Beautiful Babies

Janie- 9 weeks old. She's getting blessed on Sunday and her Grandpa Larry bought her this beautiful dress for the occasion.








And our Sami girl, 14 months old.

Another Valentines Day in the ER

Five years ago on Valentines Day, Jonathan proposed to me in the ER. It was thoughtful and romantic. This year we also spent Valentines Day in the ER, but it wasn't fun. Janie has RSV. It started with a runny nose, then a cough, and by Saturday she was having a hard time breathing. Jonathan took her to the emergency room at 1:30 pm and at 7 pm, they admitted her in the hospital. I am happy to say that she is now doing well and we got home this afternoon. Once again it broke my heart to see her small body on a big bed attached to monitors and oxygen. But I learned some really good things while I was in the hospital with her. First, Jonathan is ever the romantic. We took turns sitting with Janie and being home with Sami. Since we didn't spend much time together on Valentines day, he came in to the hospital the morning after and brought me perfume and a romantic card. Thanks J, I love you. Second, I am so grateful for family close by. Jonathan's mom, Trish, stayed with Sami for most of the time so J could go to work or I could take a nap when the other was at the hospital. Thanks Mom, we love you. Third, I am grateful for the health of my girls, something I have taken for granted with Sami. And lastly, I am grateful to be a stay-at-home mom. While in the hospital, I was amazed at how many kids were there without their parents. In fact, as I was leaving with Janie, I looked at the room next to ours, and a little girl was in a crib looking out her door. Her parents couldn't be there, so the nurses left the door open to her room so they could check on her easily and she could see out. I was so sad for that angelic little face peaking out of the crib bars. I am so grateful that I get to be there for our girls. This is a huge post, but I had a lot to say. Hopefully next Valentines Day is boring. :)

So this is how it works!

My mom has always said that two kids are easier than one because they play with each other and keep each other entertained. Yesterday I put Janie under the Leapfrog gym for the first time. Sami ran over and started pushing the buttons for her, making sure the music didn't stop. It only lasted for a minute, then Sami pulled out Janie's pacifier and put it in her mouth and then Janie started crying. But I got a glimpse of how these two will eventually play with each other. And one day soon, they will be having a blast together. I picture them having tea parties together with their dolls and playing dress up. Or maybe they'll climb trees and play in mud puddles. I am so grateful that they have each other.

Dieting

Jonathan and I have been on a diet these past two weeks. South Beach diet, phase 1: no sugar, flour, or fruit. Blah. But now we're on phase 2 so we get whole grains and fruit. In phase one, I lost 5 pounds. I am pretty happy about that. But Jonathan lost 12 pounds! TWELVE POUNDS IN TWO WEEKS! Of course I'm totally jealous. I'm no feminist, but since we have equal pay for equal work, shouldn't we have equal weight loss for equal work? I mean, I am the one who just had the baby after all.

But seriously, even if I hadn't lost a pound, this diet was worth it for the emotional benefits. My doctor told me that cutting out my carbs would help with postpartum blues. I was what Jonathan called "a closet cryer." We have a nice walk-in closet, and I went in there to cry when my hormones were raging. I kept a bag of chocolates on top of my jeans and I would eat chocolate and have a good cry, all in my closet. But since cutting out the carbs and taking my vitamins, I haven't been in there once. So losing weight is just a fringe benefit, because I think my postpartum blues are gone. So while I may be a little chubby still, I'm a happy chub, and I'm okay with that for now.

Cuteness

Janie is almost 6 weeks old. She has the cutest little smile which matches her sweet disposition. She has hair that sticks up straight, and I can't wait until there's more of it so I can play with it!

I was inspired by pictures of Lily on Heather's blog to try some new looks on Sami. I am so blessed to have not one, but TWO beautiful angel girls!