School's out for Summer

Mia enjoys her end of the year picnic at Mandala....

...and then spends her lazy summer days while her brother finishes out his school year hangin' in his bedroom and eating popsicles in the backyard.

A day in the (very rough) life of Mia!

Smiles for Brother

Mia is completely in love with her big brother. I took these photos while he was chatting it up with her - too cute. You can just see the adoration and love for him in her eyes.

Reading

Too cute...

Luke actually knows the words to this book pretty well, so "reading" it to Mia was no problem. Goes to show how many times we've read it!

I'm pretty sure that there is an almost identical picture to this of my brother and I - I'll have to get it from my mom and I'll post it here, just for fun. So check back

Siblings

When I first found out I was pregnant with Mia, I thought a lot about how I might possibly love her as much as I do Luke. I also worried for Luke about how he would fare once he didn't have all of our attention. I had even found a poem that I blogged about (see "Loving Two") that described my feelings at that time.

As Mia begins to grow and become her own little person, I watch in awe as Luke takes on this new role of big brother. I honestly could have never imagined that he would actually like her, much less LOVE her, in these early days when she requires so much of my attention ... yet, he does. He shows concern for her, compassion, love, and a protectiveness that makes my heart swell. He told Mia today that she is "just so pretty."

Luke, your love for your sister makes me love you even more (if that is humanly possible). I feel so blessed to watch the two of you develop your relationship. I know that there will be so many challenging times as siblings (some of which Daddy and I will have to referee), but I am completely enjoying this time as you get to know one another and develop a bond that you will share forever.

Big Brother, Baby Sister

Luke has been the most amazing big brother since Mia arrived home. He always asks if he can help me feed her (hopefully soon we'll do a bottle here and there so that he can) and comes iwth me nearly every time I change her diaper and hands me the supplies.

Mia is just fascinated with her big brother. I love how she looks at him and seems to be so alert and paying attention when he's showing her something or talking to her. SO cute!

The perfect book

Over the summer I was browsing Barnes and Noble for some fireman/firetruck books for Luke when I came across this one on the bargain shelf (LOVE that shelf!).
So, for all of the obvious reasons (we wanted to introduce Luke to the idea of being a big brother, the baby in the story was gender-neutral and we didn't then know the sex of the baby, etc.), this was a great book. So, I was sold on it before I even really opened it to read it ... but once I did I was certain that Luke had to have it ... the big brother's name in the story is Luke!

Almost as if on cue just a few weeks before his new sister arrives, Luke has decided that this book, which he previously had little interest in, is his absolute favorite. We read it several times a day and the pages are suddenly starting to look worn ... and, in my opinion, there is nothing better than a book that is well worn and loved!

Progress

From a baby's room to a big boy's room ... not quite done, but almost!

From a guest room, to the beginnings of a baby girl's room

31 weeks and counting!

Luke got a real big boy bed this weekend! I was a bit concerned about how he might react to all of the changes, particularly moving his crib and beloved rocking chair out of his room and into the baby's ... but I apparently had nothing to worry about. He's sleeping GREAT in his new bed and was thrilled (over-the-top thrilled!) to have a big boy bed!

Doing some late night reading....

...to prepare for my new role.


The picture is a bit blurry, but you can see the title. The funny thing is, we hadn't even read that book together yet - he just randomly picked it out. In fact, most nights when I go in to check on Luke he has a number of books in his bed. I guess the few books that we read together everynight before I tuck him in just haven't been cutting it!

a BIG announcement

Guess what!?

I am going to be....

a BIG ...

brother!!!

Can you believe it???

This is very exciting news :)!

HE or SHE is due New Years Day - January 1st, 2010.