Halloween Craft

I have been trying to do fun activities with Kara to better direct her energy as part of "mommy preschool." We made this Halloween craft today, and as an added bonus, Kara wanted to make it for her Uncle Bry (whose birthday is today).

She did all the gluing with some direction from me. The skeleton is supposed to have five fingers on each hand, but Kara insisted that the skeleton was dancing and be doing "the grandpa dance," (dad, your dance moves will forever be memorialized!) so I helped make her wishes reality. We didn't do a half-bad job! This was definitely a fun and toddler-friendly activity to do together.

Still MIA

I have been really, really terrible about updating our blog. For various reasons, writing has just felt so overwhelming. I have sooooo much I want to write about! I'm hoping to get back in to a regular writing routing this week. I just need to whip myself in to shape and be normal again!

So for tonight, enjoy these pictures of "Little Bo Peep" and her "sheep." Kara was so thrilled after I finished their costumes!

Jessalyn at 2 Months

*Make sure you don't miss my other posts from today!

Today we had Jessalyn's 2 month check-up! She weighs 6lbs 15 oz, which I am thrilled about. There were a few things that the pediatrician and I have discussed off and on that the pediatrician is concerned about, so we have a couple more appointments with some specialists, but Jessalyn is growing and healthy. I couldn't really ask for more! Yesterday she smiled at me for the first time, and she smiled twice again during her appointment. It totally melted my heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For comparison, here is a picture of Jessalyn at 2 weeks (right), and a picture of her at 2 months(left)

 

 

 

Heading home from the doctor

What You Don't Know

What you don't know before you become a parent is all the worry that comes with the territory. I think that's the hardest part about being a mom--you're so vested in these little people and in giving them a good life and raising them well, there just seem like an endless amount of things to worry and fret over. It kind of gives you perspective about the important things in life.

I love these two little people. They are my whole world. Nothing compares to the way Kara runs at me and hugs me and tells me, "you're a good mommy!" or the way I can pick Jessalyn up when she's crying and she nestles her head in my shoulder. I am truly blessed.

A Little More About Jessalyn

We are all pretty enamored with Jessalyn. She's so cute, and Kara especially can't keep her hands off of her--she wants to be the best little helper!

We've had a few challenges though, too. When Jessalyn was born, we were told that she was IUGR, or "intra uterine growth restricted." She was smaller than other 36 week babies and had quit growing. She didn't even make it in to the percentile growth chart (now she's in the 3rd percentile for weight). I was told that having a baby born IUGR could present some potential challenges.

Fast forward to today--Jessalyn is doing great, but we have been concerned about a few things, and I'm constantly worried about her. She acts more like a 4 week old baby than an 8 week old baby, but that is to be expected for her gestational age. She has been doing this weird twitch thing though, and I originally thought she'd grow out of it, but it was getting worse, so I finally mentioned it to her pediatrician. The Dr. was worried it might be seizures, so we had an EEG done and were referred to a neurologist at the Children's Hospital down town. Good news is, it doesn't look like it is seizures (though not 100% ruled out, so we have another appointment in 3 months). Her EEG showed immature brain activity, which means her brain is a little immature, so she should *hopefully* grow out of the twitching as her brain matures. It was a little disconcerting to hear that she was "immature," but again, not anything unexpected and not necessarily bad news (most premature babies catch up by 2 years old).

The other thing going on with Jessalyn is her reflux issue. She has been having bad reflux and tummy issues, and will usually have a couple bouts during the day of just straight crying for an hour or more. She cries for the majority of her wakefulness, with the occasional break. She's especially bad at night, and she will only sleep for 30 minutes to an hour at a time before waking up and crying like she's in horrible pain. It is so heartbreaking, and exhausting, and I've cut just about everything out of my diet that I think is causing it, but no dice. We have a two month check up this Thursday, and the pediatrician is probably going to prescribe her some medicine to cut back on the acidity and gas. I bought a Moby wrap too, and that seems to help sometimes.

Don't read this and think we are all doom and gloom at home though! I am so happy to be a mom to both my girls, and Jessalyn is really a very, very sweet baby when she isn't gassy or spitting up. I am hopeful that we can get her reflux and tummy problems under control so she can be happier and we can all love on her without upsetting her tummy!