Happiness

Life is good! Babies are healthy, routines are beginning to be established and sleep for a weary mama is being had. Don't think I could want for anything more. Perhaps an occasional visit from my MIA husband but fortunately business is rather booming these days, which is a good thing as well.

I'm beginning to see the signs of some Ikeda eyebrows taking hold.

Noah is beginning to show the world just who he is. So far we've determined he's quite moody and must always make his presence known. Whether he's cracking smiles and cooing, squeaking up a storm as he settles in for a nap, or exercising his very healthy set of pipes, he's definitely making it known that he won't be playing second fiddle to anyone.

The cheeky charmer

The sweet baby brother

This is what I came home to after dropping Kai off at school. The placement of all of them (mostly Kai's Thumper stuffed animal and the fact he has Mimi dressed like a bunny) made me chuckle. You can't really see it but Thumper actually has band aids around his ears. When Noah was in the hospital, we explained the situation to Kai by telling him Noah had a boo boo that needed to be fixed. I came home from a lengthy hospital stay one evening to find all his favorite things covered in band aids (Mimi included) and him telling me they had boo boos too but they would be "otay."  Although, I'm sure if you asked Mimi if she was okay after those babies were pulled off she may have a very different response.

What a Month

Where to even begin. It's been a pretty crazy first month to say the very least. We went from weeks of wonderful baby bliss to a very sudden overwhelming hospital stay. Just when Noah hit the three week mark we were racing him to the emergency room at 5 am with a 102 fever. He was hospitalized and diagnosed with pneumonia. It was an absolutely terrifying experience. As I sit here and type this post just remembering the past week has my eyes welling up with tears. I don't think I can actually describe the array of emotions that were felt. I don't know what was the worst of it: seeing my tiny little baby under an oxygen tent hooked up to an IV and a monitor that sounded an alarm every time he didn't get enough air, the helplessness of not being able to hold and nurse him when he needed me the most or having to explain to a two and half year old why his mama can't come home at night and perform our daily nighttime ritual of story time and snuggles or why suddenly his new baby brother was no longer in the house. It was a very tough and trying time for all of us. But thankfully, it is over! I am so incredibly happy to say Noah is completely recovered and as peppy as ever. We were back to the united brothers evening cry fest in full form last night. Easy going little one decided to celebrate his homecoming with his best rogue impression. I found myself laughing out loud in the midst of the utter beautiful chaos.

I think he resembles Kai as an infant the most in these pictures. I can't really see Naoto or myself yet or anyone in particular from both sides of the family.

Making smiles at an always grouchy Beppe.

Finally getting to hold him at the hospital

Sweetness personified

On the mend

Fishheads

The dynamic duo strikes again.