All Smiles

This girl has the best smiles...

Moments earlier, she was a screaming, crying mess in the grocery store and on the drive home.  As soon as she ate, she was her happy self again.  Seems she may take after her Mommy who is also not pleasant on an empty stomach.  (Please note that I typically don't starve my children - It had only been a little over two hours since her last feeding!)

Adjustment

Life with two children - It's an adjustment for everyone:  Mom, Dad and especially big brother.  Going from no children to one was much tougher for me than going from one to two.  Don't get me wrong - there are days when I am totally defeated by bedtime - both children demanding so much of my attention with no time for myself, but at least after having one child, I'm somewhat used to that.  The tiredness doesn't seem as exhausting with Julia...now.  Ask me again in a few months.  Life with two is good.  Hard, but good - and totally worth it.  

I've tried to be very conscious of Frankie adjusting to life with a sibling.  So far, he hasn't once asked for us to send Julia back, which I consider a success.  I try my best to continue to show him lots of attention and at first, I actually let myself feel guilty when he would see me showing affection to Julia.  I was so worried he would become jealous and mean towards her.  I've gotten better about that - and figure that I'm setting a good example for him by showing him how to act towards his little sister.  And while he's had his moments when he's not the nicest to her, overall, Frankie is an amazing big brother.  He always wants Julia to come with us - "Frankie, do you want to go to the playground?"  "Can Ju-ya come?"  He's willing to share with her - placing some of his beloved cars next to her on her blanket.  When she's crying, "What's wrong, Ju-ya?"  He melts my heart when he gives her kisses and tells her he loves her out of the blue.

Frankie is also a great helper for Mommy.  From helping with the diapers (he always tries to make sure Julia has an Elmo diaper, which is her favorite, according to him) and wipes at changing time, to washing her legs and feet at bath time.  He's even helped pick out her clothes a few times and takes her hat off when we come inside (which has led to a few scratches).  

I pray these two will develop the same special, close relationship that my sister and I have.

Julia is One Month!

In some ways December 28, 2013 seems like so long ago...But when I'm holding my little girl in my arms, it's hard to believe she is already one month old.  

With Baby #2, I was definitely ready to venture outside quicker than I was with Frankie.  I also think I had a bit of cabin fever since the frigid temperatures have kept us inside much of her first month.  On Julia's two week birthday, our new family of four decided to introduce Julia to our neighbors and drove back to Arlington for our neighborhood supper club.  Then, the following week, Julia attended her first birthday party and helped Pippa celebrate turning 4.  So, by the time we went to Nell's 1st birthday party on 1/26, Julia already had the party thing down.  

I've learned that getting out of the house with two kids is no joke.  I managed to do it on 1/17 - and took the kids out for a big trip to Target.  It really wasn't bad once we got there.  It just takes us a while to get out of the house.  Since then, we've ventured to the grocery store and story time at the library.  I'm definitely much more laid back about Julia crying in public than I was with Frankie.  By that, I mean I don't break out in a sweat and think that everyone is giving me the evil eye because of her baby screams.  Well - Or I just don't care who is giving me the evil eye.  

Overall, Julia is a pretty laid back little girl.  Thankfully her nights have been relatively smooth; however, she does have periods during the day when she's fussy.  I was worried that she might have a touch of reflux, but I don't think she's showing consistent signs and her doctor agrees with me.  After Julia's two week appointment, when we learned she had surpassed her birth weight, I stopped waking her up at night to feed her.  Since then, she's been sleeping in 3-4 intervals - and one night shocked me with a 6 hour stretch (that hasn't been replicated)!  

Two Week Stats:

Height: 20 inches (35th%)

Weight:  7 lbs 4 oz (17th%)

Head:  13 3/4 (22nd%)

One Month Stats:

Height: 20 3/4 inches (35th%)

Weight:  8 lbs 13 oz (37th%)

Head:  14 1/2 (44th%)

Julia's not a huge fan of tummy time, but she sure does have some head strength!  

She lost her umbilical cord just after one week, so her first bath followed, where big brother was a BIG helper.  While Julia wasn't a fan of her first bath, she seems to enjoy them now.  And Frankie is great at washing her legs and feet.

We haven't tried a bottle or pacifier yet - and I know I need to do that soon - or I'll end up the same boat as I did with Frankie - where he refused a bottle for the longest time!  I just need to order new bottle nipples which, for some reason I'm procrastinating doing.  

Within the past week, Julia has started to do some baby talk - I'm still waiting on my smile - but for now, her involuntary ones melt my heart.  

Happy First Month, Julia Marie!

Like Father Like Son

Frankie definitely gets his dance moves from Daddy...