Getting ready for Christmas...

I can't believe Christmas is 3 days away.  Most of the presents are wrapped and just have a couple more things to get.  Lily and Marley got gifts from Brians brother Mike and his wife Veronika.  We figured we would let Lily open them early since she would have so much other stuff on Christmas.  Lily got a baby doll, some books, bath tub crayons, and a puzzle.  She LOVES the baby doll.  Marley got some new clothes and some fuzzy boots.  A big thank you to them!!!

Lily went to Papa Mikes last Saturday to make cookies with Taylor.  Lily ended up spending the day at Aunt Teresas then Taylor took her to a basketball game that evening.  She had a blast...I was hoping for a much needed break but Marley had other plans for me.  She was fussy most of the day and didn't nap much until late afternoon.  Oh well...

Lily has been busy watching all kinds of Christmas specials.  The television has been keeping her occupied while I tend to Marley.  It will be nice come spring time when we can get Lily a play set outside to burn off some energy. 

Tuesday Marley was 6 weeks old.  She is getting so much bigger.  I'm going to miss it when she no longer curls up in a ball on my chest and falls asleep.  Monday night she slept 8 hours straight and Tuesday night she slept 7 1/2.  I'm just crossing my fingers hoping this trend continues.  She naps in her crib morning and afternoon too! 

gifts from Uncle Mike and Aunt Veronika

 Funny thing about the pj's.  When Brian put them on her the night before she kept telling him they were too small...we tried to explain to her that is the way they are supposed to be.




6 weeks old

Santa at Shadow Lake

Since Lily did such a good job with Santa lastnight I figured we would try to see the Santa at Shadow Lake.  She was very excited this morning when we told her where she was going.  Again we kept Marley home since it was still kind of yucky outside.  Lily did just fine sitting on Santas lap but did not want to smile.  Overall it went great!  Mommy even joined in...

Visiting Santa in Avoca

I had been trying to decide all day yesterday whether or not I was going to drive out to Avoca to see Santa at the public library.  I kept checking the lastest news forecast and they said it was supposed to be well north of the metro.  We were supposed to meet at the library at 5:30 and finally at 4:45 I decided to get Lily up from her nap and leave.  Brian stayed home with Marley since it was so cold.  We had no problem getting out there at all.  We met Santa along with Courtney, Cash, Isabell, and Chase.  Then we went to Michelles and had pizza for supper.  At about 7:30 I figured it was time to start heading home.  I went out the start the car and discovered it had already started snowing.  The ground was covered and I figured this wasn't a good sign.  Sure enough the interstate was horrible.  I drove anywhere from 30-40 mph the enire way...took me an hour and 45 minutes.  I hate driving in the snow on any given day but to have one of my children in the car made it worse.  I just drove at a pace I felt comfortable with and stuck with it.  The road was completely covered and you couldn't even see the lines.  Thankfully we made it home safely just in time for Lily to go to bed. 

 Lily and Isabell even had matching shirts on.  Lily had a great time playing with her cousins. 

5 weeks old

Marley is now 5 weeks old.  She still will not fit into any of her 0-3 month clothing.  I bought a couple of Christmas outfits for her and unfortunatley she won't be wearing them right now.  Thankfully, I was able to get her another newborn sized outfit to wear for one of our Christmas get togethers.  She is still eating much less than Lily did at this point.  She eats anywhere from 2-4 oz depending on the time and day.  But it seems like she is still gaining and getting bigger every day so we are not worried. 

She is still working on smiling and is beginning to talk a little.  It is so darn cute, I think she even scares herself when she squeals. 

 Reading Marley a story...

She's sleeping in her crib!

Hopefully we aren't speaking too soon on this one...Marley has been sleeping in her mini crib for the past couple of nights.  I had been able to get her to nap in it just fine during the day for a couple of hours and we figured we may as well give it a shot overnight.  We took our pediatricians advice and raised the crib legs and placed her legs inside a boppy so she wouldn't slide.  I also placed her sideways and I guess something worked.  She has been sleeping from around 10:30 pm to around 7-8 am.  I only had to get up once and give her back her pacifier.  Lets hope this continues...She is sleeping in our room still at this point.  When mommy feels comfortable letting her sleep in her own room we will work on that.  Lily slept in our room in a bassinet until she was almost 6 months old!  We will see...

We also decided to get the play gym out for Marley since she seems to be more aware of her surroundings everyday.  She and Lily have been laying underneath it quite a bit.  Marley seems very content to just stare at all the toys and mirror. 

Smiley girl

Marley was in a very good mood this morning after she ate.  She has been trying to smile for the last couple of days but this morning she really was smiling while I was talking to her.  She even tried to talk a little.  I wish my camera had been handy but all I had was my phone so it is a little blurry.  But what a cutie pie!!!

Snowy Saturday

Saturday morning Lily and I headed to Council Bluffs quick to get a couple of Christmas presents.  It really didn't look that bad out when we were at home but I was wrong.  As we got on the interstate the wind was horrible.  We managed just fine by taking our time.  We are almost all done shopping for Christmas with the exception of a couple items.  We all wanted to go shopping together but we were afraid of taking Marley out.  Brian figured I'd rather do the shopping so he stayed home. 

Brian and Lily went to his sisters later that night while Marley and I watched Christmas movies.  Brian was tired of watching them all day anyway...I spent some time trying to tweak the blog.  There are so many things I don't know how to do on here but am slowly trying to figure it out.  I posted a question on a moms website I belong to and this wonderful lady and her son helped me with the photo for the blog title.  Too bad I still don't know how to do it myself...will figure it out at some point. 

view out back to the golf course

Marley is 1 month old!

We seriously can't believe how fast the past month has gone.  I will be going back to work before I know it.  Marley has surprised us the past several nights with sleeping all night.  She ate around 9:30-10 and slept through until 7-8 am two nights in a row.  Then we switched formulas again in an attempt to combat her fussiness...she has since woke up the past 2 nights but didn't require to eat.  She is trying to smile and occasionally tries to talk.  Its so cute, you just know they are trying to tell you something.  She absolutely loves for mommy to hold her all day while she is sleeping.  We are afraid that is what she is getting used to.

 

Sisters...

 At this point we don't think Lily and Marley look alike.  What do you think?  I will post some more when I find them...


Lily at 5 days old



Marley at 4 days old


Lily at 1 month

Marley at 1 month

Time is going so fast...

I can't believe how fast the last 4 weeks have gone.  Brian was off work for a month and went back today.  So its just me and the girls.  Lily is still adjusting to life with Marley.  She is getting more comfortable with her.  She doesn't mind at all when she cries (which is a lot) and always gives her kisses goodnight and tells her she loves her. 

Lily and I have both had colds for the past several days but they seem to be getting better now.  Just hoping little Marley doesn't catch it.  She doesn't go back to the doctor until her 2 month check up. 

Last weekend Lily helped Papa Mike decorate his Christmas tree and we had Brians family over to watch the Nebraska game since we didn't want to take Marley out.  Before the game we had our picture taken for our annual Christmas cards. 

Then yesterday Marley turned 4 weeks old!  She is getting bigger by the day.  Her cheeks seem to be filling out a little more, however, I don't think she is near as chunky as Lily was at this age.  Marley doesn't seem to be a big go getter when it comes to eating.  She starts out strong but tapers off very quickly.  She is sleeping ok at night.  She seems to only want to sleep in her bouncy seat and not in her crib.  The night before last we tested the crib and she was up every 4 hours to eat.  Lastnight we tried the bouncy seat again...she ate at 9:30 and didn't get up to eat until 5:00 am.  I was impressed.  The only downfall is she makes a ton of noise when she sleeps.  She grunts so much she keeps us up all night.  Hopefully she outgrows that soon. 

Lily has been busy again with her bumblebee dress-up costume and playing doctor with her Sesame Street medical kit.  She is so cute...


first time in the swing




decorating papas tree



Lily's new Willow Tree ornament from Aunt Tee Tee

playing doctor with Marley

4 weeks old!

all ready for bed

Family photos...

Also on Monday we had pictures taken with Brians family.  They turned out really good.  Afterwards we had a nice lunch out at Red Robin...Marleys first outing to a restaurant.  She slept the whole time.  Here are a few of the pictures... 

Papa and his grandkids

Taylor and the girls

Lily doesn't cooperate much for photos...

and were done!