While Holding a Baby

::Now that his runny nose has cleared, Hugo has fairly unrestricted access to the babies.  I think it might be safe to say that for now, it is an unrequited love.

::A typical morning with many visitors to our bed!

::Mornings and evenings mean handing off a baby or two immediately in order to try to get something done (while only holding one baby: since when has this been considered easy?), but I managed to marry a man who adores newborns, and I don't think he minds.  He's actually really good at it.

::I have figured out tandem babywearing, which is pretty lifechanging around here.  It means I can homeschool, go for walks with the older kids, and prepare meals without having to dart back and forth to the nursery.

::Besides, who can resist this incredible cuteness?  They are so relaxed and happy in there.

::Unfortunately, there are several tasks that can not get done while tandem babywearing, such as laundry, exercise, and sitting down.  But instead of taking a picture of all of that, I'll just show you our pretty tulips, deal?

::I did manage to bake enough peanut butter chocolate chip bars (adapted from this) to send into Ben's work (and of course amply feed our own family, no small feat).  

::If you ever get the hankering to hold a baby, head on over!  Don't worry, we will genuinely enjoy your presence while you're holding that baby.

::See?  Everyone gets a cup of coffee.  Let no one say our guests are not looked after.

Happy Weekend!

From Ben's Phone

Because I always love seeing what other people find beautiful and interesting, here are a few pictures off of Ben's phone over the past half year or so (all pictures his, except, I think, the one of Ben hugging a Christmas tree). It was fun for me to get a different perspective into this little family of ours! I hope you enjoy it, too.

Balance

Have you all heard of balance bikes? I'm sure you have: they're basically little bikes without pedals or gears. The idea is that toddlers can learn how to balance using these bikes (doing something called "coasting" in which they run up some speed and then lift their feet up). Then, when they are really really good at coasting, they can switch to a regular old bike and all they need to learn how to do is pedal.

See? That's coasting! "Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause" gave Lily an actual bona fide balance bike (Lily firmly believes Mrs. Clause is involved in the present delivery, however, she does not enter your home, because, "She's shy.")". We realized that Zosia's "big girl bike" was both a bit too big for her and over her head. Our solution? Ben took the thrift store bike we bought for her a year ago for $2.99 and took off the pedals and gears. According to Ben, all you need to do this is 2 wrenches, a screwdriver, a hammer, and some elbow grease. I'm only wishing we had thought of this in time to do it for both girls!

Ta da! And then when it's time, you can always put the pedals back on. For now, we're loving the balance bikes: it's amazing how quickly the kiddos pick up on it! We're balance biking all around the neighborhood these days.

The Birth of a Father

Holding your first baby always comes as a bit of a shock. I mean, what do you do with this thing?

And then, somehow, with time, you start easing into the role of parent. You learn the simple lessons, like the value of going with the flow.

You learn to delight in new experiences,

and the fact that your two arms can actually hold two babies.

Or that your two arms can hold one toddler, while your back holds a baby.

You learn how to be an amazing play partner,

adventure partner,

and a very funny teller and listener of secrets.

And then one day someone like, say, your wife, will be looking at you and utter: "My, but isn't he the most natural father?"


And that you are, my dear.

A Father's Love

I couldn't help but share this picture: which is what I found when I walked into my living room yesterday afternoon. I hope all the father's out there had a wonderful weekend-- and that our gratitude will spill over into the rest of the year, too.