Swaddle Sack
Here Suzy is modeling her home made "swaddle sack". She kept asking us to swaddle her like we do Baby Andy. So, we made this one for her. It's really just another proprioceptive lycra bag like I use in therapy for my little sensory seekers. I had a good feeling my little prop seeker would love this and I was right! She loves for Anna, our great helper, to chase her around. It stresses Katie, the dog, a bit. But it is tons of fun!

Little Man Hands
Baby Andy is very difficult to photograph. He LOVES his hands on his face. I've probably trimmed his nails at least five times. He's started to find his thumb a little more lately. But, he also continues to take the paci.

This is his "personality" right now. He eats, poops, and sleeps. He's so cute and funny the way he has to have his hands up over his face. Sometimes he naps in the living room in the bassinet and doesn't seem bothered at all by the noises of his rambunctious big sister. As he becomes more aware, I'm moving him to the bedroom for a little more quiet. It just cracks me up that he seems to always have his eyes covered. It doesn't matter if it's noisy, bright, or not. I wonder if he will be like his daddy and need his "alone time" from now and again. Is he trying to tell me this already? Well, Little Man...it's like I tell your daddy. "I'll do my best, but no promises! The women in your family are all pretty high energy! You may not get much down time, but you will have lots of FUN!"

Little Mother

Aunt Deb brought Suzy a boy baby doll and she has been very busy caring for him and baby Emmy for HOURS each day. We bought her a big baby station as a "birthday gift" from Baby Andy. It was Rob's boss's idea and it is working out beautifully! Thank you, also, to Grammy and Pawpop for helping with the assembly.

This is another favorite Suzy photo.




I told her she was going to be a great Mommy to which she responded, "I already a great Mommy."

How is Suzy Doing?

That's the big question around here. My answer, is "Way better than I could have dreamed." Of course, we will have to revisit this when all the help is gone and she no longer has one-on-one attention. But for now, I am soaking up some very special times with my two little ones. Suzy continues to be fascinated with poopy diapers. She is actually even somewhat helpful with handing me things. Of course, for every two wipes we use on Andy, she needs a few for her dollies. The way I see it, it's a cheap price for harmony.
She even helped with his cord care. I'm telling you, I see medicine in her career path...
Of course, after Andy's care, she needs a little "lipstick".
"I want to touch him?" is a very common phrase around here. Usually followed by, "Please wait until he is awake!"
"He's so soft." Again, "Please don't wake him!" I'm so grateful he sleeps well for now.
She likes to make sure he has his lovey.
She also likes to hold him while we read stories.
I love how she holds his little head.
Such sweet siblings.

Little Man loves his boobies. I love these pictures of his first days in the hospital. He took a hold of my nursing bra like, "Hey Mommy! Gimmee the Goods!" The next photo below is my view of this same shot. There really is just something sweet about a little nursing baby. I also had to laugh when we came home. Rob's Dad mentioned something to Andy about the Victoria's Secret commercial as he and Rob watched ball. It was right when I needed Little Man so I told PawPop he would have to give the boy up (since he was holding him) for a live show of his own. :) I think it was the first joke I had made since I got home.
I think one of the reasons I love these shots so much is that it reminds me of how dear some of the simplest things can be for some people. You see, nursing is nearly impossible for me. I had a reduction in my 20s when I was told that I would never have children. I literally told the surgeon, "I don't care how much you cut out, just please make me tiny." I wish I would have saved a little more "plumbing" if you know what I mean. So, with Suzy, I armed myself with all kinds of knowledge beforehand and then when we struggled, I consulted at least three different lactation consultants and tried all kinds of remedies both crazy and tested. So, I wasn't extremely blindsided by my troubles this time. But, I was so optimistic for several reasons. First of all, he wasn't as early as Suzy. I also read that with the second child the milk comes in easier. Finally, he's a boy and everyone I know talks about how baby boys love the booby. Which, he did. He latched on like no tomorrow in the hospital and would hang out with great "form" for over an hour. So, I was completely devastated by the third day when the nurses informed me he was loosing too much weight and needed to be suplimented. With Suzy, we did all the "suplimentation techniques" and so I knew what we would be up for this time. It was at this point that Little Man realized the joys of a full belly and wanted nothing more to do with his Mommy. After a few days and some heart wrenching sob sessions, I've decided to just pump what I can for as long as I can and try not to worry so much about it. I owe a special "thank you" to some of my very close friends who prayed with me during these times. Now, he will latch on for a few minutes of tenderness in the middle of the night. But, he still prefers the food to women. Hmmmm.... maybe not a bad thing. :)

So, anyhow, here's a little glimpse into my last two weeks of trying to increase my milk supply. It starts with this industrial sized pump. Oh so fun at $90 per month.
Then, you have to supliment with nasty tasting herbs and such. So, you can quickly see how breast milk for our family is actually MORE expensive than formula. I'm just glad I have such a great and supportive husband. I have, however, promised him that I will most likely only keep this up for a month. I try and pump between 5-7 times per day to increase my supply. I always get more in the morning after a good rest and then it dwindles as the day goes on. My big prizes are when I get over an ounce combined. Most times, it is around 1/2 oz. per pumping session. Hardly enough to fatten a Little Man up.
The bad part, is that I get completely engorged. But, I don't have connections to relieve the ducts. So, I got pro-active. Rather than boo-hoo about problems, I've always been a "doer". Those who know me well know how I love to invent random and odd things. This is going to be one we talk about for many years to come. I took a super-sized bra that was given to me for maternity and lined the back with soft material. Then, I filled it with rice and cut some button holes for the breast pump. I had to do a little adjusting to take out all the metal underwires and clasps so that I could then put it in the microwave to provide some heat to help with let down and swelling. All I can tell you is that when I put this thing on for the first time, I was nothing but... "AAAAHHHHHH NICE". Rob says I should market them except for one problem. When the pump is going and I'm not wearing a sporty shirt like the one below, I look like a FemBot from the Austin Powers movies. It is pretty hysterical actually. But, I've always been more about function than fashion.
In conclusion to my weird booby post, I wanted to share with you my "Big Prize". 1.5 oz. of breast milk. All from one sitting. I was so excited! I liken it to the upcoming olympics. To me, breast feeding is like a sport. In my book, it's about dedication and perseverance. I may not get the gold medal, but I'm definitely in for the bronze. :) Even if I don't get the prize, Rob and I like to joke that my last pump of the night is the appetizer for the late night party that Andy plans for us every night.

The many faces of Robert Andrew
It's funny to me how different he looks at just a week and a half old. He has so many cute little expressions. I believe he will be a really fun little guy to watch as he learns to make all these little faces voluntarily.

This made me smile. It's the same little "swrily" that his Daddy has.


I think this is one of my favorite pictures yet. He loves to try and find his thumb already. He will also take the pacifier. So, we'll just have to wait and see. Suzy didn't take anything and there were MANY a night I wished she would use some sort of a plug. :)
Look at those pouty little lips....
Such a sweet boy.

Suzy meets her baby brother. She brought him a Lovey that she picked out a few months ago and is very fascinated by him. She is a little hesitant. She says she wants to feed him but then quickly changes her mind. She loves to give him kisses and is very eager to help with poopy diapers. The first thing she asks when she walks in the door is "Where's Mommy?" followed by a very sweet, "Where's Baby Andy?" I really could not have asked for there to be a better beginning to this sibling relationship. I pray that they will grow to really love and support each other as the years progress. One thing that has been very close to my heart right now is how people will come and go in your life, even you parents. But, your siblings are likely to be your best friends for the greatest amount of years you are alive. I treasure all of my siblings and hope that Suzy and Andy experience a strong bond as well.



Suzy likes to "blow kisses" sometimes instead of actual kisses.
I believe this is just one of many, many, many family portraits that will just have to "do for now". It is so hard to get two little ones in a great pose at the same time. Especially when one of the said little ones is a very active toddler....
Suzy's first look at her baby brother.