Kieran's Dr. Appointment

 Kieran had his one month follow-up appointment with the ENT Doctor today. To make a long story short the Doctor really thinks his hearing issues are due to fluid behind his inner ear.  She could see some of it and in one of his tests he was hearing some of the pitches.  It's not that he didn't hear other pitches, but the machine wouldn't even run the rest of the pitches because there was "something" blocking the sounds,which would be the fluid.  We'll take him back in three months.  There is a 25% chance that the fluid will drain on it's own, but if it doesn't then they will want to put tubes in his ears right away or at least before six months when he's really going to need to be able to hear our voices better as babies are already forming language at this point.  The doctor said he can hear, but probably not below 30 decibels.  Normal conversation is at 50-60 decibels so he can hear, but our voices are a bit muffled.  We are very thankful that it's looking like Kieran's hearing loss is not permanent and he will hopefully eventually hear normally!

Happy One Month Baby Boy!  I'll take your one month picture tomorrow!  Today was just too crazy!

Thank You Gaga!

Whether it was taking Svea outside to play, helping rock Kieran to sleep, telling me the hormones will pass, or helping keep up around the house, we just wanted to thank you Mom for all of your help.  I seriously was so thankful that you were here when Dan went back to work.  I know I would/could take care of two kids under two, but it's nice to have it postponed as long as possible....at least until I can get more sleep:) We miss and love you!

4 Weeks Old

Since Kieran will be a month old in a few days I won't update too much.  He's still doing very well, although we had a few rough nights this past week.  He is balding and losing the hair on the top of his head.  It's slowly making its way to the back.  He looks like someone we know:) Kieran is wearing size 1 diapers and is transitioning to his size 0-3 month clothes.  His newborn pants still fit you though.  He looks so big to me compared to Svea at this time.  Ok, I said I wasn't going to say much, but it's hard not to talk about your kids! I can't believe he is almost one month old already!

22 Months Old

Clothes:You wear 18 and some 24 month clothes. 18 month pants still fit you, but you are in 24 month tops and jammies.  Mommy and Daddy went fall/winter shopping for you the other day and bought 24 month and a few 2T sized shirts.
Shoes: Size 4
Diapers: Size 4 diapers during the day and size 5 at night.
Sleep:You sleep from about 8:00-8:30 until 8:00-8:30 the next morning.Since Kieran came home you've been waking up when he cries sometimes.  You usually are very quiet or sometimes you will just talk yourself back to sleep.  You for sure have your Dad's sleep habits though...it takes you forever to fall back asleep.  Other times we'll come into your room and give you a hug/rub your back and your back to sleeping immediately. 
Teeth: 14!  You got two new teeth on the bottom this month.  It might be why you woke up too at times in the middle of the night.
Traveling: We traveled to St. Cloud hospital to have your brother.  Does that count?
Talking:You repeat EVERYTHING! Your vocab is quite impressive and you amaze us all the time in what you know. You say your brother's name better than your own, but you don't have to change...we love hearing you say "Bye-ya"! When we play little games with you and ask you things that are obviously "No" you have the cutest way of saying No.  I can try to get it on video!

Favorite Activity:Right now you are loving your balls, your "guys", and you have taken a little bit more interest in your babies.  You want to change their diaper and feed them more.  Probably because you see us doing that with Kieran.  You LOVE to be outside!  It's been hard this month with a new baby, but when both of us are home we try to get you out there.  Gaga is really good about getting you outside too.  We still go for a nightly walk before bed.  If we give you a "fruit snack" (which is really dried fruit) you will go into the stroller more easily.  We bought a double stroller too...so far we've gone once with all four of us! You also love to go for walks behind our house in the retirement community.  We run on the sidewalk or go and smell the flowers.  You are a funny little girl and love to try and make us laugh.  You don't always care if we think it's funny either.  If you think it's funny, then it's funny!
Favorite Books: You don't really have a favorite this month.  Some days you want to read, read, and read some more and others you have no interest in it. You love getting library books every couple of weeks.  The last time we went to the library you even picked out one of your books on your own!

Favorite Foods: You have the same favorites!  We haven't tried any "new" foods this month really.  At some meals you don't eat very much, but then you'll usually make up for it later in the day and eat, eat, eat! You still love string cheese and would eat five a day if we let you:)
Foods Dislike: You usually hate anything new the first time you try it!
Favorite Songs: You can now help us sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Jesus Loves Me.  Mommy tried the Itsy Bitsy Spider with you the other day and you almost have it:)

Dislikes: You hate being confined by the straps on your stroller and booster seat.  You are constantly stretching yourself against it.  You don't like coming inside and have had a few tantrums about it:)  You are such a good little girl. I think I can count on one hand how many time-outs you've had this month.  You quit the negative behavior afterwards too.

Favorite Word: You don't really have a favorite word that you repeat over and over.  We did hear the word "mine" for the first time this month though...uh-oh! Maybe "Baby Kieran"...you've said this quite a few times this month for some reason:)
Things we are learning: You've learned one new shape since last month and it's oval! Sometimes you will say four when you count 1,2,3. You started adding a please to the end of your thank you this month. You seem to be getting more consistent with some colors.  I think you may know a few more, but I'm not sure yet. You are starting to grasp the difference between a boy and a girl.  You will identify them when we are readying books. You learn new vocabulary words on our walks and remember them after only one time of hearing it. Daddy thinks you are brilliant and I would have to agree. 

Svea, we are so proud of you.  So far you have transitioned to be such a good big sister.  You love to get Mommy a diaper and throw them away when we are done.  We hope you always know how much we love you.  You will always be our baby GIRL:)

Weekend Updates!

Kieran went 4.5 hours between feedings two nights ago! That felt wonderful, but he's struggled a bit more the last two nights.  It's just a season and he'll eventually sleep through the night.  For now, I don't want to wish any stage away:)

Dan made his goal weight!  He has now lost a total of 20 lbs!  He now has a new goal though and new pants!  Way to go! He is also back to work and is quite busy since he's been gone for three weeks. I hate to steal his thunder, but I'm down 20 lbs too.  Only ten more to go!  Maybe this is a good friendly competition for us both!

I had my first moment with Svea where she demanded I pick her up while I was holding Kieran.  And so it begins...overall she's been really good too though.  My Mom is still here so Dan and I are like chopped liver and all she wants is her Gaga. It has been REALLY helpful to have her here to help while Dan went back to work.  Thank you Mom, I couldn't do this without you. 

I am sweating still so much at night that I could fill a medium sized pool.  I don't remember this going on so long with Svea, but it might be an indicator that my hormones are still raging to settle down.  I feel it too.  The "baby blues" as they like to call them are lasting longer than with Svea too.  The "I don't know why I'm crying/mad/sad are decreasing, but still there.  It is the "not so fun" part of having a baby. Thank you Mom and Dan for being patient with me.  Again, I couldn't make this transition while dealing with crazy hormones without you both!

Overall we are managing and getting through each day.  I am scared for the day when I am home alone with both.  I know it's just the fear of the unknown and we'll all get the hang of it.  This is just a very busy, but amazing time of our lives.  We seriously say just about everyday how lucky we are to have these two beautiful children!

More Newborn Pictures

 I can't believe we have two kids! I'm still in shock that I was even pregnant and now they are both here with us! I love this first photo and will cherish it forever. Enjoy the pictures. I ordered Kieran's birth announcements last night.

Videos

Kieran Sleeping

Svea Counting in the Bathtub

Svea and Kieran

Three Weeks Old

 Kieran-You are three weeks old today and growing like a weed!  You are still in newborn diapers and clothes, but we have the size one diapers ready to go and Mom has your 0-3 month clothes ready to wash for when you need them.  You are still a super good baby.  You've spit up/thrown up now a handful of times after you eat, but I don't think you have any serious reflux...just normal baby spitting up.  You are still sleeping on your back in your pack n' play swaddled most nights for 3-4 hours.  You are having a harder time getting back to sleep though some nights and Mom or Dad are up with you trying to get you sleepy again.  You've snuggled with us in bed a few times, which almost always makes you fall asleep.  You nurse so fast, so fast in fact that I almost wish it was just a bit longer so we had a little bit more bonding time when you eat.  You're still smiling randomly and at nothing in particular.  It's hard to catch, but awesome when we do.  You tolerate tummy time fairly well and seem to be getting stronger every day.  You continue to be just a sweet baby only crying when you are hungry or need your diaper changed.  We can't wait to see how your little personality will continue to come out.  We love you "Baby Kieran", as your sister calls you.

Random Shots from the Week

It's been a busy, but good week!

The time flies by so fast and this little boy keeps growing!

This is my favorite sleeper on Kieran right now.  Dan says he looks like a prisoner!

 Svea continues to be a busy girl.  She has her moments where she does SO well playing little games on her own that she makes up.

 She asked for the cowboy hats again yesterday so we got out the horse too!  She liked to ride him, but she is afraid of the noises he makes again.

 It is a love/hate relationship! "Yee-Haw, Yee-Haw" she kept saying!

 The snuggle time with this little man is so precious and fun.  We are just loving him to pieces!

Sneak Peak (Newborn Photos)

 My good friend Krista Schmitz took Kieran's newborn photos when he was 9 days old.  These are just a few sneak peaks.  I can't show the best ones yet, because we can't decide which one(s) we'll use on his birth announcement, which by the way are all free through all of the diaper points we've accumulated through Pampers!  We need to invest in Pampers stock!  Dean, can you help us with that?

 Svea did cooperate for about a total of 1.5 minutes.  Krista is fast and snuck in a few! I have one of Svea kissing him and it melts my heart!

 I love their matching outfits...not planned until the morning of...I love it when things spontaneously fit together!

 Little feet!  They are not so "hobbity" looking from the bottom as they are from the top!

We can't wait to share more soon!

How is Svea Doing?

Svea is doing so well with the transition to being a big sister.  She has her moments where she gets upset because Mommy or Daddy can't "come and get her", but for the most part she is not showing much jealously.  I know this may change for her when there is only one parent at home and two children, but we figure she has quite a long time before that happens.  We have been so blessed again this time with Dan receiving family leave time of three weeks.  He still has half a week left and it's so nice to have him home so we can get used to and bond with our new baby together as a family.  It also allows me to get some decent sleep for three weeks and slowly get used to having two young children at once. My Mom is also coming the week Dan goes back to work....I am so thankful for all of the help!

Here are a few funny things Svea has been doing these past two weeks.  She loves playing a game with Dan where she runs down the hallway and he throws a big pink ball behind her. She thinks this is so funny and repeats it many times.

When she wants to say thank you for something she says, "Thank you please!

She is such a good helper and a good little girl.  When it's time to pick up her toys at the end of the night I will hand her a few toys and ask her to bring them to her brothers room and she does....she even puts them in the correct baskets.  When she wants a snack I ask her to put her bunny and paci on the chair in the living room and she does it.  She is such a good listener and always willing to help out.  We are so proud of her. 

She continues to sleep well!  Her brother has woken her up a few times in the middle of then night, but she doesn't get upset.  She just says, "baby crying" and sits in her crib talking to herself.  She has yet to get upset.  We think this will be a somewhat smooth transition for her!  Her memories will always be with her and her brother, but we'll never forget our special time with just her.We love you Svea Grace!

Daddy and Kieran

 Whether you are just moments old....

 One day old....

or have Hobbit Feet....

Daddy loves you just the way God made you!

Two Weeks Old

Kieran's first Video-12 days old

Kieran-You are already two weeks old and in some ways it feels like you arrived yesterday and in others it feels like you've been with us for a long time.  Either way we love having you here with us!  We took you to the Dr. today and you surpassed your birth weight.  You now weigh 7 lbs. 14 oz. (38%) and grew an inch in a little over a week.  Coming in at the (82%) you are 21 1/4 inches long.  Our guess is that won't last too long:)  You are still wearing newborn clothes and diapers and nursing every 2-2.5 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours at night.  You nurse/eat very quickly and finish anywhere from 8-10 minutes.  It took Svea months to get to that point.  Mom had to ask the Dr. if this was ok because she was not used to it:) You still like to be swaddled, but it's a little more difficult to get you into it. You've literally only spit up substantially twice, although last night you had your first bout with gas.  You cried and writhed in pain for a good solid two hours.  Mom and Dad took turns trying to get you in a comfortable position so you could fall asleep.  Mom will watch what she eats a little more closely.  We think I may have had too much chocolate and tomatoes.  I'm sorry little guy:(   You finally fell asleep, but we put you in an incline sleeper to help instead of flat on your back. You have a very easy going personality.  You rarely cry so far and when you are awake you like to look around and make goofy faces at us.  You are starting to grasp objects such as our fingers and a ball that we place near your hands. 

Picture Post (Random from the Last Week)

 Exploring the play-mat.  This is always done when Svea is eating, sleeping, or on a walk.  She gets jealous of him being in here.

 "Puff Balls"

 Dancing with Daddy!

 Claiming ownership to the play-mat!

 Kieran holding a ball for the first time.  I remember when Svea did this too!

Just hanging out with sleepy eyes....getting close to bedtime.

Mommy and Kieran

 At just 3 days old I already love you more than I can say....

 At 5 days old all I want to do is hold you all day....

 

At 11 days old and in my arms is where you've mostly been.  I will love and protect you forever baby Kieran!

Svea On A Walk

Dan took Svea on a walk the other day while Mommy and Kieran took a nap.  Most times that she goes outside now she enjoys wearing her hat and sunglasses.  

We have a retirement community right behind our house and it's such a nice quiet place to walk with a little toddler and not have to worry about as many cars.

On this particular walk they came up upon a man from our church who had a hat on and was working in his yard.  Svea thought this man was Grandpa D so she yelled for him and took off running for him.  Once she got closer I guess she slowed and got a confused look on her face, but Dan said it was so sweet how excited she got to see her Grandpa although it wasn't. We thought it was a sweet story:) She continues to do very well with "Baby Kieran" as she calls him.  We have to remind her to be gentle and the only jealousy we've seen so far is when he was on "her" play-mat.