the one with success

We were extremely blessed to have 5 straight weeks of help after Kaia was born.  The Seguine family cared for Zoey the entire week of Kaia's birth.  They loved her and spoiled her and made sure she looked cute every time she visited the hospital.  They also brought us flowers and gifts galore!  Brian took off work for the week of the birth, a time I will always, always treasure and for which I will long. And then my sister Lara came for the following week.  In my opinion, the week following a C-section is worse than the actual C-section.  I can't lift, drive, go up and down stairs, not to mention sleep or sit comfortably.  Lara was a HUGE help and had to arrange schedules for the three boys she left at home, for which I am so, so grateful.  After Lara my mom came and stayed for almost two full weeks.  There is something about a homemade meal by mom that makes everything seem better.  Then Melissa came for two whole weeks (overlapping with my mom for one) and made us tons of yummy food and cleaned my house frequently.  Last came Dianne, Brian's mom, who played and played with Zoey and held Kaia while I napped every day.  THANK YOU for coming and THANK YOU for everyone who helped you and/or allowed you to come.

So, today was my first day alone with the two girls.  The success?  I ran a quick errand with Zoey and Kaia and we all made it home in one piece!  No meltdowns (by me or the girls), no potty accidents, no rude people - just a normal, quick errand out and back.  BY MYSELF.  WITH TWO KIDS.  Please be impressed with my small success.

easter pictures

We were spoiled this year for Easter.  Brian's mom was here, we were invited to a beautiful egg hunt, and we had a special evening with our good friends.

The scenery behind the Bayless's house is, well, scenic.  This is our third consecutive year at their annual egg hunt and they really outdid themselves this time around.  The weather was georgous, the food was yummy, and the hidden eggs were plentiful!  To make it even more special, Zoey was able to hunt for eggs with her grandma.  So fun!

Our dear friend, Cami, helped make our Easter evening very special by helping the Easter Bunny hide Zoey-sized and Kaia-sized eggs all over their living room.  Zoey was thrilled to have a little hunt all to herself and especially loved the note and the stickers from the Easter Bunny.

the one with some thoughts on the month

Today Kaia is one month and we are slowly (ever so slowly) settling into life with two little ones.  I have many thoughts on the past month, the most prevalent of which is, "Where did the time go?"  During Zoey's first year of life it seemed I lamented each passing moment, feeling desperate to hold on to each of them so my baby would stay a baby.  She did not.  With Kaia it seems I have not had one spare second to sit and lament anything, let alone passing moments.  Phone calls go unanswered, emails go unread, naps go unslept, yet I feel like I have no free moments.  So, without much ado, Kaia turns a month old and time keeps slipping away.  WHY, oh, WHY does this make me so sad?  I can't change it, I know, but I really feel like I am grasping to hold on to something that cannot be held.

With all that said, Zoey is the best at getting Kaia to smile.

And, lastly, Brian and I were able to get out for dinner one night while my mom and sister were here to help (more on all our help to follow shortly).