Worth it

It was so very quiet...usually a hint that something's amiss.  But there was Freddie reading the Ninja Turtles Pizza Party story to Hans.  So thankful for brothers.  They do really take care of each other.  And so proud of Freddie for his hard work with his reading.  He's right in the middle of the pack in his class, a perfect spot for him.  He's obviously proud of himself as well, which I really like, as he has been super motivated to practice his reading lately and has been challenging himself with more difficult texts.

What I want to remember about today...

When the puppeteer asked everyone to write their names on the back of their finger puppets at a birthday party today,  Freddie said "I want this one to be for my brother," as he was writing out Hans' name.  These two are definitely buds.  I swear, nothing makes a Mama happier.

Brothers

Nothing makes me happier.

What a Difference a Year Makes

From Tummy Brother...

To Hansie Monster...

The art of imitation

I am not yet potty training Hans, but Freddie is trying his darndest.  He asks to get Hans onto the potty with him at every opportunity.  I usually oblige because the kid just might be onto something.

One reason I had another baby...

I heard giggling from my bedroom.  Lots of it.  It got quiet as they heard my footsteps, usually a sign of trouble.  

I know you're feeling a little sorry for Hans, but don't worry, he's loving every minute of it.  Babies are almost unbreakable.  If I hadn't learned it when Freddie rolled off the couch as an infant, I've certainly learned it watching these two interact.  

Brothers

Freddie 2 years 6 months, Hans 11 weeks

Breast is Best

Not only does he "nurse" his babies, he also asks to nurse Hans.  It usually only lasts about 15 seconds because Hans starts screaming and Freddie says "take him."

And breast being best means he's gotta pump, too.  Last week he told me he was getting his special milk from his belly button. 

2 month well visit

"Good job, Hans.  It's ok, Hans," he said.

At 9 weeks, 3 days:

Hans' stats:
Weight: 11 lbs 4 oz (22nd percentile)
Length:  23.5 inches (68th percentile)
Head circumference:  39.5 cm (30th percentile)

Vaccinations:

• DTaP/DTP/Td
• IPV
• Hib
• Rhoavirus
• PCV

Compare to Freddie here, but overall very similar, with Hans weighing more and his head being smaller.  

She had no concerns.  I had no concerns.  There are some pluses to being a mom the second time around. I just wanted to get on my way so Hans could nap and Freddie could play. 

Freddie was there to witness the vaccinations.  We've been talking about getting shots lately since I knew he'd see Hans get his shots and I didn't want Freddie to freak out when it's his turn in a few months.  Freddie went with Charlie last month when he got his allergy shot.  I figured seeing Dada be brave was a better first (memorable) "exposure" to what a shot is like rather than seeing his brother wailing.  Just like he did when he was with Dada, he held Hans' hand and told him he was going to be ok.  Love being a Mama at moments like that.

Dr. G was wonderful with Freddie.  She showed him all of her "special doctor tools" and explained what she was doing with each step.  Freddie stood on the stool and watched very carefully.  I imagine when he gets up from his nap he'll conduct examinations after admitting us to the hospital.  (He talks about the hospital quite a bit now after Mama's stay there and learning about what ambulances do.)

The First Born

My boy loves his Tummy Brother.  He's dedicated, caring, and loving.  I think he loves his mama as well, but vying for attention has brought out some attempts for attention, both positive and negative.  He loves getting and giving cuddles, snuggles and kisses. 

He's not really napping lately, in part because our routine isn't set with visitors, but if Hans isn't sleeping he surely isn't going to sleep either.

He's a full blown chatterbox.  Some of his phrases, which he's picked up here and there, always put a smile on my face.  Some of what he's saying...

• I'm worried about you.
• Understand me?
• Check it out.
• Perfect.  Perfect. Perfect.
• How'd you sleep, Mama?
• Beat you! (Learned this from Aunt Lizzie fussing at her dogs and he uses it in the appropriate context, i.e. when he's angry with Mama.)
• Oh man.
• I'm so glad you're here.
• How was your day?
• Love you.  Whole World, Mama

He has a basket for all of his "treasures," and they are definitely treasures.  I wonder what we'll do once this treasure basket is overflowing with rocks, acorns, feathers, and sticks.  I'm secretly moving the larger sticks back to the yard.

He is also a dancing fool.  He loves to turn on his ipod and dance the afternoon away.  

He's experiencing a "regression" with the potty, but I am not sure I'd call pooping in the middle of the living room a regression.  It's actually genius I'd say.  He accomplished his mission:  Get Mama's Attention, STAT!

My favorite thing currently is his imagination.  He can keep himself busy for hours with *nothing.*  A few months ago he used "props" to create meals and fish and general pretend play.  Now no props are necessary.  He sits in his beach chair to fish in the living room and watch the dolphins swim by.  He hands me baby foxes wrapped up in blankets to care for while he rescues the baby dragon on the other side of his bed. 

So much happening with my little guy.  The change from one day to the next is amazing and makes me a little sad as well to watch everything change so quickly.  He's something else.

Do you think he's trying to tell me something?

This morning while I was nursing Hans in my room Freddie pooped on the living room floor.  He nonchalantly led me to the mess after I finished up with Hans.

This afternoon while I was nursing Hans in my room Freddie peed on his bed.  He nonchalantly asked for Mickey undies and led me to the mess after I finished up with Hans.

1 Week

The state of things around here after 1 week of Hans:

Hans:

• He's a nursing champ.  He wants to nurse every two hours like clockwork.  
• The cosleeper is seeing some action for naps, but night time sleep just doesn't happen in there, or any where else for that matter.
• His toes are long and skinny.  
• He has two or three periods of being wide awake each day.  He gazes around the room.
• He's pooping lots, almost every time he sleeps.
• He has just a bit of fuzz atop his head.
• He looks just like Freddie, and I do mean just like him.

Dada:

• He is a proud papa, that's for sure.
• He's sleeping on the trundle in Freddie's room to get some good sleep.
• A nurse complimented his "baby handling skills" in the hospital.  I'm sure he'll tell you if he sees you.
• Work is back on the daily agenda, but he's abbreviated his schedule and isn't putting in the 2-5 hours in the evening like usual.  He's working back up to 8-5 and was out of the house by 9am today.  So thankful for all the help we've had so far to make this, and so much more, possible.
• He's really taken the lead with for Freddie which has worked out well.

Freddie:

• He missed his Mama while she was in the hospital.  I have heard more than a handful of times about how his teddy, or Tigey, or the puppy are all sad because their mama was in the hospital but she'd be home soon.
• He had an affectionate spurt with Hans when he first arrived home, but the passion has cooled a bit.  He does worry when he cries and likes to give him a pat of a kiss here and there throughout the day.
• When he says Hans is sound like "How-nz."
• I think he's finally putting it together that Hans is the Tummy Brother he has spent so much time talking to and loving on.
• He wouldn't let me out of his sight when I first came home, and has been a bit on the needy side, but overall I think he's handling everything in stride.
• All of a sudden he seems so grown up to me.  He's the big kid in the house, and still very much my baby.

Mama:

• I'm a bit disappointed in how things went for delivery with my blood loss being so high and recovery being slow, but I am feeling a little better each day.  Sleep would certainly speed things along.
• There are only 11 pounds of baby weight left.
• Connecting with Hans is feeling easier than it was with Freddie.  Focusing on this little person is certainly easier the second time around.
• Although I don't remember anything about caring for a newborn, I am not sweating it.  I am sweating the day I am left alone with them and outnumbered.
• My body aches and my head hurts nonstop.
• I haven't gotten dressed yet, but the sight of my pjs and old tshirts is beginning to depress me.
• I love holding Hans and having Freddie crawl into my lap as well.  No better feeling.
• I'm very thankful for the love, support, and help we've had the last week.  Sharing my boys feels good.

Sweet Dreams

We read books in Mama and Dada's bed.  He pushed up my shirt and put his head on my tummy so "brover listen".  We each got "cozy" and said night night.  With our heads on the pillow he put one hand on each of my cheeks and softly tried to continue the conversation...Seals splash eat it fish.  Freddy Rebekah bucket rocks river friends.  Puppy sniffs cute. Toucan beak big ark ark ark.  With such heavy lids, his blinks grew longer and his voice softer.  It had been much too long since I have watched him fall asleep.

The big brother and his babies

 I'd like to introduce Baby and Baby.

Freddie got them for his birthday. I don't think they're twins. They require quite a bit of attention, and Freddie sometimes asks for help caring for them.

He takes his job very seriously, and is a bit dramatic at times. He'll bring me one and hold him up and say "Baby crying" with wide eyes and eyebrows raised. He'll pull Baby to his chest and pat his back and give a gentle "ohhhhhhh."

He's testing out the baby stuff appearing around the house.  The babies are also working on using the potty.

 My favorite is when he sings to them.  He's singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star here...

Thankfully they've brought out his tender side. I was afraid they'd be dangling out of the window or have tricycle tire marks on their heads. He may have this big brother stuff down. I hope.

Mama and her boy

My boy.  My baby boy.  My BFF.  I've been thinking quite a bit about how life will change for him this summer and beyond. 

My grandmother used to comment that bringing a new baby home for an older sibling would be a lot like your husband bringing home another woman.  I've been thinking about that a lot and the closeness of my relationship with Freddie.  I wonder what our time together will look like.  How will I make both boys feel special and loved.  How do I avoid competition and comparison.  What if the little brother is bigger than the big brother. 

I don't doubt my capacity to love both or Freddie's capacity to love his brother.  But parenting two boys?  I suppose I'll do my best, try to make informed parenting decisions, and carry on, but really, I'm feeling a bit nervous.

Naming Part Deux

Tonight when asked what he wanted to call the baby Freddie thought for a minute and then responded "Thumper" and of course "Bambi" soon followed. 

That may be all we have come late June because neither Charlie or I have any ideas.  I am thinking it's going to take seeing this guy before we come up with something.

For the record

Freddie says the baby is a GIRL.

I've asked him several times today in different contexts if the baby is a "boy or a girl," and I've even asked if the baby is "a girl or a boy"...and every time the answer is the same.  He very emphatically says "Girl!"