Back to Reality

Things have drastically changed in the Bowman household. I started back to work 2 weeks ago and everyone's schedule changed! I am now up at 5:15 to start the day. The rest of the crew is up around 6 to get dressed and feed before our days at work and school. Jack had a seamless transition back into school. He loves his friends and teachers and is already doing great again. Caroline also did very well in her transition to daycare. The only hard part was getting her to take good naps there. The first few days were a bit rough as she came home with red eyes and a bit cranky because she wasn't wanting to take a nap. The teachers kept saying how social she was! She wanted to smile and laugh at everyone through her exhaustion! This week has been much better though. Tommy also started back to school this week. He is finishing his last stretch at Thomas More to get his bachelor's degree. We'll be so glad to have that completed. I finished my master's degree this past summer. We are definitely ready to stop making tution payments!

Jack is still playing soccer. Each week has been progressively...different. Week one he was all about it. He played hard and didn't want to stop. Week 2...our fault. We brought gatorade (like all the other kids...I know, I know...) and he just wanted to sit on the side and drink his "blue juice." This past week, my parents and the Gautraud's came to watch the game. Jack decided to lay down, sit on the ball, and throw fits. I ended up having to run around the field with him. We have the next two weeks off from games, so maybe the break will be good for him.

Here are a few new pictures.

Loss of a Companion

Last night was a first for Jack. He slept with out his paci. We had been putting it off and putting off for the last little while. The child is going to be 3 soon...it needs to go. Now, I do have to say, he was only using it at night and naptime, but still, it needs to go. So, the question was, how do we do it? Do we "accidentally" leave it somewhere? That would lead to a breakdown. Would we tie it to a balloon and let it float away? Would he then associate every balloon with is paci? Would he be searching for it? No, we just snipped the end and watched his reaction.

"It's broken," he said.

So what's his solution, "Daddy, put some water on it."

Water won't work...sorry. So what happened then? He came up with a new solution for how it broke. First, he said he stepped on it. Then, by the morning, it turned out that dinosaur stepped on it and broke it. So what do you do with a broken paci? You throw it away. That near broke my heart as Jack walked in the kitchen and tossed his beloved paci in the thrashcan. I about cried for him! He did well though. He asked for it a couple of times before settling in for sleep. Then he got up at 4am and asked me where it was. I reminded him of throwing it away and he went back to sleep. Same process for nap today. Let's just hope every day gets better! I'm waiting for him to find some of the pacis that Caroline doesn't use and try to take those!

Too much to blog about

So we've been busy with life lately and I don't think I could even sit down and blog about it all! I get bad about not doing this regularly and then there's not enough time to upload all the pictures I would like. One big this is Jack starting soccer today. It was fun watching him. He did great. I was afraid he would be one of those kids that was crying on the side without us playing with him. Instead, he was out there running like crazy and having a great time. He even followed directions pretty well. We look forward to the rest of the season. I'm just going to put a link to the photos of the day...

http://picasaweb.google.com/twb2500/JackSSoccer?authkey=Gv1sRgCPP86KjmtaL7MA&feat=directlink

What else...Caroline is eating solids now. I've made her some squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, apples and pears. She really seems to be enjoying it. I took her to practice at daycare the other day and they said she even wanted more cereal than I brought! I think we have a healthy eater on our hands. I just hope I can keep up with her and pumping once I head back to work on the 17th. Way too soon! I know I can't be too hard on myself though. Formula isn't a bad thing. I just really want to nurse as long as possible and keep her on breastmilk for cold and flu season! That's my goal anyways.

We had several doctor's appt this week. So far all is good. Just trying to get everything done before school starts back up.

One thing I have to share that really made me laugh. We had lunch with one of Jack's favorite heart nurses from the times we spent at Children's Hospital. Jaime has a special place in our heart! Anyways, at lunch, Jack decided to show Jaime his scar. (He had noticed it the other night and Tommy explained it all to him...in a way an almost 3 year old would understand.) He proceeded to tell Jaime that he got his scar from falling down on the driveway. I just had to laugh. If only that was how he got it. Here's reminder at what a blessing he is!

Here's Jack 2 weeks after his heart surgery when he was 3.5 months old. In his words, that was a good fall on the driveway!

Crockpot Yogurt

So I've never been a real natural, green person, but since getting married and having kids, things are changing. I've got a garden, doing some sewing, and now making my own yogurt. Small steps, but we are getting there. (no cloth diapers here though!) Here's the link I used for the yogurt...great stuff!

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html

Jack keeps asking for more. We made strawberry-banana and raspberry for this go around. It makes a ton. I'm going to try and half next time. Next thing...anybody have know-how on composting?

Who's Who???

I think the resemblance is uncanny. Definitely a daddy's boy!

4 months

Caroline is now just over 4 months. We went for her checkup yesterday and she is doing great! She now weighs 12 pounds 12 ounces. I guess she's slowed just a bit. At her 6 week check, she was in the 65th percentile. Now she is sitting at the 30th. The doctor wasn't phased by the drop. I guess Tommy and I are just not meant to have monster babies! She's still a lot plumper than Jack ever was! I love her full cheeks and rolly thighs! She's also a long baby in the 60th percentile for her length. I figured that as some of her 3-6 month things are actually getting short. We also go the go-ahead to start with some solids. I was already prepared. Once home, we got out the oatmeal and tried some. I've also been working hard to making so great summer veggies into baby food to save for when she's ready. So far we are stocked up on green beans and sweet potatoes. I need to do some butternut squash and some fruit. Let's hope she likes it! Here are some pictures of the first cereal attempts. She seemed to enjoy it and want more. It was just difficult getting it to go down instead of all over the bib. Or the fun part...her hands that contantly went to the mouth and then cereal was everywhere. Of course, Jack wanted to be a part too. He kept wanting to try the oatmeal (mixed with breastmilk). I let him try...check out his reaction. I think it was just because it wasn't like the normal sweetened oatmeal I have!

Getting ready for first food!

During the process. Alot of it came out!

Jack having to take a turn...yum oatmeal with breastmilk!

Not so sure about it.

Telling me he's all finished!

Sitting Pretty

Caroline is really growing! She will be 4 months on the 20th. We pulled out the old bebe pod seat to see how she would do. Of course, before we could put her in, Jack had to try it out. I can't believe he still fit in it.

Jack taking his turn.

One of my favorite pictures from when Jack was little. It's funny that he still fits!

Caroline's turn!

They are so sweet. Now we just have to figure out the whole getting them to smile at the same time thing.

Jack's finished sharing the camera with Caroline. Back to Jack time.