Growing leaps and bounds

Yesterday was Wilson's one month checkup. They weighed and measured him. They also checked to make sure all of his parts are working correctly. I couldn't believe how much he had grown in one month.

He weighs 11 lbs 12 oz now. That is a growth of almost 3 pounds in one month. It is a growth of exactly two pounds in two weeks. He measured 23 1/2 inches. That is a growth of 2 1/2 inches in one month. The length might be off a little. It is hard to measure a squirmy little guy. His head measured about 16 cm. That is a growth of 1 1/4 cm. Overall he has grown really well. It might be the fact that he is eating 5 oz of formula these days. I thought about bumping him up to 6 oz, but when I tried he only ate 4 oz. Rather than waste formula (otherwise known as liquid gold) I will stick to 5 oz.

We will have a couple of quiet days before I leave on Friday. It will be odd to not have guests in the house. Unca Ryan comes on Wednesday. I can't wait to see him!!! It has been WAY TOO LONG since I last saw my brotha! Anyhow, it will be a quick visit, but it more about quality than quantity. Hope everyone has a Happy Wednesday.

Tuesday inside the crazyness

I have decided that I do not need any more than 2 children. This doesn't mean that I am ruling out the idea of ever having another baby. This just means that as of right now, I don't want another one. We have had 4 kids--2 two year old, a 1 year old, and a 1 month old in the house for 3 days. Can everyone say CRAZYNESS!! I don't know how moms of multiples do it!! I couldn't have twins and not be on medication. Russell and Cayman have been saying "mine" "no mine" over and over. This is completely normal for their age but also completely unnerving. Anyhow, on a different note, I have really enjoyed their visit. They have given me a new outlook on family. They have also given me some hope. They have filled my house and my heart with love.

I want to say I love you to EVERYONE out there. You never know when something might happen to someone you love, and if you haven't told them that you love them, it will be a weight of immeasurable size. I love you, Dad. I love you,Mom. I just want you guys to know that.

Cousin is A-coming

Today is the day for Justin's sister, Allison, and her crew to arrive. Russell decided to rest up, and he slept in until 7:30. Wilson also wanted to be rested, and he slept really good last night. I am super excited to watch Cayman and Russell play. It will be extra good now that we are using the dining room for a playroom.

I am getting really nervous about this upcoming weekend. It is my 10 year high school reunion. There isn't anyone in particular that I am nervous about seeing but just everyone in general. Other than a select few, I really haven't kept up with anyone in these 10 years. Myspace has really re-introduced me to a bunch of people that I was close to. It is funny to me that now, during a really tough time, I am reunited with people who know what I am going through. They know because they were there for it in a crucial moment of my growing up. They probably don't realize that it was going on, but many of these people are how I made it over the mountain and into the oasis.

With that being said, I am going to try to post a pic from Wilson's baptism. I look horrible as I am arching my back. I look like I am 6 months pregger still. HOW ANNOYING! Anyhow, I hope you enjoy.

Pictures taken

Well, we had a busy Thursday. I took the boys to get pictures taken. It was a little hairy to try to deal with both of them by myself, but Mikabeth did such a good job of keeping Russell entertained that I just really had to tend to Wilson. I am so amazed at the work she does. I can't express the words that would do her justice. She is a fabulous photographer, but also just an awesome person. It is so great to be around positive people with good spirits.

Check out the pics. Mikabeth put a few on her blog, and she said that I would be able to see the rest next week. I think that many people that read this blog probably got the e-mail I sent out, or you read the bulletin I put on myspace, but I want to make sure I reach everyone. I think it would be great if Mikabeth got swamped with business. She deserves the rewards of being good at what she does.

www.mikabethedwardsphotography.com

click on "view in full screen"
click on "my blog" at the right of the screen

Our pics will be in the blog appropriately titled "Russell and Wilson".
Thank goodness it is Friday. I am not even working, but I look forward to having Justin home for the weekend. His parents are going to stop by as they head towards Tulsa. Allison, Cayman, and Delaney will be here on Sunday. I can't wait to see them. It will be hectic, but so normal. I love and miss NORMAL sometimes.

Nana and Grandpa Ralph's visit

We have been very busy since Nana and Grandpa Ralph ("pa" Raph) arrived on Saturday. Russell and I went to the Fort Smith Airport (stop laughing it has won awards for the bathrooms). When Russell saw Pa Raph it was all over with. We arrived home, and the grandparents met Wilson for the first time. They agree that Wilson looks more like me than Russell ever did.

Sunday was Wilson's Baptism. Nana, Pa Ralph, and "JoJo" (Joanna--a friend of mine) attended the special ceremony. Everyone commented on how good Wilson was because he slept the whole time. He did, however, have a serious BLOWOUT of his diaper right at the end of church. I don't think anyone noticed the smell.

Monday was the first day of school. I had to go for just a few hours. My sub is right out of college, and she doesn't have as much confidence in herself as I would like. Wilson decided that the night before the first day of school would be the best time to stay up all night. Thank goodness I was able to come home and go back to sleep. If you notice, it is about 8 am, and I am at home. It is really nice to not have to go to school. I might actually be able to enjoy my maternity leave finally.

So on the schedule today is a trip to Michaels or Hobby Lobby to look for a few things. We are also going to run other various errands. I am going to take advantage of having people here, and I am going to get my hair trimmed. Tomorrow I am going for my dental checkup. It is great to have people here to watch "little man" while I get things taken care of. Nana has been so busy cooking different meals for us. So far we have had steaks (grilled by the masters Justin and Pa Ralph), Lasagna, and Picadillo. I believe Chicken pot pie, "Donna's Chicken", stuffed peppers, and Pepperoni casserole are on the menu for the rest of the week. Whatever we do not eat, Nana is freezing for us. It is such a huge help when she does this because we can just take it out of the freezer and throw it in the microwave. They have also helped by cleaning and hanging different pictures.

So all in all everything has been great. I will probably have to go back up to school sometime this week. It is possible that my substitute will be moving to a jr. high classroom, which means that I will be getting someone else. This would normally stress me out, but the person I will get is a retired MALE principal. This is the best option I have heard in a long time. I have really been praying for a better solution to this problem, and God has given me the best one possible. We will see if it all pans out. Hope everyone is having a good day. I will post pics of the week later.

So here are some new pics of the little guy (and the big boy). Russell loves to help out with Wilson!

This is Wilson chillin' in his bouncy chair. I placed it on top of the washing machine so I could iron. He seems kinda confused!

Babies, babies, and more babies

I want to start this posting with a big CONGRATS to my BFF, Christy Allen Edmonds, on her beautiful little girl, Zoe, finally making her grand entrance into the world. It is hard for me to believe that I just had my second, and that Christy is now a mom. I can remember (very clearly) the year we went to Brookhill Camp together, and we got in trouble for bringing our NKOTB pictures to post by our bunks. We are now both moms, and it seems really weird. I can't wait to get down to El Do to see that cutie pie. I am sure she will have blonde hair (really don't know how she couldn't), and well, I am sure she is just beautiful! Zoe and Wilson will meet when we travel to El Do for our 10 year reunion.

So Russell moved up to the preschool building at daycare. He is getting to be such a big boy. He is really helpful with Wilson, and you can tell he really loves his brother. He was so excited about going back to school. It is great when they like going to school. It sure makes things a whole lot easier than him pitching a huge fit!

Wilson is doing great. We have bumped him up to 4 oz of formula, and he seems to be content. He is staying awake longer lately. It is so neat to watch him knowing that he is just soaking everything in. When we went for his 2 week check up he was up to 9 lb 11 oz. That is a whole pound that he has gained since we left the hospital.

Justin has started late nights for football. Since they have meetings during the day, they have to practice in the evenings. It is actually a good idea considering how hot it is lately. School starts on Monday (not for me of course), and I know that things will get really hectic. It will be a true test of my juggling ability.

Nana and Grandpa Ralph will be here starting Saturday. We are really excited for their visit. It is always nice when they come to visit. Nana is so good for cooking extra meals to freeze, and Grandpa Ralph will tinker with different projects. Last year when they came to visit (about this same time) we had major sewer problems, and they were such a HUGE help. I am really hoping that things are a whole lot more calm this year. After they leave, Allison, Cayman, Delaney, Grandmother and Granddaddy-o will be coming in. We are really looking forward to seeing all of them. Russell and Cayman were so cute when we went on vacation this year. They really play together (and spend a lot of time saying MINE, no MINE). I hear Delaney is crawling all over the place. After going to El Do for the reunion, Unca Ryan will be coming in. We haven't seen him in a year and a half so he will be amazed at the changes in Russell. I can't wait to see Russell interact with him. Ryan is always so much fun, and I know that Russell will love him as much (if not more) than I do!