At Home with Two Children

The first few nights after we brought Kade home from the hospital were quite a hoot. Before Kade was born, Neil and I agreed that when he cries in the night, I will get up with him and when Grace cries, Neil will get up with her. Neil thought he had the easy end of the deal, but those first nights proved him very wrong. Grace fell asleep just fine, but as soon as Kade started crying in the night, Grace joined in and was impossible to pacify. Neil spent almost a full week getting up at night and usually ended up sleeping in the twin bed with her in her room. When he would go into her room, she would be completely awake, standing in her crib saying, "beebee! beebee!" I of course, was getting up often as well, but Kade just ate and then went back down easily. The tables have turned, however, and week two is cake for Neil and not as easy as before for me. Such is life with a toddler and newborn!

Grace has done very well, otherwise, with Kade. She climbs his crib to keep an eye him. She is still learning how to be soft, and she sometimes gets jealous when I've been holding him for a while. Thus, she tries to sit in my lap and usually ends up on his head.

Even though it has been a crazy couple of weeks, Neil and I can't imagine anything that could make us happier. There is so much joy in those moments that make us realize the love we have for these two sweet babies. How blessed we are to be their parents!

 On the day we returned from the hospital, we had just enough time to snap a picture with the boys before they flew to Salt Lake City for Conference. Grace and Kade have such good Uncles who were excited to play with them both while they were here visiting.Kade's first bath was hilarious. As was expected, he screamed through the whole thing. Grace watched closely to see what we were doing to her baby brother. Just as Neil bent Grace down to console her brother, he did this:

I think Gracie's hair is such a mop that while he was flailing his arms in distress, his hand got stuck in her mess of curls. Grace was completely shocked that her tiny brother was already pulling her hair! Mom and Dad Reichert are two very proud Grandparents of their only Grandchildren. Both children were very spoiled and very well taken-care of while they were here.

Mom and Dad Andersen have seen Kade, their #14 Grandchild, via Skype a couple times since he was born. We are all counting down the days until they get to come home for a while this summer to be with the family.