7 & 21

Let's start with a recap of month 7 for Ben, shall we?
He really became an 'expert' sitter this month! And with the ability to sit, comes the ability to play with Rachael's toys in new and annoying-to-her ways! His steady body and solid hand dexterity really make a difference in the way he explores the world. And, watching Ben makes me realize how different Rachael's skills were at the same age. As we knew then, what she had in gross motor, Ben has in fine motor skills. Everyone's different, right?
He also continues to work on his pre-crawling skills and will absolutely breakout in belly laughing if you giggle right along with him or tickle any of his numerous tickle spots!

And, moving right along to month 21 for Rachael:
Rachael started "running" more this month...really picking her knees up and moving with more speed when she wanted to 'run'. She continues the language spree -- really trying to figure out the possessive -- is it blankie Rachael or Rachael's blankie? And, sad, but, true, the TV has entered her field of view. (Rhyme unintended there, but, fun, nonetheless!) So, she can now sit and watch a 1/2 hour program without being distracted. This can be helpful when you need to feed Ben or cook dinner, but, can be a slippery slope. We try our best not to encourage this habit and find that she probably watches an hour of TV a week.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't tell you that there's an innate love of Elmo and it has presented in our daughter! I swear, we hadn't watched him on TV before and until Nana gave us an Elmo book for Halloween, didn't have him in a book -- and yet, she knows who he is and says his name with great adoration! Hence, the immediate shift of pending birthday party theme from mommy's choice of the Very Hungry Caterpillar to ELMO! :)

Enough 'talking', here are some pictures:

2 years...

Two years ago was the scariest day of my (our) life, so far. I woke at 4am with a broken bag of water gushing everywhere. I jolted Mike awake, dressed quickly, called Duke's OB on call, woke the in-laws to explain and rushed out the door. The ride to the hospital was a hurried, but, quiet, dark one. I couldn't have imagined the fear and the journey that lay ahead. That was to be my last car ride for 65 long, long, loinng days. I was admitted to the antepartum unit on the 7th floor of Duke University Hospital with one goal: keep the baby cookin'. Through some sort of miracle, Rachael remained with just little bits of fluid in my belly until 31 weeks and 6 days gestation, after the water breaking at 23 weeks, 1 day gestation.
I come to this day in complete disbelief on many levels:
~ wow! has it been two years already?
~ wow -- it feels like that was a lifetime ago!
~ wow -- I could not picture Nov 14, 2011 on that fateful day two years ago!
Mostly, I'm surrounded by a feeling of complete thanksgiving -- for the medical staff who cared for us, for the healing presence of our God, for the love and compassion of our family and friends and for the precious little girl who lights up each and every day.

A Busy Saturday...with a first haircut!

This past weekend, we had a great Saturday in the Concini house:
We took Rachael for her first haircut, then, we went to Barnes & Noble for some new books, and ended the morning with lunch at Jason's deli. It was such fun family time -- both kids did great in all 3 places! (It's not typical for us to go 3 places in one clip -- so, I was impressed.)
In the afternoon, Ben wore his NCSU onesie to cheer on the Wolfpack (Daddy graciously agreed to let Ben wear the shirt for the 'big' game vs UNC.) and after nap, Rachael had her two friends, Claire and Evan over for a playdate. Mommy got to enjoy time with Claire & Evan's mommies.
It was a great, busy day...here it is in pictures:

Time to get with the program...

OK...so, my babies' lives are flying by and I'm busy enjoying it, rather than documenting it! However, there comes a time when you have to stop and just. blog it. (really? did I just write that?)

Let me bring you up to speed:
Months 5 & 6 for Ben: He continues to be a happy, peaceful, gentle baby. He has earned his name that Gammy so aptly gave him: "Gentle Ben". His eyes are kind and his smile comes easily. He continues to babble with lots of consonant sounds: ba, ba, ba....ummmm.....ummmm...and our favorite, bwep, bwep, bwep. He laughs when you find his tickle spots and is immediately attracted to playing with the school bus, the fire truck and anything with wheels -- what is it with boys and wheels? (fire, too, I'm sure!)
As for other milestones, he started taking solid foods on a daily basis by October 1 and the 'official' date for sitting up by himself on October 13th. He loves fruits and YoBaby yogurt, but, he's not a fan of veggies...in fact, he'll make himself gag on peas. (Sweet potatoes and carrots are the only exception!) He's lifting up on his knees and rocking back and forth...I bet we'll have a crawler by Christmas. He had his first trip to the beach with Mimi & Papa and isn't quite yet a beach bum -- but, that will come with time!

Months 19 and 20 for Rachael: Ahhhh...the diva! She continues to amaze us with her language...and truly in these two months has just embraced her voice -- in all ways! On September 16th, we heard her first sentence, said when dumping dry cheerios out of a bowl: "me made mess!" (very proudly!) And, then, there were the moments of her voice that weren't so thrilling...we had some trying times figuring out how to handle the inevitable tantrums that go along with understanding so many things, but, not being in full control of your emotions. She enjoys dancing and asking us to sing "I'm Bringing Home A Baby Bumblebee" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". She loves to play outside as much as possible and when inside, she enjoys her tea set, using the shape sorter, "cooking" in her kitchen and reading books -- The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Little Engine That Could, Goodnight Moon are among her favorites. She has gravitated towards her "blankie" and "glowie" which she religiously carries to bed.
And, now for some photos:

The dichotomy of parenthood...

Hello, long lost blog! I have found my way back to you. I'm sorry for the complete and utter neglect, but, life. happens.

So...the thing that's on my mind: the constant pulling/tugging of parenthood:
While at work: I can't wait to see my babies. When will it be 5 o'clock? OR Boy, I'm so glad I'm at work....no one to lug around and no diapers to change.
While at home: How long until they go to bed? OMG, I can't take anymore crying...whining....tantrums. OR How sweet is it when Rachael gives Ben a kiss on the head? Oh, my, I love Ben's precious smile. Snuggling with Rachael while reading goodnight books is the BEST.
While with friends or out with Mike: Oh, I needed this! OR I wonder what the kiddos are doing? I hope they're behaving. I really miss them. Oh, look at all of these people with babies...thank goodness for this (insert activity) without kids.

How is it that a Mom can feel these things? They seem to be in direct conflict with each other.....sometimes unable to get enough of your children and sometimes having TOO much of your children (and their snot, drool and dirty diapers!). This mixed-bag has been very evident to me lately and one that I'm wrestling with:
When I long for some adult-only time, does this mean I'm not a good Mom? When I'm wishing that I could be home with my kids each day, does this mean I'm not a good employee? When I use up all of my energy with my children and have very little left for my husband, does this mean I'm not a good wife?
I suppose the ebb and flow of these feelings and questions is what this role in my life is about...and learning to manage each side of it is the challenge, at least for me.

I do also need to wish my husband -- the best partner, friend and father of my children -- a happy sixth wedding anniversary! These years have been some of the hardest and sweetest of my life and I wouldn't want to go through these years with anyone else!

I promise...the next post will have pictures and updates about the kiddos and what they're up to!

The Diva...in all her glory!

As I was filing the most recent set of pictures from our camera...I was taken aback by the many faces of Rachael....also known as, the diva! Let me show you her attitude:

Happy girl...California dreamin' in my sunglasses

Oh, puleeez, people. I'm busy!

Seriously...let me get my glasses on straight and then it's all business!

I'm not feelin' the Hokies yet. When does the season start?

Happy girl again!

Marked as Christ's own forever...

Sunday, August 14, 2011
Baptism Day for Ben

What a weekend! We got to have our family here and spend lots of time together celebrating (and eating!) for Ben's baptism. It was truly a great time to gather and witness as Ben was marked sealed by the waters of baptism and marked as Christ's own forever.
Ben did fairly well....he grumbled through the beginning portion of the baptism as we gathered around the font, as his morning nap was nearing. When Rector George scooped him up, he seemed to take note that this was a time for quiet and patiently let George put the water on his head and bless him. The same thing happened when the sign of the cross was made on his forehead.
Some pictures of Ben's big day...

4 months!

Happy four months, Ben! You're 1/3 of the way through your first year -- where is the time going?
Here are your stats:
weight: 13lbs, 9oz  -- 25th percentile
height: 24.5 inches -- 25th percentile
head: 35th percentile (can't remember measurement!)

More importantly than the the numbers, on your 18 week birthday (July 27!), you ROLLED OVER from BACK TO FRONT (the hard way!) first! I've been watching you curl up on your side for a week or so, but, then you went all the way over. And, while you were on your belly, you proudly lifted your head and smiled!
You still continue to be the happiest baby and are content 99% of the time! Sadly, you had your first ear infection (diagnosed on 7/20) and a fever that lasted 9 days to go with it. Not fun, but, in your contented way, you handled it with very little (if any) fussing or complaining. Fortunately, at last check you're all cleared up. We're hoping and praying that you won't follow down your big sister's path in regards to ears!

We love you, Ben!

My fairy tale...

As I was up giving Ben his 4am bottle, I was passing the time by indulging myself in a little 'trash TV' - "The Bachelorette". In this particular episode, the star and her suitors are in Fiji. They're sharing exciting adventures -- diving off a cliff by a waterfall, riding in a helicopter, sailing in a yacht and snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef. They're also sharing romantic dinners and the more romantic 'fantasy suite'. I'm watching all of this unfold in front of me and as I prop a sleeping Ben on my shoulder and rub his back, I realize this: I'm living my own fairy tale.
No, it doesn't include waterfalls (unless you mean spilled milk or spit up).
It doesn't include snorkeling (unless you mean squirty toys in the bath tub).
It doesn't include sailing in a yacht (unless you count the plastic boat in the baby pool).
And the only version of a helicopter you'll find at our house is the "super baby flying Ben" game that Daddy does with a smiley Ben.
It doesn't include romantic dinners prepared without sleeping children upstairs
And, fantasy suites are a memory of our honeymoon in Cabo!

My fairy tale is much better than that! It includes:

• two precious babies who can light up my darkest moment with a smile or a hug and for whom I would do anything
• a partner/love/friend/husband and father of my children who will do anything for us and gives us all of him at every turn.
• family who know us and love us anyway! (And let us bring our stomach bug and pink eye to their home.)
• friends who care for us in so many ways and add such fun to our lives on a daily basis
• for me, the opportunity to touch the lives of college students every day. for Mike, the chance to use his knowledge and skills to serve his clients to the fullest extent.
• a beautiful home with projects just waiting for willing hands and an expanded wallet!
• a church community that helps us to sustain our faith, even when life gets in the way.

This is the stuff fairy tales are made of. I am working on keeping this idea and the list of things to be thankful for in the front of my mind more often, so, I don't get buried by the clutter of daily living. 

I hope and pray that you are living your fairy tale...no matter how seemingly 'normal'. :)

18 months!

18 months ago today, I was laying in bed at Duke Univ Hospital denying that my regular contractions were going to bring the delivery of our precious baby girl! Boy, how wrong I was! As the doctors watched my contractions get closer together and Rachael's heart rate dip along with those contractions, they decided it was go-time.

At 3:40pm Rachael came in to the world and I cried with thanksgiving for a baby who beat the odds and for the end of a terrifying pregnancy. I can't tell you how much "easier" these 18 months have been in comparison to the 4 months of bedrest. While, yes, there are some days that I wish someone would make me stay in bed, I spend many more days laughing with, singing to, talking to and cheering on and being amazed (and, ok, sometimes frustrated by) our little girl.

She is: independent, determined, funny, dramatic, sweet, and oh-so-devilish as she runs away when you're trying to retrieve the TV remote that she 'stole' from it's right place. She's really beginning to use many two or three word phrases and is starting to understand the relationship/concept of please and thank you; hello and goodbye. She's had the words for a while, but, now she recognizes when they should be used.
She loves to help you put your shoes on, wash her own hands at the sink, play outside (with or without water), have tea parties, play in the gym at school and hug her baby brother, much to mama's panic.

We'll get her stats recorded on Friday at the doctor, I'll be back to update for our 'records'.