It was so wonderful going "home" from the hospital to my parents' house and being greeted by my mom, dad, brother, and sister-in-law. They were all so thrilled and overjoyed to finally meet Timon.
My sweet niece, Elizabeth, took a second to warm up to the tiny bundle resting in her daddy's arms, but after staring at him quizzically for a few seconds, she touched his head gently and a huge grin spread across her face. Welcome to the family, baby Timon!
Douglas was taking a nap when we got home, which was perfect. When he woke up, Micah went up alone so that he could tell him that we were home before introducing him to his baby brother. We expected uncertainty, displeasure, jealousy, something. All we got was joy and love and preciousness.
I walked upstairs with Timon once Micah told me they were ready. I put Timon in Micah's arms (Micah was holding Douglas already).
The first words out of Dougie's mouth were "Mohn Nuggle," and he put his thumb in his mouth (he does this every time he intends to snuggle with something - a person, a stuffed animal, a soft blanket). He reached out and layed his head on Timon's head for a good old fashioned Brother Snuggle.
The next words were, "Mohn hug" followed by the biggest, sweetest bear hug you've ever seen (thumb still in his mouth).
For several minutes this continued - in Micah's arms, on the couch, anywhere. He just couldn't get close enough. He just couldn't find enough ways to express his love for his baby brother who he seemed to already know.
As the days passed, we continued to expect some sign of displeasure at this new addition to our family. It didn't come. Of course, he gets sad at times that one of us can't pay attention to him, but to this day it hasn't been directed toward Timon. Not that that day won't come or that it would be bad if it did, but it totally shocked us. He shows such care and sensitivity to Timon. We would tell him to say goodnight to Grammy and Pops and he would say "Mohn kiss" and go find his brother, nestled somewhere sleeping quietly, and give him a kiss on his head or just lay his head next to Timon's.
Even when we left my parents' house to come home, I thought Dougie would be like, "uh, this guy's great and all, but I thought he was staying here!!" But he didn't even bat an eye. He just pointed to Timon's car seat and said "Mohn's seat" - like he was saying, "yeah, Man, what took you so long! We've been waiting for you to sit in this seat for what feels like forever!"
Our time in TX with the family was wonderful.
They were so welcoming and accommodating and helpful. It was such a blessing to be with them and for them to get some time with Timon as a tiny baby.
We were greeted at home in Kansas by my sister and brother-in-law (Heather and Brian) and their two boys who were so excited to meet Timon (and see Dougie)! They were waiting outside for us when we pulled up and Love Fest 2011 ensued. The kids were all so excited to see each other. They had decorated the inside of our house and had champagne waiting to be opened in celebration of this precious life entering the world and our family.
A few days later, my sweet friend Jenni threw a Sip And See party for us honoring Timon. Heather and a couple other friends helped make it happen as well, and it was lovely. Over 20 people came to meet Timon and welcome him. There were champagne punch and dear friends and kids running around in the yard - it was perfect. I, sadly, failed to take more than 2 pictures, so Timon will just have to believe me when I say that over 20 people showed up to meet him and welcome him and show him their love - because the 2 pictures I took were 1) before the party started and 2) after it was over. Nice. Hello, Mommy Brain - welcome.
Timon is one VERY loved little boy!!
We are settling into life with a newborn again.
It's not easy! I think it's harder the second time in ways because you're busy with your toddler, too, and you also just don't quite have the same stamina that you once had. We're tired. And cranky. Poor Douglas is like, "um, what happened to nice Mommy and Daddy?!" But it's all good. This time will give way to different, in some ways easier, times. We will gradually learn how to decipher Timon's cries and how to know what he needs or wants - we will learn our new routine and our bodies will, hopefully, settle more gracefully into this season of sleepless nights and spitup-clad shoulders. (One day, I spent half the day with spitup all over my shoulder before my mother-in-law noticed it while in the car on the way to run errands. Meh. What can you do?!).
See? There, I did it. My first poop/spitup reference. You're welcome.
Texas was wonderful, but it is so great to be home. This picture was taken the night we got home from Texas. My first time reading books with our two precious boys in their room. Douglas' choice - "Siempre te Querre" - "I'll Love you forever".
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