I can barely remember my life without children, and now I can barely imagine it with just one child. I remember when Liam was just a few weeks old and my sister-in-law Shannon came to visit. I had a candle burning, calm music playing, and she said, "Oh, it's so nice with just one child, so much easier. Enjoy it." I now know what she meant.
Because it's been busy around here, I have neglected posting holiday photos and stories, Liam's second birthday party, summer fun and lots of "firsts" of Lily's. So please excuse what might seem to be "old news."
Lily was born two weeks before Thanksgiving. For those two weeks and a few more, I had to wear a wound vac 24/7 in order to help heal the caesarian wound that had split. I thought earlier that I would write about that saga: the painful re-opening of the wound in my doctor's office, the visits to the Wound Clinic 3 times a week, Ryan having to change the vac pac and it's contents at home. Yuck. But I realize that in the end, it's not that important. And while I'm sure I complained at the time, it seems so trivial now. There are far more important things to remember.
The day before Thanksgiving we got our family photos taken down the street at Windsor Park by our friend Scott Reynolds. This is my favorite one... as if Liam is "presenting"his sister to the world :)
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| Look at all that hair on her! |
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| My guys |
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| Little Angel |
The holidays seem like a whirlwind now that I think back on them. Thanksgiving was a nice mellow day at Jodi and Jeff's house. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, during the beginning of my favorite season- the holidays. Jeff, Jodi and Jerremiah were wonderful hosts for this special day...they have a great way of making things nice and easy at their home. I remember being particularly tired that day, and sore from the wound vac, and I was able to just relax over there. I am proud to report that our little turkey behaved herself, napping on anyone who would allow it, especially Daddy.
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| I have no idea what is on Ryan's head. |
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| Thanksgiving family photo |
Later that evening we had Grandma, Mimi and Papa over for dinner- the first grandparents' dinner with little Lily. I cannot express in words (written or spoken) how grateful I am to have these three wonderful people in my life, and in my childrens' as well. They bring silliness with them, and much wisdom and care. Grandparents are perhaps the greatest gift a child could know.
I love this picture...
Lots of good times have happened at this kitchen table (and just look at that centerpiece)..
Two Thanksgivings are better than one, so the next day we celebrated again at our friends Marilyn and Ron's house and the wee little girl charmed everyone...
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| Oh life is so hard when you're a fashionista! |
It meant a lot to me that my aunt Pam was there celebrating with us. I love this photo of my mom, her sister and little Lily. The women in my family have always had a special bond, and I know that Lily can feel it, even when she is this little. I only wish my sister Amy could have been with us that day to round out the Yax clan.
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| 3 Yax women |
An extra special moment that day was when Marilyn's mother, Bernice, had some one-on-one time with Lily. Marilyn is like a second mom to me, so I honor her mother as Lily's adoptive great-grandmother.
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| I wonder what secrets Bernice is letting her in on |
The holiday season was special this year because of our new addition. I was on maternity leave and so I'm sure that plays into my memory of it being a very "chill" winter. Of course, Liam at almost two years old was a bit of a handful, but we fell into a routine pretty quickly. There was a lot of time to cuddle...
When cuddling became too much for her, she would just kind of pass out on people. Here she is with Anita "Nina" while Anita is trying to burp her.
Cuddle time continued with Aunt Amy...
And with my good friend Tammie, a former Delta Delta Delta sister...
And with my great friend Carrie, a mother of 3 boys. I think she likes holding a girl for once...
Of course Aunt Shannon got to get her cuddle time in too. I love this picture of Shannon because I have one just like it of her holding Liam in this exact way when he was this age.
Perhaps my favorite cuddle picture, however, is this one. Lily and her Papa- could she love him any more?
These days at home in November were also great times to take fun photos of Lily on the changing table, where the best expressions are caught on camera! This is Lily at about one month.
One of my favorite times right after Thanksgiving is when we go to get our Christmas tree. This is a Flurry Family tradition. Lily was just a month old when we headed out to the tree farm outside Smithville with everyone. It was a little more hectic this year it seemed, but we tried to just take it in stride. Ryan and I actually didn't chop our tree down there, we chose a Frasier Fur already cut, but it was still fun to take fun photos and watch the boys run around.
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| The Bloemkers |
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| Grandma and Liam look ahead at the trees |
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| Lily enjoys just watching the fun |
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| Shhhh... I'm hunting trees |
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| I love this picture of Grandma and some of her boys |
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| The hayride was too much for my wound, but Jeremiah and Benjamin rode up front |
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| Grandma and her girl |
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| Shannon and Dominic have a heart to heart |
I remember being so happy, but exhausted this day. After seeing this picture, I think Lily was too.
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| Family photo next to our tree |
One of the great think about fall is the piles of leaves. We had a good time just hanging out around home and enjoying the good weather.
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| Look at my silly boy |
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| Raking leaves proved to be too exhausting for Lily |
November 2012 will always be the month that Lily came into our world. And with her, it brought beautiful fall weather, quiet snuggly days at home, a wonderful Thanksgiving and endless daily adventures. November is quickly becoming my favorite month. Lesson well learned.
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| Ryan gives Lily her first bottle, age 2 weeks. |
