2017 changed a lot of things for our little family. We found out earlier in the year, that we were adding another little girl to the family! Mitch got a new job, coaching and training bankers. He’s great for the role! Certainly isn’t something I could do everyday, but Mitch is really good at teaching and encouraging people. About three weeks before maternity leave, I got a new job! With the same employer, but in a different area where I would be working with Mitch more closely. I was happy, but there was that twinge of nervousness for leaving what I had known for the last three years. I was surprised that they hired me even knowing that I would be on maternity leave until August. It was amazing to feel the support I had from my workplace in figuring out details with it being very close to me having the baby.
Zelda was born on May 30th, on my sister’s birthday. I was much better prepared this time around because I knew what to expect. I did over do it a tad bit by trying to drink a lot of fluids and getting out of bed quicker. Still, it was nice mostly knowing what to expect of recovery. Baby Z did not pass her hearing in her left ear. So started my worry for the new baby. We were told not to worry...that it is probably fluid. She didn’t pass the test multiple times after either. At 8 weeks old, she was fitted for a hearing aid. I went through different stages of emotions...why wasn’t my baby perfect? What did I do wrong? Logic says I didn’t do anything, but the mother in me just couldn’t help feeling like I was somehow responsible. We learned a lot about hearings aids and the difficulties she might have. There will continue to be some worry about the unknown, but we have a few months of managing a hearing aid under our belts and Zelda is doing wonderful! Technology is pretty amazing.
Alera became a big sister this year! It’s hard to think of her as anyone’s big sister because she is still just a baby. We celebrated her second birthday this year! She is on her way to being an independent little madam. She knows a bunch of nursery rhymes and will sometimes sing along. She loves her little sister most of the time. There are moments where she does get jealous of all the attention the baby gets. Overall though, she’s fiercely protective of her sister and wants her to be able to play already.
Thinking about this year, with all it’s ups and downs, I am reminded of what is important...our friends and family. My precious girls are the best gifts I’ve ever received. Alera is so smart and hilarious. Zelda is definitely becoming her own person and thinks her big sister is amazing. Now that I have the two of them, I can’t think of anything better than being mama to two precious little angels. I was so scared of having two babies so close, but I can already imagine how fun it is for the two of them to grow up together. Mitch and I celebrated 6 years of marriage just yesterday! I couldn’t do any of this without my partner at my side. I truly am lucky to be surrounded by so much love. ❤️
~Di
ps I had to cut it short because Alera just walked into our room and climbed up on my lap. I got her back in her bed, but I’m sure she will be in our bed in a couple of hours. Some battles just aren’t worth fighting. They’ll grow up and want to get away from the parents soon enough. 😊