ABCs

Lily has been singing her ABCs. We heard her doing this yesterday in the car and thought "We have to get this on video"

Who Am I? What Day Is It?

I realized I hadn't blogged in awhile. The last few days have been a fog. Friday night was especially rough, as Jack was fussy from 4pm to 8pm. Those were some long hours. Last night Lily decided she didn't want to sleep too well either, so we had both kids up a few times last night. David and I are walking around like zombies. I did get some shut eye today while Lily napped. Jack tends to be sleepy during Lily's nap time and that is a great blessing!

What helps me get through these early days is knowing I'm not alone. I have lots of great Mommy friends to talk with. Yesterday I realized I have SIX girl friends who are pregnant right now! Some are keeping it a bit hush hush for a few more weeks. And for those of you who are pregnant, please know that you can call on me when you are in need during those early, sleep deprived days.

What have I done the last few days? Hrmm. On Friday, Raz came over to visit/meet Jack. It was so nice to see her again. It had been awhile!

Tita Raz and Jack

This weekend my friend Christine brought over some yummie enchiladas and we got to chat for awhile. Thanks sista!

This picture was taken when Jack was ooh, a day old maybe??

Yesterday Karen and Cat came over with their daughters (Caoimhe and Izzy). Lily got in some good play time. Cat brought a delicious chicken pasta salad and Karen brought some yummie treats. Thanks girls!

Cat getting in some baby time

Karen holding Jack. Izzy and Caoimhe were great with baby Jack!

Of course yesterday, we watched the Inauguration. I feel like we have moved into a new era. I told Lily "that is President Barack Obama!" She insisted it's "President Lily!" I say go for it girl!
Today I caught the last part of Oprah and she showed Will.I.Am's new song called America. I thought it was beautiful!! I realized I am once again proud to be an American and to live in this country. Sometime in the last 8 years I began to feel a bit embarrassed about being an American. How horrible is that? I do love this county and I do believe we can turn things around.

The Kids...

Besides being a Mom?

What have I been doing besides being a Mom? Well, being a Mom does take up a very big portion of my day. I sometimes forget that I am a whole person outside of taking care of my kids. I have to force myself to do things for me right now. Before having Jack, I was in a good routine of doing things for me, and I have to find that again with the small parts of the day I do have to myself.

Some things I do just for me:
1. Blogging
2. Printing off pictures for my kiddos' baby books
3. Reading Oprah magazine. I allowed my subscription to expire and my Mom gave me a new subscription as a gift. Thanks again Mom!
4. Listening to music
5. Crocheting a blanket for Jack
6. Having an adult conversation with my husband that doesn't revolve around children or work
7. Drinking a latte and just sitting in the quiet
8. Meditating
9. Watching a television show not appropriate for small ears (Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother)
10. Facebook

While they sleep

The kiddos are sleeping. Well, Lily is still singing in her crib, but should hopefully be asleep here soon. So, thought I'd take this moment to post some pictures. No plans today. We are just staying in. We did take an adventure out to the mailbox and Lily played in the left over snow from Monday. Tomorrow I'm expecting a visit from my friend Raz and I am supposed to meet up with my friend Christine tomorrow night for coffee. This will probably be a Jack and me trip as I plan to meet up with Christine after Lily goes to bed.

Caught a bit of a smile

Elvis lip

Playing with static electricity!


Lily asked to be swaddled like baby Jack. Blogger is being funny again and not putting my picture in the correct way. Sorry for this being up side down.

Mid Week

It's Wednesday. I'm hanging in there. I know I tend to be a whiny worry wort. That is one of my New Years Resolutions. Not to worry so much - and to use better posture.
Although getting used to two kids has been a bit rough on me, I have had some good friends come over and visit me this week. They also brought meals and that really helps. Thanks Cat and Nicole!!! Now I must find someone to come over on Thursday and Friday!! :)

My friend Jessica reminded me that the kiddos are only little for a short period of time. She told me that the next day they won't be as small as the previous. That is helping me appreciate where we are right now. Even with the crying and fussiness, these younger years will fly by and I'll wonder where they went. I'm working on gratitude.

A funny about Lily. Instead of saying "Yes" she has been saying the Japanese word "Hai". She even says it with the correct accent. I have no idea where she got this. David and I have never really used that word around her. I'm guessing she lived in Japan in a previous life.

Mother and Son

Daddy and the kids

At Starbucks today! This was my first outing with both the kids by myself!! (Jack was in his car seat sleeping. He slept the whole time!) Lily enjoyed a "hot cow" otherwise known as a "steamed cow"

Tonya and Nicole met up with me at Starbucks. Thanks girls!!

Yesterday my friend Cat came over with her daughter Izzy. The girls had fun playing together and I had a nice time with some girlfriend interaction. Thanks Cat, I really needed it!

More Pictures

As promised, a few more pictures. We have taken more (surprise surprise). They just haven't made it into our computer yet.

We are all hanging in there. I'm getting a bit nervous for tomorrow (Monday), as that is when David is back to work. I know I'll find my groove, it's just getting through the learning curve of two children. A couple of my friends are making dinners for us (Thanks Nicole and Leslie), so that will be so helpful this week! I also have my friend, Christine coming for a visit today, and that is always good for my mental/emotional health.

me, Jack, Nana, Lily and Abba

Sleeping on Grandma

Two Years Old

Birthday Girl!

Lily is two years old today! Having just had Jack makes me realize how fast time really does go by. Lily has changed so much in these last two years. It's been an honor being her Mommy.

Some things about Lily:

• She still likes to eat oatmeal for breakfast. This oatmeal must have cinnamon on it.
• She loves to chase us around the house. She will say "Mama run"!
• She loves books.
• She enjoys Toddler Time at the library .
  
• She's really good at dressing and undressing herself (with minimal help)
• She is a jibber jabber. She can communicate almost everything she wants/needs.
  
• She sings to herself and to us. Her current songs are "Santa Claus is coming to town" and "Elmo's World".
• She likes to draw and have you draw pictures for her.
  
• She likes to go outside and talk walks.
• She loooooves her Abba (Grandfather). She talks about him all the time.
  
• She is a sweet big sister.
• She makes David and I laugh every day.
  
• She gives great hugs and kisses.
• She is really a great kid

Love you Lily!!!

I finally downloaded pics from my camera!

These are some pictures in my camera. I finally downloaded them. I had more than 250 pictures. OMG! How times have changed. I think we may have a few of my parents when they were babies, a little bit more when I was a baby. And today? Well, there are no shortages of baby pictures.

CHRISTMAS TIME

More to come....

New Adventures

A few Christmas shots...
I think I was too tired to really take lots of pictures this year.



The last two weeks have been quite a blur for David and me. My sister was here for 10 days and my parents were here for the last two weeks. They are all now back in Indy. I miss them dearly.
Lily has been asking for her Nana and Abba the last two days. I can now tell her they are back in Indiana without crying myself.

David and I are on day 2 of being on our own. It's going okay so far. We are trying to find the grooves in our day. I'm so grateful that David has next week off of work to help me out just one more week. Then we'll see how the following week goes.

Lily is doing okay. She is very very sweet with Jack. Although she seems to be a bit more challenging with her tempers. This may be because my patience is less as I am not sleeping through the night right now. David mentioned that when Lily is crying, Jack is crying and the dog is whimpering - this is a job for a Zen Master. I must practice my Zen meditations more often in these days of newborn sleeplessness. I am learning to just let babies/toddlers cry and do triage. Whatever is most pressing will get done and eventually the crying will stop. I do have moments of feeling overwhelming joy about having two kids. I feel blessed to have both of them in my life. I feel blessed for my husband too. I couldn't ask for a better partner in this child-journey.

Time for David to take a shower (and it's before noon!) I'm on duty. More to come...