Thanksgiving 2015

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we enjoyed.  We had a successful drive to B's parents, Joanna's first road trip.  She napped for an hour and forty minutes until Vivian woke her up from whining trying to get out of her car seat.  That child.  Thankfully Joanna was continent the remainder of the way.  Drive time total is 2 hours 15 minutes.

The food was wonderful and the company was even better.  The girls got plenty of attention.  Vivian was able to try out the neighbor's tricycle.  She had a difficult time understanding the concept of peddling.  She'll get there!  She also loved playing with the wind chimes that his parents have in their backyard.  She would make it play the sound and run around in circles.  She was a happy girl!

Joanna was content and happy.  She didn't make a peep.  Just sat pretty, smiled and took everything in.  B's Nannie sure did love spending time with her great grandbabies!

Our drive back was successful as well.  Vivian did wake from a forty minute nap that woke Joanna up again.  Again, Joanna was content.  We got home around 6:30 pm.  The trip turned out a lot better than expected.  I thought for sure we were going to have several stops for Joanna like we did with Vivian when she was her age.  Joanna handles the car seat a heck of a lot better!  Thank goodness!!

 

Happy 1/2 Birthday!

Well Joanna, I blinked and you're now 6 months old!  How's that even possible?  I want time to slow down, but yet I'm excited for what the next months will bring us.  

You're a petite thing like your sister. You currently weigh around 14 pounds, but will know your definite weight on Dec 1. You're still wearing a size 2 diaper and 3-6 months clothes.

You've had a big month.  You discovered your feet, can push up on your arms during tummy time, took your first stroller ride in the neighborhood and started eating solids.  You like sweet peas and squash. 

 You are still nursing around every 2 hours with the occasional stretches to 3 hours while awake. You do however become very distracted while nursing.  I can't speak at a normal tone or have Vivian dancing/playing around you.  You rather see what's going on vs eating.  Mommy has to go in another room with no distractions which a lot of times is impossible.  

You are the queen of 30 minute naps.  You take 2-3 naps a day and if you miss your 3rd nap, night time sleep is a mess.   You become overtired and wake multiple times a night and sometimes it can take anywhere between 1-2.5 hours to get you back to sleep.  If I can get you to take that 3rd nap, you wake 1-2 times at night.  Your in bed between 6-7 pm and sleep until 6-7:30 am, but lately you are up for the day at 6 am.  I do leave you in your crib close to 6:30 if all possible.  I guess I have two early risers on my hands!

You like Elmo, Sofie the Giraffe and books. Your favorite is 'That's Not My Lamb'

 

Sweet Joanna, you have the most contagious laugh.  Your entire face lights up and those dimples come out.  Truly melts my heart.  Vivian is the best at getting you to laugh.  You both look at one another and the laughter begins.  Music to mommy's ears!!

 You really don't have too many dislikes sweet angel.  You tolerate your car seat, but you don't love it.  I wish you would stay asleep anywhere we go like a lot of babies I  see!  You do get upset if you are awake too long.  You aren't a fan if mommy isn't in the same room as you and there are days you want to be held the majority of the day.  

You have been a true blessing sweet angel.  I love more than you'll ever know sweet girl. 

  

Keeping our sanity

Being cooped in the house can be tiring and lets face it, boring.  I try my best to change each day up so Vivian doesn't become fussy or aggravated with me that we are stuck here.  Winter sucks. I long for spring. 

 Honestly, there is only so much you can do with a 7 month old.  Yes, we were sick for 2 weeks but that has finally moved out of the Kinard household.  Minus an occasional cough, sneeze or sniffle. 

In the past few weeks we've had randomly nice weather.  Weather in the 60's.  Love.  On those days we are out the door.  Whether we go shopping, to the park or just in our backyard.  The day before Vivian got her nasty cold we spent a lot of the day outside.  It was in the low 60's and had her dressed in her cute little spring outfit and enjoyed our day.  I didn't put a hat on her so I thought I was the reason why she got sick which was not the case.  The Dr said the day you become sick actually happens 3 days before you start having symptoms.  

We took Mr. Brody on a long walk, went to Dragonflies Boutique and hung out in the backyard playing with toys.

It was a great day.  

Then the sickness hit. Sigh.  Again, glad that's over with! 

When we are stuck inside we play with toys, scarves, household items, let her roll around on the floor, nap, eat, be silly, help mommy cook, hang upside down like a monkey, work on tummy time with a beach ball, read and whatever else I can come up with.  You have to be somewhat creative.

 For the past two weeks we've tried to go to a new gym facility called The Little Gym of Wilmington.  She needs to be around infants her age.  I need to around some adults...aka, other mommies. They offer a class for her age group on Wednesdays or Thursdays and I thought it would be a great way to meet some new people.  The first Thursday I scheduled for a class was the week we were seek.  I then rescheduled for today, then ice storm came.  Crossing fingers next week will work.  Not sure what exactly they do for the infant program, but since they offer a free intro class I thought it wouldn't hurt to see what it was all about.

Every Wednesday morning from 9:30-9:50 am at our local library, they have story time for Vivian's age group.  It's right before she eats and naps so, again, I thought it would be something fun for us to do.  Hopefully next week will work out for us.

Weather pending and my feelings about leaving her in the nursery, we are going to make our way to church.  Sadly, we have not been since October or November.  The last time we went, Vivian was talking away during the sermon. I had to leave so we wouldn't disturb anyone.  I haven't been ready to leave her with a stranger, so, I've avoided the whole nursery thing.  Plus, since we are in the cold/flu season I didn't want her to get sick or now that we've been sick to relapse.  I may end up staying with her for the first time.  I don't want to be crying and worrying about her during the entire time.  I know she would be in good hands and its only for 45 minutes, but the only people she has been left alone with are Brian and my Mom.  Hard for this Mommy.  

    The weather is suppose to be in the 60s this weekend so crossing fingers we will be able to enjoy the outdoors.

Come on spring, we are ready for you!!!

Go away cold!

We are so ready to kick this stupid cold!  Today is day 4 and seems to have remained the same.  Congested, runny nose, coughing, watery eyes and not sleeping all that great.

We went to the pediatrician yesterday.  Wanted little one looked at before the weekend.  Thankfully, her lungs and ears were clear.  No wheezing, ears were perfect.  Just a nasty cold.  He told me nothing new that I wasn't already doing.  Saline, bulb syringe, warm humidifier, warm bath.  He did mention having her sleeping at an incline to help with drainage.  

Before going to our appointment yesterday, baby girl was coughing like crazy and so congested.  She ate a little and then she started coughing and milk came up.  Both Vivian and I were covered.  Her nose was pouring mucous and her little eyes watering like crazy.  Child couldn't breathe.  Heartbreaking I tell you.  

By the time we got home from the Dr, she was exhausted.  She had been up since 6 am with no nap.  We were at the pediatrician office for 2 hrs and we were with the Dr for no more than 15 minutes.  Ridiculous.   Sweet baby slept for a couple of hours after we got home, but stayed up the rest of the afternoon.  I gave her a nice warm bath and rubbed her chest and the bottom of her feet with Matys All Natural Chest Rub.  Her pediatrician said she was too young for Vics Vapor Rub, but Brian found this at the store that is safe for infants 3 months and up.  Thought it couldn't hurt.  Seemed to help a little.  She only ate 2 ounces of milk before she was out cold.  I let her sleep in her napper and thought maybe she was going to only sleep for a couple of hours thinking it was nap time instead of bedtime.  I heard her coughing and sneezing on the monitor during the night, but just let her do her thing.  She woke again at 4 am this morning coughing so I went ahead to check on her.  She let me use the bulb syringe and she ate 2 more ounces of her bottle from bedtime.  I ran a hot shower and we sat in steam for about 10 minutes which helped a little.  I rocked her to sleep and put her down at 5 am.  

Baby girl woke around 7 am this morning and only had an ounce of milk.  She wanted nothing to do with it.   She just wanted to cuddle...not complaining on that part.  She wanted to go back to sleep but was fighting so hard.  I got her to eat 2 more ounces of milk.  Stupid congestion.  I hate using the bulb syringe.  She now fights me so hard.  Arms everywhere and head moving all around.  I finally pulled out the snot sucker.  Man, I should have using that all along!  Even though she fights me, I can suck out the mucous a whole lot easier.  Highly recommend this aspirator.  After sucking out all that junk,  I attempted another bottle and she FINALLY drank an entire bottle and has now been napping for almost 3 hours.  I hope this is a sign of improvement.  

Side note, BK feels like he's coming down with something.  He's actually has felt this way since Tuesday as well.  Like father like daughter I suppose.  Crossing fingers Vivian will have my immune system.  I have not been sick in 4.5 years.  That's pretty good for someone who worked with the public.