Like Sisters?

I never really had the opportunity to be close with any of my cousins because growing up in Massachusetts, we didn't live very close to either sides of the family (in Maine and Japan). So I feel very fortunate to live nearby to at least one of my siblings and that her daughter is so close in age to Lucy and that I get the opportunity to go visit at least twice a week to babysit. I hope that Olive and Lucy can be close like sisters sans the sometimes sisterly drama or competition.

I think that we are off to a good start:
It will be interesting to see how Lucy transitions to being the older cousin because I think that she really enjoys looking up to her older cousin Maya. Now Olive will be looking up to Lucy and I just hope that they learn how to entertain each other (so less work for me). Now if only we could get the rest of the family out here...

Monkey Girl

Lucy's development happens so gradually but then it hits me all of a sudden how incredible active she is. She has been crawling for a while but now she is climbing up all over and getting into everything. Glad to see that she is so active but it can be a little nerve-racking at times. I haven't caught any pictures of her climbing on the kitchen drawers to reach the higher drawers because I'm scrambling to make sure that she doesn't fall. These pictures are a little more tame of her just getting into her toy chest that Uncle Damian gave her (thanks Damian!). One minute I look over and she is playing on the floor, the next minute, I'm wondering how she got in there...babies are a lot smarter than we give them credit for sometimes.

New Part-Time Job

Last week, I started my new part-time job - babysitting my little niece, Olive. It's the perfect job for a mom like me. The only downside is the commute to her house but it makes more sense for me to go there than for her to come to me. But the upside is that it's only twice a week, for just 4 hours each day, and then I get to hang out with my sister. I would be lying if I say that I don't count down the minutes until Emily gets home but it is mostly because I enjoy the adult conversation of my sister and to tell her all the details of how Olive was and how Lucy played with her or how Sir Bono (her cat) slightly attacked Lucy. When summer comes, it will be even better because we can go and hang out at the pool!

Lucy is so gentle with Olive - she kinda pats her like a cat. And Olive is such a mellow baby, the only time that she really gets upset is when she is hungry - and she gets HUNGRY! I haven't been around a ton of babies but she seems to really pack it down - and then spit it back up. But it has been nice when she goes down for naps with nary a fuss. So far, Lucy has refused to go down for her regular morning naps when we've been there but hopefully, as it becomes more routine, she'll settle back into her normal schedule even when we are there. I wasn't sure what to expect but two babies isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I'm hoping it will get easier when Lucy starts walking but who knows, maybe it will get harder. We both have some babyproofing to do to our homes. The only other issue we have faced so far was when I was changing Olive's poopy diaper and Lucy tried to stick her hand in there. Diaper changes are where I am most vulnerable (cause I usually change her on the floor instead of taking her upstairs to her changing table).

There actually is one more downside about babysitting at my sister's house - I eat so much junk food! I rarely buy the stuff in my own home but Emily must have some hormonal issues going on because she had Oreos, Doritos, Cheetos, and the softest (probably processed) cinnamon bread ever. I have pretty good control about not buying it myself (mostly because I am cheap) but when it is in front of me, I can't help but indulge. And that means that Lucy got her first taste of Cheetos because she fussed so much when she saw me eating them...maybe some incentive not to indulge next time so that I am not feeding my daughter that junk. But I guess every once in a while doesn't hurt - but two times a week is too much to be eating that junk food. Emily - I have no self control when it comes to food - no more junk food, please!

Visits to Auntie Em's

This seems like so long ago now but I never posted these pictures. Back in January and the beginning of February, my mom came out to visit from Japan when my sister had her baby. We made a lot of trips down to Pleasant Grove to visit but I did a terrible job documenting some of the goings-on. My sister did a much better job on her blog here, here, here, and here but here are some of the (blurry) pictures that we took:
I hate not posting things in chronological order but I tend to blog in spurts when I have time and I have a lot of catching up to do I realize when I look at my photo library.

Very Fancy Hat

Having a baby certainly brings out the silliness in us. Don't know why we get such a kick out of this but we do it to Lucy all the time. Nothing like making a hat out of pants...

Little Poser

We think that Lucy is starting to understand more what the camera is and she is turning into a little poser. Maybe there is hope for that modeling career...

Love these chubby little cheeks,...

...that toothy little grin,...

...and that little tilt of her head!

Sometimes the outtakes, despite the blurriness, are just as cute!

High Chair Photo Shoot

Brandon decided to have a little photo shoot with Lucy while she was in her high chair - I guess it's one of the only times we can actually get close-up pictures of her without her trying to eat the camera.
I don't know what we did without digital cameras before (well actually, yeah I do - we took a lot of crappy photos and spent lots of money on film and developing) but now, I can't seem to narrow our digital pictures down so I just end up posting them all!

Daddy's Girl

These pictures are a little old but I love them:I don't think that she realized I was taking a picture here so she looks a little pensive...

...and like she is on drugs here...

...but there is a winner! She learning how to smile for the camera with that big, toothy grin.

This one - not so much. We'll hold off on the modeling career. But do you see that dress she is wearing - my mother made it while she was in Japan and brought it when she came out to visit. How adorable is it! And with the way Lucy is growing (not much) she'll be able to wear it for a long time.

My Three Loves

Honestly, I have more than three loves in my life but these are the top ones, all in the same room...

...actually, all in the same bed...

...the hubby - giving mom a break by taking care of Lucy. He sometimes takes for granted how much work it is so I don't blame him for taking a well deserved rest...

...baby Lucy. I think that I might love her most when she is sleeping - makes your heart melt (and requires the least amount of work)...

...and last, but not least - kitties! I just wish that George were in the picture with Angel but he is anti-social (and possibly schizophrenic).

But this made me laugh the most:
I would have thought that the easier solution would be for Brandon to sleep on the outside and for Lucy to sleep by the wall - but hey, pillows on the floor work too.

I also love how Brandon has covered himself with the blanket but not Lucy - always so thoughtful. One of my other loves is sleeping - wish I were napping here with them...but someone had to take the pictures.