Our new normal...

I've sat down at my computer several times since Sydney's arrival and have tried to blog. Each and every time I end up stopping to nurse, change a diaper, do a load of laundry, have a tea party, take a nap if both girls are sleeping, etc. It's our new normal...at least for now. :) Our days are flying by. Amelia loves Sydney and wants to help with her. She loves on her constantly. I feel like she has handled this huge change in the very best way, but I still see she has a need for one-on-one time. She asked me over the weekend if I was all better so I could carry her. Bless her heart. I want nothing more than to pick her up and carry her around the house like I do Sydney. 2 more weeks, baby...2 more weeks!! She used to get every single minute of my day...all to herself. We would play all day, have lunch dates, take a nap, run errands, and then cook dinner together. Needless to say, things have changed. So when I do have a moment to have a tea party, color, play with play-doh, or just watch a cartoon with her - I'm making it a priority to do it.



Just about every time we get in the car - I'm reminded that we're a family of four now and I'll look at Alex and say, "we have two kids!" For some reason I don't think about it when we're home - it's just when we're going somewhere. Maybe because it takes so much time and energy to get ready and go somewhere these days. :)

I have SO MANY PICTURES to post from our hospital stay, Sydney's newborn pics, pics of the girls since coming home from the hospital, etc. I'll slowly but surely get them posted. I know it will take a little more effort to blog but I want to have record of these sweet days/nights with Sydney, just like I did with Amelia. I love this newborn stage. LOVE IT. Despite being sleep deprived, it only lasts for a very short time and I enjoy every minute of it.



I can't believe Easter is in less than a week! I love Easter Sunday. Easter was the one holiday as a child that we received a new dress and can I just say - my 35 year old self still feels the need to buy a new outfit! But as an adult, it's more than just the new outfit and Easter baskets that make it such an important day. I get very emotional when I stop and think about what Jesus did for me on that cross.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

-The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard, 1913

I started picking things up for the girls' baskets months ago - they're hidden in the closet and ready to go for Easter morning, but I'm most excited to do the resurrection eggs with Amelia again this year. It's a great way to explain the Easter story to her. Not that she understands fully but she does ask lots of questions when we talk about Jesus dying on the cross. I have no doubt that she (and Sydney) will understand one day and my prayer is that on that very day they surrender their lives to Christ and accept His precious gift of life. ETERNAL LIFE. Praise His Name....HE IS RISEN!!

Love to all,