Stay at home mom....

Well, that is a description of myself I am still getting used to. (I don't think I have used it yet to describe what I do). When people ask what I do, I usually say that I just had a baby (which is true) and that I am taking some time off of work (also true). I just never thought of my self as a stay at home mom. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying this time at home. Braden and I read lots of books, go for walks, go to the park, cook together (one of his favorites) and I am not as stressed as I used to be. I also love the amount of time I am able to spend with Reese. Nursing her has been easier and there isn't all the stress of building a milk supply for my return to work. I feel fortunate to have been able to make this choice for myself.

Things are also going better since our lives are getting a little less hectic lately. Brian has finished up some time consuming work for his graduate program and Reese is sleeping really well. It is amazing what a little sleep will do for you! She is only waking up once at night. Typically she will nurse between 8 and 9 and sleeps until 5 or 6 in the morning, with one nursing period in the middle of the night! She is doing great! It has made such a difference in my energy level. I have been taking them for walks and runs lately with a great double running stroller. Both Braden and Reese seem to enjoy themselves. I can't wait to lose all the baby weight.

Braden is also doing well. He is talking from the moment he rises until he goes to sleep. He just has so much to say. I have been taking him to they library for different events and he loves it. A women played her guitar and sang songs with the toddlers. They danced and sang, if they were big enough. She also had a drum that Braden could not get enough of. She let the kids take turns drumming but Braden wanted to drum the whole time. As she walked around the room somehow Braden found his way to the front of the crowd where he could get his hand back on that drum. When she sat back down to drum by herself and finish the song, Braden joined her. He was up in the front of the room drumming away! I had to get him to sit down and let the lady finish. She didn't seem to mind too much. Braden is also doing great with Reese. He is patient, for the most part, and is becoming more independent. He really loves his sister. He brings her "blankies" and all sorts of stuff. He gives her kisses and loves to help with her baths.

I don't have any pictures to post. It just don't have the camera as handy anymore. I will be snapping some shots this weekend since my brother and his girlfriend are coming to visit. My brother is in for a treat. I am sure we will be hearing, "Uncle Steve, Uncle Steve" over and over again!

Hair!

I am officially all healed. I had my 6-week check-up and I am doing fine. I brought both munchkins to my appointment and they did well. Reese slept and Braden was good. Everyone at the office loves Braden. They especially love his hair. Most people love his hair and I hear about it frequently.

Comments I hear are:


"look at those curls!"
"Hi curly",
"what great blond hair"

This is the most recent comment I received after a women took a look at Braden:

"Wow, you sure are BLESSED"


They all put a smile on my face. Now that Reese is here, her hair is getting some rave reviews also.

The comments about her are:



"Wow, look at all that hair"
"It sticks straight up"


When I give her a bath, her hair is very fluffy.







I tried to get some pictures of the two of them. This is the best I could do~

Relaxing on the weekend

We are able to relax and spend time together on the weekends. Braden likes to make sure we are all together. He likes when we are all in the same room, even if we are all not playing together. It has been a beautiful weekend so far. The sun is out and it is only 70 degrees! What a treat!





Reese stayed awake long enough for me to take some pictures of her.

This picture shows off her blue eyes. You may have to enlarge the picture.











You can see her spike here!

Braden had fun playing in the basket with all of this animals this morning. He also had fun finding Brian.

Reese is 1 month old!

Today Reese is one month old and she is doing wonderfully! The weather is going to cool down (80's) this week so I should be able to get out a little more with Reese. It has just been too warm to take her outside for too long. There is a great park not too far from our house where we go. Braden likes the "kids" that come to play there. We did go last week and he followed a 3 year old girl around the whole time. It was really cute!

This week Braden begins attending Terrific Tots again. It is a "gym" class for 1-2 year olds. He loves it. Brian and I were talking about it at dinner last night and Braden had a big smile on his face as he said, "Terrific Tots.....Kids". He loves playing with other kids and I am sure he misses Bella and Gabby. We are also going to start going to the library this week for Story time. I haven't tried the library yet so hopefully Braden will enjoy it. As long as there are "kids" he will be happy!

Short and Sweet

Everyone is doing well here. Both sets of grandparents have now met our new addition. We still have to introduce her to some of her uncles and aunts, but that will happen soon.





I don't have too much to say this time, so enjoy the pictures!



Braden holding Reese.

Reese

Braden's new sun glasses.

My sun glasses.