Peppermint Plum Photography

 LENNOX :: MAE :: HAFEN

Lennox Mae Hafen

 Lennox Mae Hafen

December 5, 2012

8:05 am

7 lb 11 oz

20 1/4 inches

I've had a newborn for 4 weeks and I am just now sitting down to write about it on my blog.  We've been busy.  It's been awesome. And a little crazy.  I mean, I have 2 kids. TWO!! We are still getting the hang of it.  I am still recovering from a c-section.  But more than anything, I am thankful for Pete.  I mean, I didn't even change a single diaper until day 4. He never asked or expected me to do it, bonus husband points! I am not good with restrictions but I know from my last c-section, the doctor's orders are for a reason. This time around has been so much easier.  But not so easy that I'd say I was ready and willing to have another, not just yet.

Harlow is adjusting well.  She loves to touch her sister (I said sister! eek!) and sing to her, she even asks to give her hugs and kisses every night at bedtime.  She is not a fan of Lennox's crying.  The first few days back at home were rough.  When Lennox would cry, Harlow would get flustered and cry herself.  Broke my heart.  But she is much better with it now.  She just tells me, "Mom, maybe you should pick her up." when she cries.  I have witnessed Harlow practicing her mothering skills on her baby doll, Lucy.  I found her with her baby up over her shoulder burping her, as well as sitting in my rocking chair, with my boppy pillow, nursing her baby.  Yes, nursing! And changing her dolls poopy diapers.  She is going to make a great mother some day when she's 50. 

I think the jump from 1 child to 2 is HUGE.  It has been such a transition for all of us.  My morning routine is out of wack. I never know when I'll have time to shower, or sleep, or eat for that matter.  It always seems there's a little human that needs something before my own needs are met.  But this too shall pass, right? 

I also can't believe how different my babies are.  While Harlow was slow to nurse, Lennox nurses like a champ!  And while Harlow was relaxed and even tempered, Lennox is more of a hands on baby.  Who not only tells you, but demands your attention.  Lennox has turned out to be a colic-y baby.  It rattles me, that I can't seem to soothe her.   And I will admit, has brought me to tears myself.  Thank goodness Pete is around to trade of when I just need a moment of peace.  Thankfully she has started to get on a better night time sleep pattern. I was beginning to not be able to tell night from day myself. 

Raising babies is hard work.  People make it look so easy! And while it's hard, its also so awesome! I have 2 of the cutest babies in the whole world.  How did I get so lucky?

Dear Harlow,

Dear Harlow,

Tomorrow morning you are going to be a BIG sister!  I am so excited for you to have a sister.  I grew up always wishing I had one.  You are one lucky little girl.  You'll have a best friend for life.  I can't wait to see you two grow up together, to fight and love one another and to rely on each other.  You are going to be such a great influence on her and I know she will always look up to you.

I won't lie, when your Dad and I first found out that we were having another baby, I was afraid and nervous.  I could only think of how much it would effect YOU and what YOU would think about the new addition and how YOU would weather the changes.  As we got more use to the idea of having two beautiful girls, I became so excited for you to have a sister.  I could picture many years of love, laughter and maybe some fighting and all of that makes me happy.  And I know you will do just fine.   You are everyone's friend, there is not a single person on this earth who doesn't love you.  But your Dad and I will always love you the most.  You are the reason I got to be a mom in the first place.  Without you I wouldn't have learned what it was to really love someone.  I love your Dad, but I love him more because of how much he loves you.  You did that for us. 

I don't ever want you to forget how special you are to me.  For so long (almost 3 years) it's been just you and me as best buds.  You are my sidekick and friend.  We have done everything together so far.  And even with another baby in the house, you're still going to hold that place in my heart.  And your little sister will think the same about you.

When you were born, your rocked our world in a silent earthquake I never saw coming.  I had no idea the impact you would have on me.  I knew I would love you but I never knew I could love someone SO much.  You changed my outlook on life and changed the route I thought my life would take as I grew older.  I never imagined that I would want to be a stay at home  mom.  I prided myself on being a hard worker, who enjoyed her work.  And when you came along, I enjoyed it but felt like I was missing parts of my heart while I was away from you.  If anyone had asked me 10 years ago if I would stay home with my kids after they were born, I never could have imagined saying yes.  But here I am, I get to spend my entire days with you and I feel so blessed and privileged to get to do so.  And even though it is not always easy, it is always good.  SO GOOD!

Tomorrow is a very big day in our family and though I am nervous and afraid at times, I keep telling myself how wonderful it will be to see you two together for the first time.  And for years to come.  I love you Harlow Emi Hafen.  I love you to God and back.

Love,
    Mom

The Big Fresno Fair 2012

We took our annual family trip to the fair this past weekend.  Luckily the weather decided to cool down a bit.  Last year the kiddie rides were such a hit with Harlow that we made sure to spend a majority of our time there first.  That way she was happy, not tired or hungry and could enjoy herself.  I think we did almost every ride she could do!  And poor daddy had to do all of them with her, except one.  But that didn't end well. She wanted to ride a boat ride in water but Daddy was too big and she had to ride alone.  Another little boy wanted to ride with her.  She was fine until he started ringing the bell over and over again.  She was not a fan and ended up hunched over crying her eyes out for the rest of the ride.  Such a drama queen! 

We also made sure to take our photo booth picture, stop and see the animals and of course eat some good food.  We had chicken kabobs, a corn dog and ice cream.  Plus a cinnamon roll to go.  I love the fair! 

 

 

Going to the Circus!

While we were in Texas this summer we decided to take a trip to the Ringling Bro Circus that was stopping in Dallas.  I haven't been to the Circus in a few years and was pretty entertained.  I actually had a migraine through the whole show (the circus and a migraine are a bad combo) but I wasn't about to miss Harlow's first trip to the circus!  She sat through the entire show and didn't miss a thing.  She loved the tigers and the clowns as well as all the acrobats.   She still asks to go to the circus again.  And we've promised to go back again sometime. 

She loved the tigers so we got her a tiger of her own to take home.

This is actually BEFORE we got to the circus.  She was so excited she wore herself out before we even got there.

All of us in the car headed to the Circus.  She was so excited, can you tell?