OUTSIDE, INSIDE

Although it sure would be nice to talk a stroller walk outside, I simply don't mind being stuck inside with a beautiful babe on this COLD winter day!

BIG BRO

I was an emotional wreck during the days leading up to AA's birth. On one hand, I was filled with great joy and anticipation over the upcoming arrival of our daughter ... but I was also filled with great sadness. Until then, my life was consumed with JP. He always had my undivided attention, and everything we did and everywhere we went revolved around him. It saddened me to think that he'd never be the only child again. Maybe these feelings stemmed from being the firstborn myself ... or perhaps every mom of two can relate.

Thankfully, JP has adjusted beautifully to his new role as a big brother. From his first glimpse of AA, JP was absolutely fascinated by the new addition. He wakes in the morning asking "Addie, Addie?" and is obsessed with her crib, car seat, and swing. He is the first to tell me that she has "drool, drool" (normally only a speck will prompt this ... despite his own drool saturated shirts daily!) and he helps me change her diaper. He pats her back and patiently waits for her to burp. JP is normally pretty gentle with AA ... but he still needs 100% supervision around her. He loves to point out all of her body parts (but often underestimates the strength of his hands when pressing on her belly or poking her eyes ... hence the reason for the needed supervision). JP has his own little language for AA ... it's the cutest high pitched voice you could imagine. I guess he's observed A and I using our higher pitched baby talk voices.

As far as I can tell, JP doesn't seem to be jealous of AA ... yet! He seems clueless when I sit beside him and nurse her (I'm just waiting for those questions to begin!). He doesn't seem to mind that he doesn't always have my full attention. I'm still adjusting to trying to split my time relatively equally between the two when they are both awake ... and I'm guessing this will be a never-ending goal.

I do anticipate some difficulty when AA starts joining him at Miss Emmy's when I return to work. JP continues to go to Miss Emmy's a few short days each week. He loves his little buddies over there, and I think this arrangement has benefited all of us on my maternity leave. Last week, I brought AA inside to see Miss Emmy and we stayed for a short time. JP was not happy at all to have her there ... he pulled her car seat to the door and wanted "mamma car, please!".

JP is a spirited little boy ... always full of emotion. His smile is still contagious. Best of all, he makes me a proud mamma when I witness his interactions with his new little sister.

GIRLS WEEKEND

AA and I had our first girls weekend (and we barely spent any money!). With news of my dear friend N's new baby, AA and I hopped on a jet plane (or something like that!) to Washington DC. AA was a rockstar on her first flight ever! She slept during takeoff and landing ... but was wide awake for the entire duration of the flight. Never shedding one tear, this gal cooed and smiled like I've never seen before!

We were so excited to visit N and her new baby boy, Thatcher, in the hospital. AA and Thatcher are exactly 7 weeks apart. (As a reminder, their big brothers EJ and JP are only 10 days apart ... )

It's amazing how much these new little ones resemble their big brothers!

I am overjoyed to be sharing this "second time around" experience with N. Despite the miles between us, not a week goes by without numerous phone conversations regarding raising our kids!

Conveniently, Washington DC is also the place where A's sister lives. We stayed with her for the weekend. AA loved meeting her cousin K

and cousin B (even if they weren't willing to change her diaper!).

She was spoiled by Aunt M.

We had a great flight home yesterday. I was so happy to see JP when A picked us up from the airport (the longest I've been apart from him). I'm told that the boys had a good weekend of their own ... one that involved a boat show and Grandpa J's own tractor.

We ended our weekend by joining up as a family and visiting L and J in the cities. Even with the chaos involved with four young kids, we had a wonderful time! JP loved playing with Estee's and Evelyn's toys ...

even if that meant putting up with some girl germs!

THIRSTY

AA must have been really thirsty this morning ... JP shared his juice with her for quite some time!

PLAYDATE

Our friends M and S drove down to visit today. Since the last time we had an organized playdate (I still need to find a better word!), two new babies have come along! AA slept the whole time, and the parents tried hard to catch up while watching all of the little ones! It took JP about an hour to figure out that baby Mason (6 months) couldn't take his hand and walk downstairs to play with the cars and trucks! He then moved on to Carrie (2.5 years) ...
JP was thrilled to show off all of his new toys ...

even if she found him annoying!

SLEEP

As I was getting AA ready for bed last night, I informed her that she would be sleeping in her crib (for the first time). Her reaction was priceless:AA spent the first six weeks of her life sleeping next to me in a Moses Basket. (And prior to that she slept in me for nearly ten months!). I must admit that the transition to the crib in her own room was much more difficult for me. I stood and watched her fall asleep ... and I checked on her about ten times before I actually went to bed. My sweetheart is growing up too fast!
She awoke around 3 AM and then again at 5 AM ... not the most stellar performance, but all in all, I think the transition went well. AA was full of smiles this morning ... she must have had some good dreams!

SECOND TIME AROUND

Although I could still be classified as "Type A", I'm definitely changing this second time around. I'm sure it's a common thing for parents of two (or more!). I've already encountered several examples of how my parenting ways have loosened up ... a lot! When JP was born, I was absolutely adamant that he never use a pacifier in those early days ... in fact, I recall a special sign the nurse made for has bassinet in the hospital 'Mother requests no pacifier'. It was probably the same nurse who answered my call light at 3 AM the first night of AA's life when I requested a pacifier so I could get some sleep!

JP never had a baby swing. As a new mother I was terrified that he'd never learn how to sleep on his own if he had a swing ... and look at AA now! We bought this swing at a garage sale for AA and we love it!

JP wore about four outfits each day during his first few months of life ... I never allowed him to sport an ounce of spit up or the slightest remnants of a blowout. My criteria has changed for this gal! One thing hasn't changed ... baby AA is loved so much!