Rowdy Rowleys

Catch up pictures and such

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:50:00 +0000

Finally I have downloaded all our pictures from Thanksgiving and other days since. Hope you enjoy!

Chillin' at Mimi's

Chillin' at Mimi's

Mom's cat Shoe

Our little turkey

Tinsley and Mimi

Our time with Santa, Meredith was not interested in sitting in his lap.

Mommy and her girls

Daddy's little Yellow Jacket

Working Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:20:00 +0000

I am behind on blogging and I hope to get some pics from Thanksgiving posted soon. I went back to work on Monday. Things have been good on my end, not so much on Tinsley's until today. After almost two months of trying bottles everyday and being unsuccessful she has finally sucked down three 4oz bottles (as of 3:30pm and Bill was getting ready to feed her again). I am so lucky to have a wonderful, patient husband who has worked hard with her the past three days. We had been having so many issues with her that I must admit I was a little glad to leave on Monday just to be an adult. Like many people say, it was easier to leave the second child. Don't get me wrong, I love her and would rather be home any day of the week with my kid's than at work, but the last two weeks have been really trying. We did discover that she has reflux and now that she has medicine she is doing great.

So here's to making it through two weeks at work then trying to keep Tinsley on the bottle while on break.

Thankful

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:33:00 +0000

I decided to list 26 things I am thankful for (since Thanksgiving is on the 26th). Many people have been doing this daily on Facebook, but I wanted to do it my way (imagine that). Before I get to my list though, please say a prayer for Aubrey Bowden and family as she is undergoing surgery today to remove 4 tumors that have popped up. You may remember that Aubrey just recently beat a rare form of cancer, so this news was very heartbreaking. Aubrey is only 22 months old.

I am thankful for...(in no order)
1. Sorority sisters. You may not know every single one but they have your back whenever you need something.
2. My great job. I work with the best people ever and as much as I want to stay home with my girls, I don't mind going back to work in a week.
3. My education. I wouldn't be where I am today without it.
4. Patience. Mine is being tested so I have to remember this one and walk away when needed.
5. My faith. It may not always be perfect, but I believe in God and that he takes care of me every day, even if it doesn't feel like it.
6. My Mom. She has been with me through everything and I wouldn't know what to do without her.
7. Meredith. She is one great kid and a fabulous big sister.
8. Tinsley. She is a gift and has allowed us to grow closer as a family.
9. Bill. Words alone cannot express how much I love him.
10. My pets. They are my furry children, even Bill's crazy two that don't have much to do with me.
11. My house. I have one.
12. Lenora. She is the best friend any girl could ask for.
13. My friends. They can always be counted on, even those that are far away.
14. My family. Helped me grow in so many ways.
15. Bill's family. The best set of in-laws out there. And I get to be called Aunt Stacie because of them.
16. Maternity leave. It has enabled me to be able to bond with both of my girls (maybe too much with Tinsley as I don't know how the child is going to eat when I go back to work since she still won't take a bottle.
17. Afternoon naps. They allow me time to get things done.
18. Sleeping children. Both of my girls sleep through the night so I can too.
19. Facebook. It has allowed my to reconnect with so many people.
20. The Internet. I have gotten lots of valuable information from here, as well as being able to find a laugh when needed.
21. The mountains. I am always at peace there.
22. Our daycare. Wonderful folks that care so much for Meredith and can't wait to welcome Tinsley. When your child could care less that you are there then you know you have found a great place.
23. Word World. Let's me get dinner ready.
24. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Ditto (gotta have a little variety).
25. Good neighbors. They have helped us out in a pinch many times.
26. My health.

Wordless Wednesday - Two Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:06:00 +0000

Bottle Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

As some of you may know (since I have posted it on Facebook), we cannot get Tinsley to take a bottle. Originally we were going to wait until the end of October to even try to give her one, but then I read somewhere that you shouldn't wait any longer than 5 weeks old to introduce a bottle or your child might refuse it. I read this when Tinsley was 4 weeks old so we gave her a bottle the next week and she didn't give us too much of a problem. Then the night we bought our new car Bill gave her another bottle and she sucked it right down. After that the following week I met a friend for dinner and when I returned a phone call from Bill, discovered Tinsley screaming her head off and poor Bill had been trying to feed her for almost an hour.

Fast forward to today, 4 nipple types later and we still are unsuccessful. This was never a problem with Meredith. Now, granted Meredith had to be supplemented with formula the first week of her life, but she had no problems going back and forth from breast to bottle. My sweet, darling husband tries every day to give her a bottle and she screams her head off, occasionally sucking a little bit, but nothing more.

We have Avent bottles as that is what we used with Meredith. We used an orthodontic nipple from the hospital, but she gags because it is so small. I bought a Soothie bottle from Walmart on Friday because on the few times Tinsley takes a paci, that is the one she takes. She wouldn't take that bottle either. We even tried putting the paci in her mouth then switching and that didn't work. Yesterday I bought one of the expensive Adiri bottles and she wouldn't use that one either.

None of this would be a problem except for the BIG problem, I have to go back to work on December 7, just 4 weeks away. Luckily she will be home with Daddy the first week, but she still needs this skill. I can't be that mom that drops her breastfed kid off at daycare knowing they won't take a bottle.

So I am taking advice, any and all of it out there, to try to get her to take a bottle. We don't really want to buy any more, but I think we are willing to possibly try one more brand. Let me know you thoughts. Should we just suck it up and let her cry in hunger until she takes it?

This momma needs a break!

Halloween 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:02:00 +0000

This Halloween we had a wedding to attend. My cousin Leah got married on her favorite day of the year. Our family had a wonderful time at all the festivities, everything was beautiful. So needless to say we did not do the trick-or-treating thing, but that was ok, Meredith did get some candy and the girls did get dressed up. I think Meredith had about 5 wardrobe changes between Friday and Saturday (she was the honorary flower girl). Here are some pictures...

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

1st Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:10:00 +0000

Meredith had her first haircut on Saturday. She only had a tiny trim because she has too much hair to try to cut it all at once. Not that we want her to have it short or anything. I didn't do bangs because that is just more upkeep and I know I cannot trim them myself. That is just not a skill I have. Enjoy the photos...

Rainy Day Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:15:00 +0000

I took these last week during all the rain and I am just now getting around to posting them. I am so glad the rain is gone (for now anyway). Our days have been better this week now that we can go outdoors.

Chubs!

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:23:00 +0000

Tinsley had her one month check-up and she is doing great! The chubs weighs 10 lbs., 4 oz.!

Washington Farms 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Last Saturday Bill and I took the girls to Washington Farms. It was our 2nd annual trip and one we will continue to take as long as the girls like it.

Meredith had even more fun this year than last. She showed no reservations in climbing up the stairs to the big slide and wanted to do it over and over again. She and Bill picked out our family pumpkins, she got one for each of us, plus a big one to carve. Tinsley did very well for only being three weeks old. Here are some pictures from the day.

Home Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:08:00 +0000

I am adjusting to life as a mother of two, which isn't so bad, except it is hard taking them out right now. I have managed to go to the grocery store twice, but that is it. My fear is that if we go to the park I won't be able to play with Meredith and if we go to the library, Tinsley will break down. All this wouldn't be so bad if it would just stop raining. All the wet has kept Meredith inside a lot, which I hate. So here are a few pictures from this week. Meredith helped me make a cake. She liked the batter, but won't eat the cake, which cracks me up.

That evening we needed to bathe the girls so we started with Tinsley and it became a family affair. Meredith helped keep her warm by pouring water on her and Norton was there for moral support and to drink up any water he could.

I can't reiterate enough how good Meredith is at being a big sister. All she wants to do is help and she has only had a few tantrums when I can't get to her when I am feeding Tinsley. I hope this continues!

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Sisters

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Meredith seems to be adjusting well to being a big sister. She only gets mad every now and then when I can't always be focused on her.

One Week Old

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Like Riding a Bike

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:54:00 +0000

When I had lunch a couple weeks ago with my friend Lindsey she told me not to worry about forgetting how to take care of a baby, you don't. She was right and things have been going really well. We went to the pediatrician yesterday and Tinsley looks great. When we left the hospital on Saturday she weighed 7lbs., 15oz. and yesterday she weighed 8lbs., 1.5oz., so she is gaining her weight back. Things are even starting to go better with her nursing habits.

Meredith is doing well. We don't have any issues with her that we haven't had already. She loves looking at Tinsley and giving her kisses every now and then, but otherwise she isn't really interested. She also hasn't freaked out that I can't hold her, she almost seems to understand (could be imagining this).

Here are some new pictures...

Meredith meets baby sister

Not so sure about this baby thing, will she always cry?

Give baby sister a kiss.

Introducing Tinsley Morgan Rowley

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Well what a more fitting way to write my 100th blog posting, to announce the birth of our second daughter, Tinsley Morgan Rowley. I am terrible at taking pictures of myself while pregnant, so here is what I looked like bright and early this morning.

We had the first c-section this morning at 7:30am and had to be at the hospital at 5:30am (what fun). Northeast Georgia Medical Center has opened a new wing for Women and Children since we had Meredith and the changes are wonderful. I cannot complain one bit about all the services and new things they do here now.

Tinsley arrived into the world at 7:53am weighing a whopping 8lbs, 5oz. and 20.5" long. I never thought she would be this big, I was thinking maybe 7lbs. It is a huge difference considering Meredith only weighed 5lbs., 6oz. (keeping in mind she was 4 weeks early). She started screaming immediately and "passed" her first test in life (APGAR). Here is when I first got to meet her. One thing I love about the new set-up is that the nursery comes to you so she and Bill were always within sight, including while I was in recovery.

Tinsley has a full head of thick dark hair, we could easily put a bow in it. The funny thing is, yesterday when they did my final ultrasound you could see she had a lot of hair, the doctor joked she had an afro. Meredith had a lot of hair when she was born so I was not expecting a bald baby, but I would not have guessed she would have this much hair!

She has taken to nursing really well and is a very healthy baby. It is nice having her here with us and not in the nursery or NICU. My blood pressure went up once I got into my room, but it is fine now and we are both well.

My mom got here with Meredith about 5pm and while she wasn't really sure what was up with this baby, she said she loved her and gave her a kiss. We have pictures but haven't gotten those loaded on the computer yet. I have been dying to write this post all day but the wireless here at the hospital is really slow so it is taking forever to do anything.

I was able to get up and get moving right around 8pm tonight and I feel great. It wasn't as hard to get out of bed this time and now that I have moved I feel a lot better (sorry to my friend Chris who hasn't had it as easy as me, but I have done this before and this is her first time). While up I was eager to change Tinsley (even though I knew she had a blowout) because I hadn't really seen her unswaddled. I love her chubbiness!

Now we are going to get some rest and enjoy our new baby girl. I think she will be a Daddy's girl just like her sister.

Thank you to everyone for all your well wishes, thoughts, and prayers! We have the greatest friends and family in world!

Fat and Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:54:00 +0000

So I am fat and Tinsley is happy and that about sums up where we are in this pregnancy.

So, ok I am not fat, just very pregnant and really beginning to feel it with work and the heat. Although I feel pretty lucky in the weather department, it could be worse. Tinsley is very happy inside me and is constantly moving. I had my check-up today and she is not ready to come out, which suits me just fine. I had a non-stress test and the Doctor said she is happy as she can be. She had flipped, yet again and had her head back up and really leaning more to being transverse, which is how Meredith was. Again, we expected this, so it is no big deal. I can't believe she will be here in 14 days or less!

In other Rowley news, Meredith is still interested in potty training, but the only time she really uses it is in the morning. We haven't been pushing but I think we will start progressing more now that we have gone through all the diapers and now have only pull ups and training pants.

Our biggest issue is that Meredith will NOT stay in her bed. She did great for two weeks and now she gets up almost immediately and opens the door to look down the hall. We have her gate up so she can't get out, but she either plays or cries herself to sleep on the floor. Every night! So we would love any advice anyone has to give on how to keep her in bed. She also wakes up during the night at least 3 or 4 nights a week and comes to our room. When she does this one of us, usually Bill, takes her back to bed and stays until she falls back asleep, which can take awhile. We joke that she is trying to get us ready for the baby, but it really isn't funny as all of us need our sleep.

So, any advice would be great because we are getting desperate!

She did it!

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:33:00 +0000

Meredith went pee pee in the potty tonight! We asked her if she needed to go potty and she said yes (which she always says), and low and behold when she got up she had peed. I could not believe it.

We spent the weekend trying to find training pants to fit her skinny butt, but to no avail. They make them in her size, you just can't find them. I did get some pull-ups yesterday and she wore them at school today and did good. I did order some training pants online so we should have them next week.

I am just in shock that she went in the potty!

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

What's Up

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:17:00 +0000

When my mom was here she taught Meredith to say "what's up." It all started with her saying what's up Mimi, then to Mommy and Daddy, and then on to what's up dude. Well we always say blessing before dinner and ask Meredith to say Amen, which she does, so I then asked her to say "what's up Jesus" and she did. It was the funniest thing and I finally got it on video. Hope you enjoy.

In other news, Meredith is doing well in her new classroom at school. They moved her up a couple weeks before her birthday and the transition went ok, she didn't like when I dropped her off, but settled in fine. In this room they help with potty training which of course we love but haven't been pushing because I have heard so many moms say that their kids reverted when siblings arrived. Plus we knew that we were moving her into her new room and didn't want too much going on at once. Too bad Meredith thinks differently and she is very interested in the potty. So it looks like we will start the process a little sooner than anticipated, but as long as it is on her terms then we are okay with that.

Babies Can't Wait- The Final Chapter

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:34:00 +0000

On Wednesday our site coordinator for Babies Can't Wait came over to complete our exit interview, thus ending Meredith's time in the program. We have your basic two year old little girl now. She was amazed at how well Meredith's speech has come along and said to me that when she saw her at the daycare there were several kids she couldn't understand, but she knew what Meredith was talking about. It makes me feel so good!

I am really not sure where Meredith would be developmentally if we had not gotten her enrolled in this program or changed pediatricians. While we are fortunate enough that we would have been able to afford to take Meredith to a physical therapist and a speech, the time involved would really have taken a toll on us. Having them come to us was the greatest thing. For any parents out there who are concerned about their child's development you should contact them (for GA residents, but I bet other states have similar programs), especially if your pediatrician isn't helping. As parents we know, have a sixth sense, about our children and you should never ignore it. It amazes me that 14 months ago, Meredith could not sit up or talk. Now she will tell you exactly what she wants, run around and jump all day long.

Big Girl Room

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Well the big girl room is pretty much complete, just missing some decorative touches. We think Meredith likes it. She has been sleeping well so far, not really different than when she was in the crib. She doesn't sleep with the pillow or under the sheet, but we can work on that later. Here are some pics.

This is her bed and her name plate above which I repainted from being in the nursery. As you can see, Norton had to be the first one to use the bed, just like everything else Meredith has.
I made the bow holder on the left side of the mirror, my circles aren't precise, but my Aunt Pam who is an artist told me how to fix it. She is also painting a cow piggy bank for me. I knew after this project that I couldn't free hand that.
Here are her initials that I bought on clearance from Kohl's. They came white and I painted them. I should have sanded them down a little first to make things easier, but they came out nice in my opinion. The desk was done by my mom and Meredith already knows that's where her crayons are even though she hasn't really used the desk yet.

Party Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0000

This past weekend was a whirlwind, but so much fun. My mom and her friend Bev arrived on Thursday night and their arrival brought Meredith a kitchen set that was a hand me down from my cousin and his wife. I wish I had the camera when Bill brought it in because Meredith's eyes lit up and the mouth went wide open. She loved it, and I have a pic below of her playing with it. Friday we prepared for Meredith's birthday party and a baby shower given by my friend Lenora. We also learned that our nephew Brandon and his girlfriend Christina welcomed their baby boy Ian Alexandre into the world, YAY!

Saturday began with a small shower for Tinsley. My best friend Lenora put it all together and it was really nice. Here is a pic of the two preggos. I wonder who will deliver first?

Her is the Birthday Girl waiting for her guests to arrive. We had a fish/under the sea themed party for her.

Here she is playing in the kitchen, I think she "cooks" something up in there everyday.
Mommy and Daddy gave Meredith a cottage, we need more things for her to do outside and just overall to keep her busy since she will be home with me while on maternity leave. I think she liked it.

The party table with a great tasting cake (gotta love Publix!). Meredith still wouldn't eat any, but that is ok.

My god parents gave her this rocking chair, which she really likes. The rocking chairs are the only good thing to come out of Cracker Barrel.

Opening presents with the help of Mommy and buddy Aidan. They were so cute together, when they saw each other they ran together and wanted to hug, but then they realized that everyone was watching and shied away. I know she misses seeing him everyday.

Who needs the actual present when the box is just as good?!
Meredith's Aunt Loretta and Uncle Mark gave Meredith these rain boots that match her back pack and an umbrella she has. They are a little big, but she will grow into them in no time.
Playing outside with Daddy and the rest of the kids just wore them both out. I thought this picture was so funny with the two of them taking a break.

Meredith had a great day with her friends and family. I can't believe she is two!

Just a cute photo

noreply@blogger.com (Bill & Stacie) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:01:00 +0000

This was taken at the shower we threw for my cousin Leah. Of course Marlow had to come, he is one of the girls. I am going to have to talk to her about upstaging the bride to be though, we can't have that. We are having pictures made on Saturday, so I will post some of those ASAP.