New family picture

Momma's helpers

While Lucas was busily "finishing" the mopping, I was feeding Jojo. I left for just a minute to do something else. Lo and behold, my other little helper kicked in to make sure Jojo continued to be fed. Oh, I need to encourage the helpfulness and not be annoyed when it causes extra messes to clean up. Thank you for helping Momma, Lucas and Abrianna.

Lucas

Weaning

I've been debating whether to post this or not. I think the story is worth telling but I think that some people may be offended with too much information. If that is you... Please stop reading.

Several days ago, while nursing Abrianna, I noticed thrush inside her upper lip. Again!
Last summer, we went through trying to get rid of thrush with I think 3 different medications, and 4-6 weeks of treatments. We finally figured out that I was passing back to her. So the solution was Diflucan for me- a internal yeast treatment. It worked like a charm.
Seeing the thrush this time caused pieces of the puzzle to fall into place. When I was nursing Lucas at this stage of my pregnancy, it didn't hurt. I've been in a lot of pain the past few weeks with nursing. I thought it was just time to wean. No, that wasn't it after all. It's yeast.
Digging out the gentian violet, I applied to Abrianna's mouth then painted the entire nipple area on myself.
Gentian violet is a very bright Vikings purple and stains whatever it touches. Abrianna was visibly upset that I'd painted myself.
Later on that evening, she was begging to nurse and go to sleep. Okay, no big deal. So off we went to bed. She took one look at me and wailed, "NooOOOoo!"
Alrighty then, I flipped off the light and switched her to the other side. Same response. Okay. We'll just cuddle till she goes to sleep.
During the middle of the night she eagerly nursed while sleeping. Once awake in the morning though, I asked if she wanted to nurse, "no!"
I tried periodically throughout the day. Always the same response. In fact, at nap time she wanted to lay down by herself and not even be rocked to sleep. What happened to my baby? Where did she go so suddenly? I'm sad. I know that our little ones grow up. Sometimes in a hurry too.
Last night was a repeat of the night before. She nursed in her sleep but otherwise refuses to nurse at all. I'm thankful that my milk supply has been dwindling due to my pregnancy and I don't have engorgement problems.
This is not how envisioned weaning to happen with my little girl.

Lucas is very aware that he resembles his father. When we are in stores and some lady will stop us to admire Abrianna bright orange locks, he's sure to say he has black hair like his dad.
On our weekly Sunday shopping trip, he had a different answer. "I have black hair... with white mixed in all over."
Rick's dark hair is becoming liberally sprinkled with gray. So Lucas believes his hair is too.

A walking snow woman

Our walks have been few and far between with the icy temperatures and the work of bundling up three little ones. Here is Abrianna all ready for a walk. Doesn't she look like a walking snow man?

Lucas stories

One of the most fun things for my kids when it comes to flying is to be able to pick the snack and type of juice they want.
Lucas wanted pretzels. He practiced saying it several times before the stewardess arrived. It came out as fretzels.
When she stopped the cart and asked what he wanted, the reply came out, " freckles and cranberry juice please!"

Today it was cold. Maybe upper 30's-40 if we were lucky. Stepping out the door with all three kids in tow for a walk, we could see white clouds form from our breath. BRRRR!
Lucas said, " Jasper ( our dog) has engine breath." What do you know? It did kind of look like exhaust from an engine.