Oh lovely day (or night I should say)

Jake did his longest stretch YET without a meal - 8pm to 5:45am!  Then, he went back to sleep until 8:45am.  Too bad we have a toddler that wakes up at 7:30am ready to greet the day - even when we're not.  :)  The last few nights Jake has been going to sleep between 7-8pm and waking up around 8am with one feeding at 3:30am - so mommy is definitely a bit more rested.  So much so, she was able to host a party today for her dear friend Cynthia who is expecting her second daughter in a few days.  What a blast we had!  

Now for some pictures.  We had Jake's 2 month appointment on Thursday and he weighed in at 13 pounds 9 ounces / 23 inches.  So he's in the 50th percentile for height and 90th for weight. The doc said we don't have to put him on a diet yet.....  whew!  Kylie also had her well visit at the doctor and she is 37.5 inches tall and 30.5 pounds.  Two healthy kids - YIPPEEE!

So.... can you guess the baby?  This is both kids at 8 weeks old..... (you can click on any of these pictures to see them a little bigger).

Here is another picture of Kylie loving on Jake.  She is still very sweet with him.  When he cries, she brings him blankets and passies and sings to him - unless of course she's watching TV - then she magically can't hear a thing!  :)  I think Jake must know something we don't because he always looks TERRIFIED when I put him in Kylie's lap.  

There has been a lot of new fashion in our house as of late.  Kylie just began the "dress-up" stage and she definitely has an opinion about her attire recently.  Here are just a few examples of her latest digs....

And, for scrapbook sake, a family photo from Kylie's "real" birthday.  I'm thinking there won't be too many of these making the blog....  :)

All about Triple-J

When I saw this onesie I knew I had to have it!  I honestly think these will be the first two words out of Jake's mouth when he learns to talk.   If I had done this post yesterday, I would have written about how my 8 week old baby puts himself to sleep at night (without soothing, rocking or nursing) and sleeps 8ish to 8ish with only one feeding - WOO-HOO!  But, that only lasted for two nights.  Last night we were back to THREE feedings between 9pm and 8am and only quick cat naps today - interspersed with TWO HOUR feedings all day!  

This is what happens when you don't feed him NOW!!!

I mean seriously, does this look like a kid that needs to eat every two hours?  I have a picture of Kylie that looks just like this - and she's five months old!

And a cute picture with Aunt Laurie (he just ate so he's happy!).  :)

I'm not trying to be negative - just stating the facts.  My little Jakester really is a sweety.  He only cries when he's hungry and the rest of the time he's usually sleeping.  I love his little smiles and I can't wait to see what kind of personality he will have.  I just need to get some sleep.....

Oh - and the part about putting himself to sleep is still true - hopefully it will stay that way!

All about the K-Bear

She's THREE!!!!!  Well, almost.  Her official birthday is Tuesday but we had a fabulous party at Kangazoom on Saturday with Kyle & Caden.  Of course, she was a little under-the-weather for the big day - just like every year before - but we were probably the only ones who noticed. 

What a difference a year makes huh?  The baby face is disappearing!

Had to include a couple pictures with mom & dad - they are too rare.

We planned to get Kylie an outdoor playhouse for her birthday.  After searching for a bargain on Craig's List, we decided to brave Toys R Us and get the job done.  This was the first time we visited this store as a family - and only the third time Kylie or I have ever even been there. When we announced we were going to the "toy store" Kylie said "NO, I want to go to the bookstore!".  Impressive right???  Well, actually, she just wanted to go to the bookstore to see the train (which is a toy anyway - so we can't take too much credit here).   So, off we go to T.R.U. and boy did we get suckered into a lot more than we bargained for today!  Every year we specify "no gifts" for Kylie's birthday party and we rarely buy her many toys.  That being said, I think Jeff and I both felt some guilt/obligation/excitement about buying her several items that she asked for while we listened to her cute girly voice singing "I don't have one of theeeeeese".

So, we left T.R.U. with a Radio Flyer Scooter (so she can ride like Daddy), and a new helmet and knee pads (she never had an old one, hence the "obligation" to purchase this). 

AND, a new playhouse - which she LOVES!

AND - a new princess dress-up set.  AND - a new plastic pink princess chair.  AND, last of all, a new T.R.U. credit card - so we could save $37 for opening a new account!  :)  Kylie made out like a bandit!  

We ended the day by decorating cupcakes for school tomorrow.  Jeff and I will be visiting for her birthday and our Parent of the Week duties.

Finally - just a cute picture of my three sweeties.  Awwwwww.....

Do you love the fake cheesy grin in EVERY picture?  She's torturing me!  

I'll do a "Jake" post soon - some good stuff to write about!

Could it be......

a smile????

Yep - it sure is!!

Excuse the image quality - it was dark in his room today.  But, he was in a good mood so I took a couple quick pictures.  We had a banner night - he ate at 9:30pm and didn't wake up to eat again until 5:30am and then went back to sleep until 8:15am.  THERE IS HOPE!!   Of course, I didn't got to bed until 11:30pm and then woke up at 2:30am (out of habit I guess), then woke up at 3:30am and had to pump (ugghh) - then 5:30am to feed him.   Ahhh, the life of a nursing mother.   But I'm excited at the prospect of longer sleep duration for both of us so it's a good day!  He's been spending more time awake lately, looking around, gurgling and giving us a few smiles here and there.  Jeff even got what I would consider a bit of a giggle the other night.  He got Kylie to laugh first too - he's better at the goofy noises.  :)

Things are going well, although everyone is still tired (even Kylie who is avoiding naps at all cost).  Jeff is fighting a cold, among other things, and his job has him very busy.   I hate to keep thinking "it will get better" because then we forget to (try to) enjoy the moments we are in.  Jake is already 7 weeks old and although the time seems to drag on - it has flown by at the same time.  How can that be?

I find myself wanting to get out and do more, but not having the motivation to do much after showering and doing just the basic household chores.  Kylie LOVES her baby brother but has this new way of getting under my skin after too many hours in the house.  It's hard not to be frustrated and impatient with her - and to remember she's only 3(almost) and just wants our attention.  Ahhhhh, the guilt that begins to take over.  Not enough energy and attention for the older child and the younger child has to get by with whatever is left....  But, somehow they all grow up fine don't they?  I look at my husband and his siblings and I am inspired by the relationship they have.  They truly love each other and would do anything to help the other out. It's a testament to their parents and I'm very happy to have two beautiful children that will get to experience life as a sibling.  I am an only child, so I have never experienced a true sibling relationship.  I've always kind of made up for it with friends - who I consider my family.  

Anyway, I digress.....

In closing - a couple more pictures.  This first one is a face I see a lot! 

And finally, just to give you an idea of his size!  He fits into 3-6 month clothes already!

The "Jakester" (as nana calls him)

** Forgot to post this last night - must have just hit save **

This is the little man that has changed my world.  He doesn't say much, he doesn't smile much, he doesn't do much - but boy does he make an impact!  

Six weeks old today.  It's amazing how fast the time has flown - and yet - how slow it seems to be moving.  Jake is quite the sleepy guy,  mostly waking up only to eat.  He has just started to make some interesting sounds and it's obvious he's trying to "coo" but it comes out more like a growl and then a squeal.  I've seen the slightest hint of a smile several times - but not the full- faced grin yet.  He is wearing 3-6 month clothes already - thank goodness I pulled down some of the bins from the closet.  He might grow out of this size before he even wears all of the hand-me-downs I got!

This was my first official night alone with the kids.  Jake slept while I put Kylie to bed and all was peaceful.  Of course, the evening will bring the 3 hour feedings and possibly another night-waking (or two) for Kylie - but who knows.......   I'll probably look back on this time someday and think "what was the big deal?" - they're just kids right?  How is it that these small packages can wreak such havoc on an adult's mental well-being?  And how is it that in a few years we forget the torment and it seems like just a brief stage that really wasn't that difficult anyway? Ahhh - fun times!  

Here is a picture of the Jakester.  This is the face I see most of the time.  He's a thinker for sure. And I really do love him - my sweet baby boy.     

A big shout out to the LIZARD for having the James Gang over for dinner tonight.  Danny was Kylie's hero - he "saved her" when she was stuck in the playhouse and she put him "night-night".  Of course, in between these sweet moments there was some pushing, pulling and screaming, but they had a blast.  And so did I.  THANKS! 

A Love Affair....

I decided I should do a special post about Kyle & Kylie.  A boy and a girl that live on the same street, born on the same day - with almost identical names.  So it should be no surprise that they have a special affection for one another.  While Kylie does like to torment her sweetheart at times, she really adores him and always wants him to come and play. 

So, just in case they should drift apart over the years (instead of getting married as we intend), here's a momento of their relationship so far.......

The beginning.

Jan 2008

May 2008

August 2008 - they dine together.

October 2008

Last Friday.... they even like to WORK together!  :)

And this year, they are even celebrating their birthdays together for the first time (along with Caden who is turning two). 

some pictures just speak for themselves.....

Need I say more????

PS - thanks to Joy for the matching outfits!  :)

her first ballet "recital"

Kylie went to Sophie's Birthday "ballet" party on Saturday and we had to borrow an outfit from Kiki because we have never done ballet before.  But, let me tell you, she was a natural!  I was really surprised at how well she did.  Children never cease to amaze!  

Here's a shot of some of the students in the ballet class - that's Clare in the back row and then Sophie front left and Kiki in the middle - and, of course, the K-Bear!  Is it just me or does she look really small from this angle??

I think this is "second position"

Kylie's best friend Ainslee was there too.  

This is just another snowman picture I found on the camera - Jeff took it while they were outside on Sunday.  Thought you might like to see the FRONT of him.

And this was yesterday.  Fever of 102-104.  It came on suddenly --- and then suddenly it was gone!  She woke up from her nap with no fever and was fine for the rest of the day and this morning.  Jeff said it was because we let her go play outside in the freezing cold without the appropriate attire!  Being cold doesn't really make you sick does it???

I know I have been posting a lot about Kylie - but Jake isn't really that exciting of a subject yet.  He still just eats, sleeps, poops and cries.  Although, we did get what appeared to be the beginning of a "social" smile this morning - so there is hope.....

This was Monday - right before his ONE MONTH appointment at the doctor.  I smooshed him into this cute outfit because it was freezing outside and he probably won't fit into it by next week.  It's one of only THREE outfits that I actually bought for him - everything else has been given to us.

He weighed in at a whopping 11 pounds and 21 3/4 inches.  Kylie weighed 9 pounds 13 ounces at her one month appointment.  The doc says everything looks great.  Of course, he didn't mean me - just Jake!  Can I say it again ......... I'm SO TIRED!!!!  Jake - please start sleeping longer soon!

Had to include a comparison picture here.  Kylie used to make this face all the time too.  I called it the "fish face".  Do all babies do that -- or is it some strange James family trait??

oh the weather outside is......

SNOWY!!!  We were so excited when it started to snow yesterday morning.  We told Kylie she should go outside with her umbrella and we can take a picture for Nana & Dzia Dzia (since they live up in the snow).   She happily obliged with the patented grin.

But, it kept snowing and snowing, so we decided to put some layers on her and actually let her go out and play.  Of course, we don't really own any appropriate snow attire so she donned a raincoat and golashes for the special event.

Such a HAM!!!

We watched her wander around the yard from the comfort of my office window for a little while - then dad braved the cold and went outside to build a snow man with Kylie (and mommy stayed inside and ate chocolate brownie cookies - courtesy of Liz).  This picture was taken from inside...    :)

And some yummy hot chocolate to warm up the "freezing" hands and get her ready for a good long NAP!