This is the ONLY one of Stratton that turned out!
Sleeping Beauty. . .
The pearls are borrowed from my Nanny. Mom said she thought my Papa brought them back from one of his trips overseas when he served in the Navy.
Time she was born. . .
10.28.2012
Arden's newborn pictures
These were taken by Emily Cottingham. Look her up on fb. . .Captured By Cottingham is her business name. She was so good with the kids. I just wish one of the one of both kids had turned out, Stratton was just too busy. She got some really good ones of Arden though. Here are some of my favorites. . .
This is the ONLY one of Stratton that turned out!
Sleeping Beauty. . .
The pearls are borrowed from my Nanny. Mom said she thought my Papa brought them back from one of his trips overseas when he served in the Navy.
Time she was born. . .
This is the ONLY one of Stratton that turned out!
Sleeping Beauty. . .
The pearls are borrowed from my Nanny. Mom said she thought my Papa brought them back from one of his trips overseas when he served in the Navy.
Time she was born. . .
10.27.2012
Arden is 6 weeks!
We took her to the doctor yesterday for a check-up and she is doing great!
She weighs 9 lbs 8 oz which is in the 75th percentile! And is 21 1/2 inches long, 50th percentile. The doctor thinks she may have some reflux, even though she never spits up, she is probably swallowing it before it comes up. Apparently, its pretty common. So we are giving her zantac now, I hope it helps! She also has something called thrush. Which is a yeast infection in her mouth. . .ewww. We thought she just had milk residue on her tongue from that icky soy formula, who knew!? So we are on two different meds at the moment. I hope they help her start to feel more comfortable so she can start eating and sleeping better. She did have a couple of good nights this past week, but for the most part she is still waking up every three hours. I go back to work in a couple of weeks so I am really hoping she can get on a more predictable sleeping schedule before then! This girl is just not taking to the PDF (babywise) method! Stratton took right too it and was so predictable. . . not Arden! She just does her own thing! I fear this is a sign of things to come!
Stratton is doing so much better! We actually had a week without any major meltdowns! We have also started a new weekly "chore chart" project with him. I will have to put a picture of him and his chart up later. It really seems to be helping.
Tuesday, Arden and I ventured out to the mall. She did so good. We picked Stratton up at school a little early and then went home and played outside. The weather has been so nice, almost summery!
I had a dr appointment with my doctor in Little Rock on Wednesday. I got a good report and can go back to my regular activities. It ended up being a quick trip since they were so vusy and we were there for over 2 hours! We did sqeeze in a trip to Copelands for an early dinner and cheesecake! Arden did really good. She seems to be a good traveler and doesn't seem to mind being in the carseat. . .well as long as its moving!
Last weekend we went to Searcy for Margie's birthday. We had a family dinner Saturday night and then Jennifer brought Archer over again on Sunday. The boys really play well together! They are so funny. I didn't take any pictures but here is one that Margie got of the three grands on Sunday morning.
She weighs 9 lbs 8 oz which is in the 75th percentile! And is 21 1/2 inches long, 50th percentile. The doctor thinks she may have some reflux, even though she never spits up, she is probably swallowing it before it comes up. Apparently, its pretty common. So we are giving her zantac now, I hope it helps! She also has something called thrush. Which is a yeast infection in her mouth. . .ewww. We thought she just had milk residue on her tongue from that icky soy formula, who knew!? So we are on two different meds at the moment. I hope they help her start to feel more comfortable so she can start eating and sleeping better. She did have a couple of good nights this past week, but for the most part she is still waking up every three hours. I go back to work in a couple of weeks so I am really hoping she can get on a more predictable sleeping schedule before then! This girl is just not taking to the PDF (babywise) method! Stratton took right too it and was so predictable. . . not Arden! She just does her own thing! I fear this is a sign of things to come!
Stratton is doing so much better! We actually had a week without any major meltdowns! We have also started a new weekly "chore chart" project with him. I will have to put a picture of him and his chart up later. It really seems to be helping.
Tuesday, Arden and I ventured out to the mall. She did so good. We picked Stratton up at school a little early and then went home and played outside. The weather has been so nice, almost summery!
I had a dr appointment with my doctor in Little Rock on Wednesday. I got a good report and can go back to my regular activities. It ended up being a quick trip since they were so vusy and we were there for over 2 hours! We did sqeeze in a trip to Copelands for an early dinner and cheesecake! Arden did really good. She seems to be a good traveler and doesn't seem to mind being in the carseat. . .well as long as its moving!
Last weekend we went to Searcy for Margie's birthday. We had a family dinner Saturday night and then Jennifer brought Archer over again on Sunday. The boys really play well together! They are so funny. I didn't take any pictures but here is one that Margie got of the three grands on Sunday morning.
Corn bread?
The other night while eating dinner Stratton (who is always making interesting concoctions with his food) said to me as he heaped corn onto a roll. . . "look mommy, I have cornbread!".
He is actually making a green bean sandwich in this picture. . . Like I said "interesting" choice, but at least he's eating them!
He is actually making a green bean sandwich in this picture. . . Like I said "interesting" choice, but at least he's eating them!
10.19.2012
Sweet
Arden was wide awake, and happy, so I thought I'd take her picture. . . Then here came Stratton and had to get in on the action!
Love my babies. . . Especially when they are so sweet!
Pumpkin Painting Party
We had such a good time tonight at the pumpkin painting party at church. It was a little chilly! But the kiddos had a great time painting pumpkins, playing games, eating hot dogs and smores and even had a hayride!
10.18.2012
Arden is 5 weeks old!
Where is the time going? Now that Arden is a month old I think things are starting to get slightly better (knock on wood!). Stratton is doing better and has been less dramatic this week. It also seems like Arden hasn't had as many tummy aches where she just kicks and screams for long periods.
I have 3 more weeks off work after this week. Part of me is ready and part of me thinks I need more time! This past week we stayed busy! Monday, my friend Meghan came to visit and see Arden. We went to lunch and hung out at the house for a bit. After she left I went by my office to see the crew. It was the first time I have been back since Arden was born. It was nice to see everyone, and hear ow much they missed me! Haha! Tuesday I had a dentist appointment and Arden and I left early so we could have lunch with my mom. We stayed for most of the afternooon, we got back and then when Jarrod and Stratton got home we went to Isabella's volley ball game at Valley View. Stratton was upset that the game didn't last very long! But both kids were really good. And Arden was so good on both Monday and Tuesday running around and being in the carseat for a long time doesn't seem to bother her.
Next week I have my last appointment in Little Rock with Dr. Smith on Wednesday, and Arden has an appointment with her pediatrician on Friday. This is just a follow-up for her, she won't start shots till her next appointment at 2 months. Jarrod and I will be celebrating our 7 year anniversary on Monday, so we are hoping to get away for a night or two next weekend! We'll see!
Gigi ordered her a new toy! A wubbanub pacifer, I hope she can hold on to it and keep it in her mouth longer. I think thats one of the most frustrating things about a newborn! They are happy with a pacifer, but can't keep it in their mouth!
And by the way I was right about the previous night's good sleeping. . . Last night she woke up every 3 hours on the dot. I've had the sniffles again, so I took benedryl and Jarrod got up with her. But she did do good she went right back to sleep everytime except for the 3 am feeding. I could tell she was having stomach cramps, so I got up and gave her some gas drops and rocked her for a bit and she finally gave it up.
I have 3 more weeks off work after this week. Part of me is ready and part of me thinks I need more time! This past week we stayed busy! Monday, my friend Meghan came to visit and see Arden. We went to lunch and hung out at the house for a bit. After she left I went by my office to see the crew. It was the first time I have been back since Arden was born. It was nice to see everyone, and hear ow much they missed me! Haha! Tuesday I had a dentist appointment and Arden and I left early so we could have lunch with my mom. We stayed for most of the afternooon, we got back and then when Jarrod and Stratton got home we went to Isabella's volley ball game at Valley View. Stratton was upset that the game didn't last very long! But both kids were really good. And Arden was so good on both Monday and Tuesday running around and being in the carseat for a long time doesn't seem to bother her.
Next week I have my last appointment in Little Rock with Dr. Smith on Wednesday, and Arden has an appointment with her pediatrician on Friday. This is just a follow-up for her, she won't start shots till her next appointment at 2 months. Jarrod and I will be celebrating our 7 year anniversary on Monday, so we are hoping to get away for a night or two next weekend! We'll see!
Gigi ordered her a new toy! A wubbanub pacifer, I hope she can hold on to it and keep it in her mouth longer. I think thats one of the most frustrating things about a newborn! They are happy with a pacifer, but can't keep it in their mouth!
And by the way I was right about the previous night's good sleeping. . . Last night she woke up every 3 hours on the dot. I've had the sniffles again, so I took benedryl and Jarrod got up with her. But she did do good she went right back to sleep everytime except for the 3 am feeding. I could tell she was having stomach cramps, so I got up and gave her some gas drops and rocked her for a bit and she finally gave it up.
She sleeps!
Tuesday night after she ate at 8:30 and it took her awhile to go to sleep but once she did she was out, so I laid her down in her bed between 10 and 10:30, then I went to bed since Jarrod usually takes the next feeding. Well, the next time I heard her on the monitor I looked to see what time it was. . . It was 3 am! I woke Jarrod up and asked him if he'd been up with her and I just didn't hear her, but he said no. Before I could get up she was back asleep and she slept for another hour. So she went a little over 7 hours between feedings and slept for 5 and a half hours straight! And when I fed her at 4 she went right back to sleep afterwards and slept till around 7! I could get used to this. . .but I won't because I'm sure it won't be a every night occurance just yet!
Thank goodness for fall. . .finally!
You might be a redneck if you have a hunting blind in your front yard just so your three year old can "deer hunt"! He also had his fishing pole out, along with his basketball goal and wagon and lots of truck and tractors. . . I bet our neighbors think we are crazy!
Arden enjoyed the fresh air, too!
Stratton's turn with the camera. . .
10.10.2012
10.09.2012
What a week.
Thursday was well. . . A lot. I had an appointment with a local photographer, Emily Cottingham, at her studio to have the kids pictures made at noon. My mom came to help me. Stratton was really good, could have been the bribe of a big prize, but it worked! I think she got some really goodones of Arden, we will see if there are any decent ones of both kiddos. Stratton didn't want to participate for long. He was like ok, I got my picture made, I'm done! I'm glad my momwas there to keep him busy while Arden was having hers done. They went for a walk downtown and went to a coffee shop and had a snack!
When Jarrod got home he dropped the bombshell that I'm still unable to really talk about. We lost our cat, Taki. She was outside while we were gone, and some dogs ganged up on her. A neighbor saw the dogs but by the time he got to her it was too late. We don't think they were vicious, they were just playing and got too rough. The neighbor was able to get the dogs pictures and even took pictures of their id tags. We had some friends bringing is dinner so after they left we headed for HR and dropped the kids off at my nanny and papas house since my mom was staying with them that night. Then we took Taki to my mom and dad's house where we buried her alongside our other pets that have passed on. We are just devastated. Poor Stratton doesn't really understand. He asks about her, we told him the truth, so he has lots of questions. It just breaks my heart to have him talk about her. Last night he asked if she went to heaven because God needed a cat since he didn't have one? It's just beyond bizzare not having her around. We haven't really had the time to give her much attention lately, but we sure miss her.
Friday after we took Stratton to school, Jarrod, Arden and I headed for Pocahontas to look at furniture at Dawsons. We stopped in Walnut Ridge and ate lunch at the Pizza Den. We had a great visit with Josh and LeAnn. They were glad we brought Arden and we stayed at the store most of the afternoon. I didn't find anything. I will probably have to order a new couch and chair. We got back to town and picked S up at school, came home and fed Arden and then went back to town to look at the Ashley furniture store, and had dinner at "Tomato's" . . . aka Fazoli's, per Stratton's request. He was very good, surprisingly!
Saturday we took it easy. The kids were both so good and quiet! Jarrod got up with them and I slept till 9! The razorback game was at 11, so we just hung out and we all took a nap! Then we got around and decided to try our luck and Jarrod tried to take S to get new boots, but he wouldn't try any on, so that was a bust, then we went out to eat with both kids again. This time it didn't go as well. I will leave it at that! Then we ran to Target, and back home by 7pm! But it felt so much later!
Sunday we tried, but again didn't make it to bible class. We just haven't found our grove yet! Seems like even when we get up early and prep and prepare we just can't get it together! After church we went to eat with some friends, Arden slept like a champ and Stratton was great! We came home took naps, back to church and then we had dinner with our usual group. Stratton was pretty good. I am hoping that things are going to continue to get better.
Monday, I got out by myself (with Arden) for the first time. We went to Target, had breakfast at Panera, ran to Kohls and then back home all before noon! Then we took a short nap. She had a good might last night and Stratton was also pretty good.
Today I didn't get much done. Arden wanted to be held all day, I'm not sure whats going on with her, but tonight she just screamed for like an hour straight. If it happens again tomorrow I'm calling the doctor! Whew! I can't figure out if she is upset becuase her stomach or if its something else.
Tomorrow my cleaning lady is coming, so Arden and I are going to visit our Friends Erica and Livy! Then on Thusday I am finally getting my hair cut and colored! I think I'll feel like a new person afterwards! I'm glad that I can get out and about a little! I'm so tired of being stuck at home! On the agenda soon is a mani/pedi!
When Jarrod got home he dropped the bombshell that I'm still unable to really talk about. We lost our cat, Taki. She was outside while we were gone, and some dogs ganged up on her. A neighbor saw the dogs but by the time he got to her it was too late. We don't think they were vicious, they were just playing and got too rough. The neighbor was able to get the dogs pictures and even took pictures of their id tags. We had some friends bringing is dinner so after they left we headed for HR and dropped the kids off at my nanny and papas house since my mom was staying with them that night. Then we took Taki to my mom and dad's house where we buried her alongside our other pets that have passed on. We are just devastated. Poor Stratton doesn't really understand. He asks about her, we told him the truth, so he has lots of questions. It just breaks my heart to have him talk about her. Last night he asked if she went to heaven because God needed a cat since he didn't have one? It's just beyond bizzare not having her around. We haven't really had the time to give her much attention lately, but we sure miss her.
Friday after we took Stratton to school, Jarrod, Arden and I headed for Pocahontas to look at furniture at Dawsons. We stopped in Walnut Ridge and ate lunch at the Pizza Den. We had a great visit with Josh and LeAnn. They were glad we brought Arden and we stayed at the store most of the afternoon. I didn't find anything. I will probably have to order a new couch and chair. We got back to town and picked S up at school, came home and fed Arden and then went back to town to look at the Ashley furniture store, and had dinner at "Tomato's" . . . aka Fazoli's, per Stratton's request. He was very good, surprisingly!
Saturday we took it easy. The kids were both so good and quiet! Jarrod got up with them and I slept till 9! The razorback game was at 11, so we just hung out and we all took a nap! Then we got around and decided to try our luck and Jarrod tried to take S to get new boots, but he wouldn't try any on, so that was a bust, then we went out to eat with both kids again. This time it didn't go as well. I will leave it at that! Then we ran to Target, and back home by 7pm! But it felt so much later!
Sunday we tried, but again didn't make it to bible class. We just haven't found our grove yet! Seems like even when we get up early and prep and prepare we just can't get it together! After church we went to eat with some friends, Arden slept like a champ and Stratton was great! We came home took naps, back to church and then we had dinner with our usual group. Stratton was pretty good. I am hoping that things are going to continue to get better.
Monday, I got out by myself (with Arden) for the first time. We went to Target, had breakfast at Panera, ran to Kohls and then back home all before noon! Then we took a short nap. She had a good might last night and Stratton was also pretty good.
Today I didn't get much done. Arden wanted to be held all day, I'm not sure whats going on with her, but tonight she just screamed for like an hour straight. If it happens again tomorrow I'm calling the doctor! Whew! I can't figure out if she is upset becuase her stomach or if its something else.
Tomorrow my cleaning lady is coming, so Arden and I are going to visit our Friends Erica and Livy! Then on Thusday I am finally getting my hair cut and colored! I think I'll feel like a new person afterwards! I'm glad that I can get out and about a little! I'm so tired of being stuck at home! On the agenda soon is a mani/pedi!
Arden is 3 weeks old
Saturday, September 29th
Aunt Brandye got Stratton an autographed jersey from Ryan Aplin! He was excited to wear it to the game on Saturday! Jarrod's parents came to town and the guys went to the game and us girls went to the mall and then to Red Lobster.
The week went by really fast. Especially considering we are getting by with such little sleep. Arden's sleeping is still very sporadic. One night she'll eat and go right back to sleep, other nights she's up crying for hours?! Its very frustrating! We had an especially hard night on Saturday. We didn't get to bed till late since the guys were gone to the ballgame and it was a rough night being up with Arden. I don't think we got more than 2 hours of sleep. . . So Sunday morning we packed the kids up and headed for the Ridge! We ate lunch with my parents and grandparents and left Stratton there for the night!! We did take Arden by my nanny and papa's house since they hadn't gotten to see her yet.
Tuesday night Jarrod had to work late and it was the first time I had the kids by myself. Stratton was awful. He threw such a temper tantrum that I had to give myself a timeout so that I didn't lose control! That boy is wearing us out. And the thing that is the most frustrating is we don't know how to deal with it. You can't reason with him when he's like that and you can't put him in timeout and spanking him doesn't phase him either. Nothing works! Plus, I'm still not really physically able to fight him and he knows that. He is really taking advantage of the whole situation. Please pray that we can figure out a punishment that works, or that he gets over this phase!
Wednesday, October 3rd- Arden's 3 weeks old
Aunt Brandye got Stratton an autographed jersey from Ryan Aplin! He was excited to wear it to the game on Saturday! Jarrod's parents came to town and the guys went to the game and us girls went to the mall and then to Red Lobster.
The week went by really fast. Especially considering we are getting by with such little sleep. Arden's sleeping is still very sporadic. One night she'll eat and go right back to sleep, other nights she's up crying for hours?! Its very frustrating! We had an especially hard night on Saturday. We didn't get to bed till late since the guys were gone to the ballgame and it was a rough night being up with Arden. I don't think we got more than 2 hours of sleep. . . So Sunday morning we packed the kids up and headed for the Ridge! We ate lunch with my parents and grandparents and left Stratton there for the night!! We did take Arden by my nanny and papa's house since they hadn't gotten to see her yet.
Tuesday night Jarrod had to work late and it was the first time I had the kids by myself. Stratton was awful. He threw such a temper tantrum that I had to give myself a timeout so that I didn't lose control! That boy is wearing us out. And the thing that is the most frustrating is we don't know how to deal with it. You can't reason with him when he's like that and you can't put him in timeout and spanking him doesn't phase him either. Nothing works! Plus, I'm still not really physically able to fight him and he knows that. He is really taking advantage of the whole situation. Please pray that we can figure out a punishment that works, or that he gets over this phase!
Wednesday, October 3rd- Arden's 3 weeks old
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