Two Posts in One Day

Right now, I'm doing exactly what my husband doesn't want me to do (sitting on the couch with the computer) but what my doctor wants me to do (sitting on the couch with the computer and an ice pack on my back). Okay, maybe not with the computer! It seems like the later it gets, the more thoughts run through my mind, the less sleep I get. So, I'm trying something new, since I did rename this 'Raina's Retreat' I'm going to try and clear my mind. If it actually gets read than GREAT! Here it goes...
In this picture I am sitting with my good friend Carrie from church. Our babies are about a week apart. Aren't they cute!

Tonight I'm trying a new bedtime routine with my daughter. In the past I would start bathtime around 9:00 after my son was in bed. She would sit in her bouncey while I shower and then she would get bathed, oiled, teeth brushed (gums), suctioned, fed, swaddled, and then put to bed. Now, I'm giving her a bath in her own little bath tub at 8:30, so, she was asleep by 9:00 with minimal fussing. Woo Hoo!
I'm learning that getting a rountine down with your second child is much more challenging. With my son it seemed so much easier. It came naturally and I might add, uninterrupted. ha! He would be in bed by 7 every night, of course we were getting up at 5 a.m.
And house work! Wow, it never ends! I mean, I knew that it was a lot to do and I was never caught up when I was working, except, on occasion when we would go out to eat and the kitchen would stay clean for more than one day. But now, it seems like I'm doing laundry ALL the time. I never have time to fold it, so, it sits in a chair until I can get to it or we rummage threw it for what we need. It's not all that bad, I think I'm just becoming more of a perfectionist. I normally sit on the floor and fold laundry when everyone is in bed but since my back is that of an 80 year old, it's out of the question. LOL. But how thankful I am for this opportunity. I get to watch my kiddos grown and laugh. Just today I took Bry and Meri out for a bit. We went by my old school and saw some friends, then to Walmart for some picture development and of course the toy isle. I had so much fun letting him press all the buttons of the toys and when it was time to go, he said "okay mommy". Perfect! We came home, made lunch, and then I put them both down for a nap. Now, if I could just figure out how to recreat the angel that he is for his daddy. The second Jason walks in he starts to show out and act out. No listening, no listening, and back talking. Why in the world! Any advice?

3 Month Memories and Easter Chaos

Welcome to my new and improved site! Renamed "Raina's Retreat" for it's theroputic nature. Join me on my journey as a new 'Work-at-home-mom'
Meredith Grace is 3 1/2 months! This picture is from her 3 month birthday, I just love this purple dress that I chose for her before she was born. I'm a huge fan of Kelly's Korner and I read today her 3 month reflections. That made me think; What a great idea!. So here I am, while my children sleep thinking about the past 3 months. Seems like yesterday she was born.
So, Meredith, what are you up to these days?

• You love your brother and cry if he is gone for to long, but perk right back up when you see him.
• You are finally out of your screaming stage and mommy is able to get things done while your enjoy your swing and your brother's cartoons.
• You love your bedtime routine and begin to fuss at 9 on the dot if I haven't started it.
• Bath time is getting better as long as I take a bath with you. (I just love watching your face as you get all clean)
• You are now sleeping in your bassinet (rather than carseat) in mommy and daddy's room. Daddy has learned to sleep through your nightly feedings.
• You go to sleep by 9:30 to 10:00 every night and sleep until 8:30. Waking only to eat at 3:30 and 6:30 (unless daddy's pager goes off, then we are ALL awake)
• Mommy loves to buy you bows and headbands but your little head is still too small for most of them.
• You love to go to the park and are not at all bothered by the ducks that inspect you.
• You are very tolerant of mommy dressing you in your pretty bracelets and wear them all day.
• You need your nose suctioned every night before you go to bed and you HATE it with a passion, but with our new battery operated aspirator it's over a lot faster than it used to be.
• You have discovered your buggy mobile that has gone through all the grandkids and will cry when the music stops.
• You really love your pacifier and fist (which you suck very vigorously)
• Your such a blessing you brother, mommy, and daddy.
• Emmy and Aunt Sarah are just crazy over you.
• You made it through your first church service on Easter with only one cry (during the Lord's Supper of course)

(Emmy and Papa with all their Grandkids)
(Bryston and Meredith are in gray and pink)
(Whitney Kate with the Easter Basket and Matthew and Heath at the end)
Easter was so much fun! We started the day in pouring rain on our way to church. Jason said "you know if it weren't Easter we wouldn't be going today". That got me to thinking about how the Devil creeps his way into our lives on even the most important day of the year. I'm so thankful we went.
We had "Emmy's Easter Party" (that's what Whitney Kate called it) after church. My in-laws had prepared for the rainy day and created a wonderful egg hunt for each kid and at the end of the hunt they found their Easter Bag. We ate and ate all day long. The house was filled with with lots of fun and noise. It used to be my two nephews that caused so much laughter and noise, now, it's my son that causes the majority of the noise:) Ha. Bryston and Whitney Kate have a special bond and love to get into mischief.
If you'll notice my kiddos Easter outfits. At the last minute I changed my mind and went shopping the night before Easter for new outfits, needless to say I was up late and early to get them washed and ironed.