The Best Mother's Day Gift Possible!

It's like we live in the country- hanging out on the porch :)


Melanie refused to be in the picture


Happy Mother's Day!


Nanna with her bird house




Natalie meeting her great-grand"ma"



Mommy's little not-looking like her girls :)


The girls posing before a church function where Natalie was recognized

Well I had multiple wonderful Mother's Day gifts but the best....SLEEP!!! Natalie is back to her wonderful sleeping habits and our nights of craziness are over. She is pooping again (though not as much as she used to...more on that later) and is a happy baby.

Saturday my mom's parents came in town to meet Natalie and celebrate Mother's Day. Melanie enjoyed playing with my grandmother and showing her the vivid imagination that she possesses. Melanie was soooooo excited to give my mom the bird feeder she painted. She has kept it a secret for 3 weeks! I couldn't believe it.

Melanie made me an adorable flower pot at school and was great at telling me Happy Mother's Day and that she loved me all day Sunday. Clint made us all pancakes for breakfast and I relished in the fact I didn't have to be in charge of anything. He also gave me a gift certificate for a massage...I just need him to schedule the babysitter and it will then be the perfect gift! Then his family all came over to celebrate Mother's Day. Melanie was yet again super excited to give Donna the birdhouse that she painted and pointed out each place where she put paint. Clint and Brian were in charge of the food- how lovely! He also made dinner but I had to complete one household task...hours of laundry. It had seriously piled up and I needed to do mass amounts of it. I called my mom and told her I distinctly remember one mother's day when I was probably in high school that my mom was whining about doing laundry. My dad and I commented then just don't do it...it was Mother's Day and we thought if you don't want to do it no one is making you- just sit down. She explained that if she didn't get it done then it wouldn't get done. We thought she was insane. Well, I called her Sunday and told her I totally "got it." It took me 27 years but I see why sometimes you have to do laundry on Mother's Day...it may be the only day of the week you have an opportunity! But all in all it was a lovely day.

Today Natalie went for her 2 month doctor appointment. She was SUPER and got the best report ever. She weighed 11 lb 15 oz (73rd %) was 22 inches (60th %). She was super social and was cooing, making eye contact and reaching for the doctor. He said socially she is exhibiting signs of a baby 1-2 months older than she is and that is a sign that other developmental markers may come along quickly also. So, in summary- SHE'S A GENIUS :) She also got 4 shots and an oral vaccine for Rotovirus. It was pitiful and Melanie was super concerned. The doctor also said to not worry about how often she is pooping- it is the makeup of the poop to worry about so all little TMI_- but we are all good in that department! Melanie was amazingly well behaved and I took her to Target for a reward (and because I was having some Target withdrawls and wanted to go myself) and she picked a cash register. She loves playing store and restaurant along with dressup and doctor these days. What a perfect weekend and day!

The Life of a Working Mom "AKA- Back to Reality"

Well, I didn't realize how nice my maternity leave was until it was over. I was shopping so much and spending so much money that I thought it was probably a good thing to return to work. Don't get me wrong...I love my job and I love working...it keeps my mind going and gives me something different to talk about rather than Melanie and Natalie but it is a bit hard to balance it all. I also am contracting part-time now with Babie's Can't Wait and I have 8 clients that I see on Wednesday. Holy Cow is that exhausting! I felt like I cheered the longest game of my life b/c it is like I am putting on a cheerleading performance for each parent and child the hour I am at their house. So when I get home it is not too much relaxing time b/c I have the girls fed, clean, and packed for the next day and then it is time for bed. This is all why I LOVE LOVE LOVE working part time. I get to get out, save a little $ (while earning $) but I have time to see the girls and play at home also.
Soooooo....Natalie has had some poop drama this week. She pooped Monday and then not again until Wednesday morning and now no more to this point. So she is super fussy at night when she feels constipated and can't go. So, she proceeds to cry ALL NIGHT!!!! Each night Clint and I are each getting about 2-4 hours of sleep. AAAHHHH!!!! Last night we were about to have a nervous breakdown when she hadn't pooped, we were sleep deprived and it was midnight and she was screaming. So I put her in the car seat and took her for a drive. It was pouring rain, I didn't have on a bra or shoes but off we went. Well after about 15 mintues I thought it was seeming pretty dangerous b/c I was getting more and more tired so we can home. Guess what she was asleep. I put her in her room (at 12:30) and just prayed she would last until my alarm went off at 4:30- no luck...she was awake 15 minutes later. So Clint and I are like zombies today She has her 2 month appointment on Monday so we will see if it is something in my diet or something causing the problems. But, other than that Natalie and Melanie are wonderful and lots of fun each day...and Natalie loves to smile and coo when I talk to her. So sweet!

Busy Bees

Having a model pose for my mom


Shelby's birthday party


We went to Grayson Days last weeked (it was SO HOT!) and this was my only picture. Melanie picked out a duck and won a GIANT inflatable hammer.


Posing with her flower- we lost the bouquet that came with her wedding set and we went to buy some fake wedding flowers at Hobby Lobby. This is the wedding flower she picked. She also uses it as a fishing pole. I tried to cut the stem to make it more like wedding flowers and she refused.


Melanie and her new hair cut (and food on her face).

Well, we've been quite busy these days.
Starting at the beginning of last week Natalie got sick. Melanie has had a constant "little kid runny nose" for about a week or more now. It is clear and hasn't slowed her down one bit. But, Natalie seemed to catch the congestion and one day last week had a temp to go along with it. One night she was up ALL night with me or Clint holding her to keep her upright (boy work was not fun the next morning!) but since then she seems to be fine sleeping. Her temp seems to have calmed down and just the congestion remains. She does not like me to use the "booger getter" to clear out her nose but you have to do what you have to do. Melanie does not like the fact that the frog humidifier is in Natalie's room instead of her own. She will look at it and say "mom I feel sick. I'm coughing and sneezing. I need the frog in my room." DRAMA! I tell her no she has a tantrum and we go on about our day.

On Tuesday I decided that I desperately needed a pedicure. I didn't know the next time I could schedule it that Clint would be home to watch the girls and the place would be open so I just said lets do it and I took the girls with me. Melanie picked out the color and sat on my lap while the lady did my toes and then she painted Melanie's. Natalie slept through it all. Melanie was SUPER until the lady was finished and it was time to let them dry. She started wiggling and scrunching her toes up so the paint got a little messed up before we ever left-but she's 2 so it is fine. I decided taking the girls is good if all I am after is the finished product of good looking toes- as for a relaxing experiece....not so much. I need to be by myself for that plan.

Then Wednesday I had an interview to work with a company that contracts through Babies Can't Wait (early intervention services for children birth-3 years old with disabilities). I told the lady Clint would be home Weds afternoon to watch the girls but she said she would rather do it during the day and to just bring the girls with me. So I did. Thank goodness it was in a therapy room with toys. Melanie was putting hats on me and having me feed babies during the interview and Natalie was wide awake and wanting to be fed and I am trying to concentrate, learn what I need to do and make smart comments. It all went well and I got the job but I was really sweating by the end. It is perfect I am going to be working 1 day a week (possibly 2 extra hours on Friday also) seeing a bunch of kids. It will work out well this summer to bring in some extra money but only have to deal with childcare 1 day a week. I have worked it out with some of my mom friends and they are going to take my kids on Wednesdays and I will take their kids one day and give them a day off- who doesn't need that every now and then!

Wednesday I decided Melanie's hair was SUPER long so I was taking her to get it cut a cute summer cut. Well, on the way I ran into the Loganville car chase with the cops. I was going down the road and this truck was coming at me super fast in my lane. When he saw me he swerved into his lane and went past and then the police came behind him. I was thinking boy is he in trouble. Then on Hwy 78 a police behind me turned on his lights. I pulled over and really thought that I wasn't going too fast. Then about 8 cop cars did a U-Turn on 78 (including the one I thought was pulling me over) and headed in the direction I was coming from. It turns out the guy had a felony warrant and ended up getting shot by the cops. DRAMA!!! But, the hair cut turned out super cute. Melanie was awfully wiggly but yet again,she is only 2. I love her cut and wish I would have done it sooner. The next day at Clint's mom she wouldn't lean back in her car seat b/c she told Donna it would mess up her hair. She also couldn't take a nap because it would mess up her hair. SERIOUSLY- what 2 year old cares about her hair that much?

Natalie is doing super. She goes to sleep around 10:30 and sleeps until some time between 2:00 and 3:00. She will eat and sleep another 2 hours or so, eat and sleep another 2 hours and eat again. She is great for Donna and my parents while I am at work. She has longer periods of awake time where she just looks around and takes in the world. She loves mobiles and I wish I had one that never turned off. I will put her in her bed with her mobile while I go do something...say laundry...and I have to run in and wind it up after folding 2 towels. She coos and smiles so much. It is quite fun.

Shelby turned 4 on Thursday. Melanie had picked out and wrapped a birthday gift for her. So she got a new tennis ball and new treats that look like cookies, goldfish crackers, and pretzels. Melanie thought they were wonderful.

Last night my mom wanted Melanie to come over for a slumber party. Clint played golf and didn't get home until close to 9:00 so it was just me and Natalie at the house for a long period of time. I didn't really know what to do with myself. I just sat holding her, reading with a glass of wine not knowing when the last time I had time like this in the evening was. It was quite nice but I just felt like surely there was something I was forgetting to do- it was very odd to have such a quiet house!

A Busy Week

All fresh and clean


After her 1st bath- she loved it!!!


Happy baby girl


Silly Melanie in the bath


Happily content in her 1st bath


Before her first bath


Sweet baby girl


Doesn't she look just like my mom!


Melanie doing some kind of pose at my mom's house

We had a bit of a busy week at our house. Natalie had her first bath this week. She LOVED it. Melanie was funny too.

I also had to go back to work this week. YUCK! It was as if I never left which is a good thing but boy do I have a HUGE "To Do" list there waiting on me. Natalie and Melanie both did great with me gone. Melanie said the sweetest thing to me the first day I was gone. I told her I had to go to work and she said, "You can't go to work, you have to stay here and be mine and Natalie's mommy." That was the only thing that made me sad about the whole situation. I know the girls are in good hands so that is the comfort I need.

My drama at work today- I went to pump first thing (7:30) before the kids got there and realized I left this tiny plastic valve part of my pump at home. I had taken the piece off to put it in the dishwasher and never put it back on. I freaked out and realized I was either a) going to get permission to make a quick run to Target or b) have my mom bring Natalie up a couple of times during the day to nurse. My boss told me I could run to Target but I was SUPER LUCKY and we have multiple nursing moms at my school and one of them luckily had extra valves. She was a HUGE lifesaver and my day was much less stressful because she was able to help me.

Natalie Meets her Great Grandfather

Popsie's (Melanie's new name for him) little lady




Mamaw and Natalie


All of the "Reed" Blood


Pawpaw and his silly girls


I like any pic where someone is this happy!


You can kind of tell her eyes are blue in this pic


Look...a kind of smile from Natalie. She actually does smile (quite unlike Melanie!)

My dad's dad came in town this past weekend and Natalie got to meet her first extended family relative on any side. I think Melanie wore everyone out. She played so hard the entire day. It was a nice day just enjoying everyone's company. Today my grandfather (Pawpaw- which confuses Melanie b/c that is what she calls Clint's dad) came to watch Melanie at gymnastics and then we went up to Moutain Park Playground and then my dad was taking him to the Braves game tonight. So a busy trip to Atlanta but it was so great that he got to some see Natalie and Melanie.

You are cordially invited...

The blushing bride


The happy couple


Strike a pose there's nothing to it...vogue


The movie star (one of my mom's neighbors took these two the other day)

Guess what...no drama to post! Melanie LOVES her new bride dress up set. So, she and Clint got married and I was invited (complete with an invitation) and I got to watch their first dance (to B 98.5). It was soooo cute. Natalie is great- growing and getting more alert every day. Yesterday she woke up when Brian came over to play (around 6:00ish) and didn't go to bed until 11:00. Holy Cow. That is the most she has ever been awake. Melanie LOVES her uncle Brian...and guess her favorite game to play with him- yes, dress up. Brian even has to have special dress up clothes at Nanna's and here :) I will get pictures of that another time.

Are you smarter than a 2 year old?

Sleepy baby (in black and white you can't see the sun on her face- which is MUCH better today).


Enjoying her first popcicle of the season- she is much better with them this year than last!


Melanie giving baby Jimmy a bath at my parents yesterday.

Apparently we are not smarter than a 2 year old.

Last night we tried to put Melanie to sleep. Melanie used to be the easiest child to get to sleep ever. But since she has been sick she created an all new routine that involves lots of crying and bargaining. Last night she cried, and cried, and had umpteen million request (books, water, babies, kisses, etc.) Well, her request with Clint was for him to turn on her heater. He explained no, that it was too hot for a heater. So, the heater remained unplugged sitting off to the side in her room. Wouldn't you know it...I went to check on her later and listened outside of her door without opening it and I heard the heater. So, I came downstairs and explained this to Clint and he went up there and she had plugged in and turned on her heater (and had it on Max so it was about 95 degrees in her room). Well, when he took it out all heck broke loose again and it was another many minutes of hysterical crying before we were able to calm her down and make her go to sleep.

Then, this morning, I went to take out the mail. Clint was at work and Natalie was in her bouncy seat. I have to close the door behind me or Shelby will run out. Well, for 2 years and 4 months this has been a nonissue. However, today as I was returning from my 30 seconds away I realize Melanie had locked me out of the house. We have a child-proof thing over the door knob and I didn't think she could reach or know what to do with the deadbolt but boy was I wrong. I went over to the neighbors and asked to borrow their phone to call Clint to come home and let me in. Chris was going to try and jump our fence to check if the sliding glass door was locked (normally it isn't but of course it was)...but thankfully Melanie turned out to be smart enough to unlock the door with my directions and let me in. She thought this whole plan was quite fun and was saying "hi" and "watcha doing" to me on the other side of the window. So, she only had to babysit Natalie for a total of about 5 minutes but good grief!!! I guess I am going to have to take my keys or Melanie with me when I check the mail or get the newspaper now.

Melanie the model

Showing off her wedding dress she got today from Ms. Mary and Ms. Mary Evelyn. They were so sweet and brought Melanie a big sister gift when they dropped by to see Natalie and give her a welcome to the world gift. Natalie received her first baby doll from them. Apparently Mary Evelyn's first doll was named "Rosie" and Melanie approved that name so Natalie's first doll is named "Rosie."


In the car on the way to Mamaw's and Pops'


Melanie preparing to leave the house- notice Matilda...we made sure to have her bottle with us!

Well, as you can see Melanie is quite the fashionista these days. She is one of the reasons we are always running behind- she has to be more coordinated than me when we go somewhere. The tantrums are becoming fewer in number so hopefully it was very short lived. The girls' sunburns do not look quite as bad today- my burn is still quite painful but oh well. Natalie is so pitiful with her bright red face. Boy did I learn my lesson.

I get an "F" in parenting...

Melanie enjoying our picnic




Her eyes are turning quite blue- maybe they will be as pretty as Melanie's.


Showing off her 9lbs 4 oz

There have been a couple of times lately that I have messed up but I didn't feel too guilty in the end. Once I forgot to turn Natalie's monitor back up after I fed her in the middle of the night so I slept through her next feeding. Then, there were a couple of times I might have gotten a bit too frustrated with Melanie's tantrums. However, today I feel the most guilty of all.

The day started off great. We were meeting our friends Elizabeth and Sarah at the park. I got the girls ready and off we went. We ended up meeting up with another friend, Jennifer, who is due in October. We went walking around the trail (which is about 70% in the shade) and then went to the playground with the girls which also has a shaded area. I have a friend's double stroller I am borrowing. The canopy part of the stroller does not fit in my trunk easily so I have to remember to put it in each time I put in the stroller. Well, today I forgot it. After a fun time at the playground Melanie and I had a picnic lunch outside because it was so beautiful out. Natalie stayed under the garage but Melanie and I ate in the driveway. After our picnic lunch Melanie played in her sandbox b/c Clint put fresh sand in it and I nursed Natalie in the shade. However, this being the first pretty day of the season I forgot to put sunscreen on us all. Normally I am the sunscreen queen constantly reapplying our SPF 50. But, this afternoon after we had been in a for a while I realized I totally dropped the ball. Natalie, thank goodness was in the shade most of the day and had on long sleeves and long pants. So, her little cheeks and nose are quite red but I wouldn't say burned. Melanie, thank goodness, has her father's skin and has red shoulders and arms but that is it. Me, on the other hand, I am completely burned on my shoulders, arms and chest to the point it hurts. In total we were out maybe 2 1/2 hours, some of which was shaded...but when the palest mother and a brand new baby meet the sun it is not pretty. I can deal with my own burn- it is me learning my lesson and Melanie is fine but I feel SUPER GUILTY about Natalie. Hopefully by tomorrow the redness will go away. I hope it is not bothering her- she is not crying or anything and she doesn't have a temperature. But, I will feel so much worse if it does not get better soon.

Ahhh, peace again!

So, we've had a few minor tantrums but nothing major and the past (almost 24 hours) have been quite nice!

Funny stories from last night:
Clint put Melanie to bed and drama began because Matilda, one of her dolls, did not have her bottle. Clint explained that Matilda did not need her bottle until the morning. Matilda happens to be a talking doll (gee, thanks Ruth...) and Clint pushed her belly and she said "mama" and Clint said, "See, she is not hungry." Smart Melanie was quick with a comeback and pushed Matilda's belly until she cried and said, "See Daddy, she is hungry." So he just had to leave saying Matilda doesn't get a bottle.

Then, later on that night (around 11:30) I am finishing what I hope to be the last nursing session for a little while and I hear Melanie start screaming in her bed. So, in order to keep Natalie in her sleepy stage I go and get Clint and tell him to deal with Melanie. I hear Melanie continue to scream through Clint's attempts at whatever he was having to deal with. So, I go put Natalie down and go in Melanie's room to see what the drama is. Melanie had somehow managed to get both of her legs in one leg hole of her pajama shorts and it was cutting off her circulation. Don't ask me when or how she did that but it happened and she didn't want Clint to remedy the situation, only me. So, Clint left and I attempted to calm her down and get her to fall back asleep. She dozed off and I attempted to leave and she said, "Wait mom, I need Matilda's bottle." SERIOUSLY!!!! Are you kidding me? It is now midnight- I don't care one bit about the silly baby bottle. I explain no and goodnight then I head back to re-try my attempt to get Natalie asleep. But, after that the night was fine and event-free.

Natalie had her one month doctor appointment today. Clint was able to go also thank goodness!!! Melanie was super- just a little bored and wished it was her doctor appointment (oddly enough she enjoys going to the doctor these days). But, Natalie got a clean bill of health- hooray. And, guess what, she gained 2 lbs since her last appointment- holy cow!!! She weighed 9lb 4 oz and was 21 3/4 inches long. Her weight was in the 50th percentile and height in the 70th percentile. She had to get one shot and HATED it!!!

All in all today was drama free- WAHOOOOO!!!

We've Survived...but are a little tired!

Melanie continued to not sleep through the night Thursday night. Sleeping with us yet again. I was up with both of the girls around 12:00 and finally got Natalie to sleep. I fell asleep watching HGTV and then I wake up and Melanie still watching it- quite content. I brought her to sleep with us and she complained to Clint and I much of the night that we were touching her pillow. Thank goodness for my mom coming over bright and early the next morning to give me a chance to take a nap and then she took Melanie for most of the day and I got to relax with Natalie. However, Melanie woke up from a nap at my parents complaining about her ear hurting. She has never had an ear infection so I was thinking it might be a true complaint. We took her to the doctor the next morning and she is just fine- but with a cold. So yet again a pointless dr. visit but I guess I like it that way- I didn't want her to be sick. So we are constantly trying to keep Melanie and Natalie away from each other which is not an easy task. Our friends had a wedding shower last night so my parents watched the girls for a few hours while we were out. Natalie was super with the bottle and sucking it down!

This morning Melanie decided she no longer wanted to be a big sister. We are trying our best to give Melanie alone time with one of us or our parents but it does not seem to be enough. She only wants to go to the person with Natalie. This morning I was trying to nurse Natalie, eat cereal and read the paper (some super multi-tasking) and oh my, my paper touched Melanie's place mat. She freaked out and started to have a tantrum. I told her I would fix it all after Natalie finished eating. She said she "I don't want Natalie anymore." So that was the first anti-Natalie sentiment so far. Then Melanie continued to have a tantrum as we attempted to go to the grocery store. She got mad on the drive that the doll she brought did not have the correct baby bottle and proceeded to throw the doll at Clint and I in the front seat. So, Clint got out at the grocery store with Natalie and I told Melanie that we would go in when her tantrum was over. Finally it kind-of finished and we attempted to go in the store. We have to use the new carts b/c both girls don't fit in the old carts. Melanie got really angry at that idea and started having another fit and I put her in timeout at the grocery store. She got out of timeout and ran out of the store. So needless to say I wasn't happy with that idea. Finally the drama ended and we completed our grocery shopping. So...maybe it took Melanie a little while to realize it but I think she does not love being a big sister right now. Hopefully that will change soon!

So pitiful!

Last night after feeding Natalie around 3:30 I went back into our room and tried to fall asleep. The next thing I know I look up and see our bedroom door opening. At first I was confused trying to process what is happening and then I get nervous and then sweet little Melanie is coming in with her step stool. She climbs up on our bed. I a little bit want to laugh but then I try to explain it is not time to come in our room yet. (She is only beginning to master coming out of her room when she wakes up...we are only on about week 2 of this process.) She is crying saying that her doll, Jessica's, hat fell off and she needs help putting it on. I'm thinking whatever...it is the middle of the night- Clint, go put on the hat and put her back to sleep. Sweet Clint however is actually concerned about Melanie whereas I was concerned about my sleep and says, "Leslie, I think she has a temperature." I touch her and holy cow she was burning up. We have been super fortunate with Melanie and she never gets sick. She has had a couple of colds in her life but that is it. So I go digging around in the kitchen and find her thermometer and Tylenol and juice (she requested juice please) and head back upstairs. Well, I haven't taken Melanie's temp since probably last summer. I don't know at what age kiddos can go under the tongue- some of students at work can't even do that yet so since it is the middle of the night I go with old trusty- the booty temp. Melanie thinks this is the worst plan she has ever heard of. She keeps screaming I am hurting her bottom and I finally (after the longest 10 seconds ever) get a temp of 101.2. So, I give her a dose of Tylenol which she doesn't take as well as she used to and let her sleep with us. I guess Clint decided that plan sucked so he slept on the couch and I had Melanie squished as close to me as possible coughing and sweating on me as I am about to fall off of the bed. So I had that intermingled with Natalie feedings. Melanie woke up with no temp but still a yucky cough so obviously no school today for her- we are having cartoon day instead. I am just praying Natalie gets no part of the sickness. Temps in babies are not funny and require a trip to the hospital which I want no part of so I am trying to keep the girls apart and I am using super amounts of hand sanitizer for me going between the two girls. But hopefully this will be short lived and my super immunities will have already gotten to Natalie through some breast milk and Melanie's will still be lingering around!

On a completely different note: We attempted Mexican last night (our normal Weds night ritual) for the first time since Natalie was born. Our friends, the Teck's, came with us even though they haven't in a while. So it was 6 adults (Chris, Aileen, TJ, me, CLint, and Amy) and a 3 year old, 2 year old, 1 year old, 3 week old, and a fetus. Holy Cow!!! 6 chairs and 4 high chairs= chaos! But it was fun and funny- the manager guy told us we had to stop having kids b/c he'll have to order more high chairs but little does he know Aileen's baby will be here in October....TJ & Becca- what are you thinking? J/K :)

Life At Our House

Pawpaw finally got to meet Natalie


Pawpaw and his two little ladies


What happens when you leave 2 year olds alone with stickers


What happens when you leave 2 year old alone with markers


Sleeping peacefully


Playing dress up before dinner


Melanie eating dinner in her dress up clothes


Our two little girlies



Go Braves!!


Natalie at 3 weeks