FOUR

How is my babyboy 4 already?  His 3rd year completely flew by!  On Wednesday we took Peyton in to see Dr. Heffernan for his 4-year-appointment.  It is like night and day compared to how he's been at his last few appointments.  He isn't scared anymore, and loves to chat it up with Dr. Bob.  Dr. Heffernan commented on how Peyton is so much more confident this year.  He was impressed with his vocabulary, counting, knowing his right and left, etc.  He said he's still a "string bean" physically, but is perfectly healthy.  We're curious to see how he does with his surgery next Friday (adenotonsillectomy).  We're hoping we'll see a big improvement in his nose-breathing, snoring, speech, and sleep.  I'm nervous about the surgery and the recovery-especially with a newborn who is up every 3 hours still.  Hopefully he will bounce back pretty quickly with no complications. 

His 4-year stats:
*Height: 43.5 inches, 95th percentile, last year: 40 3/4 inches
*Weight: 37 lbs, 75th percentile, last year: 35 lbs.

Some tidbits on Peyton at 4:
*He is doing really well with school.  He still has his anxiety at times with being dropped off at school, more so with me, he does fine when Daddy drops him off.  I think it may have to do with the new baby. He's always telling me to "give the baby to Dad" so I can brush his teeth, take him to school, help him get dressed, etc.  He's learned so much since starting last September, it really is amazing.  He recently got his report card and he got mostly M's (Masters) and G's (Good Progress) and one S (Sometimes).  The S was for playing and sharing with other children.  We're working on this and hope that him having a sister will help him with the sharing.  There was a note from Teacher Shanise that he tends to stay close to her a lot of the time.  However, he talks constantly about all his different friends at school and he does interact/talk to the other kids.  Funny story...I was picking him up one afternoon and they were sitting down eating lunch.  Peyt didn't see that I was there yet and he turns to his best school buddy Jacob and says "What kind of vacuum does your mom have?"  Jacob gave him a funny look and said "I'm having a batman cake for MY birthday!!!"  Seriously, only my child would inquire about vacuums to his friends.  :)

*Peyton continues to be a really good eater.  If he refuses a food, it's usually due to him being stubborn.  His favorites continue to be PBJ sandwiches, salad with lots of tomatoes, meatloaf, pizza, enchiladas, lasagna, fruit, graham crackers, granola bars, yogurt, raisins, and much more.

*Peyton is fully potty trained during the day with the rare accident.  He still wears a pull-up at night as his bladder just isn't mature enough to hold it over night, and he doesn't always wake up to go.  Dr. Heffernan said this is perfectly fine and expected for boys.  We're hoping over the next year it will change.  He does wake up dry at times though. 

*Peyton's favorite activities: vacuuming, coloring (he is really good at staying in the lines), riding his bike/scooter, playing legos, mommy/daddy reading him books, playing basketball up at Grandpa's house, going to the park, and helping mommy/daddy do lots of different things.

*Peyton is a really great big brother.  He loves to give his sister tons of kisses and talks to her to console her if she is crying.  He loves to fetch us diapers, burp cloths, etc and is a great helper.  I'm excited to watch their relationship blossom. 

*Peyt is still the stubborn boy we've always known and loved!  He is so head-strong and really fights to get his way. It can be very frustrating at times, but with us talking to him and being consistent and not giving into him, he always comes around.  On the other hand, he is such a sweet boy and is so loving.  We just love him to pieces and look forward to his 4th year and all that it will bring!

WE LOVE YOU PEYTON! 

2-week appointment

Yesterday we took Olivia in for her 2-week check up.  She weighs 7 lbs, 11 oz (she gained 19 oz in 14 days!!), and is still 21.5 inches long.  Dr. Heffernan says she looks great and is gaining really well.  She also had to have some blood drawn which she really didn't like.  In the next week or so, I'm going to introduce a bottle with pumped milk and see how that goes.  It will be nice to get a break from the round the clock feedings.  :)

Birthday Parties

This past weekend we held two parties for Peyton's 4th birthday!  Saturday was the Prazeau family party and his buddies Ethan and Hunter came too.  The boys had a ton of fun running around playing together.  Peyton got a lot of fun stuff.  He got a ton of Legos, books, puzzles, a razor scooter, basketball hoop, baseball tee, clothes and much more.  He (and daddy) have been really busy putting lots of Lego sets together.  His favorite gift by far is his bug vacuum (of course) he got from Aunt Bonnie and Uncle John. I made one of his favorite dinners-lasagna and we got him a Cars cake that he really liked. 



Testing out his new razor that Mommy/Daddy got him.



 

Our first family of 4 picture.

On Sunday we had the Springer family over for party #2! I made another favorite dinner of Peyt's-chicken enchiladas and Grammy and Papa bought him a Toy Story cake. He got some more great gifts-new shoes, clothes, a Toy Story video game, books, puzzles, paints, and more.





He has his 4-year appointment tomorrow, so I'll post his 4-year update soon! 







Week 2

Well the 2nd week with Olivia was a bit more challenging.  She's decided that she likes to be wide awake after her middle-of-the-night feeding and fights going back to sleep.  We are tired!  She's still nursing pretty well, although seems kind of restless in the night and doesn't want to latch sometimes.  I'm hoping this is just a phase and she'll get on a steady routine.  She's definitely more alert during the day and is having longer periods of awake time.  We take her in on Monday to see her pediatrician, I'm curious to see how much weight she's gained.

Here's some pics from our week..

Reading a story to sister

I think she really looks like B here.

School b-day party

Peyton's teacher texted me these pictures from school today.  They had a little birthday celebration for Peyton!  He was "King Peyton" for the day and had muffins, crackers, and juice.  Now on to the busy weekend of birthday parties!

Valentine's Day Party

Yesterday wasn't Peyton's normal school day but he went in for the Valentine's Day Party with his class.  They combined both preschool classes for some cupcakes and Valentine exchange!  It was fun to watch, B and I were cracking up at the kids.  I don't know how those teachers don't laugh all day at all the hilarious things the kids do and say.  It's pretty entertaining.

He helped pass out the cups for their pink strawberry milk.

Praying before they eat their treats..

A Valentine Story

Teacher Shanise helping Peyt hand out his Valentines to his friends

Resemblence?

Peyton on top, 2 weeks old.  Olivia on bottom, 1 week old.







One week old...

Well it's been a week since Olivia came into this world.  It's been a wonderful, yet trying week.  Trying because a taking care of a newborn takes a lot of time and attention.  Also, after the first day or so home, Peyton has been having a hard time adjusting to the new addition to our family.  He's not liking that his baby sister is taking up a lot of his mommy/daddy time and I think also he's just not used to us both being home all the time.  We're dealing with a lot of whining, not listening, and just wanting to be home with us-and not wanting to go to school even more than normal.  We try to do activities with him while Olivia is napping, although he sometimes he is stubborn and resists.  We're hoping and praying he will adjust soon, I know it will take some time for him to get used to it. His birthday is next week, and we hope to make his day all about him.  All I want for him is to feel secure and loved!

B has been so awesome.  Since I'm the food source, he helps with diaper changes, helps with Peyton a ton, and has cooked dinner the past 2 nights!  He's such a great daddy and husband, I'm so thankful for him.  Love you B!

Olivia has been eating like a champ!  I think she's finally got her days/nights straightened out.  We're starting to establish a schedule but it definitely isn't set yet.  Most of her nights have been pretty good-she'll wake every 3-4 hours to nurse and then go back to sleep.  Last night however, she was up every 1-2 hours.  She has periods of awake time usually in the morning, and later evening where she'll stay awake for up to 2 hours.  Here are some pictures of our week.

Peyton helping wipe her face after a little spit up.

Melissa and Zakai came over for a visit..

A period of Peyton really loving his sister.  He goes back and forth through out the day of loving to interact with her to not wanting anything to do with her.  Love his smile!



My boy...can't believe he'll be 4 next week.





Tired Mama





I got this pic at just the right time to get this funny expression.








MY LOVES!



Some great morning light for pictures

Our sweet baby girl...


Here's to a great 2nd week!!!

Olivia Sandra

At 0219 February 3, 2011, we welcomed Olivia Sandra Springer into the world!  She weighed in at 6lbs, 12 oz, and 21 1/2 inches long.  Her apgars were 9/9, despite the cord loosely around her neck! She is absolutely perfect, and so pretty!  I'm still in awe that we have a baby girl.  B and I were convinced it was a boy, and once she came out we both looked at each other and said "It's a GIRL!!!!" 

. I know my mom was watching down from heaven. I wish so bad she was here to hold this precious baby girl. I'm so happy we got to give Olivia my mom's name as her middle name.

Wednesday Feb. 2nd, I started having painful contractions at about 4:45pm that were about 15 min apart.  Around 7pm, they were about 10 min apart.  They quickly went from 10 min apart to 8 min around 10pm, then 7min, then 5 min really quickly.  We left for the hospital around 11pm.  When I got to the hospital, I was at 6 cm with pretty painful, long lasting contractions about 2-3 min apart.  I asked for an epidural as soon as I got there.  The nurse went through 3 veins before she got an IV in me, then we had to wait for my blood work to get to the lab, so finally around I'm guessing 1am I got the epidural.  It took forever to kick in, and the contractions were INTENSE!  Finally I was numb, and I was so ready to rest, but the doc checked me and I was at 10 cm and ready to push.  (Side note: I didn't get to have my doctor deliver because apparently right before I came in she had taken a dose of NyQuil and didn't want to be impaired, lol. But the doctor on call was wonderful as well.)  About 5-6 pushes and she was out!  It was the complete opposite of Peyton's delivery.  The epidural numbed all my contractions with him and I pushed for a grueling hour and a half with the epidural wearing off.  Luckily this labor was super quick! 

We are in love with our baby girl and thankful that she is healthy.  Peyton is adjusting pretty well.  He keeps his distance from her, but loves to help us with her.  He is always saying how "beautiful, pretty, and cute" she is. 

Just minutes old, and I'm in awe and in love with my baby girl.

Daddy cutting the cord.



Proud mama and daddy!



Daddy and his girl



Her coloring was perfect.



Gorgeous



Loving the pigs!  She has the longest fingers and toes!

Uncle Randy with Olivia

Love those lips!

Peyton meeting his baby sister for the first time.

Checking her out

Getting cleaned up, measured and weighed

6lbs, 12 oz.

Cousin Brandon and Olivia

Grandpa Prazeau meeting her for the first time.

Grandpa Springer and Olivia

Great Grandma Springer

Grammy Springer and Peyt checking her diaper

Austin meeting his cousin.

First bath, she was NOT a fan. :)

Daddy washing her up.

Warming up under the heat

Clockwise from the top left: Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Hugh, Aunt Sherri, and Cousin Marissa.

Clockwise from the top left: Cousin Steph, Cousin Cameron, Cousin Alexa, Aunt Amy, Cousin Austin

Some bonding time with Daddy and Olivia

Peyt taking some pictures on his camera of his baby sister

Giving some loves

Content baby

I did not get any sleep in the hospital.  Olivia seemed to have her nights/days switched and wanted to eat every 45 in or so. On Saturday the 5th we were discharged home and we came home to a very sick little boy.  Peyton got some sort of 24-hour stomach flu and had a very high fever of 104. So our first night home was rough to say the least.  He was miserable, poor guy.  B and I got about 45 min of broken up sleep that night.  He was much better and his fever broke the following day.  Last night was SOO much better.  She was up about every 3 hours to eat but went right back down to sleep.  I can't tell you how good it felt to sleep for more than an hour!  Today we took Olivia into Dr. Heffernan to check out her bilirubin situation.  Her jaundice level was a tad bit more than normal when we left the hospital.  Turns out everything is fine and she's gained 4.5 ounces since we left the hospital 2 days ago!  Nursing is going well thankfully, she latched within an hour of being born.  I'm pretty sure we have another thumb-sucker on our hands, she's already gotten it pretty good a few times.  We're looking forward to getting her on a routine and adjusting to this enormous change in our lives.  I'm so happy and thankful for our family of 4!