christmas 2013.

i knew that this holiday season was going to be a little different than in years past both because we were going to have a very new newborn with us and because avery is actually at an age where she can understand and get really excited about christmas.  i am loving the 'almost two' age (usually) because she just gets things now that she hasn't in the past and it makes things a lot more fun.  we knew that we definitely wanted to make the season fun for avery but i also knew that running around and doing a lot of activities wasn't going to happen because ellie was so new and honestly both charlie and i are still adjusting to the lack of sleep.  but because avery is old enough to get the holidays it's also made us think a lot more about how we want to celebrate and what traditions we want to establish.  

avery's really into the christmas decorations this year, which has been really fun.  we tried to involve her as much as possible in decorating since she gets so excited about it.  we broke our previous tradition of decorating for christmas the day after thanksgiving since we were planning on having ellie prior to thanksgiving.  we both knew that decorating with a newborn would be a lot less fun than enjoying the decorations while sitting on a couch with a newborn.  so charlie hung the outside lights at the beginning of november and we put up our inside decorations a week or so before thanksgiving. we've always kept it pretty simple inside (and even with that the clutter of the decorations is beginning to drive me nuts).  avery helped with the tree, although she was in a terrible mood that day so wasn't as into it as she might have been.  she's so cute because every time she sees the outside lights she'll say "daddy hang christmas lights.  thanks dad." and every time she sees the inside lights, like the ones i hung in the playroom she'll say "mommy hang christmas lights.  thanks mom".  it definitely makes decorating worth it to see how excited she still is over these things.  i got her a mini tree for her room and she's still really into holding the ornaments during diaper changes and turning the lights on and off of the tree.

charlie got a train for around the tree this year and she's liked it almost as much as he does.  it's the polar express and it came with the book (now we have two copies) and the bell.  

one of the christmas ideas that seems to be everywhere is the idea of wrapping up 25 christmas books and unwrapping one each day and reading it.  i love that idea but i also love the idea of having all of our christmas books available to read during december.  we read all the time and she's really liked some of the christmas books.  some of her favorites that we read every day are the bearenstein bears christmas tree, the sights and smells of christmas, the polar express, and 'twas the night before christmas.  i think her favorite out of all of them is the bearenstein bears and i've been pretty impressed that she'll sit through the whole book because it's long! and sometimes even ask for it to be read multiple times.  

we sort of do the elf on the shelf tradition.  neither charlie and i are sure if we're going to do the whole santa thing with avery.  i mean she knows who he is but we haven't done the whole concept of santa bringing you presents on christmas.  both of us hate the idea that santa brings you presents if you're good.  mostly, i just don't like the idea of using santa as a bribe or a threat and i don't want her behavior to be tied to some imaginary figure that brings presents.  also, i think that christmas can be pretty magical with or without the big guy in the red suit.  anyway, charlie told her that the elf comes during the holiday season and that he's there to watch over us and make sure that we're safe.  we do attempt to move him once a day although we've both been pretty bad at that but she does look for him and gets excited when he shows up in a different place.  charlie named him buddy last year and she'll tell you that buddy's the elf and he makes sure we're safe.














a few other things that we've done are baking christmas cookies.  avery was really into this and also really, really into eating them in front of the christmas tree.  i love how she gets so excited about little things like that.  we also made a christmas tree out of painters tape and then cut out ornaments for her to put on the tree.  i wasn't sure about this but it was actually a pretty big hit.  my mom did a few crafts with her when she was in town.  they did a foam christmas tree, a rudolph face that had to be glued together, we made another rudolph one day at barnes and noble when they had crafts, and we made snowmen out of foam balls.  avery's really into crafts so all of these were fun, easy activities that made the really cold weather that we've been having not seem so terrible.  

we also watched a christmas movie.  avery's never actually watched a movie before so this was sort of extra special.  we started the grinch for her one night and then she finished it the next morning.  she really liked it and snuggled up with charlie during most of the movie.  i also found the bearenstein bears christmas tree (the book that we read all the time) on youtube and we watched that.  it's a short one (about 20 minutes) and she liked it but it didn't hold her attention nearly as well as the grinch did.  when she gets older i'd love to have friday's during advent be christmas movie nights because there are so many good christmas movies to pick from.





















but mostly we've spent this time just hanging out as a family and wearing a lot of christmas pj's.  avery's been playing a lot, we've been coloring and drawing santas and snowmen, we've been taking turing holding ellie, and just spending this time just enjoying being a family of four.  we'll have visitors the last 2 weeks of december and this time with just the four of us has been really, really nice.  in the future, especially as the kids get older i know we'll be doing more activities, but i hope that we don't get too busy during this season, that we learn to say no to certain things, enjoy time as a family, and focus on family and friends and the time that we spend together.  i feel so incredibly fortunate to have had this time with my family, without charlie traveling, and to have had so much family come and visit us.  it's really been the perfect christmas season. 

ellie's first week.

this is what happens when i turn my back for a second.  avery dumped her animals all over ellie and was happily playing with them on top of her.

i can't believe she's already a week and a half old already.  most of the time it seems like she's been with us loads longer than that.  i knew that this time would fly by, especially because this is such a busy season in general, but i also think that having a toddler to chase around has made the time go that much faster.  

my first day 'alone' with them.  charlie was back to work.  i'm still nervous for his first overnight trip.

avery loves to read to her and ellie's usually pretty into it if she's awake.

in general this first week having ellie has been so much easier than our first week with avery.  i think most of this is because we've done this before but also she's been a really easy baby so far.  (i'm praying that this continues).  she doesn't cry during diaper changes or baths or really at all unless she's hungry and i've made her wait too long.  but even when she does start crying she's pretty easily appeased by being held.  avery on the other hand screamed through diaper and outfit changes and baths.  they both did sleep a lot at this point.  i remember when avery was around a week old being worried that she was actually sleeping too much and ellie's been the same way.  

first time breastfeeding her.  did i mention how much better her delivery was than avery's?

sleepy baby + christmas tree = good night.

she's been eating really well and does well with eating every 3 hours.  the first night she was super sleepy and i literally could not wake her up to eat despite trying everything.  left to her own devices she seems to wake up every 3 to 3.5 hours at night and i think would go longer throughout the day if i let her but i'm trying to establish day as the time we eat and play and nights as the time for sleeping so i'll wake her every 3 hours, change her diaper and feed her every three hours throughout the day.  she's a lot like avery in that she doesn't eat for nearly the recommended feeding times.  she'll usually eat for anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes a feeding and only on one side.  avery was the same way and she seemed to do just fine.  weight gain is always one of my worries because i've never wanted to deal with being pressured to supplement with formula.  i can tell that she's growing and i honestly have way more milk than she's eating so i know she's just full and done with eating.  i've been trying to avoid pumping because i don't want my body to get used to producing that extra milk.  i figure i'll deal with pumping later if i feel like it.  i never started with avery until she was 6 weeks old and this time since i'm not planning on returning to the office i feel no pressure to build up a freezer stash or introduce a bottle.

my three favorite people.

i was really lucky the first week because my mom was here with avery and charlie was also off of work.  basically there were lots of extra hands around which was really nice so i could just physically recover and also not worry too much about avery being entertained.  charlie and i both pushed to be released from the hospital after 24 hours.  my midwife was more than fine with it but the on call pediatrician only released us on the condition that we would follow up with our doctor the next day.  luckily i was able to get an appointment because we both wanted to go home pretty badly.  i think hospital beds are really uncomfortable and it's impossible to get any sleep anyway when you're trying to feed a newborn and you have people coming in to check your vitals and the baby's vitals every few hours.  the nurses were actually really great and tried to time their visits with her feedings but it's still so much better to be at home.  the first night at home i slept with her next to me which meant that i got so much more rest.  i also slept a good portion of the morning, too.  charlie does most of the diaper changes at night, too which is really helpful.  

trying to burp her. 

she's really into holding ellie. 

avery's been both really, really good with ellie and not so good at times.  overall she's really into her sister and i was impressed at how as soon as she was born she realized that ellie was her sister and now a part of our family.  we didn't really prepare for any of this ahead of time and i wasn't sure if she would actually grasp that concept.  she asks to hold her all the time, kisses her unprompted, tells her how cute she is:  "ellie so cute", and comforts her when she cries.  so she definitely cares about her and can be really sweet.  however, she definitely doesn't like when ellie actually needs something and therefore avery doesn't get the attention.  she'll hit her when i'm feeding her and sometimes for absolutely no reason at all.  i really think she just wants the reaction from charlie or i.  but it's been hard because i can't put ellie down anywhere within avery's reach unless i'm right there to make sure she'll be nice or move her if she isn't.  ellie's also not really into the moby or the ring sling, which would be good solutions.  i'm hoping that as she gets older she'll like being worn more and also that avery will grow out of the hitting phase.  

first sponge bath.

one of the worries that i had when i was pregnant was that i wouldn't love ellie as much as avery or that i would almost feel resentful of her for taking my time away from avery.  honestly, it was never an issue.  as soon as she was born i pretty much fell madly in love with her and if anything i've felt guilty that because i've been trying to play with avery when ellie doesn't need me i haven't spent nearly as much time holding and snuggling with her that i was able to do with avery.  i mean i know this is irrational and that she has all of her needs met and if anything she actually sleeps better on her own, but i still want to soak up these sweet newborn moments as much as possible because i know it's going to get so much harder.  

it was really such a nice week.  starting with a fast and easy labor and delivery that couldn't have gone any better to being able to come home and spend a few days with my mom before she left 

thanksgiving, a new baby, and some family time.

so much to write.  so little time to write.  makes for one big, random post.  

... my mom was out here for 9 days.  9 days.  it was awesome.  avery had such a great time with her grandma and it was so nice to just spend some time with my mom.  she was originally coming out because i had a version and induction scheduled for the 20.  but when i went to my regular appointment on the 18th we found out that ellie was head down again and so ended up canceling both.  we scheduled an induction for the 25th (although i was really hoping that she would come on her own before that) so that my mom could take care of avery and charlie could be at the hospital with me.  we had a great time in the few days before ellie showed up just hanging out.  avery was spoiled with all of the attention and my mom was such a help to have around.  especially when we were in the hospital and after we came home.  we were all sad to see her leave.  especially avery who cried when they said goodbye and who keeps saying "grandma have to go home" and "grandma come back christmas".  thankfully grandma will be back for christmas.  and this time she's bringing grandpa and alex, too!

...   ellie was a full pound and a half bigger than avery was when she was born.  i still can't really believe that and ellie still seems so big to me when now since i was used to my tiny 6 pound avery.  it makes me glad we didn't wait 2 extra weeks with her as she would have been really big if we waited that long!  although i actually think i would have gone into labor that week if i wasn't induced on monday.  this time the induction was fast and really easy.  it was pretty much everything i could have asked for from a labor and delivery standpoint.  i was induced at 8 am and she was born at 3:30 pm after less than 5 minutes of pushing.  much easier and with much less drama than avery's birth.  my midwife was great and so was the hospital staff.  we pushed pretty hard to go home 24 hours after her birth and i'm so glad we did.  sleeping in my own bed that night without nurses waking me up was amazing.  breastfeeding is going really well and i forgot how amazing and fun newborns are in those first few days before they start crying much.  :)  she was unnamed until a few hours after she was born and so all the paperwork we have from the hospital says "baby girl L".








...  we broke all the rules and decorated for christmas before thanksgiving.  i'm so glad we did because i did want to decorate this year because i knew avery would be super into it but i didn't want to be trying to recover from having a baby and attempting to juggle a newborn and a toddler and worried about putting up a christmas tree.  plus, i wanted avery to be able to really enjoy everything and not feel like it was rushed or something we had to do.  i'm so glad we did it before because it was not only something to do to distract myself before ellie was born but also avery really did enjoy it and it was nice to come home to a decorated house.  i usually get sick of christmas decorations and am ready to rip them down by the 26th because i can't stand all of the clutter but we'll see how motivated i am this year to take them down.





...  avery has been charlie's little buddy since we got home from the hospital.  she has quickly moved on from me and is all about daddy helping her do things and hanging out with charlie.  i'm so glad that she moved out of the mommy phase that she was in before ellie was born and i'm glad that she's enjoying all of her time with charlie.  i'm still really scared of the day when charlie starts to travel and i'm left to take care of the both of them all day and night by myself.









...  we crafted!  i was slightly impressed with myself for actually doing a real activity with avery instead of just playing with her toys.  not that she was neglected as grandma did lots of activities with her but i felt bad for not spending as much time with her and she's definitely been a little jealous of the time that i've had to spend taking care of ellie.  anyway, we made little snowmen.  she was really only interested in making a mess and stabbing the foam balls over and over with toothpicks but she did have a good time and now whenever she sees the snowmen she gets excited and says "snowmen so cute!".  so i guess it was a hit.  charlie even joined in on the fun and made one himself.



...  we spent thanksgiving at home, which was so, so nice.  charlie made rice balls and stuffed mushrooms and my mom made turkey breast, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and caramel pie.  and i sat on the couch with ellie during most of the day and even snuck a nap in the afternoon.  very low key but i was very thankful to be home and even more thankful for all of the work that they did in the kitchen and taking care of avery.  dinner was delicious!

30 days of thankful: week 4

day 22:  thankful for crafts at Barnes and Noble, time alone in a bookstore, a husband who puts the baby down for her nap, and watching Avery get so excited about the train around the Christmas tree. 

day 23: thankful for alone time, a nap on the couch, a dog who restless gently with Avery, a 39+ week  bump, and a much overdue date with my husband. 

day 24: thankful for this time as a family of there.  Trying to enjoy this time with just Avery.  Lots of snuggles, coloring, playing animals, trips to the playground, and book reading are happening these last few days. 

day 25:  so, so thankful.

day 26:  thankful for adorable moments like these, an amazing big sister, charlie for being such an amazing dad, and my mom for taking such great care of Avery.

day 27: thankful for naps, these three people who i get to call family, and the ability to watch these two grow up together.  oh, and a husband who i love and who changes lots of diapers, brings me water, and takes amazing care of our kids.

day 28:  thankful that this little chunk was born healthy.  i'm so excited for A to have a sister to grow up with. also very thankful that we were able to spend the holiday at home. 

day 29:  thankful for this guy and these girls.  even when everyone is crying. 

day 30:  thankful for this view.  doesn't get much better than this.

ellie alex.

we were blessed with another girl in our family this week.

ellie alex was born november 25 at 3:39 pm.

she weighted 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 20 inches long.

i was really surprised that she was a girl.  i had been thinking boy all along but i'm so happy that avery's going to have a sister close in age.  i was also pretty surprised, as was my midwife, that she weighed a full pound and a half more than her big sister did when she was born.  

i love having a squishy, sleepy newborn in the house again.  i think in those first few days it's impossible to not want at least 10 kids.  avery's been doing well, for the most part, although i think she's a little jealous at times.  she loves to hold her and will demand to do so, usually whenever i'm trying to feed her.  i've forgotten how easy newborns are to take care of!  she's just in that super sleepy stage where she basically sleeps and eats and wakes only to stare at the christmas tree lights for a few minutes at a time.  and thanks to my mom and charlie i'm actually feeling pretty good since they've taken care of everything around the house and entertained avery a lot, too.  we were all sad to see my mom leave (avery cried) but we're looking forward to christmas when we'll see her again (and grandpa and alex, too!).