Everybody Loves Moxie

Every morning the first thing Piper wants to do is to hold Moxie .

She cuddles into our bed, tells us about her dreams and strokes her sister's head.

From there she wants to go to the couch with her - she has little patience for our bed.

Today she was so happy, but when Moxie napped in the afternoon I decided to give the poor kid a break and give her some peace. And start seeing if she'd nap out of arms, which she did without fuss.

Piper's mood soured and she started whining and being sad. Not until Moxie woke and I announced she could hold her - at which point she exclaimed, "NOW I'm happy!"

And she was.

At bedtime we bring Moxie into Piper's room for the first part of the routine.

Josh picked up Moxie at one point and Piper was visibly upset. Anticipating some adjustment to sharing her parents I gently asked if she was upset. Not wanting to lead her into an answer I left it vague.

"No Daddy! Put her down! That's my baby!"

Let's hope the novelty doesn't wear off when Moxie is big enough to take toys.

Moxie Madeline

Welcome sweet girl!

Moxie joined us on 4/4/14 at 11:02pm

At home after a very quick one hour and 32 min labor. 

Quiet and peaceful she entered the world

and seems to have always been with us... All 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21.5 inches of her!

My birth team - though the doula didn't make it in time for the actual birth- Moxie couldn't wait once she got going.

Checking her stats the day after birth.

So far she is what Piper's teacher Miss Vicky would call "a solid second" 

While loud noises in her face might scare her - she is brand new after all, for the most part at certain times of the day she'll sleep through anything.

Anything.

I've had a hard time waking her at times to get her to keep eating. 

Which is good. 

I've needed the rest and recovery in a very big way.

On the first of the month I started having random contractions. Nothing bad at all - but they would get regular and then stop. Nothing painful, just never knew when they wouldn't stop and it would be time for things to get real.

So Piper went to the Grandparents so I could relax into it knowing she was cared for.

Here she is teaching Papa how to walk on water

And she made birthday cake for Moxie with Mimi. 

She had a great time, but we missed her horrible.

Piper is amazing with Moxie.

She's has had some three year old moments for sure. But her patience with my lack of mobility and constant care of Moxie is amazing. 

It's only been 5 days, but so far so good. 

More snot, little sleep and waiting

Well, mystery solved. 

Late night antics seem to be in direct correlation to Piper's bladder.

Why can't she be lazy like every other kid I know and just go in her diaper? 

Or be as over zealous and head to the potty on her own?

But no.

She still denies she has to go, but a quick trip to the bathroom and she's good.

Until she has to go again.

Which one of us has a baby sitting on their bladder???

Great nights are greeted with full diapers in the am. They only happen about once or twice a week.

Add in the continued coughing fits in the night and I now totally understand why all parents claim no sleep in the first 4-5 years.

We're still no dairy - but with spring blooms and pre-school I'm beginning to think snot is just our state.

We'll stay non dairy for awhile though, hoping it keeps us from yet another double ear infection.

Garage finally has some semblance of order, so cabinets have commenced!

With some help

As of tomorrow I will be 40 weeks. Thank you so very much, but

Please - don't check in on me.

You'll know when it happens and in the mean time I'm uncomfortable.

Very uncomfortable. 

No added pressure needed.

I already have a toddler asking daily if it's her little sister's birthday yet.

3 years old!

A storm rolled in for Piper's 3rd Birthday, but that didn't stop us!

You seeing a theme here? I think Dad is hopping Piper catches the biking bug, so far the two tow behind options are her favorite. She'll get the balance bike - but for now she'd rather be as close to Dad as possible.

We had a small gathering - however it was complete - tears, snot and choloate were all in presence. 

This is Piper's friend from school. They have a very "interesting" dynamic I'm not so sure I want to deal with 9 months pregnant again.

Still shy at Birthday song time, but at least no tears this year.

Long story short we ended up with a second wave of party - this is Kiahi. Or as Piper calls him, Kay-yahi. He and his Mom and sister live in our old house across the street. His Dad brought them by and it was perfect. They watched some acrobats and things settled a bit more mellow. He's almost a year to the day older and has a huge love for monsters and ghosts too. And is teaching Piper about super Heros.

The weather turned nice and we headed to the pool the next day. Photos to come, but Piper had her first water wing experience and promptly told me, "you stay here Momma, you can't hang around me all day."

Then promptly "swam" away.

Apparently she needs Dad close by, but not so much Mom.

We busied ourselves when we got home so Dad could work on some house projects.

Building an "ant house"

And then we texted across the street for a date.

I could get used to this! 

Piper is back to helping in the kitchen at every meal now that there is room for her tower. She and I have a ball. She still loves to taste and tell me what is needed. And she's a pro with the food processor.

Birthday stuff continues to roll in, so she's convinced it's still her Birthday. 

The reset lasted a few days and then we were back to nightly visits. Josh and I cringe and anticipate the patter of her feet. Once, okay - but 6 plus times a night? We're hoping some tools, like the music player Mimi and Papa got her will help - but really a self declared "Softy" with a capital "S" needs to get on the boundary board. She's doing the: I need this that and the other game. I'm hard ball. No. Little talk and back to bed. Daddy on the other hand...

Josh joked with me the other morning,

"Well at least it will get easier when the baby arrives."

HA!