Monday, August 31, 2015

Last week at 16 weeks

valor at 16 weeks
valor at 16 weeks
valor at 16 weeks
Hearsay is every subsequent baby seems to grow even more quickly than the last. I absolutely relate when it comes to Valor. These pictures were taken last week at 16 weeks. I can't believe he is four months this week. We'll be out of town the day he turns four months. It shall be opportune time to celebrate God's goodness in four months of life for this sweet babe!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Palm Springs in pictures

palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
palm springs 2015
When a kind church family member offered us their timeshare in Palm Springs for a couple of nights this past week, we couldn't pass up the opportunity for a getaway, especially when we had been itching to go on a vacation for a while. It was such an undeserved blessing! We hadn't been to Palm Springs since our babymoon when I was eight months pregnant with Serene. This time was our first trip with both kiddos. Hence, we opted to hang out at the resort most of the time, except for the first night when we ventured out for dinner here, followed by shakes here. Vacationing with babies is more relaxing when we pretty much stay put, which worked out spiffily. The suite we stayed in was sumptuous, replete with amenities that delighted us all. I got to read while soaking in the giant bathtub. Serene got to watch movies on the large television screen. Valor got to nap on fancy linens. Alex got to lounge on the balcony overlooking the pool. The resort grounds boasted several pools; we frequented the kiddie pool, which Serene particularly fancied. Our getaway was made sweeter because dear family friends were also staying there at the same time. We spent time together poolside and tableside, trading tales of life in the ministry and the abundant grace that covers our sin. We all left several shades darker and plenty refreshed from the daily ins and outs of life. But to be completely transparent, also in need of a vacation from our vacation - haha!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

"No share"

valor at 14 weeks
valor at 14 weeks
valor at 14 weeks
We've been teaching Serene the concept of sharing. She caught on pretty quickly, and is usually willing to share food, flowers, toys, and the like with others. But when people ask Serene if she would share her baby brother so they could take him home, she responds by shaking her head vigorously, "No share. No share," and hugging Valor protectively. I don't blame her. We love our little man so!

Thursday, August 13, 2015

A dolly Moses basket

serene's doll moses basket
serene's doll moses basket
serene's doll moses basket
serene's doll moses basket
serene's doll moses basket
serene's doll moses basket
serene's doll moses basket
Since Serene has taken to being a little mama to her baby, I've been looking for vintage doll furniture to foster her nurturing instincts (ha!). When it comes to doll beds, I wasn't loving the majority of cradles out there (except for this one). Serene observes me place Valor into the Moses basket, so I thought I would try to find one for her baby. On a recent thrifting trip, I scored a large basket for less than a dollar that could be repurposed into a perfect dolly Moses basket. I cleaned it well, padded it with a vintage patchwork cushion to serve as a mattress, put her baby in it, and covered it with a doll-sized muslin blanket. Serene was exceedingly pleased with her new toy and can now often be found lugging the dolly Moses basket around the house if she is not wearing her baby in her sling.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Her dolly ring sling

doll ring sling
serene's doll sling
serene's doll sling
serene's doll sling
serene's doll sling
When we got Serene a baby doll as a gift for becoming a big sister, I planned to make a few accessories to go with it. Valor arrived a little earlier than we anticipated, so I had only ended up making a cloth diaper and a ring sling for Serene's new baby by the time he was born. I used some coordinating fabric I had on hand and bought a couple of metal rings from a local craft store to whip it up during Serene's nap while I was almost nine months pregnant with Valor. I examined my sling as a guide for Serene's dolly sling and sewed it accordingly. The only difference is that I made the dolly sling reversible. I'm loving the brilliant blue floral pattern that coordinates with the muted yellow and cream pattern on the other side. We presented the sling to Serene when we gifted the baby doll to her, but she didn't fancy it right away, probably because she wasn't sure what it was. It had been a couple months since I last wore her in the sling. Nowadays, she is all about being a little mama. She observes me take care of Valor and follows suit with her doll. About a week ago, we were getting ready to take a walk around our neighborhood. As I put Valor in the sling, I asked Serene, "Do you want to wear your baby in your sling?" "Yeah! Yeah!" she replied enthusiastically. So she donned her mama-made sling and proudly wore her baby that whole evening. It was pretty cute to see our baby wear her baby. Ever since then, she often says, "Sling? Mama, sling!" when she sees me wear her baby brother. And of course, I oblige because we can't get enough of babies wearing babies.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Letters to Valor: 3 months

valor zeal at 3 months
My dear Valor Zeal,

I am going to start off candidly: praise GOD we are out of the fourth trimester. You are three months old! We can no longer call you a newborn. Though I loved when you were teeny, I am so grateful we are out of the hazy newborn days which means you're settling into a more predictable (but not fully so, because that defies the definition of babyhood ;) eating and sleeping routine. During the day, you nurse every two to three hours and hang out wide-eyed before napping. We still try to get you to tolerate the rock n' play, but you prefer napping in your car seat or in the sling/wrap. You cluster feed for about an hour and a half before you sleep your longest stretch for the night at around 9:30pm until 3:00-4:00am. You average a six hour stretch but have a couple of times slept seven hours and once eight (!) hours before waking up to nurse. Once you do, you sleep in two to three hour stretches in between nursing before you wake up for the day around 8:00-9:00am. We love that long stretch of sleep you (and we) get during the first leg of the night. You sleep soundly in the pack n' play in the beginning of the night but usually end up curled against me by morningtide. Physically, you wear size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes, and we foresee you transitioning to some 3-6 month clothes this month. You're a squishy babe, and we love it. Especially your droopy puppy cheeks.

You are developing in new ways. On the day you turned two months old, you lifted your head all the way up during tummy time. Your neck is getting stronger. So are your legs. You're prone to kicking deftly and attempting to stand when we hold you in a sitting position. At nine weeks, you rolled over from tummy to back three times on the same day, and have been repeating that feat ever since. You look slightly surprised every time you do, which we find hilarious. Nowadays, you also try to roll from back to tummy but usually end up in a funny contorted halfway position. You endure being on your back for a spell, especially if you're beneath the baby gym. You love staring at its mobiles. You started reaching for the dangling shapes last week. Before long, you whine because you abhor being stuck on your back with your arms and legs flailing in the air like a cockroach. I can't always tend to you at your first cry (such is life with two babies). Thankfully, you found your fist to suck on at ten weeks, which provides you more comfort than the pacifier does.

You are interacting with the world more, which is my favorite milestone of yours thus far. You wear a particular expression most of the time where you furrow your brows (see photo above). Your daddy calls you his little philosopher and friends joke that it bespeaks your wisdom. You're generous with your smiles these days, for which we are all smitten. You grin and coo whenever we smile and chat with you animatedly. You break out into a smile that takes over your entire face as you shake your head from side to side and wiggle your entire body in happiness. You hate being left by your lonesome and wail when no one is by your side. You crave human interaction. You are most content when being held and moving. You whine if you're sitting still for too long, so I dance and sway with you in my sling. You literally keep us on our toes. You enjoy sharing the same bedtime routine as your big sister. You take a bath in your newborn tub in the sink while she takes a bath in the bathtub. Then you both get bundled up in your respective duck towels, get dressed into your pajamas, and cuddle up for storytime and prayer before going to bed (or in your case, cluster feeding before going to sleep). When your daddy and I turn in for the night, we reflect on how we love you and your sister. We say several times a day, "I love our babies." My baby boy, you bring so much joy and sweetness to the family. We are so thankful you are ours for the time being.


Love you so,
Mama

P.S. Valor Zeal at 01, and 2 months. Plus, his birth story.

Monday, August 3, 2015

My hands are full

valor at 12 weeks
valor at 12 weeks
valor at 12 weeks
valor at 12 weeks
valor at 12 weeks
valor at 12 weeks
valor at 12 weeks
valor at 12 weeks
Valor is one of people Serene asks for when she wakes up. She then proceeds to scamper to her baby brother's side to greet him cheerfully with "Hi boo boo!" and a kiss. She does not hesitate to help stuff his pacifier in his mouth, change his diaper, cover him with a blanket, pat his head, and even share her food with him in the span of a day. Valor responds by flashing her his biggest grin and wiggling his whole body in happiness when he sees her. My heart swells to observe their budding sibling relationship. To witness their growth and development first hand. To be their source of comfort and safety. A few times a day, I'm wearing Valor while simultaneously carrying Serene in my arms because they both want to be held. My arms are literally full. Life feels like a hullabaloo, but through it all, it is full. Full of sweet blessings from the Lord.