Photo Friday

Some more sibling love to share. I know that one day (probably all too soon) I will start hearing sibling squabbling, so, for now, I'm cherishing these moments.  The ones where big brother stares at his little sister with a smile.

Two Months

Dear Mila,

Today you turn two months old.

I knew I blew it last month when I bragged that you were a good baby. Haven't I learned my lesson? You never, ever, EVER brag about a good baby. Doing so will inevitably result in karma coming around to bite you in the you-know-what. Remember this lesson when you have your own kids.

Also, when you have your own kids, remember that this month I spent approximately 300 hours standing and bouncing to try and get you to nap. Again, karma. Perhaps you should start your leg strengthening exercises now.

That said, you are a pretty stinkin cute two month old. See?

You're smiling a lot now and starting to coo with us. I think your first laugh might be just around the corner. You love your play mat and the bouncy chair. You still don't care for the swing or the car seat. You've got a mean high kick and some mad neck strength. I think you are going to be one tough little girl.

The other night as I rocked you to sleep, I begged God to help me remember your sweet smell and the weight of your body in my arms for the rest of my life. Yes, this month there were days when I crawled into bed exhausted and thankful that Daddy was doing the middle of the night feeding, but all too soon I know I will miss that you don't need me.

I love you with all of my heart baby girl.

Love,

Mommy

Photo Friday

It's baaacck! Hopefully I can stay on top of it this time around as there really are just too many cute photos to not share one every Friday.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

You're welcome.

Escape

Having a newborn is hard. Having one with a toddler is even harder. I've struggled with mommy guilt for the last eight weeks. Am I giving one enough attention? Is the other feeling neglected? Mila has been quite needy during the day for the past week or so and Tyson is taking the brunt of it. If I had a penny for every time he's heard, "Not yet" in the last week I'd be rich. Then I would give it all to him in an effort to overcompensate for the mounting mommy guilt.

Last night Tyson and I had the chance to escape while Daddy put Mila to bed.

A quick bike ride through the neighborhood followed by some intense chalk drawing in the driveway was just what the doctor ordered. Juggling the two will always be a struggle, but I'm hoping to make more mommy dates with each kid to remind them just how special they each are.

First Smile



She's been smiling for a week or so now, but this is the first I managed to catch on film. So cute it hurts. We love this girl. 

Easter-Ya Win Some, Ya Lose Some

Losses:

-I'm not sure what it is about the Easter Bunny, but even I was a bit tense when we saw him this year. There's something creepy about a large rabbit with even bigger feet. Tyson was not impressed and thus this is the only picture I was able to squeeze out with him and the hare.

He looks traumatized, right? I had visions of two kids on the Easter Bunny's lap dressed in their Easter best, however, these visions were quickly dashed by his adamant refusal to remove himself from the stroller. I decided I'd wait to scar Mila for life until Christmas.

-We signed Tyson up for an Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning at the local fairground. A helicopter was supposed to drop thousands of eggs on a giant field for the kids to pick up. They could win trips, an IPad, computers!!  In theory, this would have been sooo fun. In actuality, it was 40 degrees, raining, and windy. We braved the cold for Tyson but only ten minutes in even he asked to leave.

- We woke up Easter morning to this:

Despite our (ahem) the Easter Bunny's hard work, the little guy had a fever of 102 and was not in the mood to hunt for eggs. It's entirely possible that the fever is directly related to the windchill we exposed him to at the helicopter egg drop.

Wins:

-Tyson LOVED dying eggs this year. Lots of thought was put into which colors to use and which stickers went on each egg. I love how creative he is. I also love his OCD tendenancies. A child after my own heart.

- Our little girl is ridiculously cute.

So ridiculous, right?

-Tylenol works wonders. All was not lost on Easter Sunday as the Tylenol kicked in quickly and Tyson was eager to see the Easter Bunny's work. For twenty minutes, our house was filled with running and accompanying cries of, "there's another one!"

The Easter egg hunt at home was followed by another dose of Tylenol and a second hunt at Grandma Pat's.

Full Circle

Last March we found out we lost our first baby girl at our 13 week ultrasound. She was sick and it was the hardest thing I've ever gone through, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I am a better mommy, wife, and person because of it. I am well aware that life truly is a miracle. I am trying my hardest to live in the moment and appreciate each day our family has together. I know we are blessed to have to two healthy babies we can hold now and one waiting to meet us in heaven.

In May, when the ground softened we planted a tree in our baby's honor.

This March while we celebrated Mila's one month birthday and I took her one month photos, I noticed the tree had flowered for the first time.

A sweet reminder that life is beautiful and goes on.