What a week.

We have survived a stressful and sleepless week. It started out with Greta's scalp worsening, which required another doctor's visit followed by a dermatology appointment. The poor girl was in a really bad state, her scalp was so irritated, covered with yellow crust and oozing in several spots. It turned out that she had a significant case of eczema and a bacterial infection which were feeding off of each other. She is still on an oral antibiotic as well as a topical steroid, and we are now going to add a topical antibiotic. It has been 2 days since that appointment and her scalp looks 100% better. To add insult to injury, she also got two teeth this week. Yes, I said teeth! I can't believe it either, she is way too young. Oh well, bring it on.

Sullivan has been his usual silly wild self. He was able to spend some time with the Oliver's while I took Greta to appointments, which he loved. I got out there to pick him up on Tuesday and he was playing in Isaac's room with Isaac. He stayed in there for quite awhile before I went in to say hello. When I walked in, Isaac was playing his DS and Sully was playing quietly near him. He is happiest next to Isaac, and I love that. He is still not talking much, so I contacted the Birth to Three program as I don't want to overlook anything. They gave me lots of suggestions and tips. Sullivan is great at everything; problem solving, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, comprehension, he just does not form (many) words independently. We have started to sign with him and really encourage communication, requiring patience from all of us. We are looking forward to making some progress and will have another screening next month before going any further with therapy.

We also had a birthday party here for Helen on Monday evening. She turned 84. Most of the Schock family was here as well as my mom and Kirsten. We find that the larger the group, the harder it is on Helen, so we make sure she has some sort of attention at all times. Fortunately everything went great and she really enjoyed herself.

We had two nice days this week, so threw on our boots and found some puddles to jump in. We cannot wait for spring.

Sullivan (20 1/2 months) and Great (3 1/2 months).

Sweet girl. 

Splashing.  

Walking through the park. Cool, but sunny. 

Valentine's Day Love

Maggie and I coordinated a Valentine's Day photo shoot at Harold's photo just for the fun of it. I developed several photos and hung them around the house in the places Dave routinely goes before he heads out the door for work. A clever little surprise which would have worked great, however he was up walking the house with Greta most of the night, so I'm fairly certain the surprise didn't play out like I had planned. At least he was thankful for the effort.

We don't usually make a big deal out of the "Hallmark Holiday," but I was spoiled this year by all of my people. Flowers from Dave, a massage from Sully, and jewelry from Greta.

Its cold and we have colds.

Today marks two weeks of ailments around here. It started with a nasty cold for Greta, which Sully caught over the weekend. He hasn't been hit quite as hard as Greta, but he is still a bit under the weather. Just as Greta was getting over her cold, her manageable case of cradle cap got extremely out of hand. She was lucky enough to see the Pediatrician twice in about ten days. I feel so helpless. Her little scalp looks awful and is even oozing a bit of clear fluid. Dr Sam was concerned that she may be at the early phases of an infection so prescribed her an antibiotic and recommended a couple of creams. I have to admit, we have been pretty lucky considering this is the first time we have ever been on antibiotics in this household. We are really hoping this takes care of it as the next step will be modification of my diet and then a possible dermatology consult. Fortunately, she doesn't seem to be bothered by any of this. She remains a happy little camper, smiling as soon as she makes eye contact with anyone. 

The weather around here isn't helping matters much, either. Everyone has been complaining about the horrendous winter, and I am happy to report that I am one of those complainers. What a miserable winter it has been. It is 18 degrees today and it feels like a heat wave. We are way to familiar with the 'arctic blasts' of -10 degrees. I feel like between the weather and the colds we have been homebound for two weeks. 

Greta has been making a bit of sleeping progress, she is spending most of her naps in her crib and spends her first shift of sleep (8-11pmish) in there as well. I am still being lazy about getting her back down in her room for the rest of the night, it will come. She is getting up every 3-4 hours, so about 2-3 times each night. She is 14 weeks old and is as sweet as can be. 

I will include a few photos over the last week or so. We are anxious for sunshine, warmer days, clean noses and a soft scalp :).

Kenzie and Sully

Pizza Ranch fund raiser for Lauren's dance team.

Anna comes to play, she is reading Sully a story. 

Sully's attempt to carry Greta.  

Sully gets a hair cut.  

Greta girl. 

Nap time. 

Cutie pies. 

Nine days together.

Dave had this past week off and it was the first time we have had extended amount of time together since Greta was born. Dave joined me in my weekly activities, and was able to get to the fitness center a few times as well. We were both able to do a bit of socializing with our friends and with each other, I was even able to work a shift. It was nice to get back to work for a day, but even nicer to come home to my family (although the house was a disaster ;)).

We accomplished very little on my 'to do' list for the week, but that's ok. We have been working on getting Greta in her crib, but she happened to come down with a cough after one night into crib sleeping. Because of that nasty cough, neither Dave or I feel great about putting her so far from us. We may just be procrastinating, but we will get there. Overall it was a great week, and great to spend time together as a family.

Snuggles in jammies. 

Two smiles...finally! Sullivan, 20 months, Greta, 3 months. 

Greta is less than impressed. 

Isaac and Anna helping Greta do some tummy time. 

Sully and Anna at The Outdoor Campus. 

Sweetest girl. 

Daddy on duty, we could get used to this! 

Sweetest boy. 

Maternity leave is over.

After 10 weeks of barely leaving the house, I finally decided to get back into the real world. I enrolled Sully in a music class, joined weight watchers, and got back to the gym. These activities get me out of the house three mornings a week. I had (and still have) a small amount of anxiety leaving the house with two kids who are so young and so close in age, but I am also starting to go stir crazy. It turns out, I am completely capable. Yes, it is difficult when I park up against a snow bank and need to figure out how to get Sully out while carrying Greta in the infant carrier, and yes, it is frustrating when I get them both out, put Sully down and have him race toward the street. I was at the fitness center last week when I let go of Sully's hand and he bolted before I could get Greta in the car. For a split second I didn't know what to do, put Greta on the ground (keep in mind it was about 10 degrees that day) and chase him, or put her in the car and then case him? Decisions decisions :).

I am also going back to work in a few days, which will be nice. Dave is going to be on vacation, so he will be home with the kids. Im excited to get back to my coworkers and to have some adult time.

Greta will be 11 weeks tomorrow and she finally started to nap in her crib (today). She did great. Turns out Im the one holding back, not her. Now if we could just get the nights down...maybe tonight? Maybe not. ;).

I have had a lot of fun taking photos of the two of them. It is fun to snap a photo when I can catch them both looking (and holding still). Im still working on two smiles...hopefully soon.

Greta girl cozy in her crib.

Daily FaceTime with daddy. 

Cabin Fever

Brrr, its cold outside. The first week of January has brought a heck of a cold snap and we have done our best to avoid cabin fever with our two little ones. Dave was on Friday Sunday call this weekend so we did our best to maximize our time together on Saturday. We spent the morning at the Butterfly house, went for lunch and then came home for naps. Sullivan loved it. He ran around pointing giggling at all of the butterflies in the air. What a great spot on such a cold day.

Greta turned two months old on Sunday and we had her 2 month check up this morning. We are happy to report that everything is right on track. She weighs 10lbs and 12oz (46th percentile), is 22.5 inches long (58th percentile) and her head circumference is 15.5 inches (69th percentile).

Greta is more and more interactive these days, smiling and starting to coo. She is a decent sleeper, she even had two nights this week with only one wake during the night. She is still in bed with us (I know, its a no no, but like everything else, it works for us for now) so I hardly mind when she does need to feed. I feel like I have put in my newborn time and we are starting to get some fun feedback from her.

Sully is still wild. We are working on words and have had a few new ones, he even said "Hi Daddy," although we are the only ones who could probably make out that that is what he was saying. I mentioned it to my pediatrician this morning who is pretty confident that he will be on the right track. He did say that sometimes a new baby can cause that sort of regression which is probably the reassurance I needed since Sully had a few words several months ago that he refuses to use now. Its always something.

A bit timid around the sting rays. 

Sweet Greta.

Sully at the butterfly house. 

A butterfly finding a spot on Greta's head. 

Post call and post doctors appointment naps.  

Greta and Sully. 

2013 in review.

My heart is flooded with emotions when I think back on 2013. What a year it is been. I think it is safe to say the biggest surprise was our little Greta. While I had hoped we would keep the kids coming, I never anticipated that it would have happened so fast. I cant believe I put in another 9 months of being pregnant, and then had a baby girl. I was prepared for a boy, but am so thrilled with a girl. She is so sweet. I was anxious about having them so close in age, but as I reflect on life since Greta's arrival, I realize we are doing it. We are 8 weeks in (today) and loving life with two kids.

Sullivan had a year of firsts; firsts steps, first words, first ice cream, first melt down, you get the point. It is safe to say he melts both of our hearts. He has come around to having a sister, offering her a blanket whenever she cries, but then trying to pull it out from under her when she sleeps. He runs around this house while yelling and giggling. When I think of him I instantly think of his expressive little eyes. I cant believe the joy he brings to both Dave and I.

Moving homes took the place of traveling this year, although we did manage to get a couple of trips in. Leaving our little house on 6th Avenue was very bittersweet. We have so many great memories there, but we both agreed it was time to move on. The move into our new home couldn't have come at a better time. It is great to stretch out and enjoy the extra space. We feel so good in our new home and look forward to the memories we will create here. 

We are so grateful for friends, family, and each other. We are lucky to have one another and are reminded to hold each other close. We are looking forward to new beginnings, new firsts, and more of each other in 2014. 

Smiles for daddy. 

Sweet Sully.

Sully and daddy playing in the snow.

Greta 8 weeks and Sullivan 19 months.