Babyface

Despite my determination to beat the odds...I have fallen in to the trap of just not taking as many pics of my second child (oddly I am doing better with his baby book though). As expected, having two little ones in the house has changed the dynamics completely and I feel like I am still trying to figure out our routines (which will all change again when I go back to work, temporarily, in less than three weeks). We are getting better - except in the evening, that is tricky to feed and bathe two kids then get them both in bed "on time", but we are starting to get the hang of it. Needless to say, we both collapse in to bed once all of those tasks are completed. It's exhausting!

Matthew is proof that even the best of babies can be tiring. He is still a pretty calm baby...I know exactly when he is going to cry every day and it is always right when he is getting ready to eat and in the evening after his 7:00 feeding - never anything that can't be attributed to something (hungry, dirty diaper, tired). After that evening meal, he is ready for his crib and wants to just have some peace and quiet...sometimes I try to keep him downstairs with us while we finish up dinner or what have you, but I have realized that when I just go put him in his crib he lays there quietly and falls asleep.

He has been in his crib at night for over a week now and it has been great. I loved having him next to me in the bassinet in the early weeks but now that he can go a little bit longer between feedings I sleep a little better since I don't wake for every little peep he makes. And he seems to like his crib (at night). After each nighttime feeding, he goes straight back to sleep...no crying or additional soothing needed. He isn't loving his crib for daytime naps though...

He has changed so much in these 7 weeks...he is holding his head up well now and stays alert for longer stretches. He has started to crack the littlest smiles...I haven't declared his official "first" yet, but he looks at you when you talk to him and will make the funniest and happiest expressions. He is a sweet little thing!

And he is still enduring his brother's endless pestering. It is mostly out of love but I cannot get Nate to stay out of/off of the swing to save my life. It is like an obsession for him and he can't control himself.
I am totally understanding even more all of the "birth order" theories...it is true, the first and the second have totally different experiences...the oldest is doted on and is the center of the universe and the second one just has to survive and get squeezed in between everything else going on!

Mother's Day 2010

The weekend started off with Nate bringing home his Mother's Day project from school on Friday...a sweet card - complete with a picture of his goofy grin on the inside - and a bouquet of flowers (the petals are outlines of his hands)...I loved it. There is no better gift that something made with those little hands.

On Saturday, my mom and I snuck out for a minute and got pedicures together...I wish we had more time to play and pamper, but babies call...

And then Michael and I actually got dressed up on Saturday evening for Katey's wedding...it felt weird to actually dry my hair properly and apply full make-up! So, we had a nice little break while Neena and Fred watched both boys (THANK YOU!). It was an early evening - babies call - but it was nice to get out for a bit! (I wish we had taken a picture!)

And then Sunday was a full day...our moms came over for brunch at our house (MC made a quiche and salad...very impressive) and then we packed up and went to the zoo to enjoy the gorgeous cool weather. It was a fun day...we had ice cream and rode the train and the carousel...Nate and I named the animals. And Nate also gave me a great present...he wore underpants the entire time and didn't have one single accident! He is thisclose to being officially potty trained! That is a gift!

Mmmm...Dippin' Dots


Neena and Nate (and Gary Gorilla in the background). Nate said that the gorilla reminded him of the Abominable Snow Monster from Rudolph.


I think the little Orangutangs were his favorite this time...he got a kick out of watching them play on their "playground" and he wanted to join them!


Mommy and Nate on the Carousel

My Little Monkey

Yes, Matthew was there with us as well but he pretty much stayed in his stroller and blanket bubble so we didn't have as many photo ops with him!

To the three special mothers in our life - Neena, Alie and CC - and all of my other mommy friends and family - and all of the mommies-to-be - I hope you all had a wonderful day!

One Month Down...

Matthew is one month old today...how quickly the month has passed...

He is so funny...he is always looking at me with these concerned looks, like he is never really sure what I am up to.
He loves bath time...he never cries and loves the water on him.

Tummy time is for resting...and Cameron likes to join in on the fun.

His Big Brother loves him, most of the time. Nate still wants to hold him and kiss him regularly (when he isn't poking or pulling him).

Right now we are working on establishing our schedule...I gave us a few weeks to make sure the feeding part was going well but now I have dusted off Babywise and am undergoing my crash refresher course in sleep training. So far we have made good progress this week migrating to a pretty consistent 3 hr routine (which is pretty huge...the random 2 hr schedule was wearing on me, this extra hr has made a world of difference, I am so glad he is adapting quickly!).

So, we have survived a month with two boys...and so far so good!