The Linda Family

We had a great day for Ashleigh’s birthday. We went to playgroup this morning (for the first time in about 6 months) and then headed to Dr. Stern’s office for Rebekah’s 2 month check up and Ashleigh’s 4 year check up. Rebekah is 11lbs 4.8oz and 23.5 inches! Holy cow! That puts her in the 75th percentile for weight and the 95th for height! I thought it was a bit odd that the 0-3 month clothes fit her so well. Guess that’s why! Ashleigh is 3’4″ and 34lbs! That puts her in the 50th percentile for both height and weight, so perfectly proportioned. Dr. Stern says she was in the 50th for both last year too.

We discussed the fact that Bekah has had this cold/congestion thing basically since birth, and it seems to get better, then get worse and at this point it’s not really affecting us, but I was concerned. He doesn’t think it is a cold, he is assuming it is seasonal allergies. Apparently Ashleigh’s slightly purple under eye circles are a sign of allergies. At this point, we are not discussing doing anything different than what we currently do. Benedryl as needed for Ashleigh, and we’re running a humidifier in our room and in the living room for Bekah as well as the rest of us. It is my understanding that the fact that she is showing signs of seasonal allergies means she is at a higher risk for food allergies, so we will need to be cautious when we do start to introduce solids. So, for now we watch her and hope it doesn’t turn into much.

I had to fill out a questionnaire about Ashleigh to measure her skills. It was broken into sections to see her development in different areas. Each section was made up of 6 questions. Some of the questions were things like “Ask your child what they do when they are hungry, and record their answer” of course, she knew she should eat when hungry and sleep when tired. She also was able to look at 3 very similarly sized circles and choose the smallest within seconds. I was actually shocked at that one. Each section was worth 60 points, there were 2 sections I scored her a 55 because I wasn’t sure she always did one of the questions asked, so she got a sometimes. One of those questions had something to do with throwing a ball overhand, I forget what it was exactly, but I scored her a sometimes, and there was another question I forget as well.

After we finished at Dr. Stern we headed to get Wes from work. He was actually finished early and we headed to Chick-fil-a for an early dinner. We were all hungry, and Ashleigh requested Chick-fil-a for her birthday dinner. After we ate Ashleigh played in the play area for a good hour or so while Rebekah and I ran to pick up the rest of the stuff for the party. We came home to change and headed off to the gym. Ashleigh was very excited to go show off her new baby sister at the gym. Rebekah did great. They said she sat happily in the bouncer for the whole 40 minutes. The woman working said she felt guilty Bekah just sat there contently, so she brought the bouncer over where she is. She also let me know that they don’t allow the other kids to get close to the babies, which this time of year makes me happy.

As Ashleigh and Wes got into the car on the way to the gym they were discussing Ashleigh’s birthday. She commented that it couldn’t be her birthday without cake! Wes tried to explain that we’re having her special castle cake on Saturday at her party, but she just wasn’t having it, so after the gym we hit the food store and found some yummy cupcakes that were even topped with cool Dora and Boots rings. She had requested to play Mario Kart, so our night was finished off with 2 rounds of Mario Kart before she opened some presents and headed off to bed.

She loves the new princess nightgown we got her and wore it to bed tonight. I snapped a quick picture of my FOUR year old!

Bekah is tired and cranky tonight thanks to the shots. She cries when her leg is bumped, but I’m sure she’ll be fine tomorrow. I’m going to give her another dose of Tylenol and head off to bed in just a few minutes. I have a feeling she will be sleeping well tonight! Tomorrow and Friday will be filled with getting as much ready for the party as we can. Her Prince/ss party will be here on Saturday. We expected some people to be unable to attend, but so far, everyone is coming! So, we’re going to be busy trying to clear out some space! Ashleigh is VERY excited for her party, so hopefully she will be a big help!

Rebekah,

I can hardly believe that you are two months old already.  Time sure is flying by!  You have started to smile and interact with us in the past month.  When someone smiles at you, you smile back.  You often look up at me and smile until I look at you and smile back.  Despite the fact that we’ve been fighting illness for the past month plus, you are a happy baby.

I’m starting to learn just how different you and your sister are.  I sometimes forget that not every baby is the same or has the same needs.  You are not much of a comfort nurser at the moment.  There are times when you will nurse to sleep for naps, but you usually prefer to be rocked.  I have resorting to walking around with you in my arms, with one hand under your bottom and the other holding your head tight to my chest.  You seem to really like this and you often fall asleep quickly.  If I put you in the Moby Wrap and start working on housework, you will be asleep within minutes and you will happily stay there for hours.  You don’t like me to sit down much, so I figure this will be a good weight loss plan, though it means I will be up late at night catching up on my work.

You’re very opinionated, and quite determined.  You still are vocal about your needs.  You will sit and smile and coo at me for what seems like hours on end.  That is, until I grab a camera.  Then the show is over and you are done.  This has made getting cute photos of you a bit of a challenge.  I have learned to have a camera within arms reach as much as I can.  I’m thankful we live in a world of digital cameras, because I sometimes have to take 50 – 60 shots to actually catch one where you are willing to give me half a smile.  One day we’ll capture that smile….

Your sister loves holding you and playing with you.  She begs to hold you and loves it when you get in the bath with her.  She can’t wait until you are sleeping well enough to sleep in the bedroom with her.  I’m very excited for you two to be able to play together and be best friends.  I can already see the special bond you two have.

We go to the pediatrician in a few days.  You’ll get weighed and measured, and probably get a shot or two.  I’m excited to see how big you are getting, yet sad that you are growing so quickly.  I’m enjoying getting to see your personality come out.  I love to learn who you are day by day.  Thanks for keeping life interesting kid!  I can’t wait to see what the next few months have in store!

Love you,

Mommy

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We hope you have a great Birthday! This should get it off on the right foot! Enjoy!

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Yes, we’re a week late.  The whole hospital stay thing put us off a week in doctor’s visits, so we went in yesterday for her 5 week check up instead of 1 month…

Rebekah,

It’s amazing how fast you have grown.  Just a few short weeks ago you were still in my belly.  Then you made your GRAND entrance, and you were this little cuddly toy baby.  You’ve been a pretty good sleeper from the start.  You slept 3 – 4 hours at a time at night as soon as we were home and not being disturbed by nurses at all hours.  You have shown us that you will not be ignored and put off as the second child.  You are quite vocal about your needs and will not take no for an answer.  While it may make Mommy and Daddy a little nuts as you grow up, it will be a good trait to have in adulthood.  Always stand up for yourself and what you feel is right.  I know you will do big things.  You are a big eater.  You and Ashleigh are both growing like weeds right now.  It certainly makes Mommy happy to know that you two are thriving and growing.  In the past 5 weeks from your birth you have gained 2 pounds and grown over an inch, depending upon whose measurements you trust.  At birth you weighed 7lbs 9oz and were measured at 20 inches long.  Before we left the hospital you were down to 7lbs 1 oz and at your one week pediatrician visit you were 7lbs 3 oz and 20 3/4 inches.  Rationally there is no way you grew 3/4 of an inch in the first week, so you were over 20 inches at birth, we’re just not sure how much over 20 inches.  Yesterday you were 9lbs 9oz and 21 3/4 inches.  You are in the 50th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height.  You are growing perfectly and right on par with where your big sister was.

You are learning new tricks every day.  You are very observant of the world around you and you are starting to turn your head to see where the noises you hear are comig from.  You can now hold your head up, though you sometimes decide it is too  much work and it;s easier to let your head hang.  You have grown to love your swing, and are enjoying your bouncer too.  You even enjoy short visits in your Bumbo Seat.  This is great for moments when mommy has to help Ashleigh with something.  You love being cuddled in the Moby Wrap or the Mei Tai.  We’ll be getting our pretty new sling soon, and I’m sure you’ll love that too!

You currently have your first cold, and it’s been rough on all of us.  Mommy and Daddy hate knowing you don’t feel well.  You have been quite congested and uncomfortable.  The good news is that your chest is clear and all the congestion is in your head, so it will pass and you will be fine, it’s just a matter of waiting it out.  We all know that Mommy has very little patience, especially when we’re waiting for you or your sister to get better, so hopefully it passes soon!

Now that you’re 5 weeks old we’re starting to get out more.  You’ve had your first two trips to the food store this week, as well as your first trip to the mall.  Mommy is getting the hang of this two kids thing and I think we’ve all survived the first month wonderfully!  You’re out growing all things newborn and moving into 0-3 months clothes and size 1 diapers.  It’s time to start trying out some cloth diapers now that you’re big enough.

We love watching you grow and change with each day, but could you slow down a bit?  There’s no hurry.  Time will go on and you will grow, but I’m really ok with you staying little for as long as you can.  You won’t stay little long and I’m trying to enjoy each moment.  Give me lots of moments, ok kid?

All my love,

Mommy

We were invited to a freind’s birthday party Tuesday night. It was a Chuck E Cheese! The kids had a blast. Ashleigh was too shy to talk to the other kids, but she enjoyed playing on the rides and even tried skeeball! She loves watching the characters dance on stage, and she enjoyed her pizza and Sprite. Lucky kid!

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For those of you on the Linda side of the family, you should recognize some of the kids….Most of the 6 you would know look SOOOO much like their parents it’s frightening. I guess the same can be said for Ashleigh, but since we see her everyday we don’t notice. It was quite obvious to me which kids were Globus’s, and which three were Ben and Sarah’s and which three were Bob & Allison’s!