Growing Pains

I feel compelled to record here that this sweet little RolyPoly downed nine ounces of formula at her midday feeding today. Nine! (She typically eats around 3 ounces.) Growth spurt, maybe? Thankfully, she followed that up with a reasonably normal nap, rather than the forty-five minute jokers she's been having during this time of rapid growth and ravenous eating.

Best part about a growth spurt?

Bigger cheeks for me to eat!

We'll return in full force when I'm not feeding my hungry munchkin around the clock. Growth spurts can't last forever, right?

Day in Review

I sat down this morning with my Bible, a notebook, and a cup of coffee, overwhelmed with what faced me today. Nora had been up during the night for close to an hour, so I was starting the day ragged and discouraged. I needed some wisdom, and I needed to set some priorities for the day.

My priority for Phoebe was some specific training. We're ready for her to start joining us in church, so I wanted to make time today for that training. But we're also in a little bit of "out of town detox", so I needed to make sure I was really consistent with discipline today, too.

I probably should've known today would be a long one with discipline as a top priority, right?

Well, the sit training went better than expected. I'm always excited to see Phoebe exceed my expectations for her, and this was one of those situations. But things pretty much went downhill from there.

Nora hit a growth spurt today, which meant she wanted to eat. All day long. In large quantities. At unpredictable intervals. Whee! Fortunately, growth spurts only last for a few days, right?

But I think the hardest part of the day was the standoff after naptime. Remember the priority for the day was training? Yeah. She wasn't allowed to get out of bed until she said, "Please." After an hour and a half, Phoebe finally obeyed.

Y'all, we partied like nobody's business. I was in the middle of feeding Nora, but we dropped everything to celebrate her obedience. And as frustrating as her hard-headedness was, it made her eventual obedience that much sweeter. I was delighted to see her submit, and we were quickly restored.

And that made it all worth it.

The day eventually ended with a peaceful suppertime, and cuddles on the couch with the first half hour of Mary Poppins. But friends, I am tired. Parenting is so not for sissies.

The Februarys

Somehow, February sneaked up on me. Really. I blinked, and the calendar page turned. I think I missed January somewhere in the middle of unkept resolutions and mysterious viruses. I'd like to look back at my blog entries for January to see how many of them reference sick days, but then I think that would be entirely too depressing.

It's been a long day/week/month... so I'm thankful that God is merciful, and that He builds new beginnings into our calendar. His mercies are new every morning. Which is good, because after days like today, let's just say I need some of His new mercies.

In other news, I do think the sickness around here is subsiding. Phoebe's pretty much back to normal, and Nora's happy -- if filled with some really nasty chest congestion and a scary sounding cough. [By the way, we decided it was unnecessary to swab her to determine if it was RSV, but steroid/antibiotic treatments seemed to do the trick.] Also notable is that during the yuckiest part of Nora's illness, we stopped using the swaddle blanket...and never returned. So naptimes are a little shorter, but I think we'll eventually adjust.

Anyway, Michael has just brought the popcorn in and I think he'd prefer if I didn't type while eating buttery, salty popcorn; I'm signing off for now.

A Taste of Springtime

Yesterday, we had a brief respite from the Januarys. While the rest of the country battled an ice storm, we had seventy degree weather. The girls also seemed to be turning the corner. We knew the weather wouldn't last (but hoped that the girls' health would), so we took advantage of it while we could. We had such a wonderful time playing outside, strolling after naptime, and lounging in the yard.


Well, the weather didn't last. We woke up to icky, rainy weather... and temperature that dropped as the day progressed. We spent two hours this morning driving to see Mops (it's her birthday today!) and the temperature dropped twenty degrees during our trip.

The girls' health was much the same, unfortunately.

Phoebe had been pretty irritable this morning, but traveled like a happy camper. But she woke up an hour early from her nap, clutching her ear. Nora's second nap was also short, and her breathing seemed labored and congested. Since both girls were getting yucky fast (and Nora had spiked a fever...again), we called our favorite Dr. Randy, and he squeezed us right in.

The January springtime sure didn't last long! Phoebe has a double ear infection, and he's concerned that Nora might have RSV. Both girls are on antibiotics, and Nora's taking an oral steroid... we might be bringing her back in tomorrow for a RSV swab, if she's not improved.

The good news is that we're with Mops and Pops, so extra hands abound for the next few days. We're sad that Daddy isn't here with us... but we're thrilled that he's having a productive work-time in the bathroom!

Do pray for our little girls... we're so sick of being sick! Either way, we're thankful for our short, sweet taste of Spring -- it was just the refresher we needed!

The Neverending Party

It's a virus party around these parts, y'all.

We're going on a week and a half of someone being sick. Phoebe's mostly over her congestion and hasn't had a fever...but her cough is pretty nightmarish. And Nora hasn't thrown up in about 20 hours (although the nurse told me this is a weird stomach virus that could reappear without warning). However, Phoebe's had diarrhea once already today... so it appears that this is a neverending party of bodily fluids and germs.

I'm telling you. Steer clear.

The good news is that everyone is generally happy. Naps are still happening, the girls are sleeping well at night... God is so merciful! I know this could be so much worse than it is; I'm thankful that we're at least getting sleep.

Anyway, more will come later...when the party dies down a little bit!

Party All Night

Will someone please remind me that it was at four months that Phoebe finally had a consistent bedtime? This little party animal still likes to tease us at bedtime. But how can you be irritated at such a sweet little face? I certainly can't!

Sick Days

Phoebe, Nora and I all started getting a little sniffle near the end of last week. Saturday, I was sure I'd be coming down with something vile... but fortunately, it seemed to disappear without much fanfare. Nora still has a date with the bulb syringe a couple of times a day, but other than that, she seems fine too.

Phoebs, on the other hand, seems to have just hit the nasty part of this bug. She started developing a cough Monday, but yesterday she started to spike a little temp and it sounded like she was wheezing. Verdict from the pediatrician was virus (of course), so we're just waiting it out... a week after the whole mess started.

Phoebe is pretty much on this manic cycle of crazy happy and crazy sad. We indulged in a full hour of Sesame Street today, in hopes that she would actually be still. (It worked.) Phoebe also indulged in a morning nap, something she hasn't done since 18 months. She was taking some quiet time in her crib, but telling me about some puppy in a book... and then pow. She starts snoring. You know that little girl is sick when she crashes like that!

When we went to the pediatrician yesterday, we were informed that Phoebe was not even on the growth chart for weight. She hasn't gained any weight since September...and she was in the seventh percentile then! Yikes!

And finally, to round out this most random post...


...Nora rolled over today! She's getting so big already!