Adventures in Baby

While Mia never became super attached to any one thing, such as a lovey or blanket, around18 months she began showing signs of a serious obsession with babies.

Rather than frolicking about with the other muchkins her age at play dates, Mia much preferred to sit next to the newest baby in the room and pet their feet, point to their nose, and to the dismay of every adult in the room demonstrate her knowledge of where their eyes were. 

My sweet baby loved sweet babies and it was a good thing considering her world was about to be rocked when we seemingly obliged and brought home her very own.

In the 9 month interim we did some major prep work to prepare our hearts and expectations for what life with a new baby would be like.... it seems like all that work has paid off as Mia can frequently been seen putting her maternal extinct to good practice.

 

Buckling up is essential for daytime travels with Baby

It seems like sunscreen might also be essential considering how much skin Baby is showing.

Once your errands are finished it's probably best to feed baby...

and put her down for a nap.

Tuck her tight with her favorite "guys", as she calls her stuffed animals. The APA now recommends burying your baby under a layer of blanket and loveys at nap time.

While one baby sleeps, use this opportunity to push the other around outside. Maybe next time I'll bring her a blanket in case she gets chilly.

When pushing gets to be too much work take a break and have Mommy help you in the swings.

I just love the wind in my hair

After being outside it may be best to cool off and take a bath in the living room.

Or perhaps a little gorilla observation on G-Da's laptop will do. It's clear from G-Da's face that Baby Ellie is missing out on something exciting here.

Lunch will give you the energy to dig your first baby out of her bed of blankets and get her started on a little activity time under the mat.

When all the baby work starts to seem overwhelming, remember to take it one day at a time and spend some lazy days hanging around in Mommy's bed if needed.

 

 

Waiting On A Baby

Before there was Emma...

there was September...

and more of October than we anticipated spending as a family of three. 

We tried to focus on enjoying our time together, knowing it would never be quite the same once our second bundle of joy arrived. But sometimes, excitement is hard to contain... especially if you are two.

One afternoon I offered to watch our neighbors then 5 month old little girl, while he borrowed John's truck. Mia woke up from her nap before he was back, so I went to get her with Baby Ansley in tow. As soon as I opened the door Mia popped up with the biggest grin on her face, pointed, and in the sweetest voice I have ever heard began excitedly exclaiming.... "Baby Sisser, Baby Sisser, Baby Sisser."

Broke my heart. 

After months of planning and talking and prepping her for Baby Sisser's arrival, the sweet girl could take the wait no more. 

Oh Mia if having new baby's were only as easy as grabbing one at nap time....

The wait was long, but more than worth it, and we tried to have fun in the interim.

While I waited, I did a little jumping with my friends...

Attended some pool party play dates...

Caught up on a little reading...

Had my first play-doh experience...

Did a little shopping...

Visited the butterflies at the Butterfly Farm...

Promptly returned the butterflies that landed on my sugar pad...

Refused to smile in a picture with Mommy to document said butterfly experience...

Took a break long enough to look at the camera while helping Daddy paint...

Quickly got back to work...

Did a little birthday partying at the park...

Got my first haircut...

Sat so still in the chair, mesmerized by movies and animal crackers...

Took the best 1st haircut picture ever...

Went to the pumpkin patch and rode in the wagon...

Had multiple melt downs during what was supposed to be a cute picture taking session...

Became very attached to this wagon of pumpkins and did not understand why they could  not all come home with us...

At least my hair was cute...

Mowed in my dress...

And then took a break...

To practice hanging...

Refused to wear anything with a hood or hat so I went to the Halloween festival at Wake Forest and did some bouncing sans costume...

It turns out you don't need a costume to collect candy...

Or play in the sand with friends...

I practiced my sharing skills...

And watched Nathan bob for toys...

Then we held hands...

And watched the cheerleaders perform...

And got a balloon...

And finally after all that time waiting and trying to keep busy... I got to meet my baby sisser Emma.

Happy Birthday Emma Claire!

Welcome to the world Emma Claire Eanes! It can be a hard place to be, but it's pretty amazing place as well... we can't wait to share all of it with you. We waited a long time for you little one; welcome to our family.

Emma Claire Eanes. 10/25/2012. 7lbs 10oz. 21 inches long.

Headed Home.

I"ll think we'll start with the ball pit and then move on the trampoline... I have so much to show you Baby Sister Emma.

Happy 2nd Birthday Mia!

After much back and forth discussion concerning Mia's birthday...

Should we have a party? Do you think people are partied out? Do we really want to set a precedent of having a party every year at this early age of life? Well, if we have a party it should be low key. Do you understand the definition of low key? (directed at no one in particular I am sure) Well maybe a morning party would be casual... what do people eat in the morning? No, party favors are not considered low key. (again directed towards no one special)



We decided to keep it simple and celebrate the grandeur of the two year-old milestone amongst ourselves and our family. Which, of course prompted more discussion...

Should we go to the zoo? Will the zoo be too hot? How do you nap at the zoo? Would we eat zoo food or pack a lunch? Maybe Great Wolf Lodge would be better. She does love water. How will we all sleep in one room? I hear kids under 3 eat free, that's a great perk.

And so on and so forth.  

Oh, the turmoil of the 2nd birthday. Luckily, for those of us that are indecisive in the family the decision was basically made for us when Mr. Eanes showed up one night after basketball with a broken ankle. If you missed out on that fun, you can read about it here.

A family birthday, consisting of a non-walking but animal theme could only mean one thing... Lazy 5 Ranch. A three mile wagon ride complete with the chance to feed all sorts of crazy looking animals out of your hand... sheer entertainment. I mean honestly, who wouldn't want to spend their birthday with this guy?

For some reason Mia felt uncertain about this guy when he approached the wagon.

All-in-all I would say it was a great day and as every mother before me has already said, sometimes I just don't know where the time has gone. When the days feel long I try to remember; the weeks go by so quickly, the months seem to fade, and the years pass in a blink of an eye. It is our privilege to raise you Mia Kate, we thank God for entrusting us with you!

My first order of 2 year old business was to turn facing forward in my car seat and enjoy a splendid birthday breakfast of biscuits and milk on the way to Lazy 5 Ranch. I love facing forward. The whole time we drove I kept pointing out the other "beep-beeps" and saying "Mia fast".

   

I'll have to admit once we got to the ranch and I saw some of the animals we would be feeding I got a little nervous. Clearly Papa Jim was feeling the same way.

 

Papa Jim's liveliness picked up when our first visitor arrived once we were on the wagon. These guys were really hungry.

I wasn't really into the ostriches, but I thought the white goats looked kinda cute.

Hey Mr. Goat. I'm Mia, today I am 2.

I know, being 2 makes me a really big deal, but don't be scared. I'm nice.

There you go, have some food.

Did you see that Nannie K? That goat ate right out of my hand!

The goats were fun to feed but some of the other animals were a little scary. So, I held on tight to my bucket and then distributed food to the others who wanted to feed the animals.

Some food for you...

And some for you Papa Jim, because there is no way I am sticking my hand in his mouth...

He looks crazy! I'm pretty sure he is past due on a dental visit too.

This guy didn't seem much saner...

The giraffes were nice.

Their necks are so long.

When the wagon ride was over we had some feed left, so we went to the petting zoo area for more distributing.

Patience, patience everyone will get a chance...

Everyone remain calm as the feeding process begins.

There you go, good little goat. Wait your turn now.

Good job everyone... you're doing great.

After a sufficient amount of strange animals licked my hands we headed to the picnic tables for a birthday lunch. Don't worry, Nannie K and Jill scrubbed my hands before I decided to suck on them in this pic.

We drove back home for naps and when I woke up the house was transformed into birthday central... well at least the dining room was.

Yay for being 2!

Mommy thought I might be sad not to have any friends over, but boy was she wrong. I spent the afternoon playing with all my water toys while all of my NC family gave me constant attention.

Hey everybody! Look at me!

I played in my pool and with my water ball and then all of the sudden something wonderful appeared...

My very own bike! I love birthdays!

After the outdoor fun was over, we opened presents! There were so many we had to take a break and eat dinner. I couldn't concentrate on all the fun new toys. Hey, nobody told the birthday girl to wear navy blue!?!?!

So I am really excited y'all are here and all but I think I see cake...

Don't let go Nannie, hold on tight!

I knew I saw cake!

I declare it birthday day, everyday.

I think I'm gonna like being two.