First Month

One Month.  It's gone quickly, but at the same time when I think about life with just Claire (when I was getting plenty of sleep, felt like I had things together, and, as I look back, was so easy!), it seems like a really long time ago.  We had about 3 weeks of family here to help out, which was amazing, and my freezer really thanks them because now I won't have to cook for almost 2 months.  But seriously, my mom, in-laws, and sister were so fantastic, and I'm so grateful that Nathan and I have such wonderful families who I know will be so loving and helpful and won't judge a bit.  

 Family pic:

 So, things have gone well.  Levi is a pretty good baby and I can already tell is just a sweet, cuddly boy.  He loves being held (read: doesn't like to be put down during the day), which is totally fine, except when you need more than one hand to do something (which happens sometimes.)  

1 Month Old and first day at church.  

 Isn't it funny how baby boys just look like men?  Little old men, but getting cuter everyday.

When my sister was here, we took a trip to a farm in Cupertino.

  (Sidenote, that's spit up, not leakage. I'm a mom and have no shame--remember when I bore my testimony in front of 2 wards with fish stickers all over the front of my shirt?  No shame :) Anyways, this was my first 'real' picture of me with my 2 kids. (It's still a little weird to say that). It feels great to be able to get out and feel like I can do things semi-normally now.  I'm definitely still adjusting to running on low sleep, but the fact that I can take a nap almost every day saves me, and is more than Nate can say.  Sleep has been the biggest hurdle, but thankfully that's one of those things that you know will get better.  I can tell myself, "He will eventually sleep longer stretches," and it's a wonderful comfort.  What did kind of throw us for a loop was one day when Nathan told me that he was going to go on a 1-hour bike ride, and after 2 1/2 hours I called him, worried, only to hear that he was at the hospital after getting in an accident with a car.  Talk about a frightening phone call and afternoon as I didn't know what to do.  We are so grateful that he only cracked his collar bone, as I know it could have been so so much worse (We won't even think about it).  We feel blessed that he had only minor injuries that will eventually heal.  Yet, since that accident, Nathan has had his left (again, thankful it was his left!) arm in a sling with only minor mobility.  It's been an adjustment for all of us, and has brought various frustrations, but we'll get through it, and again we're so thankful that it will heal and that he will one day be able to work at full capacity, as well as hold a baby, change a diaper, etc.

I have to give a shout out to all of my wonderful friends here who have been so spectacular since the accident.  Right away, we had people calling, bringing more dinners and treats, taking Claire, asking how to help, etc., it was overwhelming.  I'm so grateful for my amazing friends and ward who completely take care of us.  We're totally fine, by the way, but definitely have appreciated the help and I'm so grateful that I know there are people to call should I be having a day when I need a boost.

K, but the the award of who has come through this the best goes to this little one:

Funny picture, but she's adorable I just love her.  My biggest concern before having Levi was how Claire would handle it.  I had visions of daily tantrums, multiple time-outs in the corner, overall major frustration, hitting, screaming, etc.  And, let's be honest, we've had all of those, but not nearly as much/many as I anticipated.  Going from getting 100% attention to not must be so confusing and difficult, but she's really been awesome.  We've totally seen her slowly learning how to play by herself, and it's been amazing.  She still of course says, "Play with me!" plenty of times during the day, but she's so much better at getting out toys and playing by herself, and it's just great.  She's been fantastic.  She has also been an amazing sister.  If I would let her, she would spend all day this close to Levi:

 She absolutely loves him!  She has mastered the art of finding his binkie, waiting until his mouth is open, and then putting it in.  She loves to pick out his outfits, get blankets, turn on his little musical chair, give him kisses, hold him, hug him, etc.  It's so adorable.  And, all of that nurturing paid off because last week, she was holding him, he looked up and gave her the biggest (And first) smile.  He's going to adore her!  When he's crying, she'll say, "It's ok Little Buddy", and in the car, "He'll calm down when we start moving." But when I'm with her and he starts crying in the other room, she says, "You'll get him in a minute."  haha.

Cuddle Time:

 And Tummy Time: (yes, it's now a sibling affair!)

 Anyways, I'm so grateful for Claire and how she's taking it all in stride.  Definitely an answer to prayers.  So, here's to month 2!