Knee Highs

I can't seem to find socks small enough for Erin.  These socks are a size newborn and come up to her knees.

Things That Go

I took Emmy to an Early Childhood Family Education class a couple of weeks ago.  The class was called, "Things that go."  Emmy really enjoyed it and I'll probably sign her up for more classes soon.

Little Stinker

Emmy catches on very quickly to things and copies everything we do.  The other day I found her in the living room with my laptop on her lap.  She even brought herself a snack (yogurt).  I thought it was so adorable.  I was making her lunch and just let her sit on the couch with the laptop...I didn't think she could break anything.  When I told her that lunch was ready, she shut the laptop and hurried over to her high chair for lunchtime.  After lunch, I brought her up to her room for a nap and then came back downstairs to check something on my laptap.  This is what I found when I opened it up.

Too Pooped to Read

Emmy fell asleep reading her Green Eggs and Ham book the other day.  I thought that this was too cute and had to get a picture.  She loves her books!!

Grandma's New Car

My mom finally upgraded and got a new car.  It's a Bonneville and she thinks that it's too luxurious for her to drive.  We keep telling her that she'll get used to it. 

Hanging Out with Grandma Linda

The week before Easter I drove back to Monte to pick up my mom so she could help us out with the kids at our house.  While we were in town for the day, we took part in the Easter festivities on main street.  Emmy got to see the Easter Bunny and really liked the eggs. 

After a full day in Monte, we took grandma back to the cities with us for the week.  :) 

Easter

I'm a little behind on my posts so I'm catching up all in one day.  We went to Hoffman the week before Easter and celebrated a bit with Brad's family.  After church we went to a local greenhouse where they had a petting zoo for kids.  Emmy loves animals but is very afraid of petting them.  She wants nothing to do with them...except puppies and kitties, of course. 
This place had one of the biggest bunnies I have ever seen!!  Crazy!

We celebrated Easter at our house with my mom.  She had originally planned to take this time off from work and come to our house to help with Erin when she was born.  Erin was supposed to be born around April 2nd.  My mom figured she would still come to our house during this time.  I drove to Monte to pick her up on Tuesday, March 30th and then brought her back on Tuesday, April 6th.  She was such a lifesaver and a total machine.  I don't know how she does it.  After a long day of driving around town and shopping, etc., she would grab a rake and clean up our yard, or wash dishes or wash and fold clothes, etc.  I was so kaput and told her to just take a break. 

We went to our church for Easter Service.  It was so packed full of people.  I have never seen so many people at our church.  We had to sit out in the lobby.  It was so cute to see all the little boys and girls dressed in their cute outfits. 
I bought Erin a simple pink & white striped preemie outfit and Emmy wore a cute black & white flowered dress. 

After church, we started to get lunch ready and also went out to hide Easter eggs for Emmy. 
Emmy's Easter Basket contained bubbles, chalk, a singing Elmo karaoke machine, and a bucket and shovel for the sand box.  She also got a giant pink ball, which she loves to kick around the yard. 
Erin received a new outfit, a teether, and a rattle/chime for her car seat.

Emmy had so much fun when Grandma Linda was here.  They took advantage of the wonderful weather we've been having and played outside all day long.  We also went to the community center one day so Emmy could play in the jungle gym. 

New Snow Pants

Emmy got to play in the snow before it all melted away this year.  I got her snow pants for Christmas, but it was always way too cold outside to bring her out in them and I didn't have a pair of boots that fit her.  So, when it was melting & somewhat nice outside, I brought her out to play in the snow.  She wore them once for five minutes.  I hope they fit Erin at some point.

Memmy & Melmo

Emmy has finally learned how to say her name.  She used to call herself "Memmy."  Anything that begins with the letter "E" she adds an "M" in front of it.  Someone asked her the other day what her name was and she responded and said Emmy!  It was so cute and very clear.

She absolutely loves Elmo!  Elmo is kind of a big deal in our household.  She calls him "Melmo."  We watch all kinds of Elmo on TV, she has a DVD of Elmo's World and also has all kinds of Elmo books.  She points out Elmo even when we go to the baby/toy section at Target. 
We gave her a Tickle Me Elmo when we brought Erin home from the hospital. 

Going Potty

Emmy is getting really close to being potty trained.  She usually says the word "ucky" and then points at her butt.  She has gone a few times on the potty and we reward her with a marshmallow.  I think we are more excited than she is!!  I can't wait to only have one child in diapers. 

Erin's 1st Piece of Mail

Her first piece of mail was her birth record information from the Social Security Administration. 

Erin's 1st Bath

Erin LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her bath!!!  She just doesn't like getting out when the cold air hits her.  Emmy watched while I gave Erin her first bath.  She loves her little sister.  It's the first thing she asks for when she gets up in the morning.  She loves giving Erin kisses and is getting better at being more gentle with her every day. 

Erin's Frist Doctor Appointment

Erin had her first doctor appointment on Monday, March 8th.  This was basically a weight check to see if she was maintaining her weight.  She weighed 5 lbs when we left the hospital.  She weighed in at 4 lbs 14.4 oz and was 18 1/4 inches at the clinic.  Her head measured 32 centimeters. 
The doctor wanted us to supplement Erin's feedings with an extra ounce after nursing.  She was also diagnosed with a bacteria in her mouth called Thrush.  This means that EVERYTHING has to be washed & sterilized.  All of this added to an already heavy load that I already had, but I was determined to do whatever it took to get her gaining weight and be healthy.  She was prescribed Nistatin four times a day for the Thrush.  
She also gets Neosure added to her milk twice a day.  This is a specific formula which has more calories for preemies. 
Brad bought me a little gadget called an Itzbeen which has been a lifesaver.  This electronic gadget has four separate timers on it.  One for the last diaper change, one button for feedings, another button for medications, and the last button is kind of and extra little button.  Each time I change a diaper or feed her, I push the corresponding button and the clock starts.  This has been really handy since there are some days I don't even know what day it is.
After Erin's first appointment, I made a follow up for a week later.  We went back to the clinic on Monday, March 15th and she had only gained half of what she was supposed to.  Typically, newborns will gain an ounce per day.  The doctor seemed a bit concerned and didn't understand why she wasn't gaining weight.  Erin was eating all the time and I was giving her the supplements like they told me to. 
Erin was also scheduled to receive a Synagis shot for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) on Thursday, March 18th.  RSV is a very serious respiratory infection and is more dangerous with preemies.  After the shot, they monitored her for 20 minutes to make sure she did not have a reaction to the shot.  Erin did just fine.  She had no reactions, but wasn't too happy about getting the shot.  She stopped crying as soon as she heard my voice.  She is supposed to have another Synagis shot each month, however this shot is VERY expensive and our insurance company only approved one dose.  One shot costs $1,947.30.  My jaw dropped when I heard it.  Yikes. 
At this check up, her weight was gaining appropriately, so we didn't have to make another appointment for a weight check.  She had gained an ounce per day.  I was so relieved to hear this because if it would have been bad news, I don't know what more I could have done.  I felt like I was feeding her all the time. 
A few days later she developed a cold and I brought her into the clinic because her breathing was really bad and she had a rattle in her chest...some of the symptoms of RSV.  The doctor did a couple of tests but everything came back normal.  This cold has gone on for about three weeks and I have brought her back into the clinic, but the doctor keeps saying the cold should go away within a week.  Well, it's still here.  I feel so bad for her. 
Erin is such a great baby.  She doesn't cry very much and she loves to get her beauty sleep.  The doctors from the hospital told me that I would have to wake her up every three hours to feed because preemies don't wake themselves up to eat.  This is where the Itzbeen came in handy the most.  I can set an alarm on it to alert me every three hours for feedings.  I would totally recommend this little gadget for any new mother. 

Emmy's First Hair Cut

On St. Patrick's Day I took Emmy to get her first hair cut at Kids Hair.  She doesn't have much hair, but her bangs kept hanging in her eyes.  Brad said she could get her hair cut but didn't want to cut her bangs straight across her forehead.  We are also trying to grow her hair out.  So, the girl who cut her hair just gave it a good trim. 

Emmy did so good while getting her hair cut.  She didn't fuss one bit.  She got to watch Dora the Explorer on the little TV so maybe that helped too.  When she was done getting her hair cut, the hair stylist gave Emmy a cute sticker.