To my sweet sweet Sienna

Best Buddy,

Though my patience runs out some days and I know we are both trying to get the hang of this adjusting to a newborn in the house thing... there are things I want you to know.

I miss you painfully at times. Before Piper, it was just you and me on our days home. There was a lot of cuddling (before and after nap), laying in bed watching movies towards the end of my pregnancy, and there was tons of attention for just you. When you scraped your knee outside and yelled for me, I ran. When you wanted a snack, you asked me. When you wanted to laugh, you found humor in the silliest things and we laughed together endlessly.

Sweet girl, things have changed, yes. But you'll always be my baby girl. You are the one who built me up and broke me down in those first days of motherhood over two years ago. You are the one who taught me that crying newborns can still be very happy infants. You showed me the ropes- we grew together. No one- not another sibling nor anyone else- will ever have that bond. We learned how to do this mama and baby thing together- and each milestone you reach shows me again how to navigate the crazy waters of parenting.

It's not perfect right now- you and I are both figuring out how to find our groove again. But I promise you this- I promise that in a few months when Piper doesn't need so much constant care, I have a ton of adventures planned for us. You will always be high on my priority list. And I'll always love you in a way that I will never love anyone else- and you will forever be my little buddy.

Hang in there sweet girl. One day we will look back at these days and laugh.

Xoxo
Mama

First Family Outing

I probably have five minutes of down time right now while both girls sleep overlaps (miraculous).

 

Today is a day you dream about- 70 degrees, sunny, a little breeze. So when we got up this morning I declared that after I fed Piper I was taking a shower and this family was getting on the move.  We are members of Hagley Museum in Wilmington and today was the car show- I knew this meant sunshine, yummy food, a place for S to run rampant, and some fresh air for all.

 

I washed my hair. I dried my hair.

We packed a diaper bag for two kiddos.

Convinced Sienna to get dressed before 9:30 am.

I fed Piper one more time and we piled the girls in the carseats.

 

I was sort of (very) nervous for the short drive.

The girls were champs.

P started to cry a little and Sienna chirped up,

"Don't worry little one, we just have to park".

A sweet big sister (even though she's still struggling with a sibling).

 

Piper transferred easily from her carseat to the stroller.

We strolled the grounds.  We ate crab cake sandwiches- delicious.

Sienna had Hawaiian ice and a hot dog. Healthy, I know.

We looked at old cars and S found a fire engine.

She liked the music way better than the cars. Dancing is her jam.

We saw friends. Human contact for the win!

S may have had a second ice on the way out (car bribe and avoiding car naps).

 

A really good morning with my favorite three people.

Sisters.

Life with two kiddos is amazingly mind blowing, but wonderful. Sienna is sweet as pie with Piper most of the time.  She is still learning how to be gentle and thinks it is fun to wake her up from naps, but she's really doing great.

 

I am sort of in awe of how bonded they already seem. Piper is too little to track and follow Sienna, but she reacts when she hears her voice. She stares at her in the morning as if to ask her what is going on in this crazy world. Sienna is already fiercely protective (okay maybe possessive) of her "baby sister" and told another kiddo in our neighborhood the other day on a walk not to wake up her little baby sister. She goes over to her when she cries and says, "don't worry, you'll be okay" and "aww little lady, what's wrong". I think if I let her she'd tote Piper around like a doll. The outcome of that would likely be tragic so we will hold off.

 

I can already imagine life next summer- Sienna holding Piper's hand as she starts to stand and toddle- telling her about the ocean and the beach and probably giving instructions on what to do. So far, at just three weeks, Piper seems a bit more laid back than Sienna- maybe she got those Walls genes from daddy. I imagine her rolling her eyes at Sienna at times as they grow up, but going along with her crazy ideas.

 

I can't wait to see how their sister relationship develops over time. I think this is the greatest gift both of them will ever get- a sister to grow up with and explore the world together!

 

I love you both little itty bitties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piper Emily Walls has arrived

Piper is here! After lots of prelabor, she arrived fast and furiously.  Her entrance into the world was wonderful and big sister Sienna did so amazingly at the hospital.

I find I have no time to blog with two kiddos but I know in 6 months when Piper has the same bed time as Sienna and we are all getting more sleep it will come back to me.

For now, here are two of my favorite pictures. Hoping to get Piper's birthday story and more photos up really soon!

Welcome Piper! We adore you!