8 weeks

Dear Smooshy,


You are 8 weeks old today! So close to two months, and you get more and more fun with each passing day. I love how you interact, and that grin of yours just makes my day!

So what were we up to this week? Well Saturday you had your very first trip to West End Bakery! Yum! I think you will enjoy it more when you can actually enjoy the treats. But Daddy, Ellie and I all enjoyed a donut, and we picked up a birthday cake for me. Then, after nap time, we went looking for some outdoor toys for you and your sister. Your sister for sure needs some things to play on, and I want to spend lots of time outside with you guys this summer, so I am hoping that we can find some good stuff for you girls!

Sunday was your dedication at church! There were a lot less babies this time than when we had the dedication for Ellie, which was nice.

And afterward we went to brunch with Grandma and Grandpa Zaher. Ellie chowed down on blueberry pancakes while you gave sweet cuddles to everyone, my sweet little smoosh!

After that, I had to go to the gym, so you stayed with Daddy and Ellie. It was kind of a rough day, since Ellie did not want to nap. But, you guys did do some playing together. Nothing warms by heart more than seeing you two interacting. Your sister ADORES you. We are constantly hearing "Oh, bayBEE" from her. It is SO sweet. I hope you two continue to play together as nicely as you do now!

And your Daddy? Wrapped around your little finger! Of course. But I do have the sweetest story from Sunday. Daddy had been with you two all day. Your sister didn't nap well, and when I came home it was pretty clear that Daddy had his hands full for the night. So I took you, fed you, and got you snoozing in your swing. Then I went to take a shower. When I got out, you were zonked on Daddy's chest. So, I was concerned you had woken up fussy and Dad wasn't getting his much needed break. Nope! Daddy told me your blanket had fallen off and when he went over to put it back on you, you looked so adorable and cuddly that he just had to snuggle you. As he put it "I had a chest in need of a Smooshy." Awe! Talk about melting!

Monday we hung around home for the most part. We did get out to take a nice walk, but other than that, it was just some much needed time with my two favorite girls, and my favorite fluffball.

Your sister, however, had figured out that when I have my hands full with you, she can misbehave. This started Monday, when she climbed on the hood of the power wheels car. Then, I was changing your diaper and Dad got home. As soon as he stepped in the door, I heard "Ellorie Mae!" Yup, she was standing on the coffee table. What??? That little monkey. And THEN, she climbed into your seat, while it was in the stroller. Phew. That little climber is going to give me a run for my money. Don't watch her, okay Scarlett? I don't know if I can take two little monkeys! 

You are certainly taking after your sister in one way. You are both crabby little bunnies. I love this side-by-side of you two. What do you have against being dressed up like bunnies?

Tuesday brought more SNOW. Ick. We are all done with the snow. I want to to be warm so we can enjoy outside time. We had to run some errands, and then we stopped by Grandma and Grandpa's house since Ellie woke up asking to "swim." That means I got a little extra time to cuddle with you while your sister played fishy. I love that!

Wednesday we needed to do a couple more errands. You were a doll on the eraands, as usual, and your sister good too! Yay! I love good errand days. It makes things so much better for all of us. 

Then we went to the gym. Your sister, the goof, played with Jack's tools. 

And you snuggled LOTS with Aunt Andrea. I didn't think I was going to be able to get you back. She is just magic with all you kiddos. Truff loves her, Ellie loves her, and apparently you love her. I officially need to win the lotto and have her come be our nanny.

Thursday, you had your first road trip! I had to go to Grand Rapids for a meeting and you tagged along. You were perfect in the car, you barely made a peep! Then at the meeting you were content to snooze on my chest most of the day. You were a great 'helper'

Ellie spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa and had a ball. They went to run around the mall. She even got to ride on the rides there. They did, however, spill the beans that they can be turned on with money and now I don't think she will be content just climbing on them. But, I understand...look how happy she was!

That brings us to today. I am exhausted from yesterday and we've got a boatload of packing to do for this weekend. But even when things get crazy like this, it is easy for me to remember that I am blessed with the two best little girls ever, so it is worth all the crazy. I love you so much, little squish, and I hope you know how much your little smiles make me smile. You are an amazing little girl, and I am excited that I get to have a front row seat in getting to see you grow and change.

I love you, Scarlett!
Mommy

Learning to listen...and talk

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that my Ellie-bean is a full fledged TODDLER. A running, climbing, talking, TODDLER.

And the truth is, I often forget that the little baby I held 18 months ago is not so little anymore. And I still try to treat her like such. And, of course, that is NOT okay with Little Miss Independent. But honestly, we both are learning a lot.

Just like she's learning to talk, I've had to learn to talk a lot more. She wants to know what is going on. And it prevents so many battles when I just talk to her. For example, if I explain to her that we are going to go get her ready for her nap, I get and enthusiastic "Yeah-Yeah-Yeah!" But if I just grab her and take her to her room...meltdown. She needs to know what's going on. But I forget, SO OFTEN. I hurry. I get caught up, and don't want to explain.

And then there is listening. Heaven knows this girl needs to learn something about listening. Of course, I write this as we are deep in the trenched of a climbing stage. At least I hope it is a stage. It started Monday morning. I was nursing Scarlett, heard a giggle, looked behind the couch, and Ellie was standing on the hood of her Cobra. She wouldn't listen, so the car got moved into the dining room. Then, Ryan gets home from work, just as I was changing Scarlett, and found Ellie sitting on the coffee table. What? Can't move that in the dining room. We spent the entire night trying to get her to not climb onto it every 3 seconds (oh, when we weren't trying terribly hard to keep from laughing. Because it is FUNNY. She is so proud of herself and she looks like a seal getting up there.) And then Tuesday? I am trying to get them out of the house when I find Ellie sitting in Scarlett's car seat. No big deal, except it was snapped into the stroller. Sigh. So she had climbed the stroller and gotten into the seat. Her listening skills...not fantastic. But mine? They need to improve too. I am constantly amazed at Ellie when I just listen to her. Those times when I am not stuck on amusing her are incredible. She does her best talking while not distracted, so I really have to take the time to make a conscious effort to not overwhelm her and just to LISTEN.

I'm glad that Ellie is patient with me as I learn how to be the Mom of a toddler, and even more so as I learn to be the Mom of THIS toddler. I love it, but it is significantly different than any learning I've ever done in the past. I only hope I can be as patient with her as she is learning and growing.

7 Weeks

Dear Smooshy Scarlett,

You are 7 weeks old, princess! And what a fun week it was!

On Saturday, we headed out for some errands. Mostly, we are trying to be way more organized with cooking, so we did a mega-grocery run. You were awesome, as usual, and slept through most of that, and then were still out when we got home and prepped everything.

Later that night, we all curled up on the couch and had family movie night, watching The Little Mermaid. No surprise, you snoozed on Daddy's chest. That is your favorite place to be, I think. Snoozing on Daddy's chest or...ahem...attached to my chest!

Sunday we went to church and then headed back home, as usual. You were a doll again, and cuddled with Daddy for the entire service. I am still having lots of fun dressing you and your sister up. I fully expect you two to have some massive therapy bills later, but you princesses look so darn cute! I was so sad when I had to leave to go to the gym, but you had an awesome time with Daddy and Ellie.

Monday was St. Patrick's Day! I already posted about that and all the fun we had. I cannot wait until you can enjoy more of the things that Ellie and I do. You are really starting to watch her and such, though. 

Tuesday was another holiday...at least at our house. Frozen Day! Your sister has been waiting for that to come out on DVD for awhile now, so of COURSE we had to trek to the mall to pick up our copy. I am sure you will be singing it like Ellie before long, and requesting "Go!" when we get in the car, and telling me "Gin, Gin" (again) when the songs end.

So, of course, then it was another family movie night. We all enjoyed it. You slept on Daddy (see the theme) and we all cuddled on the couch. It was a great movie, except the first 15 minutes when your Daddy and I were a blubbering mess. When you are the Mommy and Daddy to two little princesses, that should come with a warning! I am pretty sure your sister thought I had lost it when I very sternly turned to her and told her that she is to ALWAYS build the snowman. ALWAYS. 

Wednesday was my birthday! Yay! Of course it was the best because I got to spend it with my girls! I just love spending time with you two. Even the little mundane stuff is so much fun! Daddy made me a yummy breakfast and gave me the most gorgeous new necklace with E and S on it. You and your sister hid a card for me on her changing table, which was really sweet too. We enjoyed lots of cuddles and for the most part, you guys were on your best behavior. 

Thursday we had a little date together to go speak at the St. Joe Breastfeeding Coalition. It went really well and I was able to pass along some of the things that helped us all be so successful breastfeeding and help to plan what can be done to support other mommies and their babies. Oh, and I got you weighed. Are you ready for this, smoosh? You are up to 10 lbs 9 oz! Guess I don't have to be worried about waking you up to eat, Miss Sleepypants. You are doing GREAT gaining weight.

Speaking of gaining weight and such, I took a pic of you on Thursday that I just had to compare to your sister. I so often think that you two look completely different, but in reality, your faces are almost identical. It will be so interesting to see how you grow and develop!

Friday the weather FINALLY started warming up, so we were able to take some good walks. You loved walking around the neighborhood, except when the sun would get in your eyes. Your sister loved it too, and walked the entire way down to the cul-de-sac on her own. I was happy that the nice fresh air wore you guys out and I cannot wait to be able to be outside more with you two. I have a feeling we are going to have a lot of outside time this summer!

So what else are you up to? Well you are still a super sleeper, usually giving us at least a 7 hour stretch at night. That is much appreciated, Smoosh! You love looking at lights. And you still love being a million degrees and being all smooshed up in a little ball. You are a big fan of being swaddled, so we are typically swaddling you for naps too these days. And those smiles....you are responding to Daddy and I by smiling and cooing now. That really is the best thing ever. You especially talk up a storm to Daddy when he gets you ready for bed and then bring you into me. He often comes to bed with eyes a little misty from your adorableness!

One things that you are doing that just crack me up is what I like to call your "Willy Wonka face". I promise, when you get sleepy but are fighting it, your eyes roll and you give this face, just like Willy Wonka. Between that and your sister trying to turn herself into a blueberry a la Violet Beauregard, I sometimes feel like I am in the movie!

Smoosh, you are such a doll and just so perfect for our little family. I love watching you discover all the new things around you. And of course, I just LOVE cuddling with you. You are such a sweet girl, and I am so lucky to be your Mommy!

I love you,
Mommy

St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Mason crew!

We had an awesome, but busy day. In typical fashion, I tried to make it a really fun day for the girls. Well, at least for Ellie. For Scarlett, a fun day is still eat, sleep, poop.

When Ellie got up, I went to greet her with a light up necklace on. She loved anything that lights up/glows! So she was very excited! Then our leprechaun, Lucy, had made breaskfast! Green shamrock pancakes and green milk for everyone!

Ellie was not so sure about the green milk. She definitely gave it the side-eye before she drank it!

Then we had some sweet cuddle time, all three of us. Ellie and Scarlett are really starting to interact now. It just melts my heart to see Scarlett smile at her big sister! She is going to just adore her, I know it!

Grandma dropped by for a bit, so the girls were entertained. Then it was lunch and nap. While Ellie was napping I got to snuggle with my littlest leprechaun! She is starting to smile and interact so much more. She gets smiley when I talk to her pretty often now, and I just love it. Sometimes she will start cooing too. 

Ellie was a little bit of a mess (darn chompers bothering my girl!) but enjoyed some lucky charms after her nap and watched a little Curious George while I fed Scarlett. 

Then, it was erupting shamrocks time! Baking soda and vinegar can keep even my crab happy for a half hour. She loved to use the squirt bottle to make is erupt and then use her finger to pop the bubbles! It was the first time I tried this with her and it definitely won't be the last! There are a bunch of variations of this I will FOR SURE be puling out for this summer. 

Ryan came home and we had dinner. No corn beef and cabbage (we aren't fans of that)...just some yummy rosemary and honey chicken. BUT, Grandma did bring over some yummy cupcakes for dessert. Ellie devoured hers. Ryan and I might have devoured ours too. I plead the fifth. 

Overall we had a really fun day. I am super excited for when Scarlett is older and I can do theme days and projects with both of them. I see this as one big advantage of them being so close. I can put extra time into this kind of stuff, since it will work for both. And it is the kind of stuff I love to do. I think I might have been a pre-school teacher in another life or something...

But, for now, I will simply say that adding a little magic to my family's day is just so stinking fun. I love it to bits! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

6 weeks

Dear Sweet Baby Scarlett,

You are 6 whole weeks old today, baby Smoosh!Daddy and I were just talking tonight about how it doesn't seem real that you've ONLY been with us 42 days. We just love having you as part of our little family. 

So, what's up this week? Well, we had a very busy weekend! On Saturday your Aunt Mandy came down to see you. She just adored you and was so excited to get all the sweet Scarlett snuggles!

You are way more aware of things these days, but you still give awesome snuggles. You like yelling at the birdies in your swing and bouncer, just like your sister did. You can't quite figure those pesky birdies out...

You are also a little fussier at nights. You are hitting that 6 week growth spurt, I think. Because you want to nurse ALL THE TIME at night. You are stuck to me from about 5-8pm. I must say, I don't really mind. I need my baby cuddles.

Sunday was a crazy day. Daddy left early to go ride in a bike race, so I braved church with the two of you, alone. We were a bit late, but you awesome with me in the service and Ellie had fun in her class. But, then your sister is SO independent that she wanted to walk to the car on her own, and threw a tantrum when I tried to carry her. So I got to through the church parking lot with you in your car set, 2 diaper bags, and your sister upside down, screaming and trying to throw herself out of my arms. Oy. I love you two more than life itself but you little ladies can be a challenge. When I had to go to the gym, I dropped you off ant Grandma and Grandpa's house. Dad picked you guys up later and you spent the evening with him, as usual.

Monday was our much-needed girls day in. You snoozed away in your swing while your sister and I played. You do like watching her play sometimes. I can't wait until you two can play together. I hope that you guys grow to enjoy that!

We also enjoyed the fact that the weather was MUCH nicer and took THREE walks. Being cooped up has been hard on us all, little Smoosh. You did great in the stroller in your bunny suit, and Ellie loved sitting next to you, saying "Babyyyyyy" and reaching up to pat your leg. She even knows now that when I put you in your bunny suit it is time to get in her snowsuit, so she will grab it, put it on the floor, and lay on top of it. She wants to make sure we don't forget about her either. I couldn't forget about either of my girls, though!

Tuesday we hit the mall with Grandma to walk around. You were a good girl, but you would NOT fall asleep! Your little eyes were going like CRAZY, taking everything in! In that way you do remind me of your sister. She was nosey at that age too. We had to block some of the stimulation from you to be able to get you to zonk for a little while. 

Wednesday was a pajama day with my girls! The weather was bad (AGAIN...ARG!) so we stayed in and snuggled and played. Your sister was all about entertaining you during tummy time. I love seeing the two of you interact. You guys play so well together, most of the time!

Ellie definitely has some interesting ideas as to how to play with you though, Smoosh. I think you're going to have to toughen up a bit to survive a big sister who wants to pump out your brains!

Thursday was another morning with my girlies at home. Our routine got thrown off a little bit in the morning, and that made your sister a crab, so I spent a lot of the day dealing with her. You were very good and chilled in your swing, just watching and taking in everything. In the afternoon, I had to go get a blood draw done, and so you and your sister went with me. Everyone at the clinic was excited to play with both of you. I think I had about 10 people in my little blood draw room, rocking you in your carseat and playing with Ellie. You guys sure do enchant pretty much everyone anywhere you go!

Then we headed to Target for groceries. That didn't go as well. Ellie was back to being a crab, so we only grabbed the bare essentials and then high-tailed it out of there. 

Friday was a big day...Daddy and I had our first date night since you came. You went over to Grandma and Grandpa's while I had a doctor's appointment that afternoon. Grandma liked the visit from the two little penguins!

Then, after the appointment, Daddy and I went out for dinner as an early birthday celebration. I enjoyed the sashimi that I've spent 10 months without, thanks to you! We also had some turtle cheesecake at the Chocolate cafe. Yum! You guys did great with Grandma and Grandpa, although Grandma got to see a little of your 5-8pm fussiness. Still, with you sleeping 8-10 hour stretches at night (yes...10 this week. You brke your own little perfect record!) I can't complain.

Smoosh, you came into one crazy family, that is for sure, but we couldn't be happier to have you here. I love that you are more alert and inquisitive, while still having a personality emerging that is distinctively YOU. I enjoy every single sweet cuddle you give me, and cannot stop kissing on that full head of hair. I love you to pieces, little squishy girl, and I am so lucky to be your Mommy.

I love you, Scarlett,
Mommy

Being a Mom of 2

So, it is probably about time I write about this being a Mom of 2 stuff...

First of all, my kiddos are AMAZING. I LOVE being their Mom. Both were absolutely meant for me.

In most ways being a Mom of two littles is easier than I anticipated. I'm sure much of that is because Scarlett is so relaxed. Sometimes I have Mommy guilt because I honestly forget about her. Ellie is so demanding of my time, that it is much the same, difficulty-wise, as when I just had Ellie, with a few extra tasks thrown in.

What is harder? Well, two things.

1. My bonding with Scarlett. Ellie is all-encompassing. And I love that about her. But that gets in the way, sometimes, of those bonding moments with Scarlett. I feel like the process is a lot slower, and I have to be more intentional about setting aside Mommy-Scarlett only time than I did when I had all day to cuddle Ellie. This part got bad earlier this week. When I try to do too much and don't get the necessary Scarlett snuggles, I go to a bad, bad place mentally. You would think I would have learned from almost this EXACT same time with Ellie. But no... http://thejourneytobabye.blogspot.com/2012/10/7-weeks.html

2. Balancing everything. I feel like every day is marked by me being good at one part, and only one part of my life. Like, I can be a good Scarlett mom. Or Ellie mom. Or Housewife. But not all at once. I wish I could say that I am getting better or that I at least have some plan to move in the right direction. I don't. Balance is HARD. I wish I could be rocking Scarlett, playing tag with Ellie, and folding laundry simultaneously. But I can't. I suppose some of it is adjusting my expectations. And I am sure that some of it stems from the fact that I feel the need to 'make up' in both the Ellie and house categories, as most of the 3rd trimester I feel like I did a less-than-stellar job. But still. It is tough.

In reality, going from 1 to 2 kids wasn't nearly as hard as going from 0 to 1. But I am still far, FAR from having this down to a science.

Then again, I think that's why God made coffee...and wine.

Ellie's 18 month appointment

Ellie had her 18 month doctor's appointment on Friday. First of all, she was a DREAM for it. She let the doctor hold her, and didn't squirm. She played dinosaurs with him, and gave him big giggles. She didn't talk much, which is funny because she is typically SO verbal. He asked if she was talking and Ryan and I both laughed. Ugh, usually we can't get her to shut up!

The great news is that she checked out perfect. She's 31.5 inches tall (38th percentile) 22 lbs (40th percentile) and has a 19 inch head (92nd percentile...WHOA!). She has EVERYONE in that office wrapped around her finger! The doctor played "Let it Go" for her, and she was mesmerized. And Angie, our normal nurse was with another patient (BOOO!) but had to sneak in and see us and give Ellie tummy tickles.

In other good news, she got out of her shot. Our doctor like to be cautious, and since our 15 month appointment was a week or two late, it hadn't been over 90 days, and so we held off on her last hepatitus vaccine until her 2 year appointment. Which, by the way, I CANNOT believe is the next time we go to the doctor's with her. Hopefully we can continue the string of only well-baby visits, and no sick ones!

So what is going on with my little bean? Well, she's a ball of energy but so much fun! She and Scarlett got Daddy and I presents. New coffee cups! Big difference...these are toddler proof so I can actually drink a full cup of coffee. Heaven! Ellie is so funny though, she loves to wait for me to take a drink then lick the excess off the lid. I totally have a coffee girl on my hands!

 She is learning SO much so fast! She's probably got over 100 words now, and every day something new crops up. We're working on shapes, colors, letters and numbers. She can do some, but not all. She's pretty decent counting to 5, and knows circle, for example, but not other shapes. We'll get there!

She still LOVES animals and can name and make the animal sounds for most of her Little People animals. My favorite is the alligator. Nothing is cuter than her saying "chomp, chomp" while clapping her hands! 

Fine motor Fridays have been a success too, as her fine motor spills are off the charts. She's really loving her pipe cleaner game, and is great at getting the pipe cleaner in the tiny hole. This week, I think we are going to try "beading" as long as I can make time to get out and grab some materials. 

She's a super eater too. Anything with cheese is a hit. Blueberries are awesome. She's a carb monster just like Mommy. And she is doing GREAT with a spoon. Yes, there are often tantrums if you DON'T give her her own utensils. Such the independent little lady.

I think I've said this with every single stage that she's been through but MAN, this is such a fun age. Don't get me wrong, there are tantrums, but the way she communicates is just so sweet. Like last night, Ryan was busy feeding Scarlett and Ellie was apparently winding down, because she came over to the couch where he was sitting, laid her head down, and said "night, night". Then, when he was able to finish up and get her to bed, she gave him awesome snuggles, went down in the crib, pulled her blanky over her, and didn't make a peep. My sweet big girl! I melted hearing that story!

I really could not ask for a cooler kid. She keeps me on my toes, sure, but that makes me a better Mom. And I would not trade anything for that awesome, BIG personality that sometimes makes her challenging.

And for the record, I am going to stop blinking. Because when in the world did my little baby get to be 18 months old?!?!?!?!?!

5 weeks

Dear Baby Scarlett, 

You are 5 weeks old today, little princess! I feel like this week, you've changed a ton! You are a lot more interactive. You are wanting to spend those few precious waking hours looking around, checking everything out, and you are now smiling, which is the most amazing thing! It seems like you are smiling a little earlier than your sister did. Then again, you are such a content baby that it doesn't surprise me that you are giving out smiles left and right! 

So what happened this week? Well, Saturday I had to go to the gym, so you spent some time with Daddy. I missed you terribly! I love hanging out with you and Daddy, Ellie and Truff. It is my favorite thing to do.  Sunday was not so great. You had kind of a rough night (okay, we call being up twice a rough night!) and I was not feeling good. In fact, we didn't even go to church Sunday, I was feeling so icky. I wish I could have just stayed and snuggled you, but I had to hit the gym. You were good with Daddy, and joined us at the gym a for a little bit since Daddy has been missing the cheer kids. He's really getting the hang of dealing with both of you. He's such a good Dad!

Speaking of being so good with you, your sister is doing awesome with you too! She loves helping, and will usually come help me change your diaper every time. She gets so upset when you are upset too. And while sometimes you are not so sure what to think of the blonde monster, other times you give her awesome smiles, and enjoy her songs, like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUGyIODewgE

Monday rolled around and I still wasn't feeling good, although you did sleep better and let me rest up more. So, Ellie went to Grandma's and we stayed home and snuggled and napped. I feel like I don't get as much time to do that with you since I am chasing after your sister so often, so I really appreciate the times I do. You are such a good snuggle bug and I love looking into your smooshy little face as you are sleeping.

I was feeling MUCH better after taking that day to rest, and so Tuesday we got out and walked around the mall. We looked at Easter dresses and had lunch. You slept through 90 percent of it as usual, not even waking up when you were Miss Super Soaker an peed through your diaper.

Wednesday both you and your sister were up early (boo!) but we managed t have a lot of fun doing some art projects. You enjoyed watching and snoozing as normal. Then, in the afternoon, we dropped your sister off at Grandma and Grandpa's and we went to my Doctor's appointment. You definitely still put on a show for the nurses, but got a little fussy by the end. I think you wanted to be picked up and cuddled, not strapped in your carseat.

Thursday we did an dollar store and Target run. I'm definitely feeling more confident getting out of the house with both of you guys. It takes WAAAAAY longer than it used to, but it can be done! 

Friday was ANOTHER doctor's appointment, but this time, for your sister, so you stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while I took your sister. She didn't like that at all, but before too long we were back to pick you up. You gave Grandma great snuggles the entire time! I think she loved that. Who wouldn't? You are such a sweet little smoosh!

I'm very glad that doctor's appointments are slowing down, though, so we don't have as much craziness with that, and we have more time to do FUN outings, not go to boring old appointments!

Overall, though, you are just the best baby! You are so easygoing, and cuddly, and I just love having you cuddled up on my chest all milk-drunk and happy. You've been giving Daddy smiles every night when he gives you your baby massage, and that just makes him GLOW. You've got him wrapped around your little finger already. I love every part of taking care of you, and I just really, really love being your mom. Happy 5 weeks, little Smoosh!

I love you!
Mommy

1 month/18 months

Well, as of today I officially have a 1 month old, and a 18 month old.

It's crazy. Really.

So first...Scarlett

Sigh. This girl. Amazing. So many times in the last week especially I've had to almost pinch myself. I still get giddy when I say "the girls."

Anyway, we survived a month with her! Ellie has not yet suffocated her, even though she tries often, both with her own face (she doesn't really understand that kisses don't involve putting her mouth of Scarlett's nose) and with blankets (she is obsessed with "helping" by bringing baby Scarlett ALL THE BLANKETS). She is a dream baby. She slept...GET THIS...9 hours last night. PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE let that continue! She gets a little fussier in the evenings now, but the rest of the day, her eat/sleep rhythm is right on.

And Ellie.

We had to do something special, so we had a little "half birthday" celebration this morning at breakfast. Life's too short not to have sprinkles, right?

She is the most amazing kid. Sure, we are in the tantrum-r-us stage. BUT she can also be so sweet. Like this afternoon, we were reading a book (girl is OBSESSED with Fancy Nancy) and while she was sitting on my lap, she turned around, looked up at me, gave me a kiss and then turned back around. I. was. a. puddle.

She definitely needs her own snuggle time now that S is here. And she will sometimes get upset when I am nursing S and she wants to nurse too. But I've been pretty successful on keeping her to 2-3 times per day, except when she was sick this week (and thank God she was still nursing, so I didn't have to worry as much about calories or fluids. Phew!).

Her vocab is CRAZY. I couldn't count all her words if I tried. She's JUST starting to get colors. She knows the names of pretty much all her animals in her Little People Zoo. Oh, and she knows that kangaroos, frogs and bunnies hop, and she LOVES to demonstrate her hopping skills. So much so that Grandma and Grandpa got her a trampoline for hopping practice.

Having 2 littles is NUTS. Don't get me wrong. But for the most part, it is a good kind of chaos. There are days that I panic because all I did was nurse the kids and change the kids' diapers. ALL DAY.  But that is OK. I know there will come a time when I'm not as needed by them and that will be bittersweet. I'll have all the time in the world to do the dishes and fold laundry. But for right now, I am focusing on making these 2 girlies feel as loved and as cared for as I possibly can.