The Last Few Weeks

Well, I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do! We are surviving around here. The lack of sleep is definitely starting to wear on me. I can't seem to get a good nap in any day really. Briggs and Piper do have one nap at the same time but Briggs hasn't been napping the full hour and a half during that time so I don't usually get more than 15-20 minutes of sleep during that time. At night, he is still just waking me up about 2 times a night but it went from a stretch of 5 hours and 3 hours to every 3 hours now so I'm only get 2 hour stretches of sleep!! That's been a bit hard! But, I feel confident that I can make it and he'll be sleeping through the night before I know it. However, I do like to keep my expectations low so I am not disappointed if things don't work out the way I hope, so scratch that-- I am not confident b/c I do not want to jinx myself! haha!Grammy & Briggs at 2 weeks. He weighed 10 lbs. at his 2 wk check up! Grammy was a huge help while she was here!! Piper got a piece of gum from her every 10 minutes I think! The way into Piper's heart is w/gum!!
Piper does love getting on the floor with Briggs. She's already been 'mothering' him! Look at his little smile!
Briggs and Piper at 3 weeks! She was eating a piece of candy! He is starting to look more at us and turn his head to us as we talk to him! He's even smiled a little at us!
Piper wanted me to snap a pic of her! The little chocolate monster! She has been pretty funny lately (in between making me terribly angry w/her disobedience!!) Last night, after she made me furious w/her disobedience I overheard her say, "I'm an angel!" I said, "Did you just say you were an angel" w/my most disbelieving voice! "Yes, I'm an angel!" "Who told you that?" (b/c she was not being one bit angelic!) "Boom-boom did!" That would be her imaginary friend that she says lives in Oklahoma City! I couldn't help but laugh and not be angry w/her anymore!
Briggs has been a sweetheart!
Briggs' First Road Trip! On Tuesday, I decided to load the kids up and go visit my grandparents in Drummond. My grandmother is quickly declining and I wanted her to meet Briggs and see her one last time. We drove to Sheryl's house and then Sheryl drove us the rest of the way. It wasn't as bad of a drive as I thought. Both kids were great for me!
Briggs was sitting on Aunt Sheryl's lap here.
My mom came over too and she was able to meet Briggs for the 1st time!
My grandparents have this life size doll and Piper loved it! The doll was bigger than her!
Aunt Sheryl & Piper
My mom w/both kids. She walked Piper to the quick stop and bought her a package of gum. Piper was in heaven!
My Grandpa w/Briggs. He's trying to get Piper to come to him but she wouldn't. He loved holding Briggs!
As ornery as Piper can be, she sure has a sweet heart. I thought she'd be a little scared of my grandma since she is very sick and is laying in bed. Piper hesitated at first but quickly warmed up to her. She would talk to her and run up to her and be silly. She even rubbed her feet! That melted my heart! I'm really glad that I was able to go there and take the kids with me.

Halloween 2010

I didn't post this pictures in the correct order...grr! I felt like we had a festive Halloween this year beginning w/Friday night the 29th. Our church has an annual Fall Festival and if of you remember, Piper had a total meltdown last year b/c she was scared of all the costumes! I was hoping that since she was older and more wiser that she'd really get into this year...Boy, did I have high expectations! She hated it!! Her total meltdown occurred minutes after we arrived so we left within 10 minutes of arriving! Yes, I did manage to get a shower and put make-up on that day just for the event and it lasted 10 minutes!!! Grrr, again! But, I did feel sorry for her b/c she was scared to death, bless her heart! The Festival pics are at the bottom! On Sunday, my best friend Chandra and her two girls came down to meet Briggs and to go trick or treating with us. I had very low expectations for the event but Piper absolutely loved it. She even was saying, "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you" and "Can we go to the next house!" She acted like she wanted to go inside the homes. She gets that from me! Lilly was an adorable clown w/face paint so Piper thought she needed to be painted also which is why she looks sort of like a bunny rabbit and a skeleton...more on the skeleton costume in a bit!Lilly asked for a break so we let them sit on the curb and eat a sucker!
Sophia in her cute little poodle costume!
Piper and Lilly have spent Halloween together every year since they were born! We never plan it that way, but it always works out. Now, I think it should be a must until they are in school!
Briggs snoozing away in the back of the double stroller!
This is Briggs and Piper in their Halloween attire that Grandma & Grandpa sent them. They are so good about sending fun, holiday care packages to the grandkids! Thank you!
Now, for the Fall Festival! She is about to have a meltdown in this pic!
Oh, one more Halloween outfit pic!
This is before the Fall Festival. She was so excited to go to church and get candy in her pumpkin! But, when someone did put a wad of candy in there she went nutso screaming and crying! I love this little unpredictable girl!!
As you may recall, she was going to be a cow for Halloween but decided that she was scared of the cow costume again so I had to scramble and find something at the last minute. I had purchased these skeleton pj's for her earlier in the month. Well, they glow in the dark and she was so afraid of 'the bones'!! So, I gave them to a friend and then had to be and Indian giver and request to borrow them back for Halloween!! They were perfect for her b/c it was just like wearing regular clothes! Maybe in a few years Halloween will be a little more fun for Piper! I definitely will not expect her to enjoy the Fall Festival. After all, it is really crowded and foreign to see weird costumes and such! It might be a little too much excitement for us! :-)

One Week and Counting!

Warning: Picture Overload!!
My sister and her kids came to meet Briggs on Thursday. It was fun to have them around all day! Piper stayed w/Grammy for two nights and w/Sheryl for a night before coming home. It was really good for her I think!
Olivia & Briggs
Piper cheesing it up! She looks like a pirate here...arrr!
Seth & Briggs
Paige & Briggs
Anna & Briggs
On Friday, Michael & I took Piper to the zoo in Gainesville. Briggs did great in the stroller and in the car...he just slept. Piper had a blast in the park across the street but she was scared at the zoo the entire time!?!
Daddy & Piper on the train!
Piper is adjusting to Briggs. She has been asking to help me and she gives him lots of kisses and hugs. If we don't get to lenient then she seems to mind us pretty well and do okay w/her jealousy. But, she also hasn't had to share just me yet. Michael or some other family member has been around the entire time! I think she's doing pretty well!
She even brought one of her favorite baby dolls for Briggs to enjoy!
Piper saw me holding Briggs on the sofa this one evening and she ran and got her baby to hold next to me. She wouldn't sit right next to me though b/c she saw his umbilical cord stump and it grossed her out! Ha!!
I have been working on getting Briggs on a schedule ASAP by following the Babywise book. It has been great so far! He is starting to become more alert during is wake times and obviously sleeps well during nap times since he's only days old! He's been sleeping in his crib upstairs and it hasn't been a problem. Sometimes I dread climbing those stinking stairs but I figure it will help me get my hiney back in shape!! Starting Tuesday or Wednesday night, he only has been waking me up about two times a night and usually going right back to sleep after I nurse him. But, a few nights he's wanted to stay awake from 4:30 am on!! One night, he only woke up one time!!! Then woke up to begin his day around 6:30 am! My goal is to start the day b/n 6:30-7:30 each morning and so far we've been doing that! I'm hoping to get him sleeping through the night by 2 months like Piper but I also know that might not happen! He has to be getting close to 10 lbs already because his cheeks have sure filled out since my milk came in! Today, we ventured out to church and it wasn't so bad! I laid out the kids clothes (that sounds weird to me...'kids' instead of 'kid') last night and then w/a ton of help from Michael we made it! It was nice to get out and socialize! Michael has been a HUGE blessing and help to me! He has really claimed it his responsibility to love on and give attention to Piper so that I can focus on Briggs and he's been doing so much around the house like dishes and cleaning to help ease my burden as I begin learning how to care for two children! I'm so thankful for him!

Coming Home

My Little Elf coming home! The hat didn't fit quite right!
Isn't he precious?!
Look how small he is compared to Michael!
Piper likes him but isn't so fond of sharing Mom & Dad!
We arrived home from the hospital shortly before 1 pm on Sunday. I had some blood clotting issues that were a bit scary that caused some concern so we had to stay one more night than planned but all is well and I'm feeling pretty good! Piper was immediately not sure what to think when we arrived home with Briggs and acted out immediately as a response! She's at Grammy's house for a few days getting some really great one on one attention! Briggs is a sweet little baby and I'm loving his little noises and grunts! I'm excited to have a son. My milk has finally started coming in so feeding is going to get even better! I've started him on his schedule today and it wasn't too bad...not perfect, but good! Our Sunday school class began bringing us meals so that has made it nice and Michael is staying home for a few days. I didn't realize when I had Piper how much easier a newborn is to care for than a 2 year old!! I think I took that time for granted by stressing out about a lot of unnecessary things but you don't realize that until you have a toddler! ha! Michael was putting together the double stroller tonight and said, "Man, we are parents. I mean, real parents with 2 kids and this big ole thing." (something to that effect anyway!) I thought that was funny!

Introducing Briggs Michael Levy

Here he is!! We have a very strong and healthy 9 lb, 2 oz. baby boy! Today went so well! I couldn't have hoped or prayed for anything better! Receiving the epidural was the hardest part of the entire experience! We arrived at the hospital at 6 am and by 8 am I was on pitocin and my water had been broken. At 11 am, I received the epidural and by 3 pm I was fully dilated. Then at 3:29 pm with only 2 pushes Briggs was born. He is 20.5 inches long! By 9 pm, he's already had 3 dirty diapers and latched on 2 times for 20 minute feedings!! His sister has received him lovingly and only had minor hesitation at first! Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, calls, emails, texts, and visitations!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Last Saturday we enjoyed the beautiful weather and went to the Pumpkin Patch at Woodbine Farms outside of town. We stayed there for 2 1/2 hours and even then Piper was not ready to leave! If it hadn't have gotten to hot for Mom & Dad we may have stayed longer! It is so beautiful out there. They have a small petting zoo, rocking chairs w/a fire pit to roast s'mores, a bounce house, play house, ping pong table, hay rides, sand piles, a maze...you name it! Piper was a bit scared of the animals but she kept saying all week leading up to it that she wanted to see the animals and sing "McDonald had a farm" and she did! She really loved the play house and kept asking kids to come in and play with her! Next time, we need to go with another family so she'll have a play mate but that definitely didn't stop her from having fun. I enjoyed it too b/c I know this is going to be one of our last family outings as a family of 3! And, no--I haven't been eating too much--my cheeks and every other part of my body are so swollen it is ridiculous! I'm retaining water at record amounts! I only have one pair of shoes that fit me at this point (even my tennis shoes don't fit anymore!) and clothing choices are at a minimum! This baby is due in 8 days and I am sooooo ready! Michael is too, so that he doesn't have to hear me whine anymore! Piper has asked me a few times if we can go to the hospital and pick bubby up? And, she's been telling people that she is a big sister!