Mealtime at the Zoo

As smart as Lily is (yes, I am biased...but others have said it too!), she seems to have amnesia most days and cannot remember (a) what she did at school (b) with whom she did it and (c) what she ate for lunch and/or snack (usually tells me that she just didn't eat).

So imagine my shock when earlier tonight, for the first time EVER, she started rattling off today's menu.

"Mommy, do you know what I ate for lunch? Cheese, salad with dressing, ice cold leche and something that starts with "pah"...can you guess?"

"Pasta?" I responded.

"That's right, Mommy! You're so smart in your brain!"

Lordy she cracks me up. She also told me tonight that she and Nettie (my mom) were going to "party it up" (and I do quote -- can't make this stuff up) tomorrow night. Because, of course, you know, they're party girls.

Clearly her sense of humor comes from Noah; wish I could take credit, but her wit far exceeds mine...even at three. And her sense of adventure comes from my mom...skipped over me and went straight to her.

Leaps and Bounds

Transformations in our house are nothing short of amazing these days.

 Sweet Anna, who is still fighting off her first cold, weighed in at a WHOPPING 10 pounds 14 ounces at 5 weeks 1 day (for those of you who are counting, she's essentially gained 4 pounds in 5 weeks -- and every one of my arm muscles feels the weight gain intensely!) and has almost lost her newborn-sounding cry.  As quickly as Lily grew at this age, I think that Anna is even outpacing her big sister.  

Having now spent 5 weeks gazing at Anna morning, noon, and night, I think that she and Lily may share some characteristics (same nose, similar mouths) but I've come to think that Anna looks nothing like Lily did as a newborn.

And Lily, who we always joke is 3 going on 16, has now convinced me that she's really 3 going on 30.  Noah and I have been taking the most amazing parenting workshop for the last 2 weeks (2 more to go and then, hopefully, we won't totally screw our kids up!).  First week was about "I" statements vs. "you" statements and displaying empathy (marriage counseling 101).  Second week was about alternatives to "no" and choices.  

Lily, who must be taking the course behind our backs, is now using all the new techniques ON US!  From "I'm feeling sad and frustrated today, Mommy and Daddy, so I don't think I should go to school" to "Mommy, do you want to put your shoes on in here or over there," Lily's got our new strategy pegged.  Once again, she's one step ahead of us!

Firsts

The last week has seen a number of firsts for us.  The only "bummer" has been Anna's first cold; I'll spare you that one (although please empathize with me as I've slept sitting up for the last 3 nights because it's the only position that allows her to breathe...sort of).

Anna and I had our first PACE meeting yesterday, a mom's support group (this one for second time moms).  I loved getting to meet other moms with babies the same age as Anna...hear their stories...and brainstorm with them about survival techniques (because, at this stage, I'm convinced that it is all about survival).

Anna took her first trip to the zoo last Friday night when we went for the annual Guppy Gala. Lily got to experience her first dinosaur (and her 100th face paint).

The girls took their first bath together.  Yes, I do believe that Anna was as scared as she looks in the photo.  Let's just say that Lily LOVES to splash in the tub.  Anna got her first pimples; hopefully they'll be the last.

And Lily and Anna went to their first Fancy Nancy (GREAT book for all those who have never heard of Fancy Nancy) party at a local toy store.  Lily was vvvveeeerrrryyyy fancy; oh la la!!

Just goes to show how different things are the second time around.  I'm not sure that we had really ventured beyond the pediatrician's office and the lactation consultant at this point with Lily....Anna is already the belle of the ball!

Compare

Question to parents of multiple children (especially those children who are the same gender) -- do you ever stop comparing them?

Each time I look over at Anna -- when she's sleeping, in the car seat, nursing or during tummy time -- I think back to infant Lily and try to figure out if Anna looks exactly like Lily...sort of like Lily...or if she's just her own person with many of the same mannerisms as Lily at the same age.  What will she turn out to be like -- as funny, loving, outgoing and strong-willed as Lily or will she be shy and sweet?  I guess that time will tell!  In the meantime, what do you think?

Anna at 3 weeks of age

Lily at 5.5 weeks

One Month

Although it seems nearly impossible, today marks Anna's fourth week of life.  She's fat.  She's mostly happy (poor gassy baby does stick out her lower lip and scream when she can't burp).  She's a delight.  

I can't count the number of times that she's been to a restaurant or out shopping in her short little life. I can tell you that it's  infinitely more than Lily at four weeks (my how the second is different from the first!).  

She's been to two movies already -- she, like her mama, loves the chick flicks!  And she seems to be surviving all the "tough" love that big sister Lily enjoys dishing out (her kisses are ferocious!).

Lily and her baby "dolls" (Note: yes, that's a toy stroller)

Sorry -- Can't help being political when you live in DC!

Anna all dressed for Bucky Block's memorial service (Noah thinks she looks like she's from the polygamist compound in TX when in this outfit)

Girl Power!

Our cousins Susana, Chad and Camilla came over to meet Anna yesterday.  Not only did Camilla have a wonderful time holding such a little baby (although in these photos Anna looks huge next to Camilla), but she and Lily had a great time playing dress-up and getting in to some make-up (my entire house, Noah and I, and even Anna are now covered in the glitter that they two girls doused themselves with!).  Not only did Noah put Chad to work installing the air conditioner in our basement apartment, but I think that Lily cherished the time with her big cousin (some much needed non-baby play time!)

Lilyisms

I'm not sure if it's pregnancy brain, sleep deprivation, or that my first child is bound for a career as a stand up....but lately Lily has been cracking me up.

Here are a few of her recent one-liners --

"Calm down, Courtney." (note, she doesn't call me Mommy or Mom when she tells me to calm down...which she's been doing a lot lately!)

"Mommy, you shouldn't be arguing with me in front of Daddy."

"You are KILLING me, Mommy!"

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, live from Arlington it's Lily Israel....3 1/2 going on 35!

Sisters

Many people have been asking us if Anna looks like Lily.  The answer...well...I don't know.  Some times I look at her and she's a carbon copy (albeit with hair that's a bit darker).  Other times I look at her and she looks nothing like Lily at this age.  And yet other times I look at her and she looks like herself but with many traces of baby Lily.  I guess that time will tell.

(Lily at 13 days old)

(Anna at 15 days old -- keep in mind that Anna "cooked" for 2 1/2 weeks more than Lily)

Apparently they both favor the crossed leg side-sleeping position (I swear that I didn't position Anna to resemble the Lily shot...she immediately settled down like that).  One thing is for certain -- Anna is a super sweet baby who can sleep through a 3 year old melt-down and a barking dog!

The Knot

A few hours after Anna and I got home from the hospital last Saturday, Noah and Lily boarded a train bound for the Big Apple and our cousin Laura's "big day." While I was SUPER crushed that I was forced to sit this one out, I was delighted that Anna's arrival allowed her big sister to walk down the aisle, thus keeping the family tradition alive (Noah was the ring bearer in his aunt and uncle's wedding; Sy and Gayle are Laura's parents).

I've seen a few of the photos; it clearly was an amazing day. Lily made it down the aisle without a hitch (although she soon fell asleep and, apparently, slept through the entire ceremony and reception).

Lily and Noah

Lily and junior bridesmaid, Emily

A STUNNING bride and groom 

Sister of the Bride, our cousin Julia!

She's Here!!

After complaining for the last 2 1/2 weeks of the pregnancy that I was "SO DONE," when my water actually broke last Wednesday night I suddenly felt so NOT ready! 7 hours and 1 push later, though, ready or not Miss Anna Lake Israel made her grand debut.

To proactively answer the name question -- Anna has no major significance (it's a name that Noah and I just like) and Lake is a family name on my mother's side (my great grandfather, grandfather, uncle and cousin are all Lake; my mom's first cousin, Mary Lake, is the only other female with the name...that I know of....and if Anna turns out to be half as amazing as Mary Lake then I'll be one proud mama).

Vital stats -- 6 pounds 15 ounces; 20 inches; born 4/10/08 at 7:15 a.m. (due to the 7 a.m. shift change, Noah and I almost had her by ourselves!).

Thanks to a few good night's sleep and a few days of school under her belt (read -- normal routine), Lily is starting to settle down. She absolutely ADORES her little sister...sometimes just a bit too much. ;-)

I promise lots of photos soon. First I've got to dump them off the camera (I've started sounding like Scarlet O'Hara from Gone With the Wind -- "tomorrow is another day"). I'll get to it sooner, hopefully, rather than later.

(click on the title of this post, "She's Here!," for some additional photos)