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!

Any day....

We have 4 days until the due date and couldn't be filled with more anticipation. I am eager to get the show on the road but Ben is concerned that this delivery may get in the way of his basketball tournament this Saturday. When I told him about some contractions I was having tonight his response was, "the basketball gods won't allow that". Clearly, he has not been carrying this baby for 40 weeks! I am desperate to hold this little baby girl and bring her home.

I have loved talking to Kinsley about her baby sister. We have several picture books about new babies that she loves that have hopefully helped her understand how her little world is about to be rocked. She talks about the baby all the time and will look at my tummy and say, "come now, baby sister". I totally agree!

It Coulda' Been Worse

Exactly one week ago our desktop computer crashed. The impact of this may never fully be realized as the pain is still too fresh for me to verify what exactly has been lost. Most importantly, the pictures…….my Iphoto library was topping 2,000. It was moments ago that I summoned enough courage to login to my shutterfly account to see the pictures that have been downloaded, thus the only ones we have left. Luckily, many of our favs are there (about 200 total…OUT OF 2,000!) but what will I ever do without access to the pics of Ben with a moustache or myself in the month before having Kinsley when the water retention in my face was at peak levels?!

oh wait....



It is a miracle beyond words that the morning before the crash, in the midst of the obsessive organizing rituals I have been experiencing in this nesting phase before baby’s arrival, I did some major printing and filing of things on the computer. This includes the printing of a hardcopy of my address book. Praise! As well as the printing of letters I wrote to Kinsley while I was pregnant, about her birth, day of dedication etc…..Praise!

It will be interesting to see how this affects my blog. My posts are sporadic at best, but only having the laptop will certainly put a wrench in my ability to easily jump on. Some insight: Ben is crazy obsessive about “his” laptop. It has a special place in our home inside its carrier. The cord must be perfectly folded in a “cord case” and the computer must be securely fastened in the case with a Velcro safety strap. I have had to wash hands before using it and he has checked Kinsley’s “paws” when he found a greasy miniature handprint on the top.

I am sure that if we were to bring the harddrive to a computer guru the lost could be found. Maybe when I need the perfect baby pic of Kinsley for her high school yearbook we will cross that path but for now I will mourn the loss of my little apple.

Things I've Learned....

After closely examining these photos, I have had some ah ha moments.


First, Kinsley's grandparents are madly in love with her---they will be out in 6 WEEKS for the baby's birth but had to dote on Kinsley one more time before she has competiton. Also, NEVER ask Kinsley to smile, for this awkward, slanted look of confusion is sure to follow.

First, Ben is a true servant for willingly toting the diaper bag. Second, he looks kinda silly and I will now bear the weight of the bag. Also, Kinsley doesn't like to be picked up for pictures.

My little baby looks huge! Is she really too big to carry in a baby bijorn?