Baby Nico

So I feel like it's high time I posted about my new little nephew. Despite mine and Max's disbelief in my last post, Nicola did indeed come that Friday, May 21. He was born at 12:12pm weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces of pure perfection. Here's him getting a bath at the hospital.



In order to avoid bring a toddler to the hospital during quiet hours, Max and I were able to go and visit later that afternoon. Unfortunately, Max fell asleep in the car on the way there, so it wasn't until the next day that he really met his brother. Well, he did wake up while we were at the hospital but remained completely indifferent until the next day.



Honestly I just can't get enough of this kid. I could seriously hold him forever and never get tired of it. Thankfully, Jackie and her little family was staying with us before they moved to Oklahoma so I was able to get plenty of Nic time in. I just love squishy little babies, and he's the sweetest, cutest, squishiest there is.





And here are my sweet boys. They moved to Oklahoma yesterday and the house is way too quiet. I just miss them so much.



But Heavenly Father knew I was going to miss them and blessed me with some tender mercies my last little bit with them. The night before they moved, Jackie handed Nic to me after he ate and I promised I'd give him back when he was hungry again. But this sweet boy just slept in my arms for hours and hours, which is something since he seems to eat constantly. Then that same night as I was getting into bed, Max, who's been sleeping in my room, woke up with a bad dream or something and came and slept in my bed with me. Then the next day I was able to prompt him to say "I miss you" and "I love you" in his sweet little voice. In addition I was able to hold Nico again for ages while his eyes were open and looking at me. I just love them.
My biggest fear is that they'll forget me as they go traveling around the world with their parents. I am blessed though for the time I've had with them. Especially to have been so close to Max these past few years. We're pretty much BFF. I can't wait to see them when we come visit in August.

Adventures in babysitting

So this morning my very pregnant sister is at the hospital most likely having a baby. He's been close for a few weeks now and there have been days where we thought for sure he was coming. Despite my mother being at the hospital with her, her midwife saying to come to the hospital instead of her office, her contractions becoming more painful, the fact that she's already 5 cm dilated, or that her husband's plane ticket is already purchased for him to come meet their son, I guess I'm just a little hesitant to say he's coming for sure. I understand little Nicola's coming today, I just don't think it's sunk in yet.

So anyway, while Mom and Nanna are at the hospital, I get to watch Max. He's my favorite boy in the whole world and I'm happy to have some more time with him before he moves to Oklahoma. Well, on this particular morning, I left him watching Dora in his undies to go take a shower. After I was dressed I went down to check on him, and there he was in his undies in front of the tv. Only, while I was indisposed, it seems he took himself to the potty. How could I tell you ask? Well, it was evident he had some trouble putting the underpants back on after going to the bathroom. The poor child had stretched one of the leg holes over his little hips, while his legs found their way through whatever available holes in the underwear's design. But there he was watching Dora the Explorer like nothing was wrong. I just love my little man.

Though I think Max is just as skeptical about the arrival of Nic as I am. I asked him if he was getting a brother today, and he most determinably said no. His mom will just have to prove us wrong. In the meantime Nick Jr and some Apple Jacks are turning out to be the perfect recipe for a good morning.

"One has to believe in what one is doing, one has to commit oneself inwardly, in order to do painting. Once obsessed, one ultimately carries it to the point of believing that one might change human beings through painting. But if one lacks this passionate commitment, there is nothing left to do. Then it is best to leave it alone. For basically painting is total idiocy."

And

"Painging is at once 'intrinsically capable of giving form to our best, most human, most humane qualities' and 'total idiocy'."

Thank you Gerhard Richter for your words of wisdom.