t-ball with wendy

I mustered up the energy this afternoon and decided to take Charlie outside to play t-ball.   You should have seen the grin on his face when I started pitching the ball to him.  It was so wonderful to spend some time with him, doing what he wanted to do!   And I got a few minutes relaxing in the grass too!   Baby sister participated by sleeping on the baseball blanket in the grass. 

getting to know you, getting to know all about you….

(Life as the mother of two does not leave me a lot of time for blogging as of yet.   I know it will get better as Wendy grows up (and stops wanting to nurse every hour and a half) and I will learn the tricks to be more efficient at this, but for now forgive me while the posts are sparse.  I’m spending all my non-nursing, hands-free time loving on Charlie (I miss my time with my little boy) and taking care of necessities! 

In the meantime, Miss Wendy has stolen all our hearts around here.   We are loving getting to know her quirks and eccentricities and are literally watching the baby fat fill and bloom around her little flower bud body!Because of her reflux, this is her preferred way to sleep.Wendy’s favorite brother!Charlie is such a sweet older brother.  He asks to hold her, or hug her, or spontaneously kisses any part of her that he can reach.  He has noticed what I do when she starts crying and more than once, when I’ve gone into the room to pick her up I have found Charlie already there, bouncing her seat or saying “shhh shhh shhh.” 

The first time I took her to the doctor, Charlie put his cars in her seat —so that she would have something to play with while we waited. (He always gets to pick out a toy or book to take with us when we are going to the doctor.)  I love that you can’t even see her arms!I’ve been trying to take as much time as possible with Charlie, even if it means getting up at 6:15 when he wakes up, and Wendy is still asleep, so that we can see each other just the two of us.  There is Nana here and Dada to take care of him, but I know the transition to being second fiddle is hardest on him. 

Here Mama and Charlie are getting some knitting in while baby sister sleeps.And yes, just as I was warned, Charlie does seem huge now! And older.  I think he has grown in maturity more in the last three weeks than he has in the last three months!Of course, Dada is working hard too.  The question is, why was I even awake to take this picture!!!  =) 

welcoming wendy brielle

 

On May 4th, after just 3-4 hours of labor,  we welcomed this sweet girl into the world in our own bedroom.  She surprised us and we didn’t get to the hospital until after she was born.  It was a truly beautiful experience and we bless the Lord for giving us the unasked gift of birthing her ourselves.  (more on the birth story later)   I’ve been finding myself treasuring the joy these new and familiar sights around the house give me.Drunk on milk…Her diapers are so little!Pink is showing up here and there in our house.  …in the “we’re sorry for dropping you, but can’t admit that so we are saying congratulations instead” flowers from the fire department.…and in the amazing cake our neighbor got up at 3 in the morning to make for us!Charlie is loving on baby sister in the ways he knows how—showing her the important things in life, soccer shoes being a prime example!By imitating Mama.   He has the bounce and shush moves down pat!  So much love for this baby girl!Nana came to help us.  She left Monday after doing all the Charlie and cooking and laundry for two weeks!  What a blessing!  I got to cuddle up with my new baby and let the cares of the world slip by.   This Mama is learning how to love two little ones—growing longer arms and balancing needs for attention and nursing.  It is tricky, and I do so want to love them both well!

We welcome you, Wendy Brielle, our daughter and friend who comes in the strength of the Lord!