GERD's the Word

Say what!?! I have GERD???

(sorry! couldn't resist the cheesy pic and caption. Perhaps I need more sleep...)

It's official. Harper has a diagnosis of GERD.

 Basically, it's just really bad acid reflux and heartburn (with a little gagging, choking, and coughing mixed in). I've noticed my sweet relaxed baby become increasingly fussy, especially after feedings. She also spits up anywhere from 1 to 5 times after a feeding. Then she is ravenous and needs to immediately eat again. If I didn't have a demanding toddler running circles around me, I might welcome sitting down and feeding a baby all day. Instead, it makes things extremely difficult. 

I took her to our Pediatrician on Friday, and didn't even have to explain Harper's symptoms. She gave Dr. Smart her very own demonstration... 3 times! We are going to put her on liquid Zantac twice a day, and that will hopefully help her to feel more comfortable. On the bright side, she is up to 9lbs. 8 oz. and it's not affecting her growth so far. Keep your fingers crossed this medicine works!

Friday Phone Dump

Well, I've been putting off "dumping" my photo's because today we will be one family member bigger! My cousin Jake and his wife, Casey, are having a sweet baby girl today. I was hoping to have a picture up, but if I don't post now, I probably won't get a chance later. So here we go:

This is how I roll most days. Harper loves the Beco (this is the Gemini, but I also have the butterfly 2). She can not keep her eyes open in it.

Spaghetti face (or skabetti as Presley calls it)!

Want to know what to do to pass the time with a bored toddler while nursing a baby? Take silly pictures with your iPhone. P thought this was hilarious!

Brandon and I took Presley out on a date (sans Harper). It didn't really turn out the way we planned. She could care less about putt putt, and threw a major fit in the middle of the arcade, but at least we got some time with just her.

I've created a monster with the silly faces.

My sweet little lady.

Our good friend, Brady, came to visit and took this super creepy picture. He titled it, "cats guard babies at the Souders' house".

Painting with wine corks (technically it was a champagne cork, and I liked it better because the top was wider and easier to grasp). Yes, another pinterest find. Also, check the shoes. Her choice not mine, and one battle I choose not to fight.

Another fashion choice of Presley's. Zebra P.j. pants, no shirt, and her beloved hat...

I survived another week with my 2 girls! I'm pretty sure I haven't put on make up this entire week..or gotten out of P.J.'s...or brushed my teeth for that matter. 

Harper: 1 Month

This has been such a crazy month. I haven't even had a chance to blog about everything that has gone on (and probably never will), but it has been one thing after another around here. Thank goodness my mother has been her to help out. I really don't know how I would have survived without her!?! 

On a positive note, I love my little Harper Grace so much. It's only been a month, but I don't know what I would do without her??? She has brought so much love and joy to our family.

Here is what Harper has been up to during month 1:

• Can track objects/people with her eyes
• Loves bath time. She gets completely relaxed, and barely moves the entire time.
• Doesn't mind getting her diaper changed, and always calms down on her changing table.
• Smiles! Not the gassy, sleepy baby smiles, but real smiles in response to me. I know it seems soon, but she's doing it.
• Nurses every 2-2 1/2 hours during the day
• Goes to bed around 10:30 and sleeps until 4:30am (hooray 6 hours!). Then goes back to sleep and wakes up again for feedings at 7:30 and 9:30.
• Spits up a lot (anywhere from 1 to 5 times after a feeding). I have had it in my butt crack and cleavage simultaneously.
• Was a super chill baby, but now gets really fussy when she isn't held. When she is content, she is super calm and loves to just look all around.
• Gets the hiccups at least twice a day, and she really hates them.
• Is my little snuggle bunny. After her 7:30am feeding, I keep her in bed with me, and we curl up together for a few hours. I love it so much.
• Homegirl has some serious bed head!
• Loves to be held up over my shoulder ( I suspect this may be due to some acid reflux issues) or facing out.
• Is a very noisy sleeper! She does a lot of unladylike grunting.

We are completely smitten with you, sweet girl! Can't wait to see what month 2 will hold.

Friday Phone Dump

I'm behind on the "dump", so here is a couple weeks worth of pics.

Presley and Harper enjoying some time on her play mat.

Snuggled up with Daddy

 Jackson came up with my Mom to meet Harper. They, of course, had to make a visit to Chuck E. Cheese.

H LOVES bathtime (minus getting her hair washed)!

Presley getting ready to swim at Mimi and Daddy Bob's.

One of my dearest friends, Michelle came to visit. We even got to squeeze in a little shopping and a girl's night out for Margaritas.

Love this sweet view while nursing.

Presley is obsessed with this plastic champagne glass. CHEERS, Uncle Ryan!

 Sweet lashes

Jackson was so super sweet with Harper.

My big girl holding her head up.

Mimi and H

Presley's favorite food. Eating corn on the cob is sooo much fun!

Harper wearing the dress that I came home from the hospital in.

Jackson wanted my sister to send this pic to me. He's so handsome!

These past few weeks have been a blur, and super crazy! Hopefully, I can keep up with the Saga. I'm already super behind...

Butterfly Wings

Me: Oh no, Presley! Look at the balloons in the sky. I think someday let them go.

Presley: Get them, Mommy!

Me: I can't Presley. They're too high. 

Presley: Yes you can!

Me: No, they are flying all the way to Heaven.

Presley: Ok. I can get them. I can get them with my butterfly wings. They work now (as she flaps her arms).

I love and admire the mind of a toddler. They always have a solution no matter how impossible...

Happy Father's Day!

Father's day was a little different around here this year. For starters, I didn't get to see my Dad (sorry Dad, wish I could have been there, but aren't you glad I shared my oldest daughter with you!?!). Second, my Mom took Presley back to Houston with her to give me some time to get adjusted with Harper. Unfortunately, we kind of forgot about it being Father's day weekend. Oops! 

Thankfully, my Mom had P make and mail Brandon a Father's Day card. It was so cute!

It was pretty quiet around here with just one kiddo, and Brandon got to enjoy sleeping in with Harper girl. I got him taquitos from Whataburger, a large Dr. pepper (breakfast of champions), and Cowboy's tickets. He deserves a whole lot more, but that will have to do for the time being. I have loved watching him with both the girls. He can rough house and be silly with Presley, but is so sweet and gentle with Harper. These girls (me included) are so lucky to have him.

Later that evening, we got to meet up with Grammie and Poppa for dinner and celebrate with my Father in law. Poppa is awesome and we are all super blessed to have him in our lives, plus he can pretty much fix/build anything...
Grammie remembered to get a pic of Brandon and Harper with Poppa before we left dinner. I forgot my camera because I can't remember anything these days, but luckily had my iPhone.

 And since my Dad regularly checks "The Saga", I just thought I would publicly brag on him a bit.
My Dad is the best Dad ever! I know everyone thinks that their Dad is, but I win. Sorry! He would do anything for us, and has a huge heart! He can also party like a rockstar, so that's always a plus. Oh, and he told me I was his favorite child. Okay...so maybe that last bit isn't entirely true.
Happy Father's Day, Dad! Love and miss you.

Wordless Wednesday: Harper's Newborn Sneak Peek

2 Week Check Up

{Sound asleep waiting on Dr. Smart}

 I can NOT believe my Harper girl is already 2 weeks old. Friday was her heel stick and general check up. She did so good and barely cried, but it's still so hard to watch. Presley came along to the appointment with us, and fell off the doctor's table. It scared me to death! There's never dull a moment in our household anymore..

Here are Miss Harper's stats:

Weight: 7lbs 7.5oz./ 30%

Height: 21''/ 80%

Head: 34.5cm/ 25%

Doc says we have a healthy, long & lean baby! I also got clearance to let her sleep through the night since she is basically back up to birth weight (we have had to wake her every 3 hours). Hopefully, she will continue to be such a great sleeper...at least for a few more nights.

Friday Phone Dump

Sporting the new hat her Aunt Melissa bought her. She loves it, and has slept in 2 nights in a row.

Sleepy heads!

Love me some baby toes.

She always has her hands by her face or tucked under her chin in some form or fashion.

Presley with her cousin Landon! He lives in Georgia, so we were super excited to see him!

After Harper's 7am feeding, I bring her into bed with me. She's such a snuggle bunny.

Brandon's going to kill me for putting this up, but I love P's smile! Horsey rides from daddy are so fun:).

Sleepy girl

My sweet P!

All dressed up for Company

Heather, Karys, and Carston came to visit. They were such great company for P and I, and they brought Momma coffee!

Big sister's Rock!

Loving on Harper

Ready to go to lunch.

Moomy and P in our matching Beco baby carriers.

Kissing cousins

Carrying both kids at once. That's how we roll now...

Wow! What a whirlwind of a week this was. We are still getting adjusted to the craziness, but loving it nonetheless.