Rice Cereal

Maggie is just growing up so fast - right before our eyes. 

And lately, our eyes have been open a lot...meaning Maggie has ended her "she's a great sleeper" run.  Seriously, for the past 2.5 weeks, she has gotten up about every 3 hours, just demanding to be fed.  This is so unlike her, as she really has been sleeping through the night since 8 weeks.  Hopefully we can get back to our normal routine once we return from Chicago.  Keep your fingers crossed, there are 2 really tired Mommy & Daddy's in our house.

But, we thought maybe Maggie would like to start some real food, which, in baby terms, is rice cereal.

Eating her pre-meal snack (her left foot toesies)

Waiting (somewhat patiently) for her food, being entertained by Brother

Come on guys, it's not a 4 course meal you're preparing, hurry up!

Um....not my favorite.

 

Brother wanted a turn feeding Maggie.  Here goes nothing...

Too far...you're sticking the spoon in too far!

But, she survived and we tried some more.  Still, not her favorite.

The finished product. 

We will try, try again.

A successful road trip

 Finally, I am able to sit down and post some pictures from our recent trip to Michigan to visit my grandparents and the kids' Great-grandparents.  It was only the 2nd time they have seen Colin and the first for them to meet Maggie Mae.  My mom (Meemaw), Tiff, and Chad also made the journey with us.  I know they must love us to agree to driving over 13 hours each way with 2 young kids in tow.  

We had a lot of fun firsts along the way.  

We split the drive up into 2 days, making it to Joliet, Illinois the first night.  We got to stay in a hotel, which was the first time Colin has done that since he has been old enough to understand where he is.  

We first hit up the pool to try and burn off some energy (the water was really cold, boo!).

While Brian and Colin were playing, I was getting Maggie ready for bed.  She slept in the bathtub.  Yes, the bathtub.  But we put tons of pillows and blankets in there.  She needed a room with a door so she had a chance to sleep since we figured Colin would be up past his bedtime.  It worked out really well.  Please don't let her know this when she gets older.  She might hold it against us.

 

 Colin and Daddy sharing a bed.  Neither one of them slept well.  Colin starting getting a cough the day before we left for the trip, and continually coughed on Brian the entire night.  Colin insisted on sleeping RIGHT beside Brian, literally sharing the same pillow.  Such great bonding.  Then, Maggie woke up around 2 am, I fed her, but that woke Colin up, so he came and slept with me.  But, neither one of us slept.  He just kept coughing and tossing.  So, around 5 am Colin joined Daddy in bed, once again, and the alarm went off at 6 am.  It was a LONG night!

 We headed out the door early the next morning and made it to Grandma and Grandpa Rice's without any problems.  It was just in time for Colin's nap, so we hurried and got his stuff ready then put him down.  Everyone else really wanted a nap, too, but we toughed it out.

The guys.  Apparently Grandpa missed the memo to wear Mizzou attire.  Still, I love this picture!

Grandpa Rice.  An amazing man.

Grandma Rice.  An equally amazing woman.

Grandma and Grandpa live right next door to an elementary school with a really cool playground.  The forecast called for rain every day we were there, but it really only rained the last day so we took advantage of the park, especially over the weekend.  Colin had a blast.  Brian and Chad had even more fun, I think.  They were trying to sharpen their skills for American Ninja Warrior.  I don't have time to explain ANW now, but ask Brian about it and I'm sure he would love to fill you in.  

Checking out the lily pads.  He never did get across them on his own, but he attempted to.

Teeter Tottering with Mom (I'm on the other side, with the camera)

Woah, that's a long way down!

Chad, impressing Tiff, with his awesome swinging skills.

Colin did the swing by himself.  It was so fun to watch.  Tiff pushed him very gently and he just loved it.  The swings were by far one of his favorite item on the playground.  He's such a big boy!

As you can see, there were plenty of people willing to play with Colin.

Swinging with Daddy

Swinging with Tiffey

And where was Maggie?!  She was back at the house, eating, sleeping, and playing with her favorite clown toy.  Everyone was amazed at what a great baby she is.  Just smiley and happy and hardly made a peep.  We're pretty lucky to have such great kids.

Maggie (and the clown) with Grandpa

Another favorite item from Michigan....C.J. the dog.  Colin loves dogs, and he loved playing with CJ.  He just followed her around the house, throwing her toys for her.  I think Colin got to be a bit much for her by the time we left, but she provided some fun times for Colin.  Here they are on a walk with Tiffey and Chad.

Grandma and Maggie (and clown)

We also passed the time playing with Playdoh.  I think Colin is feeding Daddy some cereal for breakfast.  It looks like he's pretty hungry.  

Colin is really into Playdoh right now, making pancakes, balls, and whatever shape cookie cutters he can find.

Maggie is getting so much stronger.  She is able to sit with only just a little bit of assistance now.  I love this picture - her blue eyes look so bright.  

Aunt Gladys and her daughter Alice, with Mom.  They spent the afternoon with us on day and we had so much fun telling stories and reminiscing.  

Chad frosting Grandma's famous Pigs Eye Chocolate Cake.  No pressure Chad, it's only the best chocolate cake in the world.

Colin thought it was pretty cool having a chair that could go down the stairs.  Daddy and Colin rode it a few times.  So. Much. Fun.

Tiff with Meemaw and Grandma and CJ

Grandpa and Mags

4 generation picture

We had such a great time visiting Grandma and Grandpa.  We wish we could've stayed longer, but we're glad we could get up to see them.
Then we embarked on our 13.5 hour drive home.  We didn't stop much, just to get gas and take potty breaks.  Of course, that was after we stopped when Colin had a minor vomiting episode 1 hour into our LONG day of driving.  We were so glad to be home, and it only took me 3 days to get everyone totally unpacked.

Next up...my trip to Chicago to visit my college roommates.  I'm taking Maggie with me and we're leaving the boys at home.  Should be fun!

For the love of Baseball!

 For those of you that are around Colin much, you know an exciting thing happened in his world this past weekend.  He and Daddy went to another Royals Baseball Game!  

He pretty much hasn't stopped talking about baseball ever since our last trip to the ballpark.  

Of course, the weather was cloudy and cold, but the rain held off for the game.  I doubt Colin would've cared anyway, even if it had been pouring buckets.

Maggie and I stayed home and had some quiet girl time, which was just what I needed.  I checked in with the guys often, and they had a blast.

 Colin and Daddy headed out to the game

He is looking so grown up!

Speaking of growing up, Maggie had her 4 MONTH visit with the doctor this morning (really?! 4 months already?!).  She weighs 13 lbs 7.5 ounces and that has her right at 50% on the growth chart.  I forget how long she is, but she's at 75% for length and 25% for head circumference.  She is checking out great and the doctor was really pleased to see her doing so well with her reflux and her hemangioma.  We are going to start weaning Maggie off her reflux medicine and see how it goes.  I think she is doing much better now and hopefully she won't have any break-through vomiting while we are weaning the medicine.

Once Maggie starts eating just a little bit more milk, we can start offering her some rice cereal, veggies and fruits too.  That is always pretty exciting when you can introduce new foods for them to try.  I know Maggie is ready, cause she is watching us eat all the time, tracking the food from our plates to our mouths.

This weekend we are headed to Milford, Michigan to visit my grandparents on my mom's side.  We are really looking forward to the visit, but not looking forward to the 12 hour car ride, each way.  This is our first real car trip since Colin has been older, so keep your fingers crossed that we pack well.  I have been asking all of my friends with kids for advice...seems like they all end their suggestions with...Good Luck!

Colin is coasting

down the hill on our street, riding his bike!  What a big boy!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!  

He is so excited...even if he's not really "riding" the bike, it's still so much fun for him.  He was laughing the entire way down the hill.  What a great picture to capture an awesome memory.

On a roll...

 I think we're getting used to our new "normal" routine.  We seem to be on a roll, and the kids appear to be doing great, too!  That is all that matters really, right?  

We figured out that Maggie just needs to REALLY be full before we put her to bed for the night, and when she is, she'll sleep all night for us (from 8 pm til at least 6 am).  Duh, huh?  But, when you're feeding her from a bottle and breastfeeding as well, sometimes that can be tricky to know exactly how much she's getting.  I think we've  figured out a good system and so far, so good.

Colin is really picking up his speech, even though a lot of times we can't really understand what he's saying.  At least he's saying something and not just pointing and using non-verbal cues.
We are absolutely loving this break in the hot weather.  We've been in the 70's to 80's lately, and that has felt amazing.  It's nice letting Colin just run around outside and not have to worry about him getting too hot.  Plus, Maggie can be outside more now, too, since it's cooling off.

Colin still is just smitten with his baby sister.  We think she likes him, too, cause she's always watching him and laughing when he's around.  

We got the Exersaucer out now that Maggie can hold her head up really well.  She loves it!

This frog toy seems to be her favorite right now.  It spins and she really enjoys grabbing at it.

Well, hello Mr. Frog!  

I would NEVER do that Mr. Frog...don't try to get me in trouble! 

Such a pretty little lady...

Colin just had to get in the Exersaucer, too.  What you don't see, is that he's on his knees playing in it.  

Perhaps you're too big for the toy, Colin.  Silly kid.

5 big ones...

It seems like a huge milestone for us, and I'm not sure why, but Brian and I just celebrated our 5 year anniversary.  Woohoo!

Somehow, it crept up on me and I only managed to get Brian a card (last-minute).  I'm not making excuses, but a full time job, 2 kids, back to school, just trying to get by day-to-day left me unprepared. 

I still can't believe it's been 5 years.  Sometimes it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like FOREVER ago.  I married my best friend, we have 2 beautiful and healthy children, and a great relationship.  We are each other's better half.  I love him more than words can say. 

We had these grand plans of going to dinner and a movie on Saturday afternoon.  The kids were staying at Grammie & Grandad's so we could truly have a break.  We went to church at 2:30 and a movie (The Help, would totally recommend it!) at 4:30.  The movie was a bit longer than we expected and I wanted to feed Maggie before she went to bed, to help ensure a better night for Grammie & Grandad.  By the time the movie was out (we had clearly missed our dinner reservations) and we had finished feeding Maggie, it was 8:30 and close to our bedtime.  We hurriedly had dinner at On The Border and headed home.  We decided to try for a better (more relaxed and not so late) dinner at Em Chamas next weekend. 

I woke up on Saturday morning to some flowers, a bag of donuts (donuts not pictured, Colin found them first!) and a very thoughtful book of our first 5 years together.  Way to be thoughtful & creative Brian!

We look pretty good still, huh?  For being low on sleep and all....

And...Brian surprised me with some pearl earrings on our way to church. 

Me and my Maggie Mae.  She's finally getting some rolls on her legs and some chubbier cheeks. 

Last check she weighed 12 pounds 12 ounces. 

Love this little girl!

Colin playing out back with Uncle Chris. 

Maggie and Grandad.  She really enjoys her hands right now, sucking on them and staring at them. 

Water park

Summer is almost over and there was one more water park we hadn't hit up yet this year...Tiffany Springs Water Park.  It was so much fun!  And...it wasn't very busy at all because for some strange reason, the weather decided to cool off the afternoon we had planned on going...

Good thing Colin swam through all of his shivering...

He had so much fun with Daddy (I stayed dry on the side with Maggie)

Checking out the slide

Okay Dad, let's do it!

Weeeeeeeee!

They did pretty much every slide there.  They even walked up the 4 flights of stairs to the big people slide, only to be told by the lifeguard sitting at the top that Colin wasn't big enough to go down by himself and he couldn't go down on Daddy's lap.  Bummer.

Heading off to the lazy river...

Grammie & Maggie (love that big ol' hat on her!)

Colin is getting to be such a great swimmer, only to have him throw a fit every time its bathtime.  Too bad he can't bathe in the swimming pool!