Apples!

Dear Henny and Hazel Nut, 
We've not spent a lot of time at the Farmer's Market this year.  The summer was SO HOT it was hard to be outside for any length of time without being in water or having it in a constant spray over us.  We just didn't have the motivation to get up on a Saturday and go out into it.  Today we went and were pleasantly surprised by apple tasting tables from local farmers.  YES!  Bundled up, we enjoyed the crisp of the air and that of the sensational featured Fuji apples.  Henny, you loved being able to stab those little squares with a tooth pick and we had to stop you from taking our samples out from under us.  

Hazellie, you stayed snuggled up and warm up close to Daddy snoozing without fail.  

We moved on to a booth that had cans with punched out constellation formations on the end.  You (Hen) peered into each and provided commentary while listening intently to the woman explaining their names.  

We left to have some brunch and hot chocolate at Waffle House.  I felt a lot of joy and peace today; the four of us together on such a beautiful afternoon.  I am a lucky Mama and Wifey.

Love, Mama 

2 Week Doctor's Check Up

Dear Zellie, 
Your 2 week check up was great.  You are doing all the right things and growing all the right way.  You established your growth curve with this second appointment and you went from 6lbs 4.2oz, 18.5" (you measured 19 at the hospital) and a head of 32.8cm to 7lbs 8.8oz, 20 inches long and your head was 35cm.  

That put you in at the 50% for weight and 50% to 75% in height.  You gained way more than was anticipated but that's okay, you demand 4 oz bottles every three hours or so.  Glad to know you're growing. Yay!  We are doing something right.
Love, Mama

Hazel's first visit with her birth family

 Dear Hazie Mazie, 
We had your first visit with your birth mama WW just 17 days after your birth.  Between now and then WW has been through A LOT.  She went to the hospital having bad neck pain to be checked in with preeclampsia, rarer after delivering.  She stayed a couple of days in the hospital and is doing much better.  We had a nice lunch with WW and Lmom, WW's mom, your birth grandma, and they passed you back and forth.  Then we went to Lmom's house and hung out for a little while.

They got in lots of snuggles and listened to Mama prattle on about all the things you do and how chill you are.  You already rest on your tummy and push yourself straight up, holding your head with the strength of a 2 month old.  I told them how you rarely cry and how you love to be cuddled.  It was great seeing each other again.  Before this visit was even over they were asking when we would meet up again.  I let them know we'd see them in a month or so and talk in between.  I love that we are staying connected.  Someday you will too.
Love, Mama

Bath Time!

Dear Peep and Zellie, 
Here we are! Two kids!  Big boy you are the most helpful big brother and Hazel you are the sweetest little sister ever.
I love this.

 You gently poured water over her tummy and she thrust her feet in there air.  I love seeing you help Hazel out. 
Love, Mama

Back to School

Dear Peep, 
You started back to preschool 2 days a week for a few hours.  You were so handsome your first day, well and everyday of course.  You were so excited, right up until we got to the door.  You begged me not to leave ya.  You didn't want me so far away.  So it went the first three times you went.  You came home and chit chatted at length about your day but you didn't want to go back for sure!  Now you're in the groove and while yous till beg to "just stay home with you Mommy," before every school day you are having a grand time playing with kids and talking the teacher's ears off about your new baby sister.  You did tell them that your sisters name is Boingy Furry.  I walked in one day you telling them "she doesn't cry much and her hair is just so soft!"  You've already made some wonderful crafts, such as a cute little apple guy with three eyes, a nice smile and the only one with green arms and legs.  You were super charged during the Teddy Bear theme week.  

You had a very hard time choosing a teddy bear to take in.  The first day you choose a blue Care Bear teddy that plays the alphabet with a good squeeze.  

I'm taking this one.

"Did you get them all in?"

You know that GG bought this for you, one of your first gifts from her.  I asked you if you would tell them your GG gave it to you and you looked at it, squeezed it tightly and told me you'd just keep that a secrete.  You also were asked to bring in some books that featured bears.  You selected Bear Snores On and You Can Do it Sam.  I'd say you're doing really good these days playing with buddies and participating, though Zumba is not your cup of tea and you choose to sit back and enjoy watching instead.  They will never know what a dance machine you truly are.  It is divine to pick you up.  You run to me full gusto, toss your arms around me and squuuuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezeeeeeeeeee so tight and give me kisses, kisses and more kisses.  You tell me you miss me.  This makes our hours a part so worth while.
Love you! Mama

Two Sweet

Dear Hazie Mazie, 
I had to post these because you are incredibly sweet.  Grandma P bought this little wicker stroller for you to play with someday.  Henny loves this thing!  but for now I'll just prop you in it for a few picts.  
Love you sweet girl, Mama

Dear Peep, 
I love a cold morning to put a cool hat on your head.  You do too.  Love this cuddly moment.  Your pants are rolled because the transition between short pants and long pants was a little difficult.  You were less than thrilled by the feel of the pants on your ankles.  Love your quirky little butt, 
Mama

We were playing different animals, here you are a fox getting away.

Look at you babies!  (Just look at them!)  I still feel like I am stuck in a dream.  Can I really have two children as special and sweet and crazy as these two?  I look at these pictures and I see each of their birth mama's, Hazel's WW and Henny's JoJo and I wouldn't/couldn't have it any other way.  We are sisters and women in the world that needed each other in may different ways.  I love them both.  My gratitude makes me crumble at times.  It also makes me stronger to make the difficult parent choices I need to make as a parent.  Still in disbelief, I look at them, snuggle their soft skin, whisper to them and breathe in all that goes into their being.  By nature and nurture these babies are going to be the coolest ever.

Meeting Grandpa Tim

Dear Baby Girl, 
Your timing for coming into this world was stellar!  Family was all around.  Grandpa Tim and his new wife Trish (not so new to you) arrived for Grandpa Tim's high school reunion days after you were born. I will keep which reunion to myself!  So alas you and Grandpa Tim meet and immediately you cuddled.  He and Trish watched you and Henny while Mommy and Daddy went to dinner.  It was a nice break but we missed the kids.  Grandpa Tim gave you a cuddle and you napped together for a while.  You are both napping champions.  We are so glad that everything worked out that they were able to see you as a warm cuddly newborn creature.  You are so loved by so many!
Love, Mama