I love baby smiles!!!

We're starting to get a few small smiles from Aimee.  The reflex sleepy smiles are sweet, but there's something special about a real smile...the ones you have worked for.  And it's even more exciting when I'm ready with the camera!

 

Little Mama

Several people told us (and we ourselves assumed) that once Aimee was born, Kara would become a little mommy.  Well, it was kind of true.
At first, Kara was all over Aimee.  Trying to comfort her if she was crying, trying to get her out of the crib (yikes!), and wanting to do the feedings and diaper changes.  This was all cute, but it was also a little terrifying.  Kara just lacks a certain amount of gentleness and coordination.  We were on edge and felt like we were constantly correcting her or denying her requests.  I guess Kara picked up on that because she began to lose interest in Aimee.
Aimee could still participate in Kara's games... after all, she got to play the part of Flounder when Kara was the Little Mermaid.  But for the most part, Kara realized that Aimee wasn't quite ready for her.

However, Kara has not lost her desire to be a mommy.  She has just redirected her efforts to all of her stuffed animals and dolls.  She gives them diaper changes, swaddles them in blankets, and puts them in Aimee's empty bassinet to sleep.  She gets the Baby B'jorn and carries them around the house (she can stuff about 4 animals into it at a time).

Our awesome neighbor gave me a Moby wrap, so we had to make one for Kara using an Ace bandage.  Here she is caring for a baby elephant.

But the funniest thing was when she decided to breastfeed her toys.  That was a moment I wasn't prepared for.  Even though I have fed both of my babies in this way, and I'm a dietitian which means I completely advocate breastfeeding, I felt like it was awkward and a little wrong to watch Kara pretend to do that.  But I have since gotten over the shock, and Kara's animals and dolls are all well-nourished and seem to be developing a great bond with her :).

Here are a few pictures of Kara and Aimee playing well together:

Kara is encouraging Aimee during tummy time.

 Kara and Aimee both mesmerized by the star that makes music and lights up in different colors.

Three Weeks

Well, we've just about made it three weeks as a family of four. Aimee made it through her two week appointment with no major issues. She is still feeding 2 to 3 times at night, which is still keeping Ashley and I from having good rests (not that we are sleep deprived). We've had a lot of family up, which has been really great (we are especially grateful given the distance they all have to travel).

Kara is adjusting fairly well. There are a lot of rules surrounding Aimee, so we have started encouraging her to protect Aimee and use gentle actions. This seems to have a better effect than just giving her lots of rules to not break.

I will be heading back to work this coming Monday. I worked 3 days the week after she was born, but now I will be more or less back to work, except for any unforeseen tough times that may arise around the house. My mom is coming up this coming week, so we will have one more week of two adults at home to help our transition to two kiddos. We have figured a few things out (getting Kara to bed on time, grocery shopping will need to be a two parent affair, we will be buying a minivan, etc) - but there are loads more that we know we need to get a handle on (traveling with the dogs and kids, keeping up with chores and the kids, how to have a date night, and raising up kids to be adults who know who God is).

Picture time:

Sisters meeting

Resting at the hospital

Beeba, Mom and Papa Jim

Fithian Family of Four at home

Papo and the new sisters

B and Aimee

One week birthday party

Waking from a nap

Carson and Aimee meeting

Grub buddies

Clean baby

 

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Aimee Christine

This is Aimee.

Aimee

She was born on July 1st, at 10:42 AM. She was 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 inches long at birth. Ashley and Aimee are both healthy and doing well. Big sister Kara couldn't be more pleased with Aimee.

Our new addition

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The Waiting is the Hardest Part

38 weeks.  It's about that time.  Just waiting.  Twiddling our thumbs.  Wondering if every little contraction or pregnancy weirdness means we'll get to head to the hospital.  But no.  Not yet.

The hardest physical part of this pregnancy was being so extremely tired all of the time, but the hardest emotional part has been patience during these last weeks.  Kara came at 37 weeks, setting an expectation of early delivery.  But 37 weeks came and went.  So, now what?  I mean, obviously, this pregnancy has to end soon.  It's just hard not knowing when. 

I've actually started browsing the Internet trying to be aware of ALL the signs of labor.  Browsing the Internet is not a typical habit of mine (especially looking at chat forums), and I feel it shows a little bit of desperation.  People say some really crazy and wrong stuff on the Internet, but at least I know I'm not alone in my lack of patience.  I promise I'm not going to try any of the weirdo stuff people post to get labor started.    Personally, I'd rather wait.

Even Kara is starting to lose patience.  Most days she asks, "When is God going to let Baby Aimee come out?  I want her to be here now."  It's really precious.  I don't know what Kara is expecting from Aimee, and we have tried to be as honest about babies as we can (they cry, they take Mommy's attention, they can't play yet, etc), but she is still excited and wanting to be a Big Sister.  She has even made little videos for Aimee telling her how much she loves her.  Kara is truly a Fithian.  That sweet nurturing side did not come from me.

Please be praying for us to have joy in waiting and to use this time well.

Here is one of Kara's videos.  You can tell it was made on the iPad.

  

A little entertainment

Last week Kara was a ballerina. Leotards, tutus, and ballet slippers were a daily necessity for both Kara and myself. Ballerinas are meant to be sticks not 35 weeks pregnant, so I was able to get away with just wearing my regular clothes with a pair of house slippers, and usually one of Kara's tutus on my head. Whatever works.

This video was taken from our Rock Ballet. Kara prefers Stevie Nicks to the Nutcracker.

So many messes, so little time (to clean them)

This is a tired third trimester mommy.  If I could stay in bed for half the day and read books or watch movies, I would.  In fact, "tired" is the overall word I would use to describe myself during this pregnancy.  I can't count how many times people have asked how I am doing, and that is my answer.  It's a bit depressing.

So, since Mommy doesn't feel like running to the park or doing errands, Kara and I have just been making messes in the house.  I usually get them picked up by the time Lee gets home, but I'm amazed by how much we can take out in such little time.  And of course it's much easier to take stuff out than it is to put away.

Here are the fruits of our messes over the past 24 hours:

First, Kara gave me a pedicure.  She picked out the color (sparkly blue) and went to town.  She actually spent a lot of time getting it just right.  However, I am currently having a difficult time reaching my toes due to my belly, which means I can't touch them up or remove the polish without assistance.  I wore closed toe shoes yesterday.

Then we made brownies from scratch.  Kara measured, and whisked, and poured, and spilled, and tasted, and tasted, and tasted.  She decided that individual ingredients like cocoa powder, flour, and baking powder hurt her mouth, but chocolate chips and batter are good for eating.  By the way, the end product was delicious.  Seriously, I'm about to go eat another one.

Next, we made pesto!  Here is a picture of Kara (with the help of Baby Jim) drying the basil and spinach leaves.  This was a less messy project until Kara started tasting again.  She seemed to enjoy the pesto as much as the brownie batter.  Her face and shirt were bright green when we were finished.

Last, we made tulips.  I was feeling pretty lazy and uninspired, so I gave Kara an egg crate and some paint pens.  My initial thought was, this should give me 10 minutes.  But while Kara was coloring the crate she started singing "We're Painting the Roses Red" from Alice in Wonderland.  I thought, hmmm...we could totally make those into flowers.  So we cut them out, put stems in them, and stuck them in a vase.  What an easy project!  And they turned out well enough that some very lucky grandmas might be getting a few for Mother's Day.