On Becoming a Big Sister {A Sydney & Family update}

We became a family of 4 when we welcomed Charlie on April 22nd, just over a month ago, and our 2 kids are definitely keeping us busy. 

Here we are at the end of our first weekend together.

Before Charlie arrived,  I was most nervous about how Sydney would adjust to having a baby around and me not being able to lift her for 6 weeks (c-section).  The week leading up to his arrival, I tried to get in as much time with her as possible.  I picked her up early from school and tried to get as many cuddles in as she would allow.  It was tough because even though we talked about Charlie a lot and told her he was coming soon, she was too young to comprehend what it meant and how her life would change.  I can honestly say she has far exceeded all our expectations and the lifting hasn't been an issue at all, she is a great big sister!

When she first met Charlie, she was a little confused about the hospital, but ever since we got home, she has been so cute with him, it's adorable.  Everyday when she sees Charlie, she runs over, waves in his face and says "hi Charlie, hi Charlie".  When Charlie starts crying, she will go over and pat his belly to calm him down, then want Brian or I to pick him up to comfort him.  She will bring Charlie a toy and want to sit down near him to play, and always gives him a kiss goodnight.  She has been so good and it melts our hearts to watch her interact with him.

One of the ways she has coped with the change is she has become very attached to her baby doll.  She is obsessed with "Baby" and will carry him around everywhere.  Baby is the first thing she looks for when she gets home, and the last thing she puts down before she leaves.  She likes to put Baby in Charlie's crib, put Baby down to sleep, burb Baby, etc.  At school, there is a baby doll in her classroom that she has commandeered, and all her classmates know it's hers and not to play with it.  Her teacher told me the other day that she "nursed" baby when they asked her if her baby was hungry.  It's really adorable and I think it's her way of adjusting to me spending a lot of time holding Charlie.

We're trying to sort out a new routine with 2 kids on different schedules and Brian being back at work.  Brian has been an amazing husband and dad.  He is not only taking care of me and Charlie but has been super dad with Sydney.  He is spending a lot of time focused on her, especially on the weekends, taking her on errands, to the farmers market and to the park.  They have planted a garden together and Sydney loves to go water it with him and look at the plants.  Her favorite plant is the artichoke, which she will say goodbye to as they walk away "bye bye garden, bye bye artichoke" and she loves eating them too.  At first we would hold the leaves and pull them out of her mouth and she would giggle every time.  Now she can do it herself.  It's by far her favorite food right now.

In other news, Sydney is learning new words and putting together bigger sentences daily, it's so amazing, and so cute to finally have a little insight into what is going on in her head.  For about 2 months now, she has been really good at her colors and everything she talks about she will state the color, "dada's blue shirt", "big red ball".  Her favorite color is blue.  She always wants to wear a "blue shirt, mama", so I've picked up a few more blue clothes for her.  We're now working on counting, which is hit or miss at the moment but getting better each day.

Sydney has also really been into "hiding", It started under the covers of our bed, and then we built a fort in her room, and now sometimes if I'm wearing a long skirt, she'll "hide" under it.  She thinks it's so funny. 

On a not so fun note, she is also starting to test our limits, and learning how to stall when she doesn't want to do something, like changing her diaper.  Speaking of diapers, her new favorite activity when we put her down for bed is unzipping her pj's and taking off her diaper, haha.  We've caught it early enough to get back on all nights except one.  Seeing how she is turning 2 in less than 2 weeks, I guess this stuff is expected.

And on to the good part, a bunch of my favorite photos:

"cheese"
The days leading up to Charlie's arrival

Trying on Dada's shoes

Crazy bed head
Honestly though, Sydney has crazy hair often since she doesn't love having it pulled back

Hiding under the covers of our bed, with a lantern, Baby and Paddington

Hiding under the fort in her room
We had about a week where she didn't want to wear clothes when she got home from school

The night before Charlie arrived - we picked her up from school early
went to the park and then out to dinner

Welcome baby brother Charlie

attempt at a family of 4 photo

playing with baby and baby Charlie

It's okay Charlie

Story time with Dada

Sydney and cousin Billy enjoying a popsicle post swim

Helping push Charlie

So exciting, her own "coffee" - aka steamed milk

Charlie and brand new cousin Audrey.
Charlie is 2 weeks older and we can only hope they grow up as close as their siblings, Sydney and Billy

Sydney reading to Papa

MarMe, Grandpa Billy and their Grandbabies

MarMe & Grandpa Billy got Sydney a bike for her birthday!

Sydney helping husk corn

Sampling and sharing raw corn on the cob

Another fun food to eat

pink shirts, pink popsicle

Sydney wanted to shower with me one morning, and when we were done, she wanted to put on my shirt.
Just happened to pick one that matched Dada (blue, of course)

Aunt Jenn and I took the kids to Tilden Park to ride the Steam Train

And since we were close, we went to the Farm as well - what a fun day for Sydney

Sydney always gives Charlie a kiss goodnight

We love our family so much and wouldn't change a thing.  Sometimes, I can't wait for Charlie to grow up so they can play more together but I'm trying to relax and enjoy having a tiny baby around while I can.