Two Weekend Getaways

It's good to get away, but it's also good to be home. Two weeks ago, Lezlie and I decided to get away from the kids for one night. I know that sounds ridiculous but its probably the longest we could have made it without seeing our babies. So we made the trip to Cole Camp, stayed Friday night, but then left the kids and headed for Branson for some shopping and the Silver Dollar City Christmas light experience.

I don't want to discourage people from going down to see the lights at Silver Dollar City. But, if you don't like crowds, stay away. I usually like to be in the thick of things, doing what everyone else is doing. But, it was just too much. The people were shoulder to shoulder and the one show I wanted to see (at the Saloon), you had to wait for over an hour in line for. Let's just say it wasn't that important to us. We did see a couple performances. One was absolutely horrible--Cajun Christmas. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or applaud. I'm sounding like a critic. Unfortunately, Lezlie's doctor frowned on her riding rides. But, we did manage to ride "Fire in the Hole." Mainly, we just walked around, enjoyed the atmosphere, ate some very good food, and watched the lighting of the tree. It's not that I wouldn't recommend going, just plan on taking a full day to do it all. Frankly, Lezlie and I don't have that much energy.

After watching the lights, we high-tailed it back to the Branson Landing where we went to a piano Bar named Ernie Biggs. I have been to the one in Springfield and this one was no different. The whole night was entertaining and they played every song we requested. It was better than any show I have seen in Branson. But, maybe the booze helped entertain me??

The next weekend was Thanksgiving. Lezlie and I always look forward to the trail-ride and Lola's. This year, I believe Maya got to thoroughly enjoy it (rather than sleeping on a hay bale like last year). It was extra luxurious this year since Ed and Lola had pimped out our trailor with some world-class seats ripped out of a van. It was truly red-neck and everyone loved it. If only I could have sat in one of those comfortable chairs...

On Friday and Saturday, Maya and Ben got to spend some time with their cousins. I had heard Maya speak of Jo-Jo several times but wasn't sure who she was talking about. Well, now I know that means Jocelyn. Actually, I think she associates that with Jocelyn and Olivia. Maya and I were actually taking a nap together and Josie and Olivia snuck in the room. Maya jumped up, yelled "Jo Jo Jo Jo!!!" and quickly ran off to play. It's unfortunate that Maya and Ben don't get to grow up like I did with all of my cousins close-by, but it is very nice to see that it is just the same.Ben is growing up fast. If you've been keeping up with the facebook photos, you can see that he is becoming quite a chunkster. I keep saying that he is storing up for winter. At most feedings, he takes close to 4 oz, but at times we have had to give him 6 oz. So, things are quite different from Maya--I don't remember Maya drinking 6 oz until she was 6-8 months old. His neck is getting much stronger and he no longer is a "bobble-head". He reacts well to us. At certain parts of the day, he becomes very happy and gives a big wide-mouth smile. I even think he is trying to laugh.Maya has been getting jealous of Ben more lately. A common phrase you will hear from her is "baby seat" meaning "put Ben in the seat and play with me instead." Maya's speach is getting a little better. She speaks full sentences. It's just that you don't understand a word she says. But seriously, we know she is trying harder and we are picking up new words every so often.

What Smells Like Poop?

The answer to that question would be ... drum roll ... poop. So for the past several days, Lezlie and I have randomly been catching a wiff of something in the basement. We'd check our shoes, check Vinnie's feet, pull up Vinnies tail, check his butt, pull Maya's pants out, check her butt, lift Ben up, smell his butt, ask each other if the other farted. All while doing this, there was a dirty diaper on top of my bookshelf that I had put there several days earlier. I vaguely remember doing this but I imagine it was one of those many moments where I had way too many things going on (i.e. dirty diaper, crying baby, screaming toddler, barking dog). Two years ago I would have never considered myself scatter-brained. Forgetful maybe, but not scatter-brained. I guess that goes with the territory of having two kids.

Benjamin Andrew

His name is Benjamin Andrew. We will call him Ben. Maya calls him baby. He was born on October 6, 2009 at 11:46 by C-section. He weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 20.5 inches long. He was welcomed by both Grandmas, Grandpa Heimsoth, and Aunt Jackie. So let's just say he didn't spend too much time not being held by someone.

We spent 3 nights at the hospital while my Mom watched Maya. It seemed like Lezlie started recovering faster this time around, having not been in labor for 20 hours like she did with Maya. However, it was still a C-section so there was still a lot of pain. I'm saying that like I went through it. I must admit, I have all the respect in the world for someone who's not only having my baby, but also is willing to go through a surgery like that to have him.

So far, he is very healthy and good baby. He spent a lot of the first few weeks sleeping. We thought he was the best baby in the world. But since then, he's started to fuss a bit more. Like every baby, he loves to be held. But, he is beginning to really hate laying on his back. We're thinking he has some sort of reflux since he often chokes up while on his back. I guess we'll find out when he goes for his 1 month checkup next week.

I ended up taking 3 weeks off of work. After that, Grandma Leisha came up for a week. So, Lezlie had a total of 4 weeks of help. We enjoyed all of the visitors. But I believe Maya enjoyed all of the visitors even more. Every time we said someone is coming, she started screaming and jumping for joy. I was beginning to think she was totally bored with us.

Everyone has been asking us how Maya has taken to Ben. This is something we were worried about. Every morning she asks to see baby and she gives him a big smile. No real jealousy yet but she still needs attention like she always had...which is fine by us.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to take Ben out with us Trick-or-Treating. It was just too cold. But Maya definitely enjoyed it. At first, I don't think she had any idea what was going on. But she soon found out that everyone was giving her suckers. Before the night was over, she was putting her greedy little hands in the buckets herself.
Lezlie ended up dressing Ben up a couple days later and taking his picture. But, we didn't get a picture of our two little monkeys together. We may have to do that.

I'll try and do better on the updates. Otherwise, just log onto facebook for updated pictures. I've included more there, but you have to be at least a friend of one of my friends. Here's the link.

Hospital
First month

BTW, thank you all for the gifts, cards, facebook messages, and home/hospital visits. Because we don't often get visitors, that is something Lezlie and I thoroughly enjoy.

Get Ready For The New Guy

We've been trying to get everything prepared for tomorrow, when our little baby boy will be born. For the past two weeks, I've been saying he will come before then but it looks like I'm gonna be wrong. I think we both just wanted it to happen early, partly because we can't wait and partly because we're tired of preparing. And then there's the whole uncomfortable-24-7-problem for Lezlie. I can't imagine having to fall asleep sitting up.

A funny thing has happened over the past week. Maya has actually been very good. Not that she was bad before. I don't know what it is. Usually when we get home, she is very clingy...which is fine but it's hard to cook supper when you've got a baby crying with their arms and legs wrapped around your leg. She has also been responding to the word "no" a lot better. Before, she would flop on the floor and start kicking her legs. Now its as if she's starting to understand. Anyway, I hope this continues but I'm afraid it won't when the new baby gets here.

We finally had Maya's 2-year checkup. She was 50th percentile on height/weight which surprises us since everyone tells us she is so tall. A nurse came in and gave her a little test asking her to do a few things (jump, pick up a toy, show me your nose, etc.). She passed with flying colors once she finally figured out that she was talking to her. She was just so busy playing with the toys. We asked the doctor about her speech. She said that she should be using 2 word sentences. She has started to but it's still limited (big truck, help please, bye bye vinnie). And, it doesn't really come out like that. We have just learned her language and know what she means. The doctor attempted to do a hearing test but Maya was not cooperative. But, I'm not real worried about her hearing. She understands everything we tell her. I'm guessing she's just gonna be a mumbler like me.

The sleeping habits have been great for the past couple months. She no longer asks to go to bed like she did before. But, she doesn't put up a fight at all. And the best thing is that she stays asleep until morning. She has transferred her attachment from her binkie to her two stuffed dogs, Thurbert and Sporty. Thurbert is a wiener dog that I gave Lezlie a long time ago as a joke because she wanted one (a real one of course). Sporty is her first Build-A-Bear that she created at Branson this year. She loves them both equally and must have them both with her in bed, and sometimes for breakfast.
Well, it's sad to say but this will be my last Maya-only post. Lezlie has constantly worried about giving Maya all the love she needs after the new one arrives. I know things will change but she will still be our baby girl.

It's been awhile since I posted a clip. Here's one of the sibling rivalry.