Pumpkin Patch

Two weekends ago, Trey and I took the girls to visit the Skinquarter Pumpkin Patch.  This used to be Chesterfield Berry Farm, but apparently the family split the business.  The best thing about Skinquarter is that is it free!

The girls had a great time picking pumpkins, taking a hay ride, playing in the sand pit, and petting the animals at the petting zoo.  Of course my camera died almost immediately after getting there, but here are a couple of pictures I did manage to take.

We're back!

How has it been SIX months since my last post?????  First the computer was broken, then the camera was broken, and by then I was out of the habit of posting.  Finally, we have a computer and a camera that both work (knock on wood), so I am going to get back into the groove of uploading pics and posting to this blog. (Although currently I am having issues and confusion over which e-mail address currently supports this blog).

So much has happened since April: a summer home with the girls, a trip to Topsail Beach, a new school year, Madilynn getting bigger (and badder, literally!), Reagan starting dance, a trip to the pumpking patch, and so much more!

But I'll leave this evening with a recent pic of the girls taken two days ago.  Reagan is 3 years 10 months and Madilynn is 20 months.  I can't believe how big they have gotten in just the past six months!

 

Children's Museum

So I know it has been nearly a month since I have posted, and it is killing me!  Our computer is messed up, so it is virtually impossible to post.  There are so many things I want to blog about--a trip to the Children's Museum, enjoying the warm weather, Trey and I coming to the rescue at a fire at our neighbor's house...the list goes on and on.  For now, I will settle with posting some pics.

A few weeks ago, we spent Saturday morning at the Short Pump branch of the Children's Museum.  Most of the exhibits there are focused on the under five crowd, so it was perfect for Reagan and Madilynn.  They both had a blast!  We finished off the morning with pizza for lunch, so it was a great Saturday for everyone!

And one last picture of the girls in their matching skirts that my mom made.  Adorable!



Doctor Appointments Out the Wazoo

It is no secret that we have a frequent flyer membership at the pediatrician.  This winter our family has been plagued with no illness after the other.  Luckily, the days between visits is getting longer and longer (yes, I'm knocking on wood...).  Anyway, here are the lastest two updates.

Update One:  Madilynn's First Year Check-Up

Madilynn's one year appointment went great!  She is still tiny at 19lbs. 10oz (30th %) and 29 inches (40th %), but she is healthy and strong.  I was concerned that she is not yet walking or talking.  Reagan started walking and talking right around  a year old and hasn't stopped since, but the doctor said that Madilynn's lack of speech and walking is nothing to be concerned about.  He said that second children often hit these milestones later than first children.  Second born kids don't have to verbalize their needs as much since this is the second time around the block for the parents who can anticipate those needs better than they did with number one.  Also, the older sibling talks for the younger one.  For example, when Reagan wants a snack, I give one to both girls.  Therefore, Madilynn never has to express that she is hungry.  So we will continue loving and cuddling and teaching her, and I'm sure she'll be walking and talking right along with her sister in no time.

Update Two:  Reagan and Asthma

For several weeks we noticed that Reagan was having coughing spells at night.  They were getting so bad that she would be up for several hours coughing and crying out.  We tried treating her with cough medicine, but that would just mask the symptoms for a few hours.  After dealing with these for nearly two weeks, I finally took her to the pedi.  The diagnosis is that she is being treated for asthma.  Apparently chronic coughing, mainly at night, with no other symptoms is treated as asthma.  This does not mean she has asthma; only time will tell.  Unfortunately, Trey had it pretty bad as a child, so she is already predisposed to it.  For now, she gets a breathing treatment with an inhaler at bedtime and then whenever she needs it throughout the day.  We will follow up with the doctor in several weeks if the symptoms continue to see where we go from here.  I will post a pic soon of her with her inhaler.  The first couple of times were a struggle--I think it scared her and the medicine can make her feel jittery--but now she is already a pro.  I'm so proud to be her mama.

Snow Day!

This winter has been unseasonably warm.  Most days have been in the 50's with 60's, but several times we have had 70 degree days...and one day we hit 82 degrees!  What is ironic about this post is that I am actually typing it on our first snow day from school this winter!  (Did I mention it is supposed to be 70 by Thursday?)  Anyway, on President's Day we also had snow--the most snow all winter.  And the girls and I took advantage of it by playing outside.  Here are a few pics:

Reagan's first ever snow angel!

Madilynn's first experience with snow!

Computer Woes

The reason I have been MIA with updating the blog is because we are having major computer problems.  Most days it only works for a few minutes before going a blue screen.  Therefore, I have so many updates to give, but no way to give them.  In the next few days I hope to write posts on a snow day we enjoyed, Madilynn's one year check up, Reagan's treatment for asthma, and a fun morning spent at the Children's Museum.  All of these updates are of course dependent on my computer actually working, so we'll see how long this takes...

Happy 1st Birthday, Madilynn!

All dressed up for my birthday party!

Two days ago, my sweet baby Madilynn turned one!  Time has just flown by.  I know it is trite to say it, but it feels like yesterday when I was recovering from a C-section and cuddling a barely 6 pound baby in my arms.  Now my little one is cruising, babbling, playing (and fighting!) with her sister on a daily basis.  She is the complete opposite of Reagan in every way.  She is tiny, living up to her nickname Peanut, shy, and sensitive.  I remember right after she was born, I told my friend at work about her birth story.  She told me that Madilynn is going to be a go-getter:  at the first opening she saw, she just had to enter the world.  So every time she sees an opportunity, even if the door is only partially open, she will go for it.  I love thinking of that when I look at my little girl, because even though she has a sweet exterior, she is learning to be quite fiesty as well. 

I love Grandma!

My mom and Aunt Suzanne suprised us all by driving down from Ohio for Madilynn's first birthday party.  We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating with some family and friends.  Reagan was so excited for the party that she didn't nap at all that day.  Madilynn, on the other hand, fell asleep in my mom's arms just as the party was starting! But after a brief snooze, she woke up to her first cake and presents.  She loved opening them--or rather watching her sister open them!--and she loved playing with the toys--or rather the boxes--even more.  All in all, Madilynn had a great first birthday.

So excited for a party!

Sisters forever!

Cake!  Where have you been all my life?

Reagan's favorite food group: Ice Cream!

Dear Madilynn,

Happy 1st Birthday, Sweetheart!  It has been such a pleasure to be your Mommy this past year.  You came into this world on your own terms, and you have been my sweet Peanut every single day since then.  It has been amazing watching you grow from a tiny, 6 pound 4 ounce baby, to an almost-walking, always-babbling little girl.  I am so excited to watch you continue to grow and learn and love in the coming weeks, months, and years.  Reagan started our family; you have completed it.

I love you always and forever,

Mommy