Family of Four

 After "the birth story" there is so much that comes after!! Usually new moms just worry and fret about the birth and arrival of their new 'bundle of joy' but what comes afterward is when the real work begins.  

It is no secret... babies are hard! And again it is no secret that newborns.... not my favorite.  I know werido right? I have come to realize I am in the HUGE minority when it comes to the lovable, soft squeezable, snuggable newborns.  Britta was not one of those lovable squeezable newborns... lets me honest, it was pure survival mode for us the first few months (and really years) for her.  Van has been a dream.  I get to experience what a 'good baby' or 'normal temperament' is like.  As great as he is, he still cries, screams, poops, feeds wakes up a lot - and what seems to be our norm a nap/schedule fighter.  He goo's and smiles and melts hearts, something that was new to us but he is still a baby! They are hard no matter what phase.  


As the long days go by and the weeks zoom by he is now 3 months old - still fighting scheduling but at least sleeping amazing at night.  He will normally sleep from 7:30-4 or 5am.  Nothing to complain about.  Yet I find myself dreaming of when I get to feed him food or when he crawls, sits up in a shopping cart and yes, even throwing tantrums.  I find myself so much more confident it handing tantrums and crying fits of a 2 yr old then sleep training a baby.  I think I have Britta to thank for my confidence in dealing with a difficult baby. 

Britta has blossomed having a little brother.  She is protective and always amazed at how cute and adorbale he is.  She calls him her 'bundle' and always wants him to smile or talk to her and no one else.  Yes, we have our moments - I wont say there are obstacles, She is argumentative, strong  and at times self conscious but Gunnar and I are doing our best to keep her in check as well as giving her the attention that she needs (not always wants).

  Van is completely infatuated with her. He looks at her like she might be the center of his universe and loves it when she sings to him.  Needless to say we are still trying to juggle getting britta to and from school while attempting to nap Van in-between and stay on schedule while we run her to dance and all other things that come with having kiddos.  We are slowly figuring it out and I am happy to stay the family of four for awhile but I feel this transition has been as nearly as smooth as it could possibly go.   I finally seem confident of what we are doing and we feel the best is only ahead of us - the good and the bad. 

Here are a few pics to recap the past few months.  Yes, most all of these are instagrams, they just happen to all be my favorite and I don't normally use my regular camera anymore! 

One of the only pictures we got on his blessing day.  He had gone a pooped himself and well, this was the aftermath in the mothers room....

Mud party at the Rogers for Ben's graduation

My grandpa and Van - This was seriously one of the sweetest things I had ever seen! 

Bath time has always been his favorite.

Britta's last preschool pic.  Love her!

Yes, Britta is crossing her eyes, Van looks quite amused...