Zander and Zoe

Both kids have been passed out since 8:30 p.m.  What a day!!!!  I commend all stay at home moms and dads. Truly. This is much harder then corporate america.  I'm very lucky that I have a great husband and with his job, he has the flexibility of being the stay at home dad (a/k/a Daddy Day Care).  Mike is a fantastic dad, and it makes me love him one hundred times more because of the love he gives to my kids. And on the days we both work, my inlaws are going to watch both kids.  Mike and I are extremely lucky of having their help, for financial reasons and having family raising our kids.  

Fran and Elbin came and got Zander at noon to take him to Lincoln Park Zoo to spend some quality time together and to give me a break for a few hours.  Zander had 8 time outs in 6 hours.  I think he finally realizes I'm serious and not playing games.  Trying to reason with a 20 month old is extremely hard.  

He still has some moments of jealousy with Zoe, and I'm sure that will continue, but he loves her so much. He loves when you tell him he's such a good big brother.  When its just me with both kids, and its bath time, I bring the boppy lounger in the bathroom so I can put Zoe on it, then focus my attention and play with Z.  When he's done with the bath, he gets out (with my help of course), goes and kisses Zoe and then brings the boppy lounger back to the family room.  If she's on the play gym, he likes to show her all his cars and trucks, then give kisses on her cheek and feet.  If he leaves the room, he goes wherever she's at (in someone's arms, swing, bouncer, etc.) and gives her a kiss.  The best part was tonight.  She was on the play gym, he kept giving her kisses and she was cooing and smiling up a storm. She loves her big brother so much already.  I've always said they've had a special bond (even when she was in my belly). 

Zoe is my rockstar.   This girl can sleep at night like no one's business.  She's usually out between 8-9 p.m. and then has a feeding at 1 a.m., then gets up for the day around 6-6:30.  And she's usually woken up from Zander screaming for me to get him out of the crib.  She hasn't shown any other signs of heart failure (thank God), so we're continuing to watch out for all those signs.  I will admit, I don't let her cry for longer then a few minutes.  I can't and I won't.  She's a special baby and in my eyes, if I let her cry, its putting her in too much distress.  Zander we had to let cry at times to get things done around the house, let him soothe himself to sleep, etc.  But I will not do this with Zoe.  I just can't.  If she won't sleep through the night, I don't care.  I'll get up.  What's sleep with two kids anyways?  

I was able to meet up with a friend who just had her first baby boy, Mats.  Mats is 9 days older than Zoe.  They were actually the same weight at birth (6 lbs, 11 oz).  Stephanie and I have been friends since college, she's another one of my sorority sisters.   It was great catching up with her.  Zoe is looking forward to many more play dates with Mats!

 This pic is hilarious!

One of my dear friends, Lauren (also a sorority sister), had a baby girl, Harper, on January 4th.  Zoe was able to meet one of her friends.  Although, Harper was giving Zander all smiles, I don't think she really cared if Zoe was in the room.  I will say, Zander has his pick of the ladies with all my friends.  Most of my girlfriends all have girls!

Poor Zander did not like the Easter Bunny....

I go back to work in 2.5 weeks.  I'm dreading it.  I'm trying not to think about it and enjoying my two kiddos and this weather.