And the Saint departs...

So, our last day with the Saint's help was three days ago.  Our first day flying solo (and E back to work full-time) felt very successful.  I was dressed.  The children were fed.  The tears were managed.  The second day felt like failure incarnate.  I was not dressed.  Teeth were not brushed.  Each meal was abandoned amongst tears (I'm not saying who's...)  Today, well, we're only half way there, but we are all dressed, various foods have been eaten and there is even a calm quiet as P listens to a story and plays making melting wax sculptures and the baby naps.  So I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it feels wildly successful already :)

The Little Man has been a superchamp.  Though the pooping still bothers him, and the crying brings on dramatic ear covering followed by his own wails of "too loud!! too loud!!!!", these are his only hiccups.  He has expressed dismay at having a sister that takes up attention.  He has also expressed extreme love and happiness at having "this precious little sister."  Seems about status quo for a sibling relationship so far ;)  But as far as "sons" go, he brings tears to my eyes with his fabulousness.  As E fed us a real meal last night for dinner after all of the mayhem, P looked at me smiling and talking and said "I'm glad you're feeling better, Mama."  Superman is good to me (ok, amazing;), yes indeed, but I have never had anyone as dedicated to me as this Little Man.  He is so supportive its heart-wrenching.  (Three times yesterday he came to me and asked, "What can I do for you, Mama?  Do you need anything?") I only hope he's not swallowing too much of his own discomfort trying to look out for mine during these early days...

Zia is trying to settle in.  She's not awake for hours at night anymore.  Unless she super-poops and then is up after her diaper change ;)  But she's having some nursing/sleeping trouble during the day that keeps us on our toes whenever she wakes.  Which, with an exuberant 6 year old in the house, is fairly frequently ;)  But we'll figure it out, she's so brand new...

Some quick phone pic updates:

We are officially Portlanders now... we own a bike!  The boys run our errands on it and take it down to the river for outings.  P rides on the bench behind E (apparently, occasionally hopping off, mid stride - eek! - and then running and hopping back on - double eek!) It rocks and they are in love.  

Our last evening with the Saint, I realized I hadn't caught a single shot of her with the kids.  I still haven't taken a real photo of Zia... poor little second born ;)  P's life was documented from the moment he exploded onto the scene...

My beautiful mother and her newest grandbaby...

My good-sport of a mother and her very ornery grandson...

Trying to respect my mom's privacy, she stays out of the blog limelight, but seriously, she Saved our Sanity this past month.  And its a testament to her fabulous relationship with Phoenix that it all went so swimmingly.  P hadn't spent but one night away from us in his whole life and he spent almost every night in the last three weeks at Grams' home away from home here in Portland.  This allowed for nighttime shrieking and diaper changes without adversely affecting the six year old.  It allowed for amazing baby bonding time, without the six year old feeling ignored.  It allowed for Mama healing time, without the immense guilt that would have ensued.  It allowed for home-cooked meals, full of iron and nutrients, naps, and laughs.  And through it all, the Little Man had a Blast.  I truly believe the Saint's presence singly handedly made this transition from three to four the success it has been thus far....  Were she to want to move to, say, Portland, well, :)

Clowning around - do you see the child's happiness?!?

And a sweet E and Z snuggle.  The man is crazy in love :)

A very tired baby, who is absolutely, positively, completely and undeniably Addicted To Sucking.  I mean, babies like to suck, yah. But she is over the top.  She came out with little spots on both of her wrists where she had sucked and sucked in the womb.  And she hasn't stopped since.  Here, she tries to fit Both hands into her wee, sleepy mouth....