Insight

I have actually started pumping/nursing again. I just wasn't ready emotionally to give it up and in talking with a co-worker of my dad, it just hit me like a ton of bricks why. I am just not ready for Ellis to grow up! It was very different with Tessa. She is the first child and everything is so new and exciting, and as a parent you just can't wait for them to eat solid food, crawl, walk, talk, etc. But then you realize how fast it goes and how quickly they move from one phase to the next. With Ellis, I feel like I need to hold on to those moments and cherish them because I know how soon he will be moving on to the next adventure. He already has two teeth and rolls all over the place. I'm guessing it also has to do with the fact that I have to share my time with Tessa and Ellis. Tessa had my undivided attention all the time. Now I have to focus my attention to two kids.

I'm also trying really hard to make sure that Ellis gets enough quality time with us. Of course, he would prefer quality time with Tessa. He just stares at her and laughs at her non-stop. It doesn't matter what she's doing or if she's even paying attention to him, he is just in awe of her. I hope they grow up to be great friends.

Moose

Ellis is now 6 months old. I can't beleive it has gone by so fast. We have his 6mo doctor's appointment on Friday so I will update all of his stats then. He is still growing and doing amazing. He rolls all over the place and I am sure will be graduating up to the next class soon.

I stopped nursing him once he started getting teeth about a month ago. He is definitely a chomper and my nipples would not have survived (almost lost 1 one day). Anyways, since I stopped nursing I was still pumping, but my supply dropped even more. This last week, I was pumping just enough for one bottle a day. I have decided to stop pumping. For some reason this has been a very emotional decision for me and still brings me to tears when I talk about it. I know he is a healthy boy and that six months of nursing is a good feat these days, but it's still difficult to let go. Since I make my own baby food, I guess I can pour my energy of pumping into making good and yummy baby food for him.

I guess my grand plans of pumping for at least 9 months when down the drain. It's just so much work (and time away from work) to get a mere 3oz each time. I know it's fine, but as I mentioned, for some reason I am having a difficult time accepting this emotionally. I can't rbing myself to turn in the key to the Mother's Room at work. I may hold onto it for a little while longer.

Ducks

Tessa has these little bath duckies. They used to blink when they touched water, but the battery has long since died and now they just float. Lately, they have become Tessa's favorite bath toy. Last night, she put the two baby ducks in time out (perched on top of the cold and hot water knobs) and told them they couldn't go to the other end of the tub. Mommy duck was at the other end of the tub and was told "No bite, it's not nice". The when one baby duck fell, she picked it up and cradled it in her arms, pet it's head and said "Oh no, you bonked your head. I'm sorry" and kissed it, the she asked "Are you OK? All better?" Then they had to slide down the faucet, but apparently one of them went out of order and she scolded him pretty good.

It weas pretty funny to see her carrying on an entire conversation and 'play date' with rubber duckies.

Gibberish

OK, so I know Ellis can't talk yet and it's just babble, but he definitely says "Dada" all the time. WHY? He's supposed to be my little man and love his momma. Tessa said 'mama' first.

Halloween Fun

We went and had pictures of the kids taken in their Halloween costumes this morning. Here a two teasers. We also had some pictures taken in regular clothes, so we'll see how those turn out.

No More Donuts

I had to do some Training down in Peachtree City, so I had to get up at 4:30am so that I could get ready, get the kids ready and get them to day-care by 6:30am and get down there by 7:30am. Needless to say, it was definitely a Dunkin Donuts coffee type morning. Tessa got her two little munchkins. After she got the last one this was our conversation

Me: That's it, Tessa. All gone.
T: All gone, mommy?
Me: Yup, all gone. No more
T: Oh. OK. No more donuts Ellis

It was like she was saying "Too bad Ellis, no more donuts for you sucker?" One day, Tessa dearest, Ellis will be old enough to eat donuts and you will have to share with him.

Catch Up

I'm playing catch up from this summer on posting pictures. Some are newer and some a little older.

Ellis' first teeth, he got both of them in at the same time.

Go Jackets!

Mommy's little cool guy.

Ellis rocking the camos.

Ellis loves his squash. So far pears are his favorite. He does not like Avocado. I should have guessed as it is just about the only food Tessa won't touch.

My daughter

Tessa continues to amaze me. She is getting more and more affectionate. She will say "I wuv you, mommy" (unsolicited) and always wants "fast kisses". She is such a great big sister. Whenever Ellis cries or fusses she'll say "It's OK, baby. Don't cry" and will give him his pacifier. She loves to show him how stuff works or play music with him. In the bathtub she quizzes him on the different colored ducks "What color, Ellis"? She definitely has her sassy moments, but she just melts my heart when she smiles that beautiful smile at me when she wants me to read "Pinkalicious" again. Side bar - my cousin Kim got her that book so that she would have something girly, and currently it's all she wants to read. She has most of it memorized so she reads it to me sometimes also.

She can count in Spanish now. I should be working with her on her German, but I'm worried she'll get too confused. At her school they are learning, Spanish, French and Mandarin. She know's most of her letters and can count up to 20. We iChat (video chat) with Kirsten a few nights a week and she is also obsessed with calling Daddy and Omi & Opa on the phone. So most nights before bed time we make our phone calls so that she can talk about her day and say night-night.

My life has been so busy and crazy I feel like I'm always rushing through everything (dinner, bath, bedtime) and then once the kids are asleep, madly doing all of my chores. Last night I was really tired (Ellis woke up really early yesterday morning- 3:30am) so I just said screw it! I just played with the kids and didn't try to multi-task at all. Tessa helped me put Ellis to sleep and then took a long bath. We played for a while afterwards and then I laid in bed with her for a long time, reading several books and singing 'Mama Tech' (Georgia Tech fight song) over and over. It was so nice to just chill. THEN after she was asleep I took a really long, hot bath; pumped and then went to sleep. Of course the den is a mess and I had to get everything ready this morning for thier days and mine, but it was worth it to have a relaxing night like that.

My son

I know I am getting repetitive, but I cannot stop talking about how lucky I am to have such a wonderful baby as Ellis. Considering the circumstances we are in right now, this could have been a nightmare. Luckily, Ellis is so low key and go-with-the-flow that it has gone much smoother than anticipated. This morning we went to the zoo and Tessa loved it. The weather was perfect, clear skies and slightly cool. And Ellis just chilled in his stroller the whole time. He was awake, but just taking in the sights, throwing us some great smiles. He has a GREAT huge smile.

This afternoon we went to a baby shower for Katie, who is expecting a little girl. As you can imagine it was all women and a very girlie shower for little Lucy, but Ellis just eased right in. He was very calm and just sat in my lap most of the time. He fell asleep during the present opening portion of it (somehow, little pink frilly things don't excite him). Tonight before bed I was holding him while he was trying to stand and he was just squealing with delight. Which was made only better when Tessa would run up and give him a big kiss and hug. This went on for about 10 minutes, it was so cute. He was in such a great mood this whole day, I hated to put him to sleep, but I know he was tired.

All in all, it was a great day.