Baby Faces

I love this little guy whether he's happy:

Or sad:

He makes the best faces. I love it when he shows off his double chins.

Barak and his Ladies

Lizzy insisted that Barak wanted to hold her dolls.

They got the blues

I'm babysitting another two-year-old. It's nap time. This should be my hour to relax a little, maybe get some housework done (ha ha), but the girls are not happy. Coming from my bedroom I can hear the intense ululations of an almost-three-year-old. My very articulate little girl, meanwhile, is screaming, "I want to make a deal! I want to make a deal! Do you hear me? I want to make a deal!" Apparently, if you try to bargain with your toddler too often it will come back to haunt you. At least the baby is happy, but then again, I'm not asking him to take a nap. He's happily chewing his shirt. Never mind the poop stain blossoming on the back of it. His other clothes are all in one of the napping rooms.

Mommy Moments

There are certain moments throughout my day that remind me how wonderful it is to be a mother. When two-year-old Lizzy runs into the room as fast as her little legs can go and throws herself into my arms with a look of gleeful terror on her face, I can't help but feel special. She's only fleeing from her growling, roaring, playing father, but even in play I represent safety to her. I hope she always feels safe running to me, whatever her problems.
When I find myself quietly doing dishes all by myself (no toddler insistently splashing at my elbow), I have to check on her, just to see what she's up to. I never know what I will find. Once I found her reading a book to herself on her little princess couch. It was dark in her room so I turned on her light. She looked at me with a very grumpy expression and said, "Hey, my wood chip is sleeping!" Sure enough, a piece of bark from the playground was nestled on the pillow of her crib where she had carefully placed it. Obviously she was sitting in the dim lighting, reading until it fell asleep, just like Mommy and Daddy do for her. I turned the light back off and went back to my dishes.
I love my cuddly baby boy, too. Though it makes sleeping somewhat difficult for me, I love the snuffling, grunting snorts that he makes in his little bassinet next to my bed. I can't wait until he sleeps through the night so that I can too, but for now I enjoy snuggling with him frequently, at all hours.
Today we covered empty oatmeal containers with crayoned paper and called them drums. We marched around the house (with a somewhat bewildered Barak slung under one arm) and had our own little parade. One of the best and worst phrases I hear is, "Let's do it again!" Best, because I know I've just done something fun. That always makes me feel kind of like a rockstar. Worst, because there is no telling how many times I'm going to have to do it.
Yesterday, Lizzy told me she was going to marry me. I wouldn't trade being a mother for anything.

"Look what I can do!"

And he was less than six weeks old at the time this video was taken!

Too tired for text

My modern girl, listening to her MP3 player. So little and already so strong.

Riding the train with Aunt Amy at Enchanted Forest. She wanted to ride it again and again.

Isn't he handsome? I think he gets this look from his daddy.

Brother and sister.

My handsome husband.

My cute little boy looks like an old man.

Two Weeks

Barak Reuben Washburn

Barak Reuben Washburn was born August 8, 2009 at 6:19 pm. He was 9 lbs 5oz and 22 inches long. It has been two weeks and we are doing great, apart from not getting more than two or at very best three hours of sleep at a time. He is s sweet little boy, and he really only cries when he's hungry. He is hungry ALL THE TIME. Thus the lack of sleep. Lizzy seems to like her little brother just fine. More than anything, she likes helping. She helps change diapers, give him baths, and she is the keeper of the pacifier. I've really been impressed by how little jealousy she has shown. And now some pictures:

Lizzy was very excited to come to the hospital and sing Happy Birthday to her little brother. Grandma and Grandpa Jensen came to visit.

Our good friend Loradona also came to visit. Lizzy and Barak.I've been trying to make sure Lizzy stays entertained so she knows she's still important. We went to the park, but it was hot and kind of miserable. She was a good sport about it, though. Mostly. Lizzy and her dollhouse/castle. She is definitely all girl.

Oh, and just to clarify, his name is said BEAR-ik, not ba-ROCK.