lyda kathryn... wave 2

lyda kathryn...
i'm looking back at these pictures that for so long i avoided because "blogging" the event stressed me out.
too much too soon
i had to get back to a somewhat stable state to begin the everyday routines (which include an occasional sit down at the computer to share and document our family's goings ons...).

edward and langston 7/10/2012 

- one day before lyda's arrival - 

7/11/2012

life now...

at two months in, it's tough to remember life without lyda.  all kids are doing beautifully.  langston - a natural, adoring caregiver i find myself wanting to emulate; edward - a rambunctious little soul who i now spy frequently stealing kisses from baby sister; and lyda - our sweet two month old who soaks up all the lovin' we can muster.

of course all moments aren't bliss...  

edward did find it difficult to pass the torch, but improvement is there.  i see it!  he's going to be a protective older brother.  fascination mixed with adoration is evident.  langston i know would rather i disregard baby at times & play 'school,' 'restaurant,' or candy land, but the moments she's hovering over lyda determined to win a smile are quite precious.  

our days seem a little more full, but i think this is largely due to langston's long school hours rather than baby.  not sure?  we do seem to be in route a lot.  

we're here, we're there, we're home, take lyda from the carrier, eat, load lyda back up, find the shoes edward has taken off during the 5 minute stint we stopped, leave home minus the shoes because they're gone (?), pick up langston,  run an errand, ask the shop clerk if we can in fact shop sans shoes for edward has none, and head for home.  

is it 5 yet????

oh, how i do love 5 o'clock!

but i also love these kids more than i ever imagined.  at times, sure, i find myself hovering over the situation (especially when trying to get everyone out of the house 'close to' on time), fixed on autopilot, singing 'ahhhhhhahhhh,' so as to avoid focus on just how stressed i actually am - but that's any mom.  1, 3, 5, 8 - whatever the number of kids you have.   

above all i'm blessed & i know it.  these kids are beautiful, precious, unique, & adored.  

a couple more photos of 7/11

jeff was the hospital photographer, and the doctor background/trigger finger 'photog' pairing resulted in loads of post birth/mucousy photos.  it's a little icky, so i'll post just this one

he's coming around...

the excitement of adding one more to their clan of cousins

a beautiful aunt.
lyda, you will soon discover the blessing you have in this lady

sweet friends Christy & Mary

and their spouses drs. vargo & brocato

a visit from jeffrey
finally!  someone who will give edward the attention he's so accustomed to  

Lyda,

 you're in our crazy mix now

cherished by us all!

Lyda Kathryn

I'm going to do this post in waves - for there are a lot of photos & plenty of detail that coincide with a baby's birth.  

first - 'going to bebe and bobo's" (sans bobo*)  

*bobo is white water rafting/camping the colorado river with his college buddies.  to illustrate, i liken his boy's trip to the movie, Deliverance, though in his story all four men survive the river unscathed.  

in bobo's defense - he scheduled his trip around my due date, but pregnancy woes & impatience prompted the patient's early induction.  

tomorrow, these adorable kiddos will welcome baby sister, though at this moment they are far more excited about their sleep over at the grandparent's house.

The Drop Off

scary belly shots - but you've gotta post the night before

we drop the kids off & are off to this pregnancy's craving - Central BBQ - for the final meal

The Big Day

jeff and i head to the hospital early wednesday morning & the induction begins.  with only a couple of minor snafus, baby lyda joins this world & our family mid-dayish.  (i've forgotten the hour, lyda's birth height & weight.  terrible.  i didn't write it down???  this has nothing to do with you lyda - it's merely a picture of my irresponsibility).
i will call the doctor's office in 2 months time and get the numbers for your birth announcement.  

oh buddy...

my precious edward is coming around, but the birth of lyda brought a bit of angst to his world.  

 - Week one he sat on her head - 

BUT!  He's making a turn.  he loves Lyda.  there is just something about the transfer of the title, 'baby,' he is not quite ready to pass on.

fortunately for him, he needn't have to.  i think they will all be my 'babies' when they're 35.  

BREAKS MY HEART!'
sweet guy - i love you!!!

and the glowing big sister.  i'm so proud of langston.  she is as i knew she would be a beautiful, caring angel to her sister.  

more to come...