I know an update is long overdue, but we really have our hands full! You’ll see…
Tan and Susie warned us that with two kids in the house, we would end up with each of us focusing almost exclusively on one. They were right. Yen and Mina really haven’t had much time to bond, and Linus and I don’t get to spend a whole lot of time together. I do try to take little breaks here and there to read stories with him, and I’ve managed to develop a way to nurse her while giving him a bottle as we all watch Thomas and Friends at night. But it is very hard. I know that Yen will enjoy it when I start pumping so he can bond with Mina over a bottle.
Sometimes I think Mina looks exactly like Linus, and sometimes she looks completely different. Here’s one where I think they look identical.
Linus has mostly gotten over his anxiety, and he’s gone back to his relaxed old self. Here he is monitoring the laundry. I really don’t know how we’d get by without him letting us know each time the washer changes the orientation of the spinning. He does the cutest little windmill with his arm to demonstrate.
I think it’s the hair. Sometimes I look at Mina and just see a tiny adult shrunk down and trapped in a wee body.
Linus is finally starting to grow into the next size of clothes. He’s 18 months now, but is still wearing 12 month pants, and 18 month shirts! Look at those guns!
Mina enjoys a good stretch just as much as Linus. Sometimes the whole family gets together and stretches. Feels good!
I think what makes Mina look wise beyond her years are those eyes. When she considers you, you really feel taken in and studied.
Power to the babies!
Grandma Terri got Linus a bunch of books for Christmas. He loves all of them, but this is his favorite.
Linus has not only accepted Mina into the clan, but he’s also become very protective of her. He monitors each diaper change, and screams at you if you forget to apply the diaper cream.
His help continues outside! He loves to shovel – as long as there are only a couple of inches of snow…
Mina is still a great sleeper. She gets up just once during most nights, and gets right to the business of eating and going back to sleep. I’m worried about her weight gain because she sleeps so much, but the doctor isn’t worried and will keep monitoring.
Linus is going through a bit of a mommy phase right now, so I get an awful lot of kisses. He refuses to go for the cheek, the fresh guy!
Ah – as I said earlier, I can multitask! Here I’m nursing Miss Mina and reading to Linus. It works!
One thing Mina and Yen do get to bond over his napping together. Here they’ve just woken up and are relaxing before getting back into action.
Every time he sees Mina, Linus wants to touch her hair. He also wants to touch her eyes, but of course isn’t allowed.
We make him settle for pointing out where her eyes are.
Here’s one of those stretching parties in progress!
Yen has been taking Linus out on little field trips each day. They get him out of the house and ensure that he gets at least a bit of a nap. I think it keeps them both from getting cabin fever.
I know I already shared this one, but it’s my absolute favorite.
Here we are, getting ready to go for her first walk. We’ve had a mild winter (so far), so we’ve been able to walk quite a lot. Sge sleeps through it all, of course.
No, Linus. Mina doesn’t eat orange slices.
Another field trip. They went to a Tet celebration, then out for pho. I was so jealous!
Yen plays a little game with Linus. Every night after Linus goes to bed, Yen “hides” (they’re not very difficult hiding spots) Batman. First thing when he gets up, Linus runs all over the house looking for him. When he finds him, he doesn’t say anything or move him. He just gets this little knowing smile, and then goes about his day.
Very, very sleepy!
A toy rolled under the couch, so Linus went in after. He always goes in feet first!
Here’s a park near our house. The boys play, and I do laps on the trail with Mina as extra weight. It’s a good routine.
Our backseat is very full now! We were planning to buy something a little larger, but that can wait. These kiddos don’t take up too much space.
Linus went to a birthday party and got this backpack as a favor. He wears it all over the house.
Sweeping under the couch. He’s so thorough!
Linus discovered recently that he can see his reflection in the fireplace. He goes there often to admire himself.
I have received some very nice, girly outfits for Mina, but I can’t resist dressing her in Linus’s old clothes. I don’t suppose it will cause any long-term damage.
First bath! She loved it. It was an awful lot of work to wash all of that hair!
Yen put this together to show that they really do look alike! She’s just  bit rounder…
