c'est ma vie: First month as a family of 4

I'm still playing catch-up with this blog. I have a feeling I am playing catch-up in all aspects of my life right now. So, please bear with me! Let's rewind to February.

Deklan's first month with our family took off from the get-go. Our first outing was when he was only a day and a half old! (I told you there was zero recovery necessary following this delivery!) We all ventured to Maks' Music Together class and spent 45 minutes singing and dancing. Maks was sure to check on his baby brother multiple times throughout the session. Deklan had other plans - like sleeping.

zzz...

At just 6 days old, Deklan had his very first visitors - Bryon's Uncle Clayton and Aunt DeEtte. He stayed awake along enough to say hello, take a few photos and go for a walk along Bayshore Linear Park. Actually, he fell asleep after only walking half a block; he just couldn't resist the comfort of Uncle Clayton's arms!

For a solid ten days, Maks was thrilled to have his daddy around to take part in his daily adventures. I'd live for days with Dada too, if this is how they always looked...

A red velvet crinkle cookie pit stop is NOT what I had in mind when I asked them to pick up bagels from Panera for breakfast.

To celebrate being an entire week old, Deklan ventured out with Maks to see the MacDill Fire Station.

"Red Truck. Whoo-whoo!"

Still smiling after having sat in the driver's seat!

"Fire trucks make me sleepy."

Here's Maks and his Daddy soaking up the final days of paternity leave.

Bryon has taught Maks to call for the fish. "Here, fishy-fishy!"

10 days came and went extremely quickly. Little Mr. woke up and started searching the house for his Dada. He wasn't happy about the whole "Daddy had to go back to work" excuse.

Front porch swingin'.

At two weeks old, we headed down to Apollo Beach to help celebrate Clayton's birthday. Maks spent the entire day running up and down the dock, helping daddy fish and playing with relatives. After a 5 hour nap, Deklan decided it was time to wake up and briefly introduce himself to the birthday party guests before dozing off again. He got more than his share of kisses and snuggles.

2nd cousins having fun in the hammock.

The man of the day. Happy Birthday, Clayton!

Thanks to Naomi for taking some photos! I rarely am in photos because I'm the one taking them! I love this one!

I was lucky enough to have my own relatives in town visiting during February as well! After having spent some time in Fort Meyers, my Aunt Barb and Uncle Norm traveled a couple hours north and rented a beachfront condo in St. Petersburg for a few more weeks. Over the course of their stay all 3 of my cousins also came to visit. Although they visited at different times, I was fortunate enough to see each and every one of them!

Best seat on the beach.

Maks was thrilled after his first day with Aunt Barb. In fact, she made such a lasting impression that "Baab" is the very first name he's said (aside from Mama and Dada). I can't blame him either...play in the sand, splash in the waves, take a dip in the pool, eat yummy treats (he even had his very first ice cream cone!), REPEAT...she always ensured he was having a great time! Actually, driving home at the end of each day was traumatic for him. And the first thing he said in the morning when I would get him out of bed was, "Baab?!?"

"Ready? Go!"

The rest of the month was spent settling into our new normal. Brotherly love is already developing. Cases in point -

A changing pad hug and kiss for Deklan. 2 boys under 2 years old - both with dry diapers. WIN!

A lazy day with all 3 of my "kids"! (Don't worry. They made room for Kira shortly after this photo was taken.)

And the kisses continue...

By the time Deklan was 3 weeks old, he had also been to one of the country's top rated beaches. Siesta Key was gorgeous. It was wonderful to get out of Tampa and explore another nearby gem.

1 sweetly sleeping on the beach while the other splashes in the Gulf.

It's hard to believe that in a year there will be a 3rd little man running alongside these two!

Finding a happy medium between sleep and play for both boys has been my greatest struggle. I'm kind of a stickler for getting adequate nap time in each and every day. And, as I've stated before, Deklan sleeps A LOT...