Our Little Lady

I figured it was time to emerge from my cave for a little update.

This last month is all a blur. Honestly, it's been difficult adjusting to two kids, but we're getting by... or surviving at the very least. I went through some old blog posts today to remind myself what it was like when we first brought Robert home. "Hell" pretty much sums it up. Luckily Anna is so much more content than Robert ever was. For the most part she doesn't fuss unless she's gassy or hungry. The rest of the time she's happy to observe her surroundings and sleep. I'm so thankful for that.

Robert is getting used to having a little sister. Once she's bigger and can play with him I think he'll appreciate her more. For now, she's just a nose to pinch. He's talking more lately and while most of it is still baby jabber. I can make out a few things...

be-be (baby)

Uh-Oh

kuck (duck)

e-meh (amen)

No!

bye-bye

ah-doh (all done)

ott (hot)

It's amazing how much he picks up... and scary. The other day Alex was changing him and he was positive he heard Robert say "Oh crap!" He claims it was clear as day. I'm still in denial.

Robert loves to play outside. When he wants to go out, he brings me his shoes or coat and waits by the back door. It's cute!

Alex and I are still doing the same old stuff. Alex is in school working hard to graduate. I'm home with the kids trying not to go crazy. I'm hoping to get back into some kind of routine soon. For now it's all about survival.

I feel like a total slacker since I haven't posted Anna (or Robert's) birth stories. My goal is to post them both by the end of this week (more for myself than anything). Here are some old pictures instead. I'm thinking I took these 2 weeks ago or more. Enjoy!

Robert going for a ride.

Playing at the park with his Auntie Sophie.

A short story:

A few weeks back Robert and I were hanging out. He left the room for literally 2 seconds. I didn't think anything of it until I noticed something unusual. Silence. I listened for a few seconds longer and heard a weird noise I'd never heard before. Upon further investigation I came into the kitchen to find this little mess.

Busted! If there's anything in the house that hasn't been baby-proofed, he WILL find it. I love the one oat stuck to his face.

At the park with Dad. Like his parents, some good people watching really satisfies.

Robert thought his monkey backpack was super cool. Then he figured out it was attached to something. Mom or Dad. Now he hates it.

Learning to drive.

Robert's first Easter egg hunt. He didn't really get the concept of hunting for eggs, so Dad took a moment to explain.

He still didn't get it, but it was fun to watch him run all over the beach with his little bucket.

Skipping rocks with Dad.

Easter dinner at the cabin. Food is one thing Robert understands very well. He was happy to polish off his dinner.... and Alex's.

Meanwhile, Anna hung out nearby in a cross-eyed state.

This is Anna 2 weeks ago. She looks totally different now.

And a close-up. Right after I took this picture she spit up all over the place. I think it was her way of saying, "No more pictures, Mom!!"

Stay tuned for some more recent pictures... and hopefully more frequent blog posts.

Happy Mothers' Day

I have always liked Mothers' Day because I have been blessed with a great mother, many surrogate mothers, and a wonderful wife who is the mother to our two beautiful but taxing children.

Today, I just want to post about the mother in our home. (I hope you other mothers don't feel slighted, I have just as much good I could say about you. )

Kristine is a great mother. It doesn't surprise me any, but I think there are days where it really surprises her. Let me give you the top 5 reasons why she's a great mom:

5) She can really cook well. Whenever my wife cooks, my children and I know that we are in for a treat. She has a special talent for seasoning things so that they just get that little something extra.

4)My wife is a meticulous cleaner. I try to not be messy but where I fail (and I do) Kristine can make our home a pleasure to be in. She has knack for making things look pristine.

3)Kristine has a sense of humor. Let's face it, if you know me or our kids, you would need a sense of humor to deal with us all the time. There are so many times where the kids both start screaming ("kiddy choir") and K and I just laugh because we feel like our life is a circus act. I'm glad my wife can appreciate the ironic timing of so many frustrations without always being frustrated.

2)Kristine loves me and our kids. When Robert came out looking nothing like her, I think she was worried. Over time though, Kristine has become one of the most involved and doting moms I know. She loves seeing our kids grow and develop and is vitally concerned with their welfare. She also surprises me constantly by wanting to spend time with me. (I don't know whether I would want to spend time with myself). She constantly shows me with the things that she does, the help and mercy she gives, that she loves me. I know that she loves me and our kids do too. I think that makes her a great mom all by itself.

1)Kristine is a great example for all of us. Whenever I recognize that I need to be better in my family duties, I look to Kristine for her example. She will always do what is best for her husband and family, even when we try to tempt her not to. I have learned more about being Christ-like and loving from Kristine than from anyone else. THANK YOU for being you!

I love you Kristine,

Happy Mothers' Day!