Old and New

OK, last post for today. In addition to being stressed out with Ellis last week, Tessa's 2nd B-Day and having family over for her birthday, I was/am 'anxious' about her new school. Last week was her last at West Cobb Prep. She has been there since she was 3 months old and had basically grown up there. She loved her teachers and they were so great to her. We've been on the waiting list at her new school for almost 2 years, It's much closer to the house and her friend, Jack, is there. Tomorrow is her first day there and I am really nervous. She doesn't know the teachers and only knows Jack. I know she will be fine and she is very independent and makes friends easily, but it's still tough. Seeing as how I am tearing up just while typing this, I will probably be a hot mess tomorrow.

Again, I know she will be fine, but I am nervous. We'll see how things go.

Doctors

Multiple posts in one day, but trying to catch up on some major events all happening at the same time. On Friday we had Tessa's 2-yr appointment and Ellis' 1-month check-up. It's a little ironic, but our Pediatrician's name is Dr Ellis, and she is just awesome. Tessa showed off as always and was on her best behavior. She checked out with flying colors and didn't even have to get any shots. Lucky for Mike as this was one of the few Doctors appointments he's been able to attend. Tessa is still a little on the short and squat side. She's in the 40% for height and in the 60% for weight. Ellis is now a whopping 10lbs 8oz and 22" long. He is in the 75% for both weight and height. Everytime we go to see Dr Ellis she asks me what I'm feeding him. It's just good old fashioned breast milk. He nurses like a champ AND he doesn't spit up like Tessa used to. He's living up to his nickname that Aunt Kirsten gave him, Mister Moose. He was kind of lanky at first so I was thinking he'd be a great baseball player, but it appears he's on track for a football scholarship.

Ellis

Last week was a really rough week for me. Ellis seemed to cry non-stop and would only sleep when held / bounced. I was really tired and exhausted and a little overwhelmed. Even with Mike home for four days, Ellis seemed to be a handful and I was really frustrated with myself for not being able to properly care for him. I finally managed to re-read most of my "Babywise" book which helped me with Tessa. To this day people always comment on what a happy baby Tessa is. I want that same happiness for Ellis. The good thing is that for the last week, Ellis has slept for a really long stretch at night. Unfortunately it's started around 6:00pm to 7:00pm and last until 3:00am. Then, he's back on his 3-hr cycle. If I can only get him to go down a little later then it really would be a whole night for me. Today, in applying the "Babywise" principals, he has done great. After I nurse him, we have some awake time and then he goes down for his nap awake. Twice he fell asleep without even crying. I'm hoping we turn a new leaf this week and get him on the right track. His congestion also seems to be clearing up and I think that is helping also.

I love my little man and just can't wait to see what the world has in store for him and what his personality is going to be like.

Beebos

Beebos is Tessa's word for boobies. She LOVES pointing them out wherever we are. Today at the Dr's office, she made sure and pointed out to the doctor her and Ellis' Beebos. At CVS the other, she kept pointing to the cover of Men's Health where a scantily clad, very buff man was and yelled for all to hear "BEEBOS".

This video clip is funny, because even on animal statues, she notices beebos.

She's TWO!

My baby girl is TWO! I cannot believe how fast these last two years have gone by. Tessa is such a fun, vibrant, sassy, smart, and active girl. Thank you God (and Mike) for such a wonderful daughter. She's wearing her Birthday Dress today and loved showing it off at school. I guess it's obvious that she never dresses up because everyone was oohing and aahing over Tessa in a dress. She does like to wear them, but they are practical with painting and playing on playgrounds.

My pretty girl

Just a few pics of my beautiful little girl.

Internet

FINALLY got my internet fixed, so I should hopefully have a lot more posts here pretty soon. Here's a funny clip of Tessa and (Debbie) Casey having fun with the balloon.

Lunch Box and Grapes

I have decided to nickname Ellis "Lunch Box". He eats ALL the time. He has already gained so much weight and he is like clock work with his eating. EVERY three hours on the dot, he's ready to eat. Sometimes at night he'll go for a four hour stretch, but I feel like he is constantly eating. At least I'm doing really well nursing, plenty of milk, and he is a great healthy boy.

Last Friday, he had a doctor's appointment and we took Tessa also to discuss some of her Allergy issues. While we were at the doctor's office the nurse came in and they had to check his temperature (rectally). Tessa was very concerned/interested in what the nurse was doing to her baby brother, she even pulled the stool up the exam table to get a closer look. When the nurse took off Ellis' diaper she pointed to his balls and said "GRAPES". We all just died laughing. I guess it's better than saying "balls" or "nuts". So now we all laugh about Ellis' grapes.

Little Man

Here's a pic of Ellis this morning. Immediately following this picture he threw up everywhere and I had to give him a bath and completely change his outfit.










Here he is now. He is wearing one of my old outfits. Mom kept a bunch of our stuff from when we were little. He looks so cute in it.

Sweet Tessa

We all know that Tessa is fiercly independent and strong minded, and I don't think I give her enough crecdit or at least talk about how sweet she can be.

Last night we were over at my parents house for dinner. My mom bought her this water table that she loves to play with. She was wearing this cute little bathing suit and she has a really cute, new sassy hair cut (I will post some pics as soon as I can get my computer to work at home). By the time my dad got home she was pretty wet, but he let her sit on his lap. He was wearing a pair of Khaki's (GASP..... I know, business casual is the middle of the week, Randy???) and Tessa's little butt left a wet spot on my dad's pants. She said "Oh No, what a mess". My dad told her that he would go upstairs and change into a pair of jeans. She ran into the house and we thought she was just going to play in the laundry room (she loves reprogramming my mom's washer and dryer). My dad went upstairs to change. Next thing I know, Tessa comes running up looking for Opa and she had grabbed a DISH TOWEL from the kitchen stove so that dad could dry off his pants. I almost cried it was such a sweet gesture. My dad cam back down the stairs and she helped him dry his pants. She really is such a wonderful daughter.

First Week

Well, we are all settling in here in Smyrna. Except for the first rough night, Ellis has been a dream. If he's not eating he's asleep. Most nights he'll go for a three to four hour stretch between feeding (which means GREAT sleep for me). We have been lucky to have Daddy home all this week. Tessa will have a hard time next week adjusting to NOT having Daddy at home, but we'll manage. She's a tough girl and we'll get to spend lots of quality time with Mommy and Ellis.

In some BIG Tessa news, she just this week decided she wanted to "make peepee" and has continuously peed in the potty. Until now, we always ask her, but she always says 'No'. I think one thing that really helped was that I got one of those seat rings for our toilet, and that is where she always goes. We are so proud of her. She still sometimes pees in her diaper and seems to be "reminded" that she has to go when one of us goes, but I'll take what I can get. I love my little bug so much.