Saving the Locals, One Worm at a Time

Hailey is having a hard time right now. The truth is, she has had a hard time for a lot of her little two year old life. She has always been a kid who is easily overwhelmed, easily frustrated, easily scared. As her parents, Andrew and I have spent these two years easing the burden of life for her as much as possible by helping her feel safe and loved no matter what. I guess that is the job of all parents, but Hailey needs a little more reassurance than your average two year old.

She has recently hit phase two of her version of the terribles...something I never imagined. I know plenty of two year olds, and have heard plenty of "oh watch out for those terrible two's" kinds of stories. I could write the book. We go through hours of frustration and tears...screaming and hitting and banging and yelling. Sorry that's not such a pretty picture, but it's the truth, and has been a part of her life long before the two's, and I can only imagine will be long after.

Part of it has been due to illness...last winter alone she had 7 ear infections plus surgery to correct them, RSV, hand-foot-mouth, and croup. That alone was enough to send anyone into a moody fit. More recently, part of it is surely due to our decision to rock her little world as she knew it with the requirement that she now wear the title of Big Sissy, among other things. Now that she is older though, it has become more clear to me who she is, and why life can be so overwhelming. She is very intuitive, very emotional, very spirited. Great qualities when she puts them to positive use. Difficult qualities when not...for her, the most difficult. She has a much larger understanding of what is going on around her than most kids her age, and is not yet equipped with the emotional maturity to handle it. I'm not tooting any horns here, ask any of the mommies who have been around her a lot and also have watched their own little two year olds mature.

Hailey just gets things. She doesn't miss a beat. I wish many days that her little two year old mind could be a little more blissfully ignorant. I think she'd be happier. There's plenty of time to worry later in life anyway.

Today was a day when it was so hard for me to see my baby so troubled with life, and when it was so hard for me to see that all the love in the world I have to give, sometimes is not enough to make her feel better. I've had these days before, and when I do, the best way for me to cool down after bed time and focus on starting anew is by reflecting on some of the happy and totally adorable or funny moments in her life. She's a very funny kid, and lights up every day for me in a new and different way. As a mom it's easy to get bogged down by difficult moments...but they are just moments...the rest is fluid happiness that I get to share with my greatest joys. The truth is that I am a stay at home mom, not because Andrew and I believe in traditional roles (our family life is actually not very traditional at all), but because we believe that it is important for our kids to have at least one parent as a constant presence in their lives. We believe in the attachment bond as the best way to raise well adjusted, good people, who feel good about themselves. I am so blessed to be able to give that to my children, and what I get in return is beyond what I ever imagined.

Enough of the mushy, mushy...on to those funny stories I like to remember...

Hailey was about 6 months old. We were making a quick run into a grocery store at the end of some errands, and it was a beautiful day...so I put her in the stroller and we walked from store to store outside rather than driving across the parking lot. We picked up a few things, and got in line to check out. I was putting our goods up on the belt when I looked down at Hailey. Then I saw her...a little blue monster. My squeaky clean germ free tiny perfect baby had apparently picked up a half eaten blue sourball thing that some other kid had kindly put down on the magazine rack. Hailey was never a mouthy kid...so I have no idea why she put the thing in her mouth, but she did. Jokes aside, I thank God she didn't choke. But oh, how I wish I had my camera. Her entire face was covered in blue stickiness...her hands and arms running with druel. Her lips were blue for the whole day, and my stroller suffered a permanent stain. Even funnier I'm sure, was the look of panic on my face as I struggled to clean her up, while thoughts of some 5 year old kid passing on the latest strain of bird flu to my baby through a sticky gum ball in the supermarket ran through my head. Ah, to be a kid. If she has hard candy allergies later in life, we'll know it was from early exposure to unnecessarily dirty sugar.

Today she gave me another little story to remember...

A few weeks ago, I unknowingly committed myself for life to saving worms from the suicide pit that is our driveway, by kindly placing them in the nearby grass. I thought it would be fun just that one day to pick up the worm and let Hailey check it out, and then explain that we would place him in the grass so that he could make a new safe home for his family. I never knew how many worms wound up in our driveway...maybe because I am not 3 feet tall. Hailey makes sure we don't miss a single one. Yesterday as we came home from our afternoon walk, she spotted a worm who had spent a little too long on the pavement. You know, they get all flat and dried up, but they still look like a worm.

"Mommy, that worm needs to make a home...put him in the grass."

"Hailey that worm didn't quite find us in time, he's gonna stay there."

"Well, he needs to go home."

"He is at home...in worm Heaven."

"Oh, that worm go night-night. I love you worm, night-night. Big hug and kiss. Muwah!!! See you morrow."

"You are so nice to the worms, Hailey, they are lucky to have you."

"Thank you. Dora on?"

Okay, so she's blissfully ignorant about a few things yet. Sprinkle a few of those conversations in, and any day is a good day if you ask me.

Movies for Monday

I have a few videos I have been meaning to upload...they are all a bit long, so I won't be offended if you stop half way through each of them and move on to the next. Personally, I find them quite entertaining, but I'm probably biased.

This first one's for you, Coop. I made the mistake of mentioning to Hailey that you were "almost" done with the Peace Corps, and she started talking about you coming home non-stop. I'd mention what we were having for dinner, and she'd say, "yeah, and Daddy come home, and Coopie..." She started calling you to make plans, too...so here's a bit of a phone conversation.



Next is a little glimpse of what it's like to be about a month old...like I said, if you get bored, move on, as babies don't do much at this age...but I think it's amazing. Keelyn has started smiling since I recorded this, so there will be more babyvision to come.



Last is a video of Hailey entertaining herself (and me) with a little dance number. She keeps me laughing, that's for sure. (You might want to turn up the volume a little so you can hear the music she is dancing to in the background.)

Easter Weekend

Is that an Easter egg?Oh, no, that's an Easter bunny!

Wait...TWO Easter bunnies!!!

Careful!

Look at all these eggs!!!

Matchy, matchy!

Time to clobber the baby with kisses...doesn't she look excited??? Awwwwww...

Miss Hollywood can't go outside without her shades. "We comin' eggs!!!...Oh, my!!!"
Wow, the Easter Bunny hid a lot of eggs!

One Month Later

It's hard to believe that an entire month has passed since Keelyn was born. Of course I remember every detail of the day still like it was yesterday. Then I look at my blog and see the minimal posting, and I am reminded that I am a month behind on sleep, chronically dehydrated, and 20 pounds overweight. Ah yes, a child was born.

Keelyn is up to all the normal one month old things. She's losing some of that beautiful black hair she was born with, and it's too soon to tell what color her eyes will commit to. She's gaining weight thanks to her champion style nursing, and spending more and more time entertaining us in her waking hours. She's a little more opinionated about things these days than a few weeks ago, but overall a very content baby.

Hailey is still rockin' the big sissy role. She loves to help with diaper changes and bath time, and loves to be mommy to her little ones as well. She's even started wearing her animals around in her own sling. All of that aside, the majority of her time is spent dancing around the living room and cooking in her kitchen. I really should devote an entire post to some of the funny things Hailey has said lately, but in the interest of simplifying my life and optimizing my time, here are a few smack dab in the middle of this one:

In response to any compliment you give her on anything she is wearing, playing with, pushing around, listening to, etc..."Thanks, I got it at Target."

In response to being tickled (normally a favorite past time of hers)..."No tickle, I'm Big Sissy right now." - So serious!

When she's not so serious..."Big Sissy in my tummy. Big Sissy not out right now. She'll come later."

And my favorite just this morning, while putting her hand down the back of her pants..."I like my bum. Let me find my bum. Oh! There it is!"

We are so blessed to have two happy and healthy girls.

Blogging has gone from something I did to relax and reflect, to something on my all too long to do list. Alas, I know that feeling isn't permanent, and for the time being, it's important to me to keep things updated. So, that being said, here's a complete mess of things I have wanted to post, really in no particular order...I feel a couple more posts coming on soon...so don't give up on me. (If you are wondering, I'm speaking to my one lone devoted reader who still checks back...you know who you are...I have no idea who you are.)

-

Hailey enjoying a movie on the couch with all of her friends so carefully placed. All I can say is thank goodness for Dora at the end of the day!

This is just cute. Hailey's new favorite shirt.

I'm not sure what it is about having kids that makes me compulsive about appropriate attire for every holiday...even the ones we don't really do anything to celebrate...but what would be the point in dressing them up if I didn't take a picture, right?

J'adore ma famille.

Just enjoying some time as close as can be, even if not everyone is of age for Cheerios.

Diva. In all her glory. Look at that gut! This is a result of a few things...slow metabolism...hours spent hiding from small children rather than walking around to burn calories...and parents who know that if they don't keep the bowl full all the time, said small children will be awakened at 4am to kitty cries, and we don't want that. Really though, it's out of hand, don't you think?

Great Grandma holding Keelyn for the first time. I am realizing as I look through photos that we have been horrible about getting pictures of all of the grandparents and the great grandmas holding her. We have taken a large volume of pictures, but haven't been so good about getting the particulars...so here's one at least...

And, here's Hailey with Grandma enjoying a snack...and the extra attention from another adult!!!

Girls Make Milk

To understand this quick and funny story, you need to first know this: As far as Hailey is concerned, breasts exist only to make milk...and I guess she's pretty much got it right, right? I don't think she ever noticed them on anyone (in her own short little memory) until she watched friends of mine nursing their babies. Knowing I was pregnant, she began describing my body as having one baby, and two milks. She also refers to her own "milks" when she is nursing her babies. Daddy's nipples are of great concern for her since daddies don't make milk...she frequently refers to them with an "Uh-oh"...but she's dealing with it.

Today she pointed to a picture of Cinderella (decked out in her blue ball gown) on the front of one of her coloring books...

Hailey: "Who's that girl, Mommy?"

Me: "That's Cinderella...she's like a princess."

Hailey: (Pointing first to the cleavage on the picture, then to her own chest) "That girl has MILK!!!"

Just Because They're Cute

There's not much to tie this post together...just needed to show you how cute my children are...see...

Keelyn relaxing on a cozy blankie...
Daddy enjoying some awake time with baby...

Hailey playing peek-a-boo...when will this kid wake up and play with me???

Seriously...is she really just gonna sleep ALL DAY LONG???
Okay, well maybe I'll curl up and sleep too...this is how we found Hailey blissfully enjoying her blankie last night in bed...
And from the look on her face, Keelyn also found bliss in her sweet dreams...

This morning was the best though...Andrew was enjoying some time in the rocker with Keelyn, when we heard Hailey rustling around in her bedroom. She soon appeared in our room dragging her rocker behind her, and blankie over her shoulder. She set up her chair, carefully covering all the wood with her blankie to make a soft spot to sit, and sat down. Then she said..."okay, I can hold Keelyn now." So CUTE!!! So here she is, rocking her baby sister...with a little help from Daddy because that chair can only get so soft, you know!

We Have an Innie...Outie...Innie

Hailey had the same thing...an indecisive belly button. The cord came off yesterday. The last sign of ever being in the womb...so we put Keelyn in the tub for a quick reminder of how great it was in there. She loved it.
"Daddy, seriously, enough pictures...I'm freezing."
Once she was cozy in her pj's, Keelyn made friends with Emmit.
And this morning we introduced her to the swing.
She's just precious!

Baby Pictures

So two posts for you today...just to make up for lost time here in the blogging world. No real story with this one, just thought I'd put up some of my favorite photos of Keelyn so far...more to come I'm sure!!!

Double the Love, Double the Fun

Even as a mother who loves her first child immensely, I never grasped what it would feel like to love two until Keelyn was born. Other moms assured me that the love would be there...enough for Hailey, and enough for another as well, but I was still weary of how that would work out. I guess it just does. They both amaze me, they both warm every bit of my being, and in my eyes, they are both perfect in their own very special ways that I get to see every second of every day.

I can already see that one of the best things about having two is the love they have for each other. Keelyn is still learning who Hailey is of course, but Hailey makes sure to show her that love is what they will share.

The day we came home from the hospital, all Hailey wanted to do was "hold my baby" from the second we walked in the door.


During the times when Hailey cannot hold her baby...i.e., mommy is nursing...Hailey finds ways to occupy her time by being a great mommy to her other babies...


If someone else is holding her baby, she finds a way to get in on the action...

...which usually involves a smooch or two.

If her baby is sleeping, all the babies must sleep...and teddy bears too.

It's so much fun to see Hailey adding "big sister" to the list of terms that describe her. She's already a great one. Seeing her that way is just one of the many ways I am enjoying having another daughter.

Like I said, I never could have imagined what it would feel like to love two as much as I already loved one. But holding a newborn baby in my arms again is just an incredible feeling. I love each breath she takes, each wrinkle of her nose, each little tiny cry, and the way her fingers tickle my back when she nurses. I love the way it feels to now be a family of four, to see Hailey as a big sissy, to see Keelyn growing up in a home already full of so much love, and to know we are all in this together.