Big Brother Jack

Dear Jack,

You've been a big brother for 6 days now. From the minute you met your baby sister at the hospital you loved her. You searched the room high and low for "your baby". And the minute you found her, your sweet face lit up. You wanted to hold her, kiss her, and squeeze her a little too tight. When Maggie reacted with crying to your signs of affection, you asked so concerned, "What happened to Maggie?". You patiently took a dozen pictures on Mommy's hospital bed with your new sister and acted silly and happy for each one.

Since we've been home, I come to look forward to your cheerful morning wake up call. After Daddy or Grandma get you up from your bed, you race into my room, searching and chanting, "where is Mommy and Maggie?" We both soak in your morning kisses and your contagious smile. I couldn't think of a better way for Maggie and I to wake up.

Tonight I was so proud of you. Without anyone asking you were such a big helper . When Maggie seemed a bit distressed in her swing, you raced over and put her pacifier right on top of her head. So proud of yourself, you came into the kitchen and announced to everyone, "Look what I did, I helped Maggie".

We love you Jack and we especially love the big brother that you are growing up to be. Maggie is very lucky to have you and we are all very lucky to have her.

All our love,

Mommy, Daddy, and Maggie

A Cibula Is Born

We welcomed Margaret Grace Cibula on Monday, November 9th. Our family has been blessed beyond measure. After a somewhat eventful labor and delivery our baby girl was born at 7:49 a.m. I promise to share more about our little blessing soon. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We are loving the quiet life at the hospital!

Our little sumo wrestler...she weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Just a bit smaller than her big brother. There's hair under that hat too!

In the Operating Room minutes after she was born. You would never know by looking at me that I was super sick--seeing Maggie's sweet face was the best medicine I could have asked for.

We've had Maggie bundled in pink since she entered the world. In only two days she has already shown us her feisty side, but how could this sweet face intimidate you? (and I don't know what those red spots are--whatever they were, they're gone now)

Tomorrow...

It's the day before Maggie's birth date and as I try to sit here patiently, it's impossible not to think about all that will change Tomorrow...

Tomorrow we become a family of four.


Tomorrow I can physically count all of her fingers and toes and individually kiss each one...yum!



Tomorrow we will know how much she weighs, no more guessing.



Tomorrow is the first of many sleepless nights.



Tomorrow Jack will be a big brother for the rest of his life.



Tomorrow I have to start watching what I eat and, and more importantly, how much.



Tomorrow I have two kids to worry about....forever.



Tomorrow I have a little girl.



Tomorrow I'm no longer just Jack's Mommy, I'm Jack and Maggie's Mommy.



Tomorrow everything changes.

Halloween Havoc...But In a Good Way

I kid you not, when I say we have never had a busier weekend than this past Halloween. Between a Halloween school party, Halloween Birthday parties, neighborhood festivals, and actual Halloween night there was not a moment of rest. Well, except for nap time. But as soon as naps were over, we were up and at em' again. Here is a little peek into our weekend so you can see what I mean.

FRIDAY- Wesley Kate's 2nd Birthday Party

Here is part of the crew from the party. It was nearly impossible to get a group shot. Our mistake?...waiting until the end of the party to try to get sugar wound over tired kids to sit still. I just had to share this one--check out Sophia picking Jack's nose, Wesley Kate crying, and Ansley's goofy face. Gotta love toddlers!

Keep trying and see what happens. Well, a little better, except sweet little Nate was standing on the other side of Ansley trying to escape. I just couldn't get a good angle with him included. But, the rest of the costumed tots seem to be a little more tame.

And that is why I had to include this picture of cowboy Nate and Jack playing--proof he was there and oh, so sweet.






SATURDAY--Baby Ansley's 1st Birthday Party

Sophia and Jack--two peas in a pod. These two were not scared to get the party started.

A very patient pirate waiting for baby Ansley to have her Happy Birthday song done so he could have a "cu cake". Jack would check in with me just about 5-6 minutes to see if it was cake time yet.

SATURDAY NIGHT--Halloween

Okay, so I am so glad that Jack requested a photo session on Thursday before school, because it was misty and sprinkling on Halloween evening. It was near impossible to get pictures in the yard, so we took a few under the covered porch. I just had to share this one. How great is the "playing it cool" pose?

He snapped out of his "too cool" pose long enough to give me a gigantic smooch.

And then he even posed with me without a single complaint. (Gotta love the one who makes your costume)

We started the evening at the neighborhood pre-party. Luckily, the drizzling took a break until later in the evening. I just love this picture of Jack and Daddy walking to the festivities.

A few games before Trick-or-Treating begins. And by the way, this is not cheating, he's only 2.

Gotta fuel up for the big night. Jack must have asked 10 times 'where the hot dog stand was?'. Apparently it did not disappoint once we found it.

And let the Trick-or-Treating begin...

This was Jack's reaction after he came back from that first house...do you think he enjoyed Halloween night?