I planned to share a fun project today, but it’s a cold winter day and I feel like writing about my family instead.

I hope you don’t mind.

I haven’t shared much about our new family member and how he’s changed things. So here goes.

First things first – he’s brought about the need for me to change how I refer to my kiddos at GGU. From here on, my firstborn will be known as “bigSIS” and my sweet baby boy as “lilBRO.” (And just in case you’re new here, I’m theGIRL and my cute husband is known as theBOY.)

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s discuss the addition of lilBRO to our family. Here are the highlights.

• The transition from one to two children was easier than expected. Perhaps that’s because…
• I thought bigSIS was a “good baby” before lilBRO was born. Now I know the definition of a good baby.*
• I prayed for a baby who likes to sleep, and I got one who loves to sleep.
• Being the mom of two children doubles the daily joy. One makes me smile because of the way her two-year old brain works, and the other makes me smile because of the way he stares at me with his big brown eyes.
• Most of the time, the little guy looks like a mini version of theBOY. Other times, he reminds me of lilSIS.
• bigSIS has taken her new role on like a pro! She is either loving her baby brother or just carrying on as usual. No jealousy or regression issues so far – plus, she’s potty trained now!
• lilBRO had baby acne, cradle cap and a viral rash all develop within days of each other. Wow, that made for a rough-looking cutie pie. It made me realize how blessed we are to have two healthy babies.

Speaking of healthy kids, is anyone else super touched by all the commercials for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this time of year?

Or is it just a result of my hormonal state?

The tagline tugs at my heartstrings every time I hear it.

“Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not.”

I’m giving thanks. I’m also wondering how to give to those “who are not.” (Besides financially. I get that. It just doesn’t seem like enough.)

So that’s that. I hope your first week of 2012 is going well.

Thanks for indulging me today.

~theGIRL

*A “good” baby is one who nurses until he’s finished and only takes 10 or 15 minutes to do so. He sleeps for four hours at a time at night the first night home and only increases his night sleep from there. He is content in his bouncy seat, his swing or laying on the floor. He doesn’t require endless rocking to fall asleep at night. He’s attentive and smiles during his alert period and yawns when he’s ready for a nap. Yes, I have myself a dream baby. I’m fully aware and grateful for it. So grateful. Oh, and I’m trying not to worry about him losing his angel wings…which I know will happen. He has to grow up, right?