My Cup Runneth Over

I’ll be the first to admit—I was nervous about having another baby. I had so many concerns: how would another baby affect our current easy, breezy family dynamic? And how in the world could I love another child more than I loved Madeline? I felt guilty for even having these feelings, which made me feel bad for baby #2 and she wasn’t even born yet!

Don’t get me wrong, I was THRILLED to be having another baby. And when I found out it was a girl, I knew she would complete our family and give Madeline her best friend for life. But, I also knew that Madeline’s time as an only child (and our time as a threesome) was going to be short-lived, so we spent the last few months of my pregnancy taking fun trips and doing special things — just the three of us.

DISNEY
When Aaron told me—during the height of a horrible winter and an equally horrible bout with morning sickness—that he had a business trip planned to Orlando, there was only one thing to say: “WE’RE COMING WITH YOU!!”

While Aaron worked, Madeline and I spent the days lounging by the toddler-friendly zero entry pool and taking trips along the lazy river. The day that Aaron had off, we went to the Magic Kingdom. It was just as magical as I had envisioned, and I can’t wait to go back when the girls are old enough (but still young enough) to walk along Main St. and look at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle with such wonder as though they’ve stepped into a movie. Or meet a princess and feel as though they’ve ACTUALLY met the princess from the movie. Madeline met Cinderella while we were there, and though she had no idea who Cinderella was, she still looked at her as though she was the most beautiful person she had ever seen. It was the sweetest.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
In June we were invited to Sue’s family’s house on Lake Winnipesaukee. It’s a little piece of heaven and was a great way to kick off our Summer. I was concerned that our shrinking violet of a daughter Madeline would bulldoze the sweet and innocent Olivia (she had, after all, given poor Rowan “the Heisman” at Henry’s birthday party just weeks earlier). Sue assured me that Olivia could hold her own, but I was still nervous. To my surprise, the girls got along like peas and carrots (just like their moms) and were inseparable the entire weekend. Not only that, but Madeline also took quite the liking to Sue’s Dad. Luckily he likes books almost as much as she does!

NORTH BAY
We knew early on in the pregnancy that we probably wouldn’t make it to Canada for the holidays. One, we wanted our first Christmas as a family of four to be at home. And two, we were hesitant to make the 12 hour trek with a two-year old and an infant. So, we decided to head up there in August and spent a week relaxing by the lake and visiting with family and friends. Don’t let the pictures fool you…it was freezing and raining about 95% of the time we were there. BUT…it was still great to see everyone just the same.

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SOUTHWICK ZOO
As my due date quickly approached, we blocked off a “family weekend”…our version of a “last supper” before Nora arrived. Little did we know that Nora would not show her pretty face for another four weeks! We have a family membership to the Roger Williams Zoo but had heard great things about Southwick and wanted to try something new. What a great place!

UPDATE
It’s now been six weeks (for the record, Aaron’s been hounding me to get this blog posted for about eight weeks) since Nora graced us with her presence. I can confirm that there is no age-old secret shared among parents where they clearly have a favorite but say they love each one equally. I love both my girls equally, uniquely, and with all my heart. And Madeline took immediately to her role as Big Sister and has embraced it. She’s always asking about Baby Nora and is constantly kissing, hugging and holding her. She’s also quite the helper, standing by with a blanket or pacifier if Nora needs one.

So what can I say? My cup runneth over with this wonderful, beautiful family I’ve been blessed with. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.