I think he is secretly reading parenting books while I sleep

Over the last couple weeks, Ben has proven that he should be the one staying home caring for the girls. He has always amazed me with his ability to retain information but it usually consists of useless trivia such as knowing every lyric to any 80's TV theme song. Here are some examples of simple conversations we have had recently that show his knowledge base goes deeper than I usually give him credit.

Me: We should ask Dr. Bosley how to clean the belly button.
Ben: This is actually a controversial issue. Some people think you should clean it while others think you should leave the cord alone. To prevent infection, I think we should go around the base of the cord with a cotton-tipped applicator dipped in alcohol.

Me: I just lathered Hallie up in lotion, her skin was so dry.
Ben: I hope you didn't put any on her hands.
Me: Huh? Too late.
Ben: Infants frequently put their fingers in their eyes.

Me: Nursing has been terribly painful lately. I can barely stand it.
Ben: You probably have a clogged milk duct.
Me: Huh?
Ben: Is there a red mark where it hurts?
Me: Who are you?
Ben: You should apply a warm compress several times a day and massage the area around the clogged duct.

Me: Why are you using baking soda to clean the humidifier?
Ben: Baking soda kills the bacteria and mold that can spread into the air if left untreated.

Oh yes there are 2 candles on that cake!

How is Kinsley doing? That is the most common question I have gotton since Hallie's arrival. Here are some recent pics of my little pumpkin's world:

It is safe to assume Kinsley adores her baby sister. She talks to Hallie in a high pitched voice and says things like, "it's okay baby", or "hi sweetie", or "hold baby sister now?".

Kins has been swimming with dad 3 times in the last week. It has been a perfect way to have some one-on-one time.

TWO! That is all I can type before my eyes well up with tears.

And now I have saved the saddest for the last. This was taken today. After exactly two years of putting this dear baby down for a nap, this is what I discovered. And yes, tears did drop from my eyes when I found her. Asleep. With a paci and blankie. Tucked under the covers. No stories were read. No songs were sung. Just a sleepy two year old baby putting herself down for a nap.

Our Tiny Treasure

I will never forget the night she was born. I can still remember Kinsley's arrival with perfect detail and I know that Hallie's will be the same. However, when I look at little Hallie, I realize that I did forget so many things about having a newborn in the home.
I never want to forget.....
The softest skin that I could spend hours rubbing my cheek against.
The most adorable chin dimple in the history of the world.
The itty bitty eyelashes and the practically nonexistant little eyebrows.
The hands and arms that she seems to have no control over.
The smiles she shares when in the midst of waking from sleep.
The way Kinsley cups her hands when asking to hold baby sista.
The curl:I adore how her legs remain in the frog position when she is lifted up.

Introducing Hallie Ann

Well, despite the efforts of the Sky Ridge Medical Center delivery staff, I am happy to announce that Hallie Ann Lacina has safely made her way into our world. Labor progressed faster than the nurses expected, and when the baby was ready and Amy was READY there was no doctor on site. Thus, Amy's legs were pinned shut and my arm was being ripped apart by teeth and nail marks while we waited for the doc to arrive. The 6lb 8oz / 19 inch bundle of estrogen and her mother are doing great and we continue to praise God for the miracle that is childbirth.

To this point Hallie has been the “perfect” baby. We even had to wake her last night to eat which proves that she is already determined to not follow in big sister’s footsteps. Amy, who has now experienced a drug free labor for a second time, is also in great physical and emotional shape. Whereas I would be milking that pain for weeks, she is once again proving her strength far surpasses mine.

Big sister Kinsley has also taken to her new role. She is quite motherly to Hal and has no doubt benefitted from her months of practice with her many baby dolls. Though she probably knows 1000+ words, the only three she seems to say are “baby sister Hallie”.

So life in the Lacina house is definitely changing. I am quickly realizing that my days of watching Final Fours and Sunday Night Football are probably gone. Not because we are already that busy, but because the women of the house already have Project Runway and last year’s Oscars Red Carpet filling my Tivo.

Though truth be told, I could care less. These chicks rule!