this allows me to keep some kind of record of whats going on. My thought is one day I can print all these blogs out and maybe make a family book instead of baby books.
So, my due date for baby girl was 1/11, I was none too happy when that date came and went. At my doctor's appointment that week , Dr. Guckes didn't expect me to last a few more days. He said he'd put in for me to be induced Monday the 18th, but I could "laugh at him" if I made it that long. Guess what, Friday I got the phone call I was to be induced Monday morning at 12:45 AM!!! So yes, I made it, Sunday night I got my shower at 9pm and dried my hair, put on make up(yes to go give birth...that's one of my simple pleasures and I took advantage of it knowing it would be a while before I could take my time again!). Seth was sick with a sore throat and fever so he laid on the couch and we watched TV until my mom came over to spend the night with little Seth so we could GO HAVE A BABY! It was strange to drive us to the hospital (since Seth wasn't feeling good) so I could have a baby...how ironic huh? So they set us up in my room, which I walked to (again weird) and by 2am I had a pitocin drip. I couldn't sleep so I watched Nick at Nite:) By 4ish I could tell the contractions were getting more intense but then they slacked off. Around 5 am the nurse told me the anestehesiologist was going into surgery and if I wanted an epidural I needed to do it now because he would be unavailable for 1-1 1/2 hours. I was ok. At 5:50 I felt a contraction then almost a pop in my stomach, then a trickle. I thought my water had broke, so I made Seth call the nurse. She checked and said she didn't think so, I had another contraction and told her "no I think it did." She checked again, yep sure enough! So she left and called the Dr. By 6:15 I told Seth YOU'VE GOT TO CALL THAT NURSE and find out when I can get an epidural. Contractions were coming VERY quickly and VERY intense. I'll never forget the shirt Seth had on (his custom Steelers Shirt) because I used that Steelers Logo to focus on during each contraction. I remember telling him "I don't want to do it like this!" The nurse said the anesthesioligist was still in surgery and I had to wait...AHHHHHH!!!! So by 6:30 he was in my room thank goodness, along with the doctor. AHHH the relief of that epidural...so WONDERFUL! The doctor checked me (first time that I was checked) and I was 8 cm. So by 7:45ish I was ready to push...8:11am, baby Abigail Johanna Greer was born. They told me she was huge and would give little Seth a run for his money as far as birth weight. On the scale she went...and....9lbs 8oz!! How did I have a baby that big? So then the doctor said "what are you going to name her?" To which I answered "beast".

SJ's First Birthday and Thanksgiving

Happy Birthday baby boy! Can I still say that??? Baby boy? He's already 1! It's truly amazing how quickly a year can go by. We celebrated Andrews birthday on Saturday the 21st (his actual birthday) and Seth' s on Sunday (his actual birthday). It was fun to see how they reacted or I guess their lack of reaction to things. SJ was totally uninterested in any of his gifts or cards. He plays with some of his cards now and the next day he ONLY played with his new things. Too funny. He was unsure of his cake too. He looked at it for a while then put his hand in it, and left it there, then he finally put some in his mouth. I tried to make his little cake look like a cupcake so in order to build up the center, I used an ENTIRE tub of icing...can we say sugar rush!!!

The following week we made the trek down to Clemson, SC for Thanksgiving with my cousins, grandmother, and family. The 9 hour trip took 12 hours, and SJ did a good job. I sat in the back part of the time and daddy did the rest of the time. We had a great time, SJ had his first Thanksgiving meal too!!! We gave him a taste of everything and of course there was nothing he didn't like. Oh yeah, this is where I should mention that on our drive down we hit some traffic right in front of a Raising Cane's Restaurant!!! So of course we stopped and SJ also had his first experience with Cane's strips and Texas Toast. Again, he loved it!!!

In the midst of all this he's gotten his first little cold. Poor little guy with his snotty nose! He was a little fussy, and needy, and cuddly through it but he's back on track now. Our newest thing...watching Ni Hao Kai Lan in the morning when he wakes up in mommy and daddy's bed and then after his afternoon nap laying in our bed again and watching some of Wow Wow Wubzy. If Nick Jr. is on - he's a happy kid...he especially loves moose and zee!!!!

Next post will be our Santa experience...I wonder how he'll react!!?!?!!? I'm not expecting very well. If Santa were female I'm sure he'd do fine, but he doesn't do as well with male strangers!

A Day I'll ALWAYS remember

So I'm sitting in the living room, some of the Christmas decorations up, with a pregnant belly...again, and thinking about this day last year. I remember more about this day than any other day I think in my life...
I remember waking up in the morning, sending Seth off to work, making Cinnamon Rolls and listening to Kidd Kraddick on the internet while I uploaded Jimmy and Becky's Dewey Beach pictures to Shutterfly when I my mom called me to tell me Keri was in labor and asked if I could watch Emmy til Mike got off work. I got myself together, went over, picked her up and brought her to my house. I wanted to do something fun with her so we decided we'd start decorating my house for Christmas. It wasn't even Thanksgiving yet, but me being a week past my due date, I thought I better do it now. So we did, and it started snowing...so we went outside and took my camera and we took pictures of each other. We caught snowflakes on our tongues. Mike picked Emmy up, and I ate my lunch, cleaned up our mess and then got in the shower. I even remember that I painted my nails, plucked my eyebrows, and trimmed my bangs. Then off to the hospital to see how Keri was doing. I met my mom, Gilly, and Statia in the hall and then went back to Keri's room. I got to see my nephew be born with mom, Statia, Amanda, and Aunt Donna. I remember Aunt Donna telling me I was glowing, that she thought it wouldn't be long til' my little boy would be here. Seth came up to hospital and met Andrew, and off we went to get some of our last minute things at Babies R Us and then dinner at Fudruckers. As we left Babies R Us it started snowing again. I had a big ole hamburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake for dinner...Seth called his sister when we left the restaurant and when we got home I remember him laying on the floor with only the Christmas lights on talking to his friend Mickey. It was near 9pm and I told him I was exhausted and going to bed. Around midnight we both woke up to a rattling paper sound, we searched til we found the paper under the bed. It was then that I decided to go sleep in the chair so I'd be comfortable. About an hour later, I was in labor. and the next day my little boy was born.
Sitting here with only the Christmas lights on now reminds me of our first month home, napping in the afternoon together, watching Christmas shows and movies with only the Christmas lights on and then daddy coming home and hanging out with him the rest of the night. That was just the start of this whirlwind of a year. A whirlwind, full of wonderful memories. We are so blessedto have such a wonderful, happy little boy. Every night either Seth or I can't help but tell the other "I love that boy." I can't believe that before we know it, we'll have another little baby to give our love too. Seth and I have come so far, from a long distance relationship, dealing with Law School, the Bar, moving 1/2 way across the US, buying a house, marriage and now parenthood. God certainly blessed our broken road...and continues to bless us every day...

Exciting Weekend

I say exciting, maybe I mean crazy, fun, hormonal...
Thursday Seth and Seth flew to New Orleans. Big Seth is in a wedding this weekend and Grandmama and Aunt Steph drove in to pick up SJ. He got to spend the weekend with his Louisiana Grandparents and Aunt and cousins. Maybe he'll come back with an accent! I know daddy would love that! With them leaving, the house has been SOOOO quiet, and that makes me sad. It's been a while since I cried as hard as I did Thursday. But each day has gotten a little easier. Friday I FINALLY got my hair cut, then ran a few errands and had lunch with mom for my birthday (a little late - but still great!) Then we ran around a little and I got fabric to make curtains for the new baby's room and fabric to cover the glider. I guess that's my new project! Friday night I put up new blinds in the kitchen and Saturday morning I put them up in the baby's room. Tomorrow I'll do the ones in Seth's room! Saturday when I got home from teaching I was surprised by a baby shower!!! A little dejavu? Yes - and very strange the whole baby girl thing is still so surreal to me. You would think it would be more real by now but it's not! We got so many cute girly outfits and a double stroller - which I can't wait to put together. We got the cutest sign "a ballerina sleeps here" from my aunt and cousin and my sister gave me the baby quilt that my grandmother made in 1985 for a neighbor. She had given it back to Keri when Emily was born and now I have it for this baby girl. So special!!! Tonight my mom and I did a little shopping. So...with my busy weekend on my feet...the swelling has begun in my hands and feet! Woo hoo!!! But I only have 9 weeks to go so I can't complain too much!
Seth seems to be having a great time in New Orleans for the wedding hanging out with old highschool buddies from his hometown...not getting much sleep...but having fun. I know he probably would like to have had more sleep since we don't have to get up with Seth...maybe for his birthday next weekend:) It's his big 3-0 and I think that means you require more sleep!
SJ seems to be doing good with everyone in Vidalia - which I'm so thankful for. I was worried that he would not do well since he doesn't see them often. And of course I worried, but he's sleeping good and they said they're all having a good time with him. So I'm so thankful that he had this opportunity to spend the time with them and that they were able to spend the time with him too. I hope they took pictures!
To update what SJ is doing now...he eats everything we eat (minus the sweets that mommy craves) and he's walking! He started walking a week after he turned 11months. I'm so thankful because he's not exactly light as a feather! He's so sweet, giving kisses, and hugs, and his "so big" and "fishy lips". His smile makes my day...
I think its good to spend time away sometimes because it makes you realize what you have. I love my boys so much and don't know what I would do without them. I HAVE enjoyed my time this weekend doing things that are hard to do with a 1 year old, but I am ready to have my boys home and get back to our schedule!
Seth loves my countdowns...so here's my latest! 1 week til daddy's 30th bday, 2 weeks til SJ's 1st birthday, 2 1/2 weeks til Thanksgiving, 3 weeks til December, 3 weeks left of teaching before maternity leave, 1 month til Christmas, our Louisiana family visiting Maryland, and then 2 weeks til baby girl is due to be born!!!