Overheard

Teddy: I need some chocolate milk so I can get these boogies out my nose.

Me (giggling): Oh yeah? You think chocolate milk will help get the boogers out of your nose?

Teddy: Yeah!

Me: How about we try using a tissue and you blow your nose?

Teddy: Umm no. I just need some chocolate milk.

Me (heads off to the fridge).

Filed under "Winning" and "Thing #28976497423 That You Can't Argue About With a Toddler"

All About Adelyn - Month 2

Adelyn changes by the day it seems. At this age, you can really see differences over night and it reminds me how precious each moment is; how time is so fleeting, so valuable. So often I find myself thinking back and savoring, but I want to be better at savoring in the moment. In the midst of the crazy, I want to stop and close my eyes and think "one day, not so far away, I will miss this."

Without futher ado, here is all about Adelyn in her 2nd month:

Loves:
- her brother (watches him, smiles at him, coos at him, gives him the side-eye)

perfecting the side eye

- eating
- "standing" (holding her in the standing up position with most of her weight still in our hands, obviously)
- chewing on her fingers
- smiling
- interacting/being talked to
- looking at books/being read to

Hates:
- baths (most times)
- being cold
- loud, sudden noises (but, really, who likes this?)
- being tired (again, who likes this?)

Starting to:
- "stand"
- hold her head up like a champ
- sleep at night like a champ
- coo at us

2

Photo by Rachel Withers Photography

Two is tough and tiring and I can barely remember having only one (but that may just be the exhaustion talking). 

Two means rarely having a moment that isn't devoted to someone other than myself. If I thought I was working on not being selfish as a mother of one, whoa boy does having two shine a light on where I still harbor "me, me, me."

Two means double the tired, double the poopy diapers, double the carseats to juggle. Double the crying, double the smiles, double the laundry.

Two means learning how to entertain a toddler while feeding a newborn; it means navigating the world of double strollers and "who the heck do I get out of the car first at Target when it's raining and I'm not sure if I should use the cart or the double stroller."

Two means double the learning; two little people who are constantly teaching me how to breathe and let it go - you can shower tomorrow, after all. Two means double the lessons in patience and teamwork and the beauty that can really be amidst the chaos.

All About Adelyn - Month 1

Adelyn is one month old.

 As I remember from Teddy's early months, the days are simultaneously so long and so short that I'm never sure if it is Monday or Friday or some other day altogether. The counting of weeks and months and milestones flies by in a blur of dirty diapers and re-heated coffee and washed bottles.

Being a second child myself I always joked (half seriously, half lightheartedly) that there were rarely pictures of just me, and there were far fewer pictures in sum of my babyhood than that of the first child. While that will probably be different in some ways for Adelyn and Teddy given the improved technology (hello iPhone camera always at the ready), I empathize with some basic things about being a mother of two. All of this is to say, I hope that I am able to keep blog posts about Adelyn's developments on a month-by-month basis like I did with Teddy. However, I'm cutting myself some slack too; that if I fall behind or miss a month or two I will at least update when I can.

Without further ado, here is all about Adelyn in her first month:

Loves:
- eating
- sleeping
- being held
- being talked to/interacted with
- black and white toys

Hates:
- being hungry
- baths

Starting to:
- smile at us!
- track objects/toys with her eyes

Overheard

Me (as Teddy spins in circles): Hey bud, you gettin' dizzy?!

Teddy: Yeah, I'm gettin' busy!

Filed under "cracks me up every time" and "random stuff I never want to forget"

Dear Baby a,

You arrived on a Thursday morning, 8:00am on the nose. And it has been a whirlwind ever since that morning two weeks ago. I knew you would be my little firecracker, my feisty little girl. You did not disappoint us! Before your body was separate from mine, you began the wails and screams heard round the hospital. Ok, so probably not that far, but dang girl, you had some lungs on you and you let us know!

I watched you wail and flail as they cleaned you off and measured you. The whole while crying my own tears of love beyond measure. That is what surprised me the most about your birth - not seeing your eyes that reminded me of your brother or your hands that looked like mine or the swirl of hair at that center of your head that is all your own. What surprised me the most was the immediacy of my love for you; how at the exact second you left my body, I loved you more than I ever dreamed.

After the nurses wrapped you tightly, Dada was able to carry you over to me. He held you close to my face and we talked to and you quieted your wails to just whimpers. You knew us. Your whole demeanor changed in an instant. Your big eyes intently trying to focus on mine in those first moments. I kissed your cheeks and head and marveled at how soft you were. For such a firesty little girl, you had the softest skin I've ever felt.

We named you Adelyn Mae. Our baby girl. Our little firecracker. Our softest and feistiest parts all in one package. Our 7lb, 20 inch long burst of warmth on a cold, January morning.

Welcome to us.

Love,
Mom

Dear Baby a,

Oh baby girl, you are so close to being here. Tomorrow is your due date, but I don't expect to see you for another week. You seem to be mighty cozy inside right now. And how could I blame you. With the whipping winter wind at my cheeks, I make final preparations for you and think that it is a mighty cold time to have such a little babe.

I have thought of you as a firecracker for a while now, though. I know you will bring  a warmth to this cold month. You continue to be active and make your presence known daily. I have more aches and pains as I carry you in these last days. But trust me, I cherish it. I cherish the firecracker that you are and that you will be in our lives.

I will miss these days, I know. I will miss the kicks and rolls and jabs. I will mourn the loss of carrying you inside - a constant companion, a constant reminder that my body can grow life. I will miss the kindness of strangers on the subway. I will miss the rest you insist my body takes these days.

But I also can't wait. I can't wait to see your face, hear your cry, count your fingers, kiss your cheek, speak your name and show you to everyone who already loves you. I can't wait to see what fire you will light in me, in our family, in this world.

You are so loved, baby girl. You are awaited and anticipated.

Love,
Mom