Laugh or Cry

My good friend Kelly has told me more than once now, that I am making this look so easy. "This", meaning, having a two year old and a newborn. Well Kelly, this post is for you, and anyone else interested...

At any given moment today I was ready to either laugh or cry. Laughing is obviously more fun, and I am not a person that typically wears my heart on my sleeve and shows my emotions very easily. So laughing is also easier for me than crying. But today I am going on 12 days with little or no sleep, plus all of the lovely post partum hormones that seem to be floating around in my system, and I think the crying came as easy as the laughing. This afternoon we had an errand to run, and Claire started crying in her car seat. Whenever she cries lately, Hannah lets out a high pitched scream. Music to my ears. Tonight I was tired and had a headache, my back was hurting, I was having cramps, and Hannah's scream was enough to make me cry, not laugh. I tried to hold it in, but it eventually came out.

Claire has had some issues with constipation lately too. Since starting her on formula, I know that formula fed babies do not poop as often as breast fed babies. Today she was obviously trying to go and it just wasn't happening, and she seemed upset and uncomfortable. In my current sleepless state, that was also enough to make me cry, not laugh. My poor baby can't go, and I can't go for her. This is small stuff I know, but after not sleeping, and your body hurting, and dealing with screaming crying tantrums from your two year old all day, it is enough to break you down.

Today I think that everyone in the Hass House got a little teary eyed, including the dog at some point. Although her cries were more like whines for more food, but cries just the same. I can't help but think of the Trace Adkins song, "You're gonna miss this", during times like these. It is so true. In the moment, things may seem stressful and trying, and even make me cry. But I know there will come a day when I'm going to miss this.

At any rate, after both babes went to sleep tonight, Jake and I opened up a bottle of wine, and things are starting to seem better. I know I will feel better in the morning, I'm already feeling better after a little vino. So in conclusion, Kelly, I may be making it look easy, but it's not always. Although at the same time, I couldn't be happier, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Decorating The Tree

Here are a couple pics of our finished Christmas tree. This afternoon Jake, Hannah, and I finished decorating our tree. Hannah put the star on top for us, and she helped me with all the red and gold ornaments. Since finishing, she likes to go by the tree and pull ornaments off of it too. Fun. Why do two year olds have to be like that? I am sure this will continue for 25 more days at least!

The Lighting of the Tree at the Crossings

Last night we met up with Kelly & Jason & Little D for the lighting of the tree at The Crossings. Jake & I have gone for a couple years before Hannah was born, and last year we went with Hannah. As expected, Hannah and Derek had a blast. They had a bubble machine, making what was supposed to look like snow, and Santa Claus was there with his sleigh, and the music was playing. Hannah and Derek had a blast playing in the bubbles, and running around having their Daddies chase them. Kelly & I got to sit on a bench with Claire and enjoy some nice conversation. It was fun to bundle up and go outside. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

"Hmm, maybe she'd want to go out with me when she can walk."

"For now I will date this Hass...she's pretty cute too."

Doesn't Kelly look amazing for being 30 weeks pregnant with TWINS! I can't believe how good she looks.

D blowing the snow bubbles

I couldn't get Hannah to look at me and smile, and then Jason made her crack up for me. Thanks Jason!

Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening

This morning we started to put up our Christmas decorations. First we did the tree, and then the mantle and the banister. Then Jake put up the lights on the house outside with Hannah's help. We have a two story house, and Jake didn't go upper deck with the lights this year. We usually do, but we are a little sleep deprived, and didn't feel like going ALL out with the lights, just half way. Hannah loves Christmas trees and she was so excited that we were putting ours up. We put on the Christmas music, and she had a blast. I have a few pictures of our progress, but we are not done. We will attempt to finish the Christmas decorating tomorrow. It's much more time consuming to do now in between feedings, and tantrums, and diaper changes, and everything else that seems to happen. Here are a few pictures of our progress so far.

Hannah checking out our tree in a box.

Beginning to look more like a Christmas tree.

Hanging with her sister. She slept while we decorated.

My hubby hanging the lights.

Helping Daddy sort the lights.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

I don't have a stocking for Claire yet, but I felt bad hanging all of ours and not having one for her. So I pulled out my trusty puffy paints, and I quickly painted Claire's name onto a cheap little stocking that I already had. That will have to do until we find one for her.

I'll post a picture of our tree when it is hopefully completed tomorrow. All we finished today were the leaves and the lights.

My Handy Helper

I did not get any pictures of our Thanksgiving get together at my Mom's house, but we did manage to get a couple of Hannah helping me make breakfast that morning. She helped make the scrambled eggs, and they were good.

Jammie Time With My Girls

Hanging out watching Toy Story (what else?) with Hannah and Claire.

Fun in a Fort

On Wednesday, it was a rainy afternoon and we had to find a way to keep Hannah busy and happily entertained inside. So we decided to build a fort in the living room. We all had a lot of fun. We gave Hannah the flashlight, and she was in charge of shining the light on the books we were reading. We popped popcorn, and searched for snakes (pretend snakes) inside our fort. Hannah loved it. We are already thinking of new and inventive ways to build the next fort.

My Girls

I know, I know, I went on a blogging rampage today! There are just so many pictures that I have wanted to share, and things I wanted to write down so I do not forget them. Right now Jake is at the gym with Hannah and Claire is sleeping, so I figured now's my chance to blog, I better do it!

The update on Claire is good. We went to the doctor on Monday and her weight was up to 7lb. 6 oz!! Yea!!! Her color is looking much better too, and I do not think she is jaundice at all anymore. Thank goodness. She is eating and sleeping great now.

Here is a picture of Claire in her carseat before we left for the park yesterday. Isn't her pacifier clip cute? It's from my friend Shelbie, and I just love it. Thanks Shelb! It works great. You never want to lose the pacifier that's for sure!

I was getting dinner ready and Claire was laying on the ottoman to stretch out. All of a sudden, I looked over and Hannah was reaching to pick her up by herself. Jake and I ran to their side, and had Hannah sit down in the chair so she could hold her baby sister. She thought it was great.

A Visit With The Espinosas

On Sunday night our friends Carrie and Marcelino Espinosa stopped by for a quick meet and greet with Claire. Carrie and Jake worked together when Jake worked at Corona Regional Hospital. I started doing Carrie's hair, and we hit it off right away. We became fast friends, and it has been fun getting to know them and their family. They brought Claire a great bouncy seat, which she is very content to relax in, and a little baby doll for her too. And their daughter Kaitlynn brought Hannah a birthday present, a Cinderella dress up kit. After they went home, Hannah immediately put the whole Cinderella outfit on and loved it. Thanks for everything Espinosas!

Who Wants George?

On Friday, I went to Target for a little while with just Hannah. We saw my Mom there and she had just come from Kohl's. She got Hannah this Curious George monkey to give her, and Hannah just threw it in the back of the cart. When we got home she took the monkey right up to Claire and laid it down beside her and said "Here you go Care". I guess she thought Claire would like it better.

A Visit From Armenia

On Sunday our longtime family friend Armenia stopped by for a visit. She was so nice and made a tray of her famous and delicous enchiladas for us to enjoy. And a tray of her arroz con leche, a peruvian dish that she makes. It is so good. She also showered our girls with gifts and got Hannah an alphabet puzzle that she just looooves. How did you know she is SO into puzzles right now Armenia? THANKS for everything Armenia, we had a great visit!

Baby's First Spit Bath

Claire's umbilical cord has not fallen off yet, but a couple days ago we gave her a spit bath in her room. She didn't fuss too much, and she smelled so good when we were done! =) Hannah was a BIG help. She handed me the washcloth, and the soap, and she talked to Claire so she wouldn't cry.

Claire Bear

This is a different animal blanket/pillow that my Aunt Monica gave to Claire. It is not as big as the one from Lori, but more like a blankey for the crib. She is a lucky little girl to have so many soft places to lay down.

A New Animal

One of my Mom's friends Lori got this super soft and squishy stuffed animal for baby Claire. I thought it was so cute. I wouln't mind sleeping on it! Both Hannah and Claire love it. I think we will get a lot of cute pictures with this stuffed animal too. Thanks so much Lori!!

Our Walk To The Park

Today was such a nice day outside that we decided to walk to the park in our neighborhood for a nice trip out of the house. We still aren't quite ready to be taking Claire out very much since she is so teeny tiny, but we thought some time in the sunshine would be nice for us all.

Hannah came up to make sure Claire had her "ka" (pacifier) in her mouth.

Claire didn't seem to even notice that she had left the house.

I tried to get a picture of us 3 girls but of course that never works. This one was the best of em.

On our way back home we lifted the blanket to check on Claire, and found that someone gave her their Barbie to hold for a while. That made me smile so big.

So far we are really enjoying our weekend. I hope everyone else is having a nice one too. We are so blessed that Jake has been able to take 3 weeks off from work for Claire's arrival. It has been so nice to have him home and to have his help. Not to mention the support that he also gives to me during the emotional post partum pregnancy weeks. I can't believe 1 week is already almost gone. Time goes too fast. Especially when your days and nights are filled with loving on your little girls.

Big Sister, Little Sister

I took this video yesterday morning on our way out to the pediatrician appointment. Claire had her first check up, and Hannah had her 2 yr. check up appointment. Hannah is 32 lbs. and 38.5 inches tall. The Dr. said she is off the charts for her age. And our little Claire was 19 3/4 in. long, and had dropped over 1 lb since her birth weight and is now at 6.11lbs. Our goal over the weekend is to fatten her up, and we will go back to the dr. on Monday to see if she has gained weight.