Snapshots: A Week in the Life of John {3}

Day 15: May 22

We love you John!

Day 16: May 23

Already in size 1 diapers and outgrowing the newborn onesies

Day 17: May 24

First time coming to work with mommy-slept the whole time!

Day 18: May 25

Brother time under the mobile

Day 19: May 26

Playing outside

Day 20: May 27

Nap time again!

Day 21: May 28

First Panera visit

For the video this week we have the precious newborn cry:-)

Counting our Blessings

I know we won't always remember having two kids under the age of two; two kids in diapers, two kids who need our attention 24/7. But this is our life right now and I've noticed how easy it is to focus on the negative aspects: how hard it is, emotionally and physically, and how exhausted Tyler and I are at the end of the day, or the middle of the night, for that matter! So here are some of the blessings in our life that help me remember we wouldn't have things any other way!

1. Brothers

It has always been a dream of mine to have children close in age. As hard as it is now with James being 21 months and John a fragile newborn who has to be protected from his older brother, everyone tells us it'll be so much easier when they are older and can play together. But for the moment it brings us so much joy to see James adore his little brother. He always wants to kiss him or hold him and every time we say the word "brother" he insists on seeing little John. The way that he smiles when he looks at him; the way he softly pats John on the head; the sweet kisses he gives him; that is what I want to remember.

2. 'Ole Happy

Right away we nicknamed John 'Ole Happy because of how chill and content he seemed. He didn't cry when he was born and we only heard him cry a couple of times in the hospital. For the moment it seems like his personality is very calm; he is so content and chill! We are thankful he has taken to eating very easily and is sleeping well.

Resting in the arms of Grandpa

3. Loving Life

As my mom put it the other week: James just loves life. He doesn't miss a second. He has two speeds: on or off. He is either going-going-going or he is asleep. As exhausting as this is, he is a fun little guy to hang out with. We love his larger-than-life personality. He can be such a sweetheart and also doesn't mind making his opinion know. Tyler and I are constantly reminding ourselves he is about to turn two. There is nothing wrong with him or us as parents. We're really enjoying hearing him start to use more words and communicate with us.

Loves his milk

Watching videos of himself on the computer

Enjoying water play

James can't get enough of playing outside. We are all impressed by his soccer skills! Here is a video of him kicking the soccer ball:

John's Room

One of the many projects my parents helped us with this past week was to set up John's room. He finally has a quiet haven to which he can escape his older brother!

And what fun it is to get the mobile out again!

I noticed how much more alert he seemed when under the mobile, even though he still can't see very far. The black and white shapes help him learn to concentrate and track objects. Here is a short video of him:

Snapshots: A Week in the Life of John {2}

Day 8: May 15

John was baptized at one week old!

Day 9: May 16

Proud big brother and patient little brother

Day 10: May 17

Nap time with daddy

Day 11: May 18

First stroller walk

Day 12: May 19

Still sleeping most of the time

Day 13: May 20

Nap time with mommy

Day 14: May 21

Enjoying an afternoon at the grandparents

And for the video this week we have John having some alert time!

Snapshots: A Week in the Life of John {1}

It's that time again! I am so excited to begin the next adventure of blogging with our sweet baby John. My goal is to take even more pictures of him than I did with James (might have something to do with me being the second child and my stack of pictures was about 1/8th compared to my sister's...anyway...) and so we begin again!

Day 1: May 8, 2016

Soaking up the sleep in the hospital

Day 2: May 9, 2016

Snuggles with mommy

Snuggles with daddy 

Day 3: May 10, 2016

Going home!

Day 4: May 11, 2016

Sweet dreams little John!

Day 5: May 12, 2016

James couldn't be any prouder!

Day 6: May 13, 2016

First shot at tummy time

Day 7: May 14, 2016

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa

And for the video this week we have John sleeping!

The New Normal

We are settling into the new normal of life with two little ones. This past week has been such a joy and we feel God's grace amidst the lack of sleep. Of course we compare everything to our experience with James and this transition has been so much easier...as everyone told me it would be with our second child.

Coming home from the hospital 

I forgot how "easy" it is to take care of a newborn compared to the physical and emotional energy it takes to chase a toddler around all day! I feel like a pro at this mother thing: John poops, I change him. He's hungry, I sit down and feed him. He's tired, it's easy to put him to sleep. I know as he gets older we'll enter new transitions but for the moment I am soaking up all the newborn cuddles I can get.

Coffee in one hand, son in the other...what more could you ask for?

It's been a blessing having Tyler home this week and we have had some great family time together. He does such a great job taking care of all of us. He has planned daily outings with James so I have had time to rest and take care of John in quiet.

Because when James is around, he can't get enough of his brother. Literally. And it's adorable and brings us so much joy to watch him love his brother.

Oh we've had our moments...but overall James has handled the transition well. I was expecting him to be jealous of John but it's completely the opposite. If John is awake James has to be next to him. If he's sleeping, we are hard pressed to keep him out of the bedroom. He loves to give John hugs and kisses and touch his eyes, mouth, ears, and then point to John's eyes, mouth, ears, etc.

I know this is just the beginning of their friendship and we can't wait to see them as they grow up together!

And to end this blog, here are a couple more pictures of our sweet baby John!

What I Learned My First Day--by John Tyler Rosser

May 8th, 2016. Mother's Day. It was my plan all along, to surprise my parents and come on Mother's Day. Even though it was 7 days past my due date, it was my plan all along. After a relatively quick labor (compared to my brother) of just 12 hours in the hospital, I met my mommy and daddy.

At first I was a little scared of the light and all the strange sounds and people.

But then when I was with my mommy and daddy I was okay again. Actually I cried very little. They can already tell my personality is pretty laid back and chill.

After spending time with my parents and getting my first meal I went to the nursery. I impressed everyone by already having my first bowel movement.

I weighed more than my big brother--oh yeah! 8 lbs 8 oz. And I'm 20 in. long. I'm already planning on beating him at soccer!

They put something weird on my eyes and gave me a little shot, but I was cool about it. Daddy was with me so I wasn't worried.

 Daddy said I looked like a Rappana. I guess the Rappana's have really long toes!

Then I got to meet my big brother and my Grand-daddy and Grand-mommy. I was told James was really excited when he first saw a picture of me!

My big brother was really excited about the water bottle that mommy let him share. But after a while he started to notice me and kept talking about my hat.

I already love my big brother. He gave me lots of hugs and kisses!

Then I met my Grand-daddy and Grand-mommy. They kept smiling at me...they must really love me! I'm told I get to meet my other grandparents in less than a week! I can't wait!

I needed to eat again so when everyone left mommy fed me. I learned that when mommy holds me, she is quiet and just looks at me with love.

 But when daddy holds me, he talks and talks and talks!

 I needed a rest after chatting with daddy! It's been a big day for me!