What's it like?

Almost every day I am asked by someone, "What's it like to have a baby in the house again?" There is a 10 year gap between our sons. Cody was born on August 14th, 1997 and Conner was born on September 16th, 2007. Some times I think people expect me to tell them how hard it is or that they need re-assurance that every thing is running smoothly. So in response to this question...

I haven't slept in since Conner was born. He wakes up around 7:30 every morning. He has slept through the whole night, since he was about 4 weeks old. I know, I'm extremely blessed. But I love sleeping in... 9:00 will do.

But now I get to watch him sleep and rock him to sleep. Does anyone remember when you held your brand new babies as they lay asleep in your arms? Just you and your precious baby, alone in the middle of the night, rocking back and forth in a dark room, lit only by the tv. You stare at them in wonderment and all of the sudden you become over whelmed with feelings. Feelings of love, gratitude, and the miracle of life. Those moments with my babies are my testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.


Since having Conner, I no longer have the freedom to just go to the store and run errands. It now takes me twice as long to get out the door.

But now I get to buy these items. When I was pregnant with my babies I would stock up on diapers and I would pull out a newborn size diaper and tell my husband, "Can you believe we will have a little baby, that will actually fit in these tiny things!" Who knew diapers could be so exciting!

Since having Conner, there are more of these laying around the house.

I love having a clean and tidy home. But for some reason, the little messes of toys and baby items do not bother me. They add to the decor.

Since having Conner, I got to do this to our old office.

This room is much more fun.

Since having Conner, I get to change these. I have been peed on almost once a week since he was born. He's tricky this way. Right now, I don't mind it so much. When he was first born he hated having his diaper changed. It was a race to change his diapers, because he would cry so hard. It's all good now.

I'm sure if you ask me in a couple of years if I still don't mind changing his diapers, my answer will be different.

Since having Conner, I get to see these precious moments with Cody and Conner.

Cody has been such a big help. He retrieves pacifiers, toys, diapers, bottles, blankies, and Conner for me on a daily basis. He cannot go to bed with out giving loves to Conner.

Short story: When Cody was in 1st grade the kids had a poem day for all of the parents. We all squished in to the class room to listen to our children recite their poems. Cody's poem was called I'm So Lonely. His poem went something like this.... I'm so lonely. I'm so lonely because I don't have a little brother or a pet to play with. I wished I had a little brother and a pet to play with. Everyone turned around to see what I would say to that. I just said, "I'll get right on that." It took three years but he got his wish. A hamster and a baby brother.

Since having Conner, there is more laughter and games.

He loves to cover his face with a blanky and anxiously wait for someone to pull it off and say, "where's Conner!" It's his version of peek-a-boo. But scarier.


Since having Conner, we added to our family of Christmas stockings. This was big for me. I cried when I hung Conner's stocking up for the first time. This meant that we would add another Easter basket, and I would get to make another Halloween costume. More holiday memories.

Since having Conner, I have my hair pulled numerous times everyday.

But then I wouldn't be able to laugh when Conner grabs my hair and gets this serious look on his face and he begins to grunt and moan at it. He does this whenever he is concentrating on something.

Since having Conner, there are more kisses. Kisses on his piggies, kisses on that spot between his neck and chubby cheek. Kisses on his little hands.

Since having Conner, there is more love in our home.