Babies, Babies, Babies

Lyla started playing "Baby" all the time while I was pregnant and this games popularity has only increased since we brought Rex home. Her babies nap, need to be changed and also fed, of course. She is an excellent "Mommy" and always knows just what her babies need. When they are napping, she closes her bedroom door and asks everyone to be quiet.

The other game that she plays is one where she has a baby in her belly. For days she went around telling us there was a baby in her belly (the baby was her teddy bear, Snuffles) and he was going to come out in three days. She told me her baby's name but I was sworn to secrecy until his arrival. Finally, "Tim" was born! Seth thought this was very strange but not me. You see, 22 years ago, my sister, Andrea, was pregnant with my twin nephews, Jesse & Justin, and I did the exact same thing. Even using the same type of teddy bear. I was telling someone recently that I have always wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I have loved caring for kids and was even a nanny two summers in college. I blame it all on Andrea and the fact that I was an aunt at age 11.

Daddy & Lyla feeding their babies together.

First Mini Roadtrip

I am either brave or crazy...maybe both but I took a 2-hour trip to Tina's bridal shower alone with Lyla and Rex. I packed the diaper bag the night before and had my list (3 bottles, change of clothes, snacks for Lyla, gift, etc). We went to church first where I fed Rex, changed him and made sure Lyla went potty. Then we headed out making our first stop the Zaxby's drive thru. Thankfully Rex slept most of the way with only one crying outburst. It was on a straight stretch of road and with Lyla's help I was able to pop his paci in his mouth. We were about 45 minutes away from our destination when Lyla told me she needed to go potty. We were in and out of Rite Aid pretty quickly and Rex still slept. I was pretty proud that we were only 5 minutes late. 

 He was ready to eat once we arrived at the shower.

Tina's mom, Linda, was more than happy to help.

Lyla and I are so excited to be in Tina's wedding in August!

This picture makes me smile because just as I snapped it, Tina discovered Rex had poop going up his back...and all over her hand. I love how innocent Rex looks, don't you?

I tried to tell her it was good luck for the baby to poop on the bride but she wasn't buying it.

After Rex's wardrobe change

Both Lyla and Rex slept most of the way home.

Rex obviously needed a bath after our trip so we stripped him down.

Gotta love that lopsided grin!!

And that grimace is priceless

Lyla put her flower girl dress on and started practicing for Tina and Kenny's big day!

I am working on zipping my bridesmaid dress. To be continued...

First Fever and Allergies

Right around Rex's 2-month mark, he got a fever. It was only 99.5 at its highest which some consider low-grade and others don't consider a fever at all. Let me just tell you that I could feel the heat from the back of his neck on the crook of my arm as I was hold him. I don't care what you say--that's a fever. The fever would come and go and lasted a few days. When he wasn't hot, he was a normal, happy baby. But sometimes I could tell he had a fever just because he would start to fuss. Sure enough, his temp had gone back up. There wasn't much we could do except give him some pediacare if it wouldn't break. We also tried putting a cold, wet washcloth on his forehead which must have felt great to him because he would calm right down. We had to keep wetting the washcloth often, though, because it would get hot pretty quickly. The fever finally left for good, just in time for Rex's 2-month checkup. I guess it will remain a mystery.

Fast forward to this past week. No fever this time around but lots of snot and coughing. It started as some light congestion. You could hear it when he would breathe. Then he started coughing--just a little, light cough. Then came the sneezing. Then he stopped wanting to eat. He would eat but sometimes not even half of his bottle. Finally, his cough got harder and more frequent. When he couldn't keep his bottle down one night (he spit the entire thing up even after having his zantac dose for the night), I made an appointment with the pediatrician. 

She suspected his issues were due to allergies. We didn't have to keep him away from people (well, any more than normal) but she told me to keep him indoors. 

I am happy to report that by Sunday morning, he started taking more milk and as of Monday, he is taking what he was taking before he got sick. In case you were wondering, he is taking *just a little over 2 ounces 3 times a day* except at night.I know that doesn't sound like much but he's growing so that's all that matters.

Speaking of milk, I stopped pumping Memorial Day Weekend (I may have mentioned that already). Since then, we have been giving him all the milk I pumped and froze while he was in the hospital. He will probably finish the breastmilk today--that's almost 11 weeks of breastmilk so a pretty good start. 

Thanks to friends who have gifted us with money & store gift cards and others with formula coupons, we shouldn't have to pay (much) for formula for a while. We continue to be blessed by so many with their gifts and words of encouragement. Thank you very much. God is so good.

*Correction!! 2 ounces every 3 hours except at night. BIG difference! Sorry about that!!

2 Months Old

Okay, so this was taken June 15, 2012 so Rex was 2 Months(-ish) Old. I planned to take monthly pictures of our Rex with the puppet Rex but forgot the dinosaur the 1st month. I also planned to have the month number somewhere in the picture but forgot that THIS month. Maybe by next month, I'll have it together. Stats: Rex was 7lb 5 oz at his 2-month checkup (June 12) but was already up to 7 lb 10 oz by Father's Day (June 17). He has also grown almost 2 inches and was 21" long at his checkup. He is giving lots of grins and starting to make noises, too! Heart Update: He saw the cardiologist June 6 and everything looks good. He won't see either doctor again until August! So thankful for how well he is doing!

Picture Hoarder

I am stealing this idea from a high school friend and fellow blogger, Jessie. She brought up a great point about how digital photography has caused us all to be picture hoarders...because we can be. I am not kidding when I say that I have 7-4.7GB dvds of pictures taken since the day before Rex's arrival. Yep, 10 weeks of pictures on 7 dvds (plus the ones still on my current 8GB camera card). In theory, I "could" delete the pictures that aren't perfect but you tell me which one of these isn't perfect. I dare you.

Dr. Butler

I realize I am jumping around a little (okay, a lot) but it is what it is. The doctor who delivered Lyla, Dr. Greene, was on spring break the week Dr. Butler discovered my amniotic fluid was low and put me on bed rest. I just continued to follow up with Butler since he knew what was going on and he was the one who delivered Rex. 

We didn't get a picture the day Rex was born so I made sure to get one at my 6-week checkup.

Thanks for helping to bring our precious Rex into the world, Dr. Butler!

Rex Stephen's Namesakes

Many have asked where we got Rex's name. Many Kentucky fans immediately thought of basketball great Rex Chapman (who I had to google). Sorry to disappoint but the truth is that Seth named him after a man who was a big part of his childhood, Rex Nelon. Rex is the founder of The Rex Nelon Singers which still exists today under the name The Nelons and is led by his daughter, Kelly.


Years ago before Kristie and Seth came along, Seth's parents attended a "camp meeting" at a local church. A gospel group called the Lefevres was performing and Rex was a member of the group. After the service, the minister asked who would be willing to have one of the group members spend a week at their home. Sandy and Steve raised their hand and Rex went home with them. From then on, he would always stay at their home when he was in town. He even had a key to the house. They loved him very much and Seth and Kristie came to know him as "Uncle Rex."

Unfortunately, Rex Nelon passed away in 2000 before Seth and I met. The day after his sudden death of a heart attack, he was honored by the Gaither Vocal Band, that tribute is seen in this clip. He was truly loved by many and is dearly missed.

"Everything I have in this world, I owe to gospel Music. I never tried very much else and what I did try, I wasn't very good at. I'm not very good at this, but I'm happy! What more could I ask for? I'd do it all over again. I'd walk on with Jesus 'till my journey's end. I'd never give up living for Him for what the world's giving. You betcha. I'd do it all over again." -Rex Nelon

Stephen is both Seth's middle name and his father's so we wanted to pass that tradition on down to Rex. Stephen is also the name of the first Christian martyr. His story can be read here in Acts 7. Rex is latin for King and Stephen is greek for Crown.


I believe if he were alive, Rex Nelon would be happy to share his name with this little guy, don't you? In fact, I am sure he is smiling down and has been sending his love and prayers right from the start.

Happy Father's Day!

Seth is such a great daddy. Rex and Lyla are truly blessed, that's for sure.

This box came full of diapers and wipes from some great friends

Lyla immediately wanted it to be her new car

When Daddy came home, he helped her modify it

It has tires, a grill and even a custom license plate

I love these three people so much!

May (Part 2): Custom shirts, Meals, More with Aunt Alison, Peek-a-boo, Necklace, Lyla's Summer Cut, Visitors, Play-doh, Outside Fun

Rex still fusses through most baths and clothes-changes

Check out is awesome onesie made by the talented, Andrea!

Erin, a dear college friend, is one of many lovely people who brought us a delicious meal.

Thank you SO much to each of you!!

Alison was such a big help

She even took the nightshift one night for us.

We love you, Aunt Alison!

Lyla wants to hold Rex every chance she gets

Before Rex was born, I ordered this necklace for myself

I stumbled on The Vintage Pearl's blog years ago and have always wanted a piece of my own

Now I finally have one!

Is it perfect?!

We play outside as much as we can

Lyla

is

LOVING

her

summer!

We usually go outside while Rex is napping but this day wasn't too hot so he just lied on a blanket under the tree.

Then we came inside and Lyla performed

 Rex didn't pay much attention to her show

 Yeah, he finally let me know it was naptime

 Can't get enough of these cheeks

Isn't this the coolest paci ever?

Even Lyla loves playing with her brother's hair

How sweet are these two?

Little guy in a big crib

We waited til her dance recital then chopped Lyla's hair for the summer

More dear college friends came to visit. Lyla and Cate enjoyed a little snack.

Lyla took a picture of me with Eryn and Mary...but the angle didn't do any of us any favors.

(You're welcome, Ladies.)

Lyla made cupcakes with her playdoh on a rainy day

Don't they look tasty?

Love his little expressions

and his little fingers

He has quite a grip, too!

Before you know it, he will grow into the paci he loves so much

Lyla has lived in her little pool this summer

Seth is a genius and set it up on the deck right outside the kitchen so I can keep an eye on her from inside

Silly girl

Oh, yeah--you are probably wondering about her cheek.

She tripped on the rug in the den and hit it on the corner of her little, blue table.

SO glad it was not an inch higher!

This is a girl who sees her daddy coming home from work.

This was how Seth woke Rex up to eat one day.

It was very effective but Rex was NOT a fan.

Rex is a gassy boy and is most comfortable with his knees up

Enter-pillow

Nothing says Memorial day like Jasmine with a wand. Right?

World's

Greatest

Sister

Her air mattress was still inflated from when we had some overnight guests.

She dragged it in the den for a nap. I was on the couch and Rex was in his swing.

It was so peaceful.

This was the first time Lyla fed Rex a bottle.

He was very fussy while I was making dinner and she happily stepped in.

Rex and I were sitting on this yellow & green swing...when it snapped.

(Keep your comments to yourself--the swing was old)

Lyla "recycled" it into a rope swing

She also just really liked climbing on it.

It has now been replaced with another swing.

KK bought Lyla her own goggles

She loved that they matched her suit

Oh..hold on...she has to text someone

Seth was playing with the settings on the camera.

Rex was a perfect model

LOVE this picture!

He sure is a growing boy!