June Babies are some of the best!

We didn't mean to bring home two babies in June but somehow we did and they are both perfect additions to the family.

This afternoon I had just finished nursing Sydney (yes, I'm past six months and goin strong!) I was relishing the sweetness of a just nursed baby cuddle up to mommy when my other baby insisted on joining. He often does this but it never ceases to make me smile.

Three June babies snuggled up in one chair.

Sleeping Monster

Possible I've created a monster because I can't seem to get a certain someone to take good naps unless she is in my arms :)

iLearning

Woohoo!!! I finally have apple devices and most importantly the iPhone. I'm embarrassed by how little I've blogged since having sweet Sydney but I do at least have a baby book for her. Now that I have this fabulous app I intend to do much more posting!

Today is the first day of Christmas break and right now I've got Sydney sleeping soundly on the boppy and miss Abney napping upstairs. It is such a blessing to have my girls snug and safe with me as we enter the holiday. After last weeks devastation at new town elementary school it is even more precious as we remember every moment should not be taken for granted.

Another sweet moment to remember is catching Abney playing with her stuffed animals and using her imagination. She was embarrassed when she saw me and asked me to go back in her room. I may need video monitors just to watch. :) and in Sydney news she had her first taste of real food! Mushed up banana purée which sounds easy but I was never confident enough to do that for Abney so I'm really proud of myself so far! We've been 100% breast milk and so far only homemade baby food. Doing my best to keep it up :)

Maternity Leave Left

Where has the time gone?  Has it really been 12 weeks since my little angel entered this world?  The calendar seems to think so and I have officially returned to work.  Thankfully I have the greatest boss I have ever worked for and he is supporting me working from home this week to "ease back in."  Not sure there is anything totally easy about going from spending pretty much every moment of the day with your greatest joy to taking any time away, but so far so good.

Today she will actually be going to the office with me.  We are meeting the Newell lactation consultant to receive my hospital grade pump gear and a quick lesson in how to use and how to access the rooms. Afterwards we are going to lunch with my entire team.  I'm bringing my computer and going to see if we are able to get anything done there today, I figure with that many hands wanting to love on her I can get the "welcome back" meet and greet done today so when I'm in the office next week it is not quite as interrupted day by day.

Both girls are sound asleep right now and I've just finished my morning coffee and breakfast.  I know that in the long run I am excited to get back to my routine and to have time to myself where I can challenge and grow professionally, but I must say that it is bittersweet not getting to plan my day around their schedules and how we will play together.

The time really has flown by and it is sadder to me this time than with Abney simply because I have a greater understanding and appreciation for the value of time.  This time has now passed and I will never again have Sydney as an infant with days and nights blending and all our time spent managing more clothes changes for me than her and some of the sweetest smiles you've ever seen in between.  She is a doll and I look forward to the next phase as she continues to grow and seek her independence, but it is sad to see this phase now behind us.

Now more than ever I am working to relish the moments and try not to sweat the small stuff that in the end just doesn't matter.  God has blessed me with these precious angels and it is my honor to soak up every minute we get together...now have to find a few minutes to update our blog a bit more often! :)

Four Weeks

Sydney Cade - Four Weeks

Abney Rae - Four Weeks

Three Weeks

Abney Rae - Three Weeks

Two Weeks

Sydney Cade - Two Weeks

Abney Rae - Two Weeks

Interesting to see these girls side by side and how much tinier Abney was at this time.  We ended up at the doctor's office on this day for Sydney so I know she was 7 lbs, 14 oz.  Abney was only back to her birth weight at this point which was 7 lbs, 2.8 oz.  She was a scrawny little nugget!  The joys of the second time around and having my milk come in early is having a healthy size baby and no fears about her weight gain as Sydney is currently right on schedule. :)