Oh, Brother!

*did I say check back this weekend in that last post?  I definitely meant Wednesday.

It's a BOY!! 
I know, old news.
Eli Thomas (ET for blogging purposes)
8 lbs 11 oz
23" (I think) long.

Bringing baby home... we had to bribe SBR with a chip to sit next to his teeny tiny brover.

I'm overwhelmed at how much has happened in the last 3 mos, I don't even know where to begin.   So this is just a photo chronicle of our lives now, with stories in between of our last few months.

First bath

So.. how is the baby?
The baby is PERFECT.  Seriously, Best. Baby. Evah!  Once we settled down his acid reflux, he slept through the night.  at 6 weeks.  no lie.
If you think you are going to just say a quick "HIIII, gooo-gooo, beautiful boy, blah-blah" you're wrong.  He will instantly smile at you, start jabbing and have your attention for at least a few more minutes, but he will steal your heart forever.
He rarely cries or fusses.  He just sits back and takes everything in.  He needs to be where the action is.  But, he is just a perfectly content baby.

taken at 2 weeks

How is SBR as a big brother?  Towards and about ET, he's great, he's attentive, concerned and loving.  He will bring ET toys, say loving things towards, give him kisses, throw his paci at his face if he's upset, cover his head with a blankie if it's cold... you know, loving, brotherly things.  On Christmas, he even gave ET one of the gifts that he opened as he declared "Here ET... you have dis, I don wike it."
Already he's pawning of his rejected things to his little bro. so sweet.

"I hold it..."

the first time SBR held ET- 2 mos old

Now, how happy is SBR with me since I brought home a baby to divide my attention, love on and coo at?  On a scale of 1-5, he's a -6.  All the typical things you would think of.  If I'm feeding ET, he will need something stat or get into things he know he shouldn't be in or doing.  He quickly figured out I'm pretty immobile while feeding ET and takes full advantage.
There are improvements- ET can now hang out in SBRs room, just not on his bed.
SBR doesn't throw a fit if I have ET in my lap while we play puzzles or trains or whatever. 
A lot of time Mr. Husband and I divide and conquer, so if SBR is going on an adventure (to Wal-mart) with me and ET stays behind, SBR melts-down for a few seconds wanting his baby bro to come with us.  (or is he thinking... if I have to...so does he!?)
In the beginning, SBR was a paci thief, he loves hanging out in the bouncer, on the play mat, he's even crawled up into the changing table in the nursery.

We went to the pumpkin patch with Nana and ET in October.  You would never know ET was there because there is not one photo to prove it.  #secondchild

Hay maze

I love the look of this photo, antique it a little to tone down SBRs shirt... it's a framer.

Horse led hay rack rides to the pumpkins

Yep... it's a good one!

And for Halloween, SBR was appropriately a Cowboy...

ET was tired.

It was almost 2 and half years before SBR had his first owie sticka

ET... 2 mos.  These clippers came in a baby toiletry pouch...  they are definitely not baby safe and have been thrown away.  That finger bled for.ev.er.

Daddy Time

My first day back to work... everyone's all right.

SBR is obsessed with trains. He built this all by himself.

Pregnancy brain is still in full ride here. I can't focus on anything.  I couldn't manage to get my head, house, planning, even my desk at work in any sort of order.  This really made Christmas exhausting.  I half way decorated my messy home, I kind of randomly bought presents, my tree didn't even get a star or tinsel this year.  When it came time to wrap presents, I realized, I had bought the baby a rattle.  That's it.  Ah- rattle.  Uno. one. done.  really??   Bad mommy.  And then to top it off... I could not find my camera on Christmas day, so there are no still photographs to commemorate his 1st Christmas.  (there is video).  Already, the 2nd child neglect is setting in.  As you can see I'm not hurting for photos of the babe, but still. 

I try to remember- what does all this matter?  I've never asked my mom about my 1st Christmas, and I'm hoping the boys don't either.  I can't even tell you what I bought SBR for his 1st Christmas, but I know it was more than a rattle.  
A rattle that technically came from Santa!  I decided to forfeit any gift to ET for the sake of Santa.  Because no gift from Santa says 'Bad Boy' and ET is NOT a bad boy.
All First world problems Mr. Husband's favorite mumbling. and how true.

Mommy, I Santa!

LOVE this photo.

Eli hanging his first ornament.

(and by 1st ornament, I do not mean his Baby's 1st Christmas ornament, because that got ordered after Christmas and arrived just days ago)

Our New Year's was pretty satisfying.  Once we decided to stay home, I tried to think of something "Easy and Fancy" to do for dinner.  I settled on Easy.  Pancakes and bacon... the fancy?  Hot Chocolate with whipped cream.  Yum!  Mr. Husband makes thee best pancakes ever!  Maybe this will be a new tradition.

We did not do Christmas cards this year... how could I?  really... ONE RATTLE.

Here's the photos that would've made the cut:

Photos from Christmas Eve with Nana and Papa (and Aunt Chelle)

LoVe Papa's hand in this photo.

Roberson men

 Look how excited he is... that is Eli's gift, clothes. He does not care.

So here we are 2013.  2012 was bittersweet.  We are picking up the pieces of my pregnancy and celebrating our sweet sweet boys.  I seriously did not know you could love SO much.

I just don't know how people can ever understand a parent's love for a child if they never have them.  I really don't think you truly can.

 

To my parents and family, my friend's parents and my friends that are parents or about to be.... I hope your New Year is filled with more joy than heartache.  Cherish every moment you can, and know you are doing (or did) a great job!

(except my parents, my parents did a FANTASTIC job)