Blessed.

This past Sunday, we had a blessing ceremony for Lily at my parents’ church.  Lots of family and friends traveled to join us, and my dad (Grandpa Dave) gave Lily a beautiful blessing.

Photos by the fabulous Miss Sarah and Miss Karen.

Sweet Smell of (White) Pines

I’ve been too long away from this wild open sky
On the concrete trails that wind through canyons dark and wide
……………………..
Now the dust lies thick and heavy where my feet are falling
There’s nothing but the sound of the Jaybirds calling
~Kate Wolf, Sweet Smell of Pines

Yesterday we hiked the eight-mile mountainous trail from Tony Grove to White Pine Lake.  I always find it therapeutic to be so far from the madding crowd that all you can hear is the breeze softly rustling flowers and leaves.

Tim took Squiggles - thanks for the backpack, Mike and Jill!

I took Lily – thanks for the Ergo infant insert, Aneesa!

And it wouldn’t have been as fun if we hadn’t brought Grandma (who stole my Ergo and carried Lily part of the hike).

And Grandpa (who was a good sport and helped Squiggles when she insisted on hiking a section instead of riding in the backpack).

The scenery did not disappoint.

I deemed the day a grand success, even though I could barely walk when we got home.

The Grove

It was a little scandalous that Lily was 3 1/2 weeks old and had never even been to Tony Grove.  Even worse – Tim was (thirty-something) and had never been. So we fixed that.

Squiggles has been on several large watercraft, but this was her first time kayaking.

She didn’t like it.

We can generally gage her level of discomfort by how long and how fast she sucks her thumb. 

She did, however, enjoy making lemonade with Grandpa.

And throwing rocks in the lake.

Lily loved the wilderness, obviously.

Aurora

Last week, we introduced Lily to Aunt Karen, Uncle Zack, and her crazy cousins Eli, Max, Lucy, and Zoe (the dog).  She slept through it all.

Squiggles, on the other hand, was beside herself with joy to be able to run around barefoot in Karen’s backyard, playing with all The People (her term for anybody whose name she doesn’t know or can’t remember). We had a grand time.

Lily Love–week 3

More FAQ

Q:  How are you feeling?
A:  I’m a little sore,  my hips feel a bit out of joint, and I’m chronically exhausted.  In other words, I FEEL UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME BECAUSE I’M NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE!  Hurray!!!   Seriously, I feel really, really good despite a couple minor complaints associated with having recently given birth. 

Q: Are you going to finish school?
A: Of course. I’ve already put in 25 years of formal education; what’s another 6 months?

Q:  Is the baby sleeping through the night?
A:  Ha ha ha.  No.  But she only wakes up once or twice to eat.  This is highly desirable compared to when I got up 8 to 10 times a night to pee.  And (I know, I’m a little sick in the head), I don’t mind night feedings.  I love nursing and snuggling with my cuddly, softly sighing baby girl while everything else is still and dark and quiet.  Love it.  I don’t so much love it come morning when I hear Squiggles calling for me at 7:00 am and I feel like I need to sleep for three or four more hours.

Q:   Have you lost the weight from your pregnancy?
A:  Every ounce, obviously.  People have been mistaking me for Heidi Klum – it’s exhausting.

House rules, ii

"Mommy, my holding the Baby Sister!”

“Mommy, my tickling the Baby Sister!”

“Mommy… take Baby Sister aWAY now!” 
(Baby Sister may or may not have pooped right in her pants.)

FAQ: How does (Squiggles) like having a baby sister?

Answer:  She loves it, at least so far.  She loves showing people her baby sister, and claims sole ownership of said infant (“That miiiiiine!”).  Not surprisingly, she’s not entirely familiar with the concept of babies, and as a result we’ve had to implement many new rules around here:

1. Do not throw balls at Baby Sister.
   
2. Do not kiss Baby Sister’s eyeballs.
   
3. Do not put blankets on Baby Sister’s face.
   
4. Do not feed Baby Sister French toast, peanuts, bagels, yogurt, or raisins.  (Do not feed Baby Sister anything is apparently not specific enough.)
   
5. Do not put peanuts in Baby Sister’s belly button.
   
6. Do not tip Baby Sister’s car seat uppy-side down while Baby Sister is in the car seat.
   
7. Do not put chewed-up peanuts on Baby Sister’s head.
   
8. Do not pinch and squeeze Baby Sister’s piggy toes when you count them.
   
9. Do not comb Baby Sister’s hair (read: do not hit Baby Sister on the head with a hard brush). 
   
10. Do not go anywhere near Baby Sister for any reason, at any time, under any circumstances, unless Mommy or Daddy is there to protect Baby Sister from all the love you wish to inflict upon her.

The list is growing, by the second.