Farewell Nene!

Today we said goodbye to my mother who has thankfully been here assisting us since the arrival of Preston two weeks ago. It was a bittersweet parting...as I know I will miss her tomorrow morning when I have to awake with Bennett and start caring for both kids by myself all day, but also because I am excited to see if I can do it. Steve and I are anxious to get into a new routine, but it has been a difficult adjustment. I think having children at an older age also adds to the challenge, as I REALLY need my uninterrupted sleep.

Anyway, my mom was a GREAT help to us, caring for Bennett and assisting with Preston in between doing laundry and dishes. It was so nice to see how Bennett was so taken with her too. I think they both enjoyed the bond that was formed, not that there hadn't been one before, but it is harder with the distance. Fortunately, both of my parents will be back next week when my brother, Brian, and Shannon welcome their little girl into this world. So though they will be in town to assist them with Christian, we are looking forward to spending some more time with them too.

We don't know when they will be back after this next visit, as they have already decided to stay in Illinois for Thanksgiving (while we will be staying here). However, if I was a betting woman...I would imagine it will be before Christmas with four grandchildren waiting to see them!

Mom/Nene...THANK YOU for all of your help, time and love these past two weeks! We will all miss you!

Sibling Love

Short post, but I couldn't resist sharing this adorable photo of my kids (...that is still weird for me to say).

Preston's First Playdate

Yesterday our friend Lindsey came by while visiting Birmingham. She brought her darling little girl, Lydia, who was born 8.5 weeks ago for us to meet. She was also able to meet young Preston. The two kids were sacked out in their carseats, but we were able to visit for a short bit. We joked about how hard it is to stay on schedule with infants.

You see if one little thing goes wrong, then your whole day can be thrown off. She is pretty adaptable to the changes that arise, but I am still learning.

New Dynamics

People kept telling us we wouldn't be parents until we had two kids, and we now know what they mean. The whole dynamics of our lives as we knew it have changed...and of course for the better! We love our newest addition, but are still adapting to all of the changes in our routine. Preston came home with his nights and days confused, so after one night of sleeping every other hour, I made everyone do their best to keep him awake the next day. We evidently did something right because he has been sleeping much better at night the past couple of evenings (even making it 4.5 hours once!). However, the challenging part is acting human the next day with an active 16 month old wanting my attention too. All I can say is thank goodness my mother is here. She has just stepped right in and taken over responsibilities of Bennett. I guess reality will set in once she departs next week.

Speaking of Bennett, she is adapting quite well to her new little brother. Though she still likes to throw things (and it is always unexpectedly), she hasn't tried to be aggressive toward him (yet). She even held him once...though she was very uncomfortable and not sure what was going on.

What I find so incredible though is how much she has just grown up overnight! She isn't our little baby girl anymore, and has literally become a toddler in just a week. She loves the camera, and has learned to say "cheese" when we pull it out. She even can say "Nene" which made my mother very happy. Steve swears she has grown taller in the past week too, but I guess it is all because she just looks so big compared to Preston.

Overall the Mizerany foursome is doing well. So far we have had things pretty easy with my mother here and Steve's parents willing to help out anytime. Then our Sunday school class has stepped in and volunteered to bring us meals almost every night for this and next week (and they have all been yummy!). In addition, my mother is keeping the house straightened since I can't stand a messy house. I was hoping to work some every day, but that hasn't worked out like I wanted...yet. I have to get a schedule, but with the feedings late and in the middle of the night, in addition to early in the morning...it makes it difficult to focus unless I sleep in for a couple of hours. By then it is mid morning and Preston is hungry again. Long story short, after I shower it is practically time for lunch. So as you can see, it is very easy to have much of the day escape without accomplishing much more than showering, eating, feeding the kids and keeping them happy.

Eventually things will get better, but in the meantime I doubt I will be posting as often. In fact it has taken me three days to type this much... So be patient with me, and pray for Preston to sleep through the night at 6 weeks like Bennett!

Love Is in the Air

John Preston Mizerany

Finally our little guy has arrived, and I must admit that he was worth the wait! John "Preston" blessed us on September 16th at 7:23 AM, and we couldn't be happier! He weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 5 oz and was 20.5 inches long with some brown hair.

So far things have been going very well...he is a great eater, his digestive system is working well, and he loves to sleep. He also has been visited and cuddled by all of his family...which he loves. I think he has been held most of his life so far, but you can't spoil a newborn, right?

Big sister Bennett was somewhat oblivious to his arrival Tuesday. She barely looked at him, and was much more interested in operating mommy's hospital bed and IV pump. However, yesterday (day 2) she came in and pointed at him, and actually gave him a couple of her signature open mouth kisses. She is otherwise having fun spending time with her Nene and Poppy. She has been spoiled with attention thus far, but we'll see how she reacts once we come home. Only time will tell, but we are optimistic since she is so young.

Day 1

Bennett wanting to push buttons

Bennett kissing her little brother.

We are all doing well, and expected to go home and get settled into our new routine on Friday.