anatomy lesson - age 2

Having a little boy in the house, and an interested little "helper", has brought about some interesting questions and conversations. Often these come about during baths or diaper changes. At this stage and age, I have opted to go with the "less is more" approach and keep things extremely simple.

Yesterday while we were gathering for circle time at the end of our ECFE class the teacher looked at me and laughed, holding up a baby boy doll who was missing his clothing. She then told me that Anna approached her with this:

"This baby is a boy Ms. Sandy. He has a different 'butt' than me. But we don't talk about that. It's private."

Apparently not that private.

new schedule

This week I decided that I would "observe" Emmett's natural schedule to see if there were any patterns. With Anna, after about 6-8 weeks we started following the methodology in the book "Babywise" to help establish healthly sleep habits. This method worked well with Anna and was quite painless. I have a suspicion that we will have to do things a little differently with Emmett - but I would like to start out doing some of the same things we did with Anna to see how they go.

After observing Emmett for a number of days, his eating and sleeping habits do form a pattern of sorts:

7:30 - 8pm: Bedtime
12am: Feeding - back to sleep by 1-1:30am)
3:30am: Feeding - back to sleep by 4:30am
5:15am: Fussiness begins, may rock him - or feed him if he seems hungry or can't fall back to sleep
6am: Anna's door opens and she gets up for the day, often finding me in Emmett's room feeding him
8:30am: Nap - typically between 2 & 3 hrs long
11am: Feeding
1pm: Nap - try to get him to sleep at the same time as Anna, this doesn't always happen
3pm: They both typically wake up and Emmett eats again
4-4:30pm: Nap - most days Emmett will fall asleep for a few hours again around this time
6:30pm: Feeding
7:30-8pm: Bedtime

All in all, it's a pretty good schedule. I am hoping that as Emmett continues to grow his sleep time during the nights will stretch out. While most babies have a fussy time in the late afternoon / evening around 4-6pm, Emmett seems to have his from 4-6am. This means most days I am essentially up for the day at 3:30 or 4am. I have adjusted to this, and as long as I am in bed by around 8pm I can still get about 6 hrs of sleep per night and get a shower in before Steve leaves for work and before Anna pads down the hall.

It's interesting that 4am is his fussy time, as this was the time I always woke up for the day during my 3rd trimester and was never able to fall back to sleep. He seems to suffer from stomach discomfort at this time - often very gassy and will gag and even spit up (even if he hasn't eaten for a few hrs). I am trying to determine if it is something I am eating - but the process of elimination hasn't brought about any change yet. If it continues I will discuss it with his pediatrician when we visit in a few weeks. I have a sneaking suspicion it might be dairy products.

In a few weeks I will start having Emmett nap in his crib or bassinet in his room vs. in his bouncy chair or the swing or in my arms. This is how we slowly acquainted Anna with naptime and soothing herself...we'll see how it goes this time around! While Anna was most comfortable sprawled out by herself, Emmett likes the warmth and closeness of cuddles. (Truth be told, I am enjoying them too!)

Look at how big he is getting! Just 2 weeks ago these pants were falling down, and now they fit snugly around his waist...we are now in size 3 month clothing, at just 5 weeks. I find this so funny because it is so different from how his big sis was.

Grow baby grow!

photo shoot

Yesterday after naps, Anna and I decided that our little Mr. Man was a little Mr. Stinky and decided to give him a bath. I always pick a time to do this when Anna can help - she loves to help squeeze the washcloths over him and delights in the fact that he often will not cry. She soothes him and tells him that he is getting clean and that "it's all-right baby, don't worry, I'm here".

It's typically a very fun time - even if when I do turn my back for a moment I am surprised with a washing of my bathroom floors with the washcloth as well - ahem, that's another story. After Emmett's bath we decided to put him on the floor with the Boppy and let him kick his legs around. He, of course, loved this and loved the attention that was being showered upon him. I ran and grabbed my camera and tried to capitalize on his awake time - and tried to capture a smile (no success this time) as he has been flashing a few here and there.


Mere moments later I was joined by my "assistant" who had grabbed her camera as well and was cooing and telling Emmett to "smile", capturing his cute baby body from all angles. Perhaps I won't be short on pictures of this little one after all - I have a pint-sized assistant who loves to snap the shutter too.

hooray hooray for emmett j!

one month

Oh how time flies! It's hard to believe you are already one month old my dear little boy! While the days (and nights) are sometimes long - the month was so short it seems like only yesterday we were leaving the hospital. And here, we are already buying the next size diapers and putting on the next size clothing. I remember time going quickly when your sister was little, but it's going even faster this time around.

I must admit, it's a bit of a challenge getting used to juggling two under three. It seems one of you are crying, needs a change (or needs to use the potty), needs to be played with, needs a cuddle, needs to be fed, or needs a nap at all times. I am trying to soak up the precious moments, like our snuggles together on the couch - or my "dates" with each of you individually. And then somewhere in there I am trying to find time to rest, to pick-up, and to do a few things for myself. This balancing act is one I have not yet conquered and I think it may take some time.

It was just this week that it seems to have settled in that this is life as we know it. Not only is it a difficult transition for me, it appears to be taking it's toll on Anna as well. Her mornings are now beginning at 6 and from the moment her eyes open the pleas to "play with me" begin. Just yesterday she asked me "is baby going to stay here mommy"? While she told me she was happy he was going to stay here forever - we have noticed a few behavior changes. These take on many forms throughout the day, some of which include tearing pages out of books, throwing toys off the balcony, hitting, whining, wetting pants, and tantrums when attention is directed elsewhere. While this was expected, it is not particularly easy to deal with some days. On Friday when I dropped her off at "school" for the morning she told me "Miss Briana and Miss Alyssa will play with me" (as if I didn't feel bad enough!).

Much to my delight, this morning Anna and I enjoyed a special date just the two of us. We ran errands and found a special green headband ("just like Bella's!" - Andrea, she adores your daughter) to match her green dress and then went out to lunch. During our lunch I was smothered with kisses and hugs and the Anna I know and love returned. Obviously this is as hard for her as it is for me.

But in the midst of toddler turmoil, there is this sweet little baby who makes me want to have 5 more. Emmett remains a content and cuddly little boy. With the exception of a few tummy aches that leave him fussy and fighting sleep - he is a content, low-key baby. He eats well, sleeps well and is enjoying more and more awake time throughout the day. He still loves to cuddle and will not drift off to sleep unless he is cradled in the arms of a loved one. This presents its challenges, but I have told myself not to worry about it for a few weeks yet and to enjoy it while he is so small. He'll be jumping out of his big boy bed before we know it so I'll take these cuddles - even if it is 3am.

Speaking of nights and sleep - Emmett has had a few nights where he has gone 4 hours between feedings - and last night he went over 5 hours! What a treat! I anticipate that this will become more common as he is awake longer during the day and as he continues to gain weight. We will not return to the doctor for another month, so I am not sure how much he has gained or how much he has grown but I would guess it's quite a bit. Look at the difference between these two at 1 month old!

While many have commented that they look so much alike, I really don't think they could look any more dissimilar! From hair to skin tone to size to features, they are very distinctly unique. I love them both tremendously and it's so fun to see how they develop.

One month, mr. man. Wow! In the next few weeks I suspect we will see you begin to smile - a treat I await with sweet anticipation. Until then, we keep on plugging, adjusting to our new schedule and the chaos and joys it carries with it.

wedding festivities

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than at a wedding - celebrating the love between two very special people? This Valentine's Day my brother Patrick married his sweetheart, Tanya. It was an absolutely lovely day. Everything was perfect. Patrick and Tanya planned a grand event and every detail was spectacular - from the rehearsal, to the ceremony to the reception and gift opening. Tanya was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, and Patrick a most handsome groom. We felt so honored to be a part of their very exciting celebration.

And now, while they are off honeymooning in Tahiti - we remain here in the cold swapping pictures on Facebook and reliving their event in our living room (Anna is still practicing "dancing" like she did at the wedding).

There are so many pictures from the week and weekend - I put just some of them in this slideshow. I wish I could capture all of the excitement and emotion of the weekend, in my words or pictures - but neither can do them justice. I will say this though - Patrick, I am so proud to be your sister. I am proud of the man you have become and enjoy the time I spend with you always. You have a way of livening up a room, and since meeting Tanya - the more sensitive side that has always been a big part of you is being shared with the rest of the world. You chose a wonderful woman as your bride...I couldn't be more thrilled. Tanya, you are a wonderful, intelligent, lovely and FUN person. I am so excited to call you my sister and to have met your wonderful family. I know there will be many fun and exciting times ahead for you and Patrick, and for all of us together. I look forward to all of them. Our love for you both overflows...congratulations!

And now the excitement comes to a close and we get back to life as it normally is.

Sunday we said goodbye to Nana and Papa who so graciously came to spend the weekend with us and to attend Patrick's wedding and help us (i.e. "do everything for us") with the kids since we were all a part of the wedding party. Nana and Papa did everything from shuttling the kids around, to taking Anna to the hair salon to get her hair done, to getting her in her dress, feeding them, caring for them at the ceremony & reception and so much more. Because of your help we were able to enjoy the weekend and be a part of the wedding party. THANK YOU.

And then today we say goodbye to Granka and Grandma Penny, as Granka heads back to France and Penny heads to Florida with her family to visit her mother and to spend time in the land of Disney. We will miss them both tremendously - it will be 6 months until we see them again. Fortunately we were able to spend a lot of time together through many visits as well as the events of the wedding...we enjoyed all of this time. While there are tears upon their leaving, we look ahead to the fun we will have when they are home again in August. It will be here before we know it I am sure. Safe travels, we love you, and thank you for spending so much time with us during your visit.

outside!

Played so hard, she slept for 3 hours after this!

meeting grandka & grandma penny

This week we had some special visitors come to play with Anna, and to meet their new grandson! Grandka & Grandma Penny are home from France for a few weeks to share in celebrating this little one's birth, and also to celebrate Patrick and Tanya's wedding which is just a short week away.

With 4 granddaughters between them, a grandson was a new joy to hold and cuddle. Emmett cuddled with both of them and showed them how he sleeps through everything...but then opened his eyes to welcome them before they headed out for the rest of the evening. Anna was very excited to see them both again. I don't think she stopped running during their entire visit. It has been 3 months since we have seen them, so it's nice to spend time together once again - and with such fun things to celebrate.

They came laden with gifts of clothes from Paris - too cute I might add - for the little ones. I can't wait to dress them both up in their adorable new outfits! Those Parisians sure know how to make kids clothes...they are unlike anything we can find here, that is for sure. So incredibly cute!

We look forward to many more visits in the days ahead until they return to Paris in another week or so.

the rules

On Friday morning I went into Anna's room a few minutes after 7 to get her dressed and ready to go to school. I asked her to use her quiet voice because baby Emmett was still sleeping and I wanted him to sleep until I was able to get her situated with her breakfast. Once dressed we walked into the bathroom to corral her hair into a ponytail or 2. As soon as we started brushing, baby Emmett's cries could be heard down the hall.

Me: "Oh, we better hurry Anna...I hear baby Emmett screaming"
Anna: "BABY! Baby! There is NO screaming in the house. Do you hear me?"

Hmmm, I wonder who has heard that one a few times lately.

mr. man

Here he is, the man of the hour! I should specify and say "the four o'clock hour". Our dear little one here likes to wake (not for the first time) somewhere between 4 and 4:30am to eat, and then has quite a bit of trouble going back to sleep. He tends to fall back to sleep right around 6am, mere moments before our eldest starts yelling from her room. So, I am slowly getting acquainted with waking up for the day in the "4's".

That said, Emmett has been a very easy baby thus far. He continues to eat well - if he eats from a bottle he will easily eat between 2 and 3 ounces at a feeding. I remember coaxing Anna to try and eat 1 oz when she was this age. So, needless to say he is growing! He already feels heavier in my arms, and he is getting stronger by the day. Emmett will try to hold his neck up and will kick his little legs out straight to try and stand while I burp him. Quite the character!

I do find it interesting that everything I suspected about him while he was in the womb has turned out to be true thus far. While developing inside me Emmett didn't kick or move around a whole lot until the last few weeks when he was running out of room. I thought he would be a laid-back baby...which he seems to be so far.

I also had a suspicion that he would be a cuddler. I have no idea why, I just thought he might be - maybe because he would always react to my voice and to Anna's - he would kick or roll over gently when we read stories or sang songs. Sure enough, he LOVES to cuddle with his mommy. If he's upset, I pick him up and he will look into my eyes and listen to my voice and will typically calm right down. He loves to fall asleep in my arms, or in the sling with his head right up where he can hear my heart beat. This is a real treat for me!

Emmett also reacts well to Anna's voice. She will talk to him when he cries, put his nuk in his mouth, sing to him, or rock him (not so gently) in his bouncy chair. He definitely knows who she is!

The one thing that has been a surprise is how NOISY this little man is. When he sleeps, when he eats, when he is just resting in his chair with his eyes open, he is always making noise. He squeaks, or purrs like a kitten, or flat-out cries/screams in his sleep for a few minutes, slurps, gasps and everything in between. Perhaps he is trying to have his voice heard over all of the other sounds in our home...who knows. I had to move him into his nursery 2 nights ago just because he doesn't stop making very loud noises all night long!

It's hard to believe that 2 weeks have passed already since Emmett's birth. And at the same time, it's hard to believe it has only been 2 weeks. In many ways I can't remember what it was like without him here. I am mastering the art of getting around town with 2 kids...on multiple occasions everyone has been bathed, dressed, changed, fed, bundled up and out the door before 9am. We have gone to ECFE class, to a neighbor's to play, to the hair salon (for Anna), and even the grocery store. I consider these outings my "gym time" since I am typically dripping in sweat by the time I return home. But, getting out and staying busy is what keeps me sane and happy...so we do it!

In the week to come my brother will be wed to his lovely bride Tanya and we have so many fun events to look forward to! Granka and Grandma Penny are in town and will be stopping by later today to meet their new grandson, and more introductions will be made in the days and weeks to come to more family and friends. What a busy and fun time! Now we'll just have to convince mr. man to keep his eyes open for at least part of it (and not just at 4am)!

he's awake!