Lily's First Week

It has been two weeks since a little explosion of color and sweetness came into our lives. Who knew she would so quickly capture six hearts? Each morning as I carry the tiny bundle out after she has slept in through the morning commotion which is, I am surrounded by chantings of "Lily! Lily!" and "Wiwi, Wiwi!" and "Biwi!"; as four mouths strain up to kiss her soft head. She is doted on, photographed, petted, held, and even fanned by her big brothers.

Yes...all roses and sweetness around here.

Okay...maybe not, but at least they aren't taking their adjustment issues out on Liliana.

One of the Frequently asked questions is with regard to how the boys are doing. Well, that is an

interesting question and really depends on which boy and what day. In reality, I think their adjustments are really due to their ages (gotta love those 2 year olds).

It is always a surprise when one comes home from the hospital with a new baby and sees her older child...the "used to be baby of the house" "How did they get so HUGE?" I left my little babies and came home to giants!" It suddenly looks ridiculous for them to have pacifiers and I begin to wonder "shouldn't they be potty trained already?" And then sense comes back to me and I realize...yes, they are still little, and no, this is not the right time to start with the "growing up" training. "Here boys...here's your darling little sister. Now give me all of your security things." No no, I will refrain myself and let them be little for longer. Yes, they're still pretty small.

Noah has been in the thick of the testing phase for quite some time. His days come and go, good and bad. He is a funny guy...never quite sure what he is thinking. Usually quite obedient unless he is in his defiant mood. Then come the tantrums and running off and "no no nos" And then there was Superbowl Sunday. We were at some friends house...getting ready to go...when Josh saw him with something in his mouth (not uncommon). He swiped it out...a brown glob...and, thinking he had swiped some chocolate from the table, threw it into the sink. The next day at work, the friend informed Josh that one of our children had pooped in a cup and put it in the sink. Well, we know our kids better than that. But it wasn't until Josh put two and two together that the nausea set in. Good grief! Seriously??? I knew he had a uniquely refined pallet (enjoying the finer things such as sand, dirt clods, paper, etc) but this was more than I could handle. Eventually I will be able to share food with him again.

Ollie is another story altogether. He too has entered toddlerdom,

but in a totally different way. Oliver was a spring baby. Not only a spring baby, but a Spring equinox baby. And not only that, but one of the meanings of his name is "army of elves." Yes, at times when he is prance-running away from me hysterically laughing after doing something naughty...he is a bit elfish. Everything...including punishment...is a cause for laughing with Oliver. Unless he is crying. Not too many mellow moments with that boy. He, out of all the the olders, has been the most "interested" in Lily: showering her with kisses, hugs, and sweet tonal sounds resembling baby talk. I can usually tell what Ollie was eating by smelling Lily's head. (He likes wet kisses).

The big boys are also adoring towards her. Max more than Jake in attentiveness, constantly asking to hold her or kiss her or pet her; but Jake pulls the prize for protectiveness. He has already taken one of the littles down (a near tackle) when they were "about to do something that looked maybe dangerous for Lily." Let's hope this continues through teenage years. Those judo lessons may come in handy after all!

When we were looking for names, there was one which stood out for its meaning. Abigail. "Father's Joy." Strangely, it was the only name we could find with such a meaning. But fitting indeed as she certainly is her father's joy. He has always wanted a girl. And now despite short hours of sleep, she is the gleam in his eye.

And me? How do I feel about having a daughter? Well, I must admit...before she was born...I

thought I could be perfectly happy raising all sons. (and I am sure I would have been had God given us another boy). BUT...Wow. Words just can't express the feeling of having a daughter. The instant (different) bond with her. The way she makes me want to be a better woman.

She is our little beauty. Our princess. And even the hourly cries in the night don't seem so bad. Each moment looking at her gives me time to reflect, and to look ahead to the child, girl and woman I hope she becomes. Our little Lily Abigail. May she be pure, and a joy to her family.

Double click to enlarge.

Update

Okay okay okay...I realize that I left this blog hanging with Noah not doing very well and have been missing since then. Sorry. Noah is doing good. His ultrasound on his kidneys came back normal. Praise God! He will have another test tomorrow to check for abnormalities in his bladder.

So where have we been since last Wednesday? Well,

Wednesday- Dr. appointment
Thursday- Tooth pulled (me)
Friday- Ultrasound (Noah)
Saturday- recovering from sickness caused by the meds for my tooth :( and a furnace installed (thank you Marie's brother!)
Sunday- church of course
Monday- massive catch up cleaning
Tuesday-sewing all day at various houses to assure that Neil and Buzz are properly outfitted and that McCain's suit doesn't look TOO huge.
Today? Well...who knows?

Not So Wordless Wednesday and a Belated Movie Monday

So one question I often get is: How do the babies get along?

Well, that is an interesting question and the answer is complicated. They do like to be near each other...at least Oliver always finds his way to where Noah is contentedly sitting with his toys.

However, I am not sure that desire to be near each other necessarily denotes friendship. It usually ends in screaming as Baby A undoubtedly will grab whatever toy Baby B is playing with. The scene typically goes something like this:

"OOOO...look at THAT toy....it is moving. I want THAT one!"
Followed by Baby B's toy getting grabbed away.

Baby A then inserts said toy into his mouth (marking territory???)

Baby B either a) attempts to grab it back b) throws a fit or c) a combination of the two.


This situation is only made worse by long fingernails, approaching naptimes or those irritating teeth that just can't seem to come through.

Honestly, this is their interaction the majority of the day unless they are physically restrained from getting to one another by the use of carriers, bouncers or barriers. My conclusion? Well, they're babies. I guess they just haven't reached the social level as of yet.

In this instance, Noah won the prize and Oliver was sent to his bed for a much needed nap.

They DO smile and talk from time to time...especially when they just wake up. Just the other day I saw them in their room before they saw me and they were "talking" between the two cribs. Both had managed to pull the beautiful comforters made by Aunt Kellie and Grandma off the side of their crib and were laying facing each other making cooing and squealing sounds.

And that is about all of the physcho analyzing I can inflict on my two little ones. Let's just say they don't yet have the mental development to "get along." Or perhaps they just have a little too much of the sinful nature coming out! Either way...they are loved and imagining my life without either one of them is next to impossible.

And before you watch the following video and say (like my husband inferred) "You just sat there and filmed them?" Just imagine this scenario taking place about ten times in the course of a day. One stretch of letting them "work it out" is not going to kill them (although it looks like Oliver is trying his best when he goes for Noah's hair!). Besides...this just HAS to be recorded to show them later in life.

Just remember...no babies were harmed during the recording of these events.

And if you are STILL horrified...just come spend a day at my house. :)

Happy 1/2 Birthday, Ollie!

Six months ago (yesterday) my baby boy was born. Yes...it is hard to believe that this little angel is already 1/2 a year old. He has brought us so much joy in his short time here and we treasure him. Our family would certainly not be complete without little Ollie. Happy Birthday baby boy!

Newborn

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

One our little 1/2 year old

Oliver's favorite activities these days are army scooting around the house and grabbing whatever is in his reach. He does enjoy his share of "hold me" though. Brother's toys are his favorite, of course, much to the dismay of Jake.

And because it is Movie Monday, here is a little clip of Oliver's newly acquired skill. He really wanted to get his hands on that book!