McKay

What an angel. Straight from heaven, I tell you.
Though I've only known this little boy for 21 days, I'm already madly in love with him. I've heard people say that they wondered if they could love the second child as much as their first. For me, I never questioned whether or not I could love him. I knew that I would love him the minute I held him. I LOVE babies - especially my babies. And what's not to love - that wrinkly skin, perfect smell, scrunched up legs and arms snuggled up to my chest - they really are a miracle. Yesterday my grandma looked at McKay and said, "How could people not believe in Diety?"
We're getting into a routine, McKay and I. He's usually having his wake times during the day instead of the night. I appreciate that. We're figuring out his feeding. When I took him to the pediatrician this week, I found out that I've been overfeeding the little guy. He was crying, so I fed him. He had gained a pound and a half in 2 1/2 weeks. Impressive, seeing how he's supposed to regain his birthweight in the first 2 weeks. So we did that plus a pound. Oops. For the past two days he's finally stopped throwing everything up - all of the extra that was going on top of what he really needed. Feed for less time less often. I like that.
I was sitting in my rocker the other night - or morning I should say - and decided that sitting there wishing I was sleeping instead wouldn't do me any good. I am one who loves her sleep, but since I'm awake anyway, I decided I might as well enjoy it. Knowing a little more than I knew the first time, I know how quickly this time will pass. He will not be a newborn for long. I'm certain hardly any time will pass and we will be celebrating his 1st birthday. For me, the decision is to enjoy and really cherish this time and those quiet moments with him when he is calm and awake at 3:00 am and just wants to talk. It really does go by so fast. That's not something that people just say. It is very true. I can sleep in August, right?
Thank you for joining our family, little man. I'm excited to get to know you and your own personality. It will be fun to see how you are different from your brother. I can already tell that you are.

Gavin Boy

How can you look at this face and not smile? I dare you. You can't. Well, I can't anyway, and I guess that's what matters.

Here's my little buddy for his (almost) two-year-old pictures. I cannot believe how grown up he looks. This 35-lb butterball is so much fun right now. He's running and talking and figuring things out every day. It's pretty neat to see the wheels in his head spinning. He's exploring the outdoors and starting to play pretty well on his own with his toys inside. We're finishing the yard here in the next couple of months - I think we'll be out there all summer!
At 22 months, Gavin is singing and dancing his way through life. Every night Brian brings his guitar into Gavin's room to sing before he goes to sleep. We always start off on the chair together, but the second the guitar gets going, he feels the need and says, "Dance!" He be-bops his way through each song. I love that about him. He sings his ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle, You are my Sunshine, Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam and Where is Thumbkin pretty dang well.
Now don't let this innocent face fool you. Yes, he does make me smile, but that doesn't mean he's perfect. He's developing a little sass and when he wants something - watch out - because he's going to let us know it. He waits to see if you're watching and knows how to push buttons. He knows what is going to make us freak out. He starts doing something and looks up at us with those eyes as if to say, "I know this is bad, but I'm going to do it anyway - just to see what you will do." How funny that a kid so little knows how to control us like that. Smart.
I love, love, love this boy and have found both comfort and a little anxiety knowing that I will be taking care of him all the time now that I've quit working. Comfort because being home is what I want to do and have waited so long for. Anxiety because I want to provide him with good experiences that will make him a good person and develop his mind. It's a big, big job - I realize that more everyday. I probably put too much pressure on myself, but I just want to do a good job and be a good mom. Being the first kid and all - I hope he'll forgive me while I figure this out.

Family Pics

Every time we get pictures taken, unfortunately the first thing I notice is how my right eye smiles small and every hair is not in place. Silly! What I should notice first are the three boys surrounding me - I love them all more than anything. They are my life. And it's a good one.

Introducing...McKay

Sweet baby boy - Three days old
Dad and his boys (and Elmo)
Alert and awake
I forgot how little babies are! I love how he still tucks his arms and legs in. He is much more interesting (and comfortable!) out than in. :)

Baby McKay

I CAN NOT for the life of me get my pictures to upload. I'm working on it.

McKay Nathan Robinson was born on April 1. He weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz and is 20 inches long. I was scheduled to be induced on the 2nd (because I DID NOT want an April Fool's baby) but at 3:00 am on the 1st, I decided I didn't really give a hoot what day he was born. Everything went smoothly...even more so than with Gavin, which was also a good delivery.

We're on Day 6 now and he is super sweet. Last night was the first night he slept in his bassinet between every feeding. Nice! We had to hold him on the couch for hours at a time for him to sleep. Hopefully he's getting over that and figuring out our rules around here for day and night.

Brian has been home and will be here the rest of the week for Spring Break. It's been so nice to have him around. I could very well have meltdown come Monday when he leaves me. Gavin has had lots of attention from dad and loves his baby brother. He is sweet and helps me burp him and always lets me know when he's crying.

I'll have to think more to eloquently write my thoughts on having two kids - it's been an adjustment! But I know that it is worth it and I love my two little boys.