Madeline the Little Mommy

Being a mom is hard work. Lots of little tasks to repeat over and over again, day in and day out. But Madeline has embraced this challenge with lots of vhim and vigor! Truly, she tries to mimic me in every aspect of my day. Often times this is exhausting, because of course she can't do much of what I do as a 24 month old. Madeline would beg to differ, as evidenced in her various expressions: "Mama, I do it!" "Madeline have it." "Myself, mama, myself." 

So, as best as I can, I try to let Madeline work alongside me. Here are a few of the ways she's embraced the mommy lifestyle:

1. Cleaning

2. Cooking

We got Madeline a play kitchen for Christmas and she loves it. Lots of meals prepped for her babies here. 

She also always wants to be doing whatever I'm doing in the kitchen, so I try to let her help with anything age appropriate. Here she is learning to shred chicken, quite the skill set she is gaining. 

3. Changing Diapers

4. Staying fit

In the midst of one of the coldest winters in 30 years, it gets a little stir-crazy sometimes stuck in the house all day. So I found a toddler yoga video at the library, and she LOVES it. Especially downward dog. 

5.  Feeding Babies

A funny story with this photo. I was busy with Isabel, so I told Madeline she should go feed her baby- she has little baby doll bottles. But this is how she decided to feed her baby, and she said to me, "Where are they, mama?" "Where are what?" I said to her. "The boobs!" Ah, kids - always a laugh! 

6. Keeping Babies Healthy

7. Keeping general order in the ranks

Of course, really we just hope Madeline can learn to be a good big sister. She has her ups and downs in the world of sisterhood, but on the whole she loves her little sister. She loves getting to hold her, and has some very sweet, tender moments with her. I will cherish these days that I've been home with my girls on maternity leave. 

I think Isabel is enjoying being a little sister, too. Although there are those moments where she gives me the face below, the "mom, can't you make Madeline stop with all this tomfoolery! I'm not just another baby doll in her line-up of toys!" face. 

Poor Isabel. Well, at least she's not lonely!

Isabel is Two Months!

Isabel Therese. You are two months, time has been flying by. Already in your two months of life we have fallen totally in love with you. You are a sweet, relaxed little one. You very rarely cry hard, usually you just give us some fussy noises to let us know you need something. We call you a "purpose-driven crier" because usually you just need to be fed, diaper changed, or rocked a little bit to get to sleep. You seem to be more of an "independent player" thus far than your older sister. You will happily play on your playmat for long periods of time while I'm chasing around your big sister. It's been so different having a baby this time around with another one in the picture. Madeline keeps me running all day, and you are so patient, little one. When Madeline is taking a nap or sleeping, I treasure our time of just snuggling together. 

You've been giving us little smiles for a few weeks now, and they've been increasingly more present. We also have little conversations sometimes - when I start talking to you, you often "talk" back to me with your sweet little babbles and coos. I often wonder what you are saying to me. Clearly you have some important things to say. And you still have your little dimples when you smile, I hope they don't go away as you grow. 

I have two weeks left on maternity leave before I go back to work full-time, and I am savoring every moment at home with you two girls. Fortunately I'll only be back to work for 3.5 months before I'm on summer break again, and by then you may be scooting around or crawling or who knows? 

I took a little video of you at two months to remember your sweet sounds. Love them. 

Your big sister Madeline is growing to love you very much. Although she sometimes still displays little moments of jealousy (she always wants to be on my lap when I'm holding you, or sometimes doesn't want me to feed you), she wants to be involved in everything I do with you. She wants to feed you, burp you, hold you, change your diaper, etc. She's not quite up to the task yet for most of those things, but she mimics what I do with you with her baby dolls. Whenever you cry, she pipes up, "Isabel Ok?" and we assure her that you are. Lately she's taken to putting your pacifier back in your mouth if you start to get fussy. And she loves holding you on her lap with a pillow when I let her. This is a little video I took of her holding you recently. 

 And just for fun, here is a picture of your big sister at two months. People keep commenting lately how much you are starting to look like your big sister. But you still have darker hair than Madeline - perhaps you'll be a brunette?

Love you so much, sweet girl!