Back in the Saddle Again...

Well, I made it through my first week back at work without too many breakdowns! And of course the girls did fine with their Daddy and the babysitter. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that was having a rough week...although just about any week at my job is, well, interesting. I was glad to see my coworkers and clients and get back in the swing of things, though. Seems like I'm even more anal than before, and I've been on a bit of a cleaning out and organizing kick lately. We're running out of room with two princesses and all of their STUFF!! They're just about pushing Justin and I out of the house!! I figure if I stay on top of things and keep the chaos to a minimum (ha), maybe we can get into a good routine around here!

Photo Shoot!

It's been crazy as usual around here lately, but I thought I'd take a minute to catch up on what's going on in our little world! I'm sure you're all just hanging onto the edge of your seats...:)

Abigail is doing great at her big sister duties and is a really big helper to Momma and Daddy! She is very protective of Sister and always makes sure she's doing okay! It's so sweet to see her loving on her, and I can't wait til Julianne gets bigger to see them really interact!! (Actually, I CAN wait, not trying to rush the "growing up" at all!!)

Julianne is doing much better and is really starting to fill out! She doesn't look quite as much like a brand-new baby anymore, which is good, because she's almost 2 months old!! I can hardly believe it! I just thought that the time flew by with one princess--it's twice as fast with two!!

Today, we went to visit Daddy at work, and had a VERY amateur photo shoot. I'd seen some sweet pictures that I wanted to try and recreate before Julianne got too big, so we gave it a shot. I think they turned out pretty good, not because of my photography skills, but because of my subjects! Here are a few of the pics:

One of my favorites! She loves her Daddy!

Little Boot Baby! She wasn't too sure about this pose, but she was a trooper!!

She looks just like her Daddy, except for all that red hair!!

Bless her heart, I guess one of my babies had to have the curse...

Big Sister had to join in the fun, of course!

She loves to hold "her" baby and give her LOTS of kisses!

And here's a REAL picture of our lives...

Ahhh, never a dull moment!!

Monday I'll head back to work (very grudgingly), so this is our last weekend before real life sets in. I'm hoping we'll get into a good routine soon. I'm so thankful that I have an AMAZING husband who is such a wonderful partner and helper (not to mention the BEST Daddy!)!! That makes the going back to work a little easier....

Chillin' at the Creek!

All summer long, our eldest princess has been wanting to wear a bathing suit EVERY day. Literally. That's all she wants to put on.

And since we got rid of our pool, had a kid, etc., this summer, we haven't been able to take her swimming at all. Her Daddy promised her a few days ago that when he got off work, we would go swimming somewhere. So this morning, after Julianne's umpteenth doctor appointment (Abigail was a year old before she'd been to the doctor this much.), we headed out to the creek!!

And oh, what fun she had!!

Julianne enjoyed it too.

This is what she did the whole time:

(Yes, I did fix her neck after taking the pic.)

We got Abigail one of those bathing suits with the floaties on the inside, and she was loving it!

She was swimming all over the place!

Splashing around with Daddy!

Needless to say, she crashed on the way home and took a good long nap!

Looks like we'll be heading back out pretty soon to cool off in this hot weather!

One Month!!

Today our sweet Julianne is one month old!! Man, how time flies!!

What a month it has been, too!! Poor little thing has had a rough time of it so far, but hopefully we're on the uphill side of it!

Things we've learned this month:

1. Julianne has TWO dimples, not just one, like we first thought! I love baby dimples!!

(Maybe one day when she's feeling better she'll smile for us!)

2. Julianne does NOT like the dark. At all.

We've actually tested this theory and proved it as fact.

3. A snuggly baby on your shoulder/chest is the best sleep aid there is! :)

I could sleep for hours like that, if only she would let me!!

4. Every child is different.

We knew this, but it has been proven to us time and again this month. And I don't mean different in a bad way--just different. Julianne already has her own little personality, and I can't wait to see her in action!! I think she's gonna give her sister a run for her money!!

Happy 1 Month Birthday, Sweet Julianne!!

We love you bunches and bunches!!

Lately...

...things have been, well, chaotic.

I've taken a little "technology break" for about a week or so to sort of disconnect from certain things, but it hasn't been much of a break in any other ways. We've been going back and forth to Lake Charles several times a week to get Julianne's bilirubin levels checked, as her jaundice still isn't completely gone. Her levels have sort of fluctuated lately, so she's had to have her poor little heels stuck so many times lately--no fun, for her or for Momma, who has to hold her while they do it. Hopefully, today was the last time. Let me rephrase that--today was the last time. If we have to go back, we'll be doing something different. It's time for my baby to be getting better. She's still dealing with the reflux and colic, as well. The meds she has have helped some, but the side effects aren't great. I just hope she can get lined out soon. We're so tired of her feeling bad, and I know she is, too.

I know these things aren't really huge, and lots of parents have much more difficult things to deal with, but I think that any Mommas (and Daddys) out there would agree that, whatever the situation, it's hard having a sick baby and not being able to do anything to make them better.

Abigail is, well, still Abigail!! She's such a sweet, attentive big sister!! She just dotes on Julianne and wants to hold her and do everything for her. I think she's starting to settle in for the most part and get used to having another Princess in the house. She still cracks us up all the time with the random (and genius) things she comes up with!! I really need to get better about writing them down so I won't forget them. You never know what is going to come out of that mouth!!

Hopefully things will start to line out around here, and the next post will be a happy update on how well Julianne is doing!! Until then, please continue to pray for my sweet girl, that she'll feel better and be able to eat and rest well. Thank y'all!!

What do you run on when the fumes run out??

It's 3:46am.

Why in the world am I typing something at this hour, you ask?? Good question.

Because I'm up, and I can't go back to sleep. Everyone else in my house is currently asleep, two of them in my bed. The other is in her car seat next to me, and I'm watching her to make sure she's not spitting up and getting choked again. Poor baby sleeps so peacefully during the day, but her nights are full of fussing and fidgeting. She just started her antacid meds yesterday, so hopefully they'll help, although so far I'm not impressed...

We go back to the doctor in a few hours for them to stick her foot again to check her bilirubin (jaundice) levels. Yesterday they were at 17.5. 20 is hospital time, so we're hoping they're coming down. Not looking forward to this little trip, especially since it'll just be the two of us. I guess we lucked out (read: were VERY blessed) with Abigail--she's been healthy as a horse except for the occasional cold and allergies. I hate it when my baby is sick and it seems like I can't do anything to help her. Please pray for Julianne, that she'll start improving and feeling better soon. And, if you wouldn't mind, pray for me, too. I haven't slept in days, and it's beginning to show...:)
And let me just say again how thankful we are for all of our wonderful family and friends!! The phone calls, cards, and visits mean so much to all of us and are greatly appreciated!! Love y'all!!

2 Weeks Old!

My, how time flies!! I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since we got our newest ladybug!!

We've been doing lots of visiting, snuggling, eating, and napping when we can!!

I think we're maybe getting settled in a bit around here and getting into a routine. It's definitely been an adjustment for us all, but I'd say we're getting there.

Abigail is an awesome big sister! She loves Julianne so much and is such a good helper! I know she's anxious to play with her, but she's been really sweet and gentle so far.

We've been making an extra effort to show Abigail attention so she doesn't get too jealous of her baby sister. She loves snuggling with her Daddy right before bed, watching cartoons and drinking her chocolate milk. Lately, they've added pickles to their evening snack--what a combo!! She's also been going to VBS this week, which she loves!! That gives Momma and Daddy a little break as well, which is nice!!

Miss Julianne is just growing and changing every day! She's been eating really well, and--like her Momma--she loves her naps!! We're still working on getting our days and nights straight, but I think we'll get there! She's not so fond of having her diaper changed or taking a bath, so she may not be wearing her high heels and taking her purse to get the chicken eggs!! She definitely has her own little personality, and I can't wait to see how different--and alike--she and her sister will be!

Daddy goes back to work tomorrow, which makes me sad, but I'm glad he got to be off for this long. And he'll be back home Friday morning, just in time for Julianne's first checkup!!