miscellany monday

1) Henry is two weeks old today. I think I'll do separate posts for his updates because they may get lengthy. His two week post will probably be up sometime this afternoon.

2) This is the first day that I'm alone with Henry all day. So far we've been eating, talking a little, and he took a short nap in his crib while I put away laundry and dusted upstairs. We're going out soon to finish Christmas shopping, get a few groceries, and get Henry's weight checked.

3) Speaking of going places, you know those people who spend an inappropriate and borderline awkward amount of time ogling your baby in Target, and you can't really escape? Yeah...

3) And the people who, instead of simply holding the door for you, stand there looking annoyed and impatient when you're struggling to get your stroller through a door? Yeah...

4) Yesterday our neighbors came over, met Henry, and Celia had a great time with them too. She played a little with their 5-month-old, Oliver. Some day our kids will all play together, so we took a couple pictures of the boys together, and of all three kids so someday they can see they were friends when they were just babies.

5) Last night we went to a Christmas party at Celia's music school. Santa was there too, and Celia wanted to see him and have her picture taken right away! She was so cute, with a big grin on her face as soon as she saw Santa.

6) Chris has an interesting way of hanging our swaddles to dry. That is the kitchen light fixture. Our home looks very attractive this way.

7) Speaking of Blub, he is back to work today. That means this is my first week of being on my own with Henry and Celia (though we do have our parents to help out a couple days a week). When I'm alone with Henry on daycare days, I'm sure our days will be pretty easy. He's such a good baby. The hardest part of the day will be late afternoon/early evening when I have both kids, have to get dinner ready, and the potential exists for both kids to be cranky. I will definitely be cooking dinner ahead of time a lot of days to make it easier.

8) Celia is definitely adjusting to Henry being here. Things are getting better and better. We just have to make sure we give her plenty of attention and keep her busy with fun activities. She has even started playing independently again, whereas before she was constantly trying to get attention, bother Henry, or misbehave somehow. She also loves holding Henry and helping with him now, so we try to let her hold him whenever she wants to. We're not having as many problems with jealousy as we did at first.

9) I'm not sure how many people put "steak" on their Christmas lists, but my husband does. He is quite steak-deprived, having a vegan for a wife.

10) And I'm getting excited to make a vegan feast (with meat too for the omnivores) for Christmas. I wasn't sure what kind of shape we'd be in for Christmas with a newborn, but things are going well so I think some cooking is in order!