Friday Update #19 (5/10/13)

Agh. It's been in the eighties here and I want to move to Alaska.

That's about all I can remember about this week.

I finally convinced Ezra to wear shorts because his swim shorts have octopi on them... (He'd beg so politely "no shorts, Mommy! PLEASE! no shorts please; wear pants!")

It was of course Ezra's birthday on Monday (but we celebrated on Sunday).

Isaac has a diaper rash, ugh. He immediately reacted to a new brand of diapers. But he's such an easy angel baby. I feel so blessed. He and I went on a walk and read-in-the-park date at Wright Park (on Ezra's birthday, oops) this week, which was sweet, since we don't spend as much intentional time together.

Oh! And of course! The highlight of the week, according to Ezra was visiting Allison and Sarah!

I guess we really did do more this week than roast in the sun.

Happy Second Birthday, Ezra!

We had a fun birthday celebration for Ezra at my parents' with all of my brothers and sisters. We kept it rather low key; sandwiches, a pineta (he learned what a pineata was from watching Curious George), and then presents.

Ruth's birthday in February and Mom's birthday in March gave Ezra a good idea about "cake" amd "candles" and "presents" and so for the weeks leading up to Ezra's birthday, whenever someone mentioned "birthday" he'd talk about all of those things. (Emphasis on "cake".) Hannah taught him to hold up two fingers and say "two" when someone asked him how old he was/would be.

Sunday morning (actually May 5th) was Sunday School opening (during which Pastor Rich lists off everyone's birthdays that month and hands out candy bars), so everyone clapped and Ezra got candy, then it was also Rich's birthday, so after service there was birthday cake and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" (during which I whispered "Ezra" instead of "Rich," so he thought the song was for him).

Ezra ate too much cake and too many cookies after church and refused to nap (though he's hardly been napping anyway), so as soon as we finished celebrating his birthday he fell asleep on my lap.

Friday Update #18 (5/3/13)

I love love love having two kids. It's the best ever. They already love each other so much. Ok, well, they're at least very interested in each other.

Isaac could stare at Ezra all day long.

And Ezra is so obsessed with Isaac! He talks about him all the time and always wants to show him things and talk to him and kiss him. Too much.

In many ways, having two children is easier than just one. Primarily in the ways I just mentioned: they entertain/distract each other. But it's also somehow more... rewarding? I'd be changing diapers anyway, so what's another kid? Rewarding is definitely not the right word to describe what I'm trying to describe, though.

I'm also thankful that Ezra is learning to share attention and time and toys (mostly my attention, though, of course). He expects the world to revolve around him, after all, so to learn that it doesn't has been good for him. (Hard for him, and for me, since I'd love to give him all the attention he desires...) 

I'm looking forward to watching their relationship develop too. As much as it annoyed me sometimes that my parents insisted we siblings be each other's best friends, I definitely appreciate our forced-at-times childhood friendships that are now becoming adult friendships. And, of course, I have very fond memories of our childhood camaraderie. I'm excited to watch that develop between my two boys.

Having two children is harder, of course, in some ways, but I think (or I hope) this is the hardest period because they're both so physically needy. As independent as Ezra (thinks he) is, he still at least needs oversight for all his food/clothing/bathroom/entertainment needs. Isaac doesn't just need oversight; he needs complete assistance. This means that some days I change ten diapers! and outfits (mine included, thanks to Ezra's grubby hands and Isaac's propensity to spit up), but I do appreciate that they're spaced at two years years apart because they are still in such similar phases (if I got a break from changing diapers? How could I go back?)

So things are good. Hard, often, but good.

Friday Update #17 (4/26/13)

We were sick all week with colds. Even (barely) Issac! 

We're really struggling with getting enough sleep. I'm getting really bad headaches when I don't get enough sleep and Seth's super worn out, because not only does he have to go to work all day, but then he doesn't get to relax when he comes home because he's so busy picking up my slack and taking care of us.

However, we finally explored the renovated "Murray Morgan Bridge" (i.e., we walked across it) this week. It recently reopened after years of renovations, so I've been wanting to go explore.

On Sunday we went to some friends' for dinner. It was supposed to be our monthly dinner with our assigned group of four couples from church, but morphed into a much larger gathering with lots of kids.

And Isaac is really cute. This is my favorite of his outfits right now:

Friday Update #16 (4/19/13)

Pappy came to visit! He was able to stay for a few days, go golfing with Dad, beat Hannah at pool and Jack at darts, complain about the lack of sun (it wouldn't be a Pappy trip without that) and of course meet Isaac.

It was especially nice to have a "break" in our usual stay-at-home routine. We were sick all week. Fun. Even (barely) Issac, We're really struggling with getting enough sleep. I'm getting really bad headaches when I don't get enough sleep and Seth's super worn out from work.

Friday Update #15 (4/12/13)

I've been having pretty intense headaches this week. Tuesday night I went to bed and didn't get up until Wednesday night for a little bit (until it was time for bed again!). I guess I must have freaked Seth out (because he had to bring me aspirin twice through the night and I was crying 'cuz it hurt so bad) because when I finally woke up Wednesday he had arranged for Ruth to come spend the day with me so I wouldn't be alone. He cares for me so tenderly!

Then Thursday was better, probably because he was home all day. Today wasn't great... I was feeling so overwhelmed, trying to keep the boys content and still deal with a throbbing headache. And then, suddenly, Seth got home two hours earlier than expected! That never ever happens! I don't know what it is. This sort of thing hasn't ever happened to me before. I definitely never get enough sleep, but could that really be the problem? [Edit: oh yes, it was definitely the problem! And still is if I don't get enough sleep!]

Isaac is one month old today, though. And he's just about as sweet a baby as can be.

Friday Update #15 (4/12/13)

I've been having pretty intense headaches this week. Tuesday night I went to bed and didn't get up until Wednesday night for a little bit (until it was time for bed again!). I guess I must have freaked Seth out (because he had to bring me aspirin twice through the night and I was crying 'cuz it hurt so bad) because when I finally woke up Wednesday he had arranged for Ruth to come spend the day with me so I wouldn't be alone. He cares for me so tenderly!

Then Thursday was better, probably because he was home all day. Today wasn't great... I was feeling so overwhelmed, trying to keep the boys content and still deal with a throbbing headache. And then, suddenly, Seth got home two hours earlier than expected! That never ever happens! I don't know what it is. This sort of thing hasn't ever happened to me before. I definitely never get enough sleep, but could that really be the problem? [Edit: oh yes, it was definitely the problem! And still is if I don't get enough sleep!]

Isaac is one month old today, though. And he's just about as sweet a baby as can be.