New Slippers

Abby got new slippers last night at the mall.  

She loves them, can you tell?  They are pretty cute.

-and here is a random picture of Lily, taken today.  She doesn't look real thrilled to be having her picture taken.  She was fussing a bit when I was trying to take it.

Update Thursday

Can you believe it has been four weeks?!?!?!? It certainly doesn't seem like it to Matt and me. We've had 2 kids for four weeks already???? Here is an updated picture of Lily, taken today. Does she look different?

Lent

So, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and therefore begins Lent. As an adult, I haven't really given stuff up for Lent, but in the last few years, I have joined a Lenten Study at church. I like the idea of adding something beneficial to your (spiritual) life rather than giving up something. This year, however, our church is doing something a little different and having a church wide study, instead of having a variety of different studies occuring at the same time. I have to admit, I was bummed because I like choosing a study that appeals to me. I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to participate in the churchwide study yet (I have a week to decide).

When I was in college, I had a year that I gave up French Fries, and in high school, often friends at church would talk about different things they might give up. Gum, chocolate, chips, etc.

This year, I am contemplating a combination of adding to and giving up something. Being that I just had a baby, I thought maybe I could use Lent as a time to kick start better eating and health habits. I've slid a little and am not eating as well as I could. I'm pretty desperate right now to get my body into shape, and this may be a way to do it. Kind of like a New Year's resolution. It might also help get me into shape for the summer, which I am sure will be here faster than I know. Summer is my favorite time of year, and yet, it is a season that it is difficult to be out of shape because you simply wear less clothing. I am planning on getting back to Pilates the week of my postpartum appointment, which will also help.

So, is anyone with me?

Old Friends

After joining Facebook this winter, slowly, some of my best old college friends have either found me or I have found them, and I have been able to reconnect with them. It has been nice. It is sad that we have lost touch as much as we have, and yet my memories seem very fresh. I searched for a few pictures of my alma mater for this post. The third picture is of the residence hall that I was an RA- where I met some of the best people. I was just talking with one online today and we both said that we would do college all over again if we could- and that it should last much longer. -except for maybe the class part!  ...Except, you can't go back, so great memories they will be...

Playing

I decided to get out Abby's old activity mat from when she was a baby last night and it was a hit. In all reality, it was my effort to wake Lily up in the evening for a bit so she'd sleep at night. The previous night we didn't do that, and I paid for it. That said, even Abby decided to put her head under there to see what it was like and they had so much fun.... and I got some great pictures.

This is my favorite because it looks like they are just gazing at each other.

This next one was funny because all of a sudden we heard Abby say in a sweet voice, "Lily, stop pulling my hair!"  (and Matt grabbed the camera in time to catch it)  I guess it is starting already!

I think there is a chance Abby had more fun playing than Lily!

Getting Creative with Dinner

Saturday, Matt and I decided to try something fun for dinner with Abby. This isn't an original idea, I've seen it other places but never tried it myself. Luckily, we had just been to the grocery and had some good "snacky" options. It was perfect for grazing while we played and hung out. We filled each section of a muffin tray with a different dinner "snack". I really thought we'd struggle to find things for all 12 spots, but once we got going, we ended up coming up with more ideas than we had spots. Abby loved it, though she wanted to dip EVERYTHING in the Ranch dip that we gave her for her carrots. -and I'm not kidding. She even dipped marshmallows in it!

(nice dress up, huh?)

Five Dollar

So, have you heard the Subway commercial jingle? You know, "Five Dollar, Five Dollar Footlongs!" Well, this is Abby's new favorite sing along. Matt and I just heard her singing while she was playing by herself... "Five Dollar, Five Dollar, Foot Dog".

Random Ramblings

I haven't posted much since Lily arrived, for obvious reasons. My mind doesn't seem to be ready to form complete sentences and paragraphs in written form, but I'm going to try. I have no major topic, just random ramblings.

Today I got my sutures out, which I was really nervous and anxious about. I didn't have sutures with Abby, so they made me really nervous. I was constantly worried that they'd come undone or rip. Isn't it weird, how after your first, you are constantly comparing it to your first? I find myself doing it a lot. So far, it has been a really different experience. One obvious reason is that I've done this before. Beyond that, Lily just seems like a different newborn than Abby was. Abby cried a LOT. Lily fusses some, but doesn't really full-out cry. Nursing seems to be the solution most of the time to her fussiness. I remember feeling like I was constantly nursing Abby and finding it an inconvenience. This time, I just knew it was going to be that way, so it has been easier.

Abby has been a champ of a big sister. We really can't complain. The only time we really have to watch her is when she wants to hug and kiss Lily, because she pulls on her to get her close, but even that has slowed a little in the last few days. I still worry that she isn't getting enough time from me, but I'm trying. It will be better when I feel like I'm getting around better.

Well, speak of the devil, Lily is coming out of her "coma" in the swing, so motherhood calls...

For a laugh

Introducing Lily Noelle

Lily Noelle

born 1-30-09

7 lb. 13oz., 19 3/4 in. long