*highs: Hearing Little Smith say 'night night Woo-bee' to his sister as he heads off to bed. * James settling our baby on his chest, when she refuses to go back to sleep at 5AM each morning. * Sharing real sincere laughs with Little Smith (especially when he imitates me- he does a good impression!). * Nursing during nap time, just the two of us, in absolute peace. * Getting out of the house every day, it's been a giant challenge for me to juggle everyone on field trips solo and I'm really proud that we've been making it happen. * Watching Little Smith rock and gently pet the baby so lovingly. * Delighting in the most perfect summer weather, crisp and sunny and cool. * The whole family piling into bed in the middle of the day. * Getting back to the garden and lugging home baskets heavy with veggies. * Seeing those mirror-like newborn eyes taking in the new world. * Singing songs for hours. * Fitting back into my shoes (some of them). * Reading in the park with my toddler by my side and my baby in the sling... and feeling like I've got this parenting thing down!
*lows: Two unhappy little people screaming at me at once. * Lugging bodies and bags up and down the stairs just to do a simple errand (never have I been so aware of living on the second floor!). * Running out of wipes, again. * The transition from 'baby that always sleeps' to 'baby that never sleeps'. * Having to say 'no' when Little Smith asks me to pick him up, because I don't have any free hands. * Having zero time to myself- seriously- zero. * Finally getting her to sleep, only to have him wake up thirty seconds later. * Little Smith suggesting we 'put Woo-bee down wight there' and motioning to a bush (during a particularly chaotic outing). * Still not fitting any of my rings. * Having my baby wake up and try to claw her way out of the sling in a crying fit... just when I thought I had this parenting thing down.
It's been a completely crazy and amazing first three weeks as a family of four. I did prepare myself mentally for many of the challenges that we're now working though, but there are always the ones you just can't anticipate. Some moments have been tough, and sleep deprivation and surging hormones tend to amplify those little dramas. Any struggles though are overshadowed by the love and sweetness that's filling my home right now. These are good days. Deliriously good.
*These pictures were all taken by James last Sunday when we went peach picking at Lookout Farm. It was more of a big commercial operation than I typically enjoy for my pick-your-own excursions, but Little Smith was so excited by the train ride and grape arbors that it was well worth the entry fee.