Arden is 7 weeks

October 31st

This girl is growing! We are finally wearing some 0-3 months size clothes! It was a little sad putting some of the sweet newborn gowns away. . .bittersweet as she has a closet FULL of cute clothes she needs to wear before long! She got new playclothes when we were in Branson for daycare, l am gradually coming terms that I will be going back to work soon. Boo.

She has also graduated to size 1diapers. She is eating 3-4 oz every three hours except at night and then she'll go 4-5 hours between feedings, sometimes. Obviously, still not sleeping through the night. . .not even close. I don't know what to do with her and her sleeping! She will sleep soundly as long as she is being held but the second you lay her down shes wide awake! And we've tried repeatedly to let her cry it out, but she either wakes up Stratton or works her self into such a frenzy that she is more awake than ever. . . I have recently heard this might be a girl thing. Great.

Arden is smiling a lot and on the verge of a laugh. She seems to be very vocal, more so than I remember Stratton being! Speaking of Stratton we had another pretty good week. He still gets a little jealous sometimes, but overall he has been much better behaved. He is A very good big brother, he is constantly wanted to hug and kiss on her. And he loves to "read" to her, which is hilarious. He gets a book and makes up a story as he turns the pages. . . I am going to try and get it on video this week. Arden just grins and coos along. It's pretty sweet!

It's hard to believe that she's almost 2 months old! Time is flying by already!

Halloween 2012

October 31st

Stratton was a cowboy . . . Again (sigh) and Arden was Minnie Mouse. . .sort of. I tried to make her nose black but she just rubbed it all over her face, so that was a no go!

We went to the church's trunk-or-treat and made a quick stop by Uncle Dillon and Aunt Brandye's house. The church had all kinds of fun things for the kiddos. It's one of the largest community outreach activities we do all year. This year we had over 800 kids! They had the trunk or treat, hayride, and games and bouncey houses inside along with food! All free for anyone in the community! Stratton had a blast and didn't want to leave! But there were a few people in scary masks, and he was scared to death of them! And he really didn't care of the trunk or treat part. . .he likes the candy, but not having to ask for it!

At church with Sawyer. . .

I think he likes her!

Stratton with Easton and Livy. . .this picture cracks me up. Livy is so sweet and Stratton could care less! You can tell both boys have mouths full of candy, too.

Peebles farm and pumpkin patch

Tuesday October 30th

I had promised Stratton back months ago that we would take him to the pumpkin patch this year. Well. . .things have been busier than I anticipated and suddenly I realized that if I was going to keep my promise I was going to have to take him TODAY! So, we dropped Arden off at our favorite babysitter's . . . My grandparents. . . Then we headed to McCrory. The weather was perfect and by the time we got there it was 2pm and we had the place pretty much to ourselves! Stratton had a blast just running around playing and chasing the chickens. He loved the animals the best, of course. We had a fun time, its the first time we've had just "Stratton-Mommy time" since Arden was born. After we left the pumpkin patch I dropped Stratton off with my dad who was driving the grain cart, and went to pick up Arden. I swung back by the field and picked Stratton up on our way home. Surprisingly, he didn't throw a fit or argue at all! He was soo good all day!

The goats were his favorites, he fed one some corn on the cob. . .

This boy! Here he is "looking at their beans" . . . He already looks like a farmer, or crop consultant!

A little R & R

Monday October 29th

Jarrod and I "celebrated"(or more like barely acknowleged each other as we sleepily crossed paths in the middle of the night as we got up with Arden) our 7th anniversary on the 22nd. Like I said it wasn't a great day. Arden is wearing me out! We decided since Jarrod had a long weekend we would take advantage and get out of town! After Arden's doctor's appointment we picked Stratton up from school and dropped them off in Hickory Ridge on our way to Branson for the weekend. Stratton went with my dad, and Arden got to spend the afternoon with my grandma and grandpa till my mom got off work. They had a big time staying with Gigi and Pops for 3 days!

We rented a cabin at Stonebridge in Branson, which is growing to be one of my favorite places to stay. It was super cute, and cozy. It's really quiet and peaceful out in Stonebridge . .which is good since all I wanted to do was SLEEP! Saturday I slept till 11! Then we watched the Razorback game, and didn't leave the cabin till 4pm. Ahhh my kind of day! We had such a good and relaxing time. A little shopping, a few shows and a lot of eating and sleeping. . . I was actually a little sad to come home on Monday! Usually I am ready when I am away from Stratton, but I guess having 2 must really be wearing on me! Of course I was glad to see them! However, I don't know that they missed us. . . I know Stratton didn't!

It was so nice to just get away from the kids, the house and all the things that need to be done! I'm so lucky to be married to such a nice and thoughtful husband that realizes that I need a break sometimes to remain sane! Honestly, I think he needed a break as much as I did this time though! I think we both came home feeling a little more less stressed. . .which is good because between Halloween and Christmas things are going to be super busy and stressful!

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. . .

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.

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!