Family Adventure

One of Sammy's favorite things to do now is go on adventures.  She puts Daisy in the stroller and heads off in search of something lost or to do something new.  Our adjustment to being a family of four has felt like quite an adventure as well.  I am settling into the sleep deprivation and am feeling pretty good.  I have even mastered how Carina and I can usually get a nap when Samantha naps which is a lifesaver.  Samantha is still having an occasional tantrum but I am not taking them so personally and they are shorter lived.

I imagine it is the hormones but even with the sleepless nights and juggling two kids, I spend a lot of my days thinking of how I would love to have a third.  (Ha - Dave is probably driving to get a vasectomy after reading that.) Don't worry, I just packed up my maternity clothes to take to consignment. It is all happening very quickly though and I already put away newborn clothes because Carina has outgrown them. 

What I really feel is that it is all so absolutely worth it.  Having these two girls in my life makes life incredible and inexplicably fulfilling.  Carina is worth it.  Samantha is worth it. Life is good and I would do it again in a heart beat. I mean seriously, look at them...

Greatma

Everything takes me just a little longer these days, I'm a bit delayed in my news.  However, we had a wonderful visit from family from Oklahoma who came to meet Carina over spring break.  My grandma, Aunt Paula, cousin Margrethe, cousin Jeanine and her two kids Lola and Presley came for a visit.  Samantha had a ball with Lola who is a week older than her. They played and played and we cracked up at them walking around and having conversations with each other.

I am lucky to have family that I love so much and who make a fuss over Carina.  Even when she is the latest of many, many girls - everyone always makes her and us feel special.  Here is my favorite photo of Carina with my grandma, Carina's Greatma. You can see more from their visit here. 

Family of Five

No naked family photos this time around, but our friend Cheryl did come take photos of Carina and our family.  Carina was the only one that got naked so she wouldn't completely be left out of the experience and as you can see, she wasn't happy about it.  You can see more photos than you ever wanted of our family, they are all here.  I think Miss Samantha really stole the show - she isn't at the most cooperative age but Cheryl got some fabulous shots. As you can see, I lucked out with two beautiful girls, a handsome husband and fine dog.    

Forgot to Mention...

I realized it has been 6 weeks and I haven't written anything about my most blogged about topic - breastfeeding! While having two kids is double the work, there are many things that are much easier the second time around and first and foremost is breastfeeding.  You may remember that I was determined to breastfeed Samantha and had a very rough start. To be honest, I think it was close to 8 weeks that were really painful for me before we got the hang of things.  Then, because of the many benefits and because I enjoyed the connection so much, I continued breastfeeding until Samantha was about 14 months.

In the hospital, one of the nurses asked me how long I breastfed my first child and without thinking I proclaimed "Forever! Well, not forever by Boulder standards".  She and another nurse laughed and then they both proceeded to explain that they had nursed their kids until they were 2 and 3, ha! 

I don't think people talk enough about the the ups and downs of breastfeeding and I'm always trying to encourage people to stick with it.  After a few weeks with Carina, we had things down.  She is a great eater and I know it helps that I'm not so anxious about it, there is much less doubt about what I'm doing and I know how convenient it is and what a great bonding experience it provides.  Plus, Carina even takes a bottle now like a champ so I can have a little time away too.

Zombie

Nearly six weeks of sleep deprivation is catching up with me.  Carina usually has one 4-5 hour stretch which is great but it is difficult not to ever get more than 4-5 hours of sleep at a time.  I feel like I am about 50% less witty, fun to be around and intelligent when I haven't slept.  We are getting pretty good at napping when Samantha naps but I never feel completely rested.  As I am up bleary eyed in the middle of the night, at least I have the Beatles to keep me company. I'm always reciting these lines in my head, I may really be losing it...

I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink
I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink
I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink
No, no, no.
I'm so tired I don't know what to do
I'm so tired my mind is set on you
I wonder should I call you but I know what you would do
You'd say I'm putting you on
But it's no joke, it's doing me harm
You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain
You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane
You know I'd give you everything I've got
for a little peace of mind
I'm so tired, I'm feeling so upset
Although I'm so tired I'll have another cigarette
And curse Sir Walter Raleigh
He was such a stupid get.
You'd say I'm putting you on
But it's no joke, it's doing me harm
You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain
You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane
You know I'd give you everything I've got
for a little peace of mind
I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind
I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind

Daisy

Samantha's babies have been important to her for some time but since Carina's arrival, her favorite baby Daisy, has taken on a whole new importance in the family.  Daisy needs to come everywhere we do and do everything that Carina does.  That is why it was especially sweet that when our family friend Cheryl came to take family photos, Samantha got some time getting her picture taken with her prized possession Daisy.

Time Flies

Yesterday I spent Carina's one month birthday snuggled up with her for the day. Grammy had a special day with Samantha - they went swimming and out to lunch which Sammy absolutely loved. I got to nap the day away, take photos and just have some bonding with Carina which was a treat for me. Funny because having one baby seems so easy now - what was I so stressed out with when Samantha was tiny like this? I know they say that babies don't smile this early but with Carina I just don't buy it. She is melting our hearts with smiles all day long.

You can see how big she is getting in the latest photos.