Tate's Second Week

I realize I'm behind in posting and updating on the second week of Tate's life. It's not that I don't have anything to say, simply that we've been so busy with our TWO boys that I haven't made the time for it.

Gabe's been on vacation since July 4th and after his two days off this week he returned back to work this morning. Connor and I were both sad knowing he was going back to work, and knowing that our foursome wouldn't have all day together like we have for the last 11 days. Gabe and I talked about it a little bit last night, and I finally sighed and smiled and said, "Yeah, but at least we have a lifetime to spend together." Gabe's response, "And that's pretty awesome." Yes, love, it is.

We had a lot of fun during vacation time just being a family. The big boys went to the pool together, played lots of Legos and Bionicles together and exhausted one another! We had more family visit this past weekend- another blessing- and had fun settling in to our new family dynamic.

As for boy #1... Connor is adjusting to having a baby brother. I know it's tough on him to have to wait his turn at times, and vie for attention. The truth of the matter is that Tate reminds me of when Connor was a baby. He's so sweet and warm and cuddly- just like Connor was. We keep telling Connor how they are similar which makes Connor happy. C's also gotten better with holding T. He LOVES to hold his baby brother, and usually asks to be the one to hold him during our family bible time.

Connor keeps gushing about "his baby" to people. He gets somewhat annoyed and noticeably disappointed if he doesn't get to "show and tell" his baby brother. He says to people "Let ME show you my baby brother." It makes us both so happy to see the love, care and concern he has for Tate. He's also made it VERY clear that he has a lot to teach his brother. "I'm going to teach Tate about Legos and Transformers and Teen Titans and Bionicles and Star Wars and Light Sabers and Dinosaurs." I hope he always feels like this for his baby brother.

And now, on to the baby brother... He's amazing. He has stolen my heart the same way that Connor did. I've informed my wonderful husband that he now has double competition from our two boys. How is it that in an instant you can hold a teeny, tiny, 6lb person and lose your heart completely? TWICE? These boys and their little faces, and hands and coos and cries... They melt me and leave me completely wrapped up in them. Connor did it first, and Tate has done it again.

Tate's sleeping incredibly well. The past two nights he's slept for over 5 hours before waking up, eating and going back to sleep for 3.5-4.5 hours. He's also still eating like a champ! We're so very happy to report that. I can't put in to words the frustration and disappointment I experienced when we were having our nursing issues. Knowing that he's eating well, and seeing him start to put on a little weight brings me pure joy.

Life is so GREAT right now. It just keeps getting better. I know that we made the right decision when prayerfully decided to try to expand our family. All of my fears, anxieties and worries about the choice have dissipated. Now I just focus on raising these boys and watching them grow. I have to stop and ask myself daily what I did in this life to be blessed like this.