I love this outfit...

And I bought it in the 3M size thinking she would wear it for a few months...I think it will be more like a few more days!

Pacifier

Jules is so similar to Wills in so many ways...and so different! The biggest difference? She does not like a pacifier! We have tried every day, and I do think she is liking it a little more, but it is nothing like Wills, who took it from day one (and, I am embarrassed to admit, still has his "na-na" in his bed at night). We seriously have to hold it in Jules' mouth (and sometimes even dip it in this grape-flavored Little Tummies) to get her to start sucking, and even then it is questionable as to whether she'll keep it in...

Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

Wills helped us pick out the perfect Christmas tree this weekend...And I think he had more fun than ever! He ran through the trees as if they were a maze, trying to hide from me and Tim. We got some cute pics!

I love this picture - it really captures his excitement.

Getting ready for Christmas

Yesterday we went to Chick-Fil-A for breakfast and a visit with "Santa Cow". Wills was a little nervous to talk to him, but eventually did walk up and tell him that he wanted a batcave for Christmas!

Jules is 2 months old

Jules turned 2 months old on Wednesday 12/1/10. She got a great report from Dr. Gadea! Here are her stats:

• Weight - 12 lb 3 oz - 90%!
• Length - 22 3/4 in - 85%
• Head Circumference - 15 1/2 in - 75%

Needless to say, she is growing like a weed! And in case you haven't noticed from other pictures, she has crazy hair!! I just love it :)

She no longer fits into 0-3 month clothes, so we didn't get a whole lot of wear out of those! So far we haven't had to supplement with formula - this is a big difference from when Wills was a baby. Of course, I have now experienced what it is like to breastfeed exclusively...you don't really get to do anything else...at all...all day long! I haven't really been able to leave her, which has been hard - but at the same time, I am very happy with how things have gone. It has been wonderful to spend so much time with her before I go back to work...in less than a month!!!

It has been a little challenging to get her to take a bottle - we started when she was about 3 weeks old, and she is still a little unpredictable with it. I can get her to take a bottle only under very specific conditions - 1) the perfect temperature of the bottle (warm), 2) when she is very very hungry, and 3) pretty much only from me. We are working on her taking a bottle from Tim.

Jules has to take Zantac 2 to 3 times a day for reflux (Wills also had reflux). It really seems to help her with gas and discomfort/reswallowing.

She still doesn't really like to nap during the day - she snoozes sometimes in my arms, but that's about it. When she does nap, it's during the morning. She still likes to eat about 3 times from 5 to 8pm. We are giving her a bath every night now, after dinner, then she eats one more time and on a good night, goes down around 7:45. She still likes the swaddle - in fact, sometimes I double swaddle her so that she doesn't get out in the middle of the night.

Jules usually wakes up one time at night between 1am and 3am to eat, then sleeps again til about 7 or 8am. But last night she slept from 8pm to 5am! And it is 8:30 now and she is still sleeping...probably a one-time fluke, but I'll take it!

Overall, Jules is a very happy, sweet, strong, smiling, cooing, squealing little girl. She loves to be held and rocked and talked to. She loves her bath and also loves her big brother (who is awesome with her!).

Natural Science Center with Grandma

Kathy and I took Wills and Jules to the Natural Science Center in Greensboro on Saturday, and it was awesome! Wills was on a mission once we got there...he got a hold of that map and only wanted to go see the tigers (which were pretty amazing).

He was pretty nervous around all of the other animals, like the rats, rabbits and snakes. But he liked the petting zoo, and actually brushed a goat! He also saw a two-headed turtle, some monkeys, some wolves, an armadillo making a nest, a porcupine, owls, nurse sharks, clown fish, alpacas, miniature horses and donkeys, and two peacocks!

Thanks for a great adventure, Grandma Kathy!

Thanksgiving in Greensboro!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Greensboro with the Ryans...once we finally got there. The trip up was nothing less than an adventure. I left the house at 2:30 with both kids to drive up to Tim's office, and didn't get there until after 5pm. On the way, we had to stop three times to soothe/feed Jules and once to clean the car and Wills after he yacked all over the place! Apparently he gets carsick :) Anyway, we finally made it to Greenville around 9:30 and crashed there for the night (thank you, Martins!). The trip up to Greensboro the next morning was easy, and from then on it was a relaxing, wonderful holiday. Thank you Kathy and Frank for everything!

Wills had a blast with his cousins at the big meal, and he also enjoyed walking (and bossing around) Corey, Grandma's dog.