Gosh it's been awhile since our camping adventure, but I wanted to write it up so I don't forget it. We went camping on Memorial day weekend and it was both of the girls' first camping trip.
The weather was supposed to be iffy so last minute we changed locations to a spot a little closer to home. We headed to Aragvi Adventure Center to camp right next to the Aragvi river. The adventure camp specializes in white water rafting but also does hiking and other outdoor experiences. We were thankful for such a beautiful and cheap spot!
We pitched tents and settled in for the day. Gosh Mara made herself right at home stripping down to just her shorts. Barefoot and shirtless she became one with nature freaking out the Georgian grandma of the little girl she befriended. I made a motion that was something like if you can get her to wear shoes and a shirt then more power to ya!
This camping trip was pretty relaxing despite it being our first with the girls. We sat by the river all day and lit a fire at night. It did rain a bit and we had to run for cover a few times. The worse was one storm that swept in threatening to take our tent with it. Brought be back to a certain camping trip pre-kids with Josh in Kenya.
Maddy did awesome sleeping in the tent. We brought her pack n play and she slept in comfort. Mara and I also had it good with a full size air mattress for comfort. Josh drew the short straw and ended up on his pad on the ground :)
We were thankful to get out of the city a bit, explore and introduce our girls to camping. I'd say it was a hit. Mara couldn't get enough (we currently have a tent erected in our living room) and constantly talks about the hammock she laid in all day. I can't wait for more adventures in the wilderness with my little family!!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Camping
Gosh it's been awhile since our camping adventure, but I wanted to write it up so I don't forget it. We went camping on Memorial day weekend and it was both of the girls' first camping trip.
The weather was supposed to be iffy so last minute we changed locations to a spot a little closer to home. We headed to Aragvi Adventure Center to camp right next to the Aragvi river. The adventure camp specializes in white water rafting but also does hiking and other outdoor experiences. We were thankful for such a beautiful and cheap spot!
We pitched tents and settled in for the day. Gosh Mara made herself right at home stripping down to just her shorts. Barefoot and shirtless she became one with nature freaking out the Georgian grandma of the little girl she befriended. I made a motion that was something like if you can get her to wear shoes and a shirt then more power to ya!
This camping trip was pretty relaxing despite it being our first with the girls. We sat by the river all day and lit a fire at night. It did rain a bit and we had to run for cover a few times. The worse was one storm that swept in threatening to take our tent with it. Brought be back to a certain camping trip pre-kids with Josh in Kenya.
Maddy did awesome sleeping in the tent. We brought her pack n play and she slept in comfort. Mara and I also had it good with a full size air mattress for comfort. Josh drew the short straw and ended up on his pad on the ground :)
We were thankful to get out of the city a bit, explore and introduce our girls to camping. I'd say it was a hit. Mara couldn't get enough (we currently have a tent erected in our living room) and constantly talks about the hammock she laid in all day. I can't wait for more adventures in the wilderness with my little family!!
The weather was supposed to be iffy so last minute we changed locations to a spot a little closer to home. We headed to Aragvi Adventure Center to camp right next to the Aragvi river. The adventure camp specializes in white water rafting but also does hiking and other outdoor experiences. We were thankful for such a beautiful and cheap spot!
We pitched tents and settled in for the day. Gosh Mara made herself right at home stripping down to just her shorts. Barefoot and shirtless she became one with nature freaking out the Georgian grandma of the little girl she befriended. I made a motion that was something like if you can get her to wear shoes and a shirt then more power to ya!
This camping trip was pretty relaxing despite it being our first with the girls. We sat by the river all day and lit a fire at night. It did rain a bit and we had to run for cover a few times. The worse was one storm that swept in threatening to take our tent with it. Brought be back to a certain camping trip pre-kids with Josh in Kenya.
Maddy did awesome sleeping in the tent. We brought her pack n play and she slept in comfort. Mara and I also had it good with a full size air mattress for comfort. Josh drew the short straw and ended up on his pad on the ground :)
We were thankful to get out of the city a bit, explore and introduce our girls to camping. I'd say it was a hit. Mara couldn't get enough (we currently have a tent erected in our living room) and constantly talks about the hammock she laid in all day. I can't wait for more adventures in the wilderness with my little family!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Madeline-5 Months
Weight: I think you are hovering around the 15 lb mark. You're going up in clothing size so I know you're gaining weight I'm just not sure how much.
Health: You still have that dry patch on your cheek just like your sister did. You scratch at it despite hydrocortozone cream and lotions. We just keep at it and try to keep your nails trimmed. It's easier said than done and you currently have a huge scratch where you drew blood on your face.
We went to Germany to have your head shape looked at. We were concerned about it's angle in the back but were reassured that you are developing fine. The oddness will go away with time.
Social: You are my social must see everything baby. You dislike being wore and like to be sitting up in your own space. You are content studying the world around you and will "play" independently for long stretches of time just checking things out.
You still give grins at the drop of the hat. All anyone has to do is smile at you and you flash them one right back!
Diet: All breast milk. All the time!
This month you have gotten a few tastes of things including mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and a cucumber. It's funny because at this age Mara was eating baby food. I am in no rush with you but I have ordered some because I know it's right around the corner!
Clothes: And just like that you are up another size! You stayed in your 3-6 month things for all of a month. I put everything away at the beginning of June and you are now rocking 6 month clothes. Most fit well. The 6-12 month things are of course a little big but we're still doing it! I've found we're a bit off season as this time fell in the winter for your sister so I have mainly long sleeves. I kept most of the long sleeve onsies away and got out only the summer ish stuff.
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| Happy to hang out and watch! |
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| First plane ride! |
Health: You still have that dry patch on your cheek just like your sister did. You scratch at it despite hydrocortozone cream and lotions. We just keep at it and try to keep your nails trimmed. It's easier said than done and you currently have a huge scratch where you drew blood on your face.
We went to Germany to have your head shape looked at. We were concerned about it's angle in the back but were reassured that you are developing fine. The oddness will go away with time.
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| Adores her daddy |
Social: You are my social must see everything baby. You dislike being wore and like to be sitting up in your own space. You are content studying the world around you and will "play" independently for long stretches of time just checking things out.
You still give grins at the drop of the hat. All anyone has to do is smile at you and you flash them one right back!
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| Infant seats aren't really a thing here so when we found one we had to try it |
This month you have gotten a few tastes of things including mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and a cucumber. It's funny because at this age Mara was eating baby food. I am in no rush with you but I have ordered some because I know it's right around the corner!
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| Both girls were troopers! |
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| At the hospital |
Clothes: And just like that you are up another size! You stayed in your 3-6 month things for all of a month. I put everything away at the beginning of June and you are now rocking 6 month clothes. Most fit well. The 6-12 month things are of course a little big but we're still doing it! I've found we're a bit off season as this time fell in the winter for your sister so I have mainly long sleeves. I kept most of the long sleeve onsies away and got out only the summer ish stuff.
We are going to move you up to size 3 disposables (size 2 for those in the states) here shortly. We're just using up what we have. We only use them at night so it takes awhile to go through a package!
On that note we also sized up your cloth diapers and you are on the middle snap. I expect this middle snap to last you another six months or so before we don't snap them down at all.
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| Soon this will be our future! |
Mama's Favorites: Consistent sleeping through the night, happy baby always and watching you hit all these fun milestones!
Crying: Still only crying when you are hungry and tired. You are cutting teeth so your nights can be really fussy. We've just been combating this by putting you to bed earlier.
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| Showing off her sitting skills |
Sleep: Still down to sleep between 7:30-8 most nights. I am still coming in for a dream feed around 11. Then you sleep till 6. I usually go in and get you, nurse you and bring you back to our room. You'll hang out in your rock n play for another hour or so till your sister is up for the most part. Some days you even fall back asleep.
Naps are somewhat consistent with you taking three. Either your morning or mid-day nap is long while the other is short. You still sneak in a short cat nap around dinner time before you're ready for bed.
You do not sleep well outside your crib. This worries me a bit as we're getting ready to go on vacation. I know you'll do fine in your pack n play but it's the naps on the go that worry me. We'll just have to plan our days to accommodate you.
This Month: We went to Germany to get your head shape evaluated and followed it up with your first camping trip. You of course rocked both!
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| Sisters wearing mommy's old clothes. Ready for church! |
Baby Likes: You love attention and jumping in your jumper. You have recently started to love toys and putting them in your mouth.
Milestones: You can sit up! You reach for toys and bring them to your mouth. You cut both of your bottom middle teeth. You sleep consistently through the night and go down easily for naps. You rode on your first plane ride and went on your first camping trip. You tried food for the first time.
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| 5 months with Madeline Ann |
Best of Times: Seeing you more as a baby and less as my newborn. You're getting so big and starting to really interact with everyone around you.
Worst of Times: Having to watch them put you under for your head scan. My baby in a hospital gown was not a fun sight.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Germany-The Fun Stuff
Germany wasn't all medical all the time. We did get to enjoy some of the creature comforts of the U.S., have dinner with old friends and explore the oldest city in the country!
Like I mentioned in the previous post, we got to enjoy some of our U.S. favorites while in Germany. I know you're probably confused a little. The states in Germany? Well we were on the Air Force Base while there so everything is pretty much like it is back in the US. We ate at Chili's, got Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and picked up our favorites at the commissary.
I'm usually one to fully emerge myself in a country and not be too phased by the lack of creature comforts but I was needing my dose of 'Merica and the base definitely provided!
One thing I am so glad we got to do was have dinner with our good friends The Peters! We were stationed in Kenya with Adam and got to know Cathy and Caitlin well when we were all living in Fayetteville. I'm so glad that we could take a night and just sit down and enjoy each other's company. Mara loved the extra attention dragging Adam, Cathy and Caitlin to go play! I love how no matter the time we can always pick up right where we left off :)
Since both Maddy and Josh got clean bills of health we had Wednesday to do whatever we pleased. (We had originally scheduled this extra day just incase more testing or appointments needed to be done) Josh did some research and we were off to Mainz. Mainz is the oldest town in Germany with structures dating back to Roman times. The drive was fairly easy and we arrived there in good spirits.
Up to this point Mara had been a dream but she chose this moment to just let the full fledge toddler twos shine through. It was a hard first hour but we push through (despite wanting to give up and call it good) and saw some of the town. We toured two churches and stopped for delicious Italian in the old part of the city. Mara and I got homemade pasta while Josh went with the pizza. Amazing!
The day wasn't as packed full as we would have liked but we were able to see a few things and get off base which was a win in my book.
Thursday was spent driving back to Frankfurt to catch our plane. Again we had a flight through Turkey. We finally landed in Tbilisi at about 1 am, got the girls in the car and made our way home. We all passed out because (crazy us) were headed out the door the next morning for a Memorial Day camping trip!!
Like I mentioned in the previous post, we got to enjoy some of our U.S. favorites while in Germany. I know you're probably confused a little. The states in Germany? Well we were on the Air Force Base while there so everything is pretty much like it is back in the US. We ate at Chili's, got Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and picked up our favorites at the commissary.
I'm usually one to fully emerge myself in a country and not be too phased by the lack of creature comforts but I was needing my dose of 'Merica and the base definitely provided!
Since both Maddy and Josh got clean bills of health we had Wednesday to do whatever we pleased. (We had originally scheduled this extra day just incase more testing or appointments needed to be done) Josh did some research and we were off to Mainz. Mainz is the oldest town in Germany with structures dating back to Roman times. The drive was fairly easy and we arrived there in good spirits.
Up to this point Mara had been a dream but she chose this moment to just let the full fledge toddler twos shine through. It was a hard first hour but we push through (despite wanting to give up and call it good) and saw some of the town. We toured two churches and stopped for delicious Italian in the old part of the city. Mara and I got homemade pasta while Josh went with the pizza. Amazing!
Thursday was spent driving back to Frankfurt to catch our plane. Again we had a flight through Turkey. We finally landed in Tbilisi at about 1 am, got the girls in the car and made our way home. We all passed out because (crazy us) were headed out the door the next morning for a Memorial Day camping trip!!
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Germany-The Health Stuff
At the end of May we took a quick family visit to Germany. We had been planning on tagging along with Josh, who had a medical appointment, but ended up there for reasons of our own. Maddy has always had a bit of a different head shape. I'm sure in the grand scheme of things the shape is completely normal. It just caught our attention because frankly Mara's head was perfect. We brought this up to our pediatrician here and took pictures for our health insurance. It was enough evidence to warrant a trip to Landstuhl for some additional testing.
The girls did great on the plane rides. We flew through Istanbul and then onto Frankfurt. Maddy slept through most of her first plane ride while Mara kept entertained by the in flight shows and looking out the window. I was really impressed by Turkish Airlines and we'll likely fly them again in the future.
As soon as we arrived we grabbed our bags....of course Maddy's stroller was the absolute last thing to come off the plane...and made our way to the rental car place. Getting the car was simple it was getting the seats installed that was a real headache. What is it about European cars? I couldn't find the anchor clip for Mara's seat ending up wrapping it around something else and then the seat belt didn't lock for Maddy's! I hate having to worry about this when we travel. I mean the seats should just work!!
Anyways after about 45 minutes of wrestling them I was somewhat satisfied with their safety and it was off to the base. Thankfully after a bit of playing around with the GPS we got it switched to English and our destination plugged in. That night we laid low, ate at Chili's and enjoyed a slice of America ;)
Maddy's appointment was early so she had to stop feeding at 3 that morning. This made me so nervous. I went in about 15 till and fed her really trying to completely empty myself and get her super full. It must have worked because she was a happy girl for the morning! We headed in and got her pre-test paperwork filled out.
This was the longest part of the whole day. We had the pediatrician come in then the anesthesiologist. Finally at about 9:15 they were able to administer the sedative. I was so nervous about this as I couldn't imagine my 4 month old being put under. Thankfully it was just a nasal spray and no iv's had to be put in. They let me carry her down to the CT scan and place her in the brace.
The test itself was so quick I barely had time to go to the restroom before they were calling me back to pick her up again. I was so thankful that Josh was also there to watch Mara as I got to go into the recovery room with Maddy and feed/hold her. Once they established her oxygen levels and temperature they let us take her home. The rest of the day she slept a lot but overall did great!
Our second day in Germany was spent back at the hospital. We first went to Maddy's consultation with the pediatrician to get the results. He said her fontanels were still pretty open and he wasn't super concerned with the shape of her head. He went on to mention that the helmets we thought we may have to get really haven't been shown to do much. They are costly and Tricare doesn't even cover it! In fact he imagines the shape of her head will get better and rounder with time as she learns to sit up on her own. I am thankful to spare her that. It would have been hard to coordinate that living in Georgia.
After Maddy's clean bill of health, Josh had his follow-up appointment too. He got the all clear too and we spent the rest of the night relaxing at our apartment on base. I am so thankful that we were able to travel together to Germany. I wouldn't have wanted to face Maddy's appointment alone and was so thankful to have Josh alongside. I am grateful that we don't have to wonder anymore and have confidence that her head is okay.
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| Maddy's first flight...wearing the same outfit as Mara did on hers! |
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| You got to do what you got to do |
As soon as we arrived we grabbed our bags....of course Maddy's stroller was the absolute last thing to come off the plane...and made our way to the rental car place. Getting the car was simple it was getting the seats installed that was a real headache. What is it about European cars? I couldn't find the anchor clip for Mara's seat ending up wrapping it around something else and then the seat belt didn't lock for Maddy's! I hate having to worry about this when we travel. I mean the seats should just work!!
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| She's all like I'm a pro with this flying thing |
Maddy's appointment was early so she had to stop feeding at 3 that morning. This made me so nervous. I went in about 15 till and fed her really trying to completely empty myself and get her super full. It must have worked because she was a happy girl for the morning! We headed in and got her pre-test paperwork filled out.
This was the longest part of the whole day. We had the pediatrician come in then the anesthesiologist. Finally at about 9:15 they were able to administer the sedative. I was so nervous about this as I couldn't imagine my 4 month old being put under. Thankfully it was just a nasal spray and no iv's had to be put in. They let me carry her down to the CT scan and place her in the brace.
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| I was a Mama Bear mess this day |
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| Mara was such a trooper. We may have broken the no eating rule... |
After Maddy's clean bill of health, Josh had his follow-up appointment too. He got the all clear too and we spent the rest of the night relaxing at our apartment on base. I am so thankful that we were able to travel together to Germany. I wouldn't have wanted to face Maddy's appointment alone and was so thankful to have Josh alongside. I am grateful that we don't have to wonder anymore and have confidence that her head is okay.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Life With Two
Adjusting to life with two has had it's good days and bad. I can't imagine our lives without Maddy and we feel really complete as a family of 4.
There has been those days where I just have to laugh and say yeah I'll look back one day and smile at this:
1. Grocery shopping is literally an Olympic sport at this point. Get Mara in the cart. Strap Maddy on. Steer that crazy contraption through the stores (why do carts have those crazy all radial wheels on them anyways?!) Somehow make it to the checkout before you're screaming at the toddler and the baby is melting down.
2. And those grocery bags. How exactly are you supposed to haul the kids plus the groceries up the elevator from the parking garage? Not only do I try to grab every bag I can manage in one trip but at least one girl is asleep if not both.
3. Getting out the door. I mean it happens and we make it but doing it in less than 15 minutes. Yeah it goes something like put Maddy in the bouncer. Find the toddler. Get said toddler to go to the potty. Make up some crazy dance to get her to sit down. Finally she pees. Jump up and down for the baby's amusement. Get shoes on the toddler. Oh you don't like these shoes ok go pick out another pair!! Grab the diaper bag, shoes for myself, keys, sunglasses, coats, .....oh wait the baby!!
4. The mail. So we don't have the typical mail delivery service and have to go get it at the embassy. This means usually the double stroller which may I mention barely fits through the doors here. Those Europeans and their door size but don't get me started there. Then I have to push said stroller through too many doors to count. The mailmen always look at me like I've grown a third head. Yes I have two kids. Yes I need to pick up all those packages. We'll manage. Then comes loading us down and somehow maneuvering it all back out to the car. Oh we can't forget the mandatory stop for M & Ms in the commissary.
5. And what about just the day to day. Oh you're hungry ok let me finish feeding Maddy. Ok what do you want to eat. Not this or this or this. Finally something. Ok the baby's crying. Let's go get her. Where do you want me to sit? What do you want me to do? Do you have to go potty? Phew is it bedtime yet!?
Don't get me wrong, life with two is sometimes magical and I find us having those moments of what did we do before this more often than not. It's always a learning curve but I'm so thankful to be the mama of these two beautiful girls!!
There has been those days where I just have to laugh and say yeah I'll look back one day and smile at this:
1. Grocery shopping is literally an Olympic sport at this point. Get Mara in the cart. Strap Maddy on. Steer that crazy contraption through the stores (why do carts have those crazy all radial wheels on them anyways?!) Somehow make it to the checkout before you're screaming at the toddler and the baby is melting down.
2. And those grocery bags. How exactly are you supposed to haul the kids plus the groceries up the elevator from the parking garage? Not only do I try to grab every bag I can manage in one trip but at least one girl is asleep if not both.
3. Getting out the door. I mean it happens and we make it but doing it in less than 15 minutes. Yeah it goes something like put Maddy in the bouncer. Find the toddler. Get said toddler to go to the potty. Make up some crazy dance to get her to sit down. Finally she pees. Jump up and down for the baby's amusement. Get shoes on the toddler. Oh you don't like these shoes ok go pick out another pair!! Grab the diaper bag, shoes for myself, keys, sunglasses, coats, .....oh wait the baby!!
4. The mail. So we don't have the typical mail delivery service and have to go get it at the embassy. This means usually the double stroller which may I mention barely fits through the doors here. Those Europeans and their door size but don't get me started there. Then I have to push said stroller through too many doors to count. The mailmen always look at me like I've grown a third head. Yes I have two kids. Yes I need to pick up all those packages. We'll manage. Then comes loading us down and somehow maneuvering it all back out to the car. Oh we can't forget the mandatory stop for M & Ms in the commissary.
5. And what about just the day to day. Oh you're hungry ok let me finish feeding Maddy. Ok what do you want to eat. Not this or this or this. Finally something. Ok the baby's crying. Let's go get her. Where do you want me to sit? What do you want me to do? Do you have to go potty? Phew is it bedtime yet!?
Don't get me wrong, life with two is sometimes magical and I find us having those moments of what did we do before this more often than not. It's always a learning curve but I'm so thankful to be the mama of these two beautiful girls!!
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