Koen's First Christmas

It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Amidst reems of silver paper, a million new buzzing toys (Bodhi got Hex Bugs from Santa), strands of colourful lights, carols and laughs, Koen was a perfect little Christmas baby! He sat through sing-a-longs, games of Minute to Win It, present opening and cousin playing and smiled the whole way through it all. This Christmas was a very special one for all of us. Brandon and Vanessa were here from Winnipeg with Lucy and Alice and we all were able to be together at Grandma's house in Verona. We woke up Christmas morning to a living room full of toys from Santa - Koen got a rumbling dump truck and stocking full of surprises. He ripped open all of his presents with gusto and proceeded to eat the paper. Gift highlights included: a new book (Z is for Zoo), cars from Bodhi, stackable rings, and a set of bongo drums. What a haul! We spent a great day playing in the snow, cuddling with cousins and Grandma, having endless meals, and then to top it all off - a rousing game of Christopher Christmas Minute-to-Win-It ("contestants" are given a task to complete in under 60 seconds). Koen was on timer duty with Daddy and laughed and smiled the whole way through while Bodhi stacked pyramid cups, Clara transferred candy canes from one string to another, Grandma caught a cookie in her mouth without using her hands and Uncle Brett shimmied 6 christmas ornaments out of a kleenex box attached to his waist - a regular sort of Christmas evening! He crashed at the end of the day and slept like a champ. Merry Christmas litle Koey-Badoochee! We love you so much!!!

Sleep Has Changed My Life!

This afternoon Grandma came over so that I could head out for a couple of hours of Christmas shopping. I quickly kissed the boys goodbye and jumped in the car before realizing how EASY THAT WAS!!!! No detailed lists of sleep aids, no anxiety over whether he would go down for a nap or not, no worry about how my Mom would put Koen down for a nap without having to leave Bodhi downstairs alone for hours on end. Koen's sleeping has definitely changed my life - as in, it's given me the semblance of one. I have all this TIME all of a sudden and I don't dread the very moments when I have to attempt nap or bedtime. I am able to enjoy rocking with Koen, reading him stories, singing him songs, and then quietly kissing him goodnight as he drifts off to sleep. Aaaaaaah. I am overjoyed that the sleep training has worked so beautifully up to this point. He's falling asleep easily and waking up happy. Now if we could only convince his big brother to sleep past 4am!

Show off!

Just when I thought he would always be my tiny little baby, Koen has grown leaps and bounds - in a week! Just in the past week, well maybe since he turned 9 months, Koen has suddenly started crawling (not just commando now, but on his hands and knees), is sleeping through the night, and is pulling himself up to standing. ALL IN A WEEK!

On the sleep front, Koen has been sleeping with me since day one and even though I love falling asleep with him and waking up to him in the morning, it was starting to wear on us both to keep waking up night after night. We had gotten into the habit of being "one" in the evenings as well and I was ready for a little alone time. So the decision was made - tough love - time to cry it out. He has recently starting rejecting his soother (yay!) and was only waking up once or twice in the night (after spending the evening asleep on my lap downstairs and then going up to bed with me at my bedtime) so it was prime time. I prepared myself for being up all night with him. He cried for a total of 28 minutes when it was time to go to bed and woke up once at midnight (after which he cried for less than a minute, then back to sleep). I couldn't believe it. The past three nights have been the same - last night sleeping from 6:30pm to 4am without a peep. There are big smiles all around in this place! He is going down perfectly for his naps, giving Bodhi and I a little more time together in the afternoons and giving me enough time to run a vacuum around this place before taking a breather for myself in the mornings. Civilized I would say!

His personality is just booming now. He's making funny faces, chatting with us all and following his big brother around wherever he goes. The recent mobility has proven to be slightly frustrating for Bodhi who is used to being able to build tall towers without them being swiftly knocked over or piecing together a train track without a part being grabbed and chewed on, but we're figuring it out!

This little member of our family is really staking his territory and finding his place. Just in time for our first Christmas as a family of four!

25 Random Things About Koen

1. When Koen was born, one of the only things that would get him to stop crying was to zip him into his snowsuit and strap him into his car seat. Now, 9 months later, snowsuits and car seats instantly make him cry.

2. Koen loves all things Bodhi... and all Bodhi's things.

3. Koen can spit on command. This amuses Bodhi to no end.

4. Koen just spoke his first word - dada.

5. Koen is a Mama's boy. Can only be fed by Mommy, comforted by Mommy and put to bed by Mommy.

6. Koen is a finger food lover! Favourites are: pear, avocado, banana, rice crackers, raisins, and blueberries.

7. Koen's seemingly favourite food is lentil quinoa stew.

8. Koen likes to sleep on his side.

9. Koen loves glasses. Especially Grandma's glasses. He does everything he can to pull them off whenever he can.

10. Koen is a commando crawler.

11. Koen has a first name and two middle names. His first name is a sanskrit word that means "joyful enlightenment". His middle names are Andrew (after Auntie Andrea) and Christopher (after Mommy).

12. Koen has many nicknames: Koko, Koko Loko, Kokonut, Keeks, Keekee Koen, Koey, Squeezee Kocheesee, Captain Koey-Badoo.

13. Koen is LOVED by his big brother - lots of hugs and kisses every day.

14. Koen loves to bounce in his exersaucer.

15. Koen loves to eat books. Well, any paper products really.

16. Koen perpetually has something in his mouth that he shouldn't - marbles, lego pieces, dried beans, rocks, leaves etc... Mommy has been pretty on top of things but we have had a papery poop (see number 15).

17. Koen had a raging diaper rash for his first 6 - 8 weeks of life. There has been no sign of a return. Phew.

18. Koen loves camping.

19. Koen is entranced by the vacuum.

20. Koen is a vegetarian.

21. Koen is about 5 pounds heavier and 3 inches longer than his brother was at this age.

22. Koen likes it when you pretend you're a robot.

23. Koen looks cute in anything.

24. Koen DOES NOT like to wear hats. In fact, he doesn't like anyone to wear hats. He will always pull his own off and try to get yours off too.

25. Koen is loved by everyone he meets. He has an infectious smile that is accompanied by big kicks and giggles. He is so wonderful.

An Interview with Koen (via Bodhi)

What is your favourite food: bananas

What is your least favourite food: squishy carrots

What is your favourite song: bedtime song (I've been waiting)

What is your favourite book: the one with the paper that comes off that he chews on

What is your favourite thing to do: play cars

What is your least favourite thing to do: fall over and get hit by sticks

Who do you think is the coolest person on the planet: Mommy

Who is your best friend: Bodhi

What do you want to be when you grow up: a boy...then a man

What is your favourite toy: the coloured cups

Where is your favourite place to go: Grandma's house

What is your favourite colour: orange

What do you want for Christmas: a snow blower

Happy Halloween!

Koen made it through his first halloween with flying colours! He spent the day dressed as a skeleton like his big brother and after spilling sweet potatoes and applesauce all over his cute little bones, he quickly turned into a bear. He took part in his first halloween parade with Bodhi, Sophie and Clara and tagged along as they went door to door. Happy Halloween little man! I promise next year you can get some candy too!

Sleep training, Untraining and Retraining

Phew. What a couple of weeks - all of which have been all about sleep in Koen's world! We have finally figured out a perfect nap schedule that has Koen napping well during the day and fits in well with Bodhi's school schedule. We drop Bodhi off at 9 and then Koen is fast asleep in bed by 9:15am. He wakes up about 10:45, nurses and then off to pick Bodhi back up for 11:30. Lunch at 12:30 and then back down for a nap by 1pm until about 2:30. It's been working really well for us. Now we just have to get the nighttime sorted! We started to make some progress with sleep training at night and then half way through "sleep week" Koen got a cold and cut four new teeth all at once. Sleep training - over. So the little monkey has snuck his way back into my bed (not that I'm complaining!) and is sleeping virtually through the night in there. Next weekend we're off to Cambridge and then when we get back it's sleep training round two!

I often find myself looking at Koen jealously thinking to myself "you actually have the time and ability to sleep anytime you want right now - take it while you can!!!!!!!!". Zzzzzzzz.

Solo time Part 2

So here I am so excited to have a little alone time with Koen and what does he decide to do? Sleep! We've gone 7 months with tiny little cat naps all morning and now, as soon as we have this time to spend one on one, he decides to sleep all morning! I guess now that Bodhi is at school he doesn't see any reason to wake up! So solo time with Koen has become solo time with myself. Not too bad either. I've decided to take this first week back at school to just rest, maybe nap, watch a little TV, putter about and take a little time to myself. Next week I'll get back into the swing of full on daily routines which, let's be honest, I'm kind of craving.

Koen has been an absolute rock star this week with his naps being pushed back almost a full hour. He gets a little fussy around his usual nap time but enjoys sitting up in the stroller on the way to school and falls fast asleep on the way home. He seems to already be getting the hang of it. Could it be that I'm raising ANOTHER creature of habit?

Solo time

One of the biggest challenges I find about being a parent of two kids is not being able to spend enough time one on one with each kid. Bodhi and I still get pockets of time where it's just the two of us when Koen is napping and we both seem to really cherish these moments together. I doesn't seem, though, that I get this time with Koen (except at 2am!). On Monday Bodhi will be going back to school and although I am already missing him like crazy (it has been a wonderful summer!), I am looking forward to those couple of hours each morning where Koen and I will be able to spend some time one-on-one.

It's a fine balance being able to give as much attention to one kid as you do to the other, and although I will probably never be able to give them the amount of attention they would like (24 hours a day), I think we're starting to find a good balance here. I just hope that as the boys get older we will always be able to continue having solo time and always remember the importance of it, not just for the boys but for Dan and I as well.

Koen turn a half!

Our little man is finally six months old! What a milestone. I honestly can't believe how quickly the time has flown by.

Dear Koen,

What a wonderful boy you are! You have reached this incredible point in your babyhood with smiles, giggles, and an ever chubby belly. Daddy, Bodhi and I are so in love you. We just can't get enough of your beautiful spirit, your smiling eyes and your constantly kicking/dancing/bicycling legs that just go and go and go whenever you are excited about something. You still LOVE the bath and this summer we have discovered that this love also includes swimming! You have been in countless pools and lakes this summer and have loved it - even the freezing cold ones! You continue to watch everything your brother does and the bond between you could not be stronger. You are both so lucky to have each other. Sleep continues to be an interesting part of our lives, you just really want to party in the evenings and have no time for staying asleep! You sleep most of the night with Mommy still and although the heat has broken up our snuggles a little bit, I still sneak in as many cuddles as I can, knowing that this won't last much longer. Thank you for being who you are, a special boy with a wonderful heart, a sweet, gentle demeanour and a genuine interest in life and the world around you. I love you sooooo much.

xoxo

Mommy

Koen takes to the water!

This past week marked Koen's first canoe trip AND his first trip to the cottage. He was a trooper for the six hours of driving on the way there (we won't mention the way home!) and took to the water like a baby duckling - that is if baby ducklings fall asleep the second they get in a canoe and sleep the whole way to the campsite. He really seemed so happy out in the woods - enjoying the fresh air, entranced by the fire, and watching his brother and cousins playing and splashing. He was one happy camper! The canoe trip was fantastic and we were all just as excited to get to the cottage for a couple of days of rest and relaxation. Koen was a little disappointed that he had to put on his life jacket - AGAIN - but got over once we arrived. We spent the next couple of days playing, dipping our toes in the water and visiting with family - it was wonderful. We plan to get back up to the cottage at some point this summer and we can't wait!

All about Koen at 4 months...

Height: 27 inches

Weight: 17 pounds

Songs we sing: Ram Sam Sam, I've been waiting, Edelweiss, Patty Cake

Books we read: Ten Little Fingers, B is for Bear, Peek-a-Baby, Baby Faces

Thins that make you laugh: tickles, when Mommy pretends to eat your face, raspberries on your neck, splashes

Likes: Being held, the bath, tummy tickles, Bodhi, lying on the change table, grabbing everything (including Mommy's dinner!)

Dislikes: Sleeping in his crib, being tired, the car

You are a funny little bunny these days - laughing a lot and smiling at everyone and everything. You've really become quite a little personality - watching everything go by and making sure that you are a part of everything. You love to sit at the dinner table with us while we have dinner and sit with us on the floor while we play. Bodhi asks me every morning if you are old enough to play with him yet. Soon!

Nap Experimentation

Warm room. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Cool room. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleep on side. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleep on back. Sleeps 45 minutes.

White noise machine on. Sleeps 45 minutes.

White noise machine off. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleeping wedge on. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleeping wedge off. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Fall asleep rocking. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Fall asleep bouncing. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Fall asleep on his own. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleep in crib. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleep in bassinet. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleep in car seat. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleep in stroller. Sleeps 45 minutes.

Sleep on Mommy. Sleeps 2 1/2 hours.

Go figure.

Becoming a PERSON

No offense Koen, you have been a person since the moment you were born, BUT, lately you have really been showing us your stripes. Every day you become more and more animated and show us your little personality. We can see so easily now that you have Daddy's inquisitive, observant, slightly serious nature - but do I detect a note of Mommy's silliness in there too? I think so. Tonight I had you lying on the bed to get your jammies on and when I popped your t-shirt over your head (with some silly "pop" noise) you laughed and laughed. Needless to say, I did about 200 more times. What a sweetheart you are. I love the way to get our attention by staring straight at us and then busting out a HUGE smile the second we look your way. And the way you follow your brother with your eyes and watch every move he makes. You are so full of life and so impressive in so many ways. Today we even caught you putting your soother in your mouth all on your own - pretty soon you won't need me for a thing!

I love you like crazy - even if you don't need me to put your soother in anymore.

A Week Away

We're back from a wonderful week away at Sherkston Shores. It was a week of firsts for Koen - first trip, first long car ride, first swim... We had such a good time and plan to go back when we can.

Here is our vacation top 10:

1. Niagara Falls

2. Vesak at the TZC

3. Bodhi feeds a giraffe

4. Koen takes his first swim

5. Waterslides

6. Bodhi beats Daddy at mini-golf

7. Dan turns 40!

8. A visit with Gramma, Poppa, Andrea, John, Kurt and Ben

9. A visit with Peter, Farida, Ethan and Gavin

10. A visit with Great Grandma

Learning through cuddles

The last few weeks I've really started to feel more like a mattress/climbing apparatus/plaything than a woman. My body is being used by small children 24 hours a day. Koen sleeps on me, eats on me, rests on me, plays on me and Bodhi enjoys the not-so-occasional climb on my back while I'm nursing and bounce on my feet while I'm "resting". My impatience with my lack of personal space has been growing and growing, until last night. I climbed into bed for the 100+ time with Koen in my arms, lay his head on my shoulder and looked directly into his little eyes. He looked at me and gave me a big smile, as he always does, before drifting off to sleep. In that moment I wouldn't have taken my body back for anything. When I woke up this morning I heard Bodhi's waking up noises in his room and even though Koen was playing happily in his crib and I was sporting a child-free body, I couldn't help but go into his room and lift his big body up into my arms. He squirmed after a while of cuddling but I just wanted to keep holding on .

I can't believe how lucky I am to have two boys who love to cuddle - imagine if ALL I had was personal space? I would miss their little bodies like crazy! In time they will want to sleep on their own, play on their own and climb on each other instead of me, so for now I will take what I can get. It's all about perspective.

Koen's First Easter

Easter this year meant a very exciting 5 days off for Daddy so we all couldn't wait for the weekend to come around. On Good Friday we headed out to Grandma's house for hot cross buns and Easter chocolate making followed by Bodhi's solo Easter egg hunt (which he thoroughly enjoyed!). Koen watched intently as Bodhi ran around Grandma's garden finding colourful Easter eggs - no doubt plotting how he would get more than his brother in the future. It was a beautiful day so we were able to spend time outside for really the first time this spring. On Saturday morning we headed to Cambridge for the night so Koen could meet his Aunt Andrea, Uncle John and cousins Kurt and Ben and visit with Gramma and Poppa too. It was an uneventful car ride there, Koen slept almost the whole way and Bodhi watched movies in the back seat while Dan and I sat up front and planned Bodhi's upcoming birthday party. The weekend in Cambridge was fantastic with an early birthday party for Bodhi, another Easter egg hunt with Kurt and Ben and a birthday dinner for Gramma too!

Sunday night we headed back home to spend the next two days at home - just the four of us. A busy but wonderful weekend!

Doctor, Doctor

Today was Koen's first doctor's appointment and 2 month check up. No surprises here - he is the picture of health and in the 95th percentile for weight! 14 pounds on the nose. He was charming and smiley with his doctor and didn't fuss a bit while being poked and prodded. Then it was time for his immunizations. His doctor is smart and doesn't give the needles herself (who wants kids running away in fear every time they see you?). So we headed off to see our friend Susan in the lab (we know Susan well by now - Bodhi has already charmed the heck out of all the nurses in the building). Koen was no different than his brother as the nurses fussed over him and oohed and aahed over his full head of hair and beautiful blue eyes. It was all rainbows and lollipops until the needle went in. Koen's face was purple and covered in tears in no time. Surprisingly enough, he was smiling up at me not two minutes later. He's been a bit on and off all day today, but otherwise is in great shape.

In other news, Koen slept a full two hours in his bassinet today and we'll be braving the co-sleeper tonight. Fingers crossed!!!!

All About Koen at 2 months...

What makes him smile: tummy tickles, 3am snuggles, "Hands Together, Hands Apart", pictures of other babies, looking at himself in the mirror

What soothes him: being held tight and bundled (snowsuit, car seat, swaddled, carrier), bum patting, quiet singing

Songs we sing: Hands Together, Hands Apart, Roly Poly, Grand Old Duke of York, Edelweiss, You are my Sunshine, Baby Beluga

Places we go: The park, the library, Bodhi's school, Grandma's house, Sophie and Clara's house

Nicknames: Koko, Coconut, Coach, Ko-ster, Baby Koen

Likes: bouncing, black and white pictures, Bodhi, the vacuum, being on his tummy, the bath

Dislikes: being tired, sleeping independently, being on his back

2 months old!

This past weekend marked Koen's 2nd month birthday. 2 months!!!!!! Where has the time gone? That's 60 whole days of having a family of four - feels like he's always been with us. Koen is definitely showing more and more signs of developing lately - less crying, more cooing, lots of smiles, head holding, and good long sleeps during the day. He'll even spend a good 15 minutes on his play mat checking out his toys (something which he was NOT interested in doing at all up until a week ago). He and Bodhi continue to share a special bond - Bodhi is so proud to introduce him every time we see someone everywhere we go - school, grocery store, on the street... He proudly announces "That's Koen!!!".

The weather is finally starting to get nicer so we're spending a lot more time outside which Koen seems to really enjoy (I can tell by his happy snores). I'll put Koen in the carrier and the three of us will head to the park or a walk around the neighbourhood - which inevitably ends up with Bodhi jumping in every puddle he can find - oh, to be a kid again. The fresh air is doing us all a world of good after a very long, cold winter.

Koen continues to sleep well. He sleeps tucked into my arm so I can keep him on his side (still a bit gassy to be on his back, but doing much better) and will sleep 3 or 4 hours at a time. When he wakes in the night he just pants a little or makes a little whimper (never cries) and I wake up and feed him then he's right back to sleep. He still has trouble sleeping on his own during the day so sleeps mostly on me in the carrier or in his car seat after a car trip, but this seems to work well for all of us.

Happy 2 month birthday Koen!

Hitting our stride

Well it's taken a little longer than expected, but I think the boys and I have finally hit our stride! Our days are finally a little more predictable and a little less of a challenge. Here is a quick look at a day in our life...

6:30am - Bodhi wakes up Koen or Koen wakes up Bodhi (either way Dan and I are up too!), breakfast, multiple diaper changes, school clothes on, lunches made, school bag packed etc...

8:45am - Koen and I take Bodhi to school for 9am

9am - 11am - Koen usually falls asleep in the car seat on the way home from dropping off Bodhi so he continues his nap while I tidy the house, clean up from breakfast and catch up on the latest reality tv; once Koen wakes up we have a little Mommy and baby time with toys, songs etc... - this seems to be Koen's most alert and happiest time of day

11am - We leave to pick up Bodhi at school for his 11:30am pick up

11:45am - We're all back home for lunch - Koen is again usually asleep in the car seat so Bodhi and I sit together and have lunch and talk about his morning at school and make plans for the day

12:30pm - Koen usually wakes up by now so he has his lunch while Bodhi winds down with a little TV watching

1pm - 3pm - Koen spends most of the afternoon in and out of sleep and mostly on me in the carrier while Bodhi and I play/go to the park/bake/do crafts etc....

3pm - Bodhi's snack time - Koen is usually awake around this time so we all play together in the playroom with Koen on his activity mat being changed constantly from his front to his back (he definitely likes to watch everything Bodhi does)

4pm - Challenge hour begins: Koen is either asleep in the carrier or his vibrating seat, or fussing because he wants to be sleeping and Bodhi is starting to get a little stir crazy - all while dinner is needing to be made and I start to feel the effects of sleep deprivation. This is where the countdown to 4:40pm begins (when Dan gets home). This time is usually spent trying to calm Koen and make dinner while Bodhi watches TV.

5pm (or thereabouts): Dinner - Koen is usually being worn by either Dan or myself during dinner - this is his fussiest time of day

6:15pm - Dan and Bodhi head upstairs to start getting ready for bed; I give Koen his bath (which he LOVES), feed him and then he usually falls asleep

7pm - Dan comes back downstairs and holds Koen for a while so I can spend a little time without a person on me (not that I'm complaining)

The evening is then spent with one of us holding Koen while we wind down from the day watching TV etc... The evening usually ends with Koen and I passed out on the couch and Dan waking us up and sending us off to bed

The nights aren't too bad - Koen is up 2 or 3 times a night to feed - and then it starts all over again! Although the mornings are early and I never feel quite rested, first thing in the morning is my favourite time of day. Bodhi will climb into our bed and cuddle up next to me and I get to start each day with a cuddly boy on either side of me. It's a great way to start the day and a great reminder of why I do it. I could lie like that for hours (and not just because of the sleep deprivation!).

Koen hits his first milestone

Be still my heart....

(6 weeks old)

Gramma and Poppa visit

We had some very special visitors this weekend! Gramma and Poppa drove up to Kingston to meet their newest grandson and we had a wonderful visit. Koen got in lots of snuggles and Bodhi showed off his climbing expertise at the park and his swimming skills at the pool. We were sorry to see them go but we can't wait to see them again next month!

Out and About

This week is March Break so Bodhi is out of school and I've been enjoying a week with my boys. On Monday we had a playdate with Sophie and Clara, playing shape searchers and baking muffins and getting lots of Koen snuggles in! On Tuesday we headed down to the library for a kid's concert with Sheesham and Lotus - Koen slept through almost the whole show (and it wasn't exactly quiet!). On Wednesday we hit up Chapters for a snack and a play at the Thomas train table then head down to the other library for a puppet show. All week I've had the help of Grandma or Auntie Karen everywhere we went, but today (Koen's 6 week-iversary) was my very first time out alone with the boys - and we all made it home in one piece and with smiles on our faces! We went up to the Frontenac Mall where they were holding a reptile exhibit and show - Bodhi LOVED it and Koen slept through the whole thing (again).

It feels great knowing how doable it is to be out alone with both of the boys - now it's time to head to the park!

Mommy the Pack Mule

When I wrote a blog of Bodhi's first year, one of the earliest entries was called 'Mommy the Mattress' - for a while Bodhi would only sleep if he was on top of me. Koen has a similar thing going on except that amid diaper changes, hungry toddlers, drives to school, house cleaning, dinner cooking, and sick children, there hasn't really been a moment for us to lay down during the day. Instead I have been upgraded to 'Mommy the Pack Mule' - strap Koen to my front and he will sleep for hours! This pack mule can sweep floors, chop onions, set up train tracks, administer medicine and bounce a crying baby to sleep all at once - not bad, huh?

I should mention that Dan is actually wearing Koen in this photo - he makes a pretty darn good pack mule too!

First month of life

I took this picture of Koen on his 1 month birthday and decided that I would post it even though he's crying in it - it's actually pretty representative of his first month of life!

I am not going to sugarcoat and say this month has been easy for Koen. It started February 3rd by being rudely interrupted from his peaceful womb slumber by two big hands pulling him into a bright, freezing cold, loud room. Not pleasant. It then continued with three days in the hospital with his foot being pricked for glucose tests every 3 hours. Life continued at home with a vicious yeast diaper rash that burned his poor bottom and ravaged a sore tummy. And just when that was clearing up (after two weeks of agony), he caught a little baby version of Bodhi and my cold. Yikes. I guess it can only go up from here! Thank goodness he won't be able to remember this month!

It should be mentioned that among all of this hardship, Koen has also been smothered with kisses, held and snuggled constantly, sang to by his big brother, fed A LOT, tickled, caressed and LOVED with all of our beings. Hopefully this has made up for it!

(Outfit credit: Thanks Grannie Liz!!!)

Family

No one can express real love like a little person can. No ego, no shame, just pure unedited love. Koen and Bodhi are incredibly lucky boys to have so many little people who care about them and know how to show them real love. I, as a mama, also feel so lucky to have them around to care for my boys (and for me!). So thank you Sophie, Lucy, Clara, Alice, Kurt, Ben, Morgan and Quinn. You have made our world a very special place.

Koen's birth story

I thought it might be fun to write down Koen's birth story while the details are still fresh in my mind. One day he may like to know...

Dan and I had decided early on in my pregnancy that we were going to schedule a c-section for Koen's birth. After our complicated delivery with Bodhi, we decided it was the best way to go. The c-section was scheduled for February 3rd at 8am, just 3 days before Koen's expected due date. The night before, I woke up at 1:30am and could not get back to sleep - I was excited, anxious, nervous, all of the above. So needless to say, I was exhausted by the time we arrived at the hospital at 6:30am (not exactly the way you want to start life with a newborn!). We were taken to a room to get prepared for the surgery and both Dan and I could not stop smiling, laughing and joking - by this point, we were both so excited. After a short while, people started filing in, introducing themselves to us and letting us know that they would be in the OR with us for the surgery. Being in a teaching hospital, each one of these people also had a student with them to observe - very quickly Dan and I realized that there would be A LOT of people in the room! At about 8:20am, the nurse came in and told me it was time (that's when the nerves kicked in!). She asked me if I wanted to put something on my feet because the floor was cold, so I put on my big colourful wool socks that my mom knit for me and waddled down the hall to the operating room. It was all very calm and civilized - a far cry from what it was like with Bodhi's delivery!

I lay on the operating table looking at Dan and hoping desperately to just let me hear that cry. The next thing I knew, all the people in the room started cheering and all I wanted to do was tell them to be quiet so I could hear my boy's cry! Finally they all quieted down and there it was, the sweetest sound I could hear - Koen's first cry. They brought him past me and put him on the scale - I almost passed out when they announced his weight - 9 pounds 1 ounce! A big boy! After our midwife swaddled him in a blanket, she handed him to Dan who lowered his cheek to mine. What a moment.

Soon afterwards, we were being brought back into our original room for recovery. They placed my sweet boy on my chest and within seconds he was having his first feed. He was a pro right from the start. They wheeled us down the hall to our room, my boy in the crook of my arm and his Daddy following close behind. I was so happy.

Soon after arriving back in our room, our midwives arrived to let us know that all babies born over 9 pounds had to have a glucose test and Koen's had come back that he had low blood sugar. After a few more tests, his blood sugar level still wasn't rising, so we were told to start supplementing with formula - something Dan and I both were not happy about having to do. All through that night, the nurses came in and out doing test after test on the poor little thing, until finally he was in the clear! We were ecstatic. By the time we got Koen home, he was eating like a champ, off the formula, and completely healthy. Just a little something to let us know that he would be keeping us on our toes!

I could never have imagined how well this little guy would fit into our lives, but he just has. It's like he has always been here and it was meant to be. We all feel it.

On big brothers...

I grew up with two big brothers and have always loved this fact. I have never wanted for a sister (although I feel extremely fortunate to have the sisters-in-law that I do) and feel like I got everything I needed out of sibling relationships from my bros. They are smart, funny, caring men who have always looked out for me, loved me and accepted me for who I am. I am a lucky baby sister. When I was pregnant with Bodhi, one of my first thoughts upon finding out that he was a boy, was that my future children would be lucky like me and have a big brother. Now that Koen has joined us, I am thrilled that he will get to have a big brother to look up to and to look out for him.

Bodhi is already showing signs of pride and love towards his baby brother. He always wants to hold Koen and when he does, you can see Bodhi's little hand gently stroking Koen's ear or his tiny fingers. No one has ever told him that this is what you do with a baby, it's 100% innate love that Bodhi is feeling for his little brother. When Bodhi has the chance to introduce Koen to anyone new, he immediately runs over and holds Koen's hand and says "This is my baby brother Koen!" - loud and proud.

My brothers taught me so much growing up and still are teaching me a lot (mostly to do with parenting at this point - not only are they great brothers, but they're both great dads). I am over the moon that my boys will have this opportunity as well.

Sleep.....

The night before we went into the hospital to have Koen, I slept about 3 hours. I was excited, nervous, anxious ... all of the above. Needless to say, since that night things haven't really gotten much different in the sleep department what with having a newborn around the house! The first couple of nights in the hospital Koen didn't really sleep at all (and neither did Dan and I!). There were people coming in and out constantly monitoring his blood sugar (he was born with really low blood sugar but it sorted itself out quickly, thank goodness).

Since we've been home, Koen is bunking in with us spending half his night in the co-sleeper and the other half in the crook of my arm. He's doing pretty well so far, sleeping 2-3 hours a stretch and up about 2-3 times a night. Of course, his big brother alarm goes off each morning at around 6 so that signals the start to our day. Which for Koen means, wake up, eat, go back to sleep for 2 hours.

I forgot how funny it feels to be sleep deprived, especially when you're deliriously happy already - everything is pretty fuzzy. I'm glad to be keeping this record because I'm sure in a couple of days I won't even remember writing it!

Announcing....

Welcome to the world Koen! We've been waiting 9 long months for you to join us and you are finally here. We couldn't be happier. You came along on February 3rd at 8:50am. You came out with a big cry and sporting a full head of dark brown hair and you were perfect. The nurse wrapped you up and handed you to Daddy who leaned down and put your cheek next to mine. That is a moment that I will never forget. When I first laid eyes on you I couldn't believe how much you looked like your big brother when he was newborn - such good looking little boys I have!

Now that you are here, we are a family of four and it all seems to fit just right. Bodhi is such a doting, loving big brother to you. He brings you blankets when you're sleeping, rubs your forehead when you are crying and reminds Mommy and Daddy that you should be wearing socks to keep you warm. You are so lucky to have a big brother like him.

Your first few days in the world we spent in the hospital getting to know each other. We were counting the minutes until we could take you home and show you off. Bodhi was so excited to have us all home again and couldn't get enough of holding you, kissing you and introducing you to everyone.

We are so happy you are with us and we all love you so much. We can't wait for what lies ahead!

xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxo

Mommy, Daddy and Bodhi