six whole weeks, just about

Kiley will turn six weeks old on Wednesday this week. Hard to believe, but it is true- they do grow quickly. Already we've had to move from the 5-8 pound onesies to the regular newborn size. And she is sporting the double chin and chubby cheeks, much like her mother did way long ago.

Reaching the six week point means several things:

1. Kiley now shows her true colors. These kids. They like to fool you the first few weeks into thinking they are angels from heaven, and then wham! They suckerpunch you with a three hour crying spell and explosive gas. Let's just say we pulled out all the stops this weekend and switched to a new formula, bought some more gripe water, and added some gas drops to the mix. Not FDA approved, but they use them in Europe.

2. I am now allowed to get out of bed and leave the house. In Chinese tradition, it is customary for new mothers to stay in bed and let someone else take care of the baby while we heal and recuperate from the rigors of labor. Clearly I missed the boat on that one. What was I thinking going against tradition?

3. I am six weeks closer and half-way back to work. Eech. That's gonna be a rude awakening. I wonder if I'll remember my passwords...

4. We had a one month party for Kiley yesterday as is Chinese tradition, complete with red eggs and a roasted pig. Clearly the only important things at the party since I did not get one picture of Kiley. Way to go mom of the year. Here's the pig and eggs though:

Perhaps my ever so great mother could send me a picture of Kiley in her little dress so I can post the 'birthday' girl? Thanks mom ;-)

5. ... and the best thing about Kiley reaching this period of her life... her smiles (real ones, not gas ones!). Don't have a picture of those either, but she likes to give us these glimpes of happiness when we least expect it- usually after a crying jag, a dirty diaper, or at 3 in the morning when we just want her to go back to sleep. The smiles are all worth it though.

I am sure the next six weeks will be equally as exciting. I'll do my best to keep that camera loaded and ready to shoot!

Never change who you are.

Never change who you are.

I think Scott and I, as we've grown older (and yes, wiser!), have certainly changed in many ways. As we moved from just dating, to being married and living together, to having kids, things change. We evolve. We realize what's important, who's important. We forget about the things and focus on the memories, the good times, the time together.

These are good changes.

When we started talking about having kids, I was a little fearful that we'd change who we were as a couple. That we'd somehow stop everything, hole up in our house and change diapers for the rest of our lives. At the present moment, that doesn't seem far from reality actually...

Not too long ago I was hoping we could just drop everything and go on a quick weekend vacation like we used to do. Where would it be this time? Jamaica? London? Paris? Why not, we'd used to say?

We still say why not. Call us crazy (most did). We decided to say why not with a toddler and newborn. But this time, even though we went out of the country, we stayed a little closer to home. Cedar Lake, Ontario! It was a nice reminder to me of who we are as a couple and now as a family. Living spontaneously and soaking in life as much as we can is who we are. My hope is that we'll never change who we are.

Here's a snippet of our spontaneous vacation and some favorite photos from the trip:

July 2009- booked our trip to Cedar Lake

Late Summer 2009- found out I was due in July 2010

January 2010- Cancelled trip to Cedar Lake thinking it was too close to due date. Bummed.

June 23- Kiley Joyce was born! June 24- Kiley is such a good baby, let's take her to Cedar Lake

June 25- E-mailed and booked trip to Cedar Lake

July 16- What were we thinking??

Car ride there:

2:30 pm Left Maple Grove

2:30-3:00, Kiley cried all the way to our first stop at

3:02 pm: stopped the car, made a bottle. Kiley stopped crying as soon as we stopped the car.

3:30 pm. Second stop- Jaxon says, 'My butt hurts. I went poo poo. I need medicine for my butt'

6 ish- stop at Arby's in Virginia for dinner.

6:48- On the road again

7:02pm- Jaxon says, 'Mommy, why you don't buckle me?' Scott looks at Brenna. (Holy Sh*t). Brenna looks at Scott (F*Dge!). Pull over. Buckle Jaxon.

7:24 pm- Jaxon learns a new word. 'Sh*t. Sh*t. Why you say that?'

The week got significantly better from there. Here are some of our favorite snapshots ;-)

Scott, bless him, took Jaxon fishing almost every day. Jaxon loved it. He got to go on boat rides, hang out with his daddy, and net some big fishies while mommy got to stay back with Kiley and grandma and make jewelry!

Later he sorted through all the minnows and threw out the dead ones. And some that were not dead. We went through a lot of bait this week.

Half-way through the week, grandma suggested Jaxon 'wash dishes' in the sink as an activity. This kept him busy for a good hour. It's now become a staple 'activity' at home when mommy needs to make phone calls and get some stuff done. Thanks grandma!

Kiley, checkin' things out.

Kiley, saying hello to the world! She was smiling and trying to coo. She did not smile or coo so much at 3:30 in the morning...

Jaxon hanging out with mom at the shore lunch.

Daddy and Jaxon, saying "Gobby Gobby!! on the boat ride". Gobby Gobby was Jaxon's new friend (?). We're not really sure. He just kept saying it all week. If anyone knows who Gobby Gobby is, please clue us in.

Checking out the smores for the first time.Turns out he is not a big fan and would rather eat chocolate straight up. He so takes after his mother...

The night after the campfire. I about died laughing as he peeked up over his pack in play.

While we had our ups and downs on this trip, and it we all went slightly wonky at various times, we wouldn't take it back for the world. It was so fun to be together as a family and with great friends and family there too- I didn't even have room to share all the photos. We can't wait for next year!

thank you and i'm sorry.

To all those who have told me, and keep telling me, that 'it will get easier', Thank You and I'm Sorry.

Thank you. Thank you for reminding me that yes, it does get better. It gets easier. It's like anything else in life. You adjust, reinvent yourself, rethink your expectations. And it does get easier. Yes, the reminder is good, even if it makes me curse you out everytime you say 'it will get easier' as I'm on the verge of losing it, in the midst of two babies crying, two diapers needing to be changed (one for real and one pretend), and two babies needing my constant attention. So, for the cursing, I am sorry. But for the reminder, thank you.

Today it got a little easier. I have adjusted a little more, reinvented myself as a mom of two, and have definately rethunk my expectations.

As we were sitting at McDonalds after a great morning at the Children's Museum in St. Paul, I quickly scarfed my cheeseburger while preparing a bottle and making sure Jaxon had his straw and napkins, I thought, gosh this feels much easier than last week when I attempted Smashburger. Must be getting easier.

Then I saw a woman with four kids in tow, two of them desperately fighting over seats in the double stroller (apparently they don't make bunk double strollers). I thought, man is she brave. Brave or really needed to get out of the house. And I also thought, if she can do it with four, surely I can do it with two!

Yes, it has been a good day. And even moreso, I was recently reminded by a good friend to always hold on to the precious moments as we are living them- chaotic, peaceful, or otherwise.

Coincidentally, as I took Kiley out of her sleeping cave (the carseat) to feed her, a woman walked by and commented... 'She's so small... I remember that.'

And it just reminded me to cherish this time I have, not take it for granted, and trust that it will get easier, more normal, and more wonderful with each day.

No more cursing. I promise.

favorite friends

Last week was my first full week at home alone with Jaxon and Kiley, well, minus Monday, so I guess this week will be the first full week. Regardless, it felt like a full week!

We had some ups and downs as we all adjust to life with another person in the house. It's been particularly difficult for Jaxon who now has to share the attention of a baby and doesn't have any of his friends around to play with since he's stuck with me for the summer.

I had such great visions of taking the kids to the zoo, going to the park, eating ice cream or going on playdates with friends. But then reality set in. And it takes forever to get anyone ready in the morning. Even now, I am taking precious time away from drying my hair to write this blog.

But, late last week I think Jaxon and I had a breakthrough. We made a car ramp out of a beer box and played for nearly an hour together just racing cars. He thought it was high times. I thought I was just another lame mom trying to be creative.

And just yesterday, Jaxon took my hand after we got back from the park and said 'Mommy, you're my favorite friend'. Those moments are all worth it.

I seriously give so much credit to all the daycare providers, nannies, and stay at home moms out there-- not sure how you do it, day in and day out. I've done it for a week and am exhausted at the thought that it is Monday! Here's to another week though, of special moments, wherever we might find them.

Kiley's first photo shoot

Yesterday Kiley had her first photo shoot- I'm guessing there will be many more ;-) Jaxon was in a good mood too and was able to help capture some fun moments. Historically he has been rather stoic in our photo sessions, so it was a pleasant surprise to get a few of him smiling and goofing around! Now we'll have to work on miss Kiley to wake up next time for a few pictures! Oh well, she's still cute even if she is sleeping all the time (which I am NOT complaining about!) Here's a link to our photo gallery from our talented friend Krysten who got these done in record time! I think these are up for a couple weeks. They're pretty cute kids if I do say so myself. Enjoy! http://www.krystenhalek.com/darkroom/share/?n=kiley#04jpg ~B

Hugs and Kisses

It's probably not the best time for me to be writing a blog post as I work through the post-partum hormones, lack of sleep, and overwhelmingness of life with two kids.

So, rather than share my dysfunctional thoughts, I'll just share a few photos of our latest addition, who decided to join us a couple weeks early. She is a sweet little thing, weighing in at 6.2 pounds at birth and 19 inches (already competing with her brother who was only 6 pounds and 18 inches). She's got some spitfire to her but she's also got the curious wonder and wise look her brother had and she's a great sleeper so far. Jaxon seems to be getting used to the idea and brags about his little sister quite a bit, always wondering where she is. We feel blessed to have such a beautiful family...

Welcome to the world Kiley Joyce Vuong!

Not so happy about the first bath... guessing she won't be happy about the next one either.

All clean and dry and a ribbon in the hair. Our sweet little girl.

Jaxon met Kiley for the first time at the hospital. Not so sure yet. He was pretty content to just sit and watch cartoons in the hospital room. Everyone tells us he looks so little, but now I think he looks so big!

Ready to go home!

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and well wishes as we welcome Kiley to our family. We look forward to you meeting her soon! Now that Kiley is with us, we'll be migrating to our new family blogspot- Hugs&Kisses- with a new address. Please update your bookmarks with our new address- http://www.vuong-family.blogspot.com/ .

The belly shot

I know you've all been waiting patiently, on the edge of your seat, for news of Baby K's arrival. Well, you'll just have to wait a little longer. All I have for you today is a belly shot. Finally, right?

I have avoided the camera throughout this pregnancy. Partly because I'm always the one behind the camera (most women are I've decided), and partly because I feel less than attractive this time around. Where is that 'glow' they talk so much about in 'the book'?


But, I figured, this little one in my belly might feel a little left out if I didn't have at least a few photos to show her that indeed, I really did carry her for nine months and felt joyful about it. So, here you go. Jaxon had to get in on the action too. He still thinks he has a baby in his belly like mommy. Wait till he finds out I have a real baby and his is only pretend.

We've got the bags packed, we've been contingency planning all weekend. Yes, I have been nesting- last minute errands, cleaning and organizing. But, I wish someone would mop my floors for me. I haven't quite brought myself to nest on those floors. Darn.

Scott's hoping I can keep her incubating till the end of the week till his co-workers come back from vacation and I've already partially checked out. Feeling like I could go any day now... which is a little scary, a little exciting, and mostly surreal.

We both keep wondering, what is life like with more than one? It seems overwhelming to think about loving another child as much as we love Jaxon. Our world revolves around him right now... hard to think how that's all going to change, and yet we're so excited to be on this crazy train together and to be adding to the family. And it is a crazy train. Sometimes dysfunctional even. But, we wouldn't have it any other way. We'll keep you posted on when the train arrives at the station...