...and then the DOG'S TOOTH FELL OUT!

Sometimes the shiz really hits the fan.  Having a 15 month old and a 5 week old is pure, marvelous, MADNESS.  Like serious nut-house type fun.  I haven't slept in over a month.  I run around with my head cut off doing the strangest things.  I find bizarre, non-foodstuff things in my freezer that I know I must have placed there since Madi can't reach.  The other day, I heard Hannah crying on my bed and went to check on her after helping Madi with an emergency in the next room.  She was shivering with her diaper wide open, laying in a pile of poop--I had left her right in the middle of a dirty diaper change and didn't even remember her until she started screaming 10 minutes later!  It's getting really hard to form a coherent sentence (especially when I write or text, so sorry if this, and all future posts don't make a lick of sense).  Then when the stars align and both girlies are asleep for a nap during the day, I'll lay down but my mind gets RACING making rest impossible.  I'm just a few more sleepless nights away from a trip to the asylum...and I have to admit that being committed sounds like paradise--better than a spa getaway.  :)  The smallest of tasks takes hours and days to finally complete because of constant interruptions/distractions in addition to an inability to concentrate/focus and see something entirely through.  I am staying cheerful (well, somewhat), grateful (most of the time) and mentally strong (a bit of a stretch), but my body is starting to break down.  My muscles are screaming, my headaches are out of this world, and now I think I've tweaked a nerve/muscle/ dislocated my shoulder and feel crippled on the left side of my upper body.  I know if I could just sleep my muscles could relax and I would be spared physical therapy but that probably aint happenin' anytime soon.  So thank heavens for hot pads, muscle rub, and Moms and husbands that will massage you when they can.

Okay, now I'm really boobing.  Sorry for the whining.  I know millions of mamas have done harder things than what I'm doing.  My mom had 9 kids and didn't sleep for over two decades of her life.  My sister-in-law, Emily, has 6 fabulous kids and works like a superhero from sun-up to sun-down, day in and day out (I need a nap just watching her)! My big sister, Kellie, is a phenomenal Mama Bear to her lucky, beautiful cubbies.  She just posted the cutest "Mama Story" I've ever read on her blog and every time I read it, I end up with tears streaming down my face: (Click Here-->) "Will. Hike."  I have excellent examples all around me who do HARD THINGS every minute of every day and smile all the while.  I know I can be stronger, that what I'm doing is WORTH IT, and that my girlies will grow up too quickly and this will all be a distant memory someday.  

Despite the non-stop fun, we really are all doing great.  Madi is such a sweet, spirited big sister.  She has been very gentle with little sis.  She forces me to push through, makes me laugh minutely, and gets us all out for some powerful Vitamin D in the sunshine several times a day.  Hannah is a doll baby...and it's a good thing she's so dang cute cuz her grunting and wiggling and writhing all night could really get her in trouble if she weren't.  Matt has been SO incredibly helpful, supportive, loving, kind and everything WONDERFUL there is to be.  Grandma and Grandpa Black come up at least once a week to love the girlies for me while I get a real, deep nap (it's really better than Christmas when they show up).  They take Madi to the park, Grandpa holds Hannah and rocks and soothes her for hours, they catch me up on laundry, clean like only Ma can, cook a delicious dinner for us, then drive off spreading sparkles and sunshine wherever they go.  My sweet dad even turns me loose in his beloved and BEAUTIFUL new car so that I can go get a drink and be ALL BY MYSELF for one perfect hour during the week...there's just nothing better!  Just one day of their cheerful, wonderful presence sets us up for a successful week, come what may.  Blessings keep showering down on our little family (mostly in the form of supportive family and friends).  There are so many precious moments sprinkled in with the plentiful stressy ones.  Life is good!  And even the horrifying moments can make you giggle.

Like this one:  (See picture below)

I know this should be sad or at least embarrassing, but I just have to LAUGH HYSTERICALLY every time I see Lily's awful, funny gap and snaggles.  We didn't think she could get any uglier, or that life could get any crazier...and then LILY'S TOOTH LITERALLY FALLS OUT (front and center)! He he he he HA HAAAA!

A few days or maybe it was weeks (I've completely lost all track of time) after we came home from the hospital with baby Hannah, Lily jumped up on our bed and slithered her way up my tummy to lick my face (she'd had it with being completely neglected and needed a little human contact).  I immediately burst out laughing til my C-Section staples started throbbing.  Matt joined in when I peeled back Lily's lip and showed him what was so funny.  Lily had lost a tooth--who knows when--and things were so chaotic and nutso around our house we hadn't even noticed!  The hole in our Chihuahua's head perfectly summed up our sad and funny state.

Crazy and Toothless--Just Keep Smilin' & Fake it til Ya Make It!  This photo captures one of the very few times I have even had two seconds to touch the poor pooch over the last month.  She has been bumped way down the totem pole of priorities and has to lose a front tooth and create a huge hole in her head to even get noticed (a few days later). 

Matt and I LOVE the Animal Planet's "Turtleman"  He is 100% genuine Kentucky goodness--white trash through and through (but the GOOD kind).  When he captures a snapping turtle with his bare hands, he lets out a spirited war cry and yells, "LIVE ACTION!"  He, like Lily, sports a classy wide gap in his front fender.  So now when we see Lily coming, it brightens our day to let out a loud trill and yell, "LIVE ACTION!"  We love our white trash chihuahua and our nuthouse home full of LIVE ACTION!

My Two Babies--Sister Love

Madison (14 Months) and Hannah (10 Days Old)
Logan River Walk
July 31, 2012

My mom made me promise not to gush.  She said that if I insisted on citing her photography skills to please do so in an understated, simple manner.  So I'll just say:

Favorite. Pictures. Ever.

But then I'll go on to say:  Thank you, thank you, thank you for these priceless pictures.  Only some one who really loved your kids would spend an evening strolling down a trail, snapping pictures with her expert eye, then spending hours/days sifting through and editing the best shots.  Mom is so stinkin' humble.  She fears stepping on any toes, always encourages everyone to use a professional photographer and insists they'll do better.  She never pushes her skills on anyone and always waits to be asked.  But when you do ask, she goes above and beyond.  For free.  Lovin' every second of it (even though it can be quite tricky...it took me a year to even be brave enough to attempt the Photoshop program Matt got me for my birthday...it seemed harder than flying to the moon)!  I can't imagine not having these precious pictures.  So sorry, but I had to gush. 
   
P.S.  THANK YOU, AUNT JENN, FOR THE ADORABLE MATCHING OUTFITS!

All-time fave.  Sisters gazing at each other..."JUST THINK OF THE ADVENTURES WE'LL HAVE!"

Madi's already got her little sis' back.  "Here, let me get that booger for ya."

This little lady always crosses her legs at the ankles.  So prim and proper! :)

 

How much do I love this picture?  A LOT MUCH!

Oh, I love my girlies!

Perfect lighting + perfect setting = WOW!

Another fave.  I love how Madi is looking protectively on.

Girl Power :)

Newborn Photo Shoot--5 Day Old Hannah

Being that Hannah was 2 + weeks early and just 6 lbs at the time of this photo shoot, it was a completely different experience than when Madison had her newborn pictures taken.  Madi was a solid 8 lbs and a day overdue.  Then we waited two weeks before her photoshoot with Adri.  Madi was comfortable stripping down and letting us manipulate and position her strong, little body.  Hannah was a different story completely!  Her sweet hands and feet turned a sickly shade of purplish-blue the second we stripped her down.  We turned off the A.C. and it was quickly 80+ degrees in our little apartment but even then, little Hannah shivered and we had to pause for swaddling sessions and hot pad breaks.  The sweat poured down Grandma's face as she lovingly persisted until we got some excellent shots (I now know why professional photographers shout, "Work with me, work with me," and then toss their camera aside at the end of the shoot and proclaim, "I'M SPENT!" as they wipe their perspiring brows--it's a workout!).  Hannah was so floppy and gangly.  For being so little, she has very long limbs, fingers, and toes.  But never fear!  When a Mama and Grandma team up with the mission of getting a few great pics of babygirl, they will come out victorious...no matter how many sweaty hours it takes or how many baby tears are shed or how many practice shots will be deleted.  It only takes a few great pictures to make it all worth it, and the memory of this fun photo session with my Marvelous Mombers will be as priceless as the beautiful shots we got!

Aunt Jodi stepped in to test lighting and poses.  And to prolong Hannah's wee witto life  by insisting on blanket bundle breaks.  It takes a village to . . .  raise  take a picture of a child! :)  

I love this perspective and contrast of hard and soft--Daddy's strong muscles vs.  Hannah's delicate little body

Rooting . . . "Can we take a snack break, Ma?"

Hungry Bird

Sweetness

  

Announcing . . .

Breathe easy.  We are not announcing another pregnancy.  :)  Just finally getting around to posting Hannah's birth announcement.

Hannah's Homecoming--The First Few Days

Home, Sweet Home (well...apartment, anyway).  Lily was there to greet her sick Papa and new baby sis on July 24th.

Silly Sicky Aunt Jodi.  This baby is gonna have a super immunity for all she was exposed to during her first week of life!

Adoring Grandma Black.  OOOOOooh, I love my Mombers!  When she showed up, we all breathed easier and just KNEW everything would be okay.  She has the power to spread joy, cheer, and comfort  wherever she goes.  "YAY," for Moms!

Cousin Brenten meets Hannah.  Upon meeting baby girl at the hospital (gazing at her through the glass), Brenny secretly confided  to his Mom, "I know I shouldn't say this, but I don't like any baby more than baby Hannah."  Aaaaah, so sweet!

Our first family adventure.  We walk this gorgeous trail almost every night and were excited to introduce Hannah to the beauty of nature.  Logan River Trail at just a few days old.

July 26, 2012--4 Days Old:  Daniel and Brook's beautiful family was in Utah on vacation and made a special trip up to Logan to  meet babygirl.  Here Uncle Daniel and Cousin Eliza cuddle up to Snugglebug.

Eliza Angel Face

Aunt Brook and Cousin Porter with Hannah

Madison had so much fun with fabulous family and LOVES commotion and excitement!

The gang strolled over to Willow Park Zoo for some fun in the sun.

New Best Buds.

Daniel and Jodi frolic as if they are teenagers again.  They looked just like the playful Capuchin Monkeys at the zoo!

What teases!

Delightful!

OH, BROTHER, GUYS!

Jesse and Jodi

July 27th--5 Days Old:  First Home Bath--She still had her umbilical chord so we were giving her a little sponge bath/spot treatment to get her ready for a gorgeous Grandma Black Newborn Photoshoot--this post is coming up next!!!

2 + Weeks:  First Real Bath--lost chord and is able to soak like a big girl now.  Madi is close by to observe/help/drop shampoo bottles on baby sis.

Hannah still sleeps like the dead all day long and stores up her energy to give Mom heck all night long!  Here she is exhausted trying to stay awake in the tub.  If anyone has tips for helping baby get her days and nights straightened out, PLEASE send them along.  

Due to many fun factors in the exciting month of July, Madi never made it to a real firework show.  So after a stroll one evening(THANKS, KELLIE, FOR THE AMAZING DOUBLE STROLLER...we can clip Hannah's car seat right in the back and go, go, go) we introduced the girls to sparklers.  Madi was a little hesitant (one of her favorite words now is "HOT") but took it all in with big eyes.

Looks like they bailed Ma out of the homeless shelter right before this pic was snapped.

Thursday, August 9th:  Jenn (Matt's sis) and her husband, Paul, meet Hannah.  They showered the girls with gifts and love and we had a fun time going to dinner, visiting, and catching up.  We love the Colosimo Clan!

Madi (and even baby Hannah) made several trips to the fair (just a nice walk from our apartment) over the weekend of August 9, 10, and 11.  Madison had so much fun meeting all the animals whose noises she had been mastering from her books.  She warmed up to them quite quickly and eventually let the sheep nibble on her little fingers.  The gigantic, noisy, aggressive pigs remained a little scary.  She especially loved the cows.  And watching the children on the fun amusement park rides.  We wish the fair was in town every day!  What fun!