Big Sister

So many times, Dan and I look at Mac and how small he is, but can't help to think, "Lola, how were you this small? And when did you get so big!"

Mac gave Lola a big sister gift when he was born: a Big Sister book, and her very own backpack (so she can carry her extra clothes, snacks, and all the treasures she acquires on our daily adventures). She loves being in charge of her own stuff. It's great!

Today, she is heading off to her last day of coop preschool with Dan. Wearing her new Keen sandals (thank you Grandma Linda) and her backpack with pictures of Mac to show her friends, I just can't believe how old she looks! It is SO bittersweet.

She has been so amazing with little Mac this first week. When she wakes up, she always wants to know where he is. Before she leaves the house or goes to sleep, she is sure to give him a kiss. The things she says are so great: "Where's my sweet baby brother?" "Hey Mac, you are such a cutie." "Oh, are you a good baby? You are!"

The other night, Dan and I were finishing our dinner and Lola was on the floor laying right next to Mac and whispering to him. We were laughing that this is just the beginning to many secrets that these two share. Part of me can't help but think about the future for these two, but then I want to just stop time and not let them get any bigger!

How lucky we are.

Mac Branson

Our little boy was born on May 17, 2012 at 3:08 a.m.

7 lbs. 8 oz.  - 20 inches long

I had been having contractions throughout the day on Wednesday. Dan decided to stay home and we had a wonderful day visiting the midwives one last time, getting some of our favorite treats from Taste, and playing at Comstock park with Lola.

I woke up at 1:00 that morning experiencing pretty strong contractions that were only a minute or two apart, so we called Nana & Bub to come over and headed to the hospital. We checked in around 1:45 and things moved extremely fast. Renata was the midwife on call, which we were so excited about. She came in about 30 minutes after we were in our room, and I started to push just a few minutes later. Dan announced that we had a baby boy and I will never forget the sound of his voice. He was so excited and when I looked at him, he had one of the greatest grins that I've ever seen. I held Mac right away and could not believe how fast everything had happened and that I was already holding this little, perfect boy. He snuggled into my chest right away and stopped crying.

He is such a blessing.



Nana made it to the hospital with a stack of magazines, but saw the flurry of nurses rushing in and out of our room and was told, "A baby is coming soon!" She only had to wait 15 minutes before hearing Mac's first cries.

Nana called Grandma Linda, who was driving from Ellensburg, to update her on our progress, and told her about their grandson. She made it to the hospital to join us in the recovery room and have her turn holding him too! 

 Dan loves this pic of Mac chilling in the nursery when he got a bath and was totally calm the whole time.

Bub was at our house with sleeping Lola, so Nana traded places with him so he could get down to the hospital and meet Mac...soon to be fly fisher and guitar player.

 The big moment...Lola gets to meet her little brother. She was a little overwhelmed at first (probably because everyone had a camera pointing at her) but she warmed up to him right away and is in love with Mac.

 A sleepy smile for Mac.

 His first car ride home.

 The work of two grandmothers: Shopping for their first grandson with their granddaughter. Thank you Nana and Grandma Linda!

 Finally...at home with my kids and loving it.

 First of MANY naps with his little boy.

Day 4. It is amazing how we are all falling more in love with this little boy every day. This morning, we were all in bed together and Mac was sleeping. Every time Lola touched his face, he smiled. She was beaming. I love how much she loves him.

An Aha Moment

Don't get me wrong...I love Pinterest. I finally got an account and was addicted right away. One of my favorite things to do is get ideas of things to do with Lola. I've pinned plenty of them, so I thought I'd better start giving them a try. In this project, the blogger writes that it's a great activity to put out for kids to explore with while you are trying to get something done, like making dinner. I'm not sure if I executed it perfectly, but it lasted about ten minutes. You'll get the general idea from the pictures...

 (Lola saying "ta-da!")

 Ok, so it wasn't a total failure, just not what I was expecting...

My aha moment of the day... going back to basics.

I have done this before. One bowl full of water, one empty bowl, some measuring cups and spoons, and Lola is occupied for literally 45 minutes. Dinner is made, the table is set, Lola has totally enjoyed herself, telling me stories, singing songs, and all the while, filling the empty bowl one spoonful at a time. I love it. I love her.

Bed Time

Lola has been such a dream to put down in the past few months. She is sleeping in her "big girl bed" for naps and throughout the night. Our nap/bedtime ritual includes three books that we pick out together and snuggling for a moment together before she turns to us and says, "Ok, you go be downstairs now." She blows us kisses and smiles as we walk out the door, then falls asleep on her own. This is a small miracle in our house considering I used to nurse her to sleep, then we put her in our Ergo carrier and walked her to sleep, and finally we laid next to her until she fell asleep and attempted to crawl out of the bed and walk across what may be one of the squeakiest wooden floors of all time.

To add to our bedtime bliss, she has made the sweetest comments to Dan and I before we leave her room. Here's just a taste:

"Mama, you go lay down with the baby and I'll cuddle with Lucy now, ok?"

As I hug her goodnight before Dan reads books with her, she's been holding my face and saying "Sweet dreams, Mama. You a sweet Mama."

Last night, Dan cuddled with her for a minute before leaving and said, "Lola, we should say a quick prayer before you go to sleep." She responded with, "God is great, God is good, so we thank Him for our food. Amen."