Killing with kindness

Teresa and Rowdy LOVE Frances. Teresa loves to kiss and hug her, read her stories, help me rock her and tuck her in. Teresa calls the tucking in process "making her all cozy." Rowdy is a big fan of licking and sniffing. Unfortunately, they both like doing this when Frances is sleeping. This causes Frances to wake up and cry, which annoys Mommy and causes Teresa to cry. I am therefore trying to comfort two girls at once and Rowdy goes off to sulk in the corner, and is of no help at all.

I try not to complain too much, I mean, at least Teresa is being nice to her, and trying to help. So I usually just take a deep breath, pray for patience and rock the girls until they stop crying. Or, I take pictures.

My girls

Making her all cozy   

The Many Faces of Frances

Tomorrow Frances is officially 1 month old. She has wormed her way into our hearts and Ken and I cannot imagine our family without her.  So, in our short time together, here are some of the things I have learned about Frances:

1) When she cries she sounds like a seagull.
2) She is very laid back about where she eats, and those exotic locals include in the bathroom with Teresa.
3) She is not very laid back about when she eats, and is very forceful in her insistence.
4) She hates sleeping on her back, but will sleep for hours on her side.
5) She is very ticklish:)
6) She loves her big sister and looks for Teresa whenever she hears her voice.
7) Frances can also track my voice.
8) She hated Ken's hairy full beard kisses, but prefers his clean shaven signs of affection.

One of my favorite things about newborns is the hilarious faces they make. So here is a series of some of Frances' best mug shots.

In Which Cara Starts to Moo.

This week has been a week of adjustment for the Yost clan, and the only member who seems perfectly content with this is Frances. Although, I wouldn't call what she does "adjusting" but more growing into her role as "tyrannical overlord of the household." This I was expecting, because, well, that's what babies do. Teresa has been okay. We've had a few more tears and tantrums, and the occurrence of whining has increased, but not to such a degree that I can attribute it solely to Frances and not just being two. Perhaps she is mourning the loss of her tyrannical overlord title. Either way, if the horror stories I have been told are any indication, Teresa has been exceptionally good, and Ken and I are very proud of her.

I have had a harder time with this. My main issue is guilt. I feel bad for both Frances and Teresa, as I cannot truly devote 100% of my attention to either of them. I have made compromises....reading to Teresa while I feed Frances, playing with play dough or colouring or painting while I rock Frances. Heck, I've even learned to breast feed at the table while eating dinner with the family. And while this seems to be working, I still feel guilty about not giving our newest member all the attention she deserves.

I have also come to the realization that I strongly dislike breast feeding. Things are going well, Frances is a super dooper feeder, I'm just not that into it. I'll keep nursing for two reasons: a) it's the best thing for Frances and b) I'm cheap. Why buy the milk when you have a built in production facility. Maybe this whole nursing thing will grow on me, but right now I find it very limiting, and the fact that all my outings have to be carefully timed irritates me. On the plus side, I've discovered our neighbors are more active than I ever would have suspected at 3am (don't be gross people...that's not what I mean).

But, on the whole we have more good days than bad, Frances is thriving and getting quite the double chin, Teresa has embraced Frances into the family by not trying to kill her and Ken and I love both our girls with all our heart. I'd say, on the whole we are doing just fine.

This is what we spend most of our day doing.

WARNING! This is what can happen when you allow toddlers to dress themselves.

A pile o' pics

Well Sarah and my folks were in town so we have a pile of pictures, I will just put them up with a bit of commentary on each.

Mom & Frances

Teresa was wearing her Tinkerbell costume and really wanted to fly.

Frances had her first wash and had crazy hair, courtesy of Gramma frizzing it up.

Another costumes and Teresa looking cute in her Sleeping Beauty costume.

A quiet awake Frances.

Painting & making a mess.

Teresa has started to sit beside Cara and have her read a story, while Teresa flips the pages.

Grandpa playing with Teresa & yes Ed, that is a polar bear.

More bonding time.

Dad came to swimming 'lessons' (play in water with structured time) and took some pictures

 

Teresa's favorite game is showering daddy

Sunday after mass to went to the Manitoba Museum (OF MAN AND NATURE) and saw an exhibit of dinosaur fossils from China.  Teresa is still talking about it.

Teresa 'found' this bone in their kids play area.  Please note lawyers that all children had to wear goggles to save their eyes from the dangers of sand!

A family pic.

I kinda look like my dad here.  I am terrified. (Note: Cara was surprised, but noted "with more hair").

At the Pancake House

More Pancake House family shots

Sarah made it up and stayed with the Gannons at night.

Note the impressive yawn and the emerging double chin.

Dad & his grandkids

Reading to Teresa (Apparently this was "King of the Beasties" being read for the 100th time)

Bathtime from tonight.