father's day

Grateful

Again, here I am with a two month old, up too late at night but brimming with good feelings and gratitude for my boys and the wonderful people I have to share this experience with.  So grateful to still have my wonderful circle of moms (and some of the dads, too!) from the Bloom Babies birth class.  Thank goodness we defied our birth class instructor who wanted us to stay on task and instead started laying the foundation for a wonderful web of support.  And, thank goodness we opened up the circle to include other new mamas who weren't in the class... some of those mamas are among my favorite people now. 

And, I'm grateful for the parents from pre-school, and the neighbor mom who stopped by with her family today to introduce themselves and swap contact information (I cornered her husband on Saturday when he dared to walk by my house with a two-year-old, and he said he'd stop by with his family, and they did).  What a fantastic neighborhood we've moved into, with so many families that seem interesting and kind, and friendly.

And then I have these boys.  Ben is having some challenges lately -- the strong emotions of being two.  But yesterday we were sitting outside in front of the house and some older elementary school boys rode by on their bikes.  "Where's their mommies?" asked Ben.  I explained that they were big kids and they could go places without their mamas.  "Would you want to go anywhere without your mama, Ben?"  "No."  And he wouldn't.  As long as he has his mama -- and his mama's belly button -- my little guy is all set.  Poor thing, though.  He so wanted to sleep in Mama's bed for his nap today, but I wouldn't let him.  He posed a very strong argument in favor of sleeping in my bed versus his or the guest bed (which he thinks of as Grandma and Grandpa's bed).  With a sly smile, Ben informed me that he had to sleep in Mama's bed because it is "just right."  If you are a fan of "Godieyocks" as Ben is you will understand the compelling nature of that argument.

And the second boy, Leify, is totally edible.  All the little neighborhood girls who have been ooing and ahing over him agree.  He has such a great big sweet smile.  And, it's an easy smile.  I have never met a soul who enjoyed a clean diaper as much as Leify Brown.  Just anticipation of a fresh diaper when he got on the changing table this afternoon set him off to smiling.  Coaxing out his sweet smiles with conversation, coos and tickles is addictive.  He sure knows how to lure in and reward his mama.  When he ahhs and coos at me, I can feel the vibrations through his whole chest and back.  And, he has these sweet little creases and dimples around his mouth -- and the half-moon eyes.  Little Leify spits out his pacifier to smile at me.  His smiles just pop.  I think we've got a charmer on our hands.

My cup runneth over.

Love,
Mama

A recent day at the park

Two!

Happy birthday to our loving, energetic, wonderful, talkative son!  We love you!

Leify is happy it's your birthday, too!

 

Ben, you're so good at blowing out candles (although, I prefer your chosen term from a few weeks ago: "blow OFF candles"), that you blew them out before Marvin could press "record."  You asked for your candles "with fire on them."

Here are more photos of your pre-birthday weekend with both sets of grandparents (and Ezra, Karyn, Lynore and Norman!) and your birthday party.  When was your birthday, Ben?  Check out some of the included videos to find out (Mama will also spill the beans: "In June eleventh" you have been telling us all week). 

Leif's Log

Hey, we had a baby! And, if you think about it, we're not that late with this first post. We didn't start Ben's blog until about 6 weeks. We're only 2 weeks later with Baby #2. So, meet our wonderful new son!

Noah and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of Leif Holtan Brown, named in loving memory of our grandmothers, Eldora (Holtan) Murray and Lorna Bode. Eldora, of course, was endlessly proud of her fine Norwegian heritage and Lorna had the courage and drive to serve in the British land army during WWII and then to sail with her young family across the sea in order to resettle in Canada and ultimately Massachusetts. Hence, we thought it appropriate to name Leif after the most famous Norwegian adventurer and heralded first European to land on North America, Leif Ericson.

Leif had an adventurous entry into life himself. He was born at 12:44 am on April 15, 2011 in the lobby of Evanston Hospital after less than 3 hours of labor. He arrived in the world only moments after we managed to get through the door of the hospital, narrowly avoiding a birth at curbside. We hear that the security guard on duty may be scarred for life.Ben has already been to visit his new baby brother. We are all doing great! Leif weighed in at 7 lbs, 12 oz. and 20 inches long.

Here is the original set of birth photos we posted for friends and family, including an adorable one of Mom, Leif and Ben. Here is the complete set of Leify's hospital photos.

We've had an amazing 8 weeks so far with our expanded family. Ben is totally in love with his little brother. We're getting a little bit of sleep. Life's good. More photos and stories to come.

Love,
Anne