So...it's been 2 months since our baby's due date

And she is amazing, Miss Amelia Mae

My 2nd VBA2C, our babe joined us earthside on her DUE DATE, weighing a whopping 10 lb 3 oz!

Life is wild.

And I shared a little bit about 

how I've spent the last 8 weeks

(4th trimester living)

 on the family blog HERE

Miss A: 6 days old

For your adoring views,

there's this:

Miss A: 8 weeks old! Smiling!

Short Term Memory

I had forgotten...

about the late nights,
rooster-early mornings,
and spit up fountains.

I had forgotten...

about the late night cuddles,
sweet baby breath,
and soft silken skin.

I had forgotten...

about the messes of poo,
the wide-mouth cries,
and my body misshapen.

I had forgotten...

about the magical gazes,
the warm hand holding,
and feeling of heaven.

I had forgotten...

what it was like to fall in love all over again.


**Special thanks to Baby N, for reminding me of what I had forgotten**

Toddler Tales: Family Rules

In our home, we have a few rules that we (the parents) try to consistently follow
as we go throughout our day.

For example:

-we do NOT throw items down the stairs (ok, we sometimes do...when J isn't looking... because it's a fast way of getting things down, but for the kids, definitely NOT ok)

-we always take off our shoes when we come into the house

-we do not jump on the bed when the baby is on the bed (a new one)

-we clean up our messes

-we use our 'inside voice' when we are inside

You get the picture. Pretty standard, you probably have some of these rules at your house too.

The other day, we were in the kitchen. Toddler J was finishing his lunch and Baby N was in his carrier--doing one of the things he does best--crying.

J looked over at N and said:

"Beebee--cying--uptares--woom--now"

Translation:

"Hey baby--you are crying. That means you have to go to your room, upstairs, and now. As your big brother, I feel responsible for making sure you know the family rules and you need to follow them too."

One of our rules is: if you are crying (or fussing, or otherwise throwing some kind of toddler tantrum)--then you are invited to do so in your room. Most of the time, this suggestion is enough to stop the outburst, and Toddler J insists "na done. na done." (I'm done. I'm done.) Otherwise, he is escorted upstairs to his room to calm down. Once he is "done", then he is welcome to join us again downstairs (or wherever we may be).

I was amused that Todder J was taking it upon himself to make sure Baby N knew the family rule and was suggesting that it be enforced as well.

I tried to explain that the rules don't apply to the "beebee"...not sure how that balances out in a toddler's mind...

At least he has a solid grip on what the rules are, right?

Toddler Tales: Baby In The House

Toddler J has had a rude awakening.

12 days ago his baby brother was born...and he was blissfully unaware--spending his mornings, afternoons, and evenings playing & laughing with Grandmama J.

10 days ago baby brother made his appearance in our home--waking up from a nap never seemed so strange as that evening when he heard shrill baby cries downstairs!

Since then, we've given J lots of opportunities to touch, cuddle, talk to, and connect with Baby N. Most of the opportunities have been ignored or denied.

"Do you want to see Baby N?"
--"No."

"Would you like to come sit by Baby N?"
--"No."

The one thing that did work...about 4 days in...

"Hey, J--come look! Check out the boon doon in Baby N's nose!"
--"Boon doon?" (and he runs right over to check it out. 'boondoons' are boogers)

And this morning, as I was in and out of the room, J climbed up on my bed where Baby N was enjoying a post-breakfast rest. I came back in the room in time to hear J say (in his sweet toddler voice) :

"Hi, Beebee."

And he placed his chubby fingers on Baby N's head and said "head." then on his hands and said "hans". And looked over at me and smiled.

Within seconds it was

"Buh-bye, Beebee"

And he was off to his next adventure.

It was less than a minute, but it was Toddler J connecting with Baby N for the first time on HIS terms. Making the move in HIS way and on HIS timetable. It was beautiful for this Mama to witness.

I am so grateful for my two 'beebees' and the joy that they pour into my heart. I am excited to watch Toddler J take on his role as big brother and for Baby N to watch and learn from the energy that J adds to our home.