Hannah Lou is Two

Well, this mom is slacking over here. As if that should come as a surprise to anyone, right? Nevertheless, here it is- my birthday post a day late for the big two year old girl in our house...

Miss Hannah you are our bright-eyed, mischeif-seeking, smiley little sweetheart. You have an agenda all of your own and you're always on the move to do what needs to be done next. I fear whatever might have been left undone by the two above you, will definetly be completed by you.

You love to dress up and lately you always have a hat on your head and boots on your feet. So much so you won't even let us take the hat off for bed. And while you're dressing up you always wave to us with a glint in your eye and say, "Buh-bye! To-you!" I'm quite certain what you're trying to say is "love you!" And we do love you, my dear. So much!

You climb up on the counters, empty out all the toys in your older sibling's room, pull all the blankets off the beds, and throw things in the toilet. And all with big-eyed innocence and a sweet little smile.

And yet... You are never too busy to stop to cuddle. To rest your head on my shoulder, tuck your hands between us, and wait for me to rub your back. I cherish these moments we share, cozy togehter in the rocking chair, before something new sparks your attention and you take off on your latest adventure.

And with each new adventure life brings your way, I hope you never grow too old for our quiet moments together. For little stolen hugs and sweet smiles. For laughter that comes so freely and happiness that radiates without reserve.

Happy Birthday, my dear Hannah. And yes, I promise- we will have a cake for you.

Our newest member

This was the welcoming committee for baby Adalie who made her entrance into the world a week ago tomorrow. After spending the first part of the week with Auntie Trudy and the second half of the week with Grandpa & Grandma H., they came back home last night. I enjoyed a quiet week just holding the baby, sleeping when I felt like it, and just taking in the newness of this precious little girl. And now it's back to reality, but it's good to have them home too. Lydia especially is really going to be a helper this time around- I'm going to need that!

Miss Princess herself, Hannah, is taking the demotion fairly well. She thinks Adalie needs a hat on continuously since she was wearing one when they visited in the hospital. Being that Hannah carries a baby doll around or pushes one in a stroller the better part of the day, she's quite intrigued by this baby that cries and squirms and makes funny faces. A little too intrigued at times.

Adalie has done what newborns do best most of the week- sleep away the daylight hours and put up a bit of protest about settling down at night. Yesterday and today she's needed to have the billiblanket on her because she's jaundiced. She's not real fond of it and I'm hoping we're done with it by tomorrow.

The week ahead will bring some interesting adjustments which I'm not especially looking forward to. I was able to take off this past Friday from school but I'll have to go back this coming week. Not looking forward to that at all, but I knew it was coming. And we will survive.

And on that note- with the older kids in bed, it's time to cuddle with that baby of mine!