Jack's 4 month appointment

Baby Jack in his jumperoo

Jack had his 4 month appointment on 5/29/13.  He is doing great!  He is 16 lbs 2 oz (50-75%) and 26 3/4 in long (98%).  His head is 42 cm (50-75%).  He is a growing boy!  He is eating oatmeal 2x day which is going well.

He rolled from his back to his tummy for the first time this week.  Then at daycare he propped himself up on his elbows and his knees a couple time.  He's going to be on the move soon!

He is a happy little guy and his smiles melt our hearts!  Madelyn is protective of her little brother - she is always asking about baby Jack.  Jack has gone to my parents a couple times (so we can get some sleep) and when he leaves she gets upset because she doesn't want him to go.  Glad she still likes having in around :)

His favorite thing to do is jump in the jumperoo.  He bounces and bounces and smiles the whole time!  The piece we are struggling with the most is sleeping, esp at night.  He doesn't sleep for any long stretches and is up at least every 3 hours, if not before.  We are trying some new techniques in order to help him (and us!) get better sleep.  We didn't have to teach Madelyn to fall sleep on her own....she just seemed to pick it up.....but we are going to have to help Jack with this one.

Madelyn loving her baby Jack!

Jury Duty/Thrush

The beginning of the week was busier and a bit more hectic than normal.  I was called for Jury Duty last week.  I was on the "on call" list and ended up having to report on Tuesday which meant I had to be downtown Mpls by 8:15 am.

I had mapped out where I needed to report over the weekend since I'm not as familiar with downtown so I found the parking ramp no problem.  I got turned around in the parking ramp and ended up going into the Hennepin County Jail instead of the Government Center.  I knew I was in the wrong place when 5 police officers met me at the door.  They kindly told me the building I needed to be in was across the street.

The room where we all convene is in the basement so there is terrible cell phone reception.  I knew something was wrong with one of the kids when I saw a voice message come through from Ryan.  Daycare thought Jack had thrush.  Madelyn never had thrush so I wasn't familiar with this one but I had a feeling something was up with Jack because he only slept for 20-30 min stretches the night before.  You could tell he was uncomfortable but since he hasn't been the best sleeper I figured it was just another one of those sleepless nights.  Looking back I felt so bad as I should have just rocked him/snuggled him all night long.

Ryan took him to the dr and the dr confirmed he had thrush along with a yeast infection on his bottom.  Poor little guy!  It was so hard for me to not be there & take Jack to his appointment.  Thankfully my job is flexible so I can be there when my kiddos aren't feeling well......but I knew he was in great hands and I would be home soon enough.  Jury Duty is much more rigid so I wasn't allowed to leave.  I'm sure if I had to leave I could have but it all worked out.

The medicine helped quickly as he was back to his up every 3 hours that night.  Funny how that feels like a long time compared to the night before :)

I ended up being selected as an alternate juror for a criminal case but they didn't need any of the alternates so we were dismissed.

The day ended on a bright note as I found out I didn't have to report for Jury Duty on Wed!  I was ecstatic because we had Jack's 4 month appt on Wed and after the events of Tuesday I really wanted to go to his appointment.

I can't get enough of these 3......

I love them so much!  Seeing all their smiles makes me so happy!

Owatonna

Yesterday we went to Owatonna to pick up Jack.  We had such a fun day in Owatonna!  It's nice to get down there to spend time with my parents and also to see my grandparents.  My grandma recently broke her pelvis and is in a rehab center and my grandpa has been battling breathing issues and is now living by himself since my grandma is in the rehab center.  It's always good to see them and I know they enjoy seeing us and their great grandkids.

Madelyn had fun playing with all the "new" toys at Nana's house.

Playing in the kitchen

Talking on the phone

Bouncing on the zebra

Having so much fun!

Then it was off to the "outside" with Papa!

All smiles!

Swinging on the big kid swing!

Next we went to visit Great Grandpa & Great Grandma.

Helping Great Grandma Marlys play BINGO

Great Grandma loves rocking babies!

Great Grandma, Madelyn & Jack

Great Grandpa Arnie & Jack

Great Grandpa, Madelyn & Mommy

We ended the day playing at Nana & Papa's.  Madelyn's new favorite thing to do is to play Monkey Lunchbox on the iPad.  It's a game that teaches shapes, colors, matching.

Coloring with markers

Happy Jack, just hanging out

Madelyn & Papa playing Lunchbox Monkey

Jack & Papa

Best we could get between smiles & looking at the camera!

Madelyn, Mommy & Daddy

Jack went to my parents on Thursday night so we could spend some one on one time with Madelyn (and so we could get a full night's sleep!).  Jack has been inconsistent with sleeping lately but I think he's turned a corner recently and is getting better again.  It's been hard being back to work and being up 3-4 times/night with Jack.  He's worth every second of it but I was getting to a point where I needed some sleep.

The best part was that we got some to spend time with just Madelyn!  It was so fun although it definitely feels different when Jack isn't with us since part of our family is missing.  We all missed Jack and Madelyn was very sad to see Jack leave on Thursday night.  She loves her little brother and is very protective of him!  It's so sweet!

On Friday night Madelyn, Ryan & I went out for pizza and then we went to Dairy Queen for dessert.  Madelyn ran around, played and had a great night!  She grows up more & more every single day.  She's such a sweetheart! 

Saturday morning we went to Isle Bun & Bakery, on our way to pick up Jack.  Madelyn loved the puppy dog tails (that's the name of the treats we get at Isle Bun & Bakery) and she also loved seeing all the puppies walking around down by the lakes.

Then we were off to Owatonna to pick up Jack.......

Madelyn & Mommy at Isle Bun & Bakery

My babies

Madelyn absolutely adores her baby brother!  She loves to play with him and is always helping out whenever he spits up, spits out his paci, needs his diaper changed......you name it, she's there.  She wanted her picture taken with Jack the other night so here are my babies!  I smile every time I see these two.....knowing how blessed we are to have 2 happy and healthy children!  Life is great at our house!

Rolling Over

Jack has been rolling over from his tummy to his back for a few weeks and this weekend I finally got a few pictures!  Jack was 4 months old yesterday - time goes so fast I can hardly believe it!

Getting ready.....

here I go.....

I did it!!!

Mother's Day!

Beyond blessed that Madelyn and Jack call me mommy!! :)

Gymnastics

Walking on the balance beam

Madelyn is in a tiny tot gymnastics class.  It's been so much fun!  It's 8 sessions and Madelyn has gotten more comfortable each time.  They do stretches, walk on the balance beam, jump off the spring board, do summersaults, hang on the bar, crawl through a tunnel and play with a parachute.  The 1st week she would bounce on the spring board and then step onto the mat and by the 2nd week she was jumping off the spring board.  She practices the bear walk and high kick steps at home.  She's still a little shy about doing them in class but we still have 2 more sessions so you never know!  It has been such a positive experience!

Madelyn's friends, Evie & Teagie, are in the same class which makes it even more fun.  We have coordinated play dates after most of the sessions which gives Madelyn (and us) something to look forward to on Saturday mornings!

Doing stretches while holding my shape

Tumbling!

Hanging from the bar

Jumping off the spring board