20 February 2008

Auntie Em, Auntie Em

Playing w/ Mason

Auntie Em meets Levi Matthew


Love at first sight

I know

14 February 2008

Super Powers Needed

So, this two kid thing is a bit tricky at times....well, very tricky...i know levi is only 3 weeks old so we are still in the intense nursing-all-day time, but when they are both wanting/needing your attention and aren't afraid to be a bit vocal about it....and with daddy about to go back to work until 8:00 at night...tears are ordered all around....

Here is a list of the things I need to learn to do no-handed while nursing:

1. cook. i need to be able to do this both while nursing and, if possible, while holding mason as he sometimes will cling to my leg crying the entire time I am trying to fix something for him to eat.
2. clean.
3. give baths.
4. talk on the phone.
5. go to the bathroom more than once a day.
6. shower--for the love...a girl needs to shower.
7. sleep.
8. exercise.
9. EAT!
10. put mason to bed at naptime and bedtime.

12 February 2008

Whirlwind

Well...the first 6 weeks of life are always a whirlwind for the rest of those involved...and we are on day 19 of Mr. Levi's life. WOW--Day 19. It goes so fast. I am really loving this newborn thing. Not that I didn't with Mason, but I just feel more relaxed, comfortable, and confident in my role this time around. I feel much excitement and anticipation to get to know this little man.

Not really sure how I will keep up with posting, but I am going to do my best to add little tid-bits here and there.

Already, at day 19, we are figuring each other out. Already, I am amazed at his alertness. Already, I am stunned by his beauty.

The transition to two kiddos has gone better than I anticipated...with Mason semi-embracing the 'big brother' role. He does have a new trick...it involves pretending to fall down and bump his noggin or his knee...and then fake crying...and saying in the most pathetic voice ever, "Hold me." This happens most often when I am nursing...and am unable to do so. He then will try to climb up on my, squishing Levi in the process...normal stuff, right?

Tim has been off from one job which has also greatly eased the burden. We have really been bonding as a family...and it just feels good. He has been so great around the house and keeps Mason busy and fed. He really lives up to his name...BEST guy, BEST hubby, BEST daddy. My heart gets overwhelmed with joy and love when I see him in action...wrestling with Mason, cooing to Levi, cooking scrambled eggs...what will I do when he goes back to getting home at 8:00 at night. Can't go there yet!

Levi is doing his part to help with the transition, too. He (unlike Mason) is more than willing to sleep all by himself in the cradle, allowing for much needed rest between nursings. Thank You, Lord!

And, of course, family and friends have gotten us through these first few weeks. From my momma being incredible with Mason...with meals...with encouragement...to my sister making 50+ frozen meals for us....to our church family bringing over food...to friends and their cards, phone calls, well wishes, moral support, and gifts.

Yesterday, we had a full day of successful cloth diapering...will post pics. Successful meaning NO LEAKS ALL DAY. Well, that is, until I gave Levi his bath and put his disposable diaper on for the night (trying to use up the size NB diapers that I have and this also allows Tim to change Levi's diaper before I get up to nurse him--he hasn't had a chance to figure out the cloth thing yet). So, anyways, I put on the disposable diaper and sit down to nurse...and while I am nursing, I feel a warm, wet feeling seep through Levi's sleeper and blankie...go figure, the cloth worked perfectly all day and then the 'easier' system failed me. ;-)

I have to admit, prefolds (the cloth diaper I am using) are a bit intimidating....much more so than the FuzziBuns that my sis uses. The day before yesterday, I was in tears and wondering what in the heck else I could use these diapers for -- curtains, a life-time supply of cleaning rags...what I mean, you have to figure out which folding technique to use...and then fold it and secure it...with a squirmy-wormy, sometimes screaming and kicking, newborn with itty-bitty thighs, a still-healing belly button, and the incredible talent of waiting until you have that diaper off to pee all over the diaper changing station. Mason's Mickey Mouse doll took a direct hit yesterday...

Anyways, I am starting to get the hang of it. And, it really isn't rocket science. Or that much more work. And, when I hear things like disposable diapers last at least 100 years in our landfills, I feel this incredible sickness in my stomach that I have contributed many, many diapers to that pile. Not only diapers, but diapers stuffed into PLASTIC bags and tied in knots...sick! And, when I think of ALL the $$ we are saving, I kick myself for not doing this with Mason...heck, he probably would have been potty trained by now. Oh well, I blame the book Baby Bargains for steering me wrong. They said it wasn't worth it...and I quit my research right there...add that to not knowing anyone who used cloth...and I let myself off the hook a little.

Enough about diapers. Levi is beautiful. He has deep, dark blue eyes...and, while he looks a lot like Mason at this age, he also looks just like Levi. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 5 oz. at his two week check-up (which is probably why the super-tiny disposable leaked)...and is filling out his, er, Mason's clothes quite nicely. GET USED TO THE HAND-ME-DOWNS, LEVI!! Actually, I take that back...we have gotten quite a few outfits just for Levi from our generous friends and fam. I just haven't had the chance to take him out many places so we have chosen to lounge around in sleepers and onesies and pants.

That's some of my random thoughts this morning...bits and pieces of what life has been like these past few weeks.

04 February 2008

Family of Four

Our Family of Four.

Hands....


Mason, smile for the camera. Aunt Brittany gave him the spikey hair.

Mason, now that you are a big brother, you have some new responsibilities...like vaccuming.