look at Kaija. She is VERY against picture taking. Well, just if you specifically ask her to smile for the camera she'll do just the opposite.

dont take my picture !



we have to be careful of those "helping" pushes.
Kaija, Finley and I have been together the last couple of days. Things are going well.... Finley sleeps pretty well at night. She wakes about every three hours (or sometimes my milk "sensors" wake me) and she is just a wonderful little being! I feel surprisingly rested (well, for the most part) and I feel like things are just a little less anxious the second time around! I am really enjoying her baby-ness because I know it is going to go so fast...

I am 3 weeks old today!!!!!

Finley Callista Faye


Finley= "Fair Warrior" (Scottish/Gaelic)

Callista= "Beauty or the most beautiful" (Greek)

Faye= in tribute to Betty Faye Carlson (my grandmother) also means "Fairy" (English)

some serious breastfeeding

Today Finley is 12 days old. I am nearing my actual due date of December 10th and cannot believe she will be two weeks old! I am thanking God everyday for her. She is such a gift and we are so blessed to have her. She is such a peanut but at one week old she made it back to her birth weight, so we know she is gaining. She seems to be mellow and very consolable. Kaija was such a colicky baby that anytime Finley cries panic sets in for both Ben and I . She did have a bout of serious crying the other night and I told Ben, "i cannot do this again" and he was so right when responding with, "she's worth it". Her temperament is more calm and I think she seems like a good baby. So much pressure for a little newborn!

As for Kaija: I think i underestimated how hard this could be for her. She is adjusting but it is just going to take some time. Ben and I are pretty much trying to give her A TON of attention but she is struggling with sharing us and just being 3 years old makes it tough. She calls Finley, "cutie pie" and is very sweet to her but there is a level of resentment she has which im hoping will fade.

Otherwise, we are all doing very well here. We have had a round of dinners the last week from various friends which has meant so much and helped out a ton! Thank you guys! Ben will be done with his finals in 2 days and will be home for about 3 weeks toward the end of December. This will be nice for us as a family to just hang out and get ready for Christmas!


the true face of motherhood