5 Weeks

Five weeks have already gone by. Annelise is gaining more control of her body and loves to watch the people around her. She is also growing out of her 0-3 month clothes!

Multi-Tasking

Sometimes you just have to get things done. I found Randy combining what he loves to do (cuddle with Annelise) and what he has to do (answer e-mails from his students). Parenting sure does require the ability to multi-task!

Cleaning Help

Next week we have moving companies dropping by to give estimates for our move this summer. Little by little I'm trying to get through some closets to get rid of stuff. This afternoon Danny was "helping" me clean out the clothes in his closet. Look what he found!

Big News!!!

To any parent of a newborn this is big news! Annelise slept through the night last night. I'm sure it won't be consistent, but I'm hoping she'll start making a habit of it in the next few weeks (especially when I go back to work). Her last feeding last night was at 10pm and I didn't hear from her again until 5:30 this morning. Yipee! (This sleepyhead picture was taken last week.)

Wayzgoose

Wayzgoose is a festival that the University puts on each April. There is some historic meaning behind the name (Renaissance?), but now it is all about fun! We met up with many neighbors and friends and the kids especially liked the petting zoo and the bounce house.

I love the picture of Danny trying to brush the goat as it is running away (smart goat!). The bounce house was great because the guy running it didn't really care how long the kids were in it...I think we were there about half an hour, with no injuries!

The Wonder of a Pacifier

Annelise loves her pacifier. She wants to suck herself to sleep, so it is either me or the pacifier...if she has just eaten, the pacifier wins. Danny never took one of these, so it is pretty interesting to watch Annelise discover its purposefulness. This picture shows Annelise settling in for a nice nap (as you can tell, she also likes to be swaddled!).

Successful Outing

Today was the first longer outing I've taken the kids on (without Randy or some other help). A trip to Target to get their portrait taken and lunch out. Other than some whining (typical of Danny at mid-day), everything went very smoothly! I'm making the adjustment to two kids...one step at a time!

Four Weeks and Thriving

Annelise is four weeks old today! I took her to the doctor to check her umbilical hernia (she's fine), and she weighs 11 lbs 14 oz. She's thriving!

Burps and Spit Up

Annelise is quite the burper. Here is a late-night shot of Annelise and Randy. Notice how alert she is (Randy and I were ready for bed!).

Graduate Community

On Saturday evening we had an egg hunt and BBQ potluck with the neighborhood families. Over 35 people (including kids) showed up at the park. It was so fun to watch Danny play with his buddies. Since Annelise has been born, he hasn't been able to play with his friends as much as normal, so he had a blast! Randy and I had a great time, too. These events are much more relaxing now that Danny can entertain himself, so Randy and I were able to visit with friends (Annelise slept!).

The time with our neighbors made us realize how much we are going to miss this community when we move to Maryland. Graduate housing is such a unique environment. We all are in the same boat, figuring out the same things. Us spouses are all trying to get our partners to get through, so we can move on with our lives. Now it is time to move on, and I'm sad about leaving. I'll have to work harder to make good friends and find kids that Danny and Annelise can play with. After 7 years, though, it is time.

More Easter Festivities

The weekend was filled with Easter fun! Graduate housing hosted an egg hunt on Saturday morning. On Saturday evening we had an egg hunt and BBQ potluck with the neighborhood families. It was so fun to watch Danny play with his buddies. Since Annelise has been born, he hasn't been able to play with his friends as much as normal, so he had a blast! On Sunday we had another party at someone's house. Four egg hunts in all! I think it will take Danny all week to recover from the sugar and activity of the weekend!

Not Enough Kisses

Randy and I were talking last night about the amazing love a parent can have for their child. It is pretty remarkable. I have never felt resentment towards Danny (or now Annelise) for the tasks that are required to keep them cared for. Considering how much time and energy is needed to keep them fed, dry, clean and happy I am amazed that the feeling of resentment hasn't crept up on me.

Also...the love...wow! This morning as I was holding my daughter (at some ridiculous hour), I began kissing her soft little head. There are not enough kisses in this world to express how I feel for her. And Danny, at 2 1/2, still conjures up the same feelings for me. On the way home from L.A. this afternoon both kids fell asleep in the back seat, and Randy commented how perfect they are. Parenthood is incredible!

Annelise at Three Weeks

She's three weeks! Annelise is getting up 1-2 times in the middle of the night for a feeding (depending on how late her last feeding is!). She is becoming more and more alert, although she still likes to sleep a lot. Her little body is starting to stretch out more, adjusting to being in the spacious world. The weather has been great, so she has gotten to wear some of her cute little dresses.

Easter Egg Hunt

Last weekend we went to a community egg hunt. This was Danny's first, and he had such a great time. As he gets older, Randy and I are having more and more fun experiencing these kinds of things with him. The enthusiasm of a two-year-old is unmatchable. As you can see, it was Annelise's first egg hunt, too. She slept through the whole thing!

Annelise at Two Weeks

I forgot what it was like to have a newborn in the house. Sleepless nights, unexplainable (or so it seems) crying, extended periods of cuddling, and an unbelievable feeling of love for this helpless creature.

Annelise is amazing. She is growing so quickly and becoming quite strong. The night she was born she was lifting her head, and when we brought her home from the hospital, she was already rolling onto her side. Now she tries to look at the faces of those who are speaking, moving her head in the direction of the noise. Her brother, Danny's voice is what she is constantly looking around for. Their bond is already quite remarkable.

An Outlet for Jen

I've decided that I need an outlet to discuss our family life with my family and friends. I can't guarantee that I will update regularly, but I will try to put pictures up of the kids and let everyone know what is going on.