Tubby time!

It took surprisingly longer for us to give Tori her first bath than Dani. We were so scared with Dani, and it was winter and cold, we filled the bathroom sink with water that was lukewarm and she just screamed--no doubt typical new parent fear of not scalding the baby. With Tori, it took much longer for her bellybutton cord to fall off--perhaps because the latest hospital security trick is to put the baby security button on the cord........so if a baby stealer comest to the hospital, and tries to leave with a baby....hidden baby button will trigger the firing squad or something.

Part of it was that we are now seasoned parents, and know that our little floppy newborn doesn't need baths every day, and we were in no hurry. We totally buy in to our doctor's philosophy that we only need to bathe Tori when she is stinky, because we don't want her to get dried out.
And, we realize that babies only have the "new baby smell" for about 12 seconds, and then they burp or fart or spit up or poop up and ruin it. Then they smell like sweaty, formula cheesy baby. And trust me, the wet washcloth doesn't cut it..so you need to bathe them.

But first, here's Dani....our little sweetie, always loving the bath!

And our little Tori, who was great for her first bath--and is a good baby all the way around. (I guess. Sleep deprived mommy fussy baby rant to follow when I have the energy).

And here she is all wrapped up after her first bath:

**Note for those of you who recall Tori was born on 4/27 and think we waited 3 weeks for a bath...not so. We did the really shallow sponge bathy things at first because she still had the cord after a week and she needed to be cleaned!

Family visit, a Dani guest post.

Hi everybody, Dani here. I had a really fun weekend with Daddy's family. It was a lot of work entertaining so many people, but since I'm the big sister, it's my job. Tori's way too little to play with guests. She just sleeps and eats and cries. Mostly cries. Did I mention the crying?

Everybody wanted to hug me and kiss me, it was like, take a number folks, because they were all wanting some Dani time. They were just lining up for snuggles from me. I let my cousin Justin go first.
I also let my cousins Jason and Justin read books to me. They played with all of my toys with me, too. They especially liked my sit and spin.
I even took them outside and let them play on my new swingset, and shared my ball. I know, pretty nice of me, huh?

I also them to a really cool playground called the Sassafrass. Aunt Angie had fun chasing me around. She couldn't catch me because I can run really fast!
So, I guess it's fair to say, I'm a pretty good hostess. I'm a good big sister too.

And, for sure, I'm the coolest toddler on the playground. But you already knew that.

Which is which?

These pictures were taken at about the same age. The thing I notice first is the sheer size of Big Man's hands in relation to the infant. If the dates weren't on these pics, could you tell which picture was Dani and which Tori?

So big, yet so gentile.
It's amazing how two babies can be so different. For example--Dani, eyes open, missing nothing--powering down her bottle so she could move on to more fun and important things (kinda like mommy). And in comparison--Tori, eyes closed, looking totally relaxed, calm and in the moment, just like daddy. I couldn't really imagine anything but Dani when I was pregnant with Tori. I imagined giving birth to another Dani. But, only two weeks in, it is apparent that they are different in so many ways...some good, some not so good (from an overtired mommy perspective).

I've also noticed that Big Man and I look much older in the 2010 Tori pics than we did in the 2009 Dani pics...

Mother's day.

He wrote

Life is perfect. I love you.

And it is, and he does.

Which makes every day feel like Mother's Day.

1 week stats.

We went to Tori's one week doctor's visit yesterday. She's gained 4 ounces and 1/2 inch, and is now 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 19.5 inches. And the doctor says she's super-strong just like Dani was. She can lift her head and torso and look around with her own strength. Big Man was proud at his ability to produce super babies! Here's Tori all undressed and waiting to be examined.

Tori, hamming it up on the exam table:

And, the weather's been beautiful...took Dani outside today. She has so much fun playing in the yard, picking flowers and playing on her swingset.Looking forward to a laid back family weekend!

Yum-O!

I have to pass along a super yummy drink that I recently tried. It's cheribundi! The nice folks at cheribundi contacted me and asked if they could send a sample of their tart cherry juice. Of course, I said yes, and they sent me a 4 pack.

All I can say is that it rocks! It is like drinking a cherry pie. And it's tart, like cherries should be and not sugary. All in all it's really good and good for you--Dani loves it.
It also is carried locally at Hannaford, so I'm psyched I can get more. If you want to read more about it you can go to: http://www.cheribundi.com/

Happy drinking!

My crazy kids.

Super fun toddler:

Super mellow new baby

Tired mommy and daddy. Tired, but happy.

The good, the bad, and the baby... a Dani guest post.

Hi everybody, Dani here. I thought I would fill you in on all that's been going on at my house. First, my mommy left. She just left me and daddy for almost a whole week. It made me sad. She came back, though. And she's been home with me and daddy and it's fun to spend so much time with her.
She also brought something home with her. A baby. I'm not sure what I think about this yet. So far, it seems like it's a lot more work for me, and to be honest, I'm not sure I'm seeing the upside.

When mommy first got home, she tried to hide the baby from me but I found her. Mommy's not very good at hiding things. Well, I guess she hid this baby in her belly for a long time, so maybe she's okay at hiding some things. See, I found her in the crib.

It wasn't hard to find this baby because I just had to listen for the crying.

The baby's not very much fun. All she does is sleep all the time. And, I have to be on my best behavior. I'm not supposed to touch her, or rock her swing for her. Sometimes when daddy's not looking I rock it anyway though. Don't tell daddy, but she likes it when I rock it really fast. I tried to show daddy where the baby's eyes were, and her nose, but he told me not to poke her. I tried to show him I could do it gently but he wouldn't let me. Meanie.

It's not fair because she gets to have as many bottles as she wants. And, daddy and mommy hold her practically all the time. Mommy won't even lift me up--she says her belly hurts and she can't but I think the baby just made her lazy. And daddy, he's all like "no", "no", "no" whenever I do anything fun. Even the kitty won't play with me anymore...he hides upstairs all the time. I don't blame him.

Anyway, this baby's name is Tori. She doesn't answer when I try to talk to her...seems kinda stuck up to me.

There are a couple of good things about having a new baby in the house. I get to watch TV. Mommy and daddy let me watch Sprout lots, and I sing and dance with Elmo and the Wiggles. Also, lots of people come to visit and play with me! Even the visitors know I'm way more fun than the baby is.

Today, after lunch, mommy let me put the baby on my lap. She's really little. And red. And squirmy. And warm. Not that cute though. I looked at my baby pictures and I was way cuter than she is. I'm just a cute kid, what can I say.

Having a baby around is hard work. I have to help get things for mommy, like diapers and blankets. (Why did I ever show them I understood what they were saying?) I have to spin the mobile in the crib so the baby won't cry. It's hard work. I think I'm going to have to negotiate an allowance, because I guess I have to train this baby--I'm going to teach her to be just like me. But since she's the little sister, she has to do whatever I say. Them's Dani's rules.

I'm hoping that the baby will be able to play with me soon. She sleeps more than the cats. Boooooring.

Mommy says I have to take a nap now. Bye bye!

Dani kisses.

Kisses for the baaaay-bee.

Welcome Tori!

On Tuesday, we welcomed Victoria Jane (Tori) into our world. She's a little peanut at 7 pounds, 3 ounces and 19 inches.

What an amazing, amazing few days.

I'm so filled with emotion and have so much to say and describe about the past few days, but need to get home and rest first.

I get to go home tomorrow, and Dani will meet her little sis. I can't wait to see that. I can't wait to see Dani, who I've been missing like crazy! Can't wait for the first few minutes of the realization that we are a family of four and we are all together. You are looking at the snuggliest, mellowest baby ever. Pure bliss. I think she even poops rainbows.

I scream. You scream.

We all scream for ice scream. Dani had her first ice cream cone today.

Just like with the birthday cake, she wasn't nearly as excited or messy as I hoped she be! Enjoy the video grandpa:

One week to go.

Dani will officially relinquish her baby status in one week. My c section is scheduled for next Tuesday at 7:30am.

Meanwhile, Dani's talking up a storm. This video (ignore the Wiggles in the background) highlights Dani's favorite word (Daddy), something she says a million times per day, along with kisses for Daddy, stuffed animals, the cats, and almost everything in the house (except Mommy). It also shows the awesome hugeness of my belly!

New baby coundown begins!

Grandmas are great, a Dani guest post.

Hi everybody, Dani here. My grandma and my great-grandma came to visit this week. It was really fun. Grandma taught me lots of new stuff. I learned how to do summersaults, go down the stairs, say lots of new words, and to give hugs. Great-grandma let me play with her cane. And, grandma let me do lots of stuff that mommy and daddy don't let me do...that was the best part.

Grandma let me hold my own cookies, and didn't care if I made a mess.
I got to have a lollipop and didn't have to share!

We spent a lot of time outside on my swingset--and unlike mommy, grandma didn't complain that I was hard to pick up because grandma's belly isn't big like mommy's.
And grandmas are good at taking walks. Aunt Renny and Chantal came on today's walk too.

Grandma even let me play with rocks and dirt and didn't care that I got all dirty.

Grandmas are WAY more fun than mommies and daddies. I sure hope they come back soon!

4 Generations of B

My mom and grandma are visiting and Big Man is enjoying the estrogen-fest. Yes, 4 generations of B, in one house. Mom, showing Dani how to properly sit and spin:

Great-grandma (who turns 90 this June) and Dani on the swing:

Dani, sitting on Daddy's motorcycle for the first time....not so excited.

And, Grandma, who in one day, has taught Dani to go down the stairs, and do summersaults:

Through Daddy's eyes.

I uploaded pictures out of the camera tonight, and found these (and a bunch more) where Dani and I were the subject. It took me a minute to figure out why they were so hazy, but noticed in one of the many, the mudroom windowframe, where Big Man leaned over to take them. What was he thinking, I wonder. Seeing his girls playing in the yard? Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones, but it really made me wonder what things are like from a dad's perspective when he's got only girl children, or only boy children, or both. Does having just a wife and little girls make you feel more pressured? Like the protector, or papa bear? Does it bring out a more tender, gentle man? Or is is harder to be the father of boys? Do you feel the pressure of raising little men, like their masculinity is somehow reflective of your parenting? Big Man has always been the strong, but soft spoken type, but watching him parent Dani I am so often moved by just how tender and gentle and loving he is with her--it is a blessing.

I know it sounds silly, but finding these pictures tonight just made me feel loved. I mean of course, I know I'm loved. But, quiet, Dani-free moments to catch your breath and just relax are so few and far between for Big Man. I try to give him as many of them as I can, but the more pregnant I get, the less I can do. And, she and I are outside playing, and instead of relaxing, he's taking pictures of Dani and me, through the hazy window. And, so we've got a few pictures of her discovering her slide and swingset, and just enjoying her first spring as a little, walking person (and me, in my maternity clothes, looking like I just might pop out a baby or three any second).
Ruth, our occasional sitter, who is a wonderful stay at home mom to two elementary school kids, bought Dani an Easter outfit, and surprised us by dressing Dani up and doing her hair on Thursday when Dani was at her house. We're really lucky. We've got a woman who cares for only our child, with no notice, and in any state, sick or healthy, and who treats Dani like a member of the family. They call to ask if Dani can come over to play just because they love having her around. It's really great to have someone like that who can help us out and who takes such care of our baby girl. I'll put more pics on facebook, but you can see the litle ponytails in this one, and the cute dress. Dani was not into hamming it up, so I needed to jingle some keys so Big Man could snap a pic.

When I took the ponytails out, I had some fun combing out Dani's hair. This is her Bride of Frankenstein look.

Grandma and Great-grandma are coming to visit Sunday! Can't wait. OB visit today predicts baby2 to be 7.5 pounds at delivery. Name TBA.

Easter weekend.

Took Dani to an Easter egg hunt yesterday. She wasn't so interested in actually finding any eggs--as she found a balloon that was much more interesting! She did look like a girl--with a dress and hairband--for two whole days!

We tried to get some outside pics while she was dressed up.

We went to Renny & John's for Easter dinner. Dani=not so into wearing bunny ears.

Dave brought his cat on a leash, which was big hit.

Yummy food; fun with family; beautiful weather. Great day.

Baby Street Justice II: Wrath of Dani.

Remember when Dani had her run-in with Captain Caveman baby? It was street justice, baby style. At the time, Dani was only 6 months old and Captain Caveman baby was 1 year. If you would like to see that play date gone wrong, click here: http://betsyboothhill.blogspot.com/search?q=caveman

Tonight, they met again. Older and wiser, perhaps. Captain Caveman toddler, stocky, but shorter than Dani...and soft. Her mom told me she had a pair of baby high heels. Yep. Baby high heels. Dani, who spends days with her daddy learning lots of skills, which do not include walking in heels, but may include football moves, was ready for some fun.

There were two big balls in the yard. It was a beautiful afternoon. There were two toddlers. One would think two toddlers, two balls, perfect...or so we thought.

Dani had one of the balls.

Captain Caveman toddler wanted Dani's ball. Captain Caveman toddler took Dani's ball and made her fall down go boom.

Dani, lighter, faster, smarter, took the ball back with her superior agility and ran with it.

Round 2: Dani wins.

Score: Dani 1; Captain Caveman toddler 1.

In all honesty.........when they weren't chasing after balls, they were eating goldfish, and running around and having a blast. Dani shared her sippy cup, and they fed each other goldfish--at one moment they were feeding each other goldfish and it was like a wedding scene (and of course my camera batteries died!) where the bride and groom feed each other at the same time.

Dani's rarely around other toddlers, and the 6 month age difference is so much less noticeable after the age of one (and when one of the kids is a caveman). She's going to love her little sis.

OUTSIDE!

This is what happens when you say the word "outside" at my house: A certain someone named Dani is obsessed with going outside. There's SO much cool stuff to look at...sticks, cars, cigarette butts on the ground, dogs, dog poop, flowers! And tonight's find, a fire hydrant! It was like a Dani magnet. She was absolutely fascinated by the hydrant, and despite my best efforts, kept dragging me back to it.

(love those front teeth!)
She also went down the slide for the first time today. Big fun. And another first--she climbed up the entire staircase this morning and at bed time. Much easier on poor, pregnant mommy than having to carry her. She thinks it's a blast!

Watering can--another big hit, as was the dirt in our flower boxes. My mom's coming to visit with my grandma on the 12th. Mom offered to plant my flower boxes when she comes. Hmm. A nice thought but I predict that, unless Dani has a really green thumb, they will be dead from lack of care by May 1 due to the new addition. So, we will have to find another project for the grandmas.

My camera battery died just as I got Dani to actually wear the sunglasses.

Trust me, it was mighty cute!

Gail and I went to see a medium last night--it was our second visit. Really interesting; lots of things she said last time were dead on. Example: the moment she said hello to me in November, she asked, "Have you ever thought about becoming self-employed?" and went on to make a number of predictions about my career...which, well, happened. She provided more detail last night and I can't wait to see if it happens.

She also predicts that this baby will be "masculine" and quite the tomboy. She said that Dani will be our girly-girl, and this new one will be playing ball in the back yard with daddy. When I asked her about the potential for baby number 3 to be a boy (should we give it a go) and she said that the little tomboy I'm carrying will be the closest thing we will get to a boy, no matter how many times we try. Unfortunately, Big Man has not yet accepted this to be sufficient proof that he shoots only x chromosomes to rule out another attempt...

Had another babydoc visit today. I've heard a ton of comments that I look much bigger this time than I did with Dani, but I had them look it up and my belly is measuring the same size this week as it was with her...and I'm 7 pounds lighter than I was at this time with Dani. Believe it or not, according to the doc, I am officially up two pounds from my 7 week visit. Yep, just two, which sounds impressive but I was kind of a fat bastid at the outset, so it really means I haven't reached circus freak proportions. I've got 3 weeks to go...bring on the ice cream! :) Speaking of ice cream, I can't wait to give Dani her first soft serve cone--soon!