My life is all about poop and pee

So I have started the oh-so-fun task of potty training Miss Ali. She has been telling us for the past week that she wants to go potty.. so I decided to take advantage of her interest.  I have confined us to the house, and every 10-12 minutes or so I take her to sit on the potty.  I give her 2 M & Ms each time she sits, and a whole handful of M &Ms when she tinkles IN the potty...

Here's some stats from our first day:

Number of times Ali actually went in the potty: 5

Number of times Ali went pee pee on the floor: 4

Number of times Ali told me she had to pee: 2

Number of times Ali pooped in the backyard: 1

Number of times Ali pooped on the living room floor, then stepped in it and smeared it all over the carpet: 1

So here we are on day 2 of this horrendous, fantastic experience.  We have already peed on the floor once are hopefully going to make it to the toilet next time.  I also find myself in the depths of guilt- because we are staying home and near the potty- this kid has watched more Mickey Mouse, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Jack's Big Music Show then I care to talk about.... here's hoping it's all worth it!

Swagger Wagon

We are NOT a minivan family... but still, this is pretty stinkin hilarious! 

NEW BABY!

Switching Avery's formula worked!!!  You would not believe the change we have seen... she no longer cries when you set her down- she is taking regular naps and is SO HAPPY! And so is her momma... my poor baby must have been in so much pain in order to be crying so very much. That part breaks my heart; but I am so thankful to her doctor for sticking it out with me and helping us find a solution.  

We now have the most cutest, sweetest, happiest baby around. Our home is a happy once again, and our hearts are filled with joy!

2 month check-up and I'm tired

It's been one of those days. My dear husband left at 5:45AM for a recruiting trip in Oregon. But before leaving the house, he decided to go kiss Ali goodbye. And wake her up. And leave her screaming for her daddy. This, after I had just been up at 4:00 to feed Avery and it took me about 30 minutes to fall back asleep.

Ali went to daycare today so I could take Avery to her check-up and get some housework done. Dropping her off was horrible and broke my heart. She cried and shook and screamed no, no, no, no over and over. So I cried on the way to the doctor's office.

Then it was time to weigh Avery. And she peed, boy did she pee, all down the side of me- on my shirt, bra, pants. underwear, and one sandal. Awesome.

The good news- the slight gleam of hope in this horrible day is that the doctor has me trying a new formula: Similac Expert Care Alimentum. She thinks Avery has a sensitive tummy and that this could be causing her to cry all day long. She thinks the reason she stops crying when I hold her is that I am helping to soothe her discomfort. The crappy crappy part is that if this does work, and believe me I am hopeful and praying it does, is that the damn stuff costs $30.00 a friggin can. Holy shitake mushrooms, that is alotta moolah. Especially since we have been paying $20 for 2 cans of Kirkland formula. Awesome. Can my life get any more bittersweet.

My prayer for today is that the formula works and that our insurance will cover the cost of it if it does.

Otherwise, Avery is a beautifully healthy little lady.

Weight: 12.3 lbs- 90th percentile

Height: 23.5 inches- 90th percentile

Where did this big, long, skinny baby come from? She has grown 2 1/2 inches in 1 1/2 months and gained 3 lbs! Crazy madness I tell ya!

Sisters

Here are the girls each at 2 months old...Ali is on bottom and Avery is the photo on top. They do have some similarities...believe me, there are times when Avery totally makes an "Ali face"... but I am happy to say they are each their own person~ and that I've got 2 beautiful girlies!

I am NOT holding a baby right now! :)

Good news: Baby Avery has become a teeny bit better: i.e. less fussy. I am no longer holding her 14 hours out of the day but maybe 12 ( I don't actually count the hours, people... I'm being sarcastic) but it has been sooo nice to actually put her DOWN somewhere while she naps, instead of carry her or tote her around in the front pack. I do love my freedom! We go to the doc tomorrow for her 2 month appointment- which, even though I know she is going to tell me that I just make babies who love to be held all the darn time, it will still be nice to get some feedback.. and reassurance from a diploma'ed expert. Something about that makes me feel so much better! I think my fussy baby is just a "it gets better with age" type of thing- and the older she gets the more she is able to interact and enjoy her world, the less upset she will be if her momma or daddy isn't holding her all the time... at least that's the hope cause carrying a baby all day is tough on a marriage!

Which brings me to my next bitch- my husband is NOT GOOD with tiny babies. He prefers them chubby and sitting up and smiling at him. He definitely does better with Ali than Avery, and I remember him turning on the daddy vibe when Ali was able to actually interact with him and give him some feedback. At least I know there is an end in sight- meaning I don't have to be on Avery duty almost the entire day... cause with Ali I remember being ready to pack up and move away from his non-helpful ass! I am, however, thankful that Ali adores her Daddy, because it is so helpful to have them play together while I take care of miss fussy pants.

Daddy is leaving us for 5 days starting tomorrow to go recruit some kids for the basketball team... and the only thing keeping me going in the thought of being alone with two children is the fact that MY VERY BESTEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD is coming to visit me from Texas!!! And she is bringing Riley, her son, who is 8 months old and has not meant Auntie Jelli yet! I CANNOT WAIT is an understatement. As tiring as this whole adjustment from 1 child to 2 has been, and as frustrated as I get with the hubby- it will all be worth it to see her sweet face and just be with her.

Man, I miss her so much- I am going to soak up this weekend with her and that sweet baby boy.

Summer is Here!

The rain has finally stopped and 80 degree weather has become a normal thing here in Jelli's World.... we are enjoying the sunshine with plenty of walks, trips to the park, and just plan old fun in the sun out in the back yard. Ali is OBSESSED with swinging, or wingin, as she calls it. So much that we hung one of those little toddler swings from the back porch. We have also been working diligently on our back and front yard- and I am proud to say that our house looks awesome and beautiful as I always dreamed it could!

Avery, however, has become a fussy baby. The girl just loves to be held. She cannot get enough! In fact, I am in shock at this moment because she is sleeping in her crib and is not crying to be held. I do not think it is colic or an issue with her formula... she does however have a hard time pooping- not sure if the two are connected... but anyway- Avery will cry and fuss and the minute we pick her up, she will settle back down. I have tried letting her cry for awhile to see if she can calm herself down, but that causes an entirely separate bout of her crying- last time I did that she cried for about 45 minutes AFTER I picked her up; so definitely not going to do that again! I remember Ali was the same- I guess my girls are just cuddle bugs- but I don't remember Ali being this bad; maybe because with Ali I didn't have a 22 month old to chase around too?

Anyway, I am struggling with it a little bit: I do love my baby and I love to hold her- but I am also a busy person by nature and I always have something on my list to do around the house or outside- and holding a baby all.day.long is a hard adjustment for me. I do love me some moby wrap- it is saving my life with this fussy baby! But even that gets old after a couple of hours.

My mom gave me some good advice: I just have to resolve myself to the fact that probably for the next 4 weeks or so, I will have to give up my daily life's desires and just hold my baby. It's my job as a mom, and as much as it sucks, it's what I have to do because I love her so much. And I'm OK with that. It does suck, but it's the sacrifice I have to make.

And this little girl better never forget it! Cause you know I'm going to tease her with it and hold it over her head for the rest of her life! :)