Baby Mav turns one month old today!

This month has been nothing less than hectic in the Coppola household.  Two babies is more than double the work.  It is chaotic and stressful at times, for sure.  But Maverick has brought so much love and joy into this home in the last month that every wink of missed sleep was worth it.  John and I knew having two this close in age would be crazy for awhile, and I feel like we prepared ourselves as best as we could for that, which was really just accepting it would be nuts and dealing with it.  But we didn't realize how much more of a family unit we would feel like, bringing another child into the mix.  Not that we didn't feel like a family with Tula, but sometimes it really just did feel like we were a couple with a baby, ya know?  We could still do couple things, and for the most part she was easy enough to bring along to most things.  We could go for sushi, eat in pretty much any restaurant we wanted, fun stuff like that.  We didn't have rearrange our lives near as much just for her as we do with two.  So it has forced us to spend more time at home, with each other and the kids.  And it has made going out different.  Not that we don't do it, we still do our breakfasts and trips shopping of whatever.  But we are very careful to pick the right times and locations, etc. to make is as easy on is as possible.  We have learned that an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure, that if you have an idea its not going to work well, it probably won't.  With Tula, we would chance it sometimes.  With Maverick, and having two little ones, we just don't.  Because we have played it safe, it has made our trips out with just the four of us really, really enjoyable, and I have said a few times this month that I really feel like Maverick has brought a new calmness into my life that I had never known before.   I have learned that I can be a little OCD about things, and he is teaching me to let some of that go.  And even when we are out strolling around San Tan, Tula playing and running with Daddy and him in his sling, I feel more relaxed knowing I am not there for anything else, just to spend time with them.  With Tula, I was still able to take off or do my own thing or whatever, and that isn't an option right now.  So when we are out, for the most part, it is to enjoy being out with each other, and to be really present in whatever activity we are doing.  For me and the kids, leaving the house is still such a treat right now, and something that I still haven't attempted without John.  So we just all love the change of scenery.  But I know for John and I both, Maverick has really redefined our roles as parents and we are enjoying and trying to embrace every moment of having two this small.  Gosh, it really can be so hard at times.  I would never even try and pretend it wasn't.  But they grow so fast, this month has flown, and I just remind myself of how fast that first year went with Tula, and it makes every moment with Mav a little bit sweeter.

Maverick is a fairly easy baby so far.  He is still sleeping so much, so that makes him seem so much easier.  When he is awake, I will say he cries much more than Tula did.  Usually nothing unbearable, throw him in a sling or in his swing and he is happy again.  I find I have to remind myself to play with him sometimes, with a toddler constantly tugging at you to do this or that, Tula often gets the most of the attention and Mav is just kind of there for the ride.  But Tula and I try to make a point of hanging out with him for awhile every time he wakes up.  She loves to go running with me when we hear him cry from the bedroom.  She loves to kiss him and has actually been able to soothe him a few times with her kisses.  I think it's her presence more than anything, Maverick definitely knows and totally adores his sister.  The first smile I ever saw from him, and that was at about 3 weeks old, was for his sister.  And she has had more than one since then.   They have such a bond already, and I cannot tell you what it does to my heart to watch them with each other.  It is truly, truly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  I know how much my sisters mean to me, and I love that I have given then that gift of each other.  I know that there will be ups and downs, but they will always have each other, and that just makes me feel better about life.

Maverick is a big boy, that's for sure.  I think it is possible that he could catch up to his big sis in his first year.  He was 9, 2 at birth and was 10, 3 two weeks later.  I haven't taken him yet to be weighed for his one month, but I would guess he is close to 11 pounds by now.  Tula was 10 weeks old before she hit 11 pounds, so this is a big difference.  Already, I have packed up all the newborn sized clothes, and have even had to put away some 0-3 months outfits.  There are quite a few of his 3-6 month things that are fitting him already.  I will be lucky if I am able to finish this box of size 1 diapers before he grows out of them, he will be in size two by the next box.  He is breastfed exclusively and basically just nurses on demand, but I really don't feel like it's that often.  He probably has about 4-5 good feedings a day, and then a couple quick ones usually on the move while we are playing with Tula.  So he is eating normal, I guess he is just a big boy.  He is all Matson, so I guess he comes by it naturally.

And he is all Matson.  That is fun for me, because Tula is all her Dad and as much as I love looking into her face and seeing John, I missed not seeing me.  With Maverick, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that he looks just like me.  Some people like to say he looks like my Dad,  who I look exactly like, so same dif I guess.  He is definitely "my kid" and I am excited that John and I each have our own mini-me.  So special!  And adorable of course.  Maverick, you really are such a handsome boy too.  He has beautiful blue eyes and a dimple when he smiles that completely melts me.  

Maverick, thank you for a month of more love than I knew possible.  You are the sweetest, most patient little baby I have ever seen.  You are the nicest baby brother and thank you so much for being so patient with your sister while she adjusts to having you around.  We love you so much and are so thankful to have you in our home.  It's hard to believe after only a month, I really cannot imagine life without you.  My sweet baby boy, Happy One Month Birthday!