Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Brandon has been so much fun to watch these past couple of weeks. He is starting to become a little more independent.
At meals he loves to feed himself with a fork or spoon...most of the time he still uses his hands, but hates when we feed him.
These past 2 weeks he has gotten 3 molars (2 on top 1 on the bottom).
Said his first two word combination "got car" and now he'll run around the house shouting this. Yesterday he did this while his father was working from home and on a conference call.
We joined the community swim club to keep cool this summer and so far love the pool! I think Brandon loves the diving board best because he keeps watching the divers and tries to run over to the diving board when we are out of the pool.
I'm now in my 29th week of pregnancy 7 1/2 months! I'm not uncomfortable all the time, but it's beginning to get more difficult to get up from the ground or chasing after my 14 month old. But this time compared to the 1st pregnancy this one is 1000000 times easier.
This weekend will be our last trip to NY until after the baby arrives. Long car rides are not comfortable anymore. Last weekend we didn't have to stop for Brandon at all, but I needed a rest to stretch my legs every 2 hours.
I can't remember if we announced baby's name here, but since we've been telling friends and family in person it wouldn't hurt to announce it here.
Baby will be named Peter James Kelly (PJ Kelly)
Brandon has been completely transitioned to his big boy room. We are so happy that it went smoothly, he seems to love his new room. Later I will post some pictures to the blog, we just have a book shelf to add and a wall shelf. But I couldn't be more proud of Paul for his awesome job on fixing up the consignment shop dresser. But one of my favorite things we put in Brandon's room is a video baby monitor. We got the summer infant best view video monitor. It's great to check on him from the living room or anywhere in the house, plus we can buy an additional camera for PJ.
On top of moving to a big boy room Brandon is starting pot training. I've gotten many opinions about starting him so young, but he really is showing positive interest. He loves his potty chair and will now go over to the bathroom and ask me to open the door so he can try the potty. We had our 1st potty success this morning. He came in the bathroom this morning and I sat him down diaper less. Nothing happened then 20 minutes later he went to the bathroom door and wanted me to go with him so I opened the door and he wanted to sit on it again so diaper came off AGAIN! But nothing happened, so the diaper went back in and no less than 2 min later he pooped, so after cleaning him up we walked diaper less back to the potty sat down and he went pee pee. He looked at me like he knew exactly what he was doing and when I praised him he was so pleased with himself.
Baby Peters nursery is almost finished. We are just organizing baby clothes by size. My good friend gave us tons of baby clothes newborn to 6 months and it doubled baby PJs wardrobe. Maybe we won't have to do a million loads of laundry like we did with Brandon. In the Netherlands we had a ver tiny washer and dryer, but in all honesty we were lucky to have the washer and dryer since they are not common in houses. In this house we should be able to get all his clothes done in 1 load.
Paul and I have been stocking up the house to prepare for PJ. Living in the city the 1st time around made it easy for Paul to make a quick run to the store, but now we have to drive everywhere so everything takes longer. We
At meals he loves to feed himself with a fork or spoon...most of the time he still uses his hands, but hates when we feed him.
These past 2 weeks he has gotten 3 molars (2 on top 1 on the bottom).
Said his first two word combination "got car" and now he'll run around the house shouting this. Yesterday he did this while his father was working from home and on a conference call.
We joined the community swim club to keep cool this summer and so far love the pool! I think Brandon loves the diving board best because he keeps watching the divers and tries to run over to the diving board when we are out of the pool.
I'm now in my 29th week of pregnancy 7 1/2 months! I'm not uncomfortable all the time, but it's beginning to get more difficult to get up from the ground or chasing after my 14 month old. But this time compared to the 1st pregnancy this one is 1000000 times easier.
This weekend will be our last trip to NY until after the baby arrives. Long car rides are not comfortable anymore. Last weekend we didn't have to stop for Brandon at all, but I needed a rest to stretch my legs every 2 hours.
I can't remember if we announced baby's name here, but since we've been telling friends and family in person it wouldn't hurt to announce it here.
Baby will be named Peter James Kelly (PJ Kelly)
Brandon has been completely transitioned to his big boy room. We are so happy that it went smoothly, he seems to love his new room. Later I will post some pictures to the blog, we just have a book shelf to add and a wall shelf. But I couldn't be more proud of Paul for his awesome job on fixing up the consignment shop dresser. But one of my favorite things we put in Brandon's room is a video baby monitor. We got the summer infant best view video monitor. It's great to check on him from the living room or anywhere in the house, plus we can buy an additional camera for PJ.
On top of moving to a big boy room Brandon is starting pot training. I've gotten many opinions about starting him so young, but he really is showing positive interest. He loves his potty chair and will now go over to the bathroom and ask me to open the door so he can try the potty. We had our 1st potty success this morning. He came in the bathroom this morning and I sat him down diaper less. Nothing happened then 20 minutes later he went to the bathroom door and wanted me to go with him so I opened the door and he wanted to sit on it again so diaper came off AGAIN! But nothing happened, so the diaper went back in and no less than 2 min later he pooped, so after cleaning him up we walked diaper less back to the potty sat down and he went pee pee. He looked at me like he knew exactly what he was doing and when I praised him he was so pleased with himself.
Baby Peters nursery is almost finished. We are just organizing baby clothes by size. My good friend gave us tons of baby clothes newborn to 6 months and it doubled baby PJs wardrobe. Maybe we won't have to do a million loads of laundry like we did with Brandon. In the Netherlands we had a ver tiny washer and dryer, but in all honesty we were lucky to have the washer and dryer since they are not common in houses. In this house we should be able to get all his clothes done in 1 load.
Paul and I have been stocking up the house to prepare for PJ. Living in the city the 1st time around made it easy for Paul to make a quick run to the store, but now we have to drive everywhere so everything takes longer. We
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
~Potty like a rock star~
Well we are starting to introduce the potty to Brandon. He seems to like to ease into things slowly so for the next 2 months we are getting him used to the potty chair we set up for him in the downstairs bathroom and reading him lots of books about big boys in the potty. I had so much trouble getting him to sit down on the potty the first couple days. But Paul on his first try got him to sit still on it for a good 2-3 minutes ( a Brandon world record!)
Happy Anniversary
3 years ago we had our big New York wedding. Last night Paul and I left Brandon with a babysitter and went out for dinner. It was fantastic we went to 2974 in Fairfax. The food was great and restaurant was beautiful.
We left Brandon awake with the sitter and were nervous about him freaking out on her. But when we got home at 10 Brandon was laying on the couch next to Grace fast asleep. I knew he wouldn't make it that late. This made the night even better because we got the night off from putting him to bed.
On top of an awesome dinner and night out Paul surprised me with a spa day for the 4th of July weekend. He found a place that has special tables for pregnant women. I tried to surprise him with some Omaha steaks, but when opening his email mine opened first because I forgot to sign out and he saw the email with his name on the order. Oh well, maybe I can surprise him for fathers day!
We left Brandon awake with the sitter and were nervous about him freaking out on her. But when we got home at 10 Brandon was laying on the couch next to Grace fast asleep. I knew he wouldn't make it that late. This made the night even better because we got the night off from putting him to bed.
On top of an awesome dinner and night out Paul surprised me with a spa day for the 4th of July weekend. He found a place that has special tables for pregnant women. I tried to surprise him with some Omaha steaks, but when opening his email mine opened first because I forgot to sign out and he saw the email with his name on the order. Oh well, maybe I can surprise him for fathers day!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Toddler room
I got this sudden rush to complete Brandon's new toddler room the past couple days. I've felt so rushed (like I don't have 3 months until the new addition) but for the first time in about 3 days I am starting to calm down. I'm sure the urge will come back when it's closer to my due date, but for now all I kept thinking was we are no where complete with Brandon's new room and we NEED to be done by the end of June so July we can focus on the new baby.
Well my rushing around paid off. I bought a glider and 5 drawer dresser second hand for a total of $110. We will have to sand and repaint the dresser because it's this hunter green that is beautiful, but is an eye sore in Brandon's room. I will definitely post before and after pictures. The glider was in perfect shape, the cushions are at the laundry mat being cleaned because they had an enormous amount of animal hair on them. The glider is for the new baby so if it doesn't work out we will paint and make new seat cushions for it. The current rocker that I use for Brandon is going into his new room with him (that was my $10 find at the thrift store back in October)
While Paul is away I also got the urge to just start the transition of crib to toddler bed with Brandon. I figured why in the world was I waiting to put both Paul and I though a horrible couple of nights of sleep when I could just do it while he is way and close off the nursery when he gets home. Well night 1 was on Thursday and it was a rough night. 8:30 he fell asleep, 10:30 he rolled or climbed out of bed (i heard a loud thud from downstairs and by the time I got to his room he was standing up walking around in the dark, 12:30 he got up walked into the hallway and was standing at the baby gate by the stairs looking confused. I brought him back to his bed, but he refused to sleep. AFTER the longest hour, a fresh dose of Tylenol, and a sippy cup of warm milk he put himself back to sleep until 6:30. Then he walked into my room and I let him sleep with me for 1 hour until it was time to get up. Last night was the complete opposite. He slept from 7:30-6:45 in his new bed. I actually had to check the monitor a couple times to make sure he was still breathing because he never sleeps so quietly. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue to be this easy, I think he likes that he can get out of his bed. We just don't like when he gets out when he is supposed to be sleeping.
Well my rushing around paid off. I bought a glider and 5 drawer dresser second hand for a total of $110. We will have to sand and repaint the dresser because it's this hunter green that is beautiful, but is an eye sore in Brandon's room. I will definitely post before and after pictures. The glider was in perfect shape, the cushions are at the laundry mat being cleaned because they had an enormous amount of animal hair on them. The glider is for the new baby so if it doesn't work out we will paint and make new seat cushions for it. The current rocker that I use for Brandon is going into his new room with him (that was my $10 find at the thrift store back in October)
While Paul is away I also got the urge to just start the transition of crib to toddler bed with Brandon. I figured why in the world was I waiting to put both Paul and I though a horrible couple of nights of sleep when I could just do it while he is way and close off the nursery when he gets home. Well night 1 was on Thursday and it was a rough night. 8:30 he fell asleep, 10:30 he rolled or climbed out of bed (i heard a loud thud from downstairs and by the time I got to his room he was standing up walking around in the dark, 12:30 he got up walked into the hallway and was standing at the baby gate by the stairs looking confused. I brought him back to his bed, but he refused to sleep. AFTER the longest hour, a fresh dose of Tylenol, and a sippy cup of warm milk he put himself back to sleep until 6:30. Then he walked into my room and I let him sleep with me for 1 hour until it was time to get up. Last night was the complete opposite. He slept from 7:30-6:45 in his new bed. I actually had to check the monitor a couple times to make sure he was still breathing because he never sleeps so quietly. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue to be this easy, I think he likes that he can get out of his bed. We just don't like when he gets out when he is supposed to be sleeping.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Mom is the boss and Dad is Mr. fun
I got my first taste of Brandon only listening to me. Tuesday I had an appointment at 8am so Paul had to stay home with B for 1/2 the morning. This meant he also had the job of putting him down for the morning nap in his toddle bed. Well I got home around 10am the baby was sitting right at Daddy's feet. Paul said he tried a couple times to get B to nap, but ever since B learned how to climb out of his bed he walks out of his room and calls for one of us at the top of the stairs gate.
When I got home I made B a sippy with milk, carried him upstairs, and put him in his bed. He fell asleep in 2 minutes. He knows when I say night night I mean it.
When I got home I made B a sippy with milk, carried him upstairs, and put him in his bed. He fell asleep in 2 minutes. He knows when I say night night I mean it.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Baby Registry
At first we weren't going to register baby no. 2 at a store. We really don't need to many items. But I was talked into doing it. So we are registered at Buy Buy Baby. Just go to the baby registry page search Paul or Ashley Kelly. We are the Paul and Ashley in VA.
I'm not sure how many buy buy baby stores are outside VA, but you can buy online AND use bed bath and beyond coupons. They also take coupons in store only from competitors like toys r s and babies r us. This is our favorite baby store.
But please we are not asking for gifts, the few items on the registry are pricey so if you would like to give a gift to baby no. 2 (whose name will be announced very soon) a gift card is also very appreciated.
I'm not sure how many buy buy baby stores are outside VA, but you can buy online AND use bed bath and beyond coupons. They also take coupons in store only from competitors like toys r s and babies r us. This is our favorite baby store.
But please we are not asking for gifts, the few items on the registry are pricey so if you would like to give a gift to baby no. 2 (whose name will be announced very soon) a gift card is also very appreciated.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
23 weeks pregnant
I wanted this shot, but the other person in the photo wouldn't sit still! Plus I only have a couple more weeks until I can't let B play like this on me! Sooo here was the best shot we got of the B, Mommy, Belly totem pole! My eyes are closed, but this was the least blurriest of 10 pictures! Enjoy!
Shopping around
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| While strolling around with his walker he picked up this shopping bag and totted around with it |
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| So cute |
Friday, May 13, 2011
Amazing firsts
This past week has been awesome. Brandon has just decided he doesn't need my help with nap time or bedtime all I do is lay him down with a sippy or bottle (we are trying to ween him from the bottle, but it's becoming a VERY slow process) and he falls asleep. So much easier, and it's so nice to have a full 90 min to myself to get some opera-mommy practice done.
This week I've been getting some new arias as suggested by my teacher printed off the computer and organizing the proper recordings on my iPod to reference them while in the car. The iPod has been a struggle because we desperately need a new computer. But m hoping this weekend Paul can give me some time to fix my library.
Paul is back from his business trip. He was in Sicily for 2.5 weeks. It was such a nice reunion. He missed Brandon's first steps, but B made his heart melt when he walked to him a the arrivals gate. It was so precious. And Brandon only gets better and better at walking everyday. He's now making turns while walking!
Today at play time Brandon was wired on the 1 m&m he took from me after lunch. It was amazing how just that one piece of sugar drove him into a sugar CRAZE! He was making a mess of his toy room. One awesome milestone he made was stacking his duplo Lego blocks into a tower. He did it all on his own. After he would stack them high enough, he would take each piece off individually and throw them across the room.
Brandon is also making huge progress with practicing being a big brother with his baby brother doll, he's being very gentle and sweet. He tried to put the binkie in his brothers mouth and pet his head. I can't wait to see how great he'll be as a big brother at the end of this summer.
This weekend we are starting to enter full transition Brandon into his BIG boy room. I am worried about keeping him in his crib and current room to long. I want to close it off to B so it's Not in his mind that his brother took his room. We are crossing our fingers that his toddler bed is going arrive at the store Sunday. Then we have to make 2 trips to GG and Pops house to pick up the new rocking chair and changing table. These items were from my baby room and they are beautiful pieces of furniture with lots of sentimental value. AND they are free. My goal is to get Brandon sleeping in his new room in 1 month. We are going to make his room extra special with an planes trains and automobiles theme. His nursery is close to thus theme so we just need to add a couple wall decorations to spice up the theme. Our newest little boy will have a Dinosaur themed nursery theme. I've ordered some things already, but am waiting on everything else until we know exactly what we need.
This week I've been getting some new arias as suggested by my teacher printed off the computer and organizing the proper recordings on my iPod to reference them while in the car. The iPod has been a struggle because we desperately need a new computer. But m hoping this weekend Paul can give me some time to fix my library.
Paul is back from his business trip. He was in Sicily for 2.5 weeks. It was such a nice reunion. He missed Brandon's first steps, but B made his heart melt when he walked to him a the arrivals gate. It was so precious. And Brandon only gets better and better at walking everyday. He's now making turns while walking!
Today at play time Brandon was wired on the 1 m&m he took from me after lunch. It was amazing how just that one piece of sugar drove him into a sugar CRAZE! He was making a mess of his toy room. One awesome milestone he made was stacking his duplo Lego blocks into a tower. He did it all on his own. After he would stack them high enough, he would take each piece off individually and throw them across the room.
Brandon is also making huge progress with practicing being a big brother with his baby brother doll, he's being very gentle and sweet. He tried to put the binkie in his brothers mouth and pet his head. I can't wait to see how great he'll be as a big brother at the end of this summer.
This weekend we are starting to enter full transition Brandon into his BIG boy room. I am worried about keeping him in his crib and current room to long. I want to close it off to B so it's Not in his mind that his brother took his room. We are crossing our fingers that his toddler bed is going arrive at the store Sunday. Then we have to make 2 trips to GG and Pops house to pick up the new rocking chair and changing table. These items were from my baby room and they are beautiful pieces of furniture with lots of sentimental value. AND they are free. My goal is to get Brandon sleeping in his new room in 1 month. We are going to make his room extra special with an planes trains and automobiles theme. His nursery is close to thus theme so we just need to add a couple wall decorations to spice up the theme. Our newest little boy will have a Dinosaur themed nursery theme. I've ordered some things already, but am waiting on everything else until we know exactly what we need.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Week 21 ultrasound pictures
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| Waving Hi to the camera |
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| two adorable feet |
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| A leg is somewhere in that picture |
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| side profile no. 1 |
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| larger side profile |
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