THE VAN SLYKES: We have 2 kids.

We have settled into life with 2 kiddos. It has been easier in some ways than I thought and maybe a little tougher in others. Hartz has adjusted really well. He had Daddy and Nana with him for the first 4 weeks combined, so I think having the extra attention helped get through the toughest weeks for me as far as sleep deprivation and healing went. He calls Nola "baby" and doesn't pay too much attention to her unless he feels another sweet child might be threatening her or wants to see her. Typical territorial toddler behavior I guess. He does seem to ask where she is more often now and will give her a few tickles with some prompting. I'm excited to see them interact more as she becomes "more fun."

I think the toughest part is figuring out the balance of taking care of kids, the husband, the house, dinner, relationships with friends like you used to be able to... it obviously has to change, so I'm slowly figuring out those changes and what our life looks like now.

Nola (2 weeks) and Hartz (25 months)

'Seriously, dad, another picture"

The first of many sibling pictures

Nola (9 weeks) and Hartz (27 months)

Nola is now 9 weeks old. I so don't want to start calling her "2 months" because moving to months from weeks makes them way bigger in my mind. I hate how fast these first weeks fly and I wish I could freeze moments in my brain forever... except, I think I have lost my brain most of the time these days. :)

Nola started smiling purposefully around 4-5 weeks. It is the sweetest smile you have ever seen. She is cooing and chatting it up with her mobile (thanks Nana) and loves smiling at the letters above her changing table (thanks Auntie Christie). She has been sleeping pretty consistently about 8-9 hours (from 8pm- 4ish) through the night. I have not been so great with the schedule this time and I just pray she learns to be a flexible baby and just naturally sleeps through the night. ha.