Gigi Turns 2!!!!

(sorry so dark, phone camera has it's moments)

Time has flown by. I am ecstatic at the wonderful little person that she is becoming. I know that she has changed me dramatically. My priorities in life are so different now. It is wonderful. After coaching for five years I decided that I wasn't spending my time the way I wanted or needed it to be. So I resigned. I have missed coaching from time to time but I have loved having this last year to spend with Georgia. Now that she is two and her baby brother is here I am even more glad with my choice. Gigi and I spent a day together to practice potty training and to spend time together. It was a really good day. Carter went to the baby sitter and Gigi and I got pancakes and a movie, went to story time and just enjoyed being together. When I asked her later if we had a good day, she said "Yeah Momma good day!" She is talking so much these days. I almost understand everything she says. Accept daba daba daba, her occasional gibberish. If you ask her she will tell you she is three. We were practicing responses on the way to the doctors the other day and she told me me her nose was sick and that she is three. She is too funny.
We planned a birthday party for Gigi. I think all that was important to her was that she had an Elmo cake. Who knows why she decided that. She doesn't even like to watch it at home. But maybe she does at her babysitters. So that was the main theme for this year. As I began discussing all of my plans for this party, it was very interesting to hear Stephen's take on planning parties in general but more importantly parties for a two-year old. We talked about times for the party and I suggested doing it a little earlier so I wouldn't have to do a lunch but could just have snacks. Bubba said let's do 10-12. I said that is lunch time. He said no 12 is lunch time. I said not for a 2 year-old who get up at 6 am. Then he said we could just have hot dogs. True most kids love hot dogs. So then I said I would need to get a small table for the kids to sit at. Stephen then (and this was my favorite part) suggested that I just put the food out for them and let them eat when they are hungry. Have you ever seen two-year olds go through a buffet line and then go sit themselves down and eat? Me neither! I told him I would have to have a table for them, fix their plates, sit them down and make sure they ate their food and then help them throw out their plates. Even though Bubba didn't quite buy into it he said he was glad I was in charge and he would cook the food. He also decided that he would help me out by making me a table for the kids to sit at. I thought we could just barrow from the church but admittedly, his table was way more fun. We also decided to rent a bounce house. That was too much fun. I had no idea that they were so affordable. Gigi loved it. Of course, what kid doesn't like to bounce. We had Elmo coloring pages, playdoh, fruit snacks. We tried to play a game but the kids mostly wanted to color and bounce. So I let them. I can't remember the order for everything but I know we opened presents ate lunch, had cake and played some more. It was pretty casual but I think everyone had a nice time. I know I didn't feel too stressed out so that was good. Gigi played to her hearts content. All the kids got a balloon, bubbles and a Thank you Rice Crispy treat on their way out the door. My first real little kids birthday party down, only who knows how many to go.
The issue of parties was raised while planning this. Stephen and I agreed that we wouldn't have one every year. And when they did have a big party like this one then we didn't need to buy them presents. It makes sense. So we are still undecided on how often but what we do for one we will do for the other, so I don't want to set the bar too high. The first and second to me are a must. Then maybe not again until 5. By then they could be in school and then we will have to figure things out. I know I really have fun throwing the parties. But for now I think Gigi is happy as long as there is cake. Me too!

Welcome Carter Stephen Polk

Gigi couldn't go into the NICU to visit so she met Carter for the first time through the glass.
Our first picture as a new family.
Our blue baby getting his tan on!
Look no tubes. Making progress.
Waiting for his ride home!
Our little family ready to go home!
In Daddy's Hand, so tiny.
Favorite thing she says when she holds him is "Coco getting me." Like he is doing it on purpose.
My mom was able to come out for a week. It was so nice to have her here to help.

Ok now that he is a month old I will announce him. Getting the blog up to date will be even more difficult for me now that I have two. But we are so excited to have our little Coco baby! We started calling him Coco months ago because of my Dad. When he was growing up he thought that he when he became a professional baseball player he would change his name to Coco Curriente. So somewhere along the pregnancy we gave the name Coco to Carter. Of course the whole pregnancy we referred to him as Carter. But since he was born we seem to call him Coco a lot more. Probably his sisters fault. She is really good at saying Coco.

Carter was born on January 11, 2011 at 7:59 am. He weighed 5lbs. 15 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. Coco had a rocky start. Right after he was born his breathing seemed shallow so he was taken to the NICU. He was put on oxygen for the next day or so. Then there seemed to be one excuse after another of him getting strong enough to leave with us. After almost 6 days in the NICU we finally were able to bring our handsome little man home. Leaving the hospital without your baby has to be one of the worst feeling in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn knew things with this new member of our family. He is a sweet baby and has been really good for us. We couldn't be happier to have him home with us.

Gigi has had an adjustment to make with him. But she loves him! She is always talking about him and trying to help us take care of him. It is really darling. She'll say things like "Coco in my bed" when she wants him to sleep in her bed. It is too cute. I love her even more everyday. I have had to change the way I interact with her though and become more attentive and affective with my discipline.