Mama's Little Helper

Ashlyn is always very concerned with her brother (and keeping him quiet). In the car, when he fusses, she says "Mama give Matthew paci." (And when I can't and he continues to fuss, she puts her fingers in her ears and says, "WAHHH!"). This morning, Matthew was having trouble staying asleep, so I brought him downstairs and put him in his swing. Ashlyn started pushing the swing and then decided that Matthew needed doggie and bunny...so she gave him her two bunnies and her doggie. She is normally very possessive of them, so this is a big deal. Anyway, then I gave him his pacifier and of course he spit it out. So then she stood next to the swing and gave him his pacifier each time he spit it out. Very cute! She made him gag a few times, but other than that, she was a big help! I've caught her chewing on the paci a few times. She is so very interested in pacifiers for a girl who never took one as a baby.
Mark is home for a few days so we are enjoying some time together. Next underway period is his big inspection and then we will have a whole month with him home for the holidays. We are REALLY looking forward to it.

Brotherly Love

Well, it seems that Ashlyn is really starting to enjoy being a big sister! Today while I was getting dressed, I had Matthew in the bouncy seat by the bathroom door and Ashlyn was sort of playing in the general area. She said, "Bunny kiss Matthew," and proceeded to make her lovey (Bunny) give Matthew a kiss right on the nose. He smiled and it was so cute! Later on when I was burping Matthew, she wanted to help. She got a bit vigorous with her patting on his back, but didn't produce a burp. Anyway, it's nice that she likes to help.

Often, when he is crying, Ashlyn will venture a guess as to what is wrong. She will say he's hungry or he has gas or he is tired. She is a great big sister. She in general is a great helper. Yesterday, she helped me water plants (and the floor :-). She had the craziest hair ever since she went down for a nap with a wet head. I think she looks a bit like Annie.

Getting into the Swing of Things!

Well, here we are, five weeks later...finally beginning to figure things out. Matthew is doing amazing...he's already over ten pounds and he's grown over three inches since his birth. That makes sense with all the eating he's been doing! We are starting to figure him out a bit and have learned that he naps very well if he's put down early enough (so much like his big sister!). He is still nursing every 2-3 hours during the day and every 2-4 hours at night. Last night was our best night EVER! He gave me three long stretches of 3 1/2 to 4 hours each. I got eight hours of sleep (in three stretches). I feel so much more human (but not quite altogether normal).

Mark is at sea for two weeks and my dad is flying in to the DC area from Bermuda for a few days, so I have taken the opportunity to come up to visit. I'm staying in Annapolis with my in-laws and my dad will stay here tomorrow night, too, so we can have a nice visit. I'm really looking forward to it especially since I haven't seen my dad in over a year!

Ashlyn is doing great as a big sister. She is bag to her normal self and is more independent (thank the Lord!). She helps give Matthew a bath and tells me when he's crying (and sometimes she'll tell me what's wrong with him: either he's hungry or he has gas). Funny girl.

The video is of Ashlyn (and her bunny and doggie) playing the piano at my in-laws house. She made such a racket she woke up her napping brother. Oh well!