In case you haven't noticed, there's no denying my children are related. Here's Kara just minutes after she was evicted from my womb:
And here's Nathan:
Kara in her bassinet at one month old:
And her baby brother at just a few days:
As Luke and I continue to adjust to being the parents of two children, so are Kara and Nathan getting used to each other. Their introduction took place on my second day in the hospital, and it didn't go anything like I thought it would. Kara is usually so receptive to babies--pointing at them and grunting excitedly whenever there's one in a five-mile radius--but on that day, she didn't give him more than a passing glance before she was running up to Grandma and Grandpa or pawing at Daddy or holding her arms up to me. I'd like to think it's because she knew Nathan was ours and therefore wanted to spread out the joy over a longer period of time, but really, who knows? Thankfully, she's taken more of an interest in him since then, though it also means Luke and I are constantly on the alert, waiting for the day she whacks him in the face with her wooden giraffe pull toy in an attempt to show her affection. At one day shy of fourteen months old, she's still too young to understand how her actions might negatively affect her brother, but the last thing we want is for Kara to associate Nathan's presence with any sort of punishment, so when she pets his face, hangs on the bassinet, or gets thisclose to denting his head with our copy of Green Eggs and Ham, we hold our breaths, repeat "Nice and soft with baby Nathan," and hope our son forgives us for any well-meaning injuries that take place on our watch.
Could you not just die from the adorableness?
One thing we haven't had to deal with so far is any jealousy on Kara's part, probably because she is so young. If she were even a few months older, she might get peeved coming downstairs every morning to find Nathan and I asleep on the couch, or watching me nurse him every few hours, or even just seeing him in my arms after I've sadly denied one of her various requests to be picked up. It helps that Luke and I are both home, so he's able to give her what I can't, but I've also made a special effort to be available to her as much as possible. We read stories while I nurse, cuddle while Luke changes Nathan's diaper, and chase each other around the living room when the baby naps. Two weeks out from surgery, I'm supposed to avoid lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk, but I've made a few exceptions because holy hell, do I hate missing bed time just because placing Kara in her crib does a number on my incision.
When people learn about Kara and Nathan's closeness in age, a lot of them try to relate by lumping them in the "two under two" category, but really, our situation is better described as "two close to one." Though certainly not a newborn, Kara is still very much a baby herself. She wears diapers. She sleeps in a crib. She takes her milk in a bottle (though she'll do water in a sippy cup just fine) and hasn't yet mastered the spoon. Balancing her needs while attending to Nathan's isn't too difficult with both Luke and me manning the fort, but honestly, I'm nervous about going back to work in six weeks and leaving my husband to fend for himself. It'll be hard for me to return to my daily nine-to-five, but I imagine it'll be even more stressful for him. I don't take it for granted that my husband is willing to spend his days raising our children, and I thank God every night for pairing me with such a patient, loving, unselfish man.
Our son couldn't ask for a better male role model.
As I make it through each day in this new, super-sized life of mine, I take special pleasure in the random quiet moments I'm lucky enough to score with each member of my family. This morning, it was resting my head on Luke's chest while both children napped. After dinner, I settled into Nathan's rocking chair to help him fall asleep, crying happy tears as I held him close, Celine Dion's lullaby CD doing its best to set the stage for the day's second ugly cry. And while reading Kara a story, she turned to me half-way through for the sole purpose of giving me a hug. Ten minutes later, she lifted her face for a kiss.
These guys, they're breaking my heart. And I love every frustrating, amazing, beautiful minute.
aw...sweet baby cheeks! *nibble*
Posted by: Mel | February 16, 2009 at 10:27 PM
What a sweet post! They almost look like the same baby in those first pictures. I'm glad Kara is adjusting so well. You and Luke are really inspiring, the way you take things one step at a time and figure out what works for your family. And my WORD, y'all make pretty babies!
Posted by: Jen L. | February 16, 2009 at 11:33 PM
There definitely is a very strong resemblance there, and they are SO adorable together!
I agree with Jen L. - the way your family does things really is inspiring. I especially admire the way you and Luke seem to work together as a team. Oh, I'm sure you have your differences, but I love that you present a united force and that you are 'pro-Luke' on the internet :-)
Posted by: Katie | February 17, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Ouch. My uterus just blew up. TOO SWEET and yes, adorable! Big hugs to your beautiful family!!
Posted by: HollowSquirrel | February 17, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Beautiful. I think Nathan's going to end up looking more like Luke, although of course it's difficult to say so early.
Posted by: Fraulein N | February 17, 2009 at 09:19 AM
They are both just so adorable. You guys are so lucky and when those two are older, I would guess they are going to be very very close because of how close in age they are.
Posted by: Rachel | February 17, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I almost wanted to cry a little when you were telling about Kara's bedtime story. That's so sweet!
Kara and Nathan are both so cute and baby chubby I don't know how you hold yourself back from eating them right up! :)
Posted by: Trilby | February 17, 2009 at 10:39 AM
The picture of Kara and Nathan is so cute! You are amazing. Thinking about having a newborn on top of AJU5 is more than I could even think of! Hopefully Kara and Nathan will "play" well together so Luke doesn't have to go completely crazy when you go back to work!
Posted by: AJU5's Mom | February 17, 2009 at 10:54 AM
You are so blessed! Those babies are beautiful. Your post made me tear up. Glad things are going as smoothly as they can w/ two close to one.
Posted by: Erica | February 17, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Those baby pictures are amazing...they do look so very much alike!
You are so lucky to have Luke there with you...so many times the mom is on maternity leave and there by herself...you must be having some awesome family time!
And Luke will be fine. Of course there will be frustrations, but I know he (and you going back to work) will be fine! And don't worry about that now for goodness sakes! Enjoy the present!
Posted by: Debbie | February 17, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said but I wanted to agree with how adorable your kids are!
Your and Luke really do seem to work together well...best of luck for the changes ahead, but I hope you can enjoy the next few weeks!
Posted by: Maggie | February 17, 2009 at 12:26 PM
I'm so glad to hear that Kara is adjusting to her new role so well! She'll be a great big sister one day, and it may go easier for her than for other since she'll have been a big sister since she can remember.
Glad to hear, too, that you're feeling good about this big transition. It sounds like you're all doing great, way to go!
Posted by: Parsing Nonsense | February 17, 2009 at 03:29 PM
They're gorgeous! You should be so proud.
Posted by: Amy | February 17, 2009 at 06:55 PM
I know you wrote words up there but I couldn't concentrate- he is just so beautiful, Bree! And Kara too! (but that just goes without saying)
Posted by: r+k+mama | February 17, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Holy cats!! Look how much he's changing already! They look so sweet together. Can't wait to witness it in person.
Posted by: Molly | February 17, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Yes, for sure brother and sister. They look a lot alike in those pictures. They will grow and develop together. Such joy and love.
Posted by: daddyd | February 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Frema...you inspire me! :-)
Posted by: Isabel | February 18, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Zyugg---that was hello from Danny Jr. i LOVE YOU and am so happy that you're happy. Call me/I'll call you soon.
Posted by: Sissy | February 18, 2009 at 05:34 PM
A belated but very heartfelt congratulations to you and your lovely family!! :)
Posted by: Liana | February 22, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Boy, they are so much alike in their moments after birth pictures! My first two were like that, too, but they look different now, one year later. I am LOVING these posts because I am going to have a 16 month old and a newborn here in May and I am so curious about how my (for now) baby will do. I hope it continues to go well, they are just beautiful!
Posted by: Joanne | February 27, 2009 at 07:39 PM