I think he wants someone to read to him...

Tripp has always loved reading but lately can not get enough of it. And of course, mostly can't get enough of the same 5 or so books. It always makes me laugh when he is playing by himself and I hear random phrases from books: "Step on the gas, Bunny Rabbit!" "Break down that door Dudley, shouted Sam!" "Catch that thief, shouted Dudley" (can you tell what author we read a lot around here?). I guess I should not have been too surprised then the other day when I found him laying out a bunch of books for us to read, all turned to the first page. Thankfully, we had the time to read them all!

Happy Birthday Nelson!

I guess Thanksgiving yesterday was important and all, but not nearly as exciting as celebrating Nelson's birthday today! Tripp and I did lots of present wrapping together and I had to be really careful about what I told him each thing was because he has a way of letting people know what is in each package before they have a chance to open it. So thankfully he did not ruin any surprises for Nelson. He was quite the helper when it came to opening presents and by the end, I think Tripp was doing more opening than Nelson was.

We enjoyed some quality time together as a family and had some pumpkin cheesecake to top it all off. It was a great day (well at least for me it was, and I am pretty sure Nelson would say the same thing)!

Cooking Time

One of the hardest things for me in the transition from one to two has been my inability to spend as much time with Tripp as we used to. I miss him! But after he got some cool cooking utensils from Aunt Steph and Uncle James we had to get back in the kitchen to do some cooking together. Nelson's birthday was the perfect excuse! Last night we started the overnight French toast casserole and then whipped up a pumpkin cheesecake. Then this morning we putting the caramel-pecan topping on the French toast and let it cook away. Nelson claims this is his new favorite breakfast item, so I would say it was a hit!

Two Weeks

Two weeks have gone by, and in some ways it feels like forever and that Lily has always been a part of this family and in other ways, the time has flown by and I can't believe that two weeks ago today I was giving birth!! It's been a good week- we took Tripp to school and managed to get there mostly on time, we've had some good naps and good awake time. She loves to eat, a lot and often and when I feel like a human 24-7 diner, I have to remind myself that it won't always be like this. We went to the doctor this week for a weight check, and apparently we both win some kind of award because she gained a pound in a week (I think average is 4-8 ounces)! She left the hospital at 8 lbs 15 ozs and when we went to the doctor a week later, she was 9lbs 15 ozs. I am quite proud of ourselves, if I do say so myself. Now if only having a big baby would mean long stretches of sleeping at night....I have yet to experience that pleasure.

James and Steph came this weekend to meet their little niece, and we had a great time. They cooked some delicious food, provided great entertainment for Tripp and helped out in other ways around the house (like raking leaves and re-hanging a curtain I accidentally pulled from the wall). We were sad they had to go this morning but looking forward to them being back in just about 5 weeks for Christmas. It really does make such a difference to have people visit and help out. It is hard sometimes not to get totally overwhelmed by the day to day of taking care of a baby and a toddler and feeling like you do not have the time or energy to do anything else. So having some good company, good food, and extra laughter does a lot to make your soul feel refreshed!!

Lily also got to meet her great grandfather, and she was the youngest baby he has ever held (including his own kids)! Her middle name is his last name, and both my grandmother and grandfather Green were (and still are) a big part of my life. So while I wish my grandmom could have held her too, it means a lot that he got to meet her and spend some good time together.

I find myself struggling not to wish away this time. It is incredibly nice knowing that there is a time coming when I will sleep again, when I won't always be the only one who can feed her, when I will do my hair again, not smell like milk all the time, and when all the diapering, burping, crying will turn to more playing, laughing, and smiling. But I find myself sometimes focusing more on that than on enjoying these moments together now. I know I will never get them back so I want to try to cherish them, but it is hard for me to do that when this isn't exactly my favorite phase in life. But I just continue to pray that God will give me the strength and grace I need for each day and that I can enjoy sweet time with both my kids through this busy phase of life!

Tripp continues to love his little sister and is quite in tune to her. Last night we were eating dinner, all 7 of us around the table. Everyone was talking and having a good time and it was hard to hear anything else. But all of a sudden Tripp piped up, "Baby Lily's crying, someone better go get her." I had not heard anything at all but sure enough, after a few seconds, I heard her cry and went to get her. He likes to make sure we are on top of things and taking good care of his little sister. He loves to give her kisses and gentle pats on the head. The other day, right at nap time when I was reading to Tripp, Lily was laying on the ground next to us. She started getting a little fussy and he just reached out and held her hand. She was completely content and quiet after that. It was such a sweet moment between the two of them!

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Nelson's birthday this week! I am also very happy he only has a three day work week!

That's all for now!

One Week Old Edit!!

I forgot one very important detail of my last post - the epidural!! I got one, it was great and made the waiting and pushing time no problem!

Thanks Sarah Jo for mentioning that very important part!!!

One Week Old!

I figure since our little girl is already a week old, I should probably dedicate a post just to her! Lily Green came to us (well we made her come to us) on Sunday, November 6th at 2:34 p.m. I was due on the 5th and since the next day my doctor was on call was the 6th, we decided that I should be induced then if she hadn't come already.

I sure am glad considering she was a whopping 9 pounds 7 ounces! She almost set the record for the biggest baby in the fam, but her aunt Ginny still holds that record at 9 lbs 9ozs.

The induction went pretty much as smoothly as possible- as soon as I started getting pitocin, I started having really regular, consistent contractions. So then we just waited and by the early afternoon, it was time to push. She came out with about two pushes and was ready to meet the world! She did have the cord around her neck but apparently that was no big deal and did not make any difference. Or at least the doctor made it seem that way, which is probably in his job description somewhere! I got to hold her right away which was awesome- with Tripp, he had to be suctioned out and examined by the NICU nurses so I did not get to hold him for a while. I will definitely not forget that experience with Lily.

We had some great days in the hospital while Tripp was taken care of by both sets of grandparents. He has loved her since the day she was born, and that has been a huge blessing.

I think the one thing he has shared the most with her is all his germs but I figure that is just the way it will be for the whole winter, so while I am a little bit of a stickler when it comes to things like the stomach flu or fevers, I think I have to give up most control of colds, stuffy noses, coughs, etc. It has been quite an adjustment to get used to not having much sleep but then having to take care of a toddler at the same time, but thankfully we have my family in town, my brother and sister-in-law and then Nelson's mom and sister coming for visits and then Tripp is going to keep going with my mom one morning a week and then to mom's day out two mornings a week, which should hopefully give me some time to rest (or clean or do laundry. Just kidding, that was a joke. I totally understand the importance of sleep)!! Well, speaking of sleep, I am going to go do that now! We love you little (or not so little) Lily and are so glad you are here as a part of our family!

Incredibly Blessed

I have been a bit overwhelmed the past few days, not by the fact that we have a newborn in the house, but by God's faithfulness and blessings that he has caused me to see (since I tend to get wrapped up in things about myself and forget about the fact that everything in my life is because of Him). The list could be really long but I will limit myself to the most prominent things. First, a husband who tirelessly serves his family, even when he is tired, sick and needing a break. He has done countless loads of laundry (more than normal with a newborn since we also have a toddler who has thrown up everywhere a few times in the past few days), washed many dishes, ran many errands, taken the aforementioned toddler and his baby sister to doctors appointments (because that little boy burned his hand just a few days before I gave birth) and more. He does it all without one complaint- he just keeps caring for and loving us. I have parents who are willing to take care of me and their brand new (and sometimes crying) granddaughter at the "Kling Hotel" (their house) because we need to be quarantined while the stomach bug runs its way through our family. I have in-laws who love and care about us enough to drive 20 hours over the course of 48 hours to see their new granddaughter and welcome her into the world (and also bring their grandson probably the best present he has ever gotten). I have siblings (plural cause I am including my siblings-in-law) who love us and are faithful to pray for us during these demanding times. We have friends and a church family who have provided meals, prayers, emails, visits and wonderful pictures of our baby girl for us. I have a son who despite his sicknesses over the course of the week, loves his sister deeply and wants to do all he can to care for her. And of course, we have this new life in our family- little Lily Green who is the perfect addition to family. And yes it is crazy, tiring and sometimes totally overwhelming, I have been able to see God's blessings to us through all of this. And I am incredibly thankful.