Oh the Bliss!

Well, life is just getting away from me these days! It's been so good though, so much better than I thought having two could be. People ask me all the time how Ben is doing, and really, it seems like he's sweeter, funnier, cuter than even before Addie was born. He has even offered his beloved blanket "D" when she's been upset. If that isn't the ultimate sign of sacrificial love I don't know what is. I thought for sure when I was pregnant that as soon as the baby was born I'd have to say goodbye to my little boy. I thought I'd never get to hold him or play with him at the drop of a dime anymore. I thought he'd hate me for abandoning him and I thought for sure we'd never have time to just sit anymore like we'd been in habit of doing every so often together. Even though some of these activities have decreased in time a bit, nothing has decreased by means of quality. We still build forts and "big tall towers". We still laugh and m...

Mark's a slinger too.

My life as a mother and Ben's life as a baby changed drastically when he was just over 4 months old and my sweet sis-in-law Pam introduced my "high maintenance" baby to the power of the sling. We were standing in her San Francisco home when she, probably sick of hearing Ben's inconsolable crying, offered to carry him in her sling for a while. This was a new concept for me, but at the moment I didn't care if she wanted to carry him in an alligators mouth, so into the sling he went and an instantly calm Ben emerged. (This is all true, ask Carrie, she was a witness to the miracle.) Addison is not as 0 to 60-ish as Ben was, at least not yet, but she is a bit of an extreme cuddler. This is an adjustment for me since Ben was perfectly happy, and actually preferred, to be left alone, no cuddling required. I love this new snugly baby, but its draw back arises when my 2 year old is sick of sitting around and needs someone to play ball with. Enter the sling. What to do when...

What a lovely day it has been for us here. We four (hee hee, FOUR) ventured out all together today for the first time. Mark took us to the mall so I could take some stuff back but really so we could all stretch our legs a bit. After two diaper changes and failing to figure out the double stroller we're borrowing from Jas & Carrie (sorry guys, we're new at this two thing) Addie went into the sling and we were happy campers. Lot's of oohs and awws were shared, cause my kids are so darn cute. :) I'm so proud of Mark because he's put two houses into escrow this week, with a potential third in the works. He's working hard, but still making sure the kids and I are well taken care of and it really means a lot to me. Luckily his super busy week was last week, when I had lots of help from his mom and my mom. Ben and I made granola bars this morning while Addison slept. I will post the recipe because it's so easy, fast and fun to make. I really like the recipe bec...

My floors have been mopped, my meals made, my clothes washed and my kids doted on. This past week Mark's mom stayed a couple of nights with us, and then my mom stayed a couple of days with us and boy, was it heaven having that help. I am so thankful to have not one, but TWO loves like them who live close enough to help us and but more importantly they both have a desire to do so. We love them very much and couldn't have made it -sanely- through this week without them. Thank you Nana and Gma!!!

Yes, yes, she has A LOT of hair. All the more reason for me to put bows and ribbons in it!! We've had a great week and I'll post more pictures soon. As far as details go, here are the stats: February 1 (Her due date, of course, silly little girl.) 3:00AM - Wake up with strong contractions, 5 minutes apart. Ain't no messing around this time, it's for REAL. 3:20 - wake up Mark, call doctor. 4:00 - call both sets of parents, all are on their way. 4:46 - my mom and dad arrive, we leave for the hospital leaving my dad behind to stay with Ben. 5:00 - arrive at hospital, get check out, I'm 5 centimeters dilated. ~ sometime in here Mark's mom arrives, she made very good time coming from Simi Valley. ~ 5:45 - HALLELUJAH my epidural arrives. 6:18 - water breaks while talking on the phone to my brother Jason. It was the funniest thing. 6:44 - BABY ADDISON SARAH MAKES HER GRAND ENTRANCE!!! That's what I'm talking about folks, a less than 4 hour labor and delivery. ...

I have lot's to say and lot's to show... but for now I'm just posting that we're doing GREAT! So happy to have our little GIRL home and in our family. Everything (labor and delivery) went better than I could've ever imagined and we're all just so happy. I tried to post pictures but it's not letting me, so maybe later. Thanks for all your prayers and support!