BathTime

Hooray for sisters who make bathtime UBER-FUN!  We are still basking in the glow of a successful, zero-tears, bath for baby Adelaide!  Big sister was a fantastic helper.

Ains suggested taking a bath at the same time as BABY

not so sure at first, Ainsley made bathtime hard to resist and showed Addie how to have a good time

Adelaide up close

It has remarkably been ONE MONTH since the arrival of our newest little sweet pea.

So - Who is this mysterious little being? [Otherwise dubbed 'The Insatiable Beast']

HAIR - dark, and softer than silk

EYES - swirling and darkish gray-blue

FINGERS - beautiful.  grasping and flailing and grabbing onto mom.  

TOES - perfect in every way -- pronated feet just beginning to straighten out

NECK - sticky sweet with spilled milk... deliciously soft rolls

FAVORITE PLACE - mom's skin

MOST RELAXED WHEN - kangarooing with mom

FAVORITE ACTIVITY - nursing. ALL THE TIME!!!!

ALSO ENJOYS - looking intently around at things (artist?), having a clean diaper, going for walks in the Ergo carrier outside, pop music, snuggling daddy, being kissed a million times a day by Ainsley

DISLIKES - poopy diapers and burping

NOTABLE SKILLS - has rolled over several times already!

MOST ENDEARING QUALITY - super snuggly!

~and I melt when she looks up at me with those questioning eyes~

MOST IMPRESSIVE FEAT - just today slept 2 hours in her own bed! a first! whoop!

SOUNDS LIKE - a kitten, actually

This love-bug has worked her way deep into our hearts and takes our breath away.  It's hard work expanding our family and caring for a newborn and a preschooler - but it's hard to imagine our family without Addie.  We have a feeling this LIBRA-DRAGON BABY is going to keep us guessing.

election night - she stayed up!

It's November - Daybook

Outside My Window...
The sun is shining and there's a biting cold in the air.  Leaves are changing and falling everywhere.  It's nice and quiet after the raucous Halloween night and hurricane Sandy.

I am thankful for...
Life. Babies. Sisters. Mothers. Husbands. Doctors.

I am thinking about...
Nursing. Latching. Feeding. Sleeping. Eating. Parenting. Juggling. And trying not to worry -- though I think it comes with the territory.  Mostly anxious to see that Addie is gaining weight.

Also, thinking about motherhood in general and this fleeting magical time in space.  How can I grasp this treasure in its fullness?  How can I not let it slip through my fingers with the passing days, weeks, months, years??

Learning all the time...
Re-learning how to be a mom to such a small little creature.  Learning for the first time how to parent TWO kids.  Learning how to balance my recovering self: energy & anxiety v. rest & peace.

Trying to learn how to best respond to Ainsley as she adjusts to the new family dynamics... and trying to learn how to gradually wean off using the shield to nurse with.

From the kitchen...
Thank goodness for fabulous friends!  We have been well-stocked with home-made dinners. YUM.  During the day?? oh.  whoops.  Am I supposed to be feeding myself too???   Something besides a bowl of cheerios now and then?  Huh.  Perhaps too much effort.

I am creating...
uh... nothing.  My big creating energy is now come to fruition in this little drooly, snuggly, snarfing little beast. I'm now caring for my creation. :)

I am working on...
not worrying.  not harping.  not expecting more than is realistic.  sleeping and eating myself when I can.  and working with our little Bean on latching without the help of the shield.

I am going...
to get baby announcements out soon. fingers crossed.

I am hoping...
for a good weekend.

I am reading...
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
(*great book!*)

I am praying for...
continued health and growth for Adelaide.

I am hearing...
Diana Krall and little whimpers and gurgles from the carrier on my chest.

Around the house...
don't ask.

One of my favorite things...
coffee.  Delicious - wonderful - heavenly - CAFFEINE.
Oh, and being able to drink Guinness again is quite satisfying.

A few plans for the rest of the week... 
feed the baby
eat
feed the baby
sleep
feed the baby
change a diaper
feed the baby
paperwork for insurance and short term disability
feed the baby
ah heck, who am I kidding? - how about I just forget about it all and feed the baby??? 

Picture thoughts I'm sharing with you...

love letters from Ains!!!  I LOVE them!