February 24 - March 2, 2025

Monday I got up and Paul was still doing his ec's so I picked up around the kitchen and living room. When Paul was done we made breakfast then Paul played with Mary while I pumped. Paul put Katie down for a nap while I exercised. We had lunch then Katie woke up. Paul had a work meeting but he was working the better part of the day anyways. I pumped then we went on a walk. It was really windy so we turned around halfway to the park. We played in the backyard instead where it was a little more protected from the wind. I pumped and read with Mary and Katie while Paul worked. We facetimed with Wendy for a minute then went for a drive. We watched Bridge to Terabithia when we got home. Mary liked it and I cried. I pumped then fed Katie while we finished the movie. I brushed Mary's teeth then Paul put her to bed while I put Katie to bed.
Paul was anxious on Tuesday and had a lot of work ahead of him, so he left for work before 6 am, he said he woke up at 3:30 am and couldn't sleep. I also got up early because Katie slept so well. I exercised and pumped before both girls got up. I put Katie in the baby carrier and cleaned up while Mary ate some breakfast and played. I put a show on for Mary and fed Katie. She didn't fall asleep but I put her in her swing to see if she would toddle. I showered and Katie was still awake, so I laid down with her and gave her a binky until she fell asleep. I pumped then got lunch for me and Mary. Katie woke up and joined me with bathing Mary. We went to the park because it was nice and warm outside and I promised Mary I would take her since we didn't get to go yesterday. Mary was feeling social and tried to play with an 18 month old boy that was at the park but it wasn't really working. A 4 year old girl came a few minutes later and they played together until we left. Her name was Serenity and she shared bubbles with Mary then they played hide and seek and played in the dirt together and built Eeyore's house with sticks. We got home and I made myself some toast for dinner since I didn't have enough time to make cowboy casserole for myself before my eating window closed. I put Katie down for a nap and got on facebook while I was cuddling her and noticed that Serenity's mom posted on the Fernley Mom's page asking about us. I messaged her thinking this would be a great new friend but she texted saying she just wanted to know more about the dance class Mary is taking. I told her about Fernley Performing Arts and haven't heard back from her. I'm glad I could help her out. After Katie fell asleep I rotated the laundry, pumped, made cowboy casserole and cleaned up. Mary and I got to play for a little bit before Katie woke up and we put the laundry away. Paul got home while we were folding laundry. We hung out for a little bit before I put Katie to bed. Paul got a 5 star performance review and a 6% raise! He was the only salaried employee in cathode that was given a 5! He definitely puts the time in and totally deserved it. We are very proud of him! When Katie was asleep I went in to kiss Mary goodnight and we cuddled for a little bit. I can never say no when Mary asks, "Mommy, will you cuddle with me?"
Wednesday I pumped first thing then got breakfast for Mary and I before Katie got up. We played with toys then went outside. I did some meal prep and made some chicken and rice, it turned out just okay. Katie went down for a nap and I exercised. Vickie Davis dropped by and gave us gifts to welcome baby Katie. She made a beautiful baby quilt with matching burp cloths for Katie, an apron and book bag for Mary, and a diaper caddy and a book mark for me. She is a very talented seamstress and we all loved the gifts. I pumped after she left then Katie woke up. I took her 5 month pictures and took a picture of Mary with her gifts to send to Vickie to say thank you. Katie went down for another nap and I pumped again. Katie got up before I was ready for her to, so I tried to give her some milk and have her go back to sleep but she stayed awake. I put her on the bed with some toys and got ready for the activity. I got the kids in the car, put the napkins and water bottles in the trunk then left but had to turn around to grab the baby carrier. I went the opposite way from the church to Marilyn Bostwick's house to pick up the soup she made for the activity because her crockpot is too heavy for her to carry. I then went to Amanda Fogelberg's house to pick up the decorations and snacks for the nursery kids because her kids were all sick. I was supposed to be at the church at 5 pm but didn't get there until 5:45 pm. Katie was crying, Mary fell asleep, and we had to get everything inside and set up for 6 pm. Mary was grumpy after getting woken up and it took her probably until 6:15 to go back to the nursery for games and snacks. We had soup, bread, salad, and dessert. I shared a spiritual thought and we were able to just sit and visit with each other. I left at 7 to get Katie to bed but I was exhausted as well and grateful I didn't have to stay until 8 pm to clean up. Paul got home around 6 and forgot about the activity but there was leftover cowboy casserole in the fridge, so he was okay for dinner. I got home and put Katie right to bed. Christa Seamons dropped off the leftover clementines after the activity, which was nice. I brushed Mary's teeth then Paul put her to bed. I pumped then I got to go to bed.
Katie turned 5 months old on Thursday! She is such a chunky baby and has the most contagious smile. She is very alert and playful. I love when I'm holding her that she will reach out and touch my face. She loves to play with me and Mary and she loves her daddy too, his loudness no longer makes her cry! We love our Katie girl.
Thursday I pumped then got us ready to go. We went to the exercise class where Lindsay Durocher taught REFIT. We did her Valentine's Day playlist that she hasn't been able to use for the last two weeks. We got home and Katie slept for 3 hours. I was able to pump, meal prep an oatmeal bake for my breakfasts, clean up the house, then Mary and I moved all of her toys into the guest room to make it into the playroom. Mary loved it! Katie woke up and we played outside. Mary tripped and took a chunk out of her right big toe. It bled a lot and was sore for a couple of days. I got her cleaned up and got a band-aid with neosporin and a sock on it. Katie went back to sleep and I pumped again then Katie was up again. We played in the new playroom then I made loaded quesadillas for dinner. We played in the playroom again until Paul got home and he liked what we did with the guest room. We had some family time then I put Katie to bed. I brushed Mary's teeth then Paul put her to bed. She got up 3 times and I put her to bed. Katie got up but I gave her her elephant binky and she went back to sleep. Mary got up from a nightmare at 1 am but I got her some water and she went back to sleep.
Katie got up at 5 am to eat. I stayed up and exercised then pumped. I got breakfast for Mary and me before showering and getting us ready for our playdate. ShaLay cancelled because EverLee got an ear infection and she took her to the pediatrician. I pumped and that made us really late to the park. We were going to go at 10:30 am and didn't get there until 11:15. Megan and Kynlee were okay though. There were lots of kids at the park and Megan said Kynlee was happy in the swing the whole time. The girls played together for an hour and a half. It was so warm, it was great to be in the sun. We got home and Katie went down for a nap. Mary and I had lunch then Katie was up again. I put her in the baby carrier and we cleaned up. We played outside in the afternoon to keep enjoying the warm weather. Katie took another nap and I pumped then made Paul a tuna fish sandwich for dinner. I bathe both girls then we all go to bed.
Saturday I woke Mary up for dance and she said, "ugh! Mom! It's time for sleep!" When we got to dance class she was excited to show her dance teacher her rainbow jelly shoes. She was wearing her blue leotard and her teacher told me that Mary looks gorgeous in that color blue and she wants her to wear blue for the recital because she looks so good in it. Mary is a spring season, so she looks the best in bright colors and higher contrast color combinations. While I was outside with the other parents they kept telling me how cute Mary is and that Katie is a beautiful baby. One mom said, "You're kids are so pretty, you need to have more!" Paul agreed that they are pretty but he's not so sure we should have more..
After dance class we picked up our groceries. We went inside to get my prescription and check to see if they had egg whites but they were sold out. We got home and I put Katie down for a nap. I was finally able to pump at 10:30 am. I pumped for 40 minutes and got 13 oz. Mary and I played, then I made her lunch before cleaning up. When Katie took her next nap I pumped again and updated Katie's memory journal. Mary was done watching TV so she played outside and I left the garage side door open while I exercised so she could come in and show me the rock, sticks, and other treasures she found in the yard. Mary and I pulled weeds for 45 minutes and got all the weeds that were in the backyard, I hope. Mary was a big helper, she would carry the bucket around and put the weeds in there for me. We had some pizza and ate outside. Katie joined us when she woke up and we soaked up the last of the warm spell before it got cold again. Paul got home right after sunset, we watched a couple of episodes of Seinfeld. Paul came home sad and thoughtful because he had to give his tech, Francisco, a 3 star performance review ("meets expectations") even though he thought he deserved more. Other technicians got better ratings because they worked for the company longer and interpersonal politics, which is unfair for employees putting their best foot forward. After I put Katie to bed I pumped. Paul was exhausted from a full week of work, waking up at 5 am everyday, and fasting that day. I put Mary to bed and she only got up once. Paul moved from the couch to the bed around 11 pm.
Sunday we were all up early for some reason. Katie slept for 11 hours straight, which I loved. I woke up with a sore neck. We cuddled in bed for a little while before getting up for the day. I pumped and the kids watched "Merlin and Arfur" with Dad. I made muffins with Mary then we got ready and drove to Reno. We had lunch at Red Robin then went to Costco. We went to Walmart and got some new clothes for Mary, a long overdue chore. I had fun and I really hope she wears her new clothes. We came home and Katie had a blowout. I got her cleaned up then we played in Mary's room for 5 minutes before I put Katie down for a nap. I pumped and we watched movies together until bedtime.
It's cute, Mary will call Amazon Alexa "Balexa" and she says "Nola bars" for granola bars.