The Summer of the Umbrella

*NOTE*  I have so many fun things to post about from this last summer that I'm afraid my blog is going to be a nonsequential mismash for awhile.

Those of you who live in/have ties to Utah might remember this past summer as being one of the most hot, driest summers we've had in a long time.  Despite that fact, it seemed like we had a lot of awesome rainstorms.

And Bean danced in most of them.

One evening, on the week Boy and I returned home from the hospital, I asked Bean is she wanted to go with me to return some dishes to a neighbor from a fantastic meal we'd received the night before.  I just happened to grab an umbrella because the sky looked a little threatening.  I'm sure glad I did because by the time we reached our destination it was Pouring!!

Bean really wanted to hold on to the umbrella but I convinced her that her "twice-the-height-as-you" mommy should probably carry it.  I promised her, however, that she could play with it all she wanted as soon as we got home.

She took me up on it.  That rainstorm and every rainstorm after.

Sometimes the occasion called for her matching firefighter rain jacket and rain boots.  Sometimes she went as is.  Sometimes she hardly got a drop of water on her.  Sometimes she came inside soaking wet.  Whenever there was even a hint of a rainstorm, she would start asking me if she could go outside and play.  This was perfectly fine with me.  I, too, love playing in the rain.

About The Boy

I remember soon after Bean was born imagining what it would be like in a few years when she was the big sister.  I had such a hard time comprehending how I could possibly have two children, but I imagined it would be something like this (Seriously. I imagined the three of us snuggled up together on my hospital bed while daddy captured a picture of the moment:)

Those first few days in the hospital are such a blur.  I don't even remember taking this picture.

Nine days old:

Having S home in those early weeks was such a life-saver.  I would get to bed relatively early and actually get a full nights sleep before I'd get up at 4 in the morning.  I mentioned in a previous blog how much I loved those quiet, early mornings alone with Boy. 

I think those postpartum blues hit about the same time S went back to work.  Suddenly having 2 little kiddos to take care of hit me like a brick wall.  Plus, I was suddently going to bed at 10 and waking up again at 1 and 4 a.m.  I don't know how breastfeeding moms do it.  I had another meltdown with my mom again.  (incidentally: I'd actually just read this post I linked to not long before I had Boy...so at least I was aware somehow that I'd gotten through those early weeks before.)  Anyway, S was on shift for his first 48 back and I was so exhausted.  Thankfully, they were home this time.  Thankfully, my dad was able to give me a blessing.  Noncoincidentally (in my mind) things really started to improve within a week.

Three and a Half Weeks Old:

I got some terrific advice from my hubby: Just listen to him; he'll tell you what he needs. S may or may not know this, but I repeat that a lot even now. It's funny: you'd think the second time around would be easier, but in some ways it was harder because I knew it became easier to take care of the Bean and I felt very impatient (sometimes still do) that things just felt (/feel) like they are going a lot slower this time. Like, Bean slept through the night at 6 weeks and never looked back. Boy actually slept through his first night at 5 weeks and 1 day. But then the next night he was back up 3 times. That kind of stuff will really mess with you. (Even now he is pretty consistent in sleeping at least 8 hours--but there will be a 2 a.m. arousing every once in awhile. They are so painful!) Anyway, patience has been a well-learned lesson with this little one.


Having the Bean around those early weeks was actually a huge help.  She provided a needed distraction and was/is so sweet with her little brother.  She also loves to read to her animals when she wakes up so she will stay in her room until about 10 in the morning which is a HUGE deal.  Having that time to just deal with Boy and get him ready for the day is such a nice thing.  Of course, as soon as she's out of her room, she has to come help pick out his socks.

Boy 1 month old, Bean 10 days shy of her 3rd birthday:

That time when babies start becoming more alert is such a Magical time.  It's like Bean can be in the other room doing cartwheels and I'd be, like, "Oh, that's nice honey." But Boy follows me around the room with his eyes and I'm, like, "YESSS!!"  (Hey.  Don't judge me.)

4 weeks old:

7 weeks old:

I was lucky enough to catch Boy's first smile on the camera.  We were at Wheeler Farm and my mom decided to play Grandma while the Bean was playing on the slide.  I happened to look down at Boy and there was his first grin!  My father-in-law just told me the other night that babies smiles are a survival mechanism.  Whatever the reason, I sure do love them!  I don't think Bean smiled until after her 1st birthday (she was a serious baby.  But the above photo proves she's made up for lost time.)  Boy is such a flirt!  Particularly when he's having his fussy moments.  I'll be losing my patience and he'll flash me a smile. 
6 1/2 weeks old:

I promised myself that I would give him equal amount of attention that I did when Bean was a newborn.  I've actually done pretty good, but it's different kinds of attention.  He loves to stand up and "dance" on my lap (Bean didn't put weight on her legs till she was, like, a year old.  This kid is going to be a mover...I just have a feeling.)  I played with a lot more toys with Bean when she was a newborn.  This time I just play with Boy.  His favorite?  "Baby Boy is SOOOOO Big!" 

I do, however, have another child to take care of so Boy has had a lot of playtime on the big pink flower we bought for Bean.  (Funny sidenote:  She actually plays with it now far more than she did when she was a baby.)  He loves watching Bean's Word World and Clifford videos that we get from the library.  Oh, and he loves Jeopardy.  No joke.  Makes dinnertime a breeze...plus I have to be getting smarter from all of that useless trivia I'm picking up.
12 weeks:

This little (and I emphasize little) guy has brought more joy into my life than I ever thought possible.  He is such a sweet boy and so full of personality already.  I absolutely love him...



12 Weeks Later

If you ever want to truly know how fast 12 weeks can go, take maternity leave from work.  While I am grateful to have even gotten 12 weeks, paid nonetheless, I could have easily taken another 12. 

When asked how it feels to be back to work, I would say Bittersweet.  S asked me on Thursday (my first day back) how it was going and I said I felt like I could breathe again.  But I would be lying if I said that I didn't think about my family every second I was away.

This summer was such a whirlwind and we did so many fun things that will probably occupy half a dozen blog posts with several pictures each (when I get around to it, of course.)  But if I could summarize our summer in one picture it would be this: