Role reversal... Lily is WONDERFUL

This evening Lily was reclining in her purple beanbag chair having her bottle. I laid my head down beside her because I've been feeling a little wrecked. Normally she is totally focused on finishing her bottle and lets nothing distract her. But a few moments after I laid my head down, I felt something brushing against my head. I asked Tatus if she was stroking my hair, and he said she was. She was holding her bottle with one hand and still drinking it, and with the other hand she was stroking my hair! My sweetie.

She finished her bottle, took her hand from my hair, sat up, looked me in the eye and said "I gotchu" (I got you).

You do indeed, sweetheart. You do indeed.

sweetheart

Just now I was burping Lukasz on the bed and Lily was sitting beside me. She asked me what was on his shirt, so I told her he was wearing a green shirt with a mommy lion and a baby lion on it. She came closer and started gently stroking the hair on Lukasz's head, then she said softly "sweetheart" (her version sounds like "feetheart") and kissed his forehead.

I got tears in my eyes just watching how tender and sweet she is with her little brother.

Visiting Babcia & Dziadek

Today was a beautiful day, so Babcia came and picked us up so we could spend the afternoon in their backyard. Lily played in an inflatable pool and Lukasz relaxed and slept on the porch swing. Tatus joined us in the evening and lots of berries were eaten. :)

Splashing herself. From the look on her face you'd guess she wasn't enjoying herself, but she was.

Hanging out with Dziadek:

All that water play tired her out. Now it was her turn to sleep on the porch swing...

... while Lukasz played with Babcia.

Berry time!

Lily notices one of the small windmills in a tree...

...and tries to blow to get it going.

As we were getting ready to leave, Lily was still in the backyard with Dziadek, and she was looking at their flowers. He picked one for her and told her to bring it to Mommy. I was packing stuff into the car, and as I turned around, I heard her yelling "Mommy!" and then she came running from the side of the house toward me, arm outstretched, flower in hand. It was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen.

Here's Lily afterward with the flower:

:) Being a mom to you two is just... the best thing that could ever possibly have happened to me. Not a day goes by where I don't think back and remember all the sweet, cute and adorable things you both have done that day... and I just feel so luck you are here, that you are my daughter and my son. And I love you so very much.

a moment of peace

Dear Lukasz,

You are in the midst of teething, and you've been weathering it so bravely, sucking and chewing on whatever you can get into your mouth, be it your fist, your blanket, or my shirt. This afternoon has been particularly tough on both of us, you because of the teething, and me because you and Lily are alternating naps this afternoon. Most days you and Lily sleep at the same time in the afternoon, giving me time to clean, blog and eat. But today you can't sleep because of your teeth. I've tried holding you, sitting you up, laying you down... not much is working.

Just now you were laying on the couch with the fan blowing on you, and I leaned close to comfort you. You reached up with your hands, touched my face, and laughed.

Love,
Mommy

Missing my baby girl

Lily just left to spend the afternoon with Babcia & Dziadek. Babcia was in a hurry to leave before rush hour got bad, so it was a flurried hug and kiss that I got from Lily before she was whisked out the door and down the hall. No tears, just excitement, a loud "bye bye", a big grin, and a wave.

I watched from the balcony as she got into the van, and I called down to her to have fun, she looked up, saw me, grinned, and said "have fun!", and then she was tucked into the car seat and off.

I miss her already.

A love like no other

This love overwhelms me
daily
knowing I'd do anything
to keep you safe, warm,
happy & healthy.

Letter to Lukasz: month 5

Dear Lukasz,

WOW you are FIVE months old!!!! And such a sweetheart. :)

This month has been all about laughing. You are such a sweet, happy baby. And really easy-going as long as we aren't late to feed you! :) You sleep through the night like a dream, and love to bounce in your blue chair, keeping an eye on everything that's going on around you.

I never imagined a baby could be so good-natured. The way your face lights up as soon as you see me, Tatus or Lily... it's just incredible.

We're so lucky to have you!

Love,
Mommy

the sweetest thing

This morning I stubbed my foot on Lukasz's little blue chair. Lily heard me say "ouch!" and came running.

She looked up at me and said, "Happened?"

I said, "I hit my foot on the chair."

She replied, "Oh, poor foot!", crouched down and rubbed the top of my foot with her hand.

The boys