I feel like we still haven't fully gotten back into the swing of things yet, so I haven't been blogging [among other things]. I thought since the baby is sleeping I would hurry and do it right now bc who knows when the stars will align and both girls will let me be hands free!

About a week ago was our 4 year wedding anniversary. We spent the evening as just the two of us while my Auntie Kathy and cousins watched the girls. Its funny bc we had just been talking about how we needed some time just us and we got it-we even went to a really nice rodizio style Brazilian BBQ. But while the food was absolutely delicious, and it was fun being alone with my man, both of us eventually mentioned how we missed the kids and how much we love our whole little family-and then were so excited to pick them up and play for the rest of the night.

I could say a lot about how far we've come and how much we've learned, but I won't. I will just say that I heard that old Shania Twain song on the radio 'Looks Like We've Made It' and I thought about our relationship. Its nice to know that whether were in high school and all hormonal, or married for a few years and really loving our kids, or old and gray and just the two of us again, we will still 100% love each other and want to be together. That is a priceless gift and I am realizing that more and more every day.



As far as everything else is going, both Addy and Isla get cuter by the second. With everyone having started school and work again, we are trying to learn how to balance things while still enjoying ourselves. So that has involved a lot of trial and error, errands and park trips, etc. But still, I am sure we will continue to get the hang of it. Luckily we seem to have lots of friends in the same boat and everyone is so kind, supportive and understanding as we do this.

After packing in a few hours of sleep that night, Sunday came. It was a very special one for us bc we were blessing our sweet baby Isla in church that day. While dressing her in her little white dress I couldn't help but feel in awe again at how blessed we are to be living this life. That feeling did nothing but increase as the day went on. I couldn't help but think about how all the ppl there had been such an important part of our past, present and future. Of course, our parents who raised us and taught us life skills and gospel principles. Siblings who grew up along w us for the ride, in the good bad and ugly parts. Former leaders from our teenager and young adult years who helped shape the directions we were taking. New family members who had taken us on willingly and decided they wanted to be a forever part of our future. And of course, a husband and father w his sweet girl helping to seal so many blessings upon her. It was memory I shall cherish forever.





Among the things that were said in her blessing were several unique and tender things. It talked about how much she was loved by her family, and that they would be a blessing and help to her. One thing that was said was God offered these words to her: You are not alone. That these words would help her through out her life. It then said she would be blessed w a healthy body and mind. There have been several times throughout life and pregnancy where I have asked myself if I ever had a child who had difficulties I didn't, would I be able to handle it? How would I know how to help them if I hadn't been in there shoes? Since she was born and even in the womb there were times where Isla does these little shake seizure things-the kind of jerky movements that people do when they sleep, but she does them when she's awake and often. Doctor says there completely fine, but as a parent of a newborn you always worry and wonder. I felt like that part of her blessing was a response to her, and also me. It was a comfort and reminder that even if I don't know know all the things she goes through, God does and he will qualify me and make sure she is never alone. I felt like in that moment where that was said, I accepted that she may have difficult struggles in life [as all of us do] that everything would be ok-then the blessing and words came that she would also be a healthy child. No matter what, it is nice to know and feel that everything will be ok. The blessing also included a few other special things, about her personality and who she is. I felt like with Addy before she was born some things had happened to give us insight into who she was. With Isla, this was that insight. It was sincerely a wonderful blessing and moment that I will be sure to tell her about for years to come.

We have jam packed these last several days with family events and parties-so many in fact that I think I am going to separate these posts into events. The days leading up to all the festivities, we had a steady stream of visitors pouring in from all over. Among them of course were my sister and her family, my sister and her fiancé [now husband] several aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends. At one point, we had a total of 25 people staying in this house alone. It reminded me of the days leading up to my wedding, and how even though I ended up having to share an air mattress with my cousin in the living room where 3 other people were sleeping, the house was full of fun. This time around, it was especially fun watching the babies play. Addy and Audrey got a few days to play with each other before all the rest of the babies came in. In the last 4 years alone, 2 of my siblings, several cousins and I have gotten married and added at very least 7 kids to the family and most of them were here this weekend. It was so fun to watch them get to know and play with each other. Of course, its different being the parents now and not the ones on the floor playing-but what a wonderful experience from either perspective. Apart from the planned big events we were all here for, we got to do some other fun things as well like Off The Grid [a food truck fair], a small hike on Devil's Slide and of course lots of setting up for said events and eating food. These things in themselves were wonderful experiences.

Years from now, I think we will look back on these years and all that happened and be able to feel pretty awesome about our lives, and the things we were doing at the time. For the third time over here at the Hanaike house, we are in the final week of a family wedding. Also, as you know our sweet little Isla joined the family a few weeks ago. All this has made for quite an eventful time. We are also blessing her this weekend since all the family will be here for said wedding. Then, we are doing a quick little family camping trip, and our anniversary is right after that. So many wonderful, wonderful things coming up!  We are loving these days as all the family is starting to roll in and the final preparations are under way. The house is as crowded as ever, and we are hanging with our cousins, friends and family, and watching a whole new generation enjoy each other as well. But more on that another time..

Luckily, even with all the craziness going on over here, we are actually remembering to document it with pictures, and journals. We were even able to get a fun newborn photo shoot by our friend Baley, who is practicing her photography in preparation for her own lovely little one. She did SUCH
a good job, and I think she captured some of the wonders of a new baby and this time so well. So, for now I will add some of those fun pictures here, and later be blogging about all the fun visits and happenings later. Enjoy!

The number 2 is a double edged sword right now in the house. On the one hand, we now have two BEAUTIFUL daughters who fill our lives with so much love and happiness I could burst. Of course, this also means we have two times the diapers, naps & bed times, baths, bills, etc. So its lots of hard work, but definitely the worthwhile kind-especially when it comes to double the cuddles and kisses.

The other reason its double edged is because Addy has officially entered [attitude wise anyways..] her terrible twos. I see now why they call it terrible haha! I feel like she is already going through a lot adjustment wise with getting her own room & big kid bed, potty training and being a new big sister-but it is still a little crazy. You always want your kids to know they are loved, safe and important-but you also want them to know where the line is and to develop good social and life skills. So, we are re-evaluating ways we can help her understand certain things, methods of discipline that get the point across while still helping her know she hasn't been replaced and never will be, etc. She has thrown some career defining temper fits lately, but they are slowing down as we are all figuring this new dynamic out. She has also taken to a pushing phase, but its interesting bc she seems to do it when she's excited about something or someone-not usually in anger. So we are trying to curb that as well. Luckily, we are blessed with good friends who have kids the same age, and they are patient with her [hopefully bc there kids are going through the same phase as well haha!] She also has improved drastically in her vocabulary-every day she surprises us with new words, actions and phrases she has-some which we've taught her, but many she picks up on her own. She climbs like a crazy monkey, anything and everything and has the reckless faith of a child when doing so. She about gives me a heart attack every day as I see her mid climb or jump as I try to get to her before she lands-sometimes successfully and sometimes not. Thank goodness for crazy Daddy's-particularly hers with that paramedic training-yikes.



The good thing is that while she is exhibiting difficulty adjusting in some ways, she in no way is taking it out on Isla-if anything, she loves her sister and wants to be actively involved in taking care of her. She likes to come up to us often, stick her hands out and say firmly 'Hold!' when she wants to hold her sister. She likes to kiss her and be the first to give her a pacifier [whether she wants it or not]. She also likes to point out all her features and tell her 'nose..eyes..teeth..' etc. She also always runs up to me to inform me 'oh no-sis-cry!' when Isla is unhappy, even if I am holding her. So it really isn't to bad-just different. She is still our happy, smiley, friendly girl. I am sure we will all get the hang of it eventually!




Isla is still such a sweet, small little girl. She is a little over two weeks old, and is just now getting close to what Addy weighed at birth. She can never get enough cuddling and loves to stare with her big beautiful eyes at you, and cling to your hands with her perfect little fingers. Sometimes I still can't get over how small she is-we actually had to pick up more newborn sized diapers for her the other day because the size 1's are just to big for her. She rotates through about 5 outfits at this point because they are the only ones that fit her for now [which is funny bc Addy never fit them at all!]. Its fun to see how the girls personalities are already exhibiting themselves-Addy was so sturdy, fun and in a hurry to grow up and do everything. Isla is sweet and fragile and happy to stay comfortably nestled in your arms. I love both of them, in all their similarities and differences and I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow. Just not to fast hopefully.


So I think two is probably both-definitely full of some terrible moments, but without question full of terrific ones to. We'll see if I feel the same way in the far future!