Merritt Girls

Well, I got word that this site will still be available so I will keep posting here for everyone to keep up with the girls. I know I have been lax on that but I'm trying. Thanks for caring about the girls so much and wanting to hear how they are doing.

I will still post pictures here but I have also been writing a blog where I will post the stories behind the pictures and general updates on what we are doing. I will most likely transition to only using that site when this one goes away.

http://merritttimes.blogspot.com

You can look a older posts on the Blog site to see more. I've had it for a while but was using it more for a diary for myself.

I just got a notice from the owners of this website that they are going out of business. I will have to find somewhere else to put all the girls pictures and updates.

I'll let you know the new address to the new site when I figure out what I'm going to do.

Thanks for following along thus far.

Moving up!

Today Laney started in the 1 year old room. While this is cheaper, I was not ready for this. While she hasn't been with Grandma Betty in a little while now - she has at least been in the baby room and Grandma Betty was close. This room is all the way across the building. She has to wear shoes all the time, she can't have a bottle, and she has to be off her formula. While I knew this was coming, I was going to use up every day I had over the next 12 days before she is officially 1 to keep her a baby. Well, my timeline got moved up yesterday.

So, today, I put her stuff in her new room, put her new shoes on and brought her a sippy cup. She drinks out of it fine, just wants her bottle when she is ready to sleep. So... we will see how it goes today.

Today Kaylen had her Christmas Party at Dance. This was our first year at Dance so we did not know what to expect. I was told the kids just have their part and we sit and watch them. I did not know it would be a sort of recital. If I had known, I would have told the Grandparents so they could come watch. We did get pictures and video that I will be posting. I do want to apologize though. I really had no idea what to expect.

She is walking! She has been teasing us for a while but today she finally took about 5 steps. It is happening too fast this time. My baby is growing up.

Kaylen got her first haircut today. I know, we are 3 but with her curly hair I really wanted it to grow. She did so good and I think it will grow much better now. Pictures will be added. I didn't get a whole lot as I got busy watching.

Laney is taken care of by a wonderful lady named Grandma Betty at daycare. Grandma writes the best notes of what has gone on with her during the day and I know she truly loves our little Laney Bug.

This is today's note:

'Laney made my day as always. Lunch try to feed cut up peaches. She chew & chew - eyes got BIG - and spit it out after 4 tries. I mashed them up and oh how funny. Did see her crawl some today. Laney played with Kennadi in the P.M. They did good!!! (they normally fight) What happened with the tooth fairy? I guess I'll send a map to her so the fairy will get Laney some teeth. Grandma Betty 4:00 p.m. CRAWLING'

So with that it began. Laney started crawling today. 8 months, 3 weeks, 4 days.

Laney 8 Months

- Getting mobile. Not crawling but she some how figures out how to get where she wants to be
- Really loving watching her sister. She's perfectly happy as long as Kaylen is running around somewhere in her view.
- Could be rotten. I did nothing to add to this I'm sure. I blame her chubby cheeks. I'm unable to stop kissing them.
- Weight 18 lbs. She seems to have to go to doctor at least once a month so we get monthly weigh-in's.
- Size 4 diapers (Kaylen wore size 5 - 6 months ago)
- Size 12 month clothing.
- Since we finally moved Kaylen out of the bed - she is trying to work her way in the bed. Not good.
- Still my favorite Laney Bug.

Laney - 7 Months

- Sitting up all by herself
- Says 'Dada' - I get no respect.
- Didn't like Mom and Dad going on a trip.
- Has some seperation anxiety
- Back to waking up at night because she is worried we are not there I think.
- Sleeping until 8:00 am
- Not sure about weight - need to check.
- Wearing size 4 diapers. 9-12 month clothes.

Laney - 6 Months

- Almost setting up all by her self. Little wobbly.
- Getting spoiled - not by me - I don't know who is doing it.
- sleeping through the night but wakes up at 6:00
- 26 inches - 16.5 lbs.
- Wants to eat whatever you are eating.
- She is growing up too fast.

When it started I never thought we would make it to this day. Wow is she a tough kid. She never wants to sleep and totally has a mind of her own, but, that is what makes me love her so much too. Like at night when I'm trying to get her to sleep and she is doing everything she can to stay up she'll snuggle close to me and say "I love you so much mama." I'll say "I love you too Kaylen, now go to sleep." and she'll say 'Oh, but mama, I just love you so much.' How can you have a bad day with that.

She is still tiny. 25.6 lbs and 37 inches tall. She is in 3T clothes but that is if the pants are cinched up. She has TONS of curly hair that is so hard to fix but looks so beautiful with her giant blue eyes. She has been in two different daycares and it doesn't matter which one she was in she found some way to charm the teachers and everytime I pick her up she is attached to their sides. Bryan even asked "How is it that you girls take over every place you go?"

She sings all the time. Barney songs, Disney songs, Church songs. She is constantly singing. She has a great memory - probably adds to her OCD.

She is just so fun. We really are lucky God trusted us with her.

Laney - 5 Months

This is always one of my favorite months. What can I say about this kid she is so great.

* Weighs 15 lbs (6/3/09)
* She is still very ticklish
* She is constantly eating her hands
* She is eating cereal regularly
* She is VERY in love with her Daddy
* She is a sleeper (Thank you!!!)
* Goes to bed promptly at 7:00 every night.

I gave Miss Laney some cereal today. She has been eating like crazy and not sleeping well so I figured I'd see if it would help. She didn't seem to interested so we are going to wait until she is 4 months old and try again. Only a couple more weeks. We'll see what the Dr. says.

Life took over again and I haven't been able to update. My work schedule has changed a bit and Dad has been taking the girls to daycare. The daycare really enjoys this as it is not an easy feat for Dad to get two girls ready for the day. We all know what Kaylen's hair looks like so you can imagine the time it takes to tame that beast.

I updated on Laney so let me now update on Kaylen. She is really talking sooo much now. SOmetimes that is good, sometimes that is bad. She has learned so many songs at school. The best is 'Jesus Loves Me'. This must be her favorite because at random times through out the day she'll just mumble a bit which is, I assume is 'Yes Jesus Loves me' because next she sings very loud and very slow "A BIBLE tells me so". Not The bible, A Bible. And the A BIBLE is VERY loud. It cracks me up.

At night she reads "Goodnight Moon" and several other books. I love it because when she finishes she says 'E End'.

I really am blessed to be the mother of two awesome little girls.

Laney - 3 Months

- She has really started talking and smiling.
- She even giggles sometimes if you tickle her belly.
- She has the cutest rolls on her legs.
- She loves watching her big sister play.
- She is still waking up at night but only once which is great compared to Kaylen.
- She sleeps all by herself in her bed like a big girl.
- She loves her twice daily lotion massages from Grandma Betty at daycare. Grandma says that she knows when it is coming and gets very excited about them.
- Size 3 diapers. Moved up to 3-6 month clothes sometimes even just 6 month clothes.
- Even more squishy this month which is so nice to cuddle with.

Facts about Laney - 2 Months.

- Wearing size 2 diapers. Kaylen wore size 1 until she was 4 months old.
- Is growing out of 0-3 month clothes lengthwise although the belly is pretty big also.
- She is smiling and cooing now.
- She does this when big sister comes and talks to her. They are probably plotting our demise already.
- Miss Betty at daycare says she is running the show there. All the pregnant teachers come and hold her all the time. So I'm sure she isn't spoiled.
- Still tan.
- Eyes still blue.
- Still squishy.

****Update***
Took her to Dr. and she weighs 13 lbs 5 oz and is 23 inches tall. This is the same size Kaylen was at 6 months. They will be wearing the same size clothes soon.

The house of death.

So if you don't want to get sick, don't come around us. We are all flirting with death or have been over the last couple weeks. Two weeks ago Kaylen woke up on a Saturday throwing up. That lasted a couple days. Then I got it. Then midway through the week her eyes were red and matted aka Pink eye. Late last week Laney started having nasal congestion. It has just gotten worse and after I went back to work Monday, I had to take off yesterday to take her to the Doctor. Finally Bryan came home last night looking like someone from the movie 28 Days. He went to the doctor today and has pink eye in both eyes, the flu and an upper respritory infection.

Fun times with the Merritts.

I did find out that Laney now weighs 10lbs 3oz at 6 weeks. If you compare that to Kaylen she was 9lbs 0oz at 10 weeks. Needless to say the feeding is going well this time.

I'm back dating this for her 1 month information.

Some facts about Laney at 1 Month.

Some things about Laney:

- She eats all the time. Sometimes she'll give me 3 hours sometimes only 1 1/2.
- I don't think she looks like her sister.
- She has a nice tan.
- Her hair reminds me of an old man.
- Because she eats so much she is nice and sqishy. Perfect for cuddling.
- When you pick her up she tucks her legs in a ball.
- She has the cutest rolls on her legs and arms.

Well we are still surviving. Kaylen is doing well at her new daycare. There are mostly boys in her class and they are pretty rowdy so she spends alot of time watching her teacher said.

Laney is still in the eat, sleep, poop mode. She has moments of being awake but not a whole lot.

Bryan is coaching all the time right now. We hardly ever see him so I've done alot of single parenting which is tough and exausting. I don't know how people do it. This explains the lack of updates as I try to catch up on some rest and actually take a breath when Kaylen is a daycare. By the time I look up from laundry, feedings, and diapers, it is time to pick her up and then the real fun begins. Dinner, playing, and bedtime. Then it all repeats the next day. Not much time for updates or anything really. Probably why I've almost lost all my baby weight as this time I do have to remind myself that I haven't eaten.

So, to everyone, we are doing fine, baby is growing, we are so busy we don't have much time for visitors right now but I'm trying to put up lots of pics so everyone can see our new addition.

Thanks for checking on us.

Today was Kaylen's first day at her new daycare. I just dropped her off and it went very well. She went right in, took off her hat and sat down to eat breakfast. I brought in her stuff and walked by the room and she waved to me and said "See you mama". No tears, no screaming. It helped that they had cartoons on and we all know if you are watching TV she is your best friend. God knew that I needed it to be a smooth transition, my raging hormones could not have taken anything less. They would have had two bawling people in there if she started crying.

Well we are home and trying to adjust. Two is much harder than one. Laney is easy actually it is her sister that is a handful but that is no change. Just now when we could normally take a break we have to take care of Laney so it is definatly hard work.

Laney had a bit of Jaundice when we left the hospital so I took her to her new Doctor on Friday to have her first check up. He said it looked normal and that now that my milk has come in she should be fine. Also she eats non stop almost so it is already much better today.

We got in at 7:30 they started everything right away. Dr. came in and couldn't break water yet. I was just 3. At 9:30 she came back and broke my water. It was a massive amount of water. I was about still a 3 and Laney had her hand in the way sitting on her head grabbing their hand when they checked me. She said she would probably move it when I dialated more but if she didn't they would try to get it out of the way. I got epi around 10:30. There ended up being a kink in the line so they had to try several times to fix that. I didn't have a problem not feeling anything but some alarm kept going off. Dr. came in at 12:00 and check and I was a 5. Anyway, I had to lay on my side so the epi would work right and when I did that you couldn't see the contractions. I held the monitor to my stomach so we could see them and they were coming right on top of each other. It was about 12:15. I thought it would be about an hour but then I felt pressure and told Bryan they might need to come check me, I thought I was about an 8. Nurse came in and I was a 10. So I went from 5-10 in about 5-10 minutes and Laney moved her hand. Dr. came in, I pushed 1 1/2 times and she was out. The tubal wasn't done until 4:45 and my belly button hurts pretty bad. Only reason I'm taking the pain pills is because of it. It really was pretty easy.

Today is a very sad day. It is Kaylen's last day at her current daycare. There were lots of tears by me and the teachers. They had a party for her and made the best sign with all of the kids handprints on it. That place is so special to me. They have loved her like I could only dream someone would. She has so much fun there and there isn't one minute of my day that I would worry about her because I knew she was very well taken care of.

They will always hold a special place in my heart for taking care of my most prized possion for 2 1/2 years. Thank you Miss Kay, Michelle, Sam, Annett, Miss Sharron, Jennifer, Linda, and everyone else who touched our lives.

I'm 1 1/2 cm dialated. I told the Dr. she needs to stay put in there and stick with our plan. We have been going to basketball games some. Kaylen does well but I don't like taking her during the week as she doesn't get enough sleep and then is very cranky the next day so I only take her to the Friday games. She stays with Grandma and Grandpa Merritt for the Tuesday games.

Well, basketball season has begun. I thought it would be easier this year since we are living in the same town but it just makes it easier for Bryan to work more. I think we saw him twice last week. Once was when we went up to the gym during a Freshman game. It is much harder to do with a 2 year old and being pregnant. I'm very tired but trying to enjoy my last few weeks with Kaylen alone.

I'm not sure how well the games will go this year as Kaylen seems quite scared of the buzzer. It is very loud and made her very nervous. I guess we will find out. It could be that the gym wasn't very full since it was a Freshman game so we will cross our fingers.

Just breezing through the pregnancy again. Heart rate 154 still on track for induction on December 29. I made all the rest of my Dr. appointments now we just wait until she gets here.

On another note, Kaylen has decided she would potty train herself. At daycare at least. I can't get her to do it at home. They said she just decided one day she needed to go to the potty and has been going pretty steady every since. Most of it has to do with other kids going so she wants to go. Guess she doesn't care when she gets home.

We had such a great Halloween. Kaylen was a bee and really enjoyed herself. She would say 'Trick to treat' and then run to the next house. She talks so much it is funny to hear the things she says and the new words she figures out every day.

Normal appointment today. Heart rate 148. Measuring back on track.

So I've noticed quite a growth spurt lately. Although I haven't gained much weight the belly is quite large. At my appointment last week the doctor said I measured big so we moved up our ultrasound to today.

Guess I'm just beasting out as she is just the right size in there. Weighs 2 lbs just like she is supposed to and looks 'perfect'. Doctor said that not just me.

I've put pictures in an album.

Kaylen had her first big boo boo. She tipped out of her chair and scraped her nose. She blamed Kobe who was outside at the time. Of course anyone who knows me knows that I spent 90% of my childhood with a scrape on my nose so I wasn't surprised.

90 days. Wow, this one has gone fast.

Life in the new house is great. I'm not doing well with the unpacking but it is much harder this time since I have a 2 year old to chase around and a giant belly. I haven't gained as much weight as I had with Kaylen but man do I feel like I'm much bigger. Just get tired very easy. Oh well, it will all get done at some point.

Our dog has been staying with Bryan's parents for the last two years since we were in the apartment (thank you so much for that). We got him back last weekend and Kaylen loves it. She is still a little gun shy but his name is the first thing she says when she comes home in the evening. 'Kobe is you?'(translation: Kobe where are you?)

She is talking so much now. More every day it seems. After months of trying to get her to count yesterday she just decided to do it and counted to 10 all on her own. Like she's been doing it for years. Was very neat.

She's very into Horton Hears a Who right now. We just got off of Dora and Blues Clues although she'll watch those sometimes. She even saw a paw print on a bear the other day and said 'Clues Clue' (translation: Blue's Clues)

Life is very full right now and we are loving every minute.

Heart rate 154. Everything going along fine. We moved this past weekend into a house finally. It was hard work but we are so much happier to have some room. Kay was scared at first because she couldn't see us from anywhere in the house but she has adjusted and will even go into a room all alone and play.

Here is the latest info on the baby from the website -
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Heartrate 146 everything looks good.

Well, it is another girl. Went to Dr. this morning and everything looks great. Said she looks healthy.

Will post pics when I get them scanned. Since this was a specialist we even got some 3-D ones but she must have heard from Kaylen about me taking pictures all the time because she is already covering her face with her hands.

Baby is now the size of a lemon so I thought I would update the name of the site.

From Babycenter:

Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

So it isn't enough that I feel old, but I was told yesterday at my Doctor appointment that, because I'll turn 35 about 25 days before the baby is due, I'm considered to be "Advanced Maternal Aged". Why don't you tell me I'm fat on top of that lady. Anyway, what this means is I get alot more tests to make sure #2 is cooking up right in there and has no genetic problems.

Today I gave 6 viles of blood and next month I'll have a specialized ultrasound. We should know the sex after that.

Heart rate was 150 at this appointment and we are moving right along. We will be adjusting my offical due date back to January 5, 2009 as she doesn't change it from what we said before the ultrasound unless it is off by 2 weeks or more.

Still have a little shrimp growing along her little growth curve.

21.8 lbs and 33inches tall. She did not like going to the doctor. She is more fearful of people now and doesn't like strangers touching her. She sat really nice for her shot but when the nurse stuck it in she shouted "NO WAY, OH NO WAY!!" and started screaming. She still waved bye to the nurse and told her she would see her later but was glad we were leaving.

She is eating much better now though, starting to really pick the things she likes. She is obsessed with bologna right now or as she calls them 'circles'. She could eat a pack a week. She even made up a song and dance for when she wants one. "Circle, yeah yeah, Circle yeah yeah" Dancing the whole time. She is very polite says please and thank you all the time. Only problem is she knows if you give her something she is supposed to say thank you so now when she wants what you have she just starts grabbing for it and saying 'Thank you'. This is great fun at Walmart.

One problem we are having is her love of 'Coke'. It is our fault as we drink it at home 99 % of the time and give her sips but she is now requesting it more and more. I have cut mine back alot and plan to stop soon. It is just very unhealthy for her to have it and I'd much rather her drink water. We definately do not give it to her in her own glass. She only gets milk or juice and the juice is over half water and then some juice. Just a bad habit I don't want her to get into at 2 years old.

Miss K is going to be a big sister. It wasn't really a planned event but nothing is really our plan anyway so we are just excited about the blessing we will be receiving in January.

I went to the Dr. today to find out the due date and make sure we only had one little one growing in there. There was only one and I am due January 9, 2009. The heartbeat was 167. I'll have to go back and check to see what Kaylen's was at that time.

I'm feeling fine. Craving meat. Last time it was cookies. Maybe that means boy. I'm tired and I forget everything. I even forgot Kaylen's Dr. appointment so we rescheduled for June 18th. I guess I'm going to have to start writing everything down.

Another exciting note, Bryan got a new Head Coaching job here where we live so he won't be driving so much and will get to be home much earlier. It will be so much better for him. He is healing but much slower than he should as he won't just rest. But if you know him you wouldn't expect anything else.

Happy 2nd Birthday Little Girl.

We are having Kaylen's party today. Because her daddy had surgery only 11 days ago, we didn't plan anything big. Only family at the Apartment community room. She had just as much fun.

Everyone was there and she had a great time. We had a few problems as a leak caused the fire alarm to go off so everyone went by the pool to wait for it to be shut off. Well, Kaylen was sitting by Gaga on the first step in the pool and then just decided to go for a dip. Problem was she had all her regular clothes on. After that all went well and she got such nice things from everyone.

She is so fun now. Says so many things, has such an attitude and is just so dang funny. She is a dancer, loves running and giving hugs and kisses. She loves her daycare and all her teachers. I'm so lucky to find such a wonderful place where she learns so much and is loved by so many people. She needs that structure with her OCD tendancies and loves playing with the kids.

You are such a blessing Kaylen we thank God every day he gave you to us.

So, I haven't told about our little girl in quite a long time. She is a total mess and so fun. She is chatty although you can't tell what she is saying all the time. She definately has her way and if you don't agree, she'll tell you about it.

She has a little boyfriend at school. His mom works at the FAA where I work. She has to tell him bye every day before we leave. He could care less but it is a MUST for her. There is also a boy that she must not like as I'm told when his mom brings him she says "Coco go away." She does this every day. He may soon develop a complex.

Her curly little afro is getting bigger every day. There is just no stopping it. We can spray it, comb it, sandblast it, doesn't matter, those curls just spring right back.

She runs, can climb stairs, has a million bruises on her shins to prove it. She loves to go 'side' and walk around, go to the basketball court and play ball. Just the typical 2 year old. She is addicted to TV which I take full credit for. It is in the blood. She is now loving Open Season. Which is actually pretty funny.

So, that is K at 23 months.