Rayna...my beautiful angel

I have been extremely lagging on my post here, and ever so tired that I keep putting it off...however...

Indeed on June 6th, 2:19pm, after some unexpected complications and then triumph,  our little angel was born!   Rayna Saesha Chandra...she is petite in comparison to big brother, but captured our hearts immediately.   It is amazing how even at birth, covered in vernix and fresh out the womb someone could look so cute and beautiful...that was Rayna.

She is definitely quieter than brother Caiden but who knows how long that will last.  Caiden has taken a liking to new baby sister, we just have to continue to teach him that no the baby does not want that rubber ducky...and no please don't give the baby your blanket by throwing it directly in the crib...cute but a bit cautious we must be. 

I cannot believe I have two children...I feel blessed beyond words. 

Now if I can remember that feeling during all the late night feeds and changes....here we go again ;)

I can't wait to see what Rayna's personality will bring.

What a delicious cupcake!

We finally caved and decided to find out...boy or girl.  

We got cupcakes made, slipping the carefully folded note from our doctor to the baker, to make 2 gender reveal cupcakes.

On Vick's birthday, we had Caiden play with a cupcake.  Our kid is a messy eater most of the time, but ask him to smash a cake and nope, he would rather eat it nicely, say mmmm and take his time.  Eventually, though, we helped him work through the cupcake and saw what we are having....

Yay!  The Chandras will be having a baby girl join our little family on June 28th. 

Hiiiii Babyyyyy

We finally got to see our little bun in the oven last week!

It doesn't matter if you have been through all of this before,  the excitement and joy is still the same as your first time.  I was in love all over again,  and this was just an ultrasound.   We are 22 weeks now,  baby is kicking...of course only in the wee hours of the night.

So far the pregnancy, compared to the last, has been quite different.  This baby definitely seems a bit more calm in my belly, but making me feel all the stereotypical pregnancy symptoms.   We don't know the gender,  regardless, to me, the baby has a cutie patutie look already (I don't know why I feel I can see that from an ultrasound,  call it "mom goggles"... whatever).

We have told Caiden about the baby,  he sometimes will touch my belly and say "hiiii babyyyy".  Other times he will touch his own belly and do the same...either way it is adorable.   The baby should be able to hear us now, so I love the fact that he or she can hear their big brother.

I can't believe how fast time is going,  and that I will have two kids by the summer.

What a blessing.

Toddler Life

My friends, with kids, can attest to this... and though it seems like a rant, it really isn't.  Having a young male monster that is an active toddler will keep you in shape.  They are inquisitive, fun, energetic, exhausting and hilarious. 

I thought to share my list of things that  really reflect "my day" with Caiden.  I am sure many of you will nod your head in agreeance, or can foresee this coming up soon for you.

Joys of having a toddler that you will need to look forward to/prep for:

1. You will find little cars or Thomas the trains everywhere...literally everywhere (behind your fridge, under your bed, even in the cupboard).

2. You will know every show on Treehouse and watch it even when he is down, because it is just always on.

3. You will find yourself munching on kids snacks because your kid will forcefully put it in your mouth (I thought it was supposed to go the other way).

4. You will become an expert at cleaning out bath-time crayons from the teeth.

5. You will become athletic...running and catching...even if you are not sporty to begin with. 

6. You will need to accept the fact that stuff will break. So don't worry about having a decorative home for a bit.

7. You will have a spare cleaning person in your little one, well he will think so anyways,  so have a spare clean broom handy.

8. You will definitely be saying "no" as every second word.

9. You will hear "no" as every second word.

10. You will find food on your floor, couch, under the coffee table... basically anywhere but the actual kitchen table.

Ohhhh...you will have fun though, I promise.

One day he's going to grow up...

Being pregnant again has brought to me the realization of how, not too long ago, I went through all these stages of anticipation and wonder with Caiden.  As I read the updates on my week to week pregnancy (at 13 weeks now - woohoo second trimester! ), I see I get to relive those baby moments again...so blessed. Now instead of wonder it is more just a looking forward to.  It is to be cherished and enjoyed, because it does pass.

Caiden is no longer a baby, so each new phase I try to ceize and enjoy thoroughly.  My boy seems to be growing so fast,  he no longer wants to be held like a baby, wants to try to eat on his own,  and wants to sleep in the bed like a big boy. 

Although I will get to once again enjoy those precious baby moments soon again,  I do not want to forget the precious toddler moments I am experiencing right now... notice I am writing this at 5am as he is sleeping vs 5pm when there is chaos and running and sometimes screaming...

Here are my favorite things about having a toddler:

1. Watching him sleep.
Well passed the new parent "is he breathing?" phase and loving the peaceful surrender of him rejuvenating for the next day of running around. So tender.

2. How he calls me "momma".
Best. Word. Ever.

3. How he runs to you with open arms.
My boy is a hugger...it is awesome to have these tiny arms reach around you and squeeze, if you are lucky you will get a "kissee" too.

4. Seeing the world through fresh eyes.
Everything is new and exciting,  lights are "wooooowww" and sounds make you dance,  and everything needs to be discovered. There is no "bad" yet.

5. How he learns through imitation.
Though it's also a scary one,  you just have to be careful.  I love how he throws his hands up and says "touchdown" during a game...or "cheers" with his sippy cup when we have guests...or tries to broom and wipe up spills on his own...or how he grabs the book and thinks he is actually reading...how he thinks he is brushing his teeth right.

6. His banter.
Though his vocabulary is growing and we are able to now make out what he wants,  90% of the time it is pure, beautiful,  baby talk.  He is fully explaining something with passion and intent... we just agree in delight. The hand actions and signaling make it even better...oh man I actually love watching him talk.

7. Dancing.
Music = dancing = awesome moves = adorable.

8. Cuddles in bed.
Yes I give in and let him sleep in our bed, but he won't be small forever,  nor will be want to cuddle forever,  so I give in to really enjoying it while it lasts.  Warm and so tender.

There are definitely endless joys to having children and watching them grow, but as I am preparing to have a baby I realize each stage is so different.   The one commonality is that every stage passes,  and eventually goes away.  They will be grown up and no longer needing you...so I choose to give in and really enjoy every ounce of childhood...to the drop...until they do grow up. 

Turning Mommy - Part 2

I know I have been slacking a bit here,  but hey life gets busy.  I'm a working mommy, come home to spend time with my beautiful family,  have dinner,  cleanup,  play,  prep for the next day,  bedtime routine it up, then pass out...get up and do it all again.   It may sound routine,  but it isn't quite that simple,  but I enjoy it. 

This is life with an active and growing toddler who is full of wonder and energy, and learning the art of the dreaded....tantrum. It definitely is an energy-filled stage,  we have to be on our toes watching the little bugger. It amazes me how he just imitates and learns things.  For example,  if he sees a towel, no doubt he tries to wipe everything in sight;  if he sees a broom he will be sweeping until his arms tire; gets a hold of our phone and he has a full conversation (in his baby language) and tries to swipe up and down.  So interesting and cute,  and sometimes frustrating (I refer to the newly realized tantrums when he doesn't get his way,  whoa baby my boy has some pipes) this little person is.  As Caiden grows,  it's a constant learning for us, as well as him... and it's amazing to be able to focus on that.

But we also realize he is getting older and before too long we think he may need a sibling too.  A sibling to grow with,  teach, build a relationship with, and bond with... hopefully without too big an age gap (by our preference).  He does love kids and playing with others.

Sometimes I think,  wow how can you manage a toddler and a baby?  But it's been done and if you are tired now perhaps knock it all out while you are on a roll...maybe...yeah I think so...right?...YES!  The answer is yes for us! 

Friends, we are happy to announce that I am indeed once again turning mommy.  Caiden will be a big brother,  and our family is ready to welcome another angel, coming June 28. 

I know that we have this little wonder of what the next personality will be like,  because Caiden is a character and a half, but so far the pregnancies feel different.  So I am sure we will have our fair share of stories for the next few years to come. 

Stay tuned...turning mommy part 2...it's happening! 

;)

"Momma" - Gets Me Everytime

Caiden is definitely in his experimental, wondering, exploring,  testing boundaries, throwing and mimicking phase.  As cool as this is, there is a new word we are using all the time..."No!"  

He doesn't just walk...he runs.  It's fantastic and scary wrapped up into one emotion.  While we can't over-coddle him or smother,  I do try to hinder potential mis-haps, or yell to not touch plugs,  or play with doors...oh yeah...and to stay out of the bathroom (we know what he will play with in there).   So in trying to teach him what not to do, we try to master the "poker" face, no smile, no giving in to those adorable eyes,  and say "No".  Here is how that goes, it works, most of the time, and by most of the time,  I mean when hubby does it.  Now whether I do it, or Vick, our smart monkey turns his attention on us, like he is thinking,  "ok I see your stern voice and raise you a "momma?????"  Gosh....ughh, it is so fricking endearing!!!! It isn't even just a regular "momma", it lingers with a soothing sounding melody,  as if candy comes pouring out, making you melt and say "yesss my bubba...come to momma." 
Gets me everytime. 

I swear he knows it too.

Over time Caiden has learned which things he is not supposed to do, such as playing in the bathroom.  How do I know this? Well several times he manages to sneak away and I go look for him as he is suspiciously quiet.  I find him standing in the bathroom entrance,  just standing; as he sees me he just turns and smirks. The little devil, he is totally testing his boundaries. Or he runs up to the TV and just raises his hand to motion he may press something and turns and looks at us.  Smart...sneaky...sinisterly cute.

In all seriousness,  though he is becoming a handful,  I think,  I hope, we seem to be coping with the dos and donts and he is a pretty good kid...so far. But I can tell terrible twos will be a doozy...this guy knows how to milk it and his smirks tell me he will be a risk taker, or a rule breaker...sigh.

One thing is for sure, though I know when I need to put on my poker face, I totally don't mind giving in to the momma calls occasionally.  The way this guy is growing,  I am sure I will be longing to hear it. So I am not minding his suck-up tactics...I love my momma calls ;)

I should record it...ok I already have...a few times...hehehe.

xoxo
Caiden's momma