I know many of you are wondering how Anna and Noah are adjusting to having a baby around. I know this because you have asked “how are Anna and Noah adjusting to having a baby around?”
They’re doing pretty well. In the beginning, when Eli cried ALL OF THE TIME, I think they thought that having the baby was a bad idea. We would get in the car and they would hold their hands over their ears and look at each other like “can we get a refund on this kid?“. Noah figured out that when Eli cried, he was actually saying “if.” When he discovered this, he said “man, the baby sure likes the word ‘if‘” Then when Eli would cried, Noah would fake cry along with him saying “if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if if.”
So now, when Eli cries after a nap, I’ll sometimes approach his bassinet and accidentally say “if” over and over again.
They love this baby.
They wake up in the morning looking for him, they laugh when Eli smiles, they jump up to help when he cries, they want to hold him, kiss him, hug him. They just simply love him. And their love increases every single day. I’m watching it with my own eyes.
Yesterday, Anna, Noah, Elijah and I went to Target. I had to make a return on two tank tops that ran REALLY SMALL. (or something.) While we waited in the customer service line, I put the car seat down on the ground, the kids promptly dropped to their knees and paid every ounce of attention they had on Eli. (he was awake and not crying – WHICH IS A BIG DEAL.)
He smiled, they laughed “Mom, Eli smiled at us!” It was beautiful.
When we were leaving I was stopped by a woman who wanted to look at Eli in his car seat. She and I started talking to him and he smiled so big. She said “he is so smart to be smiling like that!” She walked away and I said to Eli, “were you showing off?” In my big Mommy-Cutesy-high-pitched voice. He smiled again.
We walked to the car, I put Eli’s seat in and pushed my cart back, I came back to hear Anna, in her little Mommy-Cutesy-high-pitched voice saying “were you showing off, big boy? Were you showing off?”
I nearly dropped to my knees with gratitude for the amazingness of that moment. For the amazingness of my life.
Having a newborn is difficult.
Loving him is not.
Oh for real I’m all choked up.
Steph
Isn’t sibling love sucha beautiful thing?
For some reaason, everyone expected my 3 boys to be jealous of their baby sister but it’s really quite the opposite. They adore her and take care of her like little daddys. My heart swells at the sweetness and gentleness they show her.
And you are so right about how easy they are to love!
Sweetness!!
I’m typing this as I listen to my 3 children bicker over the No Name Calling Law. Sometimes I miss the newborn moments.
A treasured time, to be sure. And he’s a cutie-patootie. I don’t know if I’ve said that lately or not.
i have a tear…right here over my turkey sandwich. what perfect trip to target that was! Oh and some tanks have been running small on me too..must be a quality issue. ;o)
Sooo sweet. I’m moved.
I’m glad that they are learning to enjoy the baby. I’ve always maintained that the first two weeks are the hardest followed by the first two months, after that everything seems to settle into a routine of sorts and you can start to feel more normal again. I hope that that is true for you.
Now… I was wondering… did you mean to say that you’ve been married for 150 years in your “about me” blurb? If so… you look really good for your age!
I love the way my boys show how they love Katie too.
This is SO very precious, these moments between siblings, when they are young. I can see you are enjoying them to the fullest.
Oh Beth. I have tears in my eyes because of all the joy. And the cuteness. And the excitement and happiness I feel for all of you. You are such a wonderful family. I’m so glad you share the difficult times and the joyful times. You are so real. And I hope you know how helpful your “realness” is. Sometimes I’m so scared to start a family for so many reasons that it almost takes over my excitement. But when I read this, (and of course see the ADORABLE pictures), my heart flutters and gets all happy and the excitement takes over again. Thank you for letting us share in your joy.
AWWWWW what a bunch off sweeties. I love it. How’s that 150yr long marriage holding up? hehe I love the new picture of you with the sling, Eli looks older.
You make my uterus hurt. Like BAD
He is adorable, Beth!! PS- The kids are done with school on Friday. What’s the chance that we can head out and see you one day?? xo
Awhh… My oldest is just starting to learn how to interact with her little brother. She tries “peekaboo” at the top of her lungs to get him to stop crying. She doesn’t like his crying. But she know’s he’s part of her family, and she’s getting there with accepting it.
This is so sweet. It gives me hope.
So glad everyone is adjusting beautifully! Oh, and I love the bigger font over in the My name is Beth box. The previous font was tough to read. =)
cuteness!
I distinctly remember the first time Ruby mimicked my high-pitched voice with Burke. I know exactly what you mean about being so thankful for those moments.
Siblinghood is awesome. I bet watching this newest phase is pretty cool!
Okay, now you’ve made me cry while I smile and I’ve already HEARD that story!
this is sweet! my girls absolutely adore their brother but that wasn’t always the case. those first 14-15 weeks, they didn’t think it was such a great idea anymore. now, they come in the door after school looking for him. my 10 year old told me that she loves having a baby brother because he is so fun and cuddly.
totally makes all the sleepless nights and not being able to sneeze without a little trickle sneaking out worth it! my 3 kids are SO worth it!
So very sweet.
Zoe was about the same age as Anna when Troy was born and I had no idea she would be so smitten with him. I love it.
P.S. I got your baby announcement and Elijah is on my fridge. That’s just about the most perfect baby announcement I have ever laid eyes on. Your photographs are amazing.
xo-Z
He is the cutest! So glad you are enjoying those little moments – they are worth everything, aren’t they?
Nothing like siblings who love their baby *so much*, is there?
LOVE.
Sounds like they are all gonna be good friends – some day soon!!!!
Your family’s sweetness just makes my heart SO happy!
I got your announcement in the mail today. It was so cute! Thanks!
So sweet!!
I think Gabriella, my 6yr old, wanted a refund when Hannah, now 19mo, was first born too.
What a sweet post!
oh beth, that is awesome! the love between siblings really is an amazing thing! and i remember how cool it is when they first start smiling. love this post!
Reading this made me feel good.
Also, I got your baby announcement yesterday and just fell all over myself….perfect. : )
I love that Eli says “ififififif” when he cries. When my daughter was a newborn she would actually say “mooooooooooom! moooooooooom!” (And just because I am THAT conceded, I like to think she really was calling for me)
cry.
i love anna talking like that to him. siblings are such blessings. love, love, love your family.
Oh I love this story. I love picturing the 4 of you going to Target together and I love picturing Anna talking to Eli just like you and I really love imagining Noah mimicking his crying. Too funny!!!!
Awww! So adorable. You must have the best kids ever!
Awww, he’s such a sweet boy. And his birthmark…Elise was born with a similar one, same spot.
One of the greatest joys of my life has been watching my three big kiddos love on their baby brother. I don’t think you can udnerstand it until you go through it.
I love this picture! He looks like he is giving everybody raspberries. I love how you keep it all real. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t have kids, yet/ But I do understand appreciating the little things. Don’t forget to do it on the ‘bad’ days too.
That’s so amazing! It’s wonderful to hear how the kids respond to Eli. I love that they’re so attuned to him, and give them every ounce of attention. They sound so sweet, and Eli is adorable.
I just loved those last two lines. Beautiful.
Yes, having newborns and young children is difficult. I know that and I’m only a big sister [to four, two of which are 2yo twin boys]. I can’t deny that they have been such a blessing to my family and I. I know God has a plan for them, even though it takes nap time for me to remember.
“Having a newborn is difficult.
Loving him is not.”
I couldn’t have said it better regarding my own little guy.
I love your last line “Having a newborn is difficult. Loving him is not.” It is so absolutely true. I really enjoy reading your blog. I also have a newborn, she just turned 2months yesterday [Im not sure where the time goes] And I have a soon to be 3 year old, and I joined WW about 5wks ago, so your topics really hit home with me, and I just really enjoy your blog. Have a blessed week!
‘Having a newborn is difficult. Loving him is not.’
These are the most beautiful words. Seriously, I’m in tears over here. I’ve been reading your blogs for a few years and know about J and J (sorry for not always commenting) and want you to know that I’m so very happy for you and your family and wish you all the very best. Enjoy them =)
Sincerely,
Michele
Congrats hun!!
I’m doing WW too. I’ve lost 18 pounds but I’ve kinda slacked off during the last few weeks. You’ve inspired me to get back with the program.
BTW…I’m new around here and I LOVE your Blog!
This is my favorite part of having two – when I’m in the kitchen & I hear my son say to my daughter, ‘Aw, Nallie, you lost a sock – here, let me give it to you’ or ‘hey, sweetie girl, what’sa matter?’ or something.
So fun! 