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Leah and Joel hanging out together after church.

I try to get Leah outside to the park often even though I feel so busy right now. It is good for both of us to get out of the house to enjoy some sunshine and let Leah get some exercise. Joel usually spends all of our time outside the house asleep as the Baby Bjorn, car seat and stroller all make him pretty sleepy.

This is how we do the park nowadays. I adore Joel’s “Opa hat”. My Opa (what we called my mom’s dad, Dutch for grandpa) always wore a hat like that except his didn’t have any funky plaid or bright colours so this style of hat is now known to us as an “Opa hat”.

One of Joel’s first smiles. Grandma knows how to squeeze a couple out of Joel. He smiled his first awake smile a week and a half ago on Wednesday. Smiles are still a rare sighting around here from him but the yawn is an old regular.

Leah: Mommy, I want it
Me: Excuse me
Leah: Can I hold Joel please?
Me: Sure

Leah and I had are first picnic of the year last Saturday. She was happily playing outside while I cut the lawn and Granddad and Morgan fixed our deck. I noticed time was ticking away quickly before we had to leave for her preschool open house so I brought her food outside so she wouldn’t have to take her jacket and shoes off and then back on again after lunch. Granddad was using his loud drill so she would take a few bites then cover her ears while he was drilling and then eat a few more bites.

A couple more pics of my little man.

Joel is three and a half weeks old now. Sometimes it seems like he has been a part of our family for a long time already and other times I sit and am amazed and feel so incredibly blessed to have two wonderful, happy, healthy, cute kids.

I have a friend who told me boys were so much more fun to dress than girls. I smiled but didn’t see how that could be true. Now I understand how much fun it can be to dress little boys too. The trucks, dogs and sports paraphernalia takes some getting used to as I’ve grown accustomed to butterflies, flowers and hearts.

My mom watched the kids for a bit the other day so I could run some errands and I discovered how dangerous it can be to walk into Carter’s without the distraction and time limitations of children in tow when you have a new, sweet little boy at home. Great self restraint is required.

Sometimes when Joel is chilling in his seat, Leah pulls up a chair and hangs out with him. On this particular day, she was taking pictures with her camera and trying to get a shot of both of them.

This is how we visit the park. Leah lets off some energy while Joel sleeps in the Baby Bjorn and we all enjoy the great weather.

Joel rocking his first collared shirt with a mixer truck for Grandpa. I love how Joel is looking right up at my mom.

While Joel is soaking up the cuddles and attention from Grandma and Grandpa, Leah is relishing her chocolate cake and ice cream.

What a great way to spend Saturday morning. Joel had a great nap and Leah sat next to the cd player listening to my favourite kid’s album.

Life is busy but good. Joel is waking up a little bit more and needing a little more attention. He sometimes wants to party after middle of the night meals now and likes to be held when he is tired enough to want to sleep but not tired enough to stay asleep unless he is in your arms.

I’m finding that determining my priorities throughout the day along with exercising superb time management skills that my house can be clean and organized as well as laundry washed, dinner made and shopping done. I’m learning if we need to be out of the house by a certain time, the dishes can wait but dressing Leah can not and even if I think I have time to do both, I better do the absolutely necessary one first because Joel can become needy very quickly without warning. He is still an easygoing babe as far as newborns go (I think) and I’m loving this time with him.

Leah is doing awesome with the transition of our addition. She has only shown some jealousy a few times in the first couple of weeks and that was quite minimal. I thought Leah would be more all over the new babe but I think she realizes that he can’t interact much which doesn’t provide for much fun. She has hardly held him at all which is fine with me. She loves to help give him a bath, give him a soother when he is upset and sit by him but other than that, she goes about her merry way without giving him too much thought. This actually makes my job easier as I don’t have to worry for the most part about her being too rough or hurting him unintentionally. I think it also helps with her being not jealous as I don’t have to tell her no a lot when it comes to Joel. I’m in awe of how many presents she has received along with gifts from friends. She is one blessed girl.

I’m still fine tuning how to balance everything in life with Joel around. I know Leah and I need to visit others and get out of the house but we also need to spend more time at home so I can get chores done as well as rest. It is hard to plan out my week in advance as I don’t know how much sleep I will get each night which directly affects my energy level and sociability. Right now I try to keep a couple of days each week with no commitments and then we can go out if I feel up to it.

All this to say, I’m feeling extremely blessed as well as a little more exhausted to have my two wonderful children in our family. Here are a few pics from a couple of weeks ago. The second child definitely gets way less pictures. I can handle two children out and about on my own pretty well but I haven’t been able to add the camera to the mix yet.

And a few random notes I want to remember….

Right around Joel’s birth, Leah learned to count with pretty good accuracy. When she was at my mom’s, she spontaneously said, “there are five people at the table” and she was right. She mastered rote counting to ten awhile ago but now she is understanding what numbers actually stand for.

During the day Joel eats every 3-4 hours with an extra cluster feed in the evening but during the night he will usually go for 3 hours from the start of one feed to the next. He generally is awake for a few hours after he gets up for the day (around 7-8 am) and then sleeps mid day before he has his next long stretch of awake time in the evening. He is awake off and on during the day but generally not for long periods of time.e

Joel loves the motion of the car. He does fine in his car seat but if he is fussy and we are heading out, I rush to get him in the car and going as that will soothe him most of the time.

When I was folding diapers the other day, I counted them after I was done. I had twenty one diapers folded which was two days worth and the vast majority of them are number two’s. That is a whole lotta dirty diapers from one little man. I’m always surprised when I check his diaper if it is not wet or dirty and I check him regularly.

When Joel is fussy, Leah likes to help solve the problem. She tells us why she thinks Joel is crying and what we should do about it. Some of her reasons have included Joel being sad about his umbilical cord falling off to him missing her. Pretty sweet.

Leah checking out Joel and showing off her new big sister shirt.

Burping my little man. Leah is so impressed that you just pat his back to make him burp.

Family Picture. A friend of mine gave me this beautiful pot of flowers which I put outside our sliding door so I can see them often. When we came home from the hospital, all the flowers were in full bloom.

Morgan receiving his graduation certificate from his self-employment course. It has been a lot of work and I’m so proud of him. Joel did a great job sleeping through ceremony.

Bath time.

Helping Daddy in the church library as he checks out people’s books and back home again chilling in his chair.

On Saturday morning as I was heading out to my mom’s house Morgan asked me to pick up some milk. I was feeling a little overwhelmed at the prospect of going shopping with both kids by myself so early in the ball game. But really, could I let one measly jug of milk overtake me like that? So I cheerfully wished Morgan a good day and made no promises as we headed out the door.

On the way to my mom’s house it was getting close to eating time for Joel so we happily passed by the grocery store and went on to enjoy the rest of the morning and a lovely afternoon with my family. When it was time to leave I figured we had enough time for a quick stop and then be on our way in time to feed Joel at home.

Feeling brave and confident I entered the parking lot and sought out a parking stall close to the entrance or to a shopping cart corral. If I ever needed a parent parking spot it was now. However, no optimal spots were to be found. I circled the parking lot a few times in desperation but to no avail. Not willing to let a parking spot determine the fate of my mission, we parked, I got Leah out of her car seat, grabbed Joel, locked the car and off we went.

Leah wanted to hold on to Joel’s car seat and help me carry him across the parking lot. Success… until Leah tripped, fell and burst into tears. After a careful assessment of the situation, I picked up Leah with one hand holding Joel’s car seat with the other and excitedly pointed out the cart with a red race car on the front that Leah could sit in and drive. Disaster averted.

The main cart was smaller than normal because of the car so I wedged Joel in thankful that I only needed room for a jug of milk. We made it over to the milk aisle only after picking up a few soup mixes and macaroni and cheese that were on sale. I had to move my small collection of soup and KD to fit the milk and then went straight over to the cash register as nothing else could fit in our cart.

After successfully maneuvering the store with a massive cart getting everything we needed, we stood in line and I thought was doing great. Even alerted a man to money that he had dropped. After I had paid we ventured into the parking lot while I figured out a game plan to place everything and everybody in their proper places. Kids in first, then groceries, then leave kids buckled in car while returning cart? Leave cart in the middle of the parking lot? Groceries in first, leaving kids in cart while returning it, then walk back to car hoping Leah doesn’t trip on the way back while trying to help me?

Once I had decided on the latter option, I realized halfway across the parking lot that my groceries were still in the store. Back in we went, picked up the groceries and then back to plan c. I got the groceries in the trunk and put Joel in the car and he started crying. I tried my very limited options (soother) before facing mini defeat and letting him cry while I buckled Leah in. With a silent prayer and the soother looped between my fingers as I held unto the steering wheel, we were off and Joel drifted back to sleep with the movement of the car.

Success!

Here are some tidbits and stories from the past week that I want to remember.

I had amazing nurses in the hospital. I was induced and my labour took a long time to really start so we had lots of time to chat and watch TV. We found out that I went to youth group with the nurse’s next door neighbour and her son is going to the same university Morgan graduated from. We watched Christy Clark get sworn into office and even watched Coronation Street as my nurse loves that show. I told her we could watch it only if she would explain who was who and what was going on. That show is crazy full of drama and dysfunctional people. I was extra thankful for my sane family after that.

I also had two good friends come visit me in labour which felt really weird. (They had appointments that day at the hospital.) I loved seeing them and chatting, it was just that this experience was so much different from when I had Leah. With Leah I arrived at the hospital seven centimeters dilated and in hard labour and would not have wanted anyone I know besides Morgan anywhere close.

When my mom told Leah that the baby inside me was had come out, Leah replied saying the baby has come out and now it has to go back in. I’m so thankful that he is out to stay.

Joel has been such a laid-back, easy babe so far. Last night I didn’t get much sleep but the night before he did a five hour stretch of sleep which I desperately needed and was so thankful for.

Since Morgan has tons of work to do, I took the kids to my mom’s today. (It feels so weird to say kids instead of Leah.) Joel had his first bath since the hospital. It was quite the sight as everyone wanted in on the action. My aunt was so excited to help and put the water in the tub and laid out everything we needed. My mom was helping too while my sister took mental notes as she is expecting her first in a few weeks. Meanwhile I was holding Joel and trying to find enough room to wash him properly.

Leah has been doing pretty good though she is definitely going through an adjustment period. When I got home from the hospital she didn’t want to leave my side and wanted to hold hands wherever we went. So that is what we did as I went around the house unpacking our hospital bags and cleaning up. The first night home I got Morgan to watch Joel for a bit so Leah and I could have some special time together.

Today Leah and I got out for a little tricycle ride down my mom’s street. It was great to have some time with just the two of us while Grandma happily watched Joel.

We’ve been really busy celebrating Morgan’s graduation from phase two of his self-employment program as well as adjusting to our new family life while trying to get some rest. Everything has been going really well and I’ll share some pictures and more stories soon.

Sixteen hours before Joel was born.

Introducing Joel Thomas born at 3:51 am on Tuesday, March 15 weighing 8 lbs 10 oz.

Leah checking out her new baby brother. “Mommy, I think he wants me to hold him.”

I loved Leah’s excitement. She wanted to check everything out.

Leah processing all of her thoughts out loud and telling Grandma all about Joel.

Getting a closer look.

Hanging out.

Checking out mommy’s snack.

He’s a strong boy.

Joel has been such a laid back, calm baby so far. I gave him his first manicure as his nails were so long. He was definitely had all the marks of an overdue babe.

Proud parents.

Welcome home little guy! We are so happy you are here.

Chilling in the playpen upstairs for his first nap at home followed by a diaper change.

I am thrilled to be home with our family all together. I love seeing Leah interact with Joel. I definitely missed her while we were with Joel in the hospital. Leah and I spent some great one on one time this evening playing with play dough and sorting through baby clothes together. It will be an adjustment becoming a big sister but I’m sure she’ll do great. Welcome to our family little guy. We love you more than you’ll ever know.

I’m glad that you have been feeling warm and snug inside of me for the past nine months. It has been a pretty good run. I had almost no nausea or any other discomfort with you inside me except for the typical tiredness in the first few months. As much as you growing tired me out, caring for a few toddlers during weekdays magnifies the effect.

Your daddy and I were ecstatic when we found out about you and my eyes teared up when I first saw your heart beating on the ultrasound screen back in August. Since then, everything has been going smoothly. We got to ‘see’ you again when you were eighteen weeks and I got another look a couple of weeks ago to make sure you were still growing. (My belly was measuring smaller than the week before but you had just dropped).

Your big sister loves going to visit the doctor with me to check on our health. Leah turns the heartbeat doppler on and puts it on my belly to listen to your heart. You have been growing steadily and all our doctor’s visits have been pretty routine.

As much as we love feeling you kick and hiccup inside of me, we would really like to meet you. I am so eager to hold you in my arms and check you out. Are you a sweet little boy or girl? Will you look like your big sister with a touch of reddish blonde hair and dark eyes or will you have blonde hair with light blue eyes?

I’m looking forward to seeing Leah interact with you. I’m sure she will love you and want to hold you. I’m awaiting the time when we can all be home as a family and build up a routine and start figuring out how our life will be as a family of four.

So baby, in short, we love you lots and we would really like to meet you soon. We’ve been waiting for your imminent arrival for a few weeks now as you have dropped and everything looks good to go. Everything is ready for you; your crib is set up, the change table is ready with freshly washed clothes, your car seat is installed and names are settled upon. We eagerly await kissing your forehead and counting your little toes…

Your mommy

P.S. Tomorrow would be a great day to make an appearance.

I’ve been trying to keep busy to keep my mind off this babe that likes it snug and warm. Saturday morning was sunny and bright so right after breakfeast Leah and I headed to the beach for an hour to check out the boats and seagulls as well as throw rocks into the water. At first she was pretty hesitant about the waves coming in but after a few minutes she was having a blast finding different colours of rocks and watching them splash after she had thrown them in the water.

Then it was off to the veggie store where Leah pulls the cart while following me around the store. She recently has started to grab the bags for me as well. We are a great team. After some shopping we headed back home to have lunch with Morgan and have a nap. These pictures are from Friday when Morgan went to wake her up.

After nap time on Saturday, it was still so warm and sunny Leah and I spent more time outside. All the bulbs are starting to pop up with snow drops and crocuses showing their flowers already. I’m looking forward to the tulips and hyacinth as well.

I cleaned up the yard a little bit while Leah had fun in her ‘new to her’ sandbox. She had a blast and sat in one spot digging away happily for a very long time.

We finished off our day by barbecuing hamburgers for my family and spending the evening together. Sunday was more relaxed and was a great finish to our weekend.

Leah loves her accessories and bringing them along wherever we go. My sister gave her this purse and it carries a wide variety of treasures to the park, on walks around the block, to church and to the store.

She also loves playing with her camera. It is our old digital camera that works about the half the time but she is thrilled with it.

Our littlest babe is due on Sunday and I am anxiously awaiting his or her’s arrival. I’m feeling great but would like to get labour over with and would love to meet our babe. The bags are packed and everything is ready for when the time comes.