Everyday.

Three 

She's six weeks old today.

Zoom. It's going so very fast.

Constantly cleaning or dealing with spit up, poop & breast-milk; hearing Simon say "looks like trouble" when Anna begins to make any sort of crying noise; tons of snuggling and adoring; changing my own clothes as many times as I change hers; fitting a bit of work in between feeding & naps & playing & cooking & housework; watching love grow right in front of my eyes; carting two kids to doctor's appointments (both mine and theirs); going to the grocery store (and having it start pouring down rain as soon as I get there so I get to carry the car seat through the pouring rain) as the big exciting outing of the day; feeling so thankful to have such an involved husband (and a baby that is really very mellow overall)...all these are the current reality of my everyday.

All joys of a very small baby in my world right now.

This experience so far has been completely different than life with Simon as an infant. Even though my memory is foggy looking back seven years ago, I remember it to be so much more challenging. It was more challenging. In my memory he cried harder and louder. I had no idea what I was doing with a tiny baby. I was so, so tired and that impacted everything.

My expectations this time around are completely different. My approach is slower and calmer. I know myself better and I am less-stressed out (even with more on my plate). I know my limits. I take deeper breaths.

He taught me so much (and continues to teach us new things all the time).

It hasn't been perfect by any means, and yet, it is perfect.

Dottedline_2

It's Spring Break here this week and Simon can be found hanging out in his sleeping bag chatting about wanting to go camping. Chris has been researching new tents big enough for a family of four. I have been daydreaming about setting up raised beds for a vegetable garden in our empty backyard. 

I've got a couple projects going on my table right now. They are tended to in little chunks of time here and there. The desire is definitely there, it's that whole "finding the time" thing that is the current issue. Soon I will need to get a little more serious about finding a new work at home balance once again.

For now, we continue to get to know each other. Simon continues to teach Anna about the world and Star Wars and Baby Einstein and McDonalds. I continue to spend a good deal of time hanging out on the couch or walking around with her in my arms whispering love notes into her delicate little ears.

And of course, taking lots of photos to document the experience when I can make the time.

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86 thoughts

  1. Cindy Mandernach says…
    03/24/2009

    wow six weeks already. Such a sweet picture of your kids. KIDS...cool huh? Cindy

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Lydia says…
    03/24/2009

    wow...I can't believe I'm the first comment! I'm usually in the hundreds or thousands with you!! lol Well...I love reading about your family. I miss the baby days myself...my baby will be 10 this Saturday...it goes so fast, like you said. Anna is beautiful...Simon is the best big brother...God bless you all!
    Lydia in Ohio

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jan Whitehill says…
    03/24/2009

    Such good times. I remember when my second was born how hard it was to go anywhere had to take double everything. My mom had to meet me in town to help me because I was so overwhelmed with that extra child all of the sudden.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Amy Brock says…
    03/24/2009

    Just a hint for Chris...a 4 person family really needs a tent made for 8 :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Sharon in TX says…
    03/24/2009

    Lovely. I can feel the calm just reading your post. Continued blessings.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. shana stoll says…
    03/24/2009

    so glad you are taking it easy and not getting as stressed out. 2nd babies are wonderful and a little less worrisome than the first ones (3rd, 4th and 5th ones are wonderful too . . . just in case you wondered!)
    blessings!
    shana

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Jakki says…
    03/24/2009

    I so wish I had documented more with my boys. Of course I have ton's of pictures but no enough of their favorite sayings, their moods or habits.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. julie says…
    03/24/2009

    It sounds like you are truly blessed...
    & know it.....

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Sue says…
    03/24/2009

    I think first babies are always a 'learning experience'. After that, most Moms take things as they come with few problems. You sound like you're settling in and enjoying each and every moment of your life. Take care.
    Sue

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  10. Alison Behan says…
    03/24/2009

    It's wonderful that this time round you have learned just to take your time, taking your time to do all the bits you HAVE to and taking time to stop and just be with the kids. I keep saying to myself "I'll never get this time back", seems to slow me down. LOL, I have three children, just turned 7, nearly 6 and just turned 3. Yup, it's busy :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Nicole says…
    03/24/2009

    Just remember you aren't alone in the new baby challenges Ali. ALL of my friends are pregnant and I'm slightly jealous. The grass really does seem greener on the other side. I remember how challenging having two babies was (mine are only 21 months apart) and yet I still see new babies and wish for one more :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Nicky from Canada says…
    03/24/2009

    sounds wonderful to me - glad Simon is enjoying spring break nothing like hanging out in pjs and dreaming.
    Glad your settling in - life is good with little ones in the house - and it is way easier the second time around.
    God Bless

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Karen Kennedy says…
    03/24/2009

    I totally agree...I remember my first baby has such a 'high needs baby' and this one is so mellow....I wonder if they just sense that we are so much more calmer and more confident? Enjoy every minute! thanks for the update!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Dorit says…
    03/24/2009

    Your pictures are always so warm!!! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. marlee says…
    03/24/2009

    You know this already - but cherish every little second... My baby (youngest of four) turns 3 in April and it's gone so fast. I'm going to really miss the baby days.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Cristina-Sweet Pea Ink says…
    03/24/2009

    so beautiful ali! love simon's dino jammies...my sweet pea has the same ones and they are so huggable! enjoy your special time.
    xoxo

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Arrica says…
    03/24/2009

    Sounds like bliss.
    For camping with children here is a site with some helpful tips and gear suggestions. http://www.familycapers.com/outside/camping/default.html
    http://www.familycapers.com/outside/backpacking/gearplaces.html on this page there is a link to "Best gear review site".
    Hope that helps.
    HAve a blessed day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Angyla says…
    03/24/2009

    I love, love, love that photo! Perfect!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kirsten H says…
    03/24/2009

    sounds like it is perfect.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sarah says…
    03/24/2009

    Sounds like motherhood suits you well, despite all of the changes of clothing. I am in my 31st week, pregnant with my first child and I will most likely feel overwhelmed, as you described with your first. Glad to hear that the second time around seems easier. I'll have to remember your advice: Know my limits and take deeper breathes.
    You document LIFE so well. You'll have quite a collection of cherished memories. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
    P.S. From what I remember, a 2-person pup tent comfortably houses ONE person so, to house a family of 4, I'm thinking an 8-person tent will be best for Chris to look into.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Diana Foster says…
    03/24/2009

    so fun to hear about your everyday joys! happy moments everywhere. good luck!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. tara says…
    03/24/2009

    hi ali! thank you as always for sharing your life, your story, and bits of yourself. love hearing all the everyday-ness of your world. preparing for life with two here in maryland too. a son is four and i can't believe we will be welcoming a baby girl in four short months. -tara

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. molly says…
    03/24/2009

    good stuff all.
    We (ok, actually Paul) set up raised planting beds last week, and started seeds that are sprouting remarkably fast. 'Nurture' is the name of my garden documenting project -- with a not-so-mini book to take us from seedlings to the table. I'm pretty excited to be working on it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Linn says…
    03/24/2009

    It's so good that you're recording these early memories that pass in such an instant. You've captured the crazy wonderfulness of the early weeks perfectly!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. christen says…
    03/24/2009

    wow! 6 weeks old already. time really flies by. i'm so glad you're enjoying it. two kids was such a transition for me, it seems like you are handling it great.

    Reply 0 Replies

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