From the horse's mouth

Dear Maya and Emi,

Mommy is SO glad it's Friday! Though we had a great time last weekend and a good first half of the week, by the end of the day today I was just completely worn out. It's hard to juggle both of your needs when Emi's sleep schedule varies and mommy is feeling tired and stretched thin. Luckily the weekend is upon us!

Last weekend mommy and Emi hit some yard sales, mostly buying games and crafts to keep Maya busy. Then we went to a festival one town over where they had various free events for kids. The bouncy house was a given, then Maya surprised us by adamantly choosing the big horse instead of the little pony they had available for rides. You were so calm about the whole thing! We also visited your great-grandparents over the weekend. Maya, you and Poppy built castles with wooden blocks for the better part of an hour!

This week Emi turned one month old! We are finally seeing you look more like a round little baby instead of a skinny little thing. Newborn-sized clothes and diapers are finally becoming too small, especially lengthwise. You have more filling out to do before the next size up really fits you width-wise, though. You have had some more attentive periods here and there, even following daddy around with your eyes when he came home from work yesterday. Your cranky periods are still tough to swallow, though. Sigh...

Well, this has been short, but like I said this mama is tired! Love you two!

Getting back to normal??

Dear Maya and Emi,

We've had a pretty good first week into what our new 'normal' schedule is going to look like. Grandma and Papa Stan got home safely, daddy is back at work full time, and mommy is feeling mostly good and trying to balance taking care of the both of you, myself, the cooking, and the greatly increased amount of laundry!

 

Over the weekend we took our first trip shopping as a family of four and it went pretty well. We also went to the stream, breaking out poor Maya's bathing suit for the first time this summer. It's been a cool summer, for sure, but mostly it's been mommy's pregnancy that kept me from taking you swimming. So sorry!

 

Mommy took the two of you out on my own for the first time on Tuesday. We stopped at the pharmacy, then went to the library story time. Maya, you took playing dress-up to the next level! At last count I think you had on 2 skirts, 1 top, fairy wings, a boa, a hair clip, and about 5 silky veils over your head!

Well, mommy needs some sleep! Love you two!

New life with Emi

Dear Maya and Emi,

You'll have to give mommy some time to figure out how I want this blog to work for the two of you. I'm trying out a new name up there, though it kinda feels weird for the picture in the header not to feature both of you. I might have to switch the blog format around from time to time to get it right.

Emi says "I got your nose!" 

Peaches, manicure, and sweet hairstyle courtesy of Grandma

Papa Stan's chest makes a nice napping spot!

We've been keeping pretty busy while mommy recovers. Grandma made sure to feed me healthy, iron-rich foods and help me rest, but also to get me out of the house so I could get some fresh air and movement. We went to a farmer's market, the park, great-grandma's house, and even a craft store during the past week.

Maya, you've been doing a great job as Emi's big sister. You were so excited to help with her first bath, even though you got water in her eyes a couple times. This morning you also pushed her in the baby swing for 5 minutes so mommy could take a shower. We will get batteries for the swing this weekend, I promise!

Emi, you've continued to be a good sleeper at night, waking up at pretty regular intervals to nurse and going back to sleep without a problem. During the day you're a little more fussy, though. Yesterday we had a really great photographer come over to take newborn photos of you, but you barely settled down at all.

Mommy's feeling pretty tired from the regular having-a-newborn-and-toddler thing, but thankfully it seems like any of the ill effects from last week have worn off. I'm still being careful not to do too much or lift anything too heavy, but I'm feeling pretty strong and thankful for my relative good health!

Well, time for some sleep. Love you two!!