transitions

With the start of the new year, Adelaide moved up to "the big kid school" (aka Primary House). This is both exciting, as she has new older friends and lots to learn, as well as tragic as she no longer sees Cree (her former nanny, then teacher).

Missing Cree has been the toughest part of changing classrooms, for Ada and all of us. Fortunately, she's now a close family friend, so we haven't lost her entirely!


Miles, for his part, has achieved the first step towards mobility. This past weekend, we went on a little family trip. And the day before his 2-month birthday, Miles rolled over! (Without Adelaide's help.) Granted it was on a squishy hotel bed, but for a little guy that doesn't get much tummy time (as he gets attacked by big sister "love" whenever I put him down), I'm impressed! Watch out world, Miles is growing fast and ready to move.

Miles Smiles

For the first few weeks, we were a little worried about Miles and his apparent lack of interactiveness. Now he is making up for it. Started "social smiling" at 6 weeks, right on target! (thou I think I had an early one at 5 weeks). Now he smiles and smiles all day -- we still have to earn it, but his huge grins come with increasing frequency. Such a treat!!

Adelaide has spent the past few months being a great imitator. She carries her "Baby Audrey" everywhere we go, and treats Baby Audrey just like Baby Miles. Audrey eats from Adelaide's "nibble" (her word), and gets her diaper changed sometimes several times an hour. We were finally able to convince Ada that the doll's dirty diapers don't have to go through the real laundry. In fact, Baby Audrey has been changed so many times in the past 2 months that the cloth between her legs is wearing out! Her poor little butt is almost threadbare, and we're starting to wonder if she'll need a patch soon!

number two

Lots of people told me I would take fewer pictures of the second one, that I would pay less attention, that everything would be less impressive because I have seen it already before. Miles is 1 month old today (and weighs 10 lbs already!), and I think it's almost the opposite. With Adelaide, I felt as though every stage was the new "forever"; although I knew that she would grow, some of those late nights, the "oh-dear-God-is-my-life-now-over?" moments seemed as though they were the new permanent reality. I had no idea how fast she would change, and how much I would miss each stage once it was gone. Now I know. And this time, I feel desperate to experience and appreciate every single moment. True, I have taken fewer pictures. But I've been too absorbed in our new precious little guy to set him down and find the camera (or do anything else, for that matter!). Now I know how fleeting each moment is, and I know that it won't be long before he runs off to play with no time for snuggles. So I am living it up, maximizing all possible time with my little 'blob' before the magical perfectness of this newborn stage is over. Yes, the second one is different, it's a bit less of a roller-coaster, but (so far at least) certainly no less thrilling.

baby hair no more

Ada got her first haircut (well, trim, to cut off the fine baby-hair-tangles) on Friday. She sat bravely in the chair, though refused to smile until it was over! She was happy to discover that hairs don't bleed when they get cut, and even more happy to find out that combing her hair no longer hurts! One more "first" out of the way for little Ada.

sled dog

Took Ada and Miles on their first cross-country ski trip last weekend. We have a sweet new "rickshaw" to pull them. (Someone said to me, "you are like a sled dog." Yes.) Miles swelled to at least half his size with all the layers he had bundled around him. We all had a fantastic time, and "the 2" were such great troopers. I am excited for the day when they can keep up on their own power, but until then, this makes for outstanding family fun!

Miles the cat?

A great philosopher once postulated that babies are like kittens. Although Joe is very optimistic that Miles will one day demonstrate cat-like-speed-and-reflexes, at this point, all I can confirm is that he has kitten eyes. For the first days of Miles' life, he never opened his eyes! I occasionally saw one or the other (most often the left), but never both together. Today (Miles is now 5 days old) was two-eyes-day!! Hurray! After days of straining with his eyebrows up, he finally got them both to cooperate at once, and now I have confirmed that he not only has two matching eyes, but also that they focus together -- success! (however fleeting). Hilariously, when he manages to get them both open, he gazes around with the most startled, confused expression. It seems he thought he had this place all figured out, until - shock! - a whole new dimension in sight.

introducing Mr. Miles!!

After a few frustrating false alarms, Miles Joseph sprang into the world at 8:26am today. Once he decided today was the day, he didn't mess around: we were at the hospital exactly 9 minutes before he arrived, long enough to make it to the birthing suite (barely, and only after running down the triage nurse in the ED), but not long enough that the nurse had time to ask my name!! Joe says little Miles is announcing his Nelson-ness: late and in rush!! He weighed in at 8lbs 1oz, 21in long. Lots of brown hair, but too short to be curly (yet). After a few short hours of intense excitement, we had quite a mellow day together. So far he's got a great disposition, and the most adorable little expressions. Oh, and all 10 fingers and toes.

Ms. Adelaide, for her part, is the most excited big sister imaginable. She just couldn't wait to meet her new little brother, and talked non-stop about his tiny fingers, soft hair and her favorite part, the "funny belly button" (aka stump). She asks about every 30 seconds if he needs a diaper changed yet. Hurray!! I couldn't be happier! :-)