Little Moments

It melts my heart to see how these two are already becoming buddies. I keep catching little moments between them. The other night Sienna wanted to read to Kensi. She pulled her chair over to the swing and read her a couple books. This was all unprompted  The night before while Kensi was sleeping, Sienna plopped down next to her to play her video game not wanting to be more than an inch away. So sweet.

Newborn Pictures

We did our own newborn photo shoot when Kensi was 2 weeks old. I think they turned out well especially considering I don't have my new lens yet. Most of these have been edited by Photoshop. Here's my favorites.

1 Month

Kensi,
I have to admit, I was scared to meet you. I thought for sure you were going to be my challenging baby. When you were in the womb, you would get into all sorts of positions that made me very uncomfortable. My belly was more often a triangle shape than round. You also moved a lot, so I said you were going to be my feisty baby. I could not have been more wrong. Turns out you just like to be scrunched up and keep your knees into your chest. That explains all the weird positions. You, my dear, are so mellow. I think you are going to take after your Dad. Most people say you resemble him more than me, and you love, love, love your sleep just like he does. The night before you turned 4 weeks old, you slept 9 hours straight. What 4 week old does that! You haven't done that consistently, but every night you do at least a 6.5 hour stretch and only wake up once a night. It's wonderful! In the hospital before you were born, we had an ongoing battle with the nurses about when you'd sleep through the night. On the board there was a place to write in the plan for baby. The nurse wrote down sleeps through the night by 8 weeks. Your Dad said that was way too late, so she changed it to 6 weeks. After the nurse left the room your Dad went up and wrote 4/6 weeks. We joked that he jinxed you and it would be 10 weeks instead. Looks like Dad was right. Makes me want to find that nurse and tell her.

Fun things that you are starting to do: Smiles!! I've been getting a few out of you while we have our morning chats. I can't wait to see more of them. You are also starting to coo a little. So sweet to hear. You've been making great eye contact with me, so it makes me believe you can see me better and know who I am. Your eyes are starting to track objects and you turn your head towards voices, especially your big sister.

You are long and lean still. You're wearing 0-3 clothes. They are loose fitting but you have such long legs and arms you fill that part out perfectly. The baby chub is very slowly starting to come! I've noticed some chubby thighs. I am looking forward to squeezing all the baby rolls. Maybe next month.

Unofficial measurements:
Height: 23 inches
Weight: 11 pounds

Here's how your photo shoot started. Why do they always seem to start that way?

You calmed down right after I changed you out of this outfit. Since you were content, I quickly put you back in it and you cooperated for me. 

You already look bigger next to this bear than you did a couple weeks ago.

Valentine's Day

I meant to get this up last week but we've been busy! We've had lots of visitors slowly trickling in to see Kensi which has been nice having them spread out. Plus the every day life with having 2 kids passes the time quickly. We're all adjusting well but definitely less "me" time. Anyways onto Valentine's Day. A few nights before the day, Sienna colored the back of her Valentines to give out at daycare and to her favorite people in her life. (I had free credits from Shutterfly, so I got these. So cute!)

Kensi and I spent most of the actual day at Grammy's house. My mom joined us, as did my Uncle John and Aunt Donna for part of the time. It was so nice to relax with them.

In the evening we celebrated as a family. Sienna ate an early dinner and opened a plethora of presents that arrived from the grandparents and us. She also helped Kensi open hers.

We put in a movie for Sienna right as Kensi was going down for a nap. Justin and I enjoyed a whole hour without tending to children's needs. We had a delicious dinner with lots of crab, artichokes, and wine. Bliss! I couldn't think of a better way to spend the night than with the 3 loves of my life. Here's my girls in their Valentine outfits.

Adjusting

I was thinking we were all adjusting well to having Kensi around. She's been sleeping great, so Justin and I are feeling good. Sienna is always so sweet to her, wanting to give her kisses and very proud of being a big sister. I even thought she was starting to be a little less clingy to me...until Bita called me up and had to share a story.

Sienna was acting sad at daycare, so Bita asked her what was wrong. Sienna answered very sadly, "My Mommy is so busy and doesn't have any time to cut and paint my toes and fingers." Bita had a hard time not busting out laughing. Instead she consoled her and asked if she could cut and paint her toes. We both had a good laugh at her amazing articulation! I can't believe she was able to express that or even think it. Over the weekend we had talked about painting her toes but never got around to it. She didn't bring it up again so I didn't think it was an issue. It of course broke my heart too and I was sure to try and give her extra attention that night. Plus I made a big fuss about her pretty toes and even cut her finger nails. :) Hope she's not too traumatized. Mental note to follow through on the promises I make her!

On another note here's me and my 2 girls. I am already finding it impossible to get a decent one where we all look at the camera. Time to learn more Photoshoping techniques!

She's Here!!

Meet Kensi Michelle Jovle. Born Monday January 21, 2013 at 2:08 pm. Big girl weighing 8 pounds 14 ounces and 20.5 inches with very long fingers and toes and short blonde hair. She's beautiful and perfect. 

It's been a whirlwind of a week. We went in Monday morning early for an induction. Sienna was sent to Bita's for the day, so my parents could come be at Abbott when Kensi was born. Labor went awesome. I couldn't have asked for anything better. The staff at Abbott was amazing and really made it a great experience. If you want the detailed labor experience I will gladly tell it to you but not going to post it all here. In summary, pushing out an almost 9 lb kid takes a little more effort than a hardly 7 lb one but even so, it went quick. 

Mom and Ron brought Sienna up to the hospital that night. She was very excited to see us and meet her little sister. I thought she might be scared or weirded out by the hospital, but she wasn't at all. Climbed right up on my bed to meet her sister. Because of all the stuff with the flu going on, they had visitor restrictions. Kids from 2-13 were only able to visit once and for 15 minutes. They didn't strictly enforce it, but Sienna was only able to stay for a short period of time. 

We did have time for a quick cheers with champagne or juice. 

That night Justin and I hardly slept. Kensi was up a lot and when she wasn't, there was still a lot of commotion including the helipad nearby. We were eager to get home. The hospital released us 24 hours from Kensi's birth after she had passed all of her tests. 

The 2nd night at home didn't go much better. Kensi was again up for most of it. Justin and I took shifts, but it was still a very long night. The next morning Mom and Ron brought Sienna back home. Even being exhausted it was good to have us all together. Sienna is very sweet with her sister and loves giving her kisses on her head. 

Luckily for all of us Kensi got some milk in her belly that day and slept awesome that night. She is showing signs of being like her big sister who is also a great sleeper and has been from the beginning. I am crossing my fingers it continues! The rest of the week has been good. Kensi is a happy baby so far and so darn cute. Sienna is a proud big sister, but also starting to be jealous and already wants Mommy every time I am feeding Kensi. I'm sure it'll be an interesting weekend. 

Lastly - who do you think she looks like? I can't tell yet, but I am thinking she's more Jovle than Staubus-Rost. She is definitely different from Sienna as a baby! 

2 1/2 years

Sienna,

2.5 years old. You continue to amaze me as what you can do and understand at such a young age. It's probably always like this but I will never stop being in awe. You have the biggest heart and show your love for everyone. Your favorite expression right now is sincerely telling people, "You're so nice." Or if we are talking about someone you will say, "He/She is so nice." You are starting to grasp the concepts of right/wrong and good/bad. You know if someone is not nice, then they are mean. You also know that hate and stupid are bad words which we don't say - and remind your Daddy about it every time he does. :)

You are still all about being a big girl. If I forget and call you my baby you set me straight saying, "No Mommy! I'm a big gee-aaalll" (that's a southern accent you picked up somewhere) You are wearing pull-ups pretty much full time now at home and underwear at daycare which makes you so proud. We are still a ways away from really getting potty training, but it's a definite start.

In addition to being a sweetheart you are also so smart. Daddy taught you right vs left and you picked it up right away. He's also been working on reading your clock to you. Every morning you wake up so excited to read the time. You also have your Mommy's love for puzzles and with help, love putting together the 24 piece ones. Your memory is also amazing. Gone are the days when we could tell you something to appease you for the moment. If we say it, you hold us to it!

The girly girl in you is coming out as you love combing hair, pretend putting on lipstick, getting dressed up in your princess clothes, and putting on all the jewelry. You get very excited when you get to wear a dress and have to be bribed to wear jeans. Dance class and going swimming with Daddy are 2 of your favorite activities. You talk about dance class all week long and will show anyone your dance or the moves that you have learned. One day at the pool you decided on your own it was time to start wearing the floatys. You walked right up to the bin, told Daddy you wanted to wear them, and marched into the water to start swimming.

Helping Mommy & Daddy bake or cook makes you so happy. Whenever we are in the kitchen you run in and want to sit on the stools and help or watch.

You are becoming such an independent girl. Pretty soon you will be a big sister and I can't wait to see you take on that role too. We love you so much Sienna!