what a ride

This is already a 5 month old blog post! WOW. i have like 10 of these.... stored up as drafts.. as i hash out something in writing at one point, never finding the time to come back and proof read, grammar check etc.  So today i thought i'd just post this one... one that never made it to publish... but reading it i thought what the heck.... imperfect is me and my crazy life that i love these days... so why not post it!

It's just natural that when your second little baby comes along, they don't get just the same amount of attention as the first.  And its true your energy is divided, still caring for the first too.  And that first little child has to learn to share you.  For River, he laid "claim" on daddy, in some way feeling like I'm now mommy to the new baby who needs milk probably seems like constantly.  But he still seems to understand that I love him just as much.  And somehow he doesn't really seem to hurt at all because as this little sister becomes a little person who he worries about every morning, every cry, and laughs with and shares with he seems to know without even understanding, that his little sister made his life so much better.  Its true that most pictures involve you both now, so solo pictures of this second little baby Mercy aren't as many.  But still are many.  And while she is doing all her 'firsts' and your heart is so full of love and joy, your oldest is still doing so many new things too.  While she is sitting up, he is saying words.  Every day is an adventure. And while I wish i could give every bit of attention to both of you. I can't .  But my little girl wakes up earlier every nap time, and we get time just us.  And she often is up later, waiting standing up in her crib wailing until she gets just a few more cuddles and passes out.  Her huge 2 teeth grins, her absolute delight in my face, and constant looking for my gaze tells me she is not lacking.  Yet, here on this blog. its just for her.  Because there still is time for just her.  Apart from her and him.  Apart from the family time.  Time I give just to her. Little Mercy Belle.

Brand new

taken by Lisa Landrie

taken by Lisa Landrie

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

7 Months

8 Months

Mercy Belle is just about 9 months old. Where has this time gone to?

Conversation with a 2.5+ year old

I just wanted to try to start capturing some conversations that are happening around here.  I love probing River's little brain, and listening to his stories and seeing how great his imagination is and all the learning he's storing up inside there.
I wanted to write out some of these so I can see the changes as time passes.  Because it seems like just yesterday he was only saying "ball" 5 million times a day.

I pull up to the university today to run in and pick something up.
River: "mommy, what is this place?"
Me: "this is where I went to nursing school. Its called the university"
River:"i want to go there.....now"
Me: "you can go to university when you are older"
River:"k"
Me:" what do you want to be when you get older River?"
River:" I want to be a I want to be a DINOSAUR when i get older"
Me." O wow, that's pretty cool.  But what do you want to do for a job?"
River: " I want to work"
Me : " Well that's good! What do you want to do for work?"
River: " I want to dig"

And there you have it.  The world could always use more digging I'm sure.

And the proceeds to tell me a story " mom there was a little birdie on that tree and then it jumped and flew over to that tree and then flew away and the snow dropped down. squeal!  " well i love hearing about the birdies that i often don't even take the time to notice at all.