Well, my maternity leave has hit the half way mark....so sad. Although, yesterday I would have taken work over home---it was THE most trying day that I've had with both kids since Keegyn was born. I'm learning to not be so uptight and stressed when Keegyn is bawling her eyes out while I'm patiently waiting for Cale to finish going "potty" or as we're trying to get dressed and I'm wrestling him on the floor just trying to do so. Jason has taught me that Keegyn will not "die" just because she's crying because she wants to be picked up or have her diaper changed. In fact, to quote the man himself "Kristin, she can cry a little, it's not gonna kill her." And of course, I know it's not going to kill her....but it doesn't help when I've been doing this and listening to this ALL day long. Or listening to Cale tell me what to do for Keegyn when she's crying, because of course, why wouldn't Cale know best???!!! But I digress....so yes, I have had some trying days in the past 7 weeks, but I wouldn't trade being a mother to these two beautiful angels for anything in the world. They are the loves of my life...and I guess Jason can be included in that group as well!!!

Now, who couldn't fall in love with these sets of cheeks???!!!

Me and my baby girl (I luv saying that..."baby girl")
Little Miss Osh Kosh

Jazzersize anyone?????

And she found her thumb!!! Even if it was very short lived!

I've got the most smiley little girl! I've been capturing smiles from our little peanut left and right......smug little grin....
...see what I mean...she just doesn't quit!

Holding hands

My precious angel

Mr Joe Cool--as he calls himself whenever he sports the sunglasses. Little does he know those are mommy's sunglasses, and they are more "cosmo" than "joe cool."!

The kids and I had a special day home together today. We met some of my girlfriends for lunch, Ann and Sara, with their little ones. It was decided that the next time we actually get together again, it will have to be at someones house so we can actually talk a little and the kids can run around. Cale has been doing so well with potty training...he's getting richer by the day! So far, no accidents in 3 days....except for poopy ones...for some reason, he's afraid to poop in the big potty. This is the best picture I could get of my little Joe Cool and myself today--but it's better than nothing.

Pretty in pink

Cuddle time....wish it were nap time.....but really it was time to clean out a poopy pair of underwear. Coming from the mouth of Mr Joe Cool himself "something not feel right in there mommy" (as tears are running down his face and we're 10 seconds away from a minor meltdown.) I'm thinking a few more times of poopy underwear may be just what he needs to finally decide to use the big potty for number two as well!!!!

I don't know where the last month has gone...but it has surely flown by! My days start at 3:30am (as that's what time my little pumpkin gets up to eat and decides that she's ready to start her day) but still, I don't know where my time goes! Between diaper changes, feedings, potty training (which has actually been equating to wiping pee off the kitchen floor more than anything else) and constantly answering the "mommy" questions EVERY two minutes, I find myself going quite insane some days....although I know it's no more crazier than any other mom out there raising two or more kiddos! Yep, such is my life for the next ... hmmm... I don't know how long!

But as much as I make fun of my "hectic" days, we do manage to sqeeze in some play time as well as MANY photo ops! (you know me!)

Cale has rediscovered his love for play-doh, thanks to Tom, Jamie, and Kylie! He can't get enough of that stuff and is now finally having fun with all the utensils trying to build things.

So serious .. making spaghetti is no easy feat!

Keegyn's first velour track suit--yep, gotta love it!

Keegyn loves it too! I swear!

I just love the expression on her face here! And look, she's even starting to show off her little belly and double chin! She's only 7 pounds and has a double chin, so now I don't feel so bad about mine!!!!!

My poor little man...trying desperately to take a nap but needing to cover his ears cuz his little sister is crying way too much! Cale's favorite saying these days: "Calm down Keegyn!" The other frequent occurence in our home: Cale running around the house with both fingers in his ears, yelling the same phrase mentioned above!

Cuddling with her froggy on her cute little froggy blankie! Thanks Gina, Avery and Mya! (PS..Can't wait to see you all next week!)

Brotherly love! Actually, Cale just really likes to be in ALL the pictures with Keegyn....never really liked getting pictures taken before, but now that I might actually want one of just Keegyn...rarely a chance!

Lazy day at home

Getting ready to go see the girls at work. This time we're all dressed up with actually someplace to go!

Keegyn has achieved one of her first milestones! Holding her head up enough to sit in the bumbo chair! Yeah Keegyn!

While Keegyn mastered that task, Cale is currently working on another...potty training. As you can tell by no pants (only underwear....this is still early in the day so this is actually only pair number two!) Won't even go into how many underwear changes we had this day!

Another first milestone....SMILING!!!!!!!!!!!

Playing footsie :)

Christmas came and went so fast this year. I think all the "busy" ness before with the birth of Keegyn just made everything fly by! But we did end up having a nice quiet Christmas at our house despite the snow storm! We celebrated with Jason's parents the weekend prior, as they go to Chicago every year. Then, my parents made it down before the storm hit and we all hunkered down in the Thompson house for a few days---including Uncle D and Auntie A! Unfortunately for them, they were unable to make up north to Andrea's family--but lucky for us cuz we got to spend more time with them! I didn't include any pics from Christmas though--too many to even try to include. But here's a few of what we've been up to the past week or so....

Cale is such a great helper. This is the day for Christmas Eve--we're busy getting cookies ready for Santa! He was an excellent sugar dipping machine! Although, he was much better at actually eating the hershey kisses for the tops of the cookies. Which, to all who know my son well, this is no surprise at all!Swiping yet another Hershey Kiss!!!!
Little Princess!!

Oh, poor, poor Keegyn. She does not know what's in store for her over the next 18 years of her life! This was just before Keegyn experienced her first face plant from her loving brother! You can see she's slowing tipping over and despite my saying "Cale, hold your sister's head," he lets her fly as soon as he finishes saying "CHEESE!" Then proceeded to laugh, cuz of course, it's so funny to see her face smashed into the carpet!

Cale would not even touch snow last year...now he wants to be out there doing "man's work." Jason bought him his own personal shovel (as I've said before, he's starting him early!"), but Cale actually thought it was fun....doesn't quite see it as "work" just yet...give it a few more years and then maybe it'll be a different story!

He's also discovered snowballs and realized it is actually fun to touch the snow...but even funner to throw it at Uncle D!

Merry Christmas!

Can't get enough of sleeping baby......

....Or playing dress-up!....

Good night!!!

Well, we made it through our first week and a half at home with Keegyn! Cale went back to daycare for 2 days this week, trying to get him back into some sort of routine. Plus, his little buddies keep asking about him, so he thought he should get back there! I have to admit, it is sooooooooooo much easier just having Keegyn around! Not that I don't LOVE having both my darlings home with me, but GOOD LORD.....Cale is an absolute maniac!!!! Very difficult to keep up with him and tend to Keegyn, especially since I'm still not moving around too well seeing as my incision is not healed yet (and boy or boy is that a whole 'nother can of worms!) Once Cale comes home from daycare though, it's all about loving his little sister. I can't believe how much he enjoys her...can't seem to get enough of her and constantly wants to take pictures with her! It must have been still up in the air up until last night cuz Cale remarked "Mommy, I think we can keep her!" Well, Cale, thanks for the approval!!!!

Our favorite hangout for late afternoon naps! Three days in a row....mark this one down folks....three days in a row, Cale took a nap with me and Keegyn! We all fell asleep watching movies...granted only 30-40min naps, but that was the first time in months that Cale napped for me!

My little pumpkin. All dressed up but no place to go!

Doing what she does best.....snoozing!!!!!!!

Wide awake......

....snoozing again......

Going to Target! (Sad, but I really was THAT excited to get out of the house!)

Our little peanut, Keegyn Grace, was due to arrive on the morning of the first big snow storm of the year! Blizzard warnings and all....she was on her way! Especially if I had anything to say about it! Our C-Section was scheduled for 9:30am on Dec 9th---We ended up getting 8in of snow the night before, which continued on into the morning. Jason and I headed out to the hospital on little to no sleep (once again--bringing back flashbacks from when Cale was born) at 5:45am--not knowing how long it would take us to make our journey! Luckily, no one was on the road!! So we actually got to the hospital 30min early, which was good on one hand, cuz we didn't have to worry about rushing....but it only added to my anxiety, as I had to sit there longer just waiting it out. Although this was not new to me, seeing as I had a c-section with Cale, I was rather nervous about this one...and actually ended up having a mini panic attack just prior to going into the OR (of course, only me!!)

Here is a picture of the wonderful weather that Keegyn was greeted with as she ventured into the world!

Our little pumpkin topped the scale at 6lb 14oz 19in

I almost had them re-weigh her....I could not believe she was so little! Never expected her to be so much less than Cale (9lb 6oz 20in). Just figured I grew 'em BIG!!!
Jason was such a comfort to me in the OR. The spinal block I had was VERY effective...it felt like I was numb up to my chest, so it was really hard to take a deep breath, which made me a little anxious, but my hubby did a good job of distracting me!

Here she is all cleaned up in the nursery.

Day 1 post op. Keegyn looking precious...Mommy, not-so-good!

Well, these two BOTH look pretty well rested!

We ended up spending 3 and a half days in the hospital. I was more than ready to get home. I missed Cale sooooooooooo much. He wasn't allowed to come to the hospital due to all the restrictions with the H1N1 business. He stayed at Jason's parents' home. I called him everyday but he was upset with me and wouldn't talk to me---or if he did all he did was whimper into the phone, which only made me feel more horrible. It just broke my heart. I kept thinking he thought we abandoned him. I just couldn't wait to get home to get some big hugs and kisses from my little man!

Here she is in her going home outfit---thanks to Gretchen, she actually had something to go home in! We never expected Keegyn to be so small, so everything I had for her was WAY too big! Gretchen was kind enough to bring some clothes that Sidney had outgrown, so we were very thankful for that!

Cale fell immediately in love with his little sister and has been a GREAT help since she's been here. He can't stop giving her kisses and toys and wanting to hold her. I've even caught him talking to her a few times, calling her "sweetie." He's already been a wonderful big brother! And so far, he doesn't have a problem with her sticking around for a bit longer!

I will probably jinx myself, but Keegyn is a very easy going baby--never cries...except when hungry. Sleeps alot right now, but is very focused and watchful during her awake times. It's been a fun first week home with both of my kiddos---BUSY, but fun!

Her first bath! She looks like a little rat in this picture...but she loved it!

SNUG AS A BUG!!!!!!!

Our precious little angel! (Thanks again Gretch, for the outfit!)

All the excitement of Keegyn's first week at home has been a bit exhausing for my little man.......

........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......