Sunday, October 31, 2010

Nana to the Rescue

This past week, Vance had to go to California for work. I think he was afraid that he might come home and find the wrecked remains of his wife huddled in a corner, twitching and biting her nails while the kids foraged for themselves out of the pantry. He was right to be afraid for my sanity, I think. At any rate, he begged his mom to come and help out while he was gone. I'm so glad he did.

We've always lived far away from family, so I've never had the luxury of help when I've had to play Single Mom. But let me tell you, having an extra pair of hands sure is nice! Nana read books, retrieved pacifiers, baked muffins, played catch, cuddled my baby, cleaned my kitchen, swept the floors, babysat, and sang approximately 8,546,332 bedtime songs. She even made Vance a double batch of his favorite snack mix. I don't have many pictures of Nana from this weekend, but that's probably because she wasn't sitting still much.

For a lot of women, the word "mother-in-law" is enough to start a full on vent session. There's something about two women from different families suddenly being thrown in together that seems to be a pretty consistent recipe for trouble. All of which makes me feel grateful for my mother-in-law. That gratefulness has only increased after losing my own mother. Claudia doesn't criticize me or try to control my husband. She doesn't undermine my attempts at running my household, even though I'm pretty new at this and I make lots of mistakes she wouldn't. She isn't shocked when my children disobey, or when our family doesn't look like anything Norman Rockwell would want to paint. She doesn't try to replace my mom, but she does treat me like family. She loves my children so much that I can't help but love her back, and thank God for giving our family such a wonderful woman.

So thank you, Mom. Not just for doing my chores this week--but for loving all of us so unconditionally. You can come stay anytime :).
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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pitter Patter

They are all still so little. At least for these next five minutes or so....
Don't you just love Evie's little fist pump in the background? :)
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One Month

I can't believe she's already a month old. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess.
I took her to the pediatrician on Tuesday--she clocks in at 10 lbs, 6 oz (84%), and 22.5" (93%). But the best part: she smiled on Monday!

Today is Mom's birthday, and she would have been 51. I wish these three sweeties could have a chance to know their grandma. I wish we could at least call to sing her Happy Birthday. Death really is an enemy. But even in the midst of all the sadness, I have been thinking about what birthdays must be like in heaven. Of course we don't know, but I can imagine it must be pretty special to spend your birthday with the one who created you. We all have that to look forward to--Mom has that to experience today.
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Friday, October 15, 2010

A-Tisket A-Tasket

"A baby in a basket"...is irresistably adorable, it turns out.
And before I hear it from all you "back to sleep" people: don't worry, she sleeps on her back at night. But I do let her nap on her tummy, because A) it looks so comfy, and she likes it, and B) it's better for their physical development. So she gets to nap this way, since I can go check on her and make sure--in true neurotic mother style--that she's still breathing :)
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Eve - One Week


Latest greatest family photo
Look! She's awake! (It doesn't last long...)
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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Our Little Staycation

Since I had such an easy delivery, our hospital stay was more about getting alone time with Evie, and less about actually recovering...
I really liked it better that way :)
Where else but at the hospital do you get to spend a whole day sitting in bed, staring at your new little love?
She's going to kill me for this one when she's sixteen...oh, well.
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Meeting the Sibs

I wondered if the older kids would feel shy or reserved when they met their little sister. Not a bit of it. They both jumped in like pros.
We're still working on taking turns with the baby, and not smothering the baby with affection, but I'd rather them be over-excited than underwhelmed by our new sweetie.
Checking to make sure all body parts are here and accounted for
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