So the time flew by with one kid, but with two, well I don't even know what day of the week it is anymore! Are we really in May already? Guess that means I didn't get a post up for Gus on his 2 month bday, but I'm making it in just under the 1 week belated mark at least! It's been an incredible 2 months so far. Many changes, but life is easy with two such resilient kids and an amazing partner. But I diverge, this post is about my baby Gus!
He has become a very chatty baby this past week, telling us all about his day, admiring his older brother, and showing off his beautiful smile! I think he really likes to hold hands too, as he is always reaching towards us and gives an even bigger smile when you grab his hand! I'm amazed as well, with how enthralled he is when watching Arjen. You can tell he is just cataloging all the ways he is going to try and do everything his brother does as soon as he can! His neck is getting stronger - he'll hold it fairly still for moments at a time when being held upright, but still isn't quite strong enough to lift it fully up when on his belly...not that baby #2 gets the devoted tummy time that baby #1 does, but I'm sure he'll figure it out when he's ready.
And with that, my available time to sit and type is gone. Especially considering I started typing two days ago...
This year we had a few extra helpers on hand for our annual decorating of the Easter Tree. Our friends Ranee and Jamie were in town from NY, showing off their beautiful daughter Sophie. We couldn't let the opportunity pass to have a good ol' BBQ with our friends, and to get all the kids together!
Two peas in a pod...actually sharing the space!
The Dads and the Kiddos
My boys. :)
Arjen and Nina start getting the eggs ready
Someday I'll be able to reach this high on my own!
For now, this level will have to do
I think this is our first real family picture with all four of us! (Thanks Nan for always giving us great photos!)
The Mommas and the Kiddos (minus my busy egg hanger...couldn't be bothered for another photo!)
Easter morning, showing off his "A-ay" (Arjen for "egg")
I finally laid a blanket out for Gus to get some floor time and tummy time the other day, and so I could take some pictures on the "real" camera. Of course both of these things (Gus and a camera) draw Arjen's attention, and lately he is just a ham for the camera saying his version of "cheese!" (sounds something like a combo of keys, geez, and cheese).
Arjen really has become a proud big brother. Even if he doesn't fully understand the concept yet. This video was taken while I was changing Gus one afternoon. I had left Arjen to play out in the living room, but as I was changing Gus's diaper, noticed we had company. Without saying a thing to me, Arjen had parked himself on the steps to our room to play a new game...
After almost 2 weeks of staying mostly housebound, we decided it was time for a little family adventure. We took advantage, again, of nearby Tilden Park to take Arjen on his first Merry-Go-Round. Gus got a ride in too, but once was enough for me, which meant Gus was done too. Arjen managed to sneak in 2 more rides with Dad before it was time to head home.
Running around the carousel...Very excited
Enjoying a ride on a rooster with Dad
Trying hard to capture a smile
First ride on the Merry-Go-Round, riding the zebra
On February 28, our little family of three became a family of four. We welcomed Augustus Aeron at 3:53pm, weighing in at a sizeable 8lbs 10.5oz, and measuring 21.5 inches long. It was love at first sight for all of us, but particularly Arjen. As soon as he was set at my side, he flashed the biggest smile and reached out to very gently touch his little brother. I couldn't have been a prouder mom.
Arjen's first introduction to his brother Gus
Getting to hold Gus right away, and have him stay in the room with us was such a treat after our premie experience with Arjen. Perhaps Gus will be our patient child, since he waited until just 5 days before his due date to arrive.
As I'm sure all new parents do, I've been spending more time than I can count, just staring at my boys, admiring them, and of course checking to see how they resemble each other and their parents. A side by side comparison (I guess top to bottom technically - I still can't figure out how to get pictures side by side):
Arjen, 1 day old
Gus, 1 day old
So now we've been home just over a week with our family of four and two dogs. The dogs have been interested in Gus, but are still too preoccupied with avoiding Arjen as best they can. Pole-dog does a good enough job. I think Dito has given up though, or else he is so craving love and attention that he'll take it whenever he can get it, even if it means letting Arjen sit on him, lay on him, grab his hair, you name it. The boy loves his dogs, that's for sure.
Enjoying a lounge with Dito on a warm winter's day
I think it's safe to say we've settled into our routine for now. We're all happy to have Andrew home for a few weeks after he's spent the past year traveling to LA every week. Arjen continues to love his new title of "big brother", and when you ask him about it, he'll point to his wrist - one of the nurses at the hospital gave him an ID band that said big brother, and he still asks to wear it sometimes. He expresses concern for Gus when crying, and laughs when Gus makes newborn sounds or flails his limbs. I'm pretty confident at this point, that everyone who told me having kids this close in age is a wonderful thing, knew what they were talking about. Lets just hope Andrew and I can gracefully manage to navigate the looming "terrible two's", lots more diapers, and lots less sleep for a bit until we get to that stage where the boys are best of friends. The signs are clear though:
Big Bro in charge of navigating the hospital hallway
Hi Gus Gus!
Teaching his lil' bro all about dinosaurs
So I now have two kids to keep tabs on, update a blog about (modern day baby book!), and learn from. It's been an incredible 17 months so far with Arjen, and Gus has only improved our family by joining us. He so far has a very mild temperament, and I can already see him observing and absorbing the world around him. Welcome to the family Gus Gus!!
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
