KerryAndGabe.com

We had Catherine create the birth announcements, once again. We were very happy with how they turned out! Click on the photo to see all four panels.

Catherine came to town to photograph Cullen when he was 11 days old. As always, we were very happy with our photos. We hoped to get some photos of the four of us, but Maddie had other plans. I was very happy to get this cute one of the two kids. Click on the photo to see the rest of the session.

Something that made me happy this week: I was happy when we found out at Cullen’s 2-week appointment that not only had he regained his birth weight, he gained an extra pound and an ounce. He weighed in at 9 pounds, 11 ounces on Tuesday. He was 21.5 inches long, putting him in the 71st percentile. Quite different from his peanut of a big sister.

Something I’m thinking: I thought I was tired last week at this time. Wow, I had no idea.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping to have a boring week and a healthy family.

Something happening around the house: Snow, again. This kind of snow was much better. It was pretty, it didn’t cause problems on the roads, and it is melting away quickly.

Something I’m reading: Board books to Maddie. That’s about it.

Something tasty I ate this week: Several friends delivered real food to the hospital while we were there with Cullen. This was very much appreciated!

Something Maddie did this week: Maddie continues to be a chatterbox and cracks us up all the time. Last Sunday evening, she blamed her brother for the first time. She tore the wrapper off the crayon, and Gabe asked her, “why did you tear the paper off the crayon?” Maddie’s reply was, “Cullen did it.” Wow, I can’t believe how early that behavior starts! She’s not even 2! And then a couple days ago, Gabe was taking her downstairs from her crib in the morning and she passed some gas. Gabe asked, “Maddie, did you toot?” and Maddie’s reply this time was, “Bunny tooted.” I guess since Cullen wasn’t at home (he was at the hospital with me), she had to resort to blaming her stuffed animals. Hilarious.

Something Cullen did this week: Cullen seems to have his first illness which, due to his age, meant an ER visit for us and a two day stay in the hospital. He vomited several times and had a fever on Wednesday night. They take fevers in newborns very seriously and subjected him to a number of tests including a spinal tap and several equally unpleasant tests. It was a difficult couple of days, and we’re not quite recovered from it. We have been home from the hospital since Friday night.

Something I struggled with this week: Obviously taking my newborn to the ER and having him admitted to the hospital was a struggle. I encountered my first situation where I had to prioritize my children and give attention to the one who needs it most. Maddie was very upset when we left her on Wednesday night to take Cullen to the hospital. It was heartbreaking, but we had to focus on what was going on with Cullen at the moment. I knew that we would have times like these with multiple children, but it was still difficult.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: We watched another episode or two of Dead Like Me.

Something I learned this week: I learned a little more than I wanted about the ER and pediatric ward of the hospital. Fortunately, Cullen’s visit was a precautionary one, standard protocol for newborns with a fever. Thank goodness it wasn’t more serious.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Maddie’s birthday! I can’t believe that she will be TWO at the end of this week.

Something random: I’m excited about seeing the rest of Cullen’s photo session with Catherine Keene Photography. This should happen tomorrow!

Something captured: My little guy in the smallest hospital gown ever, hooked up to an IV and various monitors. This was taken while we were still in the ER (where we stayed for about 8 hours).

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Cullen had his newborn session with Catherine Keene Photography when he was 11 and 12 days old. Catherine has shared two photos from the session so far. More to come soon!

Less than two weeks before Cullen’s arrival, Catherine was able to come and take photos of my belly. With various weather events and the holidays, we weren’t sure that we were going to be able to manage a session this time. I posted some sneak peeks a few weeks ago. The entire session has now been posted. Click on the photo to see the whole album.

Something that made me happy this week: We had several friends bring meals to our house this week which was a huge help. We are very grateful for this and have enjoyed eating some different dishes that we might not normally try.

Something I’m thinking: I’m thinking I could use more sleep.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping to get my taxes done this week. I started on them this past week, but I need to make sure my numbers are correct.

Something happening around the house: Gabe’s mom came to visit for a few days during which time Catherine came to set up a studio for photoshoots of Cullen and the rest of us. I can’t wait to see the photos!

Something I’m reading: Still not reading much, aside from blogs in my feed reader.

Something tasty I ate this week: Friday night, friends brought over a tasty meal of sausage corn chowder, salad, bread, and a cheesecake/mousse pie. I think we’re going to add the chowder to our normal rotation of meals. We both really enjoyed it! I’ve posted the recipe.

Something Maddie did this week: She missed two days of daycare due to the weather (and one day due to the photo session with Catherine). I’m hoping that having her in daycare full time this week will help with her overall routine. Hopefully, it will help improve her sleeping schedule as well.

Something Cullen did this week: Cullen had his first of many photo sessions with Catherine Keene Photography. At this rate, the kids will have to pay for their own college but they will have beautiful photographs of their childhood.

Something I struggled with this week: Sleep was a struggle a few nights this week, but of course that’s to be expected with a newborn. The toddler is having more sleep issues than the newborn, it seems. It’s taking 2 hours to get her to sleep each night, she wakes up several times in the middle of the night, and one night this week she was awake the majority of the time between 1am and 5am. I’ve also been struggling with not being able to give Maddie the same attention we gave her a few weeks ago and miss snuggling her in our bed in the middle of the night. It’s an adjustment for everyone.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Surprisingly, I did work on one of my goals. Just last night, we got out the Dead Like Me DVDs so that we can watch the rest of that series as we have time.

Something I learned this week: I learned that the daycare uses the phrase “time out” (sparingly) in the classroom. When Maddie repeatedly wouldn’t listen to me, I asked her if she wanted to go to “time out.” We had never used that phrase with her previously, so I’m not sure why I even said it. Well, it worked. She no longer thought that misbehaving was funny and stopped that behavior. Her little face then scrunched up in a heart wrenching way, and she got really upset! She went running to Daddy, “I don’t want to go to time out! No time out!” and was crying. I talked to one of her teachers who said she didn’t think that Maddie had ever been sent to time out, but apparently she has a healthy respect for the punishment! We’ll have to remember that in the future (but use it sparingly).

Something I’m looking forward to next week: I’m looking forward to seeing our photos from Catherine, my first “normal” week on maternity leave with Maddie in daycare the whole week and no house guests, and Cullen’s 2-week appointment and weight check.

Something random: I’m still waiting on Cullen’s cord to fall off. Poor guy doesn’t have a belly button yet.

Something captured: Grandma had a lot of fun playing with Maddie and holding Cullen this week!

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Cullen continues to be a very laid back baby. We marvel daily at how different he is from his big sister.

Something I’m thinking: I can’t believe that I’m the mother of two beautiful children! I have kids. Kids, as in more than one! Crazy.

Something I’m hoping: I hope that the LOST premiere is good!!! Looking forward to it!

Something happening around the house: SNOW! It snowed and sleeted and did all kinds of frozen stuff for well over 24 hours. We have quite a bit of accumulation and are pretty much stuck for a few days. Maddie was excited to see it, and she spent about 5 minutes out there with Daddy. It was COLD.

Something I’m reading: I’ve been reading a lot of blogs on my iPod in the middle of the night while nursing the little man. For the first time ever, I’m staying caught up on my feeds. I need more blogs to add to my list!

Something tasty I ate this week: Homemade chili that friends brought by and chicken soup that neighbors brought us at exactly the right time as we were trying to figure out what to have for lunch. Meal drop offs are awesome!

Something Maddie did this week: She took a greater interest in her baby brother, after ignoring him for several days. She now wants to hold and hug him often. She will sit and ask to put a blanket on her lap in preparation for holding “baby Cullen.” She includes him in her night-night ritual (”night night baby Cullen”), among other important items like her shopping cart and school bus tent.

Something Cullen did this week: Cullen slept a ton and was generally a little angel. He has a tough job.

Something I struggled with this week: Winter weather, ugh! The weather changed the plans of my mom (she went back earlier), Gabe’s mom (she’s coming later), and Catherine (also coming later).

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Does it look like I have time to work on goals?

Something I learned this week: I learned how they correct tongue tie. It was a very simple procedure, and Cullen didn’t seem to suffer from it at all. Hopefully, it has made him a more efficient nurser and will lessen the chances of speech issues in the future.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Hopefully, Catherine is coming to take photos of our little boy. The weather already interfered with that once, and I’m a little worried it’s trying to interfere again. Stupid winter.

Something random: We are still planning on taking a photo of Cullen every day for the first year of his life. Once again, we’re going to have way more photos than anyone could ever possibly need. I’m excited about the project as Maddie’s turned out awesome.

Something captured: Maddie was so excited about the snow. She wasn’t heavy enough to break through the top crust of the snow since we had a layer of sleet and ice on top.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Catherine came to visit last weekend and took photos of my ginormous belly. She has posted a few sneak peeks of the session. I hope to be able to post more photos from the session soon!

Something that made me happy this week: I actually managed to attend my baby shower! My friend Shannon (Paolo’s mommy) had a great idea to throw us a meals shower. She and Shannon (Keira’s mommy) co-hosted the event. It was wonderful. We have many friends signed up to bring us meals after the baby arrives. I remember how helpful that was when Maddie was born, and I look forward to trying out so many new dishes.

Something I’m thinking: We’re getting closer to being “ready” for baby boy. I’ll feel more prepared once we reconfigure the seats in the van, move Maddie’s car seat (turning it forward facing), and install baby boy’s car seat bases (in both cars). Gabe hopes to do that early this week.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping to get a few more days to “get things done” before the baby gets here, though I feel confident that we can care for his basic needs upon arrival.

Something happening around the house: We had guests this weekend. My mom was in town for the shower, and my friend Catherine and her son were here for the shower and photoshoot. Catherine took photos of my belly today. I can’t wait to see how they turned out!

Something I’m reading: I finished and recommend Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s. I started reading the second book in the Septimus Heap series, Flyte.

Something tasty I ate this week: This week, I’ll mention something tasty I drank this week…the punch at the shower was very good! I don’t usually go for the creamy punches, but this one was fabulous. I hope to get the recipe from Shannon (Keira’s mommy) and post it here.

Something Maddie did this week: We had a fairly major event (as far as Mommy is concerned) this week. Due to various circumstances, I found myself at work with the car without the car seat. Gabe was planning to get Maddie since I had plans after work. Plans changed slightly, and Shannon (Keira’s mommy) was going to meet me at my house right after work and drive me around. Since she had a car seat in her car, and it would save Gabe and extra trip, Maddie rode in Shannon’s car. Without her Mommy or Daddy. This is a big deal for me! Apparently, it was a really big deal for Maddie, too. She has been talking about it for days, “I rode in Shannon’s car and played with toys.” She has repeated this over and over. I’m glad that the drive went so well as we may need to call on Shannon to pick up or take Maddie to daycare, depending on when baby boy decides to make his appearance.

Something happening with the pregnancy: We are going to the doctor weekly. I haven’t met all the doctors in the new practice yet, so they are trying to get me in with different ones each week. This week, I met the newest doctor to the practice. She just started this week. She was very nice and thorough. She’s already one of my favorites. While she was measuring and feeling around my belly, she took a step back and asked, “How big was your first baby??” When I answered that Maddie was 8 lbs, 2 oz at birth, she said, “This baby isn’t going to be any smaller!” I figured this, but it’s another thing for the doctor to inform me of that! We’re expecting a big baby, especially as we get closer and closer to the due date. Oh, and the baby is officially “full term” (37 weeks). Two weeks, 5 days until the due date.

Something I struggled with this week: Putting on my socks and tying my shoes.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I managed to work on Volume 2 of the 2009 photobooks this week. I took a vacation day on Friday primarily to do this. I hope to take another one this week to get some more done. I also would love to finish Maddie’s mural…but I don’t know if that’s going to happen!

Something I learned this week: Maddie is cutting another tooth. So far, she has her two bottom molars and she’s cutting at least one of the top molars. The new tooth on the top makes her 11th. She may be getting both of the top ones, but she won’t let me poke around her mouth too much (and it’s too hard to see the top ones!).

Something I’m looking forward to next week: We have some dinners with friends, a slumber party, and a birthday party.

Something random: Gabe thinks I put too many marshmellows in my hot chocolate, but I think there’s no such thing as “too many marshmellows.” And hot chocolate, YUM!

Something captured: My lovely co-hosts and me at the shower yesterday.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

I’ve posted our photos from our session with Catherine Keene Photography. As always, we are very pleased with our photos. It’s going to be very difficult to choose our favorites. I just love our cute little girl! Click on the photo to see the rest of the album.