Happy Halloween 2014

Isn't she a beautiful Cinderella?

The main reason she wanted to be Cinderella was so that she could wear her hair in a bun. Well, her hair is on the short side right now and she drew the short end of the stick with her Mama, who just isn't gifted in the hair fixing department. But we did the best we could and she was satisfied. 

She took pumpkin poop (which she made sure everyone knew was really just cheese balls) and cookies for her school party. 

Because I'm not working right now, I got to go to her class Halloween party. 

Little brother hid in a corner during the party. 

We tried to get a picture of them both in their costumes. Bennett was not feeling the hat. 

We did get one last week of both of them while he was wearing the hat (and was okay with it). 

Happy Halloween!! Can you believe what a difference 5 years makes?!

Sweet Babies

He's just pure sweetness, y'all.

And this big sister has been so sweet! She makes sure to include Bennett in everything and talks to him all of the time. She tells him how sweet and soft he is. 

He may be bothered by the pink nap nanny pictures one day. These were dicontinued, so we borrowed Reese and Elynn's. He scoots around on it, so I have to buckle him, which means I can't cover up the "pink-ness" of it. 

How cool is that mohawk?

Avery Claire had homework this week. She was so excited. We'll remind her of that in a few years. 

Daddy's game was Thursday of this week. We were sad not to be able to go. I made the trip to gym with both kiddos. It was quite the adventure, and I was exhausted by the time we got home. 

We had to make a run for "pumpkin poop" for Avery Claire's Halloween party goody bags. 

Sometimes, he looks like he's wondering what in the world happened. He used to be so nice and cozy and it was quiet. Now he lives in a world where "Let It Go" is belted out constantly, and he has to make sure he's out of the way of the dancing, singing, flipping big sister. 

Adjusting

This girl had to go for a flu shot this afternoon. You forget how much planning goes  into taking a baby anywhere. Add in a 4 year old, and it's even more complicated.

We had to go to Publix (because it's a cleaner place than Walmart to take a baby, right?) afterwards. I like to plan and I like things to go according to plan. But we all know you can't plan with a brand new baby. Bennett was ready to eat, so we sat in the parking lot for 45 minutes while he ate. I'm thankful my girl is easily entertained by "driving." 

I had to laugh because, usually, Avery Claire is shy and won't speak to people she does know. We rolled the windows down a little while we sat in the car (we had parked at the end of the parking lot). An older man came to get in his car and she yells "hey!" Obviously, I was covered, but I'm sure that poor man was scared.

We are adjusting to two kids and having a baby in the house pretty well. My biggest challenge has been getting Avery Claire to school at a decent time. Dusty could take her, but she'd have to get up and get there so early, and there's really no need for that. I'm sure i'm a scary mess some mornings dropping her off. And I know I look like one of those sorry Mamas who lays around in her pjs all day while others take care of my kids. 

I'm learning to go with the flow and not try to plan too far ahead (no more than 30 minutes!!). 

Brother's first outing and he got to ride in the flame buggy while sister drove him. He took it all in.

Happy One Week, Bennett!

Happy one week, our sweet baby boy!! 

Our First Days as a Family of Four

We're home, and we're adjusting well! We came home Tuesday, and I'll be honest, Tuesday afternoon was challenging. Dusty went to practice, but my mom and Cathy were here, so we had plenty of hands. Big sister's behavior gave me quite a scare. She pitched herself a fit {I don't even remember what about} and got in big trouble. This "I just had a baby and I'm kind of emotional" had to fight back tears as I got on to her. We had to go pick up a prescription and she was asleep before we got out of our neighborhood. I was really hoping that her behavior came from just being totatlly exhausted from a crazy few days. 

Baby brother, so far, is very chill. He eats and sleeps. He has a little jaundice - you can tell by his tan, so he's spent some time in front of the windows this week. 

After that first afternoon at home, sister has been so sweet and loving. She kisses Bennett's head no less than 50 times every day. Every time she kisses him, she rubs her lips on the back of his head and tells him how soft he is. 

Bennett got his first bath at home. It took all of us. 

He loved it and was so relaxed afterwards. 

He got some use out of his Halloween costume this week. 

Nana has been with us all week. She left to go home this morning. There may have been some tears shed by me when she left. It was so nice having her here. Thanks, mom, for staying all week and taking care of us. We needed you and appreciate it so much. 

We tried to find places in the house for Bennett to "sun"!

Avery Claire tells him all of the time "this doesn't look like the hospital, does it?" This face looks like he's thinking "where in the world am I and what have I gotten myself into?"

He is pure, sweet, teeny baby perfection, isn't he? 

She asks to hold him several times a day, and I don't tell her no. We stop whatever we're doing so she can hold him. She doesn't sit for long, and he just looks at her the whole time. 

Bennett had to go for a weight check Friday. All breastfed babies have to be checked at 1 week {which falls on a Sunday for us}. He weighed 7 lbs, 4 ounces, which meant he'd gained 2 ounces since Tuesday. {He weighted 7 lbs, 2 ounces when we left. 

We go back a week from next Monday for another check. 

Since Nana was here and Bennett was full, I got to go eat lunch with Avery Claire. She's asked me all year and I've told her when Bennett came, I might be able to. She didn't forget and held me to that!! 

We went for a walk this morning.

Then we had some visitors. I've been awful about taking pictures!! I've got to do better!! 

Then, everyone in the house took a much needed nap!! 

I've been proud of us. I knew a new baby would be a big adjustment for us all. We've gotten used to an independent 4 year old {and a house that was sometimes semi-clean and picked up}. And we've all been used to sleeping all night for a long time. Only one of us gets to do that now! I knew all of that would change, but I think we're making it very well. And Bennett is so absolutely sweet and precious and just fits into our family like he's always been here. Isn't it crazy how that happens? People always say you'll be amazed at how a new baby just fits in and how your mama heart can double the second you hear those baby's first cries. And it's 100%, absolutely true. I'm such a lucky Mama that God blessed me with these two sweet, precious little people.

And I wanted to make sure to document this poll before I took it off of the blog!