Sleeps

I have so much to write about...a visit from the grandparents, Teagans second birthday, Breckin's one month, Teagan officially in Twos, etc. BUT, I have to get this down on paper...er, electronically because things change so fast! Teagan has morphed into a such a great sleeper. She moved into her big girl room and twin bed about a month before she turned 2. We let her call the shots and she climbed into that bed with great pride and has never looked back. She would get out for a little while at all hours and then there was a stage where we would have to lay in bed with her until she drifted off. But now, it is all independence for this little dreamer! She goes to bed and pretty much melts our hearts each night. Now WE are the ones that have a hard time leaving the room. "Goodnight mommy/daddy" ""lay down right here mommy/daddy" "I wuv you Mommy/Daddy/Bweckin" "come back" "I had fun" It is the cutest thing ever...Rick can't get enough of the way she says Daddy with every statement or request. And then she sleeps great through the night with rarely a peep. The mornings are too funny. She wakes up and doesn't cry or say a word...she begins her gathering of all the books, blankets, toys, animals she can find and makes a pile at the door. We open the door and are greeted with an immediate smile and then back to work. She often asks for help to relocate the said belongings. The piles get larger and there are contents of her room strung all over but it makes for peaceful mornings until we get dressed. We are so proud of her big girl sleeping habits and routine! Plus, the nightly ritual is just adorable! 

Weekend of fun

I must admit that we had some serious fun this past weekend! Friday was pizza night and just relaxing. Saturday we woke up and went out for breakfast and then to 2 parks. One which had at least 10 soccer games going on in the adjacent fields. Teagan watched in awe and kicked her own soccer ball on the sidelines! We headed home for a nap and then for ready for our friend Jamie's 30th birthday. They went all out and had a pig roast, bounce house, mechanical bull and A TON of food, cake and drinks.  Once again, Teagan was the life of the party just running around like all of the party goers were there to see her! I wore Breckin the entire time (4 hours) and he barely made a squeak. I never wore Teagan as much as I do him but I never needed my hands as free. Plus, he loves it! 

Sunday we decided to be spontaneous and capitalize on the beautiful fall weather. We loaded the kids and stroller up and set off for the Metra station. We took the train west to Geneva and enjoyed a few hours roaming the town, discovering a new park and watching some marathon runners. We then found a choo choo themed restaurant similar to the one in Glen Ellyn and had a great lunch!  They even had football on so daddy could check in on the scores...this is important on a Sunday, ya know! Teagan loved waiting for the train but then was scared just as we walked on. Once we sat down, she enjoyed looking out the window and even going to the upper deck! The return trip proved my theory those things can lull you to sleep. Rick and I smiled as both kiddos were sound asleep in under 5 minutes!  We headed home for naps and spent the rest of the afternoon outside and grilling for dinner.  Oh and we got the bounce house out for some afternoon jumping! That was Teagan's second Birhday present from mom and dad and she loves the slides and jumping. It was such a fun weekend for all! 

XO,

EAT

Breckin 1 month

One month has come and gone for the little man. Wowser! He is really coming to life and is having more awake and alert daytime moments. I swear he watches the whirlwind of Teagan in absolute awe. His eyes will get really big as she comes in for a kiss. Overall, I would say Breckin is a relaxed baby. Does he get worked up and show his lung power? Sure. But he has simple needs and is fairly easy to predict. The 1 month Dr appt confirmed he is a growing boy. The Dr called him a gentle giant because he was wide awake and didn't make a peep. After reviewing his measurements, she said "get this boy a basketball!" He weighed in at 10lbs8oz (65%) and 23.25" long (99%). So he gained 2lbs and 2 inches since birth!  He enjoys movement, being held, car rides (gotta keep the car moving!) being outside, eating, tummy time and observing the blonde blur big sis! Very little blonde hair on this guy, still blue eyes and in 3 month clothes due to that length!! We just love having this little buddy around and life with 2 certainly challenges us to be "efficient" parents.  I understand why an extra 2 arms would be nice! Nighttime sleep is still inconsistent but we roll with the punches. He sleeps so soundly right after Teagan goes to bed (8-830) and then eats again closer to 11. It is the hours between 2-5 that seem to be all over the place...eating here and there and then awake or wanting to be held/rocked. Oh-well...we will get there! That is one thing about the second...you remember that each of the challenges are tripled by the rewards and that each challenge is a phase. We know we gotta keep our cool  and what helps us the most is our sense of humor! Life is way more fun when we laugh! 

XO, 

EAT

Two Year old party

We had such a fun 2 year old party for our big girl! Grandpa I did his job the morning of and took her to the park and wore her out for an early nap. It worked out perfectly as she napped while we filled balloons, got the bounce house ready and put the finishing touches on the food. I was so grateful for both sets of grandparents not only making the effort to be there but for all of the help! We couldn't have had such a fun party without their help...considering we had a 3 week old. When Teagan woke up, we got her party clothes on. It was the cutest thing as she woke up and slowly realized there were balloons everywhere! "Another one, right there" she would call out. Once we made our way outside, we watched her as she watched the bounce house we got for her inflate. She squealed in joy and then jumped right in to start the fun! We had the bounce house with balloons inside, ball pit and tent and tunnel also full of balloons. Plus all of the usual lawn games, toys and playground. It was a toddlers afternoon dream! We made BBQ chicken, broccoli salad, German potato salad and fresh fruit. Teagan received so many great gifts but the best part was being surrounded by friends and family that came to celebrate her turning 2! Many of the attendees got to meet baby brother Breckin for the first time as well! Teagan was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day and was not thrilled about a bath and bed.  I can't blame her for not wanting such a fun day about her to come to a close! We love you little lady! Bring on the next year! 

Twos

Teagan woke up this morning in her usual hit the ground running style and two things came out of her mouth within the first minute of being awake. "Where is baby?" And "I go to twos!"  They have been hyping up the move from the toddler room to young preschool or the "twos" room. We have echoed the hype at home as we quickly approach her second birthday! Two of her buddies - Matthew and Kai have already made the move with a couple of friends to follow in the next couple of weeks. Today was the trial day and she received a great report!! She was shy at first but blended right in as they did gym, art, danced as well as meals and a nap. Oh and this room has potties...aye aye aye! At pickup there were 4 kids just hanging out with their pants around their ankles waiting to be wiped. It cracked me up inside!  

Anyways, we were so proud of the good report and the photos they sent home showed her in a blur of dance, walking a balance beam and drawing. She has been a champ these past weeks with all of the changes...new twin bed, new bedroom, new baby and now a new class at school!  I can't believe she is going to turn two.  Well, actually I can now that Breckin is here. She seems so big and grown up and it wasn't that long ago she was in his shoes...er, socks!

Big week coming up...Gma and Gpa come from CO! 

XO,

EAT

Family of Four

Breckin is 10 days old...wow! I don't think anything you read or anybody you talk to can actually prepare you for having a second child. I know people have many more than 2 these days. But for our family, it was a matter of jumping in and throwing any predictions out the window. Teagan has been SO good with Breckin and is adjusting to life as a big sister. We joke that it is no longer "zone defense" it is man on man all the way! Divide and conquer for these early days. Our first family dinner at home involved me nursing while eating and Rick spoon feeding Teagan...all we can do is laugh! And she knows what gentle is and is usually very gentle around Breckin. Sure she launched him in his swing (which we call his chair because swings are meant to sit in and be pushed) and has practically climbed on him but mostly it is "I kiss baby." Or "Mom, hold baby!" The little man constantly has kissy marks from Teagan on his head. She loves bringing him his belongings like a blanky, paci, toy or diaper. Just yesterday she was taking photos and "showing Bweckin" the people in the pics...mom, dad, both sets of Grandparents, baby Teagan, Ryker, etc. I think sometimes she wishes he didnt sleep so much so they could play! She wants to give him high fives and loves to tickle his toes! The mornings are interesting as sleep schedules collide but I forgot how functional you can be after a short amount of sleep! 

Breckin is coming out of the newborn haze but he seems to be relatively relaxed, strong and adaptable. Everybody says he looks like Rick! He has very little blonde whispery hair, dark blue eyes, long fingers, big hands, long trunk and legs and big feet! He has the cutest face and I can already tell he is gaining weight.   His night sleeping has been pretty good but my word this boy can eat! Just like his sis as an infant! Nursing is going well now that we are seeing some sort of pattern in his feedings. 

Well that is all for now...we are having fun as we get to know the little guy and observe the first weeks of interaction between the two kids (whoa that is weird to type!). Pics below ----

Breckin Isaac Tiltges 08.19.13

Breckin Isaac Tiltges was born at 12:40pm on August 19th, 2013!! He weighed in at 8lbs 5oz, 21.25 inches long  and is a healthy little guy all around! We are just enamored with him and amazed at the family of 4 we have now - mom, dad, daughter, son. 

I had been having labor contractions the morning of the due date...August 16th. They went away later that morning but Rick stayed home with me and by the afternoon we were up and about and going through our day. We grilled out that night and played outside with Teagan and Saturday was a normal day contraction free. We went to breakfast and then had nearly a 2 hour park play time with the little lady. We met this dad of 3 girls that cracked us up as he talked to us, drinking his coffee, feeding a bottle to his 3 month old while his 1 and 2.5 year olds roamed the playground. I think it have us both a boost of confidence as we prepared to parent 2 of our own. We spent that afternoon at the pool which being pregnant is the best feeling! That night the contractions were back but once again went away after I was up and about. That afternoon we were back at the pool with Grandma Candy. The contractions started to work their way back in and through the night were closer  and closer and harder and harder. I thought they might go away once I was on my feet so I told Rick to go to work and I got up to get Teagan ready for school.  It wasn't an hour and I called Rick to come home I think it's "go time." He got her off to school while I labored at home basically to the point where I couldn't hardly walk. I thought if this isn't labor then I don't know what is! Turns out  I was right...we got to the hospital about 8:30am and was in triage when they told me I was 4cm dilated and not going home!! This was real! Rick reminded me to breathe while we did all of the initial procedures.  We barely had a chance to notify family we were there and we were up in labor and delivery.  Nurse Z was amazing getting us settled in as the last patient before she set off for 2 weeks to get married. Nurse Mary's shift started and she told us she would be the nurse present at delivery...I liked her confidence! We got the back labor under control and my water was broke by 10:30 and I progressed quickly from there. Rick and I joked that we were  expecting to be watching movies like we did when I was in labor with Teagan! Not the case here, an 8 quickly became a 10 and we were ready to go! I pushed for 20 minutes and they even had to tell me to stop while they got the Dr in! Quite a difference than nearly 4 hours pushing  with Teagan! We knew there would be an army of people again because like his sis, Breckin had passed some meconium so they had to have the Ped crew present. The Dr turned him around and Rick and I were in shock of what we saw! Everybody was smiling but not bigger than Rick and I at the first sight of our son. We joke because with Teagan we practically forgot we didn't know the gender but with Breckin we knew what we were doing! I was in shock with tears of joy while Rick gazed at the little fella. The Dr said the labor and delivery went so smoothly that the hospital was going to offer us a 50% off coupon for next time. Lol! He also called it a drive-thru delivery...meaning we were just out and about and decided to swing by the hospital to have a baby! The haze that follows is tough to put into words...this instant love as we headed off to the recovery room. Recovery is/was much different this time around. I was on my feet within hours of delivery and feeling pretty good.  Grandma Candy brought Teagan to meet her brother that afternoon. She was shy for about 2 minutes but climbed right into the hospital bed to "kiss the baby" and bring him his gifts. She was so sweet like she thoroughly understood why we were there and this was our new family member and her baby brother! I was so proud of her and just melted at the sight of the 2 kiddos together. It wasn't long before she was marching the halls of the hospital as if sharing the news. Multiple nurses commented on her confidence and curls of course! We checked out of the hospital 48 hours later on Wednesday August 21st and were so very happy to show Breckin his new digs!! 

XO,

EAT