Quick Post

Hi Baby!

I know I have been missing for awhile.  We are going out of town on Thursday and I hope to take my motion sickness pills and get you all updated on the last few weeks while we are driving.  For now, I will share some scrapbook pages.

Uh-OH

You are in trouble now, buddy.  I talked to the pediatrician and she said that the only way we can solve your sleeping problem is to let you cry it out.  We have tried that but it hasn't worked.  I told her we have tried for an hour.  She said "Try longer."  So, we are going to make sure that you have a big snack before bed (just in case you are hungry) then make sure we all have our ear plugs in for this rough ride.

I will confess a secret to you.  I don't mind you sleeping with me.  You cuddle up with me, wrap your arm around my neck, and, in general, love me up.  Butt, it is near impossible to manage you & Joey so we need you to sleep.  I will apologize in advance for this tactic but it will be just as hard on us as it is on you.

I will leave you with some scrapbook pages I have done for you recently.  May the force be with us all...

Random things...

Hi Elijah!
I have a few random things to share with you from the past week or so.

You are a potty rock star!  You are into the potty chair.  You just love it - even if you don't have to go, you try so hard.  You love standing up and seeing what is in there afterwards.  Then, you get so excited to flush the toilet.  You are also starting to use the chair at Mary's.  What cracked me up the most was when you ran into the bathroom and I took off your shorts/diaper and you tried to elevate your hips to use the big toilet.  You just want to be like those big boys at daycare!  After you use the chair, we sing the "Hot Dog" song from Mickey Mouse.  "Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggety dog, Elijah went potty on the potty chair."

You are still loving up your brother.  You run in the house to find him and you kiss him good bye every day.  You are so protective of him when you are at daycare.  If the boys are touching him too much, you make them stop and act like "He is mine."

You are not sleeping & it is killing us.  You wake up in the middle of the night just screaming hysterically.  We don't know why.  One night, we didn't even bother putting you in your bed.  You slept with us and when you woke up at your normal time, you reached up to the headboard, grabbed your milk and went back to sleep.  We have tried leaving your milk in your bed and adding music.  Still hasn't changed the part where you wake up.  Darn it.  We need to fix this  :)

You are talking up a storm now.  Each day seems like it is a new word.  Saturday, I heard hat, cheese, glasses and keys.  Today, I heard slide.  Next thing you know, we will be having full conversations where you will still be calling me "dada."

A new exciting thing is that you are singing now.  When I sing your songs to you, you sing back.  It is so darn cute that it makes me smile.

You break my heart almost daily, buddy.  You are so good natured and open hearted.  You love people so much.  You walk up to people and say "Hi."  You sit in the corner of the yard at daycare and wave at the cars.  You kiss babies that you just met.  You give everyone kisses good bye.  Seriously, when I think about it, it makes me tear up because my fear is that your innocence will be stomped on someday.  My anticipation of your heart breaking makes my heart break every day.

Yesterday, you cracked me up.  You woke up and you came in bed with me and Joey.  Daddy changed your clothes.  All of a sudden, you went over to Joey and gave him a kiss.  Then, you came over to me and gave me a kiss.  I thought you were just being lovey but then I saw you wave.  Because daddy changed your clothes, you thought you were leaving with daddy.  You did go to get coffee but it amazed me how quick you caught on.

You mimic everything.  I watch you & you concentrate on people so intently.  You watch them and learn things.  It it awesome to watch your brain be such a sponge.  But, we have to be careful because you will also soak up bad habits!

We had a busy weekend.  On Friday, we went to a pool party for Morgan's birthday.  You did so great in the pool. You were jumping in and were so good natured.  You loved watching the kids and I couldn't believe how many kisses you gave Morgan  :)

On Saturday, we went to the Baby Fair and you went in the bouncy house for a minute.  Then, you did the splash park for awhile.  You really enjoyed getting soaked.  Afterwards, we had cake at Morgan's for her birthday.  Finally, you went to Auntie Sheila's while we went to a movie.  You played with Auntie Sheila and your cousin Jake came over.  It sounds like you and Joey did really well over there.

Finally, today, we had another busy day.  We went to a BBQ with all our Lindberg family friends.    Then, we had soccer tots.    We wrapped up the day with a visit to CocoKeys.  You did great with the water.  You went down the slides 3 times.  You went under a couple of times but you were ok about it.  It was hard just being you and me there but we had fun.

Anyway, I will leave you with some photos and, as always, leave you with the knowledge of how much I love you - even if you do call me dada.  :)


Now that I am finally done being pregnant, we actually played on your swing set together rather than me just watching you.  You thought it was so cool when I came up on the club house and went down the slide.  You thought you were so funny pushing me down!

Story time at the library for toddlers in their Jammies.  You liked the library but you have no concept of inside voice.  You didn't like story time much - you preferred to run around the library and kept leaving the story room so we left early.

 I love photos of my 2 boys together!

You & your glasses obsession - silly billy!

You love snuggling up with your brother!

Pool party!

Splash park silliness.  While I didn't think far enough ahead to bring your swim trunks, I did think enough to bring you dry clothes to change into.

You & your buddy Morgan on her birthday.  She is like a big sister to you - she loves to hang out with you.

All of the Lindberg kiddos during the play date.  We had much better luck on this photo than we did at our last play date!

We have had a family photo with glass in between us and one at the hospital when you met Joey.  But, this is the first one where we are not at the hospital, my hair is combed and we are all dressed normal.  I could not have asked for a better photo!

Hello big brother!

Hi Elijah!
Yes, it has been a long time and we have had a lot happen in that time.  You were finally able to meet your brother at the hospital!  You were so good to him, I had some tears in my eyes watching you.  At first, you were curious about him, then you were excited then you were all lovey-dovey.  You smooched him up, you hugged him up, and you held him.  I was so proud of you!

After your meeting, you went to Minneapolis with your Auntie Val and Great Gramma.  You did great - they said that you were not fussy at all.  You went to a soccer game and you even got a game ball from your Godfather!

When you came home, we picked you up at Gramma's.  You ran over and gave me a big hug!  We both missed you so much and were so excited to see you.  After we gave you some loving, you went to run away and we pulled Joey out of the car.  You were so excited to see him again.  You couldn't get him out of the car seat fast enough.  You were holding him, you were loving him up and you didn't want anyone else to hold him.  But, you eventually got bored with  :)

It was so fun because it started raining and you were out playing in the rain.  You thought it was a sprinkler! You were drenched and you had so much fun.  Eventually, Jake joined you and you boys were just running all over soaking up the rain.  We even put some shampoo on your hair and got you cleaned up.

We are on day 3 of you & your brother being home together and we are still trying to figure out how this is going to work.  We will get it figured out but it is going to take some time.  I am just so proud of you & your love for him that I can barely explain it.  You are also back to being a mommy's boy and I missed that!  I love cuddling with you and I love watching you cuddle with Joey.  Thank you for being such a good brother!

I am not sure when I will be back to talk to you but I will come back to tell you important things as they happen!  Your brother and you are keeping me super busy! I have lots of photos of you but no time to post them for you.  Eventually, I will post them all as your scrapbook pages.  I do have a few new ones for you today.

Such neglect...

Hi Lijah,
Did you think your mommy forgot about you?  Well, I haven't but your blog has not been the top priority for a couple of weeks!  We have to take care of you, take care of Joey and take care of ourselves  :)

It has been a rough few weeks my little man.  You are so out of whack with your schedule and with us spending so much time at the hospital.  I apologize for that but, hopefully, we will be back to normal as soon as possible.  Well, for you, it will never be normal again when Joey comes home  :)

The week of June 6, you went to a new daycare while Mary was on vacation.  I was worried as it was going to be unfamiliar to you.  I knew you would adapt super quick once you started playing with the kiddos but I was worried about that Monday morning drop off.  You did great!  You made your first piece of artwork!!  You loved the sprinkler in her yard and loved her dog.  Daddy said you squealed every morning when you pulled up.  I was so relieved that you were happy there.

On June 9th, your brother Joey was born!  Grampa picked you up and brought you to the hospital to see me.  Unfortunately, Joey was in the NICU so you could not meet him.  However, I was so happy to see you.  It was kind of hard though as you wanted to cuddle up with me and I was still very sore from my surgery.  That night, you spent the night with your Brigham/Mickelson family.  You love spending time with your cousins.  I think Andrew is your hero  :)  Thankfully, your Brigham/Mickelson family was able to help with you that whole weekend as mommy recovered and we worried about Joey.

On Sunday, you were able to meet Joey through the glass.  Because he is in the NICU, you couldn't meet him face to face.  At first, you were so excited to see me through the glass.  Then, you got super serious as you saw I was holding someone.  Finally, you appeared to get excited again.  I could see daddy repeatedly saying "Joey" to you.

The following two weeks are a blur, buddy.  We continually tried to spend as much time as we could with both of you but it was tough.  You hated being couped up in the hospital room even though I relished the time with you.  You were sad to be shuffled around from place to place and not have any time with your mommy & daddy.  You started acting out - temper tantrums, not getting in your car seat, etc.  Once we started seeing the signs, we changed our schedule and you were so excited to have some normalcy back.

On Father's Day, I spent all day with you & daddy joined us after your nap.  You & I went to Walmart to get daddy & Grampa a card.  You picked out an M&M dispenser for daddy.  I think you picked it out for Elijah but daddy did like it  :)  We had lunch at McDonald's and it broke my heart.  You were just so excited to have time with me that you were giving me hugs at the restaurant.  It really validated how much we had neglected you over those 2 weeks.  After that, we went to Soccer Tots and you had so much fun!  You loved the obstacle course, the tumbling and the time where you were kicking the balloons.  We had dinner at Dave and Busters.  You liked all the games and learned to play a few.  Finally, we went up to the hospital to see Joey for a bit.

Even though you hated the hospital, you did like the "sprinkler" that we used on you in the shower.  It was a great way for us to pass the time and a great way for you to get a bath.  You thought that was so fun.  You also liked their play room with a train table and toys.  You also liked all the food we shared with you  :)

I think you know who Joey is and you know that he isn't my tummy anymore.  When we say Joey, you no longer lift up my shirt.  You see his photo on my phone and you move it out of the way so you can see your videos.  Last night, Daddy said "Where's Joey?" and you put his picture on the phone and made a "Joey" sound.  When your cousins came up to see us, you acted like Joey was the best thing since sliced bread and showed him off through the glass to everyone.  You were so proud and happy.  I hope that continues when we come home and I hope we come home soon!

Well buddy, I had lots of photos to share but the computer won't let me.  I will come back and add them. I am sorry for the havoc on your schedule recently.  I promise that, eventually, things will come together.  Just bear with us and keep a mental note to tell your therapist down the road.  :)

Busy Weekend

Hi baby!
You sure were busy this weekend.  Your calendar was full!

Despite all the activity, I think you were glad to be home.  I think you really missed us.  On Wednesday, you were a bit clingy to me & daddy.  You wanted to be held a lot.  That was A-OK with me because I missed you so much  :)  You enjoyed daddy's blue birthday cake and made a big mess!

On Thursday, you went to visit the daycare you are going to next week.  Mary is on vacation so we had to find a substitute.  You were shy for a minute then you started playing with all the toys.  There are lots of kiddos there and I think you will really like it.

Saturday was the busy day.  I had to go to the hospital for some testing and you & daddy came with me.  We had McDonald's afterwards and I don't think I realized what a piggy you are at breakfast!  You had a value combo that was bigger than what me & daddy ordered.  And, you ate most of it!  After breakfast, we both got a haircut.  You did so good.  I was so worried you would be scared but you just sat there like a pro.  You look so different now without your curls!

After the haircut, you were whisked away to the circus with Gramma Debbie.  I didn't think you would like it because you didn't really pay attention when we went in February.  But, Gramma said you loved it.  She said you were screaming at the animals and clapping.

Sunday was our first day of SoccerTots.  I was so excited for you to go.  I am not sure that it was all that I thought it would be.  I think you might be a bit too little.  But, you ran around the gym and played.  You liked parts of it.  Daddy was exhausted chasing after you and it was SOOOOO hot in there.  You had some bottled water in the car and ended up dumping it on yourself.  You were getting your arms and legs so I figured I might as well dump it on your head to make it worth it.  You thought that was so funny  :)

Well, buddy, not a ton going on this week.  You will be at a different daycare.  Mommy will still be resting growing Joey and I don't think we have any plans for any night.  Looks like you are just stuck hanging out with us old folks!

Long time no talk

Hi baby!
Mom sure is slacking when I have not talked to you on here in almost two weeks!  As I type this, you are in the car with Auntie Val and Great Gramma on your way home from your Minnesota trip.  Oh my goodness, we miss you so.  Daddy and I would just talk about you all the time to help ease our mind that you weren't home with us. It was so quiet and lonely without you here.  I asked your Daddy what the heck we did with ourselves before you were born.  He said we ate out a lot and saw a lot of movies.  None of that sounds fun compared to loving up my little Elijah!

Last week, you spent a lot of time with your Brigham family.  Daddy had a work event one night then had a date with Andrew on another night.  Since I can't chase you, you hung out over there with them.  You love playing with your cousins and playing with their kitties.  But, it made me sad because I didn't get to see you much on Tuesday or Wednesday.  I think you needed some mommy time too as you would just cuddle up with me when you got home.  On Thursday, you went to bed at 7:15 so I didn't get much time with you then either.  You kind of scared us going to bed that early but you must have just plain been tired!!

On Saturday, we packed up great gramma's car and took you to the airport to meet Auntie Val.  You were all loaded up with your books, toys and mommy's iPad.  Auntie Val thought it was funny that you had your own iPad.  But, we thought it might help you pass the time to watch your videos in the car.  I was much less sad than I figured I would be.  You just waved at us while you were in the car.

Each morning and each night, we would do a video chat with you on the phone.  At first, you didn't know quite what to think.  Then, they told us that you would start looking for us on the phone.  You would smile and wave at us.  You would laugh at your puppies.  You would give the phone kisses and reach out for hugs.  It really helped us pass the time and loneliness but there really is no substitute for cuddling up with you & giving you smoochies in real life.  So, we would smile and laugh at you then we would look at each other afterwards and be lonely again  :)

I don't know really what you did on your trip - what happens on your trip stays on your trip  :)  But, I know you went to the Mall of America and I know you played a lot.  I know baby GodDaddy was giving you some soccer lessons so you would be all up to speed for SoccerTots this weekend.  I know you watched a lot of TV and played with your iPad quite a bit.  I will guess that you missed your mommy & daddy a lot  :)  In reality, I think you missed your puppies more!

I can't wait to pick you up today and love you up but we have a SUPER BUSY week/weekend.  We have to go to the ENT and have your ears checked when you get home.  It is Daddy's birthday so we have to pick up his cake and have dinner.  Tomorrow, we are going to go meet your daycare lady for next week since Mary is on vacation.  Saturday, it is your FIRST HAIRCUT and you are going to the circus with Gramma Debbie.  Sunday, I hope we get some maternity photos before your brother comes and we start SOCCER TOTS!  I am so excited for soccer tots.  I hope to rest up all of Saturday and Sunday so I am feeling well enough to go watch and take photos.

I will leave you with some photos and the knowledge of how missed you were!  Both of us were just plain miserable without you  :)

This was daycare last Thursday.  It was on facebook and I looked at it in awe.  You look so big.  I just can't remember where my little baby went!

You loved hanging out with Erica.  You would cuddle up with her and pick on her!  She said she was going to miss you a lot.

I think you may have been waving to the phone hoping to get us.  We got you new spongebob jammies just for your trip.  Look how you took over their house and your toys are everywhere  :)

This was your last night there and you were out  :)  Erica said you were dreaming Happy Birthday wishes to daddy!

Your Mall of America trip with Baby Goddaddy.  He said you stood in line to meet SpongeBob but the closer you got, the more scared you got so no spongebob photo.  :)