British Influence

Along the same lines of my earlier post today, I forgot to mention that Kar has picked up a British accent. So, if you are ever around her and have trouble understanding what she is saying, just think in British, and everything becomes quite clear! The influence is the abundance of cartoons that she watches that are British. Her absolute favorite is Kipper, the dog. She has seen these episodes so many times, that she recites them while watching them (thanks to streaming Netflix!) They are super cute episodes, so even I don't mind watching with her. Her next favorite, and maybe the most influential is "Peppa Pig". Kris isn't just "daddy" but instead "Da -Day". She also says "sor-ey" for sorry, ""kont" for can't - such as "I kont do it, Mommy, I kont pick up my mess." (and a many more words that I will have to write down and update this with, as I can't think of them at this moment.) A few other favorite cartoons include Pokyo, and the latest - Small Potatoes. So, next time you hear her talk, keep the accent in mind! Love her!!!

The "Blump"

I keep meaning to write a little tidbit about this and keep forgetting. I'm thinking about it, so here it is:
Karmann went with me on a quick trip to a store and to pick up dinner last night. We drove by the executive airport here in Orlando. Every time we drive by, she says hello to the little airplanes. Also, ever since we drove by one time and saw the Met Life Blimp, she looks for it as well - except, she forgets how to say blimp and calls it the "blump"!! So as we drove by, she asked, "Where's the blump, Mommy?" It is hilarious and now, we just call it the blump because it is so cute!

We made it!

We made it through a full week! The new routine didn't go without struggles, but by Friday, we had no arguments from Kar getting dressed and going in early, and I actually left the house by 745! Wednesday was Kris' birthday, though we didn't celebrate until Thursday. Kris took half a day off and took Kar to Seaworld, then when Max and I got home, we made a cake and sang happy birthday to Daddy. I must admit all day Friday all I could think about was being home with the kids this weekend! We don't have plans, except Kris is hoping to finish the fence in the back yard. So, so far this morning, we haven't done much! And it feels just fine.
Hoping that next week is just as smooth!
I did forget to mention that Max's eye ducts are clogged and I took him to the doctor to get it checked, and his weight now is 16 lbs 3 oz!! He is such a big teddy bear!

Day 2

So day two has gone about as well as day one. Maybe a little better, as it is only 9 pm and Karmann is asleep, as well as Max. I'm just now cleaning up the dinner table and kitchen, but at least they are asleep. Kris is teaching his late class tonight, so I'm pretty proud of myself getting everything done on my own.
Tonight Karmann's song went like this: Twinkle Twinkle big sister, Twinkle twinkle big sister, twinkle twinkle big sister, twinkle twinkle big sister! It was hilarious as she just busted out singing it in bed. She also helped give Max a well needed bath, and then was satisfied with her "baby fix" of her sitting in Max's bathtub. She even got out and then took a "big girl" bath in the regular tub. She's getting it, bit by bit. No progress on the poop side, but much better with everything else.
Max had another good day at school too. He's eating well from the bottles and they say he's so mellow and a happy boy! I'm glad he likes it and they like him! Its really hard not to :) The other little boys in his class are adorable too, so I see some good friendships in the future!
I must admit today was an otherwise really long day at work. I need to get up and walk around more, because my tailbone is starting to bug me again. The big thrill for me today was that I ordered on line, and just yesterday received a nursing bra that lets me pump at work Hands Free!! Its great! I may even blog sometime while I pump! And, I can't believe how fast the time goes when you are focused on something else! Why I didn't invest or make one myself three years ago, I don't know! Anyway, to anyone reading this, I highly recommend it!!
Well, I should go make progress while I can. Have a good night and pray the rest of the week goes smoothly as well! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Back to Reality

Today was back to reality day - my first day back to work full time, and therefore Max's first day at the daycare. And we all survived! Right now, the way we think its going to work, is Kris takes Kar in with him early, which lets me only have to worry about myself and Max in the morning. Its only about an hour difference, but for now, it divides up the process between us both, and lets me focus on nursing, getting bottles ready, and getting myself a shower, breakfast and brushing my teeth - and hopefully I leave the house with clothes and make-up! It worked out really well today. Max also did really well today - all the ladies said he was an angel! He even went on a stroller ride over lunch! Kris went over to check on him, and Max and his three new friends were out and about! So he caught up with them (they only go around the block) and he was doing just fine! I was a little nervous that he didn't have enough bottles today, as I have always nursed him except for one feeding in the afternoons when Kris would watch him, so I wasn't sure how much he would eat. So when I picked him up, he had taken all of his milk and one bottle of formula (a total of 10 oz.) He ate good when he got home, too, and has slept most of the evening - which i am a little worried he'll be up all night...so I am about to wake him up! Karmann has also been an angel today - and is excited that Max is going to "her school" and knows he's in the baby room.
Kar really has started to accept Max. She often says in the car "this is my family" Mommy, Daddy, Max and me. And, if she is playing with a game or stickers, she always includes Max and makes sure he has some too. I'm sure this will change in the future, but its sweet right now! She's also really talking well lately and much clearer. If I haven't mentioned this already, she knows her right from her left - and even calls out the direction we are turning in the car! She's also grasping the concept of "tomorrow" and "a few days" and "a couple weeks". She talks about these things, but I know she doesn't really get it yet, but we may be working on telling time sometime soon! She's also had a thing for making up her own lyrics to song tunes that she knows. "I'm a little tea pot" and "row row row your boat" are a few tunes that she often uses. Its pretty hilarious sometimes and gets Kris and me laughing out loud a lot. Her other fetish right now is fire trucks and loves to see the trucks, but hates the sirens and holds her hands over her ears every time one drives by the house or if she hears them when we are out or in the car. Basically, anything RED, she will pay attention to, and will like.
Well, Max is still sleeping, so before I wake him up, I may just try and catch some z's....I'm sure more inspiration will come with this week...lets hope it continues to go smoothly!!! Wish us luck!!!

Week update

Thank goodness for the 3 day weekend (MLK Day)! Finally the fence was delivered, so Kris is busy working on getting it installed. In the mean time, Karmann has been in a good mood today, and even went pee in the potty ALL BY HERSELF while I was feeding Max! That was worthy of three red M&M's as a prize! Though, she hasn't gone poop yet today. I can say that a few days back, she went poo poo (as she calls it) three times in the potty. It was a fluke, but maybe she's making progress.

She redeems her cuteness on many occasions, though. Like this morning when she told Kris that he was stinky after he got home from his run - it was pretty funny! And, she still has her genders confused, and is convinced that Max is her little sister - so she put a hair bow on him! I have a photo that I will have to post. And though she is like a tornado in a room and can make a mess in no time, she will sometimes help clean things up. I know there are a million other moments that I've forgotten already!

This morning, Max took a bath in the "blue boat" a.k.a the baby tub, within the bathtub. He has grown so plump that its really not safe giving him a bath in the bathroom sink any more. He loved it, of course, and never complains a bit! Karmann also jumped in the big bathtub to help wash him! She of course jumped in the blue boat as if she was the baby, as soon as I took Max out! I know the days where they will both be taking baths together will be here before I know it!

Max has been sleepy today. Its pretty cold out, so Karmann didn't stay outside with Kris for very long, so we've all been hanging low today. Laundry, cleaning and being lazy is on the agenda! This house still hasn't recovered from the holiday messes and moving rooms, so hoping to get a bit further today. I have realized that we need a lot more storage bins, even though the goodwill box is over flowing! In the mess, I've only misplaced 2 pairs of pants, and a few other random items - which one showed up this morning! So I am hoping the others will show up soon!

Hoping to have a photo of the new fence soon! Have a good weekend!!

Christmas and New Year update

The holidays are officially over. And, we are officially on our own with Karmann and Max. Grandma and Papa left early yesterday morning, after an awesome (almost) two week visit. But let's start the update just before Christmas...
Since we have lived in Florida, we have only been in Orlando twice for Christmas. Once when Karmann was born and this year, since Max was born. When Karmann was born, we spent Christmas Eve in the hospital since she had jaundice, and this year, my dad was in the hospital for an on going stomach problem. Thank goodness, in both situations, everything turned out fine, and my dad was released two days after Christmas. So our actual Christmas morning was pretty low key, with it just being the four of us, and Karmann being surprised with presents under the tree. All she wanted was actual "presents" having never defined what those presents would be, though she did state the night before that she wanted Santa to bring her candy canes! Luckily we had a couple that we hung on the tree. Needless to say, she was very satisfied.
We were lucky to have Sarah and Charlie in town for Christmas, so that afternoon they came for Christmas Dinner. Since things were a little off schedule with my dad in the hospital, dinner was pretty basic with a ham, green beans, rolls, and I think Kris did make a pumpkin pie. Aunt Sarah and Uncle Charlie got Karmann and Max a tire swing, so that was installed, and outdoor fun began!
A few days later, Grammy, Aunt Keri, Uncle Choy and Amara came for a visit. Karmann was lucky that Amara stayed through New Years. They had a blast together, putting on Christmas shows of carols and playing musical instruments, playing outside, and just plain keeping each other company. They have really grown close as cousins, and almost act like siblings sometimes! Karmann was sad to see her leave!
Papa also came down just in time for New years eve! The plan was for him to help Kris install a fence and gates for the back yard this break. The fence was ordered at the end of November, and it was to be delivered before the holiday....well, to make a long story short, it still has not arrived as I type this. Instead, about a million little things got done around the house - inside and out, and they even got a few fishing excursions accomplished too! I love it when Steve visits, as every little think that we procrastinate on gets done and done right the first time! Just wish we all lived closer!!
Having both Grammy and Papa here meant that Kris and I got a huge break, and we even went out for dinner for New Years Eve. We just went around the corner, and practically had the whole restaurant to ourselves, but it was really good, and we enjoyed each other's company!
Both Grammy and Papa enjoyed seeing how much Max had grown in just a month since they last saw him. He is weighing almost 15 lbs on the bathroom scale - which is crazy! Karmann only weighed 10 lbs at her 2 month check up! He's starting to coo, laugh and smile with huge dimples in his chubby cheeks! He is a very mellow baby and doesn't make any noise hardly, unless he's hungry, then he is loud as all get out! And if you don't feed him immediately, he gets MAD! Bless his heart, he eats every 2 hours, sometimes more frequently, and each side for at least 15 minutes each! He's sleeping pretty well at night, and has some where he'll sleep up to 5 hours! Which is pretty good. He loves it(or doesn't complain or cry or scream) when I give him a bath in the sink, and  loves to be cuddled and warm in fleece blankets and pajamas. He's already in 3-6 month clothes, and has almost grown too big for his bassinet.
Speaking of bassinets, I forgot to mention that in order to make room for his crib and Karmann's stuff, one of the "little" things that got accomplished, was switching bedrooms upstairs. It has worked out really well so far. We still need to get a mattress for Max's crib since Karmann still uses hers in her toddler bed, but once that happens (and we find the charger for the monitor) Max will most likely be sleeping in there real soon.
Karmann is in love with Max and is very proud to be a big sister. She even offers to share her toys, food, and hair bows with him! We hope her enthusiasm and caring continues as they grow older! Kar had her 3 year check up at the doctor's on Friday. She has grown 2 3/4" in one year, and weighs 29 lbs. I forgot to write down how tall she was, but I know she's over 3 feet tall. All were at the 50 percentile rates. We have started using M&M's to motivate her to go pee and "poo poo" as she calls it, in the potty. It hasn't really worked on #2 yet, but feeding her "purple" juice on a daily basis is making her go - and we are hoping she will catch on and not do it in her pants....soon....we hope!!
Recently she has become addicted to Mickey Mouse Play house and so this past weekend, as Grammy and Papa were going home soon, we all went to Downtown Disney. Grammy got Kar a Mickey doll, and I swear she has not put him down since. Forget Piggy! Mickey and Minnie are all the rage!!! We will plan a big deal with family when we finally take her to Magic Kingdom, which will probably be this year - maybe for her 4th birthday.
Well, that's about the update, or as late as I can stay awake. I'll post a link to photos soon.