One of Sophie's first smiles . . . during her content periods :)

Sophie (and Mom and LIndsey) survived her 2 month old shots and was officially diagnosed as a baby with "colic"!. On top of that, Sophie screamed horribly during the clothing and diaper change portion of her exam, but just whimpered when 4 large needles were jabbed into her thighs . . . Could someone please tell this child needles hurt worse than diaper changes? She still doesn't like having her clothes/diapers changed! We have tried many things these past 4 weeks - to help our little Sophie adjust to life outside the womb . . .  no dairy or milk chocolate for mom (NO ICE CREAM - huge sacrifice here!), 2 different reflux meds, colic tummy and gas drops, camomile tea (for mom and baby) millions of different belly holds and now we are trying different formulas, along with continuing the nursing. Sophie loves being held, hates having gas, and just seems to spit up non-stop. Luckily she has no weight gain issues (9 lbs 8 oz) which is why the MD office just tells me and Todd to "hang in there" until 3 months! The pediatrician also made sure to say "You and your husband are getting out of the house aren't you??" We don't recall much of any of these problems with Lindsey although that is why we probably decided to try for another!! ha ha. My general thought, What is colic and why is there no cure? For all of you who know how my brain works . . . THERE HAS TO BE a reason for this fussiness. I thought it was gas but I am told maybe not . . . they just grow out of it? I want to find the reason, then I can retire! Oh wait, I thinking being out of the house for awhile during this rough stage would be good . . . who knows??Lindsey amazingly continues to enjoy being big sis and seems pretty oblivious to the excessive crying (wish we had that talent!) Although I did see some aggression toward Sophie when I placed her in the swing - Lindsey's baby doll was originally in the swing and LIndsey did not like to have her baby moved - so we moved "baby doll" to the carseat and all was fine.Suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated at this point in time . . .

Yesterday was a GREAT DAY! Starting at 5:30 am Sophie and I ventured off to the hospital for her kidney ultrasound and VCUG (catheter - thingy they do to test for kidney reflux) - after some very painful cries from Sophie (they don't use drugs on little ones for this test) - the tests were all negative!!! Yippie, no reflux for Sophie! (We had to have the test done since Lindsey has a history of Grade II reflux (which, cross our fingers, has not given us any problems for a year now!!)
2nd part of our GREAT DAY . . . LIndsey's eyes are doing great! She was able to complete a 1.5 hour full adult exam - using shapes/animals instead of letters and she is seeing fairly equal in both eyes with vision that is typical of an average toddler!  We don't have to patch  either eye for now!
Lindsey celebrated with a chocolate cake shake and well, Mom celebrated for Sophie with a shake as well! Dad just had a hot dog!!!
Our girls are tough cookies going through all these tests we put them through . . . WE LOVE THEM, that's why we do it!!!! (sorry girls)

So,  I've almost made it through the first week as a Mom of 2 wonderful girls - all by myself (at least during the day while Dad is working)! Sounds silly, but I'm quite relieved of everyone's success, even Luey's. Overall, things are going well. Lindsey continues to be a big helper in many ways, except her insistance on Sophie sucking a pacifier and jamming it down her throat.
Found out today that I am feeding Sophie too much which is a cause for the excessive spitting up. She is a whopping 8 lbs already and MD said her spit up and "stomachaches" are probably due to overfeeding! Go figure - never had this issue with Lindsey. Sophie can sleep up to 5 hours at night now and we don't have to wake her since her weight is great! Lindsey however does wake once an evening if Sophie has her screaming bouts as we change her diaper.
I did have my very first "outing abandonment". I decided to venture out to Target one evening after Lindsey was in bed . . . I took Sophie with me . . . well, not so smart. Pretty much immediately upon our arrival into the store the dear started crying; I carried her around for awhile - nothing worked. Everyone commented - "how cute" - yeah right. After 10 minutes - with a cart half full and a red face, I went home with an upset Sophie. Now I realize the fussiness may have been due to overfeeding and upset tummy! (I did go back to Target the next day and get everything - kid free!)

Apparently Mom can't keep close watch on both of us all the time. I frequently find myself with stickers  all over!  Lindsey has also stepped up and begun unwrapping me while I am tightly swaddled and sleeping soundly (Mom put an end to that  . . . at least for the time being).

 I am enjoying my new life outside of Mommy - Lindsey keeps me on my toes and cuddles me with love and kisses - ALL THE TIME!  She keeps trying to put this binky thing in my mouth to keep me quiet but I will win that game! Luey doesn't seem to mind all o my fussing - Lindsey broke her in! Life is grand! 

Being a big sister is GREAT! I love sharing my blankies and helping change diapers. I tried to be nice and give her food but Mom and Dad said she's not ready yet! I can even get some shut-eye through all of her crying. The best part, I get presents when Sophie gets presents! This is soooo cool. Too bad Mom and Dad say this is it for siblings for me!I want to make everyone proud . . . I have to rest now and think up fun games for me and sissy to play!

Today I took off my diaper, threw it away (in the proper place I might add) and sat on my potty and did a big pee pee - didn't even tell mom til she saw me clapping for myself!  I did have to get some help to find a new diaper.
We are still waiting for baby sis . . . I can say "sissy" - kind of !!!!

Here is a preview of my baby sister- to-be . . . pretty cute huh? (looks a lot like me I think) I can't wait to meet her. I'm going to help cuddle her, kiss her, feed her, and change diapers! I'm not too sure about the sharing thing yet though. Madelynn or Reagen are the top choices apparently (for now) - ps. we do realize we are running out of time to decide!

Just me, testing out baby sister's carseat . . .  yep, it works good!