Joining 2012

My Family,
    So as I begin 2012, and I think about all my New Year's resolution's, and after much discussion with my friends, I have decided to start a Stern Family Blog. Now I must begin by saying I am a Nurse Practitioner who majored in Biochemistry not English, and you've probably already noticed in the first 2 sentences I'm not great with grammar or the best with words. I mainly am blogging so that since few if any of my best friends and family live near me, they can see and learn about my kids and awesome hubby and stay up to date with my life. So here we go.
        Above: Above is the most recent picture 11/11 of my awesome, beautiful family. My husband Stephen (30), Michael(2), and Lana (3months). I still can't believe I am a Mom of 2. It has been the best experience ever, and the most tough one for sure. So I guess I'll start with me. I am working 3 days a week now which I feel is the best, if there is such a thing. I have a 4 day weekend every weekend and I still get to make money doing what I really enjoy.  Some days are hard and it definitely gets challenging on the days Stephen is out of town for work, or the kids are sick.  It can be very dicey sometimes trying to juggle the house, kids, and work, but I don't think I'd like it any other way. I'm at my 5th year at Piedmont so it's nice to feel at home at work. I'm desperately trying to find a balance at home between the kids, housework, husband time and me time. My biggest commitment to myself this year is just that focusing on my health, i.e. working out and not eating take out. So far I've done great on the take out not the working out, but baby steps right?  I have ambitiously signed up for a half marathon next year in Memphis with my sister's mainly because I know I wouldn't follow through without there commitment. So I'll let you guys know about how the training is going as time goes on. Otherwise I'm trying to enjoy the kids and not let my mental exhaustion/frustration get the better of me. I just keep repeating the words patience, Patience, PATIENCE, and keep hoping it sinks in. OK enough about me the real reason you are looking at this I am sure is because of the Kids.

MICHAEL CARTER STERN:

What can I say after a kidney stone at 23 weeks, best rest starting at 26 weeks, admitted for pre-term labor at 29, 31, and 33 weeks, with a triple nucal cord I was so blessed to have him here and healthy born 6lbs 4oz at 36 weeks and 6 days. So far he has been slightly intense. He was pretty colicky but otherwise was a great eater always staying in the 80th percentiles for height and weight now 38 inches tall and 33 lbs. He LOVES anything super hero. It's amazing that he can remember every character good and bad after one cartoon show. He also has a love of Mickey Mouse. We went to Disney this November and although he screamed through most of the week, by the time we left he loved Mickey and hasn't stopped talking about it since. His other love of life right now is Cars/trucks/trains anything that moves really. He can count to 10 and knows his shapes and colors most of the time, but just like his mother has not really loved reading. I have read him a book every night since he was born, literally, because I knew I and my husband do not like reading, I though this might help. WRONG. He does not like letters. We work on them everyday, watch Super Why, Sesame Street, and have tried several word games on the computer, not to mention the fact he has magnetic refrigerator letter, a magnetic board in his room with letters, letters in the tub, and oh by the way his name plastered everywhere I can put it, YET still no comprehension. Oh,well we each have our battles. He is not potty trained although we are hoping for that soon. I'm sure will have updates for you soon. Other than that he is a pretty typical kid that loves sports, running, hitting, and throwing anything that resembles a ball. He goes the a church preschool with extended hours 3 days a week and has been overall really happy there. His favorite thing is playball, an age appropriate pre-sport training program, which has been his love for the past year.  Hopefully that will help him in soccer this summer. He is in a big boy bed a transition I did just prior to Lana being born. It went OK a month of late nights, but overall an OK transition. He did stop napping though at that time 24 months which was hard, but in a way I have enjoyed no schedule issues with him anymore. Overall he is a super happy fun-loving kid who loves to play games, stay up late and sleep in, much like his parents, ha ha.

LANA JEANNE STERN:
       My princess angel. What to say, I was actually disappointed to find out I was having a girl, since I was so attached to Michael and boys is all I knew I really wanted another one, but she was just what I needed and God knew this. She was a perfect pregnancy if there is such a thing. No pre-term labor, short cervix, kidney stone or nucal cord issues. I worked the up to the day I delivered and had her July 29th 2011. I can't believe she is already 5 1/2 months old. I t has honestly gone by so much quicker this time. She was born smiling. Honestly everyone that has met her agrees she smiles all day at everything, especially her Dad and brother. She just came out smiling. She has a great disposition and seriously only cries when hungry or tired. Other than that she loves her paci and bath time. She has just started eating cereal this month and loves, I mean loves eating. She has gained 3 lbs this month. I can't wait to see what she is now. Unlike the above hos Michael, Lana has not been so large, (this is good though, right?) She was born 6lbs 5 oz and has remained in the 25% so far. She is Michael's doppelganger as far as looks, except for the size, but the exact opposite in personality. She slept 6+ hours at night after 1 month, never had colic issues, loves to be held, loves a pacifier, and is just so easy. Honestly her only faults so far is her sensitive skin, terrible diaper rashes, and her amazing ability to projectile spit-up on pretty much everyone that holds her. However since she turned 5 months this has drastically reduced itself. She nursed like a champ unlike her brother who never really figured it out and just really is so stinkin cute. We have not cut any teeth yet but the drooling has become very frequent now so maybe we are getting close and we just started baby food today!!! Carrots, and just like Lana she ate them without a fuss, with her brother sitting right next to her saying I don't like them, I DON"T LIKE THEM!!! Well maybe one out of the 2 will eat vegetables. Michael still thinks a vegetable comes in a pack ( the only thing he eats are plum baby vegetable mixed with fruit). Also she loves Sophie the Giraffe. If you don't know what that is it is the simplest most expensive baby toy, but she like several others loves it.

STEPHEN STERN:
  The hubby. We met at 19 and married at 24 and have enjoyed the last 6 years together. I still can't believe I've known him over a decade. I love so much that he has not changed who he is. That's what is so great about him he is very predictable and loyal and I cherish that. He has been my rock and stable influence through all my hormonal times. He is a great Dad and the non-hormonal thing is a necessity because he really keeps me down top earth and focused on the big picture which is sometimes hard to see when you are sleep deprived, covered in spit up, and changing  your 6th poopy diaper and its only noon. He graduated Law school, but since moving to Atlanta changed to corporate insurance sales. I honestly and sadly do not quite understand what he does, but he loves his job which is the most important thing. He works hard and loves us and plans very fun trips for the family. He is my best friend and I could not do this without him.


IN SUMMARY:
 Again this is my first blog so i figured I'd catch everyone up on us. I hope to make things more interesting and exciting and the blogs continue. If not this is a great record of my family for me. Either way I hope you enjoy it and hope to post more helpful things and random things about the kids to come. Also I promise more pictures which lets be honest this is what everyone wants. SO off to bed. Goodnight from the STERNS.