breakthrough!

This week, Khloe has been a whole new lady! I think there's been a breakthrough, and she's finally started that downhill swing to 12 weeks. For a few weeks, she had been cranky, difficult to have awake, difficult to put to sleep, difficult to feed ... what good was there, you ask? Bath time. Other than that, it was a constant battle to do anything. I know she had her 6 week growth spurt ... and she had days where she would feed and feed ... 6 oz. sometimes in one feeding! But then she would give me days where she would eat 2 oz. at one feeding. I was getting so frustrated with her feeding habits. Colton was my MEGA-eater. He ate every bottle I placed in his mouth ... and sometimes begged for more. Khloe will stop eating bottles, eat 2 oz. one time and 4 oz. another time ... followed by 6 oz. another time and back to 2 oz.! I hate the inconsistency! Then again ... she's different than Colton--she's a girl, for one! She probably doesn't need to eat the exact same amount every time ... or as much as he did at this age, but I have a hard time separating the two of them. I try to tell myself that she's different ... but I find myself frustrated with her when she decides she's done eating 1 oz. from finishing the bottle. Oh, well ... in the past week, her sleeping has drastically improved! She has always been a great sleeper at night, but her naps were terrible to say the least. This past week, she has napped wonderfully! She takes about 3 naps a day along with one small catnap at the end of the evening before bed. Her first two naps are always, by far, the best. She has started going down drowsy and falling asleep on her own--which I love! At night, it has been a breeze to get her to sleep (drowsy, so she falls asleep on her own in her crib). I have been very pleased. Then twice this week, she has only woken up once during the night! I have really, really enjoyed that--and I hope for that trend to continue. I guess if I had to choose between her eating really well or sleeping really well ... I would choose sleeping! I really can't complain. She's a good baby. I am looking forward to her wake time being longer and happier. I get about an hour at a time ... one evening, she gave me an hour and a half! It was so nice to hang out with her happy as a clam and awake.

Colton still loves her so much, and he gives her so much love and attention. He says, "It's okay, Baby Khloe!" all of the time. He loves to tell her, "Shhhh ... Baby Khloe, it's okay." Or he'll say, "Hi, Baby Khloe, how are you today?" And of course, he is tickling her all of the time. He always wants to hang out with her in her gym. He wants to lay down with her in there. One evening, I was making dinner, and he was in the gym with her giving her kisses. It was very cute. I just have to make sure he's gentle with her. If he's not, it's not on purpose. He isn't trying to hurt her ... he just really, really wants to love on her and be around her. I'm glad he loves her so much.I don't know why these uploaded this way. I tried and tried to change it, but I couldn't get them to rotate on here. They're normal on the computer. Oh, well ... just turn your head.

I took pictures of Colton this week for his second birthday. I am SO sad that he's almost TWO!!!! I can't believe it. These past two years have gone way too fast! Where did the time go? I was watching a video of Colton from when he was just learning to crawl ... then another video of him eating baby food and laughing ... and yet another video of him saying his first words. He was SO little and cute ... now he's big and cute, but when I look into his crib at night and see a big boy in there ... I wonder where my little buddy went! The pictures I took turned out pretty good. He looks so adorable and grown up. He has really made me proud these past two years, and I know that will continue. He's so smart and sweet. I am very lucky to have him as my son.

Khloe is growing and growing. Billy weighed her this week, and she was 12 lbs. 8 oz. She's getting so big ... and has chubby cheeks! I love them. I, also, love that she has started cooing. It's so cute to hear her little voice! I am anxious to see how she grows and what her personality is like ... but then I look at Colton and how fast it all went, and I don't want Khloe to grow that fast! Though I know she will. Here are a few pictures of her this past week.
She's cooing here.Look at those chubby cheeks!

This past week, we went to Wiregrass Wednesdays at the mall by our house. It's a kids themed morning where a guy named Mr. Tommy comes to sing kids' songs. They have fun things every Wednesday morning, and some restaurants have free kids' meals on Wednesdays, too. I think the train is free for parents on that morning. Here's Colton dancing and having fun with Mr. Tommy! Also, this week, I have been working in the front yard clearing dead plants from our flower beds. There were a lot of overgrown and dead plants in there ... and there are still a few that we want to take out, but we'll wait for those until spring when we plant new ones. So, one afternoon, I went out of the house to confront a huge turtle! He was just strolling along the driveway ... at a break neck turtle speed. Billy said I should have captured him and put him in our lanai. I didn't want to do that, but he was pretty neat. Colton was napping, so he didn't get to see the turtle in person. It's too bad, because I think he really would have liked the turtle.>In the midst of picking all of the dead and overgrown flowers.After I pulled out all of the overgrown flowers.All of the bags I filled.

This weekend, we are going to head to the zoo again. Last week, we went to the zoo, but we could only stay for 20 minutes, because they were closing early. This week, we will be able to look around for a little while. On Sunday, I am going to go dress shopping. We are going to a hospital gala, and I need a dress. Not an ideal time to find a dress--I wouldn't mind losing some more baby weight, but it is what it is ... I have to get a dress, because the gala is only a week away! I'm excited to have a family weekend before we have guests for nearly an entire week starting at the end of next week. Billy's parents are coming to visit for next weekend ... then his family from Orlando will come down for Thanksgiving and stay the night ... and finally, on that Sunday, we have his cousins from Tampa coming to hang out and watch the game. We will be pretty busy! But I like having guests.

Last blog, I forgot to post one picture! The one of the little guys with the Bucs cheerleaders. They were so nice, and the boys liked taking pictures with them! How cute are they!?!

I guess I'm going to get going and enjoy the evening with Billy. Adios! I'll leave you with a peek at this year's Firemen Calendar 2011--Starring Colton Heinrich!

"That's a BIG daddy fire truck!"

On Friday, Colton got to see and play in a real fire truck. We went with my friend, Gwendy's Mom's Club to a fire station. The firemen were super nice. They gave us a tour of the fire station, let the kids climb in the fire truck, pretend to drive it, take pictures with the firemen, and spray a water hose. The kids loved it! I really enjoyed it myself. I have especially been loving this great weather that we had today. It was actually a bit chilly when the wind blew. It couldn't have been a nicer day for a fire station tour. Colton had a blast! He would go through the fire truck, run around to the other side, and say, "I get up in the fire truck, please!" The firemen thought he was so cute, so they would put him back into the truck ... over and over again. He even got to sit in the driver's seat and pretend to drive the truck. He had a little temper tantrum when that ended, and he didn't get to "drive" it more than one time. Khloe spent the whole field trip wrapped snuggly in the Moby. I didn't mind having her take her nap in there, and she was more than happy to snuggle down with the wind chill outside. So even though she was there, too ... I have no pictures of the girl at the fire station. Here are some great shots of Colton and his friend, Mason. Colton "drives" the fire truck. He said, "I driving! I driving!" A picture with the nice Fireman who kept putting Colton up into the truck and asking him questions. Colton pointed to the fire hat in the truck and asked the man, "What is it?" (Classic Colton question.) the Fireman replied, "It's my hat. What color is it?" Colton looked at him and said, "It's YELLOW!" Obviously surprised, the Fireman gave Coltona 'hi five', and said, "THAT'S RIGHT!" He asked me how old Colton is, and was pretty surprised to see that he knew his colors so well. I'm proud of that kid! In front of the fire truck with the hat on! So, during this picture, the kid to Colton's left kept putting his hand on Cole's shoulder. Colton did not like that. He would say, "CHEESE!" But then he would try and try to get this kid to take his hand off of him. I was surprised that Colton didn't start crying, because it seemed like no matter what Colton did, this kid wasn't going to budge his arm! Colton would glare at him, and try to move his hand ... the kid's Mom even asked him to move it off of Colton. It made for some funny pictures! Another group shot--sans Mason, because he wasn't feeling the picture that day. Colton and Mason with the fire hose device. Colton gets to shoot the water from the fire hose device! So much fun! Posing for Mommy.Just sitting in the fire truck like a good fireman.Smiles from inside of the fire truck.

After our fun time at the fire station, Colton, Khloe, Mason, Gwendy, and I went to have lunch at Red Robin. It hit the spot! It was a fun day out of the house, for sure. I'll have to see about going on more Mom's Club trips. It was really fun for Colton to be around kids, out of the house, and doing some extra fun things!

I got a great package in the mail on Friday, too! My pictures I ordered from Mpix.com. I was so excited that I already framed and nailed everything up on Khloe's wall. I even took pictures! I think it turned out great. Now, her room is mostly complete. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.A close up view of the pictures. The corner of the room where the pictures meet the circle mirrors.

It has been a pretty decent week. It started out kind of rough ... we had a night or two where I'm sure Khloe was cluster feeding ... waking way too many times. We had a day or two where she had a hard time napping, but by the end of the week, I felt like she was taking some pretty great naps, following a little schedule, and giving me my regular "6 week-newborn" night schedule back. At this stage of life, Khloe isn't going to give me any real regular schedule, but I thank the Lord for each day that she gives me some type of peace ... a good nap ... a longer night ... happier 'wake times', etc. I am such a schedule type person--I need to have an order to my day that can be counted on ... I think that's what drives me nuts about having a newborn--there is NO SCHEDULE ... and there really can't be. Not until her little brain develops more ... her body gains more weight ... and she grows up just a bit. Then I can have the peace that my body and mind is craving--schedule, order, and predictability (as much as a kid can give you!).

This morning, we went and did the Heart Walk 5K. It was great weather ... kind of a chilly breeze, and it warmed up by Noon ... no humidity, though. It was perfect for a Heart Walk. Khloe did really well. She stayed snuggled up the whole walk in the Moby--as per usual. Colton rode the whole walk until we got to the Bucs Stadium. Then he got to walk a little bit with Daddy.On the Heart Walk.Raymond James--The Buccaneers' Stadium.
In front of the Bucs boat with Khloe.The whole family. Pretty cool to be inside the Stadium on the field.

After the Heart Walk, we had breakfast with the Adams, got cupcakes at a local bakery, and then went to the Tampa Zoo for about 30 minutes (they closed early for a benefit they are holding tonight). Colton loved the zoo, as usual. He got to see tons of animals, even though we were only there for a little while. It was good we came home when we did ... because Khloe needed to eat, and Colton needed to take a nap. Khloe has gone down for a nap, as well ... so I think I'm headed for my own Sabbath siesta.Cupcakes from the bakery ... chocolate and dolce de leche. The family at the zoo ... Khloe was sleeping in the stroller.Mason and Colton watch the white tiger.Daddy and Colton watching the chimpanzees.

Happy Sabbath!

Happy Halloween!

We had a good Halloween here at the Heinrich house. Colton and Khloe were very cute as a UPS driver (Colton) delivering a package (Khloe). I tried to find a way for the costumes to go together. I'm sure someday they won't want to do it that way, but for now, we like the costumes to align.

Colton had a fabulous time trick or treating! He ran up to each door, and yelled, "trick or treat!" Then he took one piece of candy, and said, "thank you!" He was in such a good mood, too. It really was a fun time! Next year will be great, too ... it will be nice to be able to really take both kids out. Khloe went around this neighborhood, but she was too tired to keep it up as long as Colton. We went around the neighborhoods with the Adams'. It is so nice to have friends around with kids the same age. Next year, there will be another Adams trick or treating, too!


I carved pumpkins for them. I can't wait until they can do it with us, but for now, I do it for them. This year, Colton picked out his picture. He wanted the spider. Khloe just got her name on her pumpkin ... that's what I did for Colton's first Halloween, too. Next year, she can pick her picture. Colton did help clean the pumpkin out. He didn't want to touch it, at first. He kept saying, "ooey, gooey!" But finally, he put his hand in there. Billy got him to count the seeds, so he wanted to put those into a cup. He ended up having a lot of fun (and so did we)!

This past weekend, we spent some time at the park together. Colton just loves to be outside, and I miss being there with him. Khloe did well ... she slept most of the time. It was really nice. Cole even had fun swinging with Daddy ... but really, he loves to push us on the swings! It is so funny to hear him laugh and laugh when he pushes us.


Yesterday, I worked hard on putting some things together in Khloe's room. I finally got her name artwork done and hung. I, also, bought a few items to put on the walls. I have a bunch of frames for one wall, but I have to wait until I get the pictures before I put them up. I will take a picture of that wall when I finish it. It's a PINK room, but I like how it has turned out.

Well, Khloe is 6 weeks old tomorrow. We are experiencing some difficulties with sleeping during the day ... I guess I should be thankful that it has only been day time sleep that is affected so far! She seems to want to take short naps right now. I know as she grows, things will iron out. It's hard to think about the light at the end of the tunnel, but as I look at Colton and how he's grown and changed, I know that Khloe will be okay (and so will I). I am thankful for GOOD FRIENDS who you can call on when you need a listening ear or good advice or someone to empathize with you. D is my dear friend, and I am glad to have had a nice conversation with her today. It's nice to know that someone else out there is rooting for you ... and you for them.

This week, we plan on having a fun lunch with Mason and Gwendy. I need to get a friend a birthday gift ... we have a party on Sunday. On Friday, we are going with Mason and Gwendy to "Mom's Club". They are going to a Fire Station! I think Colton will love that. Sounds like a fun week! Just pushing through 'till Khloe passes this growing stage ... and evens out. Ay!