Around the House with 2 (!) Kids

The month of September was quite literally unlike any month we have EVER lived (makes sense). I was recovering from major surgery. Gabi was adjusting to life as a big sister. We were all adjusting to little sleep.  Thankfully, my parents stayed with us until Ethan was just short of 2 weeks old. They were incredibly helpful with the house, the kids, and us! 

Ethan hangs out poolside.

Zayde plays with Gabi in the pool.

Ethan, in a calm moment, enjoys rocker "Jasper" just like big sister had.

Daddy takes Gabi to the mall play area to spend some 1-on-1 time together.

This girl is certainly a tough cookie to feed, but the cutie LOVES her pasta!

Ethan distinguished himself from the very start as being different and unique from his big sister:

• When Gabi was a newborn, the paranoid parents that we were had to continuously confirm that the silent baby was still breathing. With Ethan, we couldn't get any sleep since he was squirming, honking, and snoring so much. 
• When Gabi was a newborn, you'd put her in the swaddle and she'd put herself to sleep. For hours. With Ethan, he let it be known that you had to work and rock and work and rock, and don't you put him down - then it all starts over again.

At Ethan's first checkup (2 days short of 1 week), he measured at 20.25 (65%) inches and weighed 8 lb 12 oz (80%), having gained enough back to be just short of his birth weight!

It was time for Ethan's first tub bath, and Gabi got to participate with the family!



The generous presents arrive by mail. Ethan gets a personalized quilt from Grandma and Grandpa to match his big sister's quilt, AND he gets a handmade quilt from Aunt Gail just like Gabi had. Gabi decides she wants to be the first one to explore Aunt Gail's quilt.

While my parents are still with us, we find small breaks in which to get a tidbit of rest:

...Then, they left...

We woke up the morning Ethan turned 2 weeks old to just ourselves. A family of 4: 2 parents; 2 babies. And we were left to figure it out on our own.

After just 2 short weeks, this sweet big sister already knows how to help!

This little dude hadn't quite figured out how to lift his neck to look around, but he had crawling down.

sweet 2-week-old!

Thanks to Gigi, we have a lovely double stroller to provide a comfy ride for both kids to the park. Despite Ethan hating his first ride, Gabi loved it!

(Sweaty but) cute little lady at the park

Jon goes back to work and leaves me alone with 2 babies...While stressful at times (and that's not to be understated), I got this.

BUT we definitely still love it when Daddy is home with us!


If there is a new shoe rack to be built, there is only one toddler for the job!

...And then there's the time she had to run in circles to properly supervise and ensure Daddy's satisfactory completion of the project. (If you listen closely, you'll hear why Ethan has earned the nickname "Goose.")

The cats are slowly starting to get that the sleeping thing is safe.

Zoom in on the cute sleeping thing.

(The producers ensure that no babies were permanently harmed in the making of this film.)

Ethan crawls and rolls over before the month is up...We're in trouble.

Sibs

Time for Rosh Hashanah, and this is how my babies roll. Shanah Tovah, and Happy 3-weeks to Ethan!

Wassup

In a moment of pure delight, my extremely picky eater of a daughter grabs the cob of corn from my plate and DEVOURS it. Enthusiastically!

We survived our crazy, sleep-deprived, amazing whirlwind of a month, and it can only get better from here! Happy 1-month Ethan Robert and the brand new Team Cohen!