So sweet!

 I just love this photo.  Gigi spent the night last night to help keep us company during the awful t-storms/tornadoes. So, this was first thing this morning after breakfast.  Adorable.

Caroline Update

 After bloodwork, x-rays, and a day at the children's hospital - we left with a diagnosis of severe GERD = awful reflux.  With a little Prevacid and Zantac, things are much better. Lina seems to be more comfortable and her painful episodes have decreased considerably. Thank goodness. 

Luke taking an interest in little Lina

A good morning kiss...Checking out his little sister...

 First the toes...

Then the belly button...

Good - it is there...

Littlest Lina Update

Our little Caroline (or Lina - pronounced L"eye"na - as we call her) is 2 weeks old in this picture.  She is quite the snuggly one and prefers to be snuggling more than anything else (well, besides eating maybe). 

Life with Lina in it has been great.  Although, we are going through a bit of a challenge with her and have a full day of tests tomorrow - potentially.  She is having significant pains in her little belly and each week they have gotten worse.  It started off with major crying outbursts of pain at night for about 4-5 hours ending around 1am usually.  The only way to soothe her was to basically attach her to me for all hours... Ben was able to calm her for a while but usually after a serious cluster feeding time on me. 
I chalked this up to newborn fussiness - a rite of passage for parents with newborns... But soon it became evident this is more than that.

Each week, things have gotten more challenging and the outburst periods have increased in length.  These past few days it lasts 24 hours basically.  A newborn her age is supposed to be sleeping around 16 hours/day... and awake for just a little bit at a time.  Today she finally went to sleep at 3am (after being awake since 9pm.)  Then with a few wake up spouts in between for feedings woke up around 9am and did not settle back down to sleep until 5:30pm!  Yikes!!  Poor Lina - she is in miserable pain and it seems like no matter how much I feed her, soothe her, burp her, turn her upside down, jump on one leg holding my breath... she is constantly struggling with gas, cramps, stomach pains, major spit up. 

I know that something is just not right... She is gaining weight like crazy and eating well - she just has bad reactions... no matter what I cut out of my diet or how much I feed her.  So,... doctor said come in first thing and we have a full day of testing on the little one.  Hopefully it is mild reflux that can be soothed with some Prevacid.  Either way - we will get this under control... I will just be glad to have some insight into her little pains.

Ready, Set, Cook

Today, in the Sunday paper, I read that HEB is starting a contest tomorrow called 'Ready, Set, Cook.'  HEB has many initiatives to help their communities become healthy... this is an 8 week contest that aligns with their healthy initiatives.  The goal is to increase the amount of meals eaten at home versus out and to add a new veggie or fruit to the menu each week.  They are also trying to prove how eating in is less expensive than eating out... not to mention more healthy. 

There are prizes to be won... Grand prize is free groceries for 1 year, $1,000 kitchen makeover and shopping trip with HEB nutritionist.  Other prizes are HEB gift cards.

Prizes are always fun, but I will say the real reason I am doing this 8 week cooking healthy at home challenge is because I really need to do establish better habits.  I have developed not so great eating habits... mainly because I have been eating for 1 for a while.  With Ben traveling all week long, I just don't have an interest to cook for myself.   Now that has changed... I am obviously responsible for feeding Luke plus I am nursing Caroline.  And, I need to get in the habit for cooking because, even when Ben is home, I don't want to cook - I just want to go out to eat with him and relax... but he has been eating out all week.  So, he really wants a good home-cooked meal.  (And, eating healthy meals at home would not be a bad idea for post-prego figure either...)

I honestly do not really enjoy cooking and I really cannot commit to anything that requires major time in the kitchen - I will get bored really quickly.  But, I think I can do anything for an hour or less of prep/cook.  I do want to enjoy it at least enough to cook for my family and friends - and have my kids and hubby enjoy my cooking. 

So this is my commitment - to not eat fast food and complete this 8 week challenge.  If anyone wants to do it with me, sign up on the HEB website starting tomorrow.  I am not 100% sure how it works b/c they release the details tomorrow but I know you record everything online. 

Four generations of Hause

This photo is a gem.  Luke and his great-grandfather, H.B. Hause, at Cuatro Estrellas in Fredericksburg.  Both are enjoying a gorgeous day outside strolling along the front drive.

The Monkees - RIP Davy

Growing up we had schedules full of activites and outdoor playing, but there were a few shows that my family loved to watch... The Monkees was one of those shows.  I absolutely LOVED The Monkees.  I had their records... and would play them all the time on the record player.  I just adored Davy Jones.  In honor of his death, I have to post this video.  Who does not love belting out Daydream Believer!?!