One Month

On May 5th the little man turned one month old! Everyone tells you that "it goes by so fast" when you have kids and it's not that you don't believe them, but until you are in the midst of life at warp speed you can't really grasp it. Our first month with two kids was hard, especially the first couple of weeks. Grant was a more typical new born then Payton in the fact that he didn't really want to sleep much and night when we first brought him home and we were up a lot and had him sleeping on us quite a bit just to catch a break. Payton must have been feeling left out because she started getting up several times a night too, never at the same time as him though and only mommy was permitted to tend to her. It was rough! By the end of the first month we figured out he didn't like to be flat on his back (possibly from the mild reflux we think he has) and putting his bed on an incline did the trick, we also got her to normal sleep and began our own recovery from sleep deprivation. 

Grant Robert @ One Month

Measurements: our doctor doesn't see him again until 2 months so no update, but he is filling up his clothes fast so we know he is growing! He is in size 1-2 diapers (Costco's smallest) and 0-3 month or 3 month clothing depending on the brand, no newborn clothes this time around, he blew right past that size.

Eating: He eats every 2-3 hours during the day and usually only twice during the night. We gave him a bottle his third night home as mom's body needed a break and he did great and has taken one at night and during the day when needed ever since. Around two weeks old we gave him a bottle of formula at night to get him used to it and to buy us some extra sleep, he takes them just fine as well.

Sleep: Once he settled in and we got him on a good routine he started sleeping from 9-9:30 pm to about 2:30 am and then would make it anywhere from 4:30-6:00 am after that. We are very thankful for the long stretch and try to get to bed as soon after we get him down as we can. During the day he is mostly on a sleep, eat, awake schedule that repeats every 2-3 hours, there have been a few days where he will sleep for about an hour during Payton's nap time, pure bliss for this feeling very behind momma!

He is a sweet little boy who loves to be held and to snuggle, he's not a big fan of being by himself, but we are working on it. He loves his big sister and anytime he hears her voice he stops crying and looks for her. He spits up a lot and we think he may have reflux, our doctor has put him on some medicine to see if it helps. He loves to eat, but isn't very good at it. He doesn't time his breathing very well and is a bad gulper so gets lots of air that makes him pretty uncomfortable during the whole burping process.



One week

Two weeks

3 weeks

A comparison of Grant and Payton at one month, different but alike!

I was bathing Grant in the mornings, but decided it would be easier to bathe him with Payton in the evening when I have Kole around to help. Having him in the tub doesn't leave a whole lot of room for her,

 but she doesn't seem to mind. He of courses loves it, he loves his baths and this way he gets to look at his sister.

Speaking of Payton, she is still doing great with him, she is very helpful and motherly and is always handing me diapers, throwing them out, telling me when he cries and forever putting a pacifier in his mouth. Her behaviour with us is a whole different story. I think new a 2 year old + new baby + lack of sleep for said 2 year old is a recipe for disaster, at least that's our story right now. We are working through it though, taking lots of deep breaths and trying my hardest in the toughest moments to remember to be thankful for two beautiful healthy children and that this is only a season in our lives with them. I would be lying if I said I don't struggle to keep my cool sometimes!

Miscelaneous pictures from out first month home...

Uncle Brian snuck away for a quick surprise visit to meet his new nephew. We love our families so much and I'm so glad he got the chance. He will be off to New Mexico soon where he will be stationed and flying Drones for the US Air Force, we are so proud and can't wait to visit!!

I work with and for the most wonderful people, this was their gift to Grant, you can't see it, but it was a bunch of great little goodies packaged so nicely in a miniature Red Flyer wagon, too cute!

Grants first bath, his chord was gone within a week, he wasn't too sure at first and then settled right in, he now LOVES his daily bath time





Photo Shoot

When Kole's family was in town we took the kids to Kiddie Kandids at the mall to get their pictures taken. Payton and Grant were angels, I still can't believe how well they did. Due to the incompetency of the staff there we ended up at the place for 2 1/2 hours, Kole and I were ready to scream, but it was worth it to have such great pictures of them at 2 years and 2 weeks old!

I will be flying them out to Utah next time to see Liz, seems like much less of a hassle! ;)

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for making it happen!

Harms Visit

We had almost 2 weeks of Harms family visit and it flew by! Grandma and Grandpa came for a week and spent time loving on the kids and helping us out with house projects, a wedding trip, and a birthday party. We had one crazy weekend while they were here and we wouldn't have survived it without them! Kole and his dad had grand plans of painting the deck for Payton's party, the weather didn't cooperate very well and they were only able to get the railing completed which didn't really matter as we partied inside due to weather. They did finish it up after the party and it looks awesome! I post an after picture in an upcoming post about all of the house updates we have completed in the last couple of months.

One of Payton's favorite things to do is help with projects, she helped Grandpa get the deck ready for painting

Loving on Uncle Kyle, this girl (and boy) have the best Aunt and Uncles!

We're so lucky to have Grandma in good health and willing to brave airports and airplanes to come see us. Payton had a great time with her "dreat dama" and Grant was spoiled with love and cuddles, just what Great Grandmas are for!

Grandma Audrey 2 years ago with Payton!

Grandma with her Great Grand-kids :)

Do you see how much they look lke her??

Uncle Kyle helped set up the sandbox Papa gave her for her birthday, she loves it!

Uncle Kyle hid eggs for Payton, it was her third hunt and she knew the ropes! We had to ration the amount of candy in each egg as we learned that she like to open up each one and eat what's inside of it!

We hate that they are all so far away, but are blessed to be able to visit and have them come to visit. Can't wait to see you all in June. Love you!!

Payton's 2nd Birthday Party

We decided with a new baby brother and grandparents in town Payton needed a birthday party this year. We were just going to do something small, but there is always next year ;)

We invited all of her/our friends and family, rented a bouncy castle (a huge hit with P!) and had food and drinks. I planned on keeping it simple, but even simple can turn in to a lot of work when you have a new born and you spent the night before up in Fort Collins for a wedding! Thankfully we had Kole's parents in town staying with us and they were a huge help, as always.

The weather was supposed to be wet and cold, something we will have to deal with for years to come with both kids birthdays', so we had them set the bouncy castle up in the garage. The weather didn't turn out to be as wet and cold as they were calling for, but the garage was the right place. The kids had fun and Payton woke up the next morning and went straight to the garage looking for it, we had to explain that it wasn't her bouncy castle and that some other kid was enjoying it now at their birthday party.

We had been to a few of her friends parties before hers so she knew all about blowing out candles and opening presents, she was thrilled it was her "birday pawty" as she was pretty upset when she couldn't help her friends with their candles and presents.

Thanks to all who helped and came to celebrate, we have the most wonderful group of friends and family surrounding us, we couldn't do life without you!

(my apologies for picture-ful posts, not enough time to pick and choose these days and I am so far behind!)