My World

I'm typing this one handed (my other hand is occupied holding Leah). Today is the third day that I have successfully gotten both girls to take a nap at the same time. We'll see how long it lasts. I think I'll join them in dreamland soon.

I just turned on the news to see what is going on in the world. And I turned it right back off a few minutes later.

Is it bad that I don't want to hear or think about the disaster in Haiti right now? Does it make me less human if I don't want to hear about suffering? Or that I wish I hadn't heard about the two-year-old that was found alive in a pile of rubble next to her dead mother yesterday? (She looked too much like my two-year-old.)

I've been in my own little world for the past two weeks. And I like it. I like it that my biggest worries are that Leah is having enough wet diapers a day, or that her cord is clean and dry, or that Lainy still feels loved and secure. I like spending my time staring into my baby's eyes and trying to decide if they're brown or blue. I like listening to my sweet two-year-old chatter about anything and everything. I like thinking about the wonderful people who have brought us meals and offered to take Lainy for walks. I like that my biggest problem yesterday was that I didn't have time to shower.

I'm grateful for my peaceful world. Even if it doesn't extend beyond the walls of my home. I know there is great suffering out there. I just don't want to think about it yet. And I think that's okay. Because it makes me more grateful for what I have. And I know I'll have to re-enter the world someday. But I'm happy to stay right here as long as I can.

The Week After

Here is last week (our first week with Leah)...in pictures

Proud big sister holding Leah the night we got home from the hospital

3 days old and flirting with jaundice - thankfully it didn't get any worse than this!

Mommy and girls. We're all feeling good and adjusting.

My Mom and Lainy. Mom came Tuesday morning and literally ran the house as I rested and fed the baby. I don't know what I would have done without her!

Grandma and Leah. Every afternoon during Lainy's nap, I would lay down while my Mom and Leah cuddled. I missed her this afternoon (and she probably missed holding this sweet baby too).

Sweet sleeper. She gets up about every 3 1/2 hours at night...I can handle that.

Daddy and Leah. Brad had a very busy week of school, but still made sure he cuddled with both his girls every day.

Most recent picture taken today around noon. Isn't she cute?!!

Some Attention Please

In case you were wondering what a two-year-old does while her mom is in the shower and her grandma is busy with the baby, here is the answer...

Shuts herself in her room, finds grandma's lipstick, and spreads it all over herself (including her feet), and all over her room.

Whew! That was fun to clean up! But my mom and I couldn't stop laughing as we scrubbed the toddler and her bedroom until they were lipstick free.

Introducing...

Our brand-new-from-heaven

baby girl

Leah Carolyn Hansen

Born on a rare and beautiful sunshiney day in Seattle

Saturday, January 9 at 2.48 in the afternoon.

7 lbs 8 oz, 19 inches long

Welcomed by 1 happily recovering Mom, 1 thrilled Dad, and 1 super excited big sister.

We're all home adjusting and doing great!

Snoqualmie Falls

Last week Brad and I decided we were sick of the city. We were in dire need of fresh air and trees and mountains and SILENCE. So we drove to Snoqualmie Falls.

It was a little more touristy than, say, Mesa Falls, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

We even went on a little 1/2 mile hike...

And ate lunch by the side of the river listening to nothing in particular, and wishing we'd brought our fishing poles so we could join the fisherman wading in the river...

Ahhh nature...how we love the outdoors! It was just what we needed!

Thanks Snoqualmie.

(And in case you were wondering, part of the purpose of the 1/2 mile hike was to induce labor...but alas, I felt better than ever afterward! We'll keep you posted.)