end of this week...

Today has been a good day, the right mix of productivity and relaxed time enjoying the simple things. John, Hava, and I went for a walk before dinner and ended up being outside for almost an hour--the longest time outdoors since Havilah was born. I miss being able to go outside and am so glad for cooler weather right around the corner. I'm even planning a hike for my birthday next week, something I certainly never considered a "special event" before moving to Phoenix. Shortly after we got home from our walk, the sun set in brilliant, bright colors--to the tune of football game band music at the high school across the street. The air, the colors, the feelings are all different, but I guess autumn does come even to Phoenix. Living out of my comfort zone does stretch my mind and my soul...and I'm grateful for that.

P. S. Congratulations to Jason, Elizabeth, and Cambria. And Little One, you are loved already--welcome!

slinging

Hava loves her baby sling, also known as "the sack." She can quite happily stay in there for hours while I'm taking care of John, running errands, or doing housework. Billy and I both "wore" her this morning. She stayed asleep when I transfered her to the bed--still in her sack.

Havilah cuddles with her cozy blanket from Grandma (Honeycutt).

John tries on my old glasses for fun. (-:

I'm thankful for...

• homemade bread--and the smell it leaves in the kitchen
• moments when both of my children are peacefully sleeping
• clean laundry that is also put away (sometimes it happens!)
• Billy's job and the fact that he enjoys his work
• Duplos, blocks, train tracks, balls, and all of the other toys that fill John's days with delight
• candy, ice cream, and peanut butter
• friends who understand when I'm slow to return their phone calls, and who also understand that it is no reflection of my love for them
• two healthy children with equally healthy appetites (John ate at least four banana muffins today--in addition to pounds of other food--go John!)
• my washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher; I would be one stressed out mama without their daily help
• my job which allows me to stay at home with my babes while stimulating my mind
• all the family that has already slept in our living room and the family that is still making plans to do so
• the Phoenix evening skies
• air conditioning (we've just dipped below daily 100s--hooray!)
• my shower. I love my shower.
• clean water and a full fridge
• library books
• Autumn's arrival in a couple of days
• God's patience
• that He is in control and knows the future
• a beautiful new babe

Being the second born child...

is harder than it looks. Just ask Havilah, who is contemplating all the extra love and...ahem...attention she receives as the second baby:


It's hard to relax with a unicorn on your head, especially if you can't figure out how it got there in the first place.

And then there are the tender moments when your big brother wants to hold you (never mind that it's holding by the head).

But it's just plain cruel to attempt to roll you off his lap when he's through.

Aha! Maybe this is why John is never left alone with Hava. Of course, it could also be his desire to share grapes with a three week old. (-:

beautiful

I caught Havilah smiling on camera today! Ok, so it probably wasn't an intentional smile since she's just three weeks old, but then again, she is a fairly responsive girl.

Havilah is still as sweet as can be. We are enjoying the beautiful addition to our family--and she is just that: a beautiful girl who adds to the family.

Some of her favorite things

Here's the latest on Hava:

Favorite thing to do: eat

Second place favorite thing to do: eat again!

Thing that makes her most upset: getting interrupted while she's eating

Second place thing to make her upset: getting squished by John

Method of communication: grunts and groaning, plus a very occasional cry

Coolest trick: can move her head all around, even when on her tummy. Tonight she was looking at me while lying down and Billy came behind her and started talking to her. She turned her head over and scanned his face as he talked.

Second coolest trick: always knows to save her full bladder for when mom pulls off the diaper. There's nothing like peeing in the open air! she thinks.

Third coolest trick: sleeps well in the night. (ok, maybe this is really first place!)

Claim to fame: her name can be pronounced in approximately twenty different ways. Big brother John has no such bragging rights!

Possible future claim to fame: voice impersonations. She makes all kinds of peculiar noises; sometimes I think that noise came from her?!?

Sweetest feature: her tiny, soft head.

Second sweetest feature: her cute little chin, which compliments her cute little mouth.

Motto: go with your instincts. ha! Watching her first half a month of life, I am reminded that tiny babies are only instincts. Though it is nice to think her post-snack smiles reflect her satisfaction with the meal. (-:

Weight: (only when you're a baby is this a positive thing to tell the world about...) As of Tuesday, she was 8 lbs 15 oz. Way to put on the weight baby!

Height: 1 ft. 9.25 in.

Latest development: her cheeks are getting just slightly chubby! Very delicious!!


And here she is:

mom

I had to say goodbye to my mom tonight and it was harder than I thought it would be. I guess my sadness proves how very helpful she has been for us all week. And how much I have enjoyed her company. I know John will be sad in the morning when he gets up and Grandma Née is not waking up on the futon, getting ready to build a train track. I haven't often had my mom all to myself--at least not as an adult; it was very special. Thank you Mom!

happenings

John's birthday was celebrated with our niece Cambria and Billy's sister Elizabeth. We still have a couple dozen balloons around the house from the "party."

Two peas in a pod, the water babies:

Billy's mom bought the kids matching outfits for a little at home photo shoot.

Last night Nonni and Bumpa (my mom's parents) came to meet Hava--and to play balloons with John.

These firetruck and police car pajamas were my latest sewing project and one of John's birthday gifts.

Grandma Née is here! John is having fun trapping her in "play prison" (Jason Lewis' term to describe being shut in the playroom by a small kid who wants to PLAY!) with the train set she brought for his birthday.

Hava gets a sponge bath:

My mom is cooking for us the next few days and helping a bunch with the kids so I'm not feeling overwhelmed yet. And we just found out that Robyn is coming on September 15! So...life is good, very good.