Sleep, glorious sleep!

It's been a while since I've been on here, and that's due to sleep deprivation. We started the sleep training at 9 weeks, and last night Joel finally slept through the night! Wouldn't you know that I didn't enjoy it. I went to be after Matt, and when that happens I never sleep well since his snoring keeps me awake. I love him still :))
On March 30th we heard Joel laugh for the first time. It was such a deep sounding giggle. We tried to have him do it again with the video camera, but like most babies he doesn't perform on command. We are getting excited for Pipo and Mima's visit next week. They'll be here for a couple of days. We really miss seeing them. Evan goes to Gymboree every Tuesday night. I take him with Joel in the ErgoBaby carrier, since he don't tolerate the car seat. It's my workout! Well, the laundry is calling...

Pee pee on the Potty!

Pee pee on the potty! I bought Evan an Elmo video called Potty Time to begin getting Evan familiar with the potty, which matches his Elmo potty seat. I never thought I'd be excited to write about pi pi(spanish), but Evan just pi pi in his potty for the first time. It didn't even take an bribing! I've just been asking each time I go to change his diaper if he wants to pi pi, and then place him on the potty. Thanks for listening to this ridiculously excited mami.
By the way, our best friends Tony & Susie had their second daughter, Sophia Marie on March 16. She looks just like her big sister, Gabby....just beautiful.
Congrats guys!
Oh, for the first time Joel slept 6 hours straight last night. I'm off to bed early in hopes that it happens again. :)

Minutes to the mountains

These are images from Table Rock, and Caesar's Head park both which are only a twenty minute drive from our home in Easley. We really like how close we are to the mountains.

Nap time = Mommy time

Since Joel is currently taking a good nap I had to take this time to update our blog with photos of our first two weeks in South Carolina. Today it's snowing for the first time since we've arrived. I'm having a difficult time returning phone calls right now since Joel isn't a good sleeper yet, but I'm hoping that will soon change for the better. Evan is doing great. We've enrolled him in a Mom's Morning Out program starting in June. He'll be going to school twice a week from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I think he'll really enjoy it since he loves being around other children. I've taken him to several parks and playgrounds since we moved, and he says, "Hi" to every child he sees.
Joel is growing so fast. He's over ten pounds now, and that's because he eats like a champ! He doesn't have a two month appointment till April, so we'll have to wait a month for that. We've been able to get a doctor for the boys, and one for my check up too. Things are falling into place. As for Matt he really likes his job, and is glad to be working with only children. We will miss working with John and Tina Vairo. They were so good to us! We'll there's so much to say and I'm starting to ramble a bit. I'll let the photos do the talking.

From Joel at One month old

From Eat like a BIG boy!

From Evan playing in his playroom

From Our First Snow in South Carolina

From Our First Snow in South Carolina

From Our First Snow in South Carolina

From Our First Snow in South Carolina

From Our First Snow in South Carolina

From Our First Snow in South Carolina

Our new address

Here's a image of the house we've rented for a year.

Below is our new address...
107 Warren Drive
Easley, SC. 29640
(864)859-2472

Back to the boxes!!!

Box it up...including my husband!!!

Moving day arrived unexpectly! The movers are here today packing us up for the move to Greenville, South Carolina. Actually, the home we are going to live is in Easley, South Carolina. We'll be out of touch with emails, and no computer service for a while. Our cell phone numbers are still the same if you need to call us.

He's here!

Joel arrived unexpectedly at 4:27p.m. on January 20 a day before my induction date. He weighed 7lbs. 6oz. just like his brother Evan. He was 20.5 inches in length. Just a quarter longer than his older brother.
He's a sweet, and a very hungry baby. I feel like I could run a marathon now that I'm no longer pregnant (even though in reality I couldn't). The most challenging thing is making sure Evan has an equal amount of time with me as Joel. Since I'm nursing Joel it feels like he's permantly attached to me right now. Luckily, my mom has come to help out...Thank goodness for mothers!!!

Must Haves for All New Parents

So many of our friends are pregnant, and have been asking about different baby items. This is my list for must haves for any parent...
1) Ergo baby carrier- much better than a Baby Bjorn,and it's only $20 more. The Ergo carrier can be used from newborn to 40lbs., which is much longer than a Bjorn can be used, PLUS!!!! It's so much more comfortable on your back.
2) A travel swing
3) An easy to set up pack-n-play- I've found that Graco's are the easiest to use, and come in all sorts of colors and patterns.
4) The Miracle blanket or any muslin swaddling blanket- this is a life saver, and will grant you a lot more sleep in the end.
5) A stroller frame for an infant car seat- this is so much more practical, economical, and just easier to use than a travel system. Look for "Snap-n-Go" by Baby Trend, or the Maclaren "Easy Traveler, and Graco also makes one. Choose the stroller of your dreams after your baby can sit up more. That way your not stuck with the one came with your car seat.

Our Christmas 2008

I'm finally getting our Christmas photos uploaded! That was on of my tasks to get done before Joel's arrival, which looks to be on Jan. 21st now! Just a couple more things to get done this weekend like, sew Evan and Joel flannel pillow shams, and organize photos.
Other than all the presents Evan recieved, our Christmas was very low key this year since I had to stay at home. Mima and Pipo came up Christmas Eve and stayed the night to see Evan open his presents the next day. He really had a wonderful time playing with everything.
Since I last blogged Evan has learned many new words both spoken and sign. He signs and says, "more", "milk", "bird" just to name a few. We've been practicing his brother's name with him too. This morning I asked him to kiss my belly/Joel and he did. It was so cute. Unfortunantly, I was the only one at home with him so we didn't get a photo :(((.

Baby Shower for Joel

Hope you enjoyed the photos from the baby shower. Basically, everyone in attendance was a hostess, and Peggy took the wonderful photos! The whole event was such a sweet gesture from my closest friends. I even had friends travel from Orlando, and Palmetto. Matthew and I feel very loved! Thank you for all that you did and gave to make this second pregnancy feel special...
Hostesses...Kaycee, Cathy, Aunt Wendy, Melody, Cintia, Tricia, and Mima.
The Photographer...Peggy