One Month

It is hard to believe that Ansley is one month old!  While we don't have another well check doctor's appointment for another week, I can definitely say she is growing fast.  She is now out of her newborn clothes and into 0-3 months old.  I estimate that she is past 8 lbs.  She mostly still eats, sleeps and poops - rinse and repeat.  But her periods of awake time have increased and she is definitely aware of the many things going on around her.  Especially her big brother!  She is losing a lot of the hair that she was born with, but still has way more hair than Liam did at this age.  It is too early to tell what color eyes she will have, but I have a feeling that they may be brown.

Eric's mom stayed with us the first two weeks, and it was fantastic to have her help.  She definitely helped us ease into the transition of having more than one child. We have also been super blessed to have most of my dear friends bring us meals during this first month.  What an immense blessing not to have to worry about what to make for dinner each night!  I can't say it enough, but I love that we have had these people come into our lives at a point where we don't have family nearby.  Not having family in the same area can be isolating, but these friends make it a lot easier.

Liam finished his last week of school right before Christmas.  Last week was the first week that I had both him and Ansley home at once, and I am pleased to report that we all survived!  It is definitely an experience getting out of the house with a toddler and a newborn, but I think if I stay home all the time I would probably go crazy...and Liam would follow!  We had several unseasonably warm days last week, so we took advantage of the weather to take walks and go to the park.  With the help of our Moby carrier, I was able to somewhat balance attending to Liam and housework and not feeling like I was neglecting Ansley. 

I realized that it would be a challenge to give attention to both kids, but sometimes are way harder than others.  Overall Liam has handled everything pretty well and does not seem to harbor any animosity towards the baby.  But every once in awhile, if I am feeding her, for example, he might decide that he wants to be held at that exact moment and might feel upset if he can't fit on my lap.  He may then have a bit of a meltdown.  But we have been doing our best to give him the attention he needs while attending the Ansley's obvious needs.  One of my friends told me that she used to tell her older child, "Mommy's hands are busy right now" during these moments, because it caused less resentment than to say, "Mommy is feeding Ansley." Somehow it displaces the "blame."  Only time will tell!  We are excited to see what this next month brings.

Our dear friend, Allison, took the shots below. She also took Liam's birth shots and newborn shots. It amazing to see our babies grow!