Baby Love

Nothing smells like love quite like a newborn baby snuggled in your arms.   As hectic as life may be right now, I am committed to living in the moment – totally present to the joy and love that surround me.   I am completely aware that these days of young children are fast fleeting and will be memories only too soon.

The baby is growing so fast; changing every day – and Little Man is practically an independent boy who is needing Momma less and less (sigh).  Maybe that is why women are drawn to having many children – to keep these most precious days more abundant in their lives.

Kids under the Christmas tree

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

Please let me hold my sister

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

I think I’m going to keep her

New Snow

Well Christmas is almost here – the temperatures are dropping, our Christmas tree is up and decorated and the winter snow has arrived.   Little Man has been learning the ultimate, time-old manipulation of being good in order to win Santa’s heart and gift-giving generosity.  I will take whatever I can get.

My husband decided that along with the new falling snow, a sledding excursion to the mountains would be a fun way to spend Sunday.  After 90 minutes of getting two kids ready for the snow (including dressing and undressing a fully snow-suited child three times for “potty time”), we headed up the hill only to be greeted by 10 degree gusting snow and wind.  I smartly opted to stay in the car and get out the telephoto lens, yet RT had to follow through on the sledding promise to Little Man.  It was all of 5 minutes of fun but enough to have fun without freezing to death.

Our little girl is doing great.  She is a very easy-going and happy baby, although you wouldn’t know it from her very serious expressions.

Lastly, here are some of Little Man’s newest quips -

• These socks are not at all happy with me.
• Last night I was a rotisserie chicken (speaking of being really hot in his room)
• No mama, actually that is a backhoe loader not an excavator, see
• [screaming while running around the house holding a stick] die, die, die!
• No daddy, I need to sit this way so I can watch football!
• Oh my gosh!

Three weeks new

The baby is now three weeks old and oh, how time really flies!  Here are some new photos

And of course, RT hard at work -

Big brother taking big steps

Little Man is taking his new role as a big brother seriously.  With help from my MIL, Little Man has been completely pacifier and diaper free since the baby’s birth.  Hurray!!

We are all settling into having another child at home, and aside from both Little Man and my husband being sick, the transition from one to two has been extremely easy so far.   Just one big happy family

Motherhood

For someone who tremendously enjoyed her previous office jobs, it comes as a huge shock that I absolutely LOVE being a stay-at-home mom.  There has not been a single day (truly, not one) where I woke up and said, “I really wish I had a different job today”.  With all the trials and tribulations that accompany managing an ever-curious and boundary pushing toddler, sleep deprivation, potty training, postpartum hormones, finding time for anything, and just motherhood in general, I cannot imagine a more emotionally and spiritually satisfying and rewarding career than this.  Now, if only I can convince my husband to have a few more…

Arrival of the Baby Sister

Little Man’s baby sister finally arrived six days late (pregnancy was exactly as long as with Little Man, as he was six days late too)!  Little Man is doing great with the newcomer so far and is very interested in helping out.

Here are some photos of the new baby:

The Waiting Game

Well, I am almost officially late (Oct 30-Nov 3 EDD).  Oddly enough, after weeks and weeks of being horribly uncomfortable and wanting to be done being pregnant, I am actually content to stay this way for a bit longer.   I am hoping to avoid induction and let her come when she is ready, although doctors rarely let you stay pregnant up past 41 1/2 weeks anymore.

I thought I would be brave (or stupid) and post some pregnancy timeline photos. The good news is the same suit still fits; the bad news is that it looks more and more like a postage stamp than a bikini.

3 months

4 1/2 months

8 months

9 + months!

Baby Klein

The contents of this blog came from an email from my husband earlier today, and I just had to pass it along-

Today’s photo shoot day at pre-school.  This shot was unscripted.  He’s apparently got his mother’s genes.

“Baba (pacifier)?” Check.

“Diapers?” Check.

“Mysterious yet disaffected male model look.” Check.

Autumn is Here

10 more days until baby #2 arrives!!!  The doctor causally told me my last ultrasound shows that she could be coming 3 days later than anticipated.  When you are THIS pregnant, 3 days later sounds like 3 months.  The nursery is ready and Little Man has been telling everyone at preschool that he is going to be a big brother of a new baby sister.  Apparently, he is very excited about this new change in our household — we will see how long the excitement lasts before he feels like he has been replaced.  Until then, we are spending lots of quality time together, enjoying these last days of his single-childhood.

Funniest quote from Little Man as of late

Mommy, I am done playing games with you! I mean it.