What's new with Kaitlyn? Well, she's huge- she keeps outgrowing clothes. She still eats every 2-2.5 hours. She still sleeps with us, waking 2-3 times a night to fill her little tummy.

It seems I won't be able to update my blog as much as I would like to. There is so much I'd love to share, so many pictures I'd love to edit and upload, so many videos (of Eva singing "Jesus Loves Me", etc) I'd love to share with you, and so many of your blogs I want to read and comment on. But these two kids keep me busy (in a good way), and when they're asleep I:

a)clean the house
b)work
c)nap

In that order. Sometimes I don't even get around to the all-important c. So, now you see why I don't have time to blog. Even right now I am typing one-handed as I nurse. Sigh.

And now I am done whining. Here's a picture:

Eva just had a random growth spurt- outgrowing most of her size 2 pants. It's a good thing it's summer, because it doesn't matter if skirts and capris fit shorter.

She seems so big to me now. Not only physically, but in every way. She is really good with her manners- please, thanks, excuse me, and sorry. She potties like a champ, and even stays dry at night. She surprises me with backrubs and hugs. And she's such a sweet big sister- always coming up to Kaitlyn, softly stroking her head and saying things like:
"nice baby"
"good girl"
"you are soo cute"
and my fave ...
"what's wrong? why are you crying? tell me what's wrong."

I'm so proud of this girl.

Also, I am so glad it's summer. She loves playing outside. We hit 2 beaches over the long weekend (Kits Beach and White Rock), played in the blow-up pool in our backyard, and of course visited her favourite park by our house.

I'm not the "attachment parent" type. Eva always slept on her own, we moved her to her own crib, in her own room by 7 weeks old. And, yes, we even did the whole "cry it out" thing.

We planned to do everything the same way with Kaitlyn. But, since the first night, she's whined and whimpered unless she's next to us. And, I read in some book, to do whatever it takes to get them to sleep for the first 6 weeks. They are fresh out of the comfy womb, and need time to adjust to the world.

So, I happily snuggled with Kaitlyn all night long, and I barely woke up when she needed to eat, because she was already right next to me. I woke up every morning happy and well-rested.

Then, at her one-month checkup, our Doctor found out about this co-sleeping business. And gave me a 5-minute lecture about how dangerous it is, and now I am totally freaked out. I know that you have to be extremely careful. And we are. And, I would just blow it off, but he ended his lecture with:

"Kaitlyn is just too precious to do that, Teresa"

Sheesh, Dr. H! Lay on the guilt.

So, we tried putting her in a bassinet in between us on the bed. And waking up to feed her, then putting her back down.

She hated it. And was not afraid to let us know. I got no sleep for 3 nights.

So, now, I'm not really sure what to do. We start the night with her in her bassinet, but as soon as she wakes up to eat (usually around 1:00), she stays next to me the rest of the night. We sleep, she eats, we are happy.

Except for the huge amount of guilt and worry I feel about the whole topic. So, friends, I am asking (begging!) for your thoughts, and advice. And, also wondering if anyone has any tips on transitioning a cuddly baby, to being able to sleep on their own.

Thanks, guys.

I haven't taken many pictures of little Kaitlyn the past few weeks. Eva's always stealing the spotlight. So, I snuck the camera in for a little after-bathtime photo shoot.





Also, can you believe she is one month and one day old? I can't. Sigh.

Well, imagine that. I blog about not having time to blog, and this is my second post of the day. Kaitlyn is sleeping, and Nich and the crew are out at the pet store (Eva's favourite place). My house is clean, laundry is done, and the dishwasher is running. So, blog time it is!

We've been enjoying the sunshine and our new backyard the last few days. Nich even put together Eva's slide for her.


She was pretty stoked about it. And even though our yard is TINY (like 10'x10' maybe?), with the right toys it works as good as any bigger yard. A slide, a tunnel, a bouncy ball, and when the weather is warmer- a blow-up purple panda pool.

We've been enjoying a visit with Nich's Mom and his younger sister, Erica. Eva is really enjoying all the attention (and presents! polka-dot sunglasses & a book for her LeapPad). Once again, we really wished they all lived closer. Terrace is soooo stinkin far away.

I feel like I never have time to blog anymore- there is so much to say, but i always quickly upload pictures, share the big updates and that's all I have time for.

So, once again, another short post. Maybe I'll have some more time when Kaitlyn is a bit older...

-Eva was asking me for something this morning, and I was only half-listening, and mumbled for her to wait a minute. She wouldn't back down so easily- she grabbed my pant leg, and yelled "Pay Attention!"

-Kaitlyn is a really strong baby- she's been holding her head up since 2 days old. She's also been rolling onto her side since a few days old. Yesterday? She completely rolled from her back onto her tummy.

And that is all I have time for today. We are enjoying a visit with Nich's Mom and younger sister, Erica. Pictures to come!

Some more pics from our matchy matchy photo shoot

After bathtime tonight, I broke out the scissors, sat Eva on our dining room chair, and braved the first haircut. Well- it was more like a trim. And I reeeally don't know what I'm doing, but I think it looks a whole lot better than it did. She was sporting some type of a straggly girl mullet. It really was not a good look for her, but who wants to pay $15 for trimming the 25 hairs on her head? Certainly not I- or the cheap Dutch man that I married. So, we let it go for too long, and I finally did something about it. I wish I had an "after" picture- but it was bedtime, so that will have to wait for another day.

Eva is such a hoot lately. She calls me "honey" now. Especially when she wants something. She'll look up at me with her big, puppy dog eyes, and say "Snack please, honey?". And how can I say no to that? She knows I'm a sucker for cuteness.

And, I guess this post is all about Eva- but in big sister news, she came up to Kaitlyn today, grabbed her hand, and announced "Kaitlyn, my best friend". Awwwwww.