Sick House

Things come in threes right?  Let's hope that's all.   Last Thursday I got treated for a sinus infection/respiratory infection (steroid shot, oral antibiotic and two nasal sprays).  Then yesterday, Parker was running over a 102 fever and we went to the doctor and he got an antibiotic for a double ear infection (his first ear infection).  And then today we went back to the pediatrician with Carleigh because she was running a fever and had a persistant cough for the past few days.  Turns out she has a sinus infection, too!  So she got a nasal spray and an antibiotic.  These prescriptions, in combination with the tylenol and motrin we are rotating, are filling up our kitchen countertop!

Dierks Bentley Concert

We had an adults only rodeo date night on Saturday.  Shay, Dustin, myself, Jordyn and Mike went and enjoyed the rodeo festivities, and the Dierks Bentley concert.  It was fun running into our other friends and neighbors, too!!!  We had amazing tickets in row 4, thanks to Andrea and Ronnie and had a fabulous time!  A little too fabulous, come Sunday, but that's okay.

Carleigh's 2.5 year interview

This was just an impromptu "question" session with Carleigh I videoed last week, as lately, she asks me to ask her questions.  Pretty cute to watch (don't ask about the princess dress ... she likes to rub her face with them).

Carleigh's 3rd and last trip to the Rodeo this season

Thursday, after gymnastics class, Carleigh and I had a little one on one mommy/daughter time at the Rodeo fairgrounds.  Papaw was kind enough to watch Parker and just being with her reminded me how much easier traveling with a potty trained toddler is than an infant.  No strollers, diapers, bottles, or various other baby necessities to carry around.  I wasn't sure she'd be that into the rodeo since this was her 3rd visit in 2 weeks, but boy did she show me.

Carleigh rode the live horses more than a few times (I spent $36 on tokens for the horses ... that's love).  We went into the petting zoo, and she liked it, but Carleigh was all about riding that day ... so we also went on the carousel about 10 times!  On a side note, a worker was blowing bubbles out of a bubble gum right by the carousel and believe it or not, she spent 10-15 minutes running around chasing the bubbles!  Not exactly what you'd think a kid would do at the rodeo, but different strokes for different folks.

We had such a good time but I could tell she was getting tired so we said good-bye to the horses and the carousel and called it a day.  I was certain she'd fall asleep in the car on our way home and again, she proved me wrong.  She actually never napped at all, but I'll save that for another post.

I tried to be in the moment with her more than a photographer, since these experiences weren't new, but couldn't help but take a few...

One Month Potty Training Anniversary!

A day shy of 2.5 years old, one month ago, Carleigh committed to potty training.  Tuesday marked the one month anniversary and we celebrated with ice cream and, of course, new panties!

  It only took a day or so for her to realize that she HAD to get to the potty or else, and since then she's amazed us!  Don't get me wrong, we've had a few accidents here and there but her desire to be a big girl, combined with her fear of having to wear a diaper, has helped her accomplish this huge milestone!!!

In typical Carleigh-Rainman fashion, she laid the new panties out in a meticulous line, identifying each princess along the way, reciting what each says.

She still wears overnight diapers at night but we've begun the transition to panties during naps (that is, when she'll take a nap).

So pleased with herself, as are we!!!

Parker's First Cereal Meal

Tuesday evening, we decided to try some oatmeal cereal per the pediatrician's advice.  I was wanting to wait until closer to 6 months, but since Parker is sitting up so well, the doctor thought he was ready.

The first bite went in, and of course, a lot came out but his reaction initially was ambivalence, almost.

That is, until he swallowed.  He's not a fan ... yet!

Weather Wowzers

I awoke this morning and, though it was overcast a bit, knew it was going to be a great day to get outside!  I was able to confirm that on my morning run so Carleigh, Parker and I met up with Carter and Tara at Bullis Park mid-morning.  Carleigh had never been to this park and Carter showed her the ropes!  The two had a blast!

After the playground, we went to, where else?  McDonald's.  And not just any McDonald's (many are disgustingly dirty) but the one in Stone Oak across from the Mormon Temple.  We only go to that one or the one at The Rim.  Carleigh was super tired but didn't want to pass up on a McDonald's opportunity.  There was a major Carleigh meltdown while ordering so she and I had a little "talk" after which she pulled herself together and enjoyed playing.  Her and Carter exerted a little more energy and then cozied up together with ice cream.  

Thanks for an amazing morning, Carter!  Oh, and we missed you T! :)

Four Months Already?

So crazy how the time passes so quickly the second time around!  Parker is four months old, as of yesterday. He did great at our well visit.  He received 3 shots and an oral vaccine and he barely even cried!!!  What a tough little guy!

Speaking of little, he has definitely slowed down in the growth department, the doctor said this happens between 4-6 months as babies begin to sit up and move more.  He weighed almost 14 pounds, 13 oz (40%) and was 25" tall (50%).  He said Parker looked great but did diagnose him with a mild case of eczema, which was no surprise to us.  For now we are just going to use hydrocortisone 1% on it and not resort to the prescription steroid stuff we use on Carleigh, if we can help it.

Please don't let it hurt!

At 4 months, Parker is standing with assistance and stomps his feet up and down but doesn't take steps side to side yet.  If he had his way, he'd be on his feet all the time!  I have to force tummy time.

He sits up for quite a while now and loves it! 

This is our second week on 30 mg/day of Prevacid Solutabs and we've noticed a marked improvement with his GERD.  Hopefully, by 6 months, we can wean back down to 15 mg/day.  As far as temperament, Parker is still a laid back HAPPY guy!  He does fuss but it's always for a fixable reason.  As far as sleeping, he just went through a growth spurt/tummy bug in the last week that had him up every 2-3 hours.  I think we are past that and hopefully can return to the long stretches of sleep again!

We love you, little man!

Monkey Bar Milestone! (Video)

Carleigh celebrated a big moment today!  She went one wrung all by herself!  She was so proud off herself and so were we!!!

Sunday Family Funday

There's nothing quite like a fabulous weather day to end a weekend!  It was perfect conditions for being outside today.  The kids swung (ok Parker just sat uncomfortably) and played on the playset while the dogs ran around in the backyard, too!  It was so nice after several days of rain and wetness.

Carleigh made a huge monnkey bar accomplishment, swinging one wrung all by herself!

We then went on a family walk and went to a flatter cul-de-sac to let Carleigh practice pedaling her tricycle. Of course, her princesses had to come with her and ride in the basket!

Way to go, sweetie!

What do you think?

Everyone says how much Parker and Carleigh look alike and while I see a resemblence, I don't think they look that much alike.  So today, while I was cleaning up, I put him in his Bumbo on the counter next to me (gasp! I know they've been recalled).  I handed him a wooden spoon since it was handy and he could entertain himself. Of course, once I saw the joy on his face, I had to snap a few pics and then remembered I had taken some of Carleigh doing the same thing when she was around his age.  What do y'all think?

 

Their serious faces (ok let's be honest, getting Carleigh to smile was like pulling teeth and normally we only got one out of like twenty takes).  Parker is a week shy of 4 months here and Carleigh is a week shy of 5 months.

Their happy faces (see we couldn't even get one of Carleigh looking head on).

Instead of one out of twenty takes to get a smile out of Parker, it takes one out of twenty takes to get a serious face.  These are his outtakes :)

 So what's y'all's consensus?  Do you still think they look alike???

Dustin's going to kill me

Yep, he is wearing slippers and a onesie that says "I hate being the scapegoat for Daddy's toots." :)