ONE Month!!

Hi, this is "Baby Sister," otherwise nicknamed "Mili." My mommy said I could write this blog entry so here goes.

I was born one month ago yesterday. I was so happy to meet my mommy and daddy! Though I wasn't too sure if I wanted to be out of my cozy home at first, I soon realized that Mommy was going to feed me anytime I wanted to eat--even if it was just 30 minutes after the last time--and that Daddy was going to cuddle me and coo at me anytime I cried. So I decided it wasn't so bad after all.

Now, here I am one month old. I can now keep my eyes open for a much longer period of time and do all I can to stay awake as MUCH as possible! There is too much going on in this life and I don't want to miss a second of it. Mommy and Daddy say I am really noisy. I guess I grunt and squeak and coo a lot--in fact, most of the time I'm awake I'm making some kind of noise. I also LOVE to eat! I have ever since I was born. Sometimes my mommy puts a squishy plastic thing in my mouth and tries to get me suck on that, but I really just want to eat so I usually spit it right back at her. My big brother is really nice to me and always wants to hug and kiss me. I have heard adults speak of something called "sibling rivalry" and they say we don't have any of that in this house. From the way they talk about it I guess that's a good thing.

Mommy decided to dress me up for my one month birthday pictures and she couldn't stop telling me how beautiful I looked.

That made me happy!

Then she made me pose so that she can compare my picture this month to the rest of this year to see how fast I grow.

In true form, I decided to pose like this first (sorry, I know it's gross):

Then I got mad and posed like this:

And finally I decided I should let you all see how sweet I am, so I posed like this:

When all was said and done, I was quite exhausted. So my final pose for the afternoon:

House Pictures

So I know I promised these pictures 2 months ago, but it has taken awhile to get settled. And now, well, time and energy are not on my side so I'm glad we had most things ready before Baby Sister joined us. Unfortunately I have only photographed the upstairs and the dining room so you'll have to wait to see the living rooms and kitchen. But I WON'T disappoint. Just give me a few months. ;) And please don't judge our decor. I am not a designer by nature and do not have the time or energy to put towards becoming one.

Little Bear's room

Upstairs bathroom

Baby Sister's room

Master bedroom

Master bathroom

Upstairs hall and stairs

Dining room

(Notice my little model who tried to make it into all the pictures?)

More Partyin'

Moving to the northwest took us away from many wonderful friends and beloved family. Not a day goes by that we don't miss these loved ones. But moving out here also brought us closer to other dear family. Little Bear's grandma, aunt, uncle, and first cousin were only an hour away and were able to join us for a second birthday celebration on Saturday.

Here LB poses with his stunning fake smile beside his present from his grandma, aunt, uncles, and cousin.

Opening a gift from Daddy and Mama Bear. His first boardgame--Candyland!!

(We may regret this purchase.) ;D

Next were puzzles from his great grandma.

And a beautiful fruit pizza birthday cake--Daddy Bear was so impressed with the "cake" MB and LB made him for his birthday that he decided to recreate it for LB's birthday party. You may think we should have had a cartoon cake smothered in icing and filled with sugar. It's his 3rd birthday after all, you say, let him be a kid. We say: He LOVES fruit, knows nothing different, and this was much healthier for everyone involved. :D

The birthday boy poses with his little sister and first 1st cousin.

We convinced LB that it was too cold to play outside with water and sand the night of his party, but no one was going to persuade him to believe the same story on Sunday. Even though it actually was a bit chilly. He had a GREAT time! Thanks Grandma, US, AJ, UC, and Niko!

3 Years, Going on 30!

I can't believe our baby boy is so big!! Little Bear turned 3 yesterday!!

When you're three years old, who wants to wait until after dinner to blow out candles? We started the day with cake after breakfast.

After cake, we went through the day pretty much as normal. Our outing possibilities were limited to...well, none. I have so longed to take Little Bear to the zoo and was really hoping to be recovered in time to take him for his birthday but it looks like we will have to wait until later. LB didn't know any different though. This was the first birthday experience he remembers, so to him it couldn't get any better than having cake after breakfast and having Mom and Dad sing to him!

When Little Bear woke up from his nap, we chatted on the computer with his great grandma and great aunt and uncle in Kansas. He got to open his cards and presents from them while they watched. He always loves getting to chat with family on the computer and opening gifts while chatting made it even more exciting!

When we were planning the menu for the week on Saturday, Little Bear got to pick the menu for his birthday dinner. So OF COURSE we ate mac&cheese and hot dogs. Delish!

Following dinner Little Bear got MORE cake and candles and another "Happy Birthday" song!

He opened a prayer book sent from his Godparents...

...and gifts sent from his Omi, Grandpa, and Uromi.

And then, perhaps the highlight of the night, he and Daddy Bear built FORT LINCOLN!!

Baby Sister had a great time at her first birthday party!

2 Weeks, Going On 2 Years!

"Baby Sister" (which, by the way, is Little Bear's name for our sweet baby girl) is growing up!! 2 weeks old today (actually yesterday but Blogger was giving me troubles so I couldn't publish last night)!! Isn't she growing??

The title of this post has double meaning:

1) Baby Sister has grown up so much in just two weeks and I know that two years is right around the corner. I can still remember Little Bear at 2 weeks old like it was yesterday, but look at him about to turn 3 this week!

2) The last two weeks have passed as though it were two years for the bedridden (and I'm sure for Daddy Bear who has been a single father of 4--LB, BS, the dog, and me). It seems like I've been glued to the couch/bed for much longer than two weeks! Healing is coming, though, so hopefully I will be up and moving soon. Prayers are welcomed and appreciated as I continue down this super slow road.

On a happy note, look at these sweetie pies! How can I be downtrodden when I have such abundant blessings in my life??

(I know what the "experts" would tell me, but she TOTALLY smiled at me in response to my cooing and baby talk.)

This is Little Bear at 2 wks. Clearly Baby Sister is putting on weight faster than he did but LB did pretty well considering the circumstances.

I may have thought they looked alike at birth but Baby Sister is definitely becoming her own little person. It will be so neat to see how her characteristics change as she matures out of newbornhood into babyhood. I'll be sure to keep you in the know!