Happy first week McMuffin!!

Dear baby boy,

happy first week! We can't believe how incredible you are- and you just got here! Your first week has basically been all mommy and baby time; and I don't mind at all. You were born "tongue tied" and they had to clip under your tongue on Monday. But the great news is that after that, our breastfeeding has gone wonderfully! You're gaining weight and were at 10 lbs 0.8 ounces yesterday. That may have something to do with the fact that you're latched for what seems like 20 hours everyday with micro naps in the middle. That makes me so happy I could squeal! You don't like being put down much, so we're getting lots of cuddle time and little sleep so far. But you're healthy and that's all that matters to us!










You look so much like your sister, who is warming up to you quite nicely by the way. she can already point you out when we ask her where you are, and she's very gentle with you when she wants to see you.







You're daddy says you have a "boy" cry. I think you look a little more like him than your sister did. Maybe its your coloring- your a little darker than she is. Everyone loves your cheeks and how "sturdy" you are! Your such a beautiful baby- and we couldn't imagine life without you!!



Thank you for joining our family, and for all the joy you've given to us already!



Love always, your Mama

Mcmuffin's arrival

On Friday, 9/23 at 9:13 in the morning, our little bossman showed up on the scene at 22.5 inches long and weighing in at an incredible 10 lbs. 10 ounces!! It's a good thing I was laying down when they told me how big he was- you could have knocked me over with a feather! Who knew This little guy was so big?

But so far everything is going great- he's healthy and happy and even breastfeeding well! I'm still recovering, but in almost no pain with the meds this time... we're all doing great.

Nursery Update

The teal and yellow nursery has filled out a little more. While we're not done (there are virtually no decorations save two mirrors (both of which I'm pretty sure will move) - we've come quite far in the past month - and I'm excited about that. I'm also very happy that I've had this pregnancy go full term - it gave me enough time to prepare and get everything cute and ready for our newest family member.

As you walk in, there are his and her closets to your left. This is the view looking at those closets. We moved mcNugget's dresser in the alcove between - and while this is still a large enough space for the changing pad, there wasn't a lot of good space for storage of the diaper and wipe caddy.

This is mcMuffin's side of the room: Note the two sad little mirrors - that will change soon enough.

A larger view of that side of the room. You can see the door to the hallway peeking in on the far left.

On the right here you can see the goodwill $10 toychest I bought - but have yet to redo. The good news is that I have a full design plan using the wall colors.

Here's the view standing where mcNugget's dresser is, looking at the wall that is to the right of you when you walk in the room. I LOVE our new changing table and dresser. Its huge, real wood, and it was free. FREE!! It came with his FREE crib.

Here's a view from the doorway. The windows make the room light and airy - but also make it difficult to place furniture. We did get cordless blackout blinds for safety - and we're planning on buying some sort of window guards to keep our little monkeys safe.

Here you can see that even though the cribs don't match with their style or wood tones- I did make the crib skirts the same (I already had the fabric leftover from my previous crib skirt and glider adventure with mcNugget.

You can see how mcMuffin's crib matches the changing table. As nearly everything in our room was free (other than the green baskets and a few other small accessories) I'm not worried about our boy being changed on a pink changing pad. Free is free.

And here's the best angle - the one that my little monkeys will see most often coming right in the door.

McMuffin Photoshoot

Can I just tell you how wonderful it is to have a sister who's camera-capable? A huge thanks to ValMal for having a playdate this weekend with us - and for taking the *only* photos of me pregnant with mcMuffin... Not sure how I made it through 39+ weeks without doing this before, but so glad we did got it done before mcMuffin arrives. (That's one advantage of going full term).

With mcMuffin, I'm carrying all belly. You can see the difference from my mcNugget photoshoot by looking here.

By the way, how cute is my kid (the one you can see)? She totally makes the photos. I want to do more "mommy and mcNugget" photoshoots. Every week wouldn't be enough for me - we had a blast. And if you're family and want some of these printed, just let me know. I'll send you copies since these I reduced the resolution on these.

Its just us (for now!)

McNugget,

In one week (or less) you'll officially be a big sister and we'll officially be a family of 4. The past two months have been wonderful "just the three of us" time for you and me and your daddy, and we've been amazed at how much you've grown since turning one.

You're walking now of course, but also climbing stairs, on tables, and on the couch. You're turning into a beautiful little girl (instead of our itty baby) who can identify "where's daddy", "where's the dog" and "where's your belly"? We're trying to teach you other items now - like what various animals are called and the sounds they make - or colors. You can kick your bouncy ball and love to play outside, and we'll often go to play on the swings at our local park for a few minutes on our way home from daycare.

You like to dance the moment any music comes on, with a head bob, some arm shakes and a few squats or twists. You've decided you like the color pink as well as yellow, necklaces and bracelets; and bracelets can be anything that fits on your little hand (like the stacking rings and shower curtain rings).

You're very tall and still middle-of-the-road weight for your age. I see some really big toddlers and some tiny ones, and you seem to fit in right in the middle of all of them. You seem a little more advanced with your learning and development than others; you're patient and self-entertained most of the time, but tremendously social and loving with everyone. You're a very confident child, and its so easy to have wonderful days with you.

You're eating everything you can, although we think your appetite has wained a smidge with all the new changes you're going through. In the past two months, you've changed bedrooms (to the one you'll share with your brother), you've changed teachers and classrooms (you're now in the toddlers room), and you're down to one 2 hour nap every day.

Every moment I can spend with you, I try to- dashing from work to pick you up and getting up as soon as I hear your sweet talking voice in the morning. And when you see me, you light up and "run" over to me with a big open mouth kiss and arms out around my face. This past month you went on your first overnight sleepover to grandmom's - which made me very nervous, but helped me have a practice run before you're upcoming longer several-day sleepover while I'm in the hospital with your brother. You did excellent of course - and I managed to not drive over in the middle of the night to get you.

So for the next few days while you're still my only priority, I hope we can get as much mommy and mcNugget time as possible. I know you'll be a great big sister, and I'm very glad to have such a wonderful daughter who makes growing our family so enjoyable. I promise to make you a priority and to give you just as much time and attention as I can. I'm so looking forward to seeing you develop into the lovely little girl and big sister I know you're going to be.

Thanks for all the sunshine you bring into my life. Love you always and forever; hugs and open mouth baby kisses.

Your mama