My Big Girl!

It seems like just yesterday we were bringing home our little 7lb 15oz baby girl home from the hospital. Neither one of us had had too much experience changing diapers but we jumped in head first with our new, sweet, beautiful, and stinky! baby girl, Leah. How something so tiny and precious could make such a mess (there were a few flying poo incidents) was beyond me! Now...27 months later...I'm proud to announce that our Leah Joan is no longer in diapers!!! (insert immense clapping and a cute jingle about "peepee on the potty" here).
We tackled the beast, so to speak, over a 3 day period when Tim was home to help me with Chase. Like everything else she does, Leah took to it right away. After she realized she didn't like the feeling of pee running down her legs, that was it for her. She decided that the potty was a better choice. We went to the store and she picked out Minnie Mouse and Cinderella undies and for the past week we have been accident free! Now only one kid in diapers woohooooooo!






Now I'd like to point out the things no one tells you about your child being potty trained...
*no matter how long they have been sleeping through the night they will start waking up now to use the bathroom...
*"I have to go potty" is the new greatest excuse for getting out of bed and do u really want to take that risk of not letting her go?
*public restrooms become THAT much more disgusting...
*your child will have a newfound discovery of their "parts"
*you will make up more songs and rhymes about bodily functions than you ever dreamed about before becomming a parent
*your child might just tell everyone about her new accomplishment and will expect a high-five and a sticker from each one of them


Anyways I'm so proud of my girl!!!


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Cavaties and reflux...

Yesterday Chase went back to his pediatrician and she diagnosed him with GERD (severe acid reflux) and hallelujah there's treatment! She prescribed him with Prevacid which is an acid blocker. He gets 1/2 tsp every morning and she said we should be seeing the full effects within a week. I've already noticed a significant difference in his temperment... He smiled at me today and went most of the day without crying! Woohooooooo! I'm looking forward to enjoying my baby again!

And today miss Leah had to go to the dentist to get her cavaties in her top front teeth filled. It was quite traumatizing (I think moreso for me than for her...) they gave her a liquid sedative that made her high as a kite. We had to wait in this little room for about a half hour for the drugs to kick in before they could begin the procedure...she kept trying to walk but was wobbling and Tim had to hold her to keep from falling and she kept saying "numbers!" (there was a scale in the room). Once she was loopy enough the dental hygenist took her and we had to wait in the waiting room. The whole thing took about 2 hours because the dentist said she kept waking up. She was really out of it on the way home but when we got home we snuggled and watched tv for awhile and then took naps and she was her normal self again after that. Lesson learned: be adament about brushing your kids teeth!! We have already started wiping Chase's mouth with a washcloth after his bath so he gets used to it and doesn't fight us like Leah does. Anyway that's the update on the health of my kiddos! Time for bed! Xoxo

Here is a picture of my poor girl on the way home from the dentist...that is a thermometer on her forehead.

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Wah!!!

Well if you're wondering why I haven't been updating more often its because I rarely have a hand free to type.. You see our house is under attack by the collick monster! Yep that's right... Mr Chase has a serious bout of collick. Now if u don't know what collick is let me explain... By definition: unexplained, unconsolible crying for 3 or more hours a day, 3 or more days a week, lasting about 3 months. Damn you number 3!!! Now by Chase's definition: unconsolible crying unless you're bouncing on that sweet birthing ball that kills my moms back...from about 7am until I finally fall asleep around 10pm. And since you were nice enough to hold me while I screamed bloody murder all day long I'll be nice enough to let you sleep in 2 to 3 hour incriments all night long. Love, Chase.

So you can see why I'm MIA from the computer a lot. My poor guy...it's such a hopeless feeling knowing that I'm supposed to be able to make him all better as his mommy but nothing I do works! It just seems like he's in so much pain all the time. We go back to the pediatrician tomorrow to see if there's ANYTHING else we can do for him!

Anyways I downloaded blogger for my iPod so it will be easier for me to post more frequently, as I'm laying in bed right now about to go to sleep. On a lighter note...I cut my hair super short for the summer. It's really cute and really easy to maintain. I was getting tired of looking tired! Goodnight all:) xoxo





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Chase Timothy

Well, I know it's been awhile since I blogged and I'm sure you already know that Chase has arrived! Chase Timothy Vanderhoff was born on May 26th at 8:51pm. He was 8lbs 6 oz and 21 inches long (with a huge conehead!). He is perfect in every way. Leah LOVES being a big sister. She's such a good helper. I can't believe he is already one month old! I don't have much time to blog anymore with taking care of 2 kids but I will try to update more frequently. Right now both are sleeping.. woohoo! Well anyway this is short but I wanted to update on Chase's arrival! Here are some pictures of my handsome man:

Ready... Or Not?

So I just got back from my 37 week doctor's appointment and I'm making quite a bit of progress already. I'm 1cm dilated and 50% effaced and she said the baby could come at any time. He's weighing in at approximately 7-7.5 lbs. This is all well and good but I'm not quite sure I'm ready yet!! I mean his clothes are washed.. his crib is set up... my hospital bag is (sort of) packed... the swing is out... boppy ready... and Leah is sleeping nicely in her new big girl room. BUT... I'm enjoying sleeping through the night (sort of.. when I don't have to get up and pee!) and enjoying the peace and easiness of only having one child. Leah's just so easy and I have a feeling that once Chase gets here it's going to be CHAOS! Controlled chaos hopefully! My back is starting to hurt and my belly has expanded I'm sure (or not) all that it can possibly expand, and added a few new stretch marks (BOOO!) and my feet are swollen and I'm constantly tired. So in that respect I'm ready. Ready to sleep on my stomach again! But I guess ready or not, he will come when HE is ready! Whether that's this week or not until mid-June (GOOD GOD I HOPE NOT). I'm trying to at least hang on until next weekend.. we have a wedding to go to on Saturday so Saturday night or Sunday would be good. Plus my mother-in-law, who will be staying with Leah when the baby comes, has work until then and my mom, who will be coming out 2 weeks after baby is born (to relieve Tim when he goes back to work) also has school until the first week of June so there's really no rush.. Oh well.. these are just my rambling 37 week pregnant brain thoughts. Have a look at some cute pictures we took at the river yesterday. XOXO, Sarah

April (and May) Showers!!

I have been meaning to blog about my trip to Maryland since I got back but just haven't had the energy. A few weeks ago (April 16-19) Leah and I took a whirlwind trip to go home to Maryland for my nephew's baptism. My mom and my sister-in-law also threw me a wonderful baby shower while I was there. It was so great to see all of my old friends and especially family that I rarely get to see except for holidays! My grandma made the trip down and spent the whole weekend with us and it was just so nice being able to spend quality time with my mom and grandma and Leah... 4 generations! I got "showered" with lots of great gifts for baby Chase! My mom did a really awesome job putting everything together!!


This past weekend, my friends Stacie and Michelle threw me a baby shower here for all of my Arizona friends and family! It was also successful. Michelle came down from Scottsdale and spent the weekend with me and she and Stacie put on quite a show for my shower! I got TONS of diapers and wipies and some other cute stuff. The baby's room is all set and ready for Chase whenever he decides to make his appearance into the world!



It's starting to get hot and the heat doesn't really mix well with a VERY pregnant woman... I'm trying to keep cool and not get too irritable and grumpy, which is kind of hard sometimes when dealing with a 2-year-old who has about as many mood swings as I do! We are trying to keep busy ...lots of playdoh and trips to the pool! Leah's made it to the first step.. we're thinking by the end of the summer she might actually get in!! Haha.... xoxo, Sarah

Terrific TWO'S!!

Well, last Friday, *sniff sniff*, my baby girl turned TWO! I can't hardly believe it! It's like she woke up a little lady instead of a little girl. She's sleeping in her new room, in her twin bed, and LOVING it.
We had a nice dinner Friday night (pizza and ice cream cake.. yea!) to celebrate for her actual birthday, just us. Then on Saturday, we had a bunch of friends over for a BBQ celebration in honor of my birthday girl! She got a lot of really fun gifts and had a great time at her party once she warmed up to the idea of everyone being there and talking to her.
On Monday, I took her for her 2-year check up at the doctor. It was a nightmare. She literally screamed NO NO NO and told the doctor BYE BYES! the entire time. She didn't want this strange lady touching her or looking in her ears or mouth. Poor thing. It was kind of embarassing, but I can't say I blame her. The doctor kept calling her a monkey, the way she was clinging onto me. She is off-the-charts tall for her age, yet didn't meet weight requirements. The doctor said it was nothing to worry about at this age because they are so active, but that we should really watch it and make sure she is getting enough calories throughout the day. She also recommended taking away sippy cups and binkies.. eek! We'll get there eventually... for now we are dealing with one change at a time.