Welcoming a new family member (including some F1.2 love!)

[Groucho]

Wenrob - yeah, I can see that! She is fairly good but so far, she's definitely a handful sometimes... like almost always waiting until the diaper is off to go pee... we're going through onesies like crazy! Jack was never this much of a brat!

Congrats to you and your wife! Like Linda, I especially love the "pile" shot---I'm sure your DS is going to love being a big brother!

Yeah, I forgot to mention, Jack adores her. He'd been hugging my wife's belly for months and saying "I love you Baby Leila" and he is so excited now that he can actually see her and give her real hugs and kisses. He wants to share all his favorite blankets and toys and do everything he can to help - it's really very sweet!

 

[Villainess]

congratulations!!!! She is adorable and it is wonderful that Jack loves being a big brother!

 

[Evad]

Congrats Groucho!!!

I see you are getting her used to a life in front of the lens. Awesome pics!! Keep them coming!!!

 

[Amy]

CONGRATULATIONS Groucho!! Leila is adorable! Best wishes to your whole family. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more photos; nothing like a new baby in the house!

 

[scoot241]

How adorable. Congratulations!

 

[handicap18]

Oh WOW!! AWESOME!!! Congratulations Groucho!!!!

Personally, I felt that our 2nd was easier than the first. I think the first one is guinea pig. What you learned with #1 makes dealing with #2 that much easier IMO.

A close friend of ours gave birth to their 2nd on that same day also, about 10 hours before yours. Its always great to see new life.

Oh, great pic's too!

 

[boBQuincy]

Adorable! Good photos too!

 

[WVDisGeek]

Congtatulations! I am so happy for you, your wife and Jack.
I am sure Jack is going to clue her in to all the fun things at Disney soon enough!

Best wishes your way!

 

[jann1033]

wonderful news Groucho!!! beautiful baby and congrats to the rest of the family as well.

 

[Suburbanmom]

Congratulations and many blessings to you all. I can't wait to see more pictures.

 

[kim]

Congratulations!

kim

 

[Steve's Girl]

Congratulations Groucho, Mrs. Groucho and big brother Jack! Leila is beautiful! There is just something so special about having a newborn in the house. It passes quickly so enjoy it!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Those are precious. Especially love the "pile" shot.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to all of you!

I love the "pile" shot as well!

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

Awww. congratulations!! Shes a beautiful princess!!!

 

[fitzperry]

Congratulations! I thought most people claimed the second child was easier, but it wasn't true for us either. Doesn't matter though--it's all worth it. Enjoy them!

 

[TimothyQMouse]

Congratulations! How exciting. I am both glad that our baby days are over and I miss them. There is nothing sweeter than a baby, except when you want some sleep.

 

[Groucho]

Thanks everyone! Leila is doing very well but boy, is she a handful! She demands almost constant attention. If she falls asleep in your arms and you put her down, she wakes up and cries until you pick her up again. And the smell of those formula burps! Ye gods!

I've been lucky though, I've managed to avoid getting spit up on too much; unlike my wife who's been drenched a few times. Yuck!

I have a few new pics on the computer but haven't done anything with 'em yet. (Just installed Win7 and haven't put Lightroom back on yet.) I'll upload some new ones ASAP.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Leila is doing very well but boy, is she a handful! She demands almost constant attention.

I feel for you. My youngest daughter was a TERRIBLE baby. She was colicky and just awful. She would cry non-stop from around 4pm every day until at least midnight. She wouldn't sleep laying down....and on and on. But, the good news is that she is by far my easiest now. She has the sweetest personality. She goes to half day kindergarten and spends every afternoon with me at my office. She is an absolute delight now - there is hope. Hang in there!

 

[fitzperry]

I feel for you. My youngest daughter was a TERRIBLE baby. She was colicky and just awful. She would cry non-stop from around 4pm every day until at least midnight. She wouldn't sleep laying down....and on and on. But, the good news is that she is by far my easiest now. She has the sweetest personality. She goes to half day kindergarten and spends every afternoon with me at my office. She is an absolute delight now - there is hope. Hang in there!

We must be living parallel lives. My youngest was also an extremely difficult infant. She would have nothing to do with anyone but me, and the only thing she wanted to do with me was nurse--24/7. It was not an easy time for any of us; I swear I was in a fog for nearly 2 years. But she is 6 now and the most delightful kid you could ever hope to meet--funny, smart, sweet. She is in p.m. kindergarten and it's killing me that she'll be in school full time next year!

So I agree--hang in there Groucho! It won't always be like this, and if you miss enough sleep you won't remember it anyway. That's what the photos are for.

 

[Groucho]

Well, really, sleep hasn't been too bad after the first few days. She sleeps pretty reliably at night for 3-4 hours at a crack. I bought one of those devices for letting them sleep in the bed with you (with side protection so you don't roll on top of them) and that seemed to help a lot - for her and us. (When she was in her bassinet, I could barely sleep as I kept waiting for any little noise coming out of there to escalate into a full-blown crying fit.) I am also, if I say so myself, pretty darn good at swaddling, and Leila loves a good swaddle. I make 'em nice and tight so they stay on while they're sleeping, and she usually quiets down immediately after swaddling.

I guess what it comes down to is, as some people who know me in the "real world" can tell you, I'm happiest when I have something to complain about. Really, she hasn't been too bad, and generally any crying she does is quickly cured with a diaper change or a feeding. She is more "high maintenance" than Jack was... but hey, she's a girl. (Don't kill me ladies, I'm just kidding!) Jack is such a joy at this point that it's kind of jarring to go back to the newborn stage four years later.

Jack continues to be head over heels in love with Leila - it's incredibly cute. He just can't get enough of her. Now if only he could make her bottles and change her diapers.....! (My wife can't nurse because of medication, so we have to go with formula.)

I have told my wife long ago, though, that I want nothing to do with putting tights on her! Pants and socks on boys just seem soooo much easier than tights and dresses.

Anyway, I'll try to get some new pics up in the next few days. We're starting to see the first couple glimmers of smiles - not real smiles yet but just enough to see that she's figuring out her muscles. Just the occasional smile from your kid helps you forget the hard work!