one month.

 

The last month has been a wonderful, busy, overwhelmingly blessed and chaotic 30 days.

 

So, let’s start with who Vida looks like.  Seriously.  Not me, not Brian.  SYLVIA.  If it weren’t for her hair you wouldn’t be able to tell their pictures apart.

 

First smile caught on camera.  All gas.  All cute.

 

First (sponge) bath!

 

 

 

Vi is never at a loss for snuggles.  That is for sure.

 

Grandma snuggles.

 

Grandpa snuggles.

 

Baby ktan snuggles.

 

First bath!

 

 

 

 

 

Sister snuggles.

 

More sister snuggles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With one of my best friends from home with our babies.  How did this happen?

 

Mama snuggles.

Faux-cation Part 2.

Hangin’ at the pool,

 

Desy was unsuspectingly getting decorated while he slept.  The hazard of having lots of girl cousins.

 

 

The second half of our week we road tripped back home and had fun here…

 

Of course, on our way home we had to stop by Mizzou and introduce our daughters to the splendor that is everything gold and black.

 

 

We had to visit Gumby’s Pizza while we were there.  (Had to meaning: Mommy can’t go through Columbia without it.)

Naomi obviously approves.

 

 

Sylvia also approved

 

of Gumby’s….and of Daddy.

 

 

Got lots of yard work done (thank you Grandma and Grandpa!)

 

Ready for summer.

 

We went to the fountains downtown – Sylvia had so much fun!  She never actually got into the sprays, but she played around the edges and loved watching the big kids!

 

 

Faux-cation 2011 was an absolute success.

Faux-cation Part 1.

Brian is switching jobs (starting the new one as of Monday) and he took this week off in between employers for a little family time.  While we are seriously lacking any funds to do a ‘real vacation’ this week, we were determined to make it a fun week anyway!

We spent the first half of the week in my hometown, having fun with Nana and Grandpa and going to fun places created for frugal, penny pinching folks like us.

P.S. I decided to do this post in two parts because I knew I’d have a bajillion pictures that I’d want to post.  So if you’re not a Popp or a Reed, you’ll probably be insanely bored about half way through this post.  You’ve been warned.

 

Nana and her babies.

 

A bath time pic.  Just cause it’s cute.

 

 

Collecting rocks with Grandpa.

 

Sylvia, obviously thrilled about our quality time.  I see the teen years written all over that face.

 

Lots of trips to the park.  Lots of swinging.

 

 

Nature walks full of discovery.

 

Our monkey on a trip to the Zoo.

 

Riding on the train at the Zoo.  Very exciting.

 

On the Carousel!

 

We ate lots of ice cream on our trip.

 

Anytime Naomi cries Sylvie says, “Naomi sad.”  Naomi’s sad?  Here, have a thumb to suck on.

 

This week’s been a blast so far.  More to come!

One Month.

  You fit in wonderfully as a Popp.  We all agree.  Sylvia agrees a little too heartily, which is all of the smothering, slobbery, head-butting, I’m-eighteen-months-old-but-I’m-going-to-try-to-pick-up-my-infant-sister love you’ve been getting lately.  She really loves you.  Which is why she would prefer to give you night-night kisses instead of me.  But I’m not jealous.

 

 

  You’re only one month old, so you don’t really do much yet.

I am really a-ok with that.  Keep that up.  Cause your sister makes up for you.  There’s really not much else better in my world right now than getting to snuggle you against my chest – and the best part is, I’m pretty sure you concur.  You love yourself some Mommy snuggles.

 

 

  You’ve been such an easy baby that I almost feel guilty answering people’s questions when they ask.

  How is she sleeping?   …good.

  How is she napping?   …great!

  Is she fussy?   ….nope

  How is nursing going?  …she’s been a pro since day one!

It’s really unfair how easy you’ve been.  But I’m not complaining.  I’m soaking you up just as much as I can.

 

Favorites so far?

Snuggling.

Co-Sleeping.  Curling up to sleep next to you all night long is my very favorite         part of the day.

Your noises.  You are constantly grunting and squeaking and snorting.  It’s real cute.

How your sister worries about you when you’re not in the room, and you are the first person she asks for in the morning.

Nursing.  Of course.  Knowing I’m providing for you exactly what you need and want is a wonderful feeling.  And you always stare straight into my eyes while you nurse.  I love it.

Naps.  You are an awesome napper.  You let me lay you down while you sleep, and you do it for hours at a time.  A beautiful beginning to our relationship.

 

I was a little nervous when you came along.  You see, I love your sister a lot.  Could I love two people that much?  Oh. Yes.  I love you more than you will ever know.  You are a wonderful gift to our family, Naomi.  Wonderful.

 

Love you, love you, love you,

                                  Mama