My lil nugg

My little nugget is 4 months old - ahh! What a fun month it has been! Anna has grown and changed so much this month. She weighs 14lbs 8 oz and is 25 1/4 inches tall - 75% all around. She is in mostly 6 months clothes, but has also worn a few 9 months things comfortably too. My 'lil nugg' is so strong that I often hold her on her hip like she's 8 months old :) I'm by no means trying to rush anything, because this time is so precious, she's just big and strong so she can hold herself up that way. The poor thing went into her 4 month appointment tired AND hungry so she cried almost the whole hour that she was at the office with Daddy. She's had a low fever, been very sleepy, and has two very swollen thighs from her shots, since her appointment yesterday.

Anna is incredibly observant. It's so neat to watch her play on her mat, discover a rattle or watch Madelyn play. She watches everything with such intent and focus, its amazing. When she's not studying something intently, she is moving. Moving her arms, her fingers, her toys, her legs, her head - this child does.not.stop.moving. Well, until she's sleeping :) I feel like she's eating more than Madelyn used to, but she doesn't weigh as much, and honestly I feel like its because she gets these little workouts from moving so much!! She's started to sleep on her side, which is just the most precious thing ever. She LOVES her lovey, way earlier than Madelyn was ever interested in them, and she just snuggles them so tightly. She still loves her paci, although she's also started to enjoy sucking on her fingers just like her big sis. I think we might be starting to teethe because she loves shoving things in her mouth and she drools allllllll the time!

This month, I went back to work so the biggest adjustment for Anna has been spending her days with Mimi. It definitely has been more of an adjustment for me, and probably Mimi, than Anna. She's really so easy going that she hasn't been phased by the changes. She's so good for my mom, and loves her special time with Mimi. My mom, and Madelyn are the only ones that can really get Anna to laugh... and she really laughs. It's the sweetest little cackle. She thinks Madelyn is hysterical, it's so special to watch them interact. It totally melts my heart!

Happy 4 months to my little nugget - I love you sweet girl!

Funk

The Gerges household is in a bit of a funk right now.  The days are crazy, the nights are crazy, some of us aren't feeling great, or sleeping great, and everything is just a little off. I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home, and hopefully things getting back to normal soon.

Next week, Anna will be 4 months old. Since her birth, I have had two surgical procedures at the hospital, 3 visits to my GP, 2 visits to my OBGYN (and a 3rd next week), a visit to the eye doctor, neurologist, gastroenterologist, dentist, oral surgeon, and last Friday I spent the night in the ER. In general, I am totally fine... I must admit, I am very lucky to have had two great pregnancies, 2 relatively smooth labor and deliveries, but my body just doesn't seem to bounce back that well after childbirth. Similarly, after Madelyn was born, I had 3 sinus infections on my maternity leave, had my initial visits with the neurologist, follow up Celiac Disease testing with my gastroenterologist, and issues with my vision. 

I remember my GP explaining that it is not uncommon to have health issues after the birth of a baby, and "trauma" of delivery.  I mean, I'm aware of post-pardum depression, but I feel like you don't ever hear about this kind of thing when you are planning to get pregnant, or pregnant.  It's easy to be distracted by the emotions and excitement of bringing home a baby, but it is so important to pay attention to your own body and help it heal properly too.  In two particular instances this time around, I listened to my body and the symptoms I was having, and I was right - things weren't right.

I certainly didn't expect to have issues after Anna was born, but interestingly enough, I've had my share of issues since. For the better part of the last 2 1/2 months, I have been uncomfortable or in pain. As it turns out, my stomach is really swollen and I have heartburn (very common after childbirth - who knew?!) and a ruptured cyst - which is causing all the cramps and discomfort. So, I'm fine and starting to feel better on medication.  Mostly, I was relieved to know that the things I was feeling weren't normal, and were being caused by something. Because, quite honestly, the only doctor I haven't seen is a shrink, and I was beginning to feel like that was next ;)

The other issue we're working through, is Madelyn's adjusting to all the changes.  She was an easy baby, good sleeper, and she is a very cautious and somewhat timid toddler.  She has always been a creature of habit, but luckily, many of the big changes she's endured in her 2 1/2 years, she's handled well. From moving, to changing classrooms at school, switching to her big girl bed, potty training, and even welcoming Anna, she's adjusted with few hiccups. She's had her moments, like every toddler where she pushes buttons, exerts independence and plays games, so these things aren't new.  However, what has happened over the last few weeks since I've returned back to work, has been dramatic. 

Madelyn loves sleep, always has. Since she started in her new classroom last September she started to resist and eventually stop napping there. She would still nap at my mom's on M/W/F, making up for the T/Th that she didn't nap. While I was on leave, she napped every single day, sometimes 3 - 4 hours. So she's definitely not ready to give up her naps. I was worried what would happen when she started going to school full time, but I sort of thought, she'd either be so tired that she would nap, or she'd just fall asleep easily at night, maybe a little earlier. Nope, and nope. With the exception of the two weekend days, she hasn't napped. Holy God, she is so sleep deprived, that each day she seems to be crankier and crankier than the last. The spunky, charismatic, energetic little girl is so, so, tired, she just walks around like a zombie. 

All of the hours that she's behind on sleep have compounded, and the last few days have been BRUTAL! It started on Monday.  Her tummy was upset, and so she was all worked up over having an upset tummy. Then, she clung to me for dear life when I dropped her off at school, and was crying when I left. She refused to nap, and fell asleep in the car on the ride home. She had a good dinner and bath and was ready and asking for bed at 6:45pm. The normal routine is quick cuddles, book, goodnight kisses and I tuck her in. So simple. When I went to leave her room, she FLIPPED. Like, flipped out! She shot up out bed and proceeded to cry, and then scream, bloody murder, finally stopping when she passed out at 9:05pm. I couldn't leave the room, I could barely leave her side. She was clinging to me, pulling my clothes off, and not letting me out of her sight. It was so out of character, I literally had no idea what to do. I left her in there screaming, Brian tried to calm her, we tried another book, more cuddles, and at one point, some yelling from me. Ultimately, she fell asleep when I got in bed with her. Oh crap. 

More of the same on Tuesday night. Sara happened to be here, saying goodbye before her huge trip to Africa, and she tried to assist. At least that night she was asleep by 8:30pm... a little progress. I refuse to get in bed with her again, because I just don't want that to start. In the moments that she's not crying, she's smirking and smiling at me, so I know she's fine and I know I have to fight through this because I can't let her win. How to do that, I don't have the slightest idea. Tonight, she was passed out by 8pm, as long as I stood in her room. I guess standing in there, is better than sleeping with her, right? Oy vey. I stood in there for about 10 minutes before I could tell she was asleep, and there were minutes that I don't think I took a breath, I was so afraid to wake her! All she needs is her sleep, lots of catch-up sleep, and time I guess, because this too, shall pass :) 

It's crazy how being sick, being short on sleep, or stress can just totally jumble up your days. I feel like I've been so distracted recently. I mean, the days since going back to work have been crazy anyway, and now any free time in the day, I just feel distracted. Distracted with how I'm feeling, and how Madelyn is feeling, overwhelmed with the tantrums, and then stressed with how Madelyn is doing, and remembering doctor's appointments, etc. Brian and Anna are holding down the fort :) Hopefully, our next few weeks will be a little calmer than the last! 

Summa-time!

Summer is FLYING! We've been lucky to have had some really great weather already this summer. We've spent lots of time outside, at the beach or by the pool, and had fun with family and friends! So far, so good :) It's hard to believe it's the middle of July already! Here are some pictures of our summer so far:

 first time in a suit!

someone LOVES the pool this year!

wouldn't be summer with one of these pics :)

the lovey obsession has begun!

 Anna - 16 weeks!

Meeting our new newphew Hayes!

what a little stud!

 Hayes! 

 Summer on Chappy...nothing better!

 The McGuinn-Hayes Wedding!

 Anna's first trip to the beach

 State Beach - MV

 A coincidental run in with the Vandall's at the beach on MV!!

 bedtime stories :)

Face lift

We recently gave our kitchen a face lift, and we are so happy with the result! We have a galley kitchen, with lots of cabinets and a decent amount of counter space. Its not my "dream kitchen", but really, it's very functional.  Like just about everything else in our house, the kitchen cabinets were painted a creamy beige color. When we first moved in there was a navy floral wallpaper on the walls, that, was brutal. Once the wallpaper was down, we felt a little like we had a clean slate. It immediately brightened up the room. From there though, we weren't sure what to do. We were undecided between just waiting to do a major reno, or getting new cabinets, or just painting the cabinets? Ultimately, we've decided we'll do a renovation down the road, and the perfect temporary fix was to paint the cabinets and the walls.

While we were away 2 weeks ago, we had the cabinets painted white. Last weekend I painted the window and door trim, and this weekend I painted the walls. We went with Benjamin Moore's White Dove for the cabinets, which I LOVE, and Behr's Silver Drop on the walls, which is warm and subtle. Funny enough in pictures, it doesn't look that different. In person, it's much brighter, richer, and more modern. We desperately need new lighting, mainly because the current light fixtures are SO outdated. But, I also think the lights cast a bit of a yellow hue in the room. So, I'm pulling for recessed but that's all TBD.

Here are some pictures of the update, from the day we moved in, until now!

 Day 1:

The Before - 

After:

3 Months!

I can't believe Miss Anna is 3 months old! I remember this time with Madelyn, and feeling like I was just obsessed with her every move.  The exact same is happening now. I remember feeling like I couldn't get enough of every look, every move, every expression.  Now, as I get ready to go back to work, I'm soaking in every second with Anna and M these last few days before I go back.

The last month has been so.much.fun with Anna Banan. She's such a easy going baby but you can see she's starting to develop her own little personality. She's not a great napper, so figuring out how to make her comfortable enough to get some sleep during the day is a bit of a challenge. She doesn't really fuss, she just wiggles and squirms and is restless in her crib. Actually, motion is her middle name. She literally never.stops.moving. I swear shes going to be turning over soon. Anna's sleep at night is awesome. She started doing 12 hours right around 9/10 weeks, just like Madelyn did, and now as we approach 14 weeks, she's consistently doing those long stretches (knock on wood!)

One of the most fun developments over the last week has been, laughing! The person she smiles and laughs the most for - Madelyn! It is the neatest thing ever to watch Madelyn play with and talk sweetly to her, Anna just absolutely lights up :) Every now and then she'll light up the same for me or Brian, but it seems like M is her favorite right now!

Anna weighs approximately 13lbs 10 oz and she's definitely tall for her age. I think because of her height and hair, she looks a little older than 3 months.  I met someone the other day who's 9 month old daughter just hit 15 lbs, and she couldn't believe Anna was only 3 months. Maybe because of her big(ger) birth weight, she's always had good neck strength and control, and she can hold herself up really well.  Probably about 2 weeks ago, she found her hands, and she is mesmerized with them. When I put her down on her mat to play, she's way more interested in playing with her hands than the animals hanging above. 

Newborns grow and change a little every day, it's just the most incredible thing. One day I noticed her eyelashes looked 3x longer, another day her hair seemed so much thicker, and looking back at pictures of her first days, she's changed SO much. Being home and spending this time with my munchkins has been such a blessing. I'll never forget all the fun we had and how special these first few months with Anna have been. I look forward to watching you continue to grow sweet girl, I love you so, so much!

  I caught her laugh, on camera :) 

it's impossible to tame her hair!

first bath together!

sisterly love

smiles for M

A work in progress, still...

We've lived in our house for a year, and we're on our third dining table! The most recent one is it; I promised Brian there will be no more changes, because it's exactly what I've wanted! The only problem is, it didn't come with chairs. So, until I can make a decision on what to buy to go with it, we're without a functioning dining room!

When we moved in, we put our white and wood pedestal table that we purchased new for our first house, in our dining area. The table (and rug) from our first house, just never really worked in the space. They were OK, but I certainly knew I wanted to change it up eventually. Eventually came a little sooner than we expected because when I posted the table and chairs on Craiglist last fall, we got an immediate taker, and the table and chairs sold! 

We weren't left without a dining set though, because the previous owner left behind his dining set.  I hated the chairs, but the table was bigger and rectangle, so I decided we could make that hand-me-down of sorts, work for a temporary fix. I sold the chairs to his set, and over the next 6 months, we borrowed folding chairs and then mismatched wooden chairs, so that we could use the dining room and eat together (properly ;) Then, in a matter of a few weeks, the folding chairs were returned, and the wooden chairs we had been borrowing, were also sold to someone, so again, we were chair-less!

In the midst of all the tag sale searching, and selling, I sold the old rug we'd been using in our dining room. I didn't need to sell it, and wasn't sure if it actually would, but I thought I'd try. Once the rug was gone, I felt refreshed.  In a way, it was like getting rid of the curtains that I couldn't mesh with anything else. We finally had a clean slate in the dining room and I could start to piece the room together. It's very hard to try to get furnishings from one house, to all work together in a new house. I think for the most part, we did a good job, but realistically, not everything can work.

Without even looking, I stumbled on a listing for a beautiful pine dining table. It was like it was hoping I'd find it.  It had been used in a family's second home in Vermont, and they were looking to sell it. It had some scratches, it had been well loved, but I looked past that because the shape, size and style was exactly what I wanted for our dining room someday. It is a very, very sturdy table, I think each leg weighs 20 lbs! The price was too good to be true, so I decided to buy it. Again though, no chairs! This is what our dining room currently looks like:

So, here we are, after lots of back and forth.... and we have an unpainted dining room, with no curtains, no rug, and a dining table with no chairs. Our dining room is a good size, and it has so much potential. I think we'll end up putting a simple, neutral color on the walls whenever we get around to painting :) The pickle I'm in now is, do we start by buying a rug first, and then chairs, or the other way around....

These are the rugs I've had my eye on, all but one are indoor/outdoor and with a dog and kids, I'd hope would stand up really well in a high-traffic area....

Home Goods - teal

Home Decorators - green and tan

 Pottery Barn - Grey

 Pottery Barn - jute

Pottery Barn - natural diamond

For chairs, I'm thinking of something like this:

Please feel free to weigh in... I can be the most decisive and indecisive person to ever walk the Earth. So, I welcome any and all ideas or suggestions :) I'd love to get the room in working order soon, so we can get back to having meals as a family at the table! Thanks in advance!