Tummy Time

Too cute, right?? This was right before Charlie stood up and proceeded to fall on top of Ella’s little head. New rule: Do tummy time during Charlie’s nap.
My mom leaves in the morning. I have been trying not to think about it as I’m already weepy enough as it is…don’t need more fuel for the fire. Thank goodness Vann has a half-day tomorrow. It’s SO sad when everyone goes home…and this Christmas, we are on our own so I anticipate a little bit of the blues. I will say that (thankfully) we have meals starting next week and it will be so good for my soul to have visitors and be loved on by my sweet friends and mom’s group. It couldn’t come at a better time!

Charlie and GG

Charlie is such a lucky girl. Today we had a visit from Ms. Lauren and “Baby” Georgia, although GG is looking more like a little girl than a baby these days!! Since Charlie pretty much associates any picture of a baby with GG, it was totally cute hearing her scream GG’s name when they came in the door. Ms. Lauren brought lunch for everyone and we had such a nice time catching up. She is a sweet friend and I am really blessed to have her in my life!

Lullaby

MercyMe is the BEST Christian band, and they have an amazing Christmas album that I love to overplay every year. One of the songs on “The Christmas Sessions” is called “Joseph’s Lullaby” and it goes like this:

Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my child

Go to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You’ll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

Lovely, right? It makes me cry every single time I hear it…and it gets me thinking. Despite all the stress and sleeplessness, the hormones and the short fuses, having a baby around the time of Jesus’ birth brings new meaning to everything.

When I look at Ella, and she’s sleeping in my arms, I am reminded that I am her protector and her champion. No matter where she goes in life and what she does, I will always be her Mom. Christ’s future death must have been such an immense weight on Joseph and Mary…knowing that they would eventually lose their son and knowing they couldn’t do anything to save Him.

It is not lost on me that Vann and I are so blessed that our girls are healthy and beloved by our God. The fact that he entrusted me to be a mother again is a mystery to me. I am consistently a maker of bad decisions, yet God somehow expects more of me…so I guess I’d better step it up, right?

Just something to remember as life goes on, husbands go back to work, and I am left to take charge of this thing called motherhood…no matter how complicated it gets or how tired I am, these two little girls depend on me to watch over them.

To listen to the song, click here…

Cornish Hens and Baby Bellies

Last night our sweet, sweet neighbors Ms. Jill and Mr. Carl brought us the most amazing meal. They knocked on our door bearing gifts for the girls, wine, Cornish hens, and ice cream sandwiches, among other things. I really have to brag on this amazing couple; they continually impress us with their generosity and kindness. We are SO blessed to have them living in our building and “doing” life with us. Thank you SO much, Jill and Carl, we love you!!!

As you can see from the pic above, Baby Ella is filling out! I am encouraged by her growth and am feeling pretty good about breastfeeding. Honestly, it is a tougher job than I ever expected. It is very demanding in the beginning (more so than later, I’m told) and I really look forward to having longer stretches where I am “free”. I do love the bond it gives Ella and I, and I’m sure that will only increase as we all get more sleep and get through this first stage…but I’m not going to mince words and only talk about the good parts of it. If I’m going to be authentic in my blog (something I strive for), I have to share all of the down and dirty details. We thought we might make it to church this morning (I was really needing some worship and fellowship) but after deliberating, we just couldn’t figure out the schedule and how to get out the door with both girls and my sanity. Right now I guess we just have to accept that we are in survival mode in the Bischoff house. This is hard when you are used to going, going, going…but there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve officially started Ella on a schedule and are crossing our fingers for that first night we sit straight up in bed and realize she’s slept through that 2 am feeding. Oh, sweet relief, I can’t wait to sleep longer than two hours at a time.

Christmas Cheer

Yesterday was my lucky day. I was able to get my hair done due to a small surplus of stored milk…thank the LAWD because it was about time. I was also able to make a stop at Lululemon (thanks, Ms. Jen for the hoodie reco!) and the Gap for a little shopping. It felt so great being out alone knowing I had a good five hours before I had to be back at it.
There is a little Christmas market in our neighborhood this weekend, and we had the best of intentions to at least get Charlie out for a spin, but it’s been SO cold and we are all so exhausted…I’m just not sure it’s in the cards. Oh well, Charlie is still debuting her skinny jeans and buffalo plaid top from Baby Gap. Have you seen those adorable Christmas commercials??(P.S. That huge box in our entryway is our new BOB Revolution Duallie stroller. We found it on Amazon on sale!! Who knows when it will actually get unpacked, but hey, it’s here whenever we’re ready. Can’t wait to break that bad boy out!)

A Date with Charlie

My sweet little girl has had a bit of a tough time dealing with her new baby sister. It’s really hard to know how to discipline her right now, especially when we want to be aware of how she’s feeling and “processing” the changes. Today she and I had a Mommy/Daughter date at Starbucks, and I think it was really good for the both of us.

We shared a cinnamon scone and talked about Christmas and trees and other fun things. She loved the fact that I let her roam around without the stroller. We even ran back to the car, hand in hand, in an attempt to keep warm. I think special one-on-one dates with Charlie are going to be just what the doctor ordered.(On a sidenote: Charlie is sporting her “Cherish the Season” sweater from Janie & Jack’s winter ’08 line. I just love this little sweater…so sweet. She insisted on wearing the bow under her hat.)

Movin’ On Up

We have huge praises in the Bischoff house: I took Ella in for a weight check this afternoon and she’s now a hefty 6 pounds, 6 ounces!! One of the reasons this news is so great: I’ve been doubting my milk production and have prayed for an encouraging sign that all is going well and she’s getting what she needs. I never thought I’d be so happy to put away the preemie clothes. Looks like the girlie is movin’ on up to newborn size!