Yum!

I found this at Walmart a few weeks ago and today I made it for lunch. Believe it or not, Walmart actually has an organic/whole foods section now; it's small, but they have one. This "pasta" is made from brown rice and it's so yummy! The kids even liked it. It in no way tastes, looks or smells like brown rice. (I personally love brown rice, but many people don't.)It's cholesterol free, trans fat free, wheat free and gluten free. If you're in the mood to try something new or want to sneak something a little healthier into your family's diet, give this a shot! They will never know the difference.

Bananas and Toes

Sullivan got her first taste of baby food last night! We tried bananas and I think she liked them, but you could tell it was a lot to process. Oh the faces she made! I was thinking I would hold Sullivan off until she was five and a half or six months old, but Bruce and I started talking about it and we both noticed that she pays very close attention to us when we eat. Then one day last week I was eating a banana and holding Sullivan; she grabbed my hand and pulled the banana toward her mouth. After that I thought maybe we should give it a try. I'll try rice cereal in a day or two and maybe start working in a few spoonfuls of fruit and cereal into her daily diet. Looks like we'll be adding a third high chair to the family table soon!

Sullivan also found her toes! I catch her all the time grabbing them while she's sitting in her bumbo seat and when she's playing in her crib. I'll walk into her room and see feet up in the air with little hands reaching for them. This morning she almost got them to her mouth. Sullivan is rolling onto her side now at night and that is helping her soothe herself when she wakes up. I think the sleep training is starting to pay off. She takes three naps a day at roughly the same time each day and is in bed (no matter what!) at 7:30pm and I get her up at 7:15 or 7:30am even if she's not awake yet. I'm trying to create a 12 hour wake/12 hour sleep schedule for her. Last night she woke up at 1:30am and by the time I got to her room, she had rolled herself onto her side and was almost asleep. What a big girl! Sullivan did wake up at 5:30 to eat and when she does that I feed her; I feed her as long as it's after 2:00am and she's really awake and obviously hungry. The goal is to "train" her to go at least six and a half hours without eating (because she doesn't need to!). I think in another couple of weeks she'll be able to go 7:30-7:30 without waking up. I just have to stay consistent!

Here are a few pictures from yesterday and today. Bruce's Mom will be here on Wednesday so I'm sure we'll plan a fun outing or two while she's in town. I'll post more soon.

The first bite.

Hmmmmmm...

I do like them!

More please!

Playing with her cute piggies.

My three little angels.

Sweet babies. They're really into giving hugs and kisses these days.

My gorgeous girls.

Owen and Kathryn will be 18 months tomorrow. How are they this big? Don't you love Owen's shirt? He is definitely "Daddy's Little Wingman." Thank you Derek and Chrissy!

A First Time for Everything

One thing Bruce and I have learned as parents is that when it rains, it pours! Last week Kathryn and Owen each had a stomach virus and a cold and this week, Kathryn has her first ear infection. I guess there is a first time for everything!

She had been acting strange the last two days, but with three teeth coming in that's to be expected. Then yesterday afternoon she was burning up; I took her temp and it was 102.9. Poor girl! Naturally, it was 1:30 on Friday afternoon when this happened, but I called the doctor and they said to bring her in. I stayed with Sullivan and Owen while Bruce took K to the doc. We were both relieved the doctor could take us as a walk-in. I knew we'd have to make a trip to the ER or an after-hours clinic this weekend if they couldn't see her. The doctor said both of her ears were pink (Bruce said she actually never used the term "ear infection.") and she wanted her to start antibiotics. She's still running a fever today, but has more energy and her appetite is back. Everyone slept through the night last night, including Sullivan! Thank goodness...we all needed the rest.

Now if we can just get Kathryn through this last round of teething comfortably, she'll be done until it's time to cut her two-year molars. Yay for all of us! Then there's Charlie's eye infection. We've been trying to get that cleared up for him for the last three weeks. There's been a lot of vomit to deal with, noses to wipe, medicine to dispense and interrupted sleep lately. But like my Granddaddy always says, "This too shall pass!"

Well-Baby Visits

Here are the highlights from today's visit...all three babies are doing beautifully. We have so much to be thankful for!

At 18 months, Owen...
weighs 24.3 lbs (in between the 25th - 50th percentile)
measures 32 inches long (50th percentile)
can say 28 words and three or four two-word phrases
Here are the major milestones the doctor asked about:
imitates us when he plays - check
plays well on his own - check
can look at books on his own and turn the pages - check
follows simple commands/instructions - check

At 18 months, Kathryn...
weighs 27.10 lbs (75th percentile)
measures 32 inches long (in between the 50th - 75th percentile)
can also say 28 words and three or four two-word phrases
Major milestones:
imitates us when she plays - check
plays well on her own - check
can look at books on her own and turn the pages - check
follows simple commands/instructions - check

Sullivan
17 lbs (97th percentile. I never dreamed she'd get that big, that fast off of breast milk alone! Yay!)
26 inches long (97th percentile)
Major milestones:
babbling/cooing - check
grabbing for objects - check
laughing - check
bringing hands together - check
putting toys/fingers in her mouth - check
trying to roll - check
no head lag - check

A Cut for a Cause

I got a new 'do today. I was really just going for highlights and a cut, but nothing too different. Then I was like "It's hot, I'm busy and I'm sick of dealing with all this hair, I'm going to really cut it." Okay, if you know me, you know my hair is my thing. Well, it used to be anyway. These days I'm lucky if I get to wash it every day - forget about styling. That is a luxury of the past my friends! It was starting to look shabby and I knew it, but hadn't had time to deal with it.

So off I went to a new salon (Salon Bella in Ocean Springs) and I have to say I was very impressed with the girls who work there and the salon itself. I love my color and cut and they are reasonably priced. Here's the greatest part about today. Tammy, my stylist, cut off seven inches of hair and that hair will be sent to a woman in Long Beach who makes wigs (free of charge) for cancer patients. I've always wanted to donate my hair, but other programs require you to donate a minimum of 10 inches and it must be "virgin" hair (no bleach highlights allowed!). I know I'm not alone on this one; I feel a strange attachment to my hair. In a way, it's my security blanket. Cutting it used to be very traumatic for me and I'll admit that even today I came home and was like "Okay, this is going to take some getting used to." But how can I be sad about it when I know that the hair that used to make me feel good will now make someone else feel good? I can't. Isn't it silly to be afraid of something as simple as getting a hair cut? While I don't know if I'll keep this hair cut or if it's really "me," for now it's simple and fun - two things I could use on a daily basis here lately! Anyway, I just happened to have my camera yesterday so here are the pics.

Six Weeks and Ten Pounds

My birthday is coming up and I've set a goal for myself. I want to lose 10 pounds in six weeks. I know "they" say it's safe to lose up to two pounds a week when dieting (ugh...I despise that word) and exercising. However, I'm still breastfeeding and six days out of seven, I have the appetite of a sumo wrestler or a college football player. Wait...make that a sumo wrestler and a college football player. So, I'll cut myself a little slack and shoot for 10 pounds. Dropping 10 will get me back to the weight I was when I got pregnant with Sullivan. Another 10, will get me back to the weight I was when I got pregnant with Owen and Kathryn. I thought it might be a little more manageable to break it up into pre-weaning weight loss and post-weaning weight loss, as I plan to start weaning Sullivan the last week of July/ first week of August.

I try not to get discouraged, but the pounds have not melted away like they did after having O and K. Of course, I wasn't exclusively breastfeeding them. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say "breastfeeding is the best diet!" Not really. It will definitely make your uterus shrink faster after giving birth, no doubt about it. But unless you are starving yourself (not good for your milk supply and, obviously, mother and baby), breastfeeding doesn't make the lb's magically disappear. While it's taking me a longer to shed the weight, breastfeeding Sullivan has been one of the sweetest and most rewarding experiences of my life and very much worth the larger pant size.

So here's to a thinner me in the near future. Wish me luck!

Sisters

Thoughtful Thursday

I've decided that every Thursday will be "Thoughtful Thursday" on the Wilhite family blog. I promise to post something every Thursday (okay...I'll really try!) that inspires me, moves me or might make everyone out there smile. Today it's an excerpt from Helen Steiner Rice's song "A Mother's Love."

A Mother's love is something that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away

My daily inspiration and joy!

More Beach Fun

We took another trip to Orange Beach this week, but this time with my family. My mom rented a condo big enough to hold the five of us, my grandparents, my parents and little brother. It was also on the ground floor which made getting the kids to and from the beach and pool incredibly easy. We had such a good time and it turned out to be a really relaxing trip, which I was thankful for. With so much family around to help, Bruce and I even got to have a date night! It was nice to get out for a few hours just the two of us. We spent most of Friday on the beach with all three babies and they did great! Kathryn was a little more comfortable in the sand this time and Owen wasn't quite as interested in running off like he was last week. Sullivan stayed awake for a good portion of the afternoon and entertained us with her sweet smiles and coos and then napped in her stroller. This week was easier because we knew what to expect with the big babies, what to pack and what to leave home and how to manage the general flow of three little ones on the beach. We took as many pictures as possible of the kids in the sand and water because the oil was quickly making its way to Alabama's beaches.

I was thrilled my Grandmother and Grandfather got to join us at the beach again this year. How many little kids can say they get to vacation with their Great-Grandparents? My Grandparents treated us to dinner on Thursday night. In the 25-plus years we've been going to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, we've never gone to Lambert's. It's a fun, family restaurant where they literally throw huge, hot rolls to you (hence its slogan "home of the throwed rolls"), serve giant portions of delicious food and play music really loud so it doesn't matter if your babies scream. Not having to worry if the babies were being too loud or disturbing other diners took a lot of the pressure off and we just enjoyed the meal. I can't remember the last time I had such a good time at a restaurant. Watching the babies "dance" to the music in their highchairs and tear into those gigantic roles made us all smile. Thank you Grandmother and Granddaddy for a family meal we'll never forget!

Here are a few pictures from this week. There's nothing like a family vacation. It's usually loud and kind of crazy, but I wouldn't trade spending that time with family for anything in the world. Taking time out to be with the ones you love is a luxury and we're lucky to have such loving families to vacation with. Until next time...

Grandmother and Granddaddy with Sullivan before dinner.

Spending time with the fam.

Owie taking a walk with Great-Grandmother and Great-Granddaddy

Trying on Mom's new sunglasses. The funny thing about Kathryn is that when she puts on sunglasses, she gets this serious look on her face and stops smiling. Like it's not cool to smile when you have on such cool sunglasses. So hilarious!

Sullivan looks even more blond in the sun. Her hair is "spikey" and straight like K's was as a baby, but the color of Owen's. That's a recipe for a headful of gorgeous hair if you ask me - just like her brother and sister.

Enjoying our day on the beach.

Mom and I went to lunch one day - just the two of us! We hadn't done that in forever.

The whole gang minus my Grandparents who had to leave early that morning.

Mom and Sullivan

Owen and Panther trying to decide if they should take one last dip in the kiddie pool before we headed home.

No doubt about it...that's my daughter. She figured out how to put the brush in the lip gloss tube, pull it out, put it on her lips and put the brush back in the tube. She did it over and over again, but hey, you can never have on too much lip gloss right?

Owen was so tired here and he kept snuggling up to me trying to go to sleep. He rarely does that and I had to get a picture.

We're on a roll! Another family picture with three happy babies.

This is a picture from two weeks ago when the water was calmer and the weather was better. I took it because who knows what is going to happen to this beautiful beach. I pray Alabama's beaches (and all of the Gulf's beaches for that matter) will look like this again one day. Thanks BP. I hope you've learned your lesson.

Fun In The Sun

We got back last night from our beach trip with Bruce's parents (Grandmama and Pops). Orange Beach was gorgeous and the weather was perfect! There was a breeze every day we were there and that kept everyone a little cooler and a little happier. Bruce's Mom rented the most adorable condo (on the super convenient second floor, which was a lifesaver) and we spent three days having fun in the sun with the little ones.

Kathryn and Owen slept well in their pack and plays. They cried a little the first day at nap time and bed time, but ultimately slept like they normally do. Sullivan only woke up once the first night and then twice the second night, but she is a super traveler. She took naps in her stroller at dinner, on the beach, on the porch and by the pool. As it turns out, Owen loves the sand, but isn't crazy about the water. Kathryn loves the water, but will not walk on the sand. It doesn't really surprise me that they are opposites when it comes to sand and water. They're opposites in almost every other way. I guess next year we'll see what Sullivan does and doesn't like, but if I had to guess, I'm thinking she'll be okay with whatever. She's a happy little girl who rarely seems to mind much of anything.

I don't think the trip could have gone any better. Thank you Grandmama and Pops for a wonderful vacation...we love you so much! Here are our pictures from this week. We're going back to Orange Beach on Wednesday with my family for a few days, so look for new pictures this time next week. I hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day.

He was laughing so hard when the water would hit his little toes.

No matter how big or how old he gets, I'm certain I will always think of him like this.

Bruce chased Owen up and down the beach all day, every day. Our babies are lucky to have a Daddy like Bruce!

Mommy and Owie before we headed home. He's getting so big!

Owen wasn't quite sure about his float.

Trying on her new sunglasses.

I was excited to get a picture of the three of us. It's rare that we get both parents in a picture with one baby or all three. Her bow fell into the water right before we took this. Oh well.


Mommy and Daddy with Sullivan on her first day at the beach. It was exhausting for her.

Baby sister "played" in the kiddie pool too!

This is the only way we could get her to play in the sand. She had to be sitting or standing on a blanket or towel.

Daddy and Bug enjoying some time in the ocean. Bruce said she laughed the whole time she was in the water.

Quite possibly one of my favorite pictures of Kathryn...ever.

Remember when all it took to make you happy was a bucket filled with water?

All dressed up for dinner.

Pops looking down from our condo while we played in the kiddie pool.

Owie had a beach buddy in Grandmama

Grandmama and her grandbabies waiting outside the Original Oyster House

Bruce, Pops and Sullivan

The whole family after dinner. You can't see it, but Sullivan was sporting bits of hush puppie in her hair that her big sister so kindly rubbed in for her as we were finishing up dinner.

Finally! A picture of all five of us where no one is screaming. I thought it was sweet.