Let the Battles Begin!

The first of many light saber battles I'm sure. Riley was calling Conley Baby Darth Sidious! Nice!

Just brothers!

Hanging on the sofa.....so sweet! 

Little Brother looking up to Big Brother! So sweet!

Star Wars Bunk Beds!

Riley randomly did this yesterday while he was playing. It's Star Wars bunk beds! LOL! 

He's lying down too...since they are in their "bunk beds".

Fake sleeping...I'm buying it!

That lasted about as long as I expected!

Here's the video interview - it wasn't as good the 2nd time around when I had the camera. His explanation and descriptions the first time around were awesome!

Riley's Regressions

So I would say Riley's regressed a bit since Conley has arrived. Here are just a few of them I have caught him in the act doing! 

In Conley's swing sucking his paci!

In Conley's Bouncy Seat - I have NO idea what's in his mouth!

Had to take a bath in the baby tub inside the tub!

Had to get in the pack n play while I was changing Conley!

I can't believe how tiny Conley was in this pic! That seems like a lifetime ago! If I even remember him being that tiny at all! Bless him!

Riley's Weekend in the Country

The same weekend Conley got his first hair cut. Riley spent the weekend in the country with GiGi and Jayden for St. Patrick's Day. He had a blast. I called and talked to him Saturday, but quickly realized the "out of sight out of mind" approach was better. Once he talked to me on the phone, he "wanted me" so I didn't call him again that day. He even slept there too which totally surprised me. But he's always been our good sleeper so I guess it shouldn't. 

Here's a video of the first thing he did when he got there...GiGi assured me it looks like he's going A LOT faster than he is! Cracks me up! He can't wave and drive at the same time yet! LOL! 

Mommy's First 4 Months Curse

I won't even go into all my excuses for not being able to blog for 2 months (oops! Now it's 4 months b/c for some reason I never hit post on this post after I typed it!)! Having a new baby should be good enough...BUT leave it to me to have a "special" baby the first 4 months. Just so happens that's how it turned out with BOTH of my boys! With Riley it was the tongue tied thing. Now with Conley - I find out at his 4 month checkup 2 days before I return to work that most of the "high maintenance" tendencies he has are due to reflux! It explains that "button on his back" that Kelly and I joked about was there b/c he would immediately scream bloody murder anytime you laid him down on his back even if he was in a dead sleep! It explains why Mommy holding him wasn't always enough - he wanted you to WALK and hold him - I can only assume because it would keep him perpendicular to the floor and helped with his reflux. It explains why he would only sleep in the swing b/c it was sitting him up at a good angle. It explains why he took forever to nurse and would gag and cry when my milk would letdown. It explained why he would scream like crazy in the car seat b/c we usually put him in it right after we fed him! It explains Oh so many of the Conley conundrums Kelly and I were struggling with! It also explains why I had NO chance to blog! LOL! I was busy holding my HIGH MAINTENANCE baby! :) So at least we figured it out near the time I was returning to work - or I might be dead from pure exhaustion at this point! 

I'm glad to know I only have the first 4 months curse though because I don't think I could survive more! I have NO idea how those parents that are stricken with colic do it! Although I suspect colic may very well be reflux. Kelly joked around before we knew what was driving all the crying that Conley smiles or cries more than any baby he's ever seen. Although..I guess he means Riley b/c he's never really been around babies! And it was true..when he's happy - he's the sweetest, smiley face EVER! But when he's NOT happy - get your earmuffs and brace yourself!

I'm trying to rack my brain on how to summarize the last 2 months...we pretty much just went with the flow until about 2 weeks before I was due back to work - then we started trying to get into a routine and get Conley to sleep out of our bed. Riley was still excited to see him every day and showed no signs of jealousy. Conley hit the stage where he smiles with his ENTIRE body around Christmas...and there is just NO better joy than seeing such a sweet, innocent smile like that! If that doesn't melt your heart...you have ice running through your veins.

Oh yeah....one of the biggest things that came together during this time was us getting our DREAM Nanny! I can't even talk about it without crying, but I feel SOOO blessed as a working Mom to have been fortunate enough for BOTH of my boys to stay home with someone that was perfect for them and perfect for Mommy! :) Riley had Ms. Emily, and now Conley has Ms. Ashley. Ms. Ashley is actually Riley's teacher from last year at Sloan. It's a long story, but the lord works in mysterious ways on how it all came to be that Conley could stay with Ms. Ashley! She text'd me that she would be available to stay with him literally the day after I had a total meltdown about leaving him in the infant room at Sloan or anywhere for that matter. This was during the time when we didn't understand what was wrong with him - and I knew how high maintenance he was - that he had to be held all day every day..even when he was sleeping or he would scream! So I just had this vision of him being 1 of 8 and lying there crying all day! It broke my heart! So when Ashley text'd me...my heavy heart was immediately lifted! Having Conley stay with Ashley is as good maybe even technically better than having him stay with family! She loves him as if he is her own, AND she's experienced and qualified! :) Pretty much the same as it was with Ms. Emily! Just to give it perspective...Riley and she would say I love you to each other. That's how much we ALL love Ms. Ashley! She's the one that used to bring Riley home from school so Kelly and I could have date night. And Riley LOVES her daughter Aubree too, so it would be like a play date for Riley! And she's just one of those people that has so much love in her heart...and patience...that she's just made to be with children! We all feel so fortunate to have her! Like we won the lottery!

Having 2 children is WAY harder than 1! I mean like 5X harder! OMG! I have NO idea how people have 3+! I am just NOT equipped for that! I know it will only get easier from here on out, but I can't imagine people who have stair-stepped kids under 5! They deserve a special place in heaven! For REAL!

Anyway - the good news is that we've pretty much turned the corner with Conley. There are a few things we're trying to workout still, but now that we know he has reflux - we are able to "work around it" without giving him medicine because you know how I feel about all these medicines! It's still a struggle some days, but for the most part we've figured it out.

Oh yeah - there was a little more stress during this last month too. Both my parents were in the hospital - they finally figured out my Dad needed his heart valve replaced, but it took a few weeks, ICU and hospital visits to figure it out. Then my Mom ended up in the hospital at the SAME time as my Dad with severe pneumonia. REALLY bad! Like the Dr. said she was lucky to be alive b/c she waited WAY too long to come to the dr - they immediately admitted her to the hospital. The hardest part was me not being able to go there and be with them...I hadn't pumped extra milk, so I couldn't be away from Conley and I didn't want to take a little baby to the hospital. That was REALLY hard! And I seriously don't remember either of my parents EVER missing a day from work because they were ill. EVER...even if they didn't feel well, they both went to work. So having them both be so severely ill at the same time totally freaked me out!

My friend Courtney and her husband Alex came to visit the weekend of the Cotton Bowl too. She was actually here 2 weeks before I had Conley too so it was good to see her so soon again! It's always good to see her, and she's good with kids so she always helps me figure things out. Conley got a stomach bug the weekend they were here...and it started during the 2 hours they watched the boys so Kelly and I could go to the movies! So at this point, I had only been away from Conley 4 times - dinner when Kelly's parents were here, dinner for Kelly's bday, dinner and dancing New Year's Eve's Eve - yay! We still got it! :) Then the movie while Courtney was here...those were the only times I had been away from Conley until I went back to work. So having him come down with a tummy bug one of those times made the Mommy guilt kick in! But the bug lasted a whole WEEK, so Mommy got plenty of time to nurse him back to health! What's even MORE funny about this is that I went back and was reading some of Riley's old blogs...and Courtney was here when Riley got his first tummy bug too! How WEIRD is that?!

Nancy went with me to a couple of hair appointments too - we just took Conley with us. She held him while I got my hair done, then I could go to a private room and nurse him if needed while we were there.

Other than that - it was a miracle if I got dressed during the day. No time to get ready when you can't put your baby down without him crying! And him not crying was way more important than me getting ready! I'm actually setting a record still every day for the LONGEST I have EVER been without a pedicure! I know exactly how long it's been because I luckily got one the day before I had Conley! Hopefully I'll get to get one done here soon before it warms up enough for sandals! Update since I originally wrote this - I got a pedicure FINALLY! Just before St Paddy's Day, so now I'm in desperate need of another one already! ha!

What else...I'll have to ask Kelly...that's all I can think of for now!

Good Big Brother!

Riley's so sweet to Conley...every day he comes home and gives him a hug and a kiss. And he's even thinking about it before he gets home - as we drove home yesterday he told me - Mommy, when we get home I'm going to give Conley a hug and a kiss! 

The other morning it was so cute - he was leaving for school with Kelly and he said "See ya later Mommy and Conster!" Awe.....melts a Mother's heart! Speaking of...Kelly and I called Conley - Conster the Monster a few times...and I guess Conster stuck! One day Riley said he wanted to call him Conley Con Con! I was like I thought nicknames were shorter! LOL! I told Kelly if he's the class clown like Kelly was we can call him Comic Con. ha! 


Anyway...so far so good! Riley LOVES Conley and loves to LOVE on him! I know that may change once Conley becomes mobile and even *thinks* about touching a lightsaber! Then all bets are off!!

I BIG! I STRONG!

I was able to go pick Riley up the last two days from school - which I have to say - being in the car by yourself so you can dance and sing as loud as you want to with a good song that comes on the radio is HEAVEN to a new Mom! :) 

Anyway - we've had to stop by the grocery store to pick up just a few things the last two days, so I've just gotten a basket. And each day Riley takes it from me and says - Look at me Mommy! I BIG! I STRONG! I carry the basket all by myself! Then after we put one thing in it - he's like it's too heavy-you carry it Mommy! Then he'll hand me the basket, but take whatever I put in the basket out and say I'll carry this for you Mommy. Sort of equals out in a 3 year old kind of way I guess!

OMG that boy is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sweet! Please let him stay sweet...pretty please! His teacher told Kelly that he just loves and hugs everyone..probably b/c we hug and kiss him constantly which I think most parents do, but I guess it's just his thing! I'm from a hugging and kissing family! Actually both sides of my family are that way. 

Then today someone started backing out while we were walking into the store, and my little gentleman put his arm in front of me to protect me! But then he said - 'Watch out Mommy! I'll get it! I'll cut that car in half with my lightsaber!' There is not a problem in the world that cannot be solved with lightsabers - I have finally figured that out! 

I'm trying to think what else...I mean we are at the stage where he's nonstop talking so something sweet, cute and funny comes out of his mouth about every 10 seconds...I try to at least capture the highlights here so we won't forget! 

Riley's Royal Treatment

So...I remember a lady at work that has 2 sons telling me when I was pregnant with Riley - whatever you do, don't do everything for them! They'll just expect it when they get older! 

Well....I must have forgotten about that advice...Kelly has the excuse of never having heard it! ha! 

To say Riley gets the royal treatment may be an understatement.....just to give you a glimpse...this is his morning routine..during the winter at least. 

Kelly and I wake up - I go put Riley's clothes for the day in the dryer on high to 'warm them up'. Kelly goes down stairs to make whatever breakfast Riley has pre-ordered the night before at bedtime - pancakes (microwave kind at least), sausage, eggs, etc. 

While his clothes are 'warming up', I get in bed with him so we can snuggle. We put both our heads under the cover and I rub his arms, legs and back to 'warm him up'. Then I go get his shirt and we put his warm shirt on first! Then we do his warm pants and socks at the same time. Then he brushes his teeth while I fix his hair...then it's down for breakfast which is all ready and served at Riley's table. Then Kelly and I usually sit and eat breakfast with him..Conley too if he's awake. 

Then Kelly makes sure that he packs Riley's favorite snack in his backpack for the ride home too. 

Just a few of the things that are Riley's Royal treatment from BOTH Mom & Dad!

Riley the Jerry Maguire Kid!

Those are our glasses from when we went to The Price is Right and wore Drew Carey glasses!

Riley used the potty! Yea!!

Maybe...just maybe...Kelly and I will get the Christmas present of not having to buy 2 types of diapers! But I'm not holding my breath! Although it definitely seems like we are starting to "turn a corner" with Riley...and he's dictating it. Kelly and I both backed off on all the potty talk when it became apparent Riley wasn't ready. I'll drop it into normal conversation here and there...like when you use the big boy potty you can wear your Star Wars underwear - that I have in the drawer right by his "wake up" diaper (pull ups) so he sees them every morning. 

Then one night last week...we went somewhere and Riley was going to bed really late...but he said I want to potty on the potty. I thought just so he could get out of bed ONE MORE TIME! But he sat on the potty and even went through the motions of wiping! LOL! But in the end said I can't Mommy! So we just move right along.

Then all of the sudden yesterday - he literally stripped ALL his clothes off and went to sit on the potty. Kelly and I figured it was another false alarm, and he likes his privacy so we just stayed away....and lo and be hold! He goes to the potty! Of course, he forgot to "hold his business" down so he peed all over the floor and everything, but I'll take it!! Later last night when I was putting his lotion on him after bath, he held his wee-wee down and said - I have to hold it down like this when I potty Mommy. So....stay tuned in the never ending story of when Riley will finally be potty trained!

Unfortunately, he hasn't mentioned it again since....

Chuck E Cheese with Kaden

We met Angie and Kaden at Chuck E Cheese or a play date last Friday night. Our friend Terri went with us - let's just say I think we scared her into being a nun for the rest of her life! LOL! With the breastfeeding and 2 older kids running around nonstop...it was jumping into the deep end of the pool for a single person! :) 

We had to go to the car for a bit so I could nurse Conley.

Anyway - as usual Riley and Kaden had a blast! 

Riley & Kaden playing a game!

Every one thinks they are cousins or brothers when we have them out together...in this pic you can see why. And ironically, neither of them were working their faux hawks this day either! 

Riley & Chuck E Cheese

This is the cutest video! But I swear I thought Riley was about to lay a big ol' kiss on Kaden at one point! LOL! :) He's such a sweetie!!
 

 
 Good times!

Ride 'em cowboy!

This is a post I definitely can't forget to do! Sometime in the last couple of weeks, Riley was in his room for a "nap". He still doesn't get out of his bed at night or in the morning - he'll call me to come get him still. But I now know he gets in and out of it at bedtime or in the morning before we get up because sometimes we go in there and the bed is FULL of books and toys as if he's been pulling an all-nighter! 

It's a little blurry, but this is Riley in bed with all sorts of goodies - that's the infamous elephant at the bottom left, he's holding a picture frame with he and Kelly's Halloween pic in it, and you can see 'B' and some books - there were tons of other books and Star Wars figures under his sheets too!

 I don't know if he got the stuff the night before or woke up earlier in the morning and played a little then went back to sleep, but he was dead asleep when we went in there!

Anyway - the real reason for this post - the other day Kelly heard a noise coming from Riley's room during nap time - when he opened the door - seriously...we can't make this stuff up - Riley had his BIG elephant on his bed, and was riding it like a cowboy, but an urban cowboy because he had a phone in one hand and his Star Wars Han Solo gun in the other hand! Kelly said he was talking on the phone and shooting the gun at the same time! I can't believe he didn't take a picture! That would have been one of the BEST blackmail pictures for when he's older! That boy!! His imagination is as active as ever these days...the things he does...and oh my the things that come out of his mouth! 

Patio Play Time!

Riley has circled back to an old faithful - patio play time - since the weather is so nice. He wants to go out there every day now...and he converses with anyone walking by. He takes his Star Wars figures out there - he and Daddy have lightsaber battles. Just whatever...

This day he was "shooting people". I'm sure there are some parents that would have a fit I let my kid play with guns, but Star Wars guns are pretty darn close to cowboys and indians that we used to play when we were little - yet more politically correct. Ha! For gun play anyway....LOL! 

 We'll skim right over the fact that he's in his pj's! LOL!

Riley Introducing Conley to "B"

Up close and personal introduction to B and Riley brought the puppy over for Conley and put it at his feet!

See that smile of Riley's - he wants to play with Conley SOOO bad!

Then he gives him a sweet brotherly kiss! Awe...melts your heart!

Riley's 3yr Old Fall School Pictures!

My little boy all grows up!! :( Where did my baby go?!?!? 

Awe...I can already imagine...Kindergarten graduation...Prom's...high school graduation...and God forbid college! Father time....please S-L-O-W down!! For my aging purposes and for relishing in every moment/phase of my children growing up!

Week 2 Hangover!

My doula came to do our post delivery checkup last Thursday, and I told her that so far everything had been so easy I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Well....ask and you shall receive! 

I would say starting on the weekend...my nipples were hurting SO BAD! OMG! I was having to psych myself up for every latch on! I know that's part of the 1st 2 weeks, but all of the sudden it was severely painful..even on my "good side" so to speak and lasting after the first "latch on" which wasn't the case up to this point so far.

By Monday, I was really not feeling well. I called my doula to ask a couple of things about breastfeeding, but we played phone tag for most of the day. Then all of the sudden in the afternoon, I came down with cold chills so bad that I shivered nonstop for almost half an hour..and I felt overcome with flu like symptoms - my whole body ached, I was weak. I checked myself for fever and was running a low grade fever. Then I noticed my "good boob" had this red streaky spot on it. I decided to sleep on it and see how I was in the am - I was still suffering through bouts of chills and the red spot was now starting to spread around to encompass my entire boob! It was hot and sore to touch too! Argh! I did a few Google searches and looked in my breastfeeding book and self diagnosed it as Mastitis. I talk to my doula and she agreed, so Tuesday morning I called Dr. Gunby for antibiotics. His office called me in a prescription that afternoon - a Z-pak since I'm allergic to penicillin and I started taking that and advil to help with the swelling, pain and fever.

By Wed morning - the redness had already started to retreat and I felt much better! Thank GOD because overnight Tuesday night - Riley became ill. He threw up all over his bed during the night - Kelly went in there to his cries and took care of it all and didn't even tell me! But needless to say - Riley had to stay home with me and Conley for the next 2 days. Thank goodness I was feeling better, or there's no way I could have done it! Either way by the end of Wed after having both of them all day, I was WORN out! Thursday was a little easier...but to be honest, all 3 of us just stayed in my bed and watched freaking NickJr ALL DAY! OMG! I watched multiple episodes of Dora, Wonder Pets, Blue's Clues, Max & Ruby, OMG! Calgon TAKE ME AWAY!!! That damn Wonder Pets song is STILL stuck in my head!!! 

Luckily for me, Nancy had sent yummy baked ziti and chili over Sunday which covered Sunday and Monday when I first became ill. Then Tuesday, Angie brought yummy chicken and spaghetti and texas toast over with snacks of apples, string cheese, yogurt and chocolate chip cookies, and magazines just in time to cover Tues & Wed of me and Riley both being sick! Thank you both! You SAVED me! And maybe more importantly fed my husband too! :) 

Luckily, Riley was all better and super excited to go back to school today! And I feel almost back to normal! Ironically, Conley had his 2 worst nights the 2 nights I was most ill, so that was a double dose of week 2 hangover those nights and the following days! Hopefully we've turned the corner now though! I did breakdown and start using a nipple shield during this time because the mastitis was so painful...so now I have to muster up the nerve to stop using that once I am completely healed of the mastitis. It's more of a mental block than physical, but still! 

Bless Kelly's heart for having to go to Babies R Us and buy nipple shields and nipple shells and all sorts of stuff...sort of like asking him to go buy tampons! LOL! But he's a super trooper and did it without ever complaining! 

My boys hanging out!

Here are a few pics of my boys! And some of their first times to "hang out" watching Sunday football, etc. 

Watching Football! Riley's even holding his football!

A Kiss for Conley! He's not scared of him anymore!

Riley having lunch with Conley - notice his lightsaber and Star Wars plate (Thanks Talana Banana)!