Parker's Birthday Party

It's time for Parker's Birthday!

 

 

With a newborn in the house, we weren't really up for a massive fete like last year.  So, we just had my family over for a casual BBQ to celebrate Parker's 2nd Birthday.

 

Parker even helped out with the clean-up.  Fortunately, no one has really high expectations of a super-clean house when you have a 2-week-old (or a 2-year-old either).

 

But I did manage to make a cake.  Notice the super-subtle "2" decoration on the top?  That's about the extent of my decorating abilities.

 

Parker loves playing with his cousins.  They splashed in the pool, played with bubbles, and thoroughly enjoyed all our outdoor toys.  Unfortunately, I was too busy chatting & holding a baby to take many photos (sorry kiddo).

 

Parker was much more excited about the cake this year.  Last year we had to cover it with raspberries to entice him to eat it, this year, he ran around the house yelling, "Cake! Cake! Cake!"

 

All three of the kids had way more sugar than could possibly be good for them, and then we sent them all home for their parents to put them to bed (sorry!).

 

Parker wasn't too excited about the gifts, but he did enjoy tearing the paper and looking at the cards.

 

Thanks for coming everyone!

Two Weeks

 

We've survived our first week at home with just me and the two kiddos.

 

I realize that this shouldn't come as a surprise to me, but it actually wasn't as bad as I was imagining.  So far, Parker is loving being a big brother, and has been content to sit & play with Cecily's toys while I spend hours nursing her.  Of course, this can't last, but that's a worry for another day.

 

We also had dinner delivered twice this week, so that always helps too.

 

Cecily & I both had our 2-week check-ups this week. I'm doing fine, and she's finally reached her birth-weight (she was 8lbs, 2.5 oz as of Wednesday). We'll weigh her again when we go in for Parker's 2-year appointment next week, but at least I don't have to use the kitchen timer anymore at night to feed her.

 

When we're not relying on the kitchen timer, Cecily tends to sleep at least one 4-hour stretch, and occasionally two.  But I do admit a little nostalgia for when Parker was a newborn & we'd stay in-bed until 11am.  I'm sure Cecily would be up for it, but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to convince Parker that it's a good idea.

 

She's starting to be awake a little bit more every day, although it seems like her eyes are open the widest at about 10pm, right when I'm trying to put her to bed. Maybe we need a new bed-time routine...

 

Parker loves to help swaddle Cecily, he often comes running with a blanket saying, "wrap it".  Of course, we then have to wrap him up as well.

 

Our poor girls has developed a rather impressive case of baby acne, so between that & the Mohawk that appeared after yesterday's bath, she looks strikingly like a 13-year-old boy.  But with cute enough dresses, you'll never notice.  She's still the cutest baby ever and we love her.

Sleepy

Ball

 

Parker's trying to teach Cecily how to play ball.

 

So far, she's not really getting it, but he seems to be enjoying himself (and she didn't get hurt).

Cecily's tea

 

Denise hosted a lovely Tea in Cecily's honor.  We drank tea, ate crumpets and passed the baby around.  It was a lovely morning.

One Week Old

Our little girl (and her parents) has survived her first week.

This week has been amazingly easier than Parker's first week, of which I only really remember crying (from me and him).

She's eating great, and actually sleeping pretty well also.

That said, I'm not looking forward to Keith going back to work tomorrow, since I've been able to spend the past week resting & just taking care of Cecily.  I'm not at all certain I'm ready to handle two little ones at the same time.

But, she's pretty darn cute, so I guess we'll keep her around.  ...and we're pretty attached to Parker, so I guess we'll keep him too.

Big Brother

So far, Parker loves being a big brother.  Nearly every morning, the first thing he says is, "Baby" and wants to go into Cecily's room.

He loves to hold Cecily.  He'll say "hold it", then climb onto the couch and hold her until he's "all done".

He does not like it when she cries.  A few days ago, she woke up from her nap crying, and Parker came running down the hall with her dolly to make her feel better.

Last night, we gave Cecily a bath after Parker went to bed.  Her crying woke him up and he wouldn't calm down until I brought him into the kitchen to see that Cecily was really okay.

He's such a loving big brother.  Of course, Daddy's been home all week giving Parker his undivided attention while Mama took care of Cecily, we'll see how he does tomorrow when Daddy goes back to work.