This and That

Yesterday Hampton had to go to another cardiologist appointment. He was having an echo cardiogram done to see if they could up his dosage on his medication. He also had another EKG. Everett loves that office because all the nurses dote on him and there are lots of fun toys!

This picture is a little blurry, but this is where Hampton had his echo. Everett asked to get on the "bed" and they put Thomas the Train on for him to watch. I eventually took Ev out of the room because Hampton fell asleep during the procedure and we didn't want to disturb him.

Here he is in his little hospital gown. I just love this baby!

The results of the echo were good. The doctor decided it was safe to increase his dose of the beta blocker, so hopefully we will see results for his eye soon. He did discover one of his ventricles was enlarged and leaking, but he believes he'll be fine. It scared me, but he said he wouldn't even check on it again until he was three. He believes it will not affect him, so that is good.

After his appointment we came home and Hampton had some more rice cereal. He loves it! I was going to wait a couple of more weeks to introduce solids, but he is a hungry boy and nursing alone was just not cutting it. I am happy to report that he is now (finally) sleeping through the night! I pray it stays that way.

Later on that afternoon we took a walk through the neighborhood. I have been trying to do this with the babies every afternoon because they love it. Everett likes to collect rocks, sticks, acorns, and pine cones and Hampton just enjoys the ride.

Hampton's First Food

Lazy Sunday

We had a lazy Sunday around here. Hampton and Eric went to church this morning and Everett and I stayed home to continue with the potty training. I caught Everett and Hampton this afternoon "chatting" together. I love it! I pray that they will be best buds always.

Potty Animal

Today we continued with the potty training. We set-up camp again in the living room. I covered our sofas with towels, just in case. For meals we ate picnic style on the floor, just to be near the potty, and it was fun.

I love Everett's little toddler body.

I dressed Hampton up in one of Everett's old costumes this morning. I figured he would be too big to wear it in October.

This afternoon I took Hampton to Target with me. It is always fun to be out with just one baby. He gets so much attention and I love to show him off! Today I also got to snuggle with him more since Eric was home to help with the potty training.

We gave the boys a "bus ride." Everett thought this was so funny.

I am so proud of Everett! He only had two accidents today! Every 20 minutes we put him on the potty and most of the time he would go. He hasn't gotten to the point yet where he can tell us he has to go, but we are definitely getting there. The M&M's are great motivation for him!

Potty Like A Rock Star

So I gathered my supplies early this week. I got a gallon of fruit punch, cleaning items, a bag of M&M's, a pack of Thomas the Train underwear, and a potty seat. I was motivated. I was determined. Everett was going to be potty trained! This was a parenting task I have dreaded for a long time. I thought however that unless I was intentional about doing it, I was going to keep putting it off. I often underestimate Ev, and today he proved me wrong again. He is very capable of learning how this whole potty thing worked and he surprised me.

Last night I moved our playroom upstairs to the living room. I put out some of his toys, got the cleaning supplies ready, strategically placed the potty seat....Everett however woke up in a mood. He did not want to wear underwear and kept asking for "diaper change." About three sippy cups of fruit punch later he finally pottied and just happened to be sitting on his seat! I cheered and he got an M&M. He had another success after that. The whole morning was a series of successes and accidents. He never told me he had to potty, I just happened to catch it.

By nap I was exhausted. Also, it was tough having to care for Hampton and watch Everett like a hawk. I was so tired of saying, "Do you have to go potty?"all day long. And I will spare you the details of the poop extravaganza. Yuck. By the time Eric got home I was ready for him to take over for a bit. While I was running an errand, Eric reported three successes which is great. We plan on staying home for the next few days to continue to train. I am so proud of Everett. I think he is going to get it!

I Heart Hampton

Hampton went yesterday to the pediatric cardiologist. The purpose of the visit was to see if he could handle taking a beta blocker in order to treat the hemangioma on his eye. He had an EKG and the doctor did a thorough exam. He also was weighed and is 20 pounds! He did so well! It turns out he has a heart murmur and there was something on his EKG that showed maybe a slight enlargement of one of the chambers, however he passed. The doctor said he thought he could handle the medication, so we will start him on it tomorrow. We'll go back in a week for a heart echo and to see if we can up the dosage. Please pray he does well with the medication and that there are no complications. Please also pray that it is effective and that he does not have to be on it long.

I have to note that big brother did so well during the appointment. He kept himself very busy!

Last Weekend

Last weekend was a wonderful balance of relaxation and fun. We have decided to "take it easy" the next few weekends and just enjoy being at home. My boys have been enjoying each other's company more and more these days......

So have these two!

We enjoyed family dinners, playtime, grocery shopping.....

and just being together.

The "icing" of the weekend was going to see Miss Patty Cake at our church. I had told Everett all last week about Miss Patty Cake. We watched videos online, colored pictures of her, sang songs....he was excited. This was his first "concert" and he loved it. He mostly sat nicely in his seat, but I encouraged him to dance with some of the other kids in the aisle, and he did shake his groove thang a bit. He mostly loved watching the other kids. He is a people watcher like me. He posed for a picture with her, but my camera died! Overall, a great weekend.

Another Day

Warning: Picture overload! I want to remember the small things or "everyday" in our life, so here is another typical day for me with the babies:

I am all about smoothies these days. This morning I make Eric, Everett, and I a smoothie that consists of bananas, blueberries, strawberries, milk, yogurt, and honey. So refreshing!

Everett has gotten upset about something and decides to shove his bowl of cheerios on to the floor. Discipline is definitely in order for this offense.

After breakfast, the babes and I head downstairs for some play time. Hampton goes down for a nap around 9, which leaves some good one-on-one time for me and Ev. Around 10 we have a snack of yogurt, blueberries, and honey. Everett loves it and asks for "more please."

Over snack we read his new favorite book. It is part of the Alfie series and was sent to Ev by his Aunt Mary who picked it up for him this summer while she was in London. Every time we read it Everett says, "Ahhh, sweet Mary."

Around 10:30 and look who is up!?!

Some more play time is in order. Everett has to be reminded he is a big boy now.

Around noon we have lunch. On today's menu is baked chicken nuggets with sweet potato fries. We also have a variety of dips. Ev loves to dip things now.

His favorite is the barbecue dip.

12:30-Nap for Hampton

Nap for Ev

I must use this time wisely during nap. I may only have an hour before Hampton gets back up. I decide to try and rescue my basil and parsley from the 90 degree weather. I think it is too late. (They revived later that day!)

I also decide to water our plants out in the front yard. Do you like our sprinkler system?

There are other chores I could do during nap time, but this looks so inviting. I decide to watch Top Chef instead.

Hampton is back up, and now I have some quality one-on-one time with him.

We read children's poetry and sing songs.....

He also discovers that that sun on his jumper is actually a teether.

It's 3:00 and Everett is up from his nap now. Time to get out of the house and head to the store for some staple items.

We pick up a variety of items, including eggplant and asparagus to roast for dinner tonight.

When we get home, Hampton goes down for another nap and Everett and I play outside on the deck.

At 5, Eric gets home and I fix dinner. After dinner it is bathtime! This is our new way of doing bath so that both boys can bathe at the same time. Everett actually prefers to be with Hampton. He loves it!

A little snuggle time before bed.

It's been a long, but good day.

Night Night!

Once again I feel so blessed to be at home more with my babies. It gets tiring and long some days, but I still love it. I long to create memories for them and spend quality time together.