Boy Wonder

I love having a daughter. She is observant, sassy, intelligent, hysterical, and sensitive.  She is fiercely opinionated and independent, but she is also shy and compassionate.  I am obsessed with my little girl even when she drives me crazy!

Oh, those beautiful eyes can be be so expressive...

But, there is something so special, unique, and wonderful about having a son.  I did not anticipate how immediate and remarkable my bond would be with this little boy.

If he embodies all that is angelic in this photo, what does the above photo of his sister embody?! haha...

For nearly 4 weeks, we thought B2 was a girl.  Although we were initially disappointed not to be having a boy, we quickly realized how amazing it would be to have two girls.... I got so excited as I visualized Doug in a house of females!  Then, in January, when we discovered that B2 was actually a boy, I felt a range of emotions---some rational but most irrational!  In an odd way, I found myself missing the daughter that I thought we were going to have.  I was overjoyed that we would have two healthy children, one of each gender, but I worried about having a boy. I felt nervous for reasons that I cannot really explain.  Those reasons and my fears seem stupid now!

As my mom has always told me, there is something so special about a mother-son relationship.  I already feel overwhelmed with those feelings.

Sophie's behavior as a newborn has stayed true to her personality as a little person.  (She slept and ate and cried ON HER TERMS. She was and she still is THE BOSS.)  If newborn behaviors are indicative of future personality traits, then Ries will be flexible and adaptable.  He will be calm, strong, mellow, and alert.  He will be patient, sweet, and loving.  When something really matters, he will let you know, but otherwise, he will be fairly relaxed and low maintenance.

  

I love my dynamic and smart girl, and I am so thankful that B2 is a BOY.  He completes this family.

The Week's Snapshots

(photos courtesy of the talented MB who visited this week!) 

RCW: 1 Month

Our baby is one month old.

I continue to fall more in love with my boy---whom I call my "Mr. Man", Sophie calls  her "Baby Boo" and Doug calls his "Buddy".  I cannot believe how fast this month has gone.  He is the most calm, easy baby who continues to eat and sleep like a champ.  This week, he has become much more alert, strong, and big!  We have heard cute, little squawks out of his mouth, and we're starting to see some non-gas-related smiles.  Love that dimple!

Sophie continues to smother (literally) her brother with love.  She kisses and pinches his cheeks, rubs his head, shoves in his pacifier, squishes his mouth to form a "fish face", covers him with blankets, hugs him "so nicely" and sneaks into his room when he is sleeping to sing him "I've Been Working on the Railroad..."  I always laugh, because, without fail, Ries turns his head to the side and gives me a look.  His eyes get wide, and he looks at me pleading with part desperation, part fear, and part intrigue.  Jokes aside, he is very lucky to have such a doting big sister.  She loves him so much, and I couldn't be more proud of the ways that she cares for her brother.

We enjoyed a busy week with lots of summer adventures and playdates--visits to the Ballard Locks, to the Madison Park beach and playground, to the Strawberry Festival.  We even celebrated the start of summer with a "Summer Solstice Picnic Dinner Walk in the Stroller in our Jammies" (catchy title, I know).  Here are just a couple extra cellphone photos from this packed week:

This photo says it all...the ups and downs of a toddler!  

Happy Summer!

Go, Daddy, Go!

We enjoyed a great Father's Day-weekend at the Whitfield house. Sophie even said, "This is the best Father's Day I've ever had!" It started with "Team Whitfield" braving the weather on Saturday (and braving a 5:45 am departure from the house!) to cheer Daddy on at his second triathlon.

Because of the course set-up, Sophie, Ries, and I got to watch all three legs of the event.  Even though it was pouring rain on us, Sophie yelled, "Go, Daddy, Go!" every time he passed by us.  Doug did an amazing job, finishing 2nd in his division! I felt overwhelmed with pride and gratitude as I cheered on my wonderful husband who models persistence, courage, strength, and confidence for my two children.

Despite the rain and the early wake-up call, Sophie was ecstatic to celebrate Daddy!

The weekend also included watching the US Open and a D and E date night--the first date since Ries was born.  On Sunday, we caught a quick ferry to Bainbridge Island for brunch and then enjoyed more golf and playtime.

Trying to elicit some sweet responses, I asked Sophie some questions about her Daddy.

Why do you love Daddy?  Because he talks and jumps.
What is your favorite thing that Daddy does for you? Looks for us when we're gone.
What is Daddy's favorite thing to say? It's night-night time and you love to say goodnight.
How old is Daddy? I don't know.  Um, maybe 11.  Is he 11?
What is Daddy's favorite thing to do? Run and talk.
What is Daddy's favorite food? Hot sauce

And then, the absolute gem of a statement finally arrived, completely unprompted...randomly, at the end of my "interview" with Sophie, she said to Doug, "if you shave yourself, you can look like me."

He is the hands-on father who does it all...including driving with Patty, the potty-doll, per Sophie's commands.

Sophie loved pointing out "The Space Metal" or "The Space Beetle."

This was actually a happy face as we rode the ferry home.



Other shots from the week:

"Mommy, Ries looks like a meercat cuz he's looking around." 

Riding the tractor at the zoo

I am so thankful that my two children will have a father who is engaged, supportive, compassionate, patient, and thoughtful.  He always puts the three of us first.  Happy Father's Day, D! We love you!