Twinkle Twinkle!

This may be slow depending on your connecting speed.

Happy One Month Birthday!

Susanna was a month old the same day Caleb turned 2 and a half. She is definitely growing fast, weighing 9 lbs 12 oz at her checkup. Four pounds in four weeks is, as Caleb would say, "pretty doing good!" She's starting to coo and smile some, and already has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger. She's got alot of personality already too--very sweet and a little feisty when she wants to be. Loves to be held, and we love to hold her. The number one piece of advice we've received from experienced parents is to enjoy this time because she'll be grown before we know it. We've already seen this to be true with Caleb--seems like yesterday we were celebrating his one month birthday.

Speaking of Caleb, he continues to be the picture of brotherly love. The other day we were riding somewhere and Susanna was crying. We soon heard Caleb frantically yelling, "Stop the car! Stop the car! We have to check on her! Stop the car!" The other morning, he said to me, "I love my baby sister!" and later when I was changing her diaper he sternly told me, "Don't hold her feet too tight!" Yes, he is very loving and very protective. Between Caleb and David, I don't think she'll have anything to worry about! She may not get to date until she's thirty, but nobody will mess with her!

Happy Half-Birthday!

Last Saturday, Caleb turned 2 and a half, so we celebrated with my parents at the mall in Athens. He loved the quarter cars and made a new friend on one--a dalmation statue! The arcade was fun, too--he got to ride a motorcycle with Pop and play some other games. The best part was that he didn't care if he was actually playing the games or not--pushing buttons and watching the screen was just as good to him! Probably his favorite activity, though, was riding the train that goes around in the mall. And Daddy's favorite activity was eating fresh, hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the way home!

"A picture's worth a thousand words..."

Easter Sunday

We had a great Easter--David's family got to come down and spend a couple of days with us, and then on Sunday we had a big dinner at my parents' house with my extended family. Susanna wore her tiny new dress and looked like a little doll. Caleb had a blast getting gifts and hunting eggs. He thought the eggs were fine, but what he really cared about were the few prize cars that were hidden. It was a real dilemma for him as to how he could hold them all--he put the eggs in the basket, but he didn't want to let go of the cars! He finally made use of his pockets where he knew they'd be safe.

This Easter was very special to me. As I watched my children it was like going back to all my Easters past--the joy of celebrating life, the warmth and happiness of family, the beauty of spring. I remember wearing my new dress each year, taking family pictures, eating a huge meal and hunting eggs in the brilliant sunshine with my brothers and cousins in my grandmother's back yard--like it was yesterday. And now seeing my kids do the same is like seeing myself through my parents’ eyes--feeling what they must have felt so many years ago. Funny the cycle of life that plays out over time--the beauty and joys that come and go and then come again, only more rich and full the second time.

About Caleb...

Though Caleb now has to share the spotlight so to speak, he has not gone without his share of attention, fun and adventures lately! In light of the new baby and the move coming up so soon, he's been seeing alot more of his grandparents and has made some great memories with them. He's also continued his Saturday time with his Daddy, and recently they made a trip to a local state park where they had "guy time" in the great outdoors. Playing with his friends at "play group" on Thursday mornings has been alot of fun for him, too. He really loves to be around other kids, and I really love to be around other moms!

3 weeks old...and grinning!

I love the faces newborns make--especially when they smile in their sleep! Must have been a good dream!

Sweet girl!

Getting to normal...

It's funny how quickly we settle back into a routine after a life-altering event such as having a baby. We humans certainly crave a sense of normalcy, though "normal" looks different from one family to the next. Our little family has definitely had its struggles on our journey back to equilibrium, and while things will never be the same as they were 3 weeks ago, I think our new "normal" is beginning to emerge.

One of the hardest aspects of the adjustment for us has been seeing Caleb struggle to find his new role. But this week especially I can see the uncertainty and insecurity melting away as he adjusts to the changes. He's begun to understand that what's most important to him hasn't changed at all--we still love him more than life itself, we still care for his needs, we still delight in him and play with him and do what's best for him.

All the while, he's never shown direct jealousy of Susanna, or done anything aggressive or rough. He continues to be very nurturing with her--sharing his blankie, helping take care of her, holding her, giving lots and lots of kisses. Yesterday, he told me, "I love Susannie" (his special name for her). It may not last forever, but at least for now, he thinks she's pretty special.