2 Week Update

Well the past 2 weeks has definitely been an adjustment for everyone. The first 10 days Darrin was home and little Grayson was an angel baby. I would feed him, change him and he would sleep for hours, which was totally different than how Reagan was. Darrin and I were both getting up at nights with him. I would feed him and try to get him back to sleep, if I was too tired Darrin would put him to sleep. It seemed like it was harder to get him back to sleep at night. Sometimes it would take a few hours, but then during the day he was so easy. We were busy going back and forth from each grandparents house and so we kept busy. Darrin would take Reagan to the park during the day and I would stay home with Grayson and rest.

Monday, the 21st, we decided to give Grayson his first bottle. He did great and took it with no problem. We wanted to make sure he was getting enough milk since he was so small. He was born 6lbs 12 oz and when we left the hospital he was 6lbs 3 oz. So tiny.

The next day Darrin took him to the doctor because he had a little congestion and a cough. His peditrition said it was just allergies and nothing to worry about, just to use some saline spray and a cool mist humidifier.

Wednesday, the 23rd, Darrin left to go back to Mongomery, AL. He is working there temporarily, so he will fly back home every other weekend. We knew he was going to be back and forth for a little while so we planned for a night nanny to come and help out during the nights. Since Reagan doesn't go to a MDO or anything, it would be hard for me to be up alone with Grayson during the nights and then have enough energy to entertain Reagan and him during the day. Ms. Sharon stared tonight and has been a huge help, totally worth every penny. She comes at 9:30pm and stays until 7:30am Monday through Thursday.

Thrusday, the 24th, Grayson had his 2 week doctor appointment and it was the first time I would take both kids out alone. The appointment was at 1:45pm and I think around 11:30am I started getting ready. Getting myself dressed, both kids, packing my bag, feedings and just loading up the car would take a while, so I started early. We made it on time, 10 minutes early actually, and everyone was happy. Grayson was sleeping and Reagan was content. Of course we waited in the waiting room for about 15 minutes and then they called us back. Grayson was sound asleep and the nurse wanted me to undress him so she could weigh and measure him. I cringed just thinking about waking him up, I just knew once he was awake the doctor would take forever before coming into our room. Sure enough, I was right. About 40 minutes later she came in. Reagan was tired of being in there, Grayson had eaten and wasn't going back to sleep and we all 3 were on the verge of a meltdown.

Once she came in, everything looked great. He had gained more than his birth weight and had passed all his tests.

Weight - 7 lbs 4 oz

Height - 21 in

Later that day and into the night is when the fussiness started. It was as if he became a whole different baby. He was so gassy and just so uncomfortable. You could just hear his stomach rumbling. The nanny said he was up all night and she couldn't get him to sleep. All this sounded way to familiar, we dealt with this for 3 months with Reagan and it was terrible. Right away we decided to get him on formula, similac alimentum, the same one that Reagan was on and he was much better. Needless to say, I am not breast feeding anymore. I could have tried to figure out what to eliminate from my diet to make it better, but there were so many foods to watch out for that I would have driven myself crazy. And honestly, I don't have time for that.

Other than that Grayson has been doing great. He doesn't sleep for long stretches during the day. From about noon until around 5 is his up and kinda fussy, just not wanting to sleep time. He is sleeping in 4 to 6 hour stretches at night and still is a pretty easy baby.

Reagan is kinda having a hard time adjusting to someone else consuming my time. She is used to 100% attention from me and she needs it. She is not independent. She has thrown more fits lately and had her first tantrum the other day, it was terrible. I thought something wrong with her. I could not believe how she was acting. She was so mad/angry for no reason and nothing would console her. I tried ignoring her at first but that didn't work, it only made things worse. After about 15 minutes, I tried talking with her, that didn't work. I tried to distract her, that didn't work. Finally, after about 30 minutes she decided to take her cup of milk ( since it was bedtime) and just lay down. It was really tough for me to see her like that, I had a good cry that night and then started researching tantrums. I thought it was more than just a tantrum, but sure enough, that's what it was. Other than that, she is pretty good. I just have to make sure to give her plenty attention and play with her during the day.

She is still learning how to be gentle. She must ask me 100 times a day, "I hold baby brother, I hold him." Problem is, she just doesn't know how aggressive she can be. She wants to squeeze him and love and kiss on him and it's always a little to hard, but she is getting better. I know she just loves him and is trying to care for him in the way she sees me care for him. I just try remember it takes time and I have to be patient with her. (which can be hard)

Pops Weekend Here

Pops came in town this weekend to finally get his chance to meet his new grandson. Of course, he fell in love instantly.

We had such a great weekend. Pops played with his favorite grandkids,

he loves getting that belly meat.

Saturday morning we all ventured out for Dylan's soccer game. He is definitely the team captain. He scored 7 out of 9 goals for the team and was the only one who really knew what was going on!

After the game we came back to Honey and Pops' house. The weather was beautiful so we just enjoyed the day outside.

The next day, Sunday, we went to the park and Grayson enjoyed his first time in the stroller. He did pretty much what he has been doing the last week, slept the entire time.

Meanwhile, Dylan and Reagan were running all through the park having fun.

Everything Dylan did, Reagan was right there to copy. Usually she just wants to swing while she is at the park, but with Dylan there she follows him around.

Reagan was getting Pops,

then Pops got her.

Dylan was trying to teach Reagan how to roll down the hill. She wasn't so sure about it at first, she didn't want to do it, but then she gave it a try. Instead of rolling she really just scooted down the hill.

Everyone was worn out, time to all go home and take a nice long nap.

We had a wonderful weekend with Pops. Thanks for coming home to see us, we love and miss you!

Comparing Birth Pictures

Reagan Marie

Grayson Paul

It's hard to tell if they will look alike or not since Reagan was 8lbs 9 oz and poor little Gray was just 6lbs 12 oz. I do think they have some similarities but I am not totally sold that he will look like Darrin as much as Reagan does. I think he is going to look more like me and she is going to look more like him. Of course, they change so much in the beginning that it makes it hard to tell. It will be interesting to see as time goes by who Grayson looks like and if the two of them look alike.

Reagan Finally Meets Her Little Brother!

We decided not to bring Reagan up to the hospital until the day we were leaving. We just thought it would be harder on her than if we just didn't see her at all. Once she saw us, it would be hard to get her to leave without throwing a huge fit, and we were unsure of how much she would really understand. So, I spent my very first 2 nights ever away from her.

Saturday my parents and sister brought her up to see us and she meet her baby brother for the first time. It was so good to see her, I was more emotional than I thought I would be. She was just so happy to see us and it seemed like she was so much bigger than I remembered!

We got Reagan a bunch of goodies to open at the hospital. We told her it was a gift from her baby brother because he was loved her and was happy she was his big sister.

Our new family of four.

Huge thank you to all our family who came together to help us take care of Reagan while we were in the hospital.

Sister - I can't thank you enough for everything you did. Taking the time off work to spend 4 days with us, driving into town, being by my side during delivery, making me look soap opera good at all times, making cookies, banners and picture collages, helping mom during the day/nights with Reagan, taking and uploading pictures and being nothing but helpful, loving and supportive.

Mom - Thank you for taking time off work to take care of Reagan. I know she loves being with her Nonna and playing together in the toy room. Thanks for rocking her to sleep and being there through the night to make sure she was okay. I could never thank you enough for all that you do for us.

Dad - Thanks for coming up to see us and always being there in the background. I know you are always just a phone call away. Especially when my car decides to die while driving down the road with 2 kids in the back seat!

Honey - Thank you so much for taking care of Reagan. I never have to worry when she is with you and I know she is always having fun. Thanks for sending pictures updating us on how she is and what y'all are doing. We are so lucky to have a special, sweet Honey like you. Someone who is always there to help and offer a hand whenever you can.

Tricia, Dustin and Lance - Thank you also for watching Reagan and letting her play with her favorite cousin. I would have loved to have been there when it was just Uncle Dustin, Uncle Lance and both kids. Especially when they thought they were going to have to change a dirty diaper! Lance, thanks for surprising us and making the drive. That is probably the one thing Darrin will remember the most. We love you guys.