It truly is humbling and flattering at the same time to see all of your friends and family pour so much love into the birth of a new baby. Emmy is almost 3 weeks old now and gifts for her keep falling into our laps. When they say that it takes a village to raise a child, I couldn’t agree more. When people offer to help you with simple chores or even the offer to stay at your house to help you for a period of time…..by all means, take the offer!

My parents just visited from California for a whole week. My mom is BORN to be a grandma. She spent the majority of her waking time either cooking for us, holding a baby, or feeding our two year old, Charli. It was amazing to get to take a shower everyday, to eat hot food and to be able to play with my toddler without feeling guilty about a crying baby needing me to feed or be held to sleep.  After they left, it was bittersweet, but I know they’ll be back again to help. Luckily, 2 of my cousins and one of their kids came to visit us immediately after my parents left. Even though they only stayed with us for 2 days, it was another 2 days that I got help with rocking a baby to sleep and for a playmate for Charli! With it being winter out here in Chicagoland, it’s hard to play outdoors for the winter months. Cousin time was amazing for the kids!

I can’t wait for my sister to visit in April, as it will be the first time she gets to see the new baby! She raised our first child as our live in nanny for 2 years, so it’s great for them to be together again!

Anyway, the neighbors have been so sweet and family have sent tons of cards and gifts along for the new baby. We couldn’t be luckier to have such great support systems.

-Mom and Emmy

-Mom, Emmy and Charli

-Cousin Marisa, Marnie and Emmy

Now that all of my family has come and gone, I really miss them and appreciate the help that they offered! I never knew that taking care of two little ones would be so tough. It makes me really wish that I was back home in California so that I could see them more and have my kids grow up with them in their lives. (Looks like I’ll be planning a summer trip to  CA now!)

-Sweet gifts from our friends in Germany

Happy (although tired) mommy…..

-Kim