MY NEW BLOG SITE!

When I created this blog over 2 years ago, I guess I was smarter because I didn't think that a blog name that I created would be difficult to remember, but it has been.  So I'm finally changing it.   Follow this link to follow us from now on!

Living with Gills- livingwithgills.blogspot.com

I"m still trying to figure out how to design it, but it will be a work in progress.  

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Parade, Santas, and Trees

Finally, I uploaded some pictures from a few weekends ago....

First, we went to the Greensboro Christmas Parade, but got there a little late so our seats were a little too far back to see too much, but the kids still seemed to have fun.

Thomas the Train was a big hit being that it was one of the few we could see-

We ran into Emily and her two kids randomly in the masses-  (Emily and Chloe)

 

 We finally got Trevor to hold onto sweet Claire's hand...  Claire is so excited to see Trevor and Trevor still hasn't realized what a catch Claire is or he's got the playing hard to get game down pat.  He's gonna regret it one of these days!

Daddy offered the best seat 

But, then the street seemed to offer a little more excitement than the Parade..  (Trevor running around with Max and Claire)

I love seeing them laugh together

Rest Break (for maybe 10 seconds)

I love this one of the two love birds taking a private break

The Fredricks  (Kelly, Claire, and Max)

Kelly's husband was out of town so we all traded off managing the kids.

 

And had to document that little Charlotte was present and behaved in her typical fashion, by sleeping through the entire event

Such a nice and HOT December Saturday, we ended up walking to Natty Greens for lunch afterwards, great day.

Santas- I knew Trevor was going to want nothing to do with Santa this year, but my thought or hope was that if I exposed him to enough "santas" maybe he would eventually feel more comfortable with "him" and sit for a picture.  So our first Santa experience was at a breakfast with Santa.  

We went with the Whites.  Colin did excellent with Santa I might add...

The only way we could get Trevor anywhere near was if we did an ENTIRE family shot

 And I couldn't figure out why Santa wouldn't stand up...

I thought Bravo did a really good job, they also had a magician (balloon animals), cookie decorating station, delicious menu, and desert.  I'd like to go back next year! 

Luckily the Breakfast itself was DELICIOUS and the company was nice too.  The posing with Santa was.. well what I expected.  You win some, you lose some;)

And as I mentioned we got our Tree...

 

Again, Charlotte thoroughly enjoyed the outing

TREVOR loved running through all the trees.  We only lost him a handful of times

18 months and 1 month appointments

I guess I thought scheduling both appointments on the same day would be convenient, however, scheduling them two hours apart meant that the three of us had to truck into the doctor's office two different times with just a 45 minute break.  Too much time to stick around with all the sick kids in the lobby and not enough time to do anything worthwhile.  Not to mention, I made another mistake by making Trevor's appointment right during his nap time.  You live, you learn...

But, more importantly, both babies are healthy.  

Trevor-weight- 26 lbs- 75% 

            height- 32 1/4- 75%

            head-   19. 75%

Charlotte- Weight- 8.4.5lbs  (25%)

                 Height  20 1/4   (15%)

                 Head-  37cm  (50% i think..)

So we have a big boy and a petite little girl so far...Btw, Charlotte has fixed her little problem with releasing waste.  She works again.

And typically I would have had some photos from the actual appointment, but these days my cell phone is used purely for toddler entertainment during stressful situations:)  And visiting the doctor during nap time falls under that category-

daddy is a genius

At just around 18 months, we finally turned Trevor's car seat around. And Alec installed DVD players in the car. Now Trevor only kicks me and screams bloody murder until he sees and remembers his new toy. Life has gotten much easier these days;). Thanks Daddy!

We need crap

I'm sure we need lots of things, but we need Charlotte to have a poop! It's been at least 6 days! I took her in to the doctor yesterday and remarkably they said it wasn't a problem yet. Her stomach is soft, she's still eating, peeing regularly, and not in obvious pain. They recommended actually giving her prune juice which is crazy to me at such a young age. She loved it, but so far it's only produced a lot of nice "smells" and rumblings.

So, c'mon Charlotte!

In other news, I finally got Charlotte's new born photos which allowed me to complete our Christmas card which I'm using as a baby announcement as well. Ahh I feel like I have completed my Christmas responsibilities, although I'm still missing presents and ornaments on tree. At least there are still a few weeks in December.

Below us NOT a new born shot;). Well not a professional new born shot. Just one I had on my phone.

18 Months! (A few days ago)

And can't forget my little man who is now one and a half.  His doctor's appointment is the same day as Charlotte's 1 month appointment next week so I will get some stats then. I can't say enough about how sweet Trevor has been as a big brother so far.  Somehow I love him more every time I see him giving Charlotte "gentle" kisses and retrieving her paci for her even when he wants more than anything to pop it into his own mouth (which does happen from time to time:)).

Our biggest challenges are getting buckled into the car seat and changing diapers.  We are FAR away from potty training at this point so it's basically become a tackling fest during most changes.  Although I feel like the victim, I do think some of the fight as has to do with his perpetual diaper rash and fear of the pain.  We are going to a dermatologist to talk about other options soon.  Still haven't found an answer that works consistently enough.  As far as the car seat, we usually end up bribing Trevor into the car with his ball or playing baby einstein videos on our cell phones.  We did just break down and order dvd players for the headrests.  I had always thought I'd wait to make this purchase for when the children could actually ask for it and appreciate it.  Well, we're giving in now.... I will definitely appreciate it if it encourages less kicking and screaming as we enter the car each time.  Oh and the stranger anxiety has definitely lessened.  He's now happy to walk into his class and stay with other family members and close friends when we leave him. 

The walk to and from school and church

 He loves to get cozy with her in the mornings while I get ready

Still playing dumb about how to upload new camera pics so soon we will have some from the Christmas Parade. And speaking of Christmas, we bought a tree.  It has lights.  That is all so far.

3 weeks!

Yesterday when Charlotte turned 3 weeks, I decided to utilize the Smart Start nurse program again to have her weighed and check on her congestion. I really like this program. You can call anytime and they'll come out and check you and the baby almost that day. Really beats packing up the kids and even nice avoiding a little co pay. With Trevor we took him in at one week, 2 weeks, one month. But with Charlotte, after the first doctor's visit at 4 days, She isn't due for another visit until her one month.

Well her lungs are perfectly clear and she's gaining weight well. She's at 7lbs 13.5 ounces. We tried her in her crib two nights ago and it didn't go so well. Then last night we tried the swing and the sleep (mine and hers) was so much better! But, not wanting to have to rely on having a swing wherever we go, we are going to try the vibrating pack and play bassinet tonight. My guess is that she'll end up back in the swing.

Update on Charlotte's personality- she's still as sweet and cuddly as can be. She sleeps a lot and luckily loves her car seat and pretty much wherever we put her. Her difficult times are at night. She just seems unsettled for a few hours. Oh, And she's still doing well allowing constant kisses (heading) from her brother.

Here are some phone pics from the last week... And as soon as I upload real pictures Ill put some up from the parade today!