She's Four!?

Wednesday, the 22nd, our little girl turned 4! She had been looking forward to her birthday for a long time. One of the first things she wanted to do in the morning was hold her baby brother.But what she had been asking about for weeks was breakfast in bed. This is something we always do for Mike on his birthday and father's day, and she had requested it for her birthday this year. She had a pannekoeken with candles, and raspberries and blueberries with whipped cream. As you can see, she was ecstatic.Then she got dressed in her "party dress" and headed to daycare with goodies bags for all her friends.That evening, we had "movie night". A friend had given her Lion King as a gift, so we all snuggled up to watch it -- Sam slept on my chest through the whole thing. After the movie, Lily wanted to hold him. Okay, so she really isn't asleep here, but I still think it is such a sweet picture, the way he seems to be hugging her. On Saturday we had a family party for her, complete with princesses, candy and balloons -- some of her favorite things in the world. And some of her other favorite things: Grandmas and Cousins!

It was great to have family travel to celebrate with us. Lily raved about what a great day she had.

I enjoyed it as well, but cannot help but get a little misty thinking about how fast time goes. Mike often tells Lily not to grow up too fast. The morning of her birthday, she asked us if we were sad that she was growing up. I told her, "Oh, Lily, I am happy for you!"

. . .but just a little sad for me.

A mother's reward

WARNING: This story may have contraceptive effects on some readers.

It was 5 am and I was up for the third time with Sam, as usual. I fed him and he soon filled his pants with a thunderous gurgle, as usual. Not wanting to wake either of us too much, I proceeded to change his diaper in the dark. I paused, however, when I felt wetness on the back of his onesie. When I turned the lamp on, sure enough, he had filled his pants all the way up the back and out, soaking through his onesie and pjs.

I had nearly finished undressing and wiping him down when I felt a warm trickle on the back of my hand. He was peeing all over the changing table. I wiped him down again and finally got him all cozy in a new pair of pjs. I sat down to nurse him a bit more. As he finished, he let out a large belch. I put him up on my shoulder to see if he had anymore burps, and he immediately drenched my shoulder with spit-up. Determined not to make another outfit change, I toweled us both off the best I could. I cradled my little bodily-fluids-factory in my arms and closed my eyes, begging God for just one more hour of sleep before an energetic 4-year-old would come bounding into our bed.

Just then I looked down at Sam in the dim light. He was gazing back at me with the sweetest toothless grin a mother has ever seen. My heart skipped. Now I know that many would say that babies this age don't smile on purpose; that it was just gas. But any weary mom would agree, this smile was just for me. I am convinced he was saying, "Ah, thanks, Mom. I feel much better."

New Normal

Sam will be three weeks old tomorrow, so our new "normal" is beginning to be established. Lily has started to go to daycare three days a week, and two of those mornings she goes to pre-school, which she loves. Here she is on the first day:


She still wants to hold or be near her brother quite often and is always saying, "Wouldn't this be a great picture!" as she kisses him, hugs him, or tickles him, sometimes too zealously. Here is a picture where I think Sam already has an "I'm too cool for my big sister" look.

And of course our boy is changing each day. He is always making sweet, strange or silly faces. The last picture just cracks me up.

New Family

We are settling into our new identity as a family of four. I used the phrase "the kids" for the first time today when talking to Mike. It was a bit strange to say.
So far, Sam has proven to be a pretty mellow little guy. Let's all pray he stays that way! Lily is an excellent big sister. She rarely wants to leave the house unless Sam can come with. He is the first one she asks for when she wakes up or comes home. And she has called him "soooo adorable" more times than I can count. Yesterday she asked me if we were going to keep him forever. I was hesitant, expecting this to be the moment everyone warned us about -- the older sibling ready to give the baby back. When I said yes, she sighed, "Oh good!"

I am recovering slowly but surely. My mom has been here this week, and that is a huge blessing for us all. Thanks, Mom!

Here are a few photos from the week:

He's here!

Our newest addition has arrived:

Samuel Lee
8 lb 9 oz
20 inches

The Lily quote of the day: "This is the best day of my whole life."