Olympics

We have really enjoyed watching the Olympics this year. It is fun to cheer on the USA as well as hear all the amazing stories of the athletes (from the US and other countries).
As part of the Olympics, I ALSO love the "Parent" commercials they have been showing.  You know, the  
P & G ones.

As a parent myself and watching/hearing the stories, I would love to talk to one of the Olympiad's parents. I mean, when did they realize they had an Olympic athlete? Especially the young athletes (the ones in their teens), when did they (as parents) decide it was ok to allow their child to forgo studies and focus on their sport? I would think that that would be a giant leap of faith and probably one time or another were criticized for allowing their child to spend that many hours focusing on a sport.

With all that being said, here is our little Olympic Stars........

Matthew is working on his GOLD medal in Football. I'm sure that will be an Olympic Sport by the time he is old enough.....

John Michael is going for GOLD in Swimming. In all seriousness, JM has exploded in swimming this summer. HE. LOVES. IT. He has absolutely no fear of the water. This is an incredible improvement from last year. We have a neighborhood pool only 2 doors down and we have been taking full advantage. Before Matthew was born, swimming was my relief, and we were out there almost daily!

The Diet

I gave myself 6 weeks Postpartum to continue eating whatever/whenever I wanted too.  This way I could focus on nursing and resting.

Well....Matthew turned six weeks on Monday so TODAY is the DAY.

Matthew at 6 Weeks

Ben and I lost a TON of weight on Weight Watchers after John Michael was born, so we are trying it again!

The first time around I went to the meetings and then shared what I learned with Ben. This time, I'm going to do it on-line. I just was afraid I wouldn't be able to make the meetings with our busy (newborn) lifestyle.

JM  and I when I had lost 25 Pounds the first go ahead.

It is a very long and daunting road ahead (especially because I'll have to hold myself accountable because I won't be going to meetings); however, when I look back on pictures, I KNOW that I can lose the weight. And losing the weight is what is best not only for me, but for being able to be healthy and active for my boys.

With all of that being said.....any encouragement is appreciated. As well as any tasty recipes. It doesn't have to be a "Weight Watcher" recipe per se, but anything with lots of fruits and veggies (those are "free" on this diet).

This was today's lunch.....all of this was TWO points!

Sleep!

To say I am not bragging would be a lie.....I must brag.

Matthew is an AWESOME baby when it comes to sleeping. During the day, the kid does not miss a meal and is angry if he isn't nursed every 2-3 hours. However, after the last feeding of the night, the kid will sleep at least 6, if not 8 hours. And I HAVE to wake him up on most occasions to eat!
He has made being a mom of 2 boys SO much easier than I had expected.

I don't know if this sleeping pattern is normal for this age, but (to give some explanation), John Michael is also an AWESOME kid however, not so much a great sleeper. From day one he never was a great sleeper. At 6 weeks, he was waking up every 2-3 hours in the night to eat and it was SO hard. Even now, no matter what time he goes to bed (let it be 7 PM or midnight), he wakes up between 5 - 6 AM.

I might have cursed myself by writing this blog (watch him not sleep tonight) but for right now, I'm a proud momma.

Because we are talking about sleep, thought I would share some pictures of my super cute kids sleeping....



How I found JM.....in our made bed, hidden within the pillows...ASLEEP.



One of our First Days Home.



When Matthew is being fed, JM is allowed to watch the iPad. Needless to say, this kid was tired!

 

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I love this picture. This was the day we came home from the hospital.
Ben went to go help JM get ready for his nap. it got really quiet and this was how I found them!



   

The Boys Newest Toy!

What is the greatest thing about having a "Dado" that is also a Contractor??
Our boys get spoiled with some amazing "toys"!

The big project this summer was a Playhouse for John Michael and Matthew.
Over a couple of weekends and a WHOLE lot of blood, sweat, and tears (ok, maybe no tears), it is finished and John Michael LOVES it.
We know that Matthew will love it.....he is just a little too young to be in the heat right now!


And the Project Begins!



First Slide!



Meme and Dado with the boys!

John Michael's Favorite is the Swings!



My workers down on the job!
We got a small rain shower, so the workers took a nap!

 

The Finished Project!





The workers with their masterpiece.



 John Michael says: "THANK YOU Daddy, Dado, and Meme!"



Maternity Leave

With John Michael, I was only able to take 6 weeks off of work. That means that with JM, at this time, I had only a few days left. How the heck did I do that!??!? Guess I was stronger back then!
I cannot imagine having to go back to work on Monday!

This time around I am taking full advantage of the 12 weeks. I have throughly enjoyed the time to bond with  Matthew, but also the special time I have been able to have with John Michael as well. Now that it has been 5.5 weeks, here is a glance of what we have been up to:

Trips to the Janet Huckabee Nature Center:

Naps! 



Walks (when It is Cool Enough)



 Potty Training (or Attempting to!):  

Tummy Time!

Being Silly:  

Building a Play Set (Blog to come Soon!)

Trips to the Library:

Cookie Breaks!

Movies with Friends!

To all my friends who are stay-at-home mommies.....I can honestly say, I'M JEALOUS!

What a fun summer we have had so far and we have another 6 weeks together!

Matthew is One Month!

(Well....technically 5 Weeks!)

Matthew is 5 Weeks old! I have to brag, he is one awesome baby. He is a great eater and an amazing  sleeper (Averaging 5-8 Hours a night.....I know that it is crazy difference between 5 and 8; HOWEVER, in sleeping terms I do just fine with 5 or 8!).  John Michael NEVER slept that long this early!



Speaking of John Michael, he has been an incredible big brother! He likes to tell us when Matthew is crying and immediately tells me I need to feed the baby or the baby needs a paci. Overnight my "baby" John Michael grew up to be a helpful little boy. He has become "daddy's boy", but I guess for right now that is ok!

Comparison Picture......they really look a like!

John Michael 5 Weeks

Matthew 4 Weeks

  Brotherly Love: