Small Victories

We've had a rough week; no one says being a parent is easy, right?  However, even on the toughest of days small victories are made.  This week marks two...take that back three.

1) On Thursday March 12, 2015 Mason peed in his big boy potty!  We have had the potty for sometime now; and although Mason loves to sit on it he has never actually used it.  During bath time on Thursday night he was getting in and out of the bath expressing that he had to potty.  I quickly grabbed his toilet and let him stand over it.  This happened several times with nothing to show for it.  I then told him if he went in the potty he would get two M&Ms....this seemed to do it for him.  He stood over the potty and went.  Now, by no means is he potty trained but baby steps in the right direction.  He went again during bath time the following night so we are on to something here.  Yay Mason!

2) Ava and her sleeping.  I'm almost afraid to blog this but we had one night where she slept from 10pm to 6am and another night that she was asleep by 8pm with an 11:30pm and 6am feeding.  I will take it.  Again baby steps in the the right direction.

Sweet snuggles with my girl

3) And maybe the most important....the weather!  Some warmth and sunshine has hit our neck of the woods and it has brighten our moods greatly.  I have been able to take multiple walks this week and on some days more then one walk a day.  Mason is playing on the (enclosed) back deck and enjoying every second of being outside.  He already smells like a boy.

Our new norm 

Mason pushing Ava on our walk around the block

Cheers to the toughest job in the world and small victories!

Ava {3 months}

Ava has made a lot of changes this past month! One of them being that she started sleeping in the crib at 11 weeks.  I'm not big on co-sleeping but I'm a huge fan of doing what you need to do to survive. A combination of colic till 12am and needing to be held all the time had Ava in our bed or in our arms at night. This was creating a situation where we all were longing for a good nights sleep; so I made a point of transitioning her to her crib (happy dance and a better few hours of sleep here and there for me).  Her sleeping pattern has improved as well, she is asleep by 10pm with one middle of the night wake up and then an early morning one (I'll take it, another happy dance for Ava).

Ava's big personality is beginning to shine through.  With more hours awake we are discovering her likes and dislikes as she discovers the world around her.  I'm fairly certain Miss Ava is going to be a social butterfly.  She and Aunt Mia have full blown conversations when they get together. 

Likes:

- when you smile and talk to her 

- mimicking actions & sounds (sticking her tongue out & cooing when talked to) 

- being held 

- looking at herself in the minor
- watching TV

Dislikes: 

- dirty diapers 

- being left alone to play 

- laying flat on her back for too long
-being away from the action

my silly kiddos

Not only has Ava become more chatty this month she has also rolled from her tummy to her back.  She prefers being held and when we do put her down she wants all of our attention. Ava is a little peanut (especially compared to Mason at 3 months); she is fitting comfortably in her 3 month clothes still.  Luckily her reflux has improved and/or the medicine is working wonderfully and our regular weekly trips to the doctor have stopped.  We now are on schedule for the regular infant checks from here on out.  We haven't started baby food or cereal with her yet but I am hoping to get the ok from the doctor to begin those next month.

With warmer weather approaching (another happy dance) Ava will be experiencing many firsts.  I can't wait to take her on her first walk and get Mason out of the house (we all seem to be suffering from cabin fever). 

the Murray girls in gray

Mason at 3 months

Mommy & Mason dates

Starbucks date

We are in the throws of winter and cabin fever has hit the Murray household. More so the adults than the kids (thankful it isn't the other way around). Spring may or may not be around the corner so it is very possible I will have to endure several hundred more hours of daddy finger videos of all varieties (including languages from several other countries). To make the frigid days and weeks more bearable (and to give Mason some special time now that he is a big brother) I have instituted Mommy & Mason dates! This gives Mason and I some alone time and gets me out of the house. We usually hit up starbucks and treat ourselves to a drink and a snack but sometimes we hit up the grocery store or indoor playground. I am not sure who enjoys this time more...him or me. Either way we both look forward to our special outting

lunch date

Mason is smart, stubborn, talkative, silly and so very loving. I feel so lucky to be his mom. I tell him this almost everyday along with the hundred I love yous.

mommy mason selfie

Miss Ava Michelle {2 months}

We are in love with our little sweet pea.

Miss Ava is staying awake a little bit more these days but still not a ton. When she is awake her eyes are open wide and she is extremely focused. She loves watching her brother climb and jump around,  she looks deep into our eyes, looks at her Sophie doll or herself in the mirror on her play mat. Her smiles are heartwarming! When she looks up at me at 4am with a big old smile it makes everything worth while.  Ava loves to mimic us when we stick out our tongues or open our mouth wide.  I am pretty sure she is proud of herself when she sticks her tongue out (and we couldn't be more proud of her).

Her body is strong, especially her neck and legs. She can lift her neck from side to side when she is on her tummy and stands on her legs when we hold her upright. Ava has a strong grip always holding onto our finger or our shirt when we are holding her.  

She has officially surpassed her brother's birth weight; now weighting in at 8 pounds 10 ounces. We are slowly phasing out her new born clothes and she is now sporting 3 month clothes (they are only slightly too big). A big thanks to aunt Megan and my mom for supplying all her new born clothes. We had none on hand when she was born, never anticipating such a small babe.  She is officially in size 1 diapers and getting bigger everyday. 

Our sweet pea has great days but she struggles more at night with her reflux and tummy issues. From the hours of 8pm - 12am she seems to be at her least comfortable; also know as colic. Once we finally get her down for the night she is waking up once or twice to feed. If we could just get her to bed earlier this would be amazing. Not every night is bad but on the nights that are my heart breaks for her and my emotions are high. It seems like my exhaustion hits me hard on those nights. I wish there is more I could do for her or take away her pain/discomfort all together. Everyone keeps telling us things will get drastically better at 3 or 4 months.... Till then we will continue to hold and enjoy all her cuddles.   

Mason and Ava:

Mason has adjusted better then I could have ever expected. He either ignores Ava completely (which isn't a bad thing in my opinion) or he is in her face loving on her. Mason loves Ava more then he knows or understands at his age. He is going to be her protector and she is going to be his follower. They are going to be great friends. 

Mason at 2 months.

Let it Snow!

                                             

After 5 straight weeks of one Murray or another being sick the house became officially germ free. This means we are free birds; so many errands to accomplish and getting Mason out of the house were at the top priorities.

Well, the weather or Linus (as many are calling it) hit. We were all snowed in and besides playing in the snow staying in was our only option. We hunkered down on Sunday and most of Monday. We finally convinced Mason to put on his boots (which he now loves) so we allowed him to go check it out the snow. Of course, he would be allowed out more often if we could just get him to wear gloves too.

the end result 

Up next, more cold temps and snow headed our way. Thanks to extended baths,  Lego duplos and dance parties to Uptown Funk we are keeping busy. However, Mason and I really want to hit up the mall this week....which we can do because a stroller for 2 is being delivered this week, yay (details of the epic stroller dilemma another day).  Hope you are staying warm and cozy! As much as I am longing for FL winter and a new baby are the perfect combo.  We will be ready for our usual warm weather antics with Ava in toe once the weather changes.  

Boogers & spit up

Mason has been sick for two weeks now and Ava and I have just hit the one week mark. Flu season is in full affect but how did we land on the lingering germ? We have hardly left the house, so it is hard to believe. Between the boogers that accompany this cold/cough that plagues our house and the split up that is acid reflux I feel dirty all the time. Matt has somehow dodged the sick built which is so nice for him and the rest of us too.  I am really looking forward to the kiddos getting better. This round of illness has taught me that 2 humidifiers are key in a 2 child household and to not wear anything that that isn't easily washable. I know there are many things I will learn on journey that is being a mom with two kids; it's nice knowing I have a few lessons learned under my belt. 

1 month {Ava}

Happy 1 month to our sweet Ava. This past month of your life has been a busy one. It includes a trip back to the hospital for low weight and jaundice; not to mention several doctors appointments. You might be small but I can see how strong you are. Thankfully you have been a champ at gaining weight (you are weighting in at 7 pounds 4 ounces) despite your tummy/acid reflux issues. We are working with the doctor to ease your pain; I promise.  You have me feeling like a first time mom all over again....I am full of worry for you and all I want to do is take away your pain. I am waiting for your digestive system to catch up to you so we both can sleep better at night.

 Your first month hasn't been all  business; we celebrated your first Christmas and New Years and have slowly been easing into life as a family of four. We have seen your first smile, your brother kiss you for the first time (not prompted by us) and his concern when you are having a hardcore cry.  You are a snuggler and want to be held all the time. You won't let us put down; especially at night (so you are either sleeping on my chest or right next to me on your left side). You are keeping us warm while yo

u are comfy in the spot that gives you the most calm.  Needless to say your dad and I have had very little sleep since you have arrived. But in the light of day that doesn't matter to me; when I look at you I can't help but notice how beautiful you are. I love looking at all your tiny perfect features. Your lips are by far my favorite. You are a good mixture of calm and stubborn; making sure we know when you need something or aren't happy. When your eyes are open your focus is intense....I assume you are taking in your surroundings as much as you can. 

We are so lucky to be your parents!  We love you sweet baby girl; welcome to the world. We can't wait to see what joy you bring us in the next month.