Life Lately...

This is what life looks like around these parts lately...in mostly pictures.

our morning walks look a little something like this: a stop at the cafe for a homemade cinnamon donut, followed by a walk on the towpath as we share that yummy donut; toddler picks flower as baby is sound asleep in the sollybaby wrap. 

walks to the bank in town.

sorting our morning cereal into groups.

magic 'blanket' rides.

pumpkin beer and king crab legs! 

Stella couldn't get enough of them.. girl after my own heart!

love this guy....and the life we have created together...

our new whip...go double or go home! more walks on the towpath :)

A Few Things I Have Learned from Having Two at Home...

Having two at home I have learned a few things...

1. I remember when we first found out that we were expecting thinking to myself how can I ever love another baby as much as I love Stella.  I thought my capacity to love was maxed out with my little girl. Boy was I wrong. I love this little guy more than I ever thought was possible. I can love him just as much, I do love him just as much. The amount of love I am able to love grew...the heart just grows.  This sweet little boy now holds a very special place in my heart. My love these days feels limitless- like some sort of superpower. 

2. Somethings become more challenging of course, but somethings become a bit easier. Like diaper changes- what went from a Mommy and toddlers chasing game around the house just to change a toddler's diaper now volunteers to change her diaper when little brother is getting his diaper changed. Same goes for the jammies and getting dressed for the day some days. so yes, I have been using this to my benefit quite often ;)

3. Newborn snuggles and cuddles are just as good the second time around. I really can never get enough of the newborn smell  (I wish I could bottle it all up), or the feeling I get when a tiny little babe is asleep on my chest, or the sound of their tiny breathes when they are asleep. I just love it so much. Yes...it is just as good the second time.

4. Spending that quality one on one time with Stella is much easier at the moment than I thought it was going to be. I was truly worried about this. I know it will become harder as Ricky gets older; but at the moment Stella and I still find ourselves in the playroom- just her and I. We are either baking a cake in her kitchen and singing 'happy birthday to you' over and over again, playing with some sort of stationary, or dressing and undressing her baby for the millionth time. 

5. Taking a shower is more than a luxury now. the words say it all- no explanation needed.

 6. I am doing okay. There are raw moments as a parent where insecurities creep in. But the way my first responded to the baby with gentleness, excitement and love I felt I could explode with pride for her! Sure there were times I was like "where the hell did she learn this?" I am sure it's part nature, but damn straight it's my husband and me too. We are raising these children and I am so proud at what I am seeing. Moments like this make me feel like I am doing okay. Moments with those big sister sloppy kisses and hugs that make me sigh with relief make me feel like I am doing okay. 

7. I just plain love life more. Everything comes together and becomes better all because of these two tiny littles and all the love that I have for them. 

2 Weeks Old

this picture was taken at exactly 3 weeks old.

Ricky went for his 2 week check up last week and is healthy as can be :) That makes me over the moon happy to hear. Since I am with him each day I am sure I see less day to day changes than others. However, he is changing...so much...so quickly. please slow down baby boy- momma wants to cherish these moments for a bit longer.  His face is changing, and looks so different to me than when he was born already. He is starting to become more alert and can follow close objects at times with his eyes, he is beginning to stay awake more during the day and his appetite just continues to grow! He is eating every 2-3 hours during the day which is probably why he weighs a whopping 8 lbs 6 ounces! The doctor was so happy that he has already surpassed his birth weight since he left the hospital weighing 7 lbs 9 ounces.

I will write a complete monthly update next week since he will be one month.....can't freakin' believe it! I feel like he was just inside of me...

hey little guy....you have no clue just how loved you are. xoxo

Two Under Two is Like...

Early a.m wake up calls, crib sheets need changed because of a leaked diaper, two cups of coffee, one cup of milk that leaked all over the carpet, spilled cheerios across the floor, and endless nursing.

Baby in your arms, and a toddler screaming from the other room "I gotta Poop!"

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, a quick game of let's take every single toy out of every single bin and throw it on the floor, more nursing while toddler is giving Minnie a pretend bath in the infant tub which flips over and results in dripping blood and a first busted lip. Stop nursing, baby is wailing for more milk, run to bleeding toddler and try to fix the wound. Try to reason with myself: blood on the white duvet- damn. Should you wash it or wait for a few more baby poop or spit up stains to throw it in the wash machine? Decide to wash it anyway.

A crying hungry baby in the swing, trying to get one more load in the wash that you probably won't dry until tomorrow, and a toddler pushing the swing like Hercules trying to hush baby.

Squished Oreo cream is a toddler's way of enjoying Oreo Thins, poop diapers all around, while trying to pick squashed random raisins off the wood floor that god knows how long they have been there. 

Toddler using a breastmilk soaked burp cloth as a blankie for her Minnie and loves to wake baby up from a nap whenever you aren't looking.

Baths and clean jammies for all, and a toddler requesting "Miiilk in a bottle" before she is satisfied enough to go to bed.

Two cold beers, and about 500 deep breathes. Four little arms to wrap around your neck in hugs and kisses times two.

Welcome aboard the crazy train...and love that reaches from the moon and back.

WooHoo for Friday!

making// let's see...this weeks dinner menu looked a little something like this...Caribbean jerk shrimp and pineapple skewers with grilled veggie foil packets, steak on the barbie, garlic and herb marinated chicken. Oh yea, and we ordered sushi one night- definitely back on the sushi train... Sushi and beer---HEAVEN! :)
drinking//  Momma is enjoying herself a cold brewsky and sometimes two! 1664 Blanc to be exact! Yummo :) Stella has been either water, milk or white grape juice. And for Ricky, he has already had his first sip of Stella's peach tea! Tea for everyone! 

reading// Nada! Who the hell has time for this with two kiddies?! Been busy with other things...
watching// hmm..nothing on t.v worth mentioning. Guilty pleasure: Teen mom 2- make no judgements..haha Stella and I enjoy watching the food network- cooking shows especially. Stella likes to blurt out when they are cooking with: salad!, lemon!, berries!, etc..
eating// still have a crazy sweet tooth. However, sadly I had to give up ice cream. I am back on the dairy free diet while breastfeeding. Poor little Ricky has the same dairy intolerance that Stella had when she was his age. So no ice cream, butter, milk or dairy sorts for Momma. 

Stella and I have been eating these, delish!

smelling// the sweet smell of vanilla orange Honest shampoo and body wash- lots of kiddie baths around here! 
enjoying// having two kiddies. Total truth- some days are harder than others, but I am truly loving have two littles. Also enjoying gathering ideas for Stella's second birthday party...really cannot believe that I am planning the number 2 party already! And of course I have been loving all of the newborn snuggles...and staring at this sweet face...

loving// how much in love Stella is with her little brother. 
hoping// this damn humidity goes away for good! 
wearing// lots of dresses- easy on the incision, and whatever fits at the moment :) Super close to fitting back in my normal shorts! 
bookmarking// lots of ideas that go along with Stella's birthday party theme...totally keeping the theme a secret until I send out the invites...hehe 

and looking forward to// Fall! My favorite season is right around the corner! I am so excited for apple picking, apple baking, fall scents, fall clothing, all that good stuff!

A Few Pictures of my Littles

My two precious gems...

Stella at 22 months and Ricky at 2 weeks :)

What Our Days Look Like These Days

So the house isn't as tidy these days...I find myself looking down more as I walk around because there are toys everywhere! Laundry piles are a bit bigger than they were, dishes can be found in my sink more often then not; but life with these two couldn't be better. Truth be told, there have been a handful of days in the past two weeks that maybe too much Mickey was on the TV, and we were still in our jammies when Rick got home. However, I feel we are really starting to find our groove and are following some sort of routine. Ricky and I awake around 7 and I feed him while I watch the morning news and sip on my morning cup of coffee. When Stella awakes, I bring Ricky up to her room when I get her and the smile on her face is just priceless! "morning Ricky!!"  We make our way downstairs and sit at the kitchen table, Ricky in his bounce chair, and Stella and I eat breakfast. Another truth be told- not ALL mornings look like this- so we end up eating breakfast in the living room. We then head into the playroom or living room for some playtime. Ricky usually falls back asleep at this time so Stella and I sit in the playroom and play together. If he is still awake we all congregate around his playmate- Stella looooves when he is on his playmate because he is at her level. 

When Ricky eats around 10ish, Stella sometimes amuses herself in her playroom, will watch an episode of Mickey or she will it next to me and we will read a few books. 

Shower time for me....haha! Well, let's see.... as I shower Ricky is in his bounce chair sleeping because of the soothing sound of the fan and running water and Stella is sitting on the ipad in the bathroom.  Privacy for me? Nada! Half of my showers I usually bring Stella in with me because it is just quicker than sticking her in the tub.  And on the days that we get dressed, even on some days that i know we aren't going out we get dressed just to keep my sanity, both kiddies lay side by side and get dressed. On days that we are dressed I just feel more accomplished. :)

Ricky has two favorite, actually three favorite activities these days:

1. eating

2. sleeping

3. being held until he eats again- Stella enjoyed sitting/sleeping in her swing and bounce chair way more then Ricky does. Ricky loves to be held. He doesn't last very long in either, so I find myself wearing him alot of the time in my sollybaby wrap. The minute I put him in it, he is out like a light! 

If we run out, it's usually a quick trip because of Ricky's feeding schedule. He is eating about every 3 hours. And we usually make our outing in the a.m. after his 10ish feeding. immediately after, to allow for as much time out as possible :)

Lunch is pretty much the same as breakfast, unless we eat outside Ricky joins us in his bounce chair as well outside under the umbrella. 

Stella naps around 1:30, so this time I have been sneaking in as many newborn cuddles as I possibly can. I know from having Stella, this newborn phase goes by way too quickly to let pass by without extra snuggles. Ricky absolutely loves sleeping on the chest. I would say the chest and sollybaby wrap are his two favorite places to sleep at the moment. 

When Rick gets homes we all make dinner. If we are grilling we all hang outside at the table while Rick grills. I usually end up feeding Ricky so he has a full belly and I can enjoy my grub while Rick cooks.  Ricky usually falls asleep after his tummy is full. So we eat dinner while he snoozes in his bounce chair at the table. :) 

After dinner- Rick hangs out with the kiddies and I clean up the dinner mess. And more playtime with both follows. 

I feed Ricky his last feeding around 11ish before putting him in his rock and play for the night. I have started to feed on demand at night letting him get longer stretches since he eats so much during the day. He slept a four hour stretch last night. The only down fall for me is I still have to get up and pump. So currently he is waking up twice a night to feed after his 11ish feeding. So his sleeping is great at the moment :)

That is what out day looks like in a nutshell. 

Rick and I couldn't feel more blessed at the moment for these two. Stella has really done amazing with having a baby brother and Ricky is such a great baby.

our fab four... <3

Mommy Thoughts...and a Little bit about my Dark Haired Munchkin

Yes, I am still alive and still have a blog... :) But I have been choosing cuddles over computer....Always!  If I am not feeding/burping, changing diapers, or playing I am trying to stay afloat with upkeep around the house. And when Ricky is napping I try to spend as much one on one time with my little lady as I can.

Anyhoo...

To be completley honest, when Rick and I first found out that we were having a boy I was kind of nervous I guess you can say. All I have known is girlie stuff. Pretty dresses, piggy polish, hair bows, cute shoes, tutus... I felt like I was lacking in the designing of a boy's nursery or caring for a boy for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I already deeply loved what was growing inside my belly. I guess I just kind of expected to hear girl since we already had one, and then found out Mabel was a girl...I kind of thought Rick was going to be doomed blessed with all girls...haha

But let me start by saying this dark haired little munchkin has stolen my heart- over and over again. I look at him and sometimes still need to pinch myself to make sure it's real...I have a son; a beautiful, healthy son. The moment I laid my eyes on him, my heart grew tremendously. I was in love.... those first healthy cries brought tears of joy to my eyes. He is perfect in every way. I already couldn't imagine Rick, Stella and I's lives without him in it.

Ricky is a pretty easy going baby. He is the sweetest, cuddliest little boy there ever was; and a good sleeper these days (Hallelujah!) He does have a set of pipes on him though- don't get me wrong. He is not a fan of diaper changes! He is becoming more alert and doesn't mind little spurts of tummy time. He has already lifted his head up during tummy time a few times. He is making Momma proud! And my gosh- he is quite the eater! He has been eating like a champ from day one.

The transition from one to two around here has been much smoother than I imagined. Stella is completely smitten with him- as we all are. She rarely leaves his side and almost everything she says has to do with Ricky. We do diaper changes side by side, we get dressed for the day side by side, she burps him, she gives him infinity kisses throughout the day, she is always telling him that he is a good boy, the list really goes on and on. Rick and I make sure to include her in everything we can with him. Not to mention a little bribery here and there- "Ricky is watching you eat, show him how you take a big girl bite!" Works everytime!

I have been making sure to sit back and take small moments in...watching my two babies interact and watching Stella be so in love with her brother makes my heart skip a beat. I feel so so blessed these days...I love these two so very much. I have a beautiful twenty two month old daughter and a simply perfect newborn son...they both make me want to be the best Mommy that I can be.

Welcome to the World

WELCOME TO THE WORLD RICHARD HARRY III















many more words (Ricky's birth story) to come...very soon.
here are a few pictures from a day in which Rick, Stella and I will remember forever.

Welcome to the world sweet baby boy...
We are so so in love....

after every storm there is a beautiful rainbow....you are our rainbow Ricky.