Uncategorized

Day in the Life Summer 2016

I’ve seen a few other bloggers do these and they say how much they love looking back on them, so I thought I would give this a shot.

Today is Thursday, July 7, 2016

Bill is 36, Kristin is 30, Lexi is 3.5, William is 16 months

Bill and I are both took vacation for the week and are prepping to head out of town for a cousin’s wedding tomorrow.

6:34- I hear Lexi’s door open and wait for her to come into our room. She slowly enters as her eyes readjust to the darkness, and she comes over to my bed and says, I slept past light turned green and my tummy is hungry. I tell her, it is still early in the morning and light hasn’t turned green yet. She then requests to watch a show on the ipad, I hesitantly agree cause I want another 20 minutes of sleep. She runs back to bed as I try to find the ipad. Can’t find it anywhere and come back to her room to tell her I don’t know where it is and she is going to have to read books or play with her toys instead. Surprisingly, she is OK with this and obliges. I tell her the numbers have to be seven zero zero before she can come out.

6:43-I’m just stepping out of Lexi’s room and William starts rustling, he might fall back asleep so I head back to bed. Two minutes later, he is gently calling, ‘mama, mama’ This is the first time this has ever happened, he usually wakes up and starts crying immediately. I walk into his room, he smiles and giggles a little and hands me his raccoon and turns around to get his blanket. I pick him up and he nuzzles into my shoulder. We sit down in the rocking chair and for the second time I’m surprised whining and crying doesn’t follow. We rock as he is curled up in a ball resting his head on my chest and I rub his back for 15 minutes. Pure Heaven to have him be so content and snuggly.

7:00-Lexi proudly struts into William’s room carrying her green clock. We high-five for waiting to come out of her room until light turns green and then proceeds to tell me she read books and played with giraffee while she was waiting. She climbs onto my other leg and the three of us rock for 10 minutes until both kids become restless.

7:14-We head downstairs and I start to make some muffins as a treat since we are on vacation. The kids argue with each other and push their chairs around the kitchen trying to find a good place to stand up and help me on the counter. William says ‘Mine’ probably 50 times. Lexi finds a spot and helps scoop batter into the muffin tins, William finds some other papers on the counter and begins to play with those. Muffins are cooking and I clean up the kitchen a little bit and run upstairs to put on my workout clothes and brush my teeth.

7:45-Muffins are done. They cool while Lexi sets the table and puts strawberries on everyone’s plates. Kids begin eating and I start my workout video-lower fix. It has been a while since I have done this one and I don’t remember if I like it or not–depends on how hard the exercises are. Eight minutes into the video, William starts yelling Mama, Mama, Mama–he wants milk. Pause workout, get Milk and then continue to finish the video. Periodically throughout the video, Lexi joins me and attempts the exercises with me.

8:15-Workout complete, not too bad. I generally like the strength ones way more than the cardio ones. But my legs are a little jelloish. So happy I was able to finish my workout before the guys installing the fence arrived. I didn’t want to have to close the blinds as it is so much darker, but there was no way I would work out if they could see me. I eat two muffins and drink some water and cool down a little bit.

8:20-William pooped. I change his diaper andIMG_7005 Bill questions why I never put another diaper under the dirty one to make sure no debris falls onto the carpet. Ironically, today’s change was an adventure as William was squirming and poop was all over his butt verses the diaper and then he got ahold of the diaper. Thankfully, I was able to get it away from him and it didn’t get on the carpet, but his hands did get into it- gross. Wipe it up and make sure I wash his hands. We wash hands and he waddles back to his toys, he brings his animal book to me. We hold hands and walk into the front room to read as Lexi is watching Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse ends and Lexi and Bill both come and start rough-housing with us. 9:00–I get up and start cleaning the kitchen and sweeping the floor for the first of the 10 times I’ll do that today. I unload and re-load the dishwasher and wash some dishes. Bill and the kids play together in the family room with some Amazon boxes and the slide. Bill questions the style of fence we are getting as the team is carrying out dog-eared boards and he thought we got the framed style. We quickly look up the pictures they sent us to ensure we knew what we were getting. IMG_7014

William starts whining about Lexi bothering him so we head upstairs and he gets dressed for the day. Lexi follows us up two minutes later, I ask her to go put some clothes on so she can run errands with me (note this is the 5th time I’ve asked her to get dressed). She goes into her room and puts on an Ariel tee-shirt and a colored polka dot skirt that doesn’t match at all, but comes into William’s room proud as can be and shows off her outfit.
IMG_7007 I praise her for getting dressed by herself but suggest we find a shirt that matches a little better. After lots of debate, we select a shirt that is ‘good-enough’. William is playing with her princess castle. Lexi reminds me that I promised we would read a 5 minute princess snuggle story in the morning. We go into our room and read Princess Aurora and the Helpful ragon. IMG_7013
IMG_7009 William wants in, climbs onto the chair with us for 2 minutes until he gets annoyed that he can’t hold the pages. Finish the book and I go and get dressed. We’re just running errands today, but may try and stop at a park on the way home so I can wear comfy clothes but still want to look somewhat decent and decide on a pair of athletic shorts with a black tank top and put my hair into a high pony. Debate putting makeup on but decide against it. I head downstairs with William, my little magnet and put a new load of laundry in. Fence team is here and putting the first couple sections up. William and I head outside to check out the landscaping work Bill did yesterday evening. Looks fantastic and make a note to thank him for doing it and let him know how good it looks. I walk over to examine the first part of the fence and ensure the team will be covering up the dog-eared shape with another board to frame it out and they confirm this so we are a-ok. Go to find William as he didn’t follow me–turns out, he found the dirt and had been playing in it and climbing on the mulch bags and having a grand time. We head to the hose to clean off the dirt while before heading back in. IMG_7017

10:00-Chat with Bill quick to confirm the fence process and ask him his plans for the day, which sound pretty minimal and confirms I can leave William with him so I don’t have to have both kids for errands. Bring my returns into the car and continue to ask Lexi to get into the kitchen so we can do her hair before we leave. This includes several threats that if she doesn’t listen I’m going to leave without her. She insists on having a snack while she gets her hair done, I cave and give her a pack of crackers. William sees this and whines to also have a snack. We do a quick pony and put her shoes and socks on while she is eating. Clean the kitchen and sweep from the cracker crumbs.
IMG_7020 10:30-Lexi and I are in the car and heading out to the dry cleaner, then get gas and then start driving to Bachmans to look for a shrub for some of the area Bill landscaped. Lexi talks the entire time. Lexi-‘Mom how come you had a sucker of me’ Me- ‘You mean, why did I have a picture of you eating your first sucker?’ Lexi- Yes. Me- ‘Well I thought it was cute’ Lexi-‘Oh, we’re going to need to put the suckers in the garbage’ Me-‘What?’ Lexi- We need to put the suckers in the garbage, right mom? Me- Yes. Lexi-‘Why?’ Me-‘no response’ Lexi-‘I like suckers. We need to get a new bag, right mom? Me-Yes. Lexi- ‘Why Mom? Me-No response Lexi–Suckers are really nummy. I got 4 suckers at the parade. A green one, a white one a red one and a black one. Mom, why did I get suckers at the parade? Me- Well the people in the parade thought the kids would like them. Lexi-Why? Me-Cause it is fun. Lexi-Why mom? [pause] Mom, where did Dad’s sucker go? At cub foods, I got a red one, bood got a purple one and dad got a blue one, but where did it go? Did dad eat it yet?  and on and on and on. 11:20-Arrive at Bachmans searching for a shrub or tree that is about 5-6 feet tall but only 3-4 feet wide for a full sun area that is also tolerant to salt in the winter–which learned didn’t exist. After debating a dwarf spruce tree that would need to get wrapped in burlap each winter and a mini limelight hydrangea, we went with the hydrangea. It doesn’t get the height that I was looking for, but it will match the others on the other side of the house. Lexi complained every 3 minutes about how hot she was and how she wanted to go home. Also looked to see if they had some good deals on hostas for other areas that I’ll be planting but they’re still pretty expensive and reaffirmed my decision to split some from mom and aunt Mary this fall. Every time we stepped into the sun, Lexi began to whine about being hot and kept asking to go back into the shade. 11:50-Although whiny, Lexi was a good shopper so we walked over to Arby’s for a quick lunch. Lots of silly faces and eating at the pace of a turtle. Oh and Lemonade, raspberry lemonade is a new favorite for this girl. She nearly drank the whole cup. IMG_7028
IMG_7025 12:30-Arrive at Target to return the extra shoes I ordered for Lexi for the wedding and my card wasn’t registering the purchase. Annoying as I didn’t keep all the shipping slips and now I have to print them out. I know first world problems, but I try to go to target as infrequently as because I can never just go in and come out with only the things on my list. For instance, today, after the shoe return didn’t work, Lexi picked out a bag of candy for her and William for the road trip tomorrow and then she needed a new reusable on-the-go cup as her previous one had mold in the cap and then I really needed some new workout clothes and $50 later we’re leaving target on a trip that was supposed to put money back into my wallet. I digress. 1:00-Quick stop to drop a package off at UPS to return and then back home. William about looses his gord when he hears the door open and comes running and yelling mama, mama! He sees the bag of Laughy Taffy that Lexi had opened in the car and immediately begins requesting some, pease, pease. I give in and give him and Lexi each one piece. He also gets the rest of her Arby’s Chicken Finger and french fries while Lexi eats strawberries. Clean the kitchen and sweep the crumbs. 1:45-Lexi and I head outside to check progress on the fence. I push her on the swing a while while Bill puts William down for his nap. I chat with my mom quick about plans for the weekend. Push Lexi on the swing again and then head inside for Bill to put her down for her nap while I head outside to plant the hydrangea. IMG_7032
IMG_7033 2:45-I’m planting and chatting with the neighbor, Lexi wanders out the front door to give me a hug and a kiss before nap time. Sometimes it seems impossible for either child to fall asleep without me putting them to bed. There is always some reason or excuse why they need ‘me’ 3:00-Finish planting and bring Lexi up to bed and she goes right down, without any procrastination, deals to be made or fits to be had. Also slightly annoyed as this means she will sleep until 6:00 tonight, which means she won’t go to bed until 10:00 or later. Argh! 3:05-Fold the two loads of laundry that I had done today. Sit down to begin this post. Bill naps. 3:45-William starts crying and think to myself, already? Didn’t he just go down. I go upstairs and get him and he is an angry pill. Not sure what his deal has been, but he is not a happy boy when he wakes from his naps for the past two weeks. He just crys, doesn’t want to be down, doesn’t want to be held, doesn’t want food or milk or toys to go for a walk or be outside–all of my go-to distractors haven’t been working as of late. Today, he calmed down within 10 min or so which is one of the fastest its been and watched some Mickey Mouse and snuggled with me. IMG_7037

4:15-Fence team is done! We go out to take a walk through and make sure it looks a-ok! So excited for this!!!William plays in the dirt again and on the swing set. I spread the mulch out around my plant and take the grill out to get dinner cooked before the rain comes.
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5:30-Grill some hamburgers and hot dogs while William plays on the lawn mower. Get the fixings ready. William finishes his Mickey Mouse and eats some chips. Clean the kitchen-sweep the crumbs. Go upstairs and open Lexi’s door and window shade to start to wake her up.
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6:00-Food is ready, go wake Lexi up. She is out cold and trys to send me away several times. Finally, convince her to get up by telling her Mickey Mouse is on and she’s going to miss the hot dog dance if she doesn’t hurry. This peaks her attention and she heads downstairs.

6:30-Dinner is complete. Kids get up to play chase. Lots of crying and arguing mixed in with lots of laughter. I try and ignore as much of it as I can to let them figure it out, but 9 times out of 10, Lexi is being a stinker and gets threatened with a time out or loosing her opportunity to watch a show or read books before bed. William poops and him and I head upstairs to change his diaper. I finish packing their bags and putting laundry away. Lexi follows us upstairs. The two play together nicely with separate toys in Lexi’s room.
IMG_7058 7:28-Lexi is requesting a treat/snack. We head downstairs and get ice cream cones and begin to chow down. For the first time in the day there is silence when both kids have been awake and in the same room. Feels slightly odd. IMG_7059
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7:38-Bill can’t find his softball uniform and summons me to help him find it. William looses his mind when I tell him he can’t have any more ice cream. We wash up and the kids get down to play with their pals and blankets. Lexi trys to take his blanket and raccoon over and over again. William whines and comes crying to me and yells ‘mine’ ‘mine’ ‘mine’ over and over and over again. Bill pulls up the clip from Finding Nemo where the seagulls keep saying Mine over and over again as it is a familiar scene in our household on a daily basis.

7:45 Bill leaves for softball and the kids seem to be playing somewhat well together.

8:00-Start a Mickey Mouse for Lexi while I go put William to sleep. Will and I head upstairs with his raccoon, blanket and milk. We rock in the chair in the dark. He drinks his milk and I sing songs. He joins in and makes up his own words. About 10 minutes later, I lay him down in his crib awake with his blanekt and raccoon, give him a kiss and say good night. He waves, bye-bye and I close the door and he goes to sleep.

8:20-I head back downstairs and let Lexi continue to watch another episode of Mickey and one of Curious George while I work on typing up this post.

9:30-We turn the TV off. Lexi negotiates a book to be read down stairs. She puts her pajamas on and we start finding objects in her princess look and find book.

10:10-Bill arrives back from softball (lost the first but won the second). Lexi jumps out to scare hime when he walks in the door. We head up and she procrastinates eating

10:30-I finally walk out of her room and she begins to fall asleep. I head downstairs to continue prepping to leave town tomorrow and begin writing this post.

12:10-Shut the computer down and go to sleep.

Uncategorized, William, William Monthly Updates

William 16 Months (1 year 4 months)

My sweet little William,

This past month has been so fun. We are officially into summer and from what we can tell, you love everything about it. You insist on being outside at all times and just stand at the door begging to go out. You giggle when you dump sand through your fingers in the sandbox and stop to analyze the soft grass blades between your toes when running around barefoot. You love chasing balls, being chased, playing with sprinklers and going down slides. In fact, the only way you prefer to go down is head first. For the most part, you do pretty good at catching yourself but have had a couple spills here and there.

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We’ve set up the pool a couple of times; at first you weren’t a fan of the chilly water, but when the sun had warmed it up a bit, you had yourself a grand time splashing, going down the slide into the pool, drinking the water and lowering yourself to waste hight and them jumping up and giggling with delight. Each time, you’ll look to me for a reaction and I’ll give you some kind of surprised look and you burst into laughter, sometimes so much you fall down.

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We also went to the beach which was a big hit. You loved sitting in the sand and splashing and kicking your legs. You loved picking up the wet muddy sand and having it side out. Thankfully, you there were only a few occasions where it ended up in your mouth. Mama is also grateful you have an obsession with hats to protect your sweet skin from the harsh sun–your big sister is very opinionated about when she will and will not wear a hat.

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As much as you love everything outside, I would say your two favorite things are lawn mowers and trains. You insist on sitting on daddy’s lap while you mow the lawn. You help steer and will chat away while you two mow. It really melts my heart to see my two Williams out there together in matching earmuffs just motoring along. Even when you aren’t mowing you love to climb on it and wiggle the steering wheel and even have the ear muffs on. It is the first place you run to when you get in the garage.  You also really really like trains. I randomly brought up the train bin from the basement and it has been a big hit. You’ll pull pieces out and run the trains on them, or on the floor or furniture or my legs, really anything that the wheels will move on. You refer to them as ChooChoos and make the noises as your pushing them along. You also really love to carry them around the house wherever you are going–which is awesome to be constantly picking up trains throughout the house at all times.

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Words

  • Clearly understood words: Baby, Hi, Bye, No, Bubbles, Ball, Mama, Dada, Mine, Uh-Oh, pease (please), ChooChoo
  • Things only mama understands: Mi= Milk; Ba= Bottle (even though it is a sippy cup), Do=Show, shoe; Da=done, down; Woof=dog; moow=cat; H=hug and hop (meaning bunny), Dat=Hat and hot; Pa=papa; Boo=moo for cow

Favorites:

  • Books: 100 first words, Vehicles, Little Blue Truck
  • Playing in the bathtub
  • Drinking Milk
  • Food: Marshmallows, popsicles, ice cream, eggs, raspberries, blackberries, crackers, cereal, crasins, watermelon, avocado
  • Mama
  • Thomas the train, Choo Choo Bob
  • Horses
  • Climbing
  • Making people laugh

One Saturday, Dada was gone and you just refused to take a nap. So we sat down and played cars and trucks and read books and played with your farm. We played peek-a-boo behind a plate and oh my goodness did we have so much fun and do you make me laugh. It was so good to have some solid one-on-one time with you where I wasn’t distracted to do laundry, clean the house or start making dinner. It was just good solid play time with you and I. You soaked up that time and love to make me (or anyone) laugh. It will be interesting to see if you continue this comedic personality (like your dada) as you get older.

Dislikes

  • Swinging
  • Looking at my phone; if you want me to be playing with you and I look at my phone you shake your head and try and take it out of my hands and throw it–clearly we’re too attached to these things and I’ve been working on not looking at it while you are awake
  • Lexi taking stuff from you; this is understandable to get upset about this, but you will start crying if she comes near you. You know Mama will come rescue you and are using it to your advantage you smart little boy! You’re a little bit of a whiner and cry-baby and we need to work on toughing you up a little bit 🙂

William, every ounce of you oozes with sweetness from your curly baby hair to your pure blue eyes and dimple in your left check to your cuddly-teady-bear hugs, love for trains, tools and machinery. You so much more of everything I had prayed my little boy would be. Your mama, dada and sister love you more than words could ever describe.

Love,

Mama

PS. I think this happened about a month ago, but I don’t think I ever wrote about it. You have really taken an affection to your raccoon stuffed animal and your navy blue blanket. You take them out of the crib with you and when you see it laying in the floor your run to them and nuzzle your face into them.

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Uncategorized, William, William Monthly Updates

William 7 Months

Buddy,

Another month in the books bud! This month seemed relatively quiet on the development forum and was just a little more un-eventful in a good way.

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New skills and tricks You blow bubbles all the time and think you’re hilarious; which mostly you are. You tolerate tummy time. I wouldn’t say you like it or you’re there often but you often roll from your back to your tummy to get things and then usually wine for us to get you to a sitting position or pick you up. With that said, you do sleep on your tummy about half the time (other half on your side) and spin yourself all the way around in your crib.

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My favorite milestone you’ve hit this month is putting your arms up for me to get you. It isn’t super defined yet, but I know what you mean. You love to nuzzle into my leg or chest. You’ve also learned how to give ‘kisses’ which means you lean forward with your mouth wide open; which to pretty much everyone but me is disgusting, but I think it sweet. I’ll gladly take your slobber. Eating You’re still doing a great job nursing and I love that I can come down and nurse you in the day. It is always the best part of my ‘work day’. Most days I’m down there twice and occasionally have to come down a third time, but usually we just head out for the day then. On average you’re probably nursing 5 times a day. You also continue to inhale baby food and have yet to discover something you don’t like. You eat three containers a day and will usually have a mum-mum cracker and some puffs too. When you first started eating the puffs, you would kind of gag on them, but now you’re a pro. The hand to mouth coordination needs some improvement but you’re getting there. I love watching you grab them and try and figure out how to get it from your palm into your mouth. Hopefully this next month we’ll work on more real food and less baby food. For example break up a banana instead of the processed banana baby food. Daddy and I are also way more relaxed with you than we were with Lexi. You have enjoyed cheese, bread, donuts, ice cream and i’m sure several other sweet foods that Lexi didn’t get to try until after she was one. IMG_5540

Sleep

Sleep is still a question mark in your little world with very little consistency. You fall asleep nursing most nights between 7 and 8 and will sleep until 6 or 6:30. About half the time, you’ll fall asleep nursing and then sleep until 7ish when Lexi wakes up. The other half, you’re up and I’ll just bring you into work with me. Nap times can vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours (if we’re VERY lucky). The shorter end usually happen at daycare and the longer stretches at home. You’ll nap about twice a day; around 10:30ish and then again at 1:30ish. Sometimes, we can just put you down awake and you’ll fall asleep. Other times, you yell and scream for 45+ minutes until we come get you. Very rarely will you fall asleep in the car and if you do, you always wake up the moment the car stops. This next month, I’m going to work on always putting you to sleep awake to get you into a better rhythm and help teach those self soothing skills.

Love,
Mama

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Day to Day, Uncategorized, William

Thoughts on the end of maternity leave round 2

Dear future self,

I have one day left before maternity leave ends and it hit me like a sack of potatoes today. Yesterday, I felt the wind up, but today I was hit. There is a part of me that is sad that these cute munchkins aren’t going to see my face in the morning, nor do I get to see theirs or smell their morning breath or hear William’s little cries or Lexi rattling our door open. I have truly adored our lazy relaxing mornings when we all snuggle in bed together and get a few more minutes to sleep while Lexi watches videos of herself. Which is followed by a leisurely breakfast and staying in pajamas until noon. And staying in pajamas until noon sounds cliche, but really, to get out of the house anytime before 11 was really challenging.

Most of what I feel is anxiety about what is too come. There is the fairly trivial questions racing through my mind at any given moment, What will our new schedule be like? Will I continue to leave the house before eyelids have lifted? Will Bill and I have 2 minutes of time for ourselves? But, a big part of that anxiety is fear. Being a working mom was challenging; how much harder is it going to be to have two? I fear the pressure to be more proactive about meal planning. I dread going back to grocery shopping with crowded aisles and picked over produce and running errands with the rest of the world on the weekends. I dread the pumping and the cleaning of the parts and the bottles and the mental checklist of making sure it is all ready for the following morning. As I type this all out and process what I’m really feeling, I guess what I fear is the constant rush of life that is about to ensue again. Evenings and weekends are consumed with prepping and planning to help make tomorrow a little bit smoother, I don’t get to just enjoy the time with Bill, Lexi and William the way I have for the past 6 weeks.

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To me, it is fascinating to compare my thoughts on the end of this maternity leave from the first one. Overall, Lexi’s was fairly relaxing. She was sleeping great and because it was so cold, we spent a lot of time inside just relaxing.  This time, I would describe it more as fun. That first month was rough for all, but once we got over that hump we were able to enjoy our time and do fun things. We went on lots of walks, went to MOA several times, got together with friends, played outside lots, went to parks and the zoo several times. At the end of Lexi’s leave, I was consumed by saddness and remember nearly refusing to put her down as I needed to soak up every last moment with her. I feel like I have grown so much from those days. Granted, lots of things have changed, including 3 different jobs since then. But for the first time, I feel like I have a job that I like enough that I’m kind of looking forward to going back. I’m curious to see what has happened (or hasn’t) while I’ve been out and get re-engaged into something that is bigger than contemplating the best time to make a Target run between feedings and naps.

To wrap up my thoughts, I am so grateful to be blessed with these two amazing and healthy little firecrackers that make me flutter in delight at a mere thought of them and the opportunity to even have a maternity leave. I give thanks that I have a job that pays well enough to give me this time and that I actually want to go back to. And a husband who works very unconventional and undesirable hours to watch said firecrackers, which makes me feel so much more comfortable and confident in going back to work. Lastly, as Lexi and I have been doing together every night, I prey for a smooth transition for the whole family as we embark on this next step. It is funny how I feel like I’m doing more nesting now than I did before William’s arrival. I’ve been making lists and crossing things off, ensuring the bathrooms have all been deep cleaned, everyone has clothes to wear for the next 3 months, meals are ready and available and projects are all wrapped up to make the evenings and nights as enjoyable as possible.

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Cheers to my 12 week fairytale and our new reality.

Kristin

Uncategorized

Thoughts on parenting two; one month in

To me,

You totally underestimated the complexity of two kids! Everyone always talks about how  your first kid change your life in how you can’t do things the way you used to. It’s not that I disagree with that but Lexi seemed to just fit into our life like she had always been there. It didn’t feel like we had to make too many adjustments to our lifestyle. Baby 2 is a whole different ballgame in every way possible.

To begin with, it has been more challenging to bond with William as I’m so preoccupied with Lexi. There is significantly less time sitting, holding and snuggling William. As soon as he is sleeping, he is in the rock and play so I can clean the house, make breakfast/lunch/dinner, play with Lexi or make sure she isn’t into something.

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And I feel terrible about that. Like really terrible, like makes me think sometimes that I love him less terrible. The rational side of my knows this is absurd. My heart and my brain know that I love this sweet boy to the deepest depths of the ocean, yet that irrational, hormone-flowing crazy person inside of me puts these thoughts into my head.

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To add to that, I don’t feel like I’m giving Lexi enough. I rely on the TV far too often to keep her out of things and to give myself just a second to relax. She is always into something and it is hard to keep her out of things that I don’t want her to be in. She’ll go and get playdough and I just don’t have the energy for her to play with it knowing the big mess she’ll make and supervision she’ll need. I feel guilty not always sitting down and coloring with her because there are crumbs all over the floor that are getting tracked through the rest of the house, a pile of dishes, a load of laundry that needs to get put in the dryer because the outfit I soaked from yesterday’s blowout is starting to dry and then the stain really won’t come out and I haven’t brushed my teeth yet today. These tasks just eat away at me as I’m sitting there trying to color with her and give her the attention she needs and deserves.

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I keep thinking of all those Moms out there with 3 or more kids and give you mad props. Being a mom of multiple kids is no joke! I pray that it will get easier over time and we’re just in the transition stage, but holy hell, this transition stuff plays some crazy games with your sanity.

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Love,

Me

Uncategorized

Baby #2 #35 Weeks

Dear Baby,

IMG_4537 Ahh…. 35 Weeks. The milestone of ’35 weeks down and 35 days to go’. 35 days seems like nothing, but 5 weeks still feels like a ways away. At home, I’m feeling like I don’t have a whole lot to do to prep for your arrival. Your room is ready, I have diapers and wipes, nursing stuff ready and he fabric shells of all of your gear is washed. The three things I have left to do include: getting a hospital bag packed, buying an outfit to bring you home in and buckling the car seat base into the car. This is miles ahead of where we were with Lexi considering we hadn’t even had a shower at this point.

What I’m not ready for is stepping away from work and all of the things that come with a having a newborn. I’m ready to have a break from the craziness of work and just be at home with our family, but there is so much going on that only I am aware of and need to start to mind dump my projects onto others so things don’t fall apart when I leave. I’m also slightly disappointed to be leaving as I feel like there are a couple of projects I’ve been working on for the past 6 months that are finally starting to make headway and now I’m going to have to step away and wont’ be able to close the loop on everything. This is such a different mindset than I had with Lexi and honestly surprises me. I’ve never been so engaged and passionate about a job before. I’ve always been passionate about doing a good job, but haven’t been attached to what I’ve been doing. I can already tell that it will make going back to work so much easier than with Lexi.

I’m also not prepared for life with a newborn. Lexi was so easy on us, but I know I can’t expect that you will be like that and almost feel very naive of what to expect. I’m not ready to have lots of sleepless nights and wake up at 5-6 am everyday for the next 6+ years. I’m not ready for the amount of time I will need to spend with you and how that will change my relationship with Lexi. The other thing I don’t feel prepared for is the amount of love I will have for you. It is so hard to understand and believe that I could love another little babe as much as I love your sister.

The pain I was feeling last week when I walked or stood on one foot has gone away, and been replaced with the pregnancy waddle and a non-stop need to go to the bathroom. I constantly feel like I need to go, and that if I don’t go I may have an accident. This could also be a result of drinking more water, but I think it has a lot to do with you just getting bigger. I also subconsciously groan when I stand up and need a little assistance by pushing off on my own legs or holding onto something when I get up from the floor. I also have a hard time going up stairs while holding Lexi.

Sleep is getting more difficult. I have a harder time staying asleep and mobility is limited. The thought of rolling over is comparable to the idea of running a marathon–terrifying! In general, I have very littler energy. I’m working hard to try and not let that effect Lexi and have her watch TV every night after work, even though that’s what I want to do.

I’m looking forward to next week when we have another ultra-sound and get a better progress update on how things are going. 36 weeks feels like a big mental milestone.

Love,

Mama

Alexis Monthly Posts, Lexi, Uncategorized

Lexi 11 Months!

Dear Lexi,

11 months sweet girl! In 30 short days you will be one! Of course, this month you didn’t disappoint and provided many smiles, excitement and pure joy to everyone around you.

Favorite Moments

Around 10 ½ months, you added walking to your skill set. You had taken steps here and there but before bed one night you took eight steps in a row and then repeated it again and again and again. Crawling is still your preferred form of mobility, but you walk a little further and a little more every day. It is truly so sweet to see you stagger around with your arms waving in the air and your bare little feet clomping and gripping the floor. I just can’t get enough of it.

IMG_2119This month, you attended your first wedding and were so good. You had so much fun seeing all of your cousins and mom enjoyed dressing you up in the first of many matching cousin outfits! You were pretty tired by the time the dance started, but loved all of the music that was playing throughout evening.

IMG_4664 IMG_4686You’ve been holding your own bottle for months now, but it is so darn sweet to see your little hands grip it and hold it near the top as you gulp away. Daddy also says you look for your bottle each morning when he takes you out of your crib. I always put your bottle on the ledge near the stairs so it is ready. When you wake up Daddy gets you from your crib and then gets the bottle with you. If he goes into our bedroom or is blocking your view of it, you squirm around in his arms trying to see it.

IMG_2165 IMG_2126We had a few warm weekend days over the month and were able to enjoy some walks and fun at the park. While at the park, you had so much fun holding my hand, walking around and exploring the leaves and the sticks. You would pick up the sticks, wave them around and crinkle the leaves in your hands. Generally, you were just fascinated by the sounds and feelings they made.

IMG_1998 IMG_1995 IMG_1993This month, you’ve officially learned how to imitate or copy behavior. If you hear Mommy and Daddy laughing in the car, you’ll laugh, which will make us laugh again, in which you laugh. It is a silly cycle that never gets old.  You will also sniffle with your nose and blow with your mouth when we do.

Your curiosity and awareness to your surroundings really is amazing. You are constantly asking ‘What’s that?’ Admittedly, the pronunciation isn’t quite there yet, but you can tell that you’re attempting to say that and you use it in the right context. You’ll hear a car go by or a helicopter and you’ll stop what you’re doing, look towards the sound, tilt your head just slightly and say ‘What’s that?’ or we’ll turn a light on and you look up at it and say ‘What’s that?’

Halloween took place last week and you dressed up as a cow. You had several visitors stop by to view your costume and had so much fun seeing all the kids come trick or treating to the house. You were just in awe of all the costumes and loved waving to all the kids.

IMG_2157 IMG_2050 IMG_2048Throughout the month, there have been fewer and fewer occasions that you fall asleep for the night while eating. As bedtime is approaching, we tell you “It is almost ni-night time Lexi.” When we finally do go up to your bed and say “It’s time to go to bed,” you put your head on my chest and just cuddle. Then we’ll lie in the rocking chair and you toss and turn, trying to get comfortable cuddling on my legs, on my chest, next to my head, sideways almost anyway your little body will let you move. Then, you hit a point and fall asleep in some strange position. I absolutely treasure those extra cuddles especially when you instantly cuddle in when we say its bedtime.

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Notes:

Eating: We think you may have a corn allergy. You get a little rash to the right of your mouth and TERRIBLE diaper rash whenever you have corn as a main ingredient (raw corn, Kixs, corn chips). You’re still at 3 bottles a day, and I am officially done pumping. There is more than enough frozen milk to get you through the month! And as far as table food goes, you’re like a garbage disposal. You eat and eat and eat!

Sleep: You continue to be a champion at sleeping. You go to bed around 9 pm and wake up around 8 am. You take two naps; one at noon for about an hour and a half to two hours and another at 4:30 for about an hour. Going down for naps has been hit and miss. Initially, I thought you were getting better as you weren’t crying as often or as long, but then in the last week, you have proven that theory to be wrong and SCREAM in anger when it is nap time.

Teeth: Your bottom right tooth popped up this month, and you have been showing lots of other teething signs but nothing to show yet.

Personality: You tend to be shy when seeing new people, but usually warm up and start smiling and chatting within 20 minutes. You love to observe people and things going on around you—much more than be involved in the action. You’re timid around things that are new and a little scary, like the top of the stairs, the edge of the bed or even walking on your own.  You love bath time, clapping for yourself, playing patty-cake, playing peek-a-boo, playing with puzzles, music, eating, being outside, running your fingers on the screen of the fireplace, being chased and getting tickled.

Happy 11 months Lexi-pie! Mommy is so excited for your 1st Birthday Party!!

Love,

Mama

Lexi 5 Pics - 001x Lexi 5 Pics - 002x Lexi 5 Pics - 004x

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Day to Day, Lexi, Uncategorized

Snuggles

Dear Lexi,

You’ve got a great intuition and sometimes it feels like you can read Mama and Dada’s brain. Tonight was one of those nights. The day itself wasn’t overly fantastic. Nothing horrible happened, I just felt crummy. I had a headache and knew I needed to go to bed. So we began the bedtime routine: jammies, books and nursing. Usually you fall asleep while nursing making the night time routine easy. Tonight however you didn’t. Hoping for a long shot, I grabbed Giraffee from your crib, reclined the rocker, put the blanket over us and hoped you would cuddle in and fall asleep. In reality, I knew this was never going to happen. I’ve tried it before and you end up crawling all over me and the chair and gaining more energy that you should for a little girl that needs to go to sleep. But for whatever reason tonight, you knew that is just what mama needed. You didn’t fall asleep, but you tried so hard. You kept moving around trying to get comfortable moving your head from side to side, switching positions in the chair,  nuzzling on my arm or shoulder or chest and for the life of you, you just couldn’t get comfy.

Eventually, I laid you in your crib, you grabbed giraffee and rolled onto your tummy and feel asleep without a peep, which is also a rarity.

Thank you for being so sweet and knowing just what mama needed was some extra Lexi snuggles. I love you!

Love,

Mama

Uncategorized

Story time

Lexi Lou,

Daddy and I began reading books to you when you were just a month old, but this week is the first time you’ve taken the initiative to pick out a book and have it be read to you. You’re current book of choice is: ‘Who say’s quack?’. You’ll pick it up, and crawl over to us with it in tow, hand it to us, lie down on the pillow and patiently wait for it to be read. You love to look at the animals and hear all the noises they make. I also think you like the book so much because there are very few words to be read.

Story time before bedtime has become one of my favorite moments of the day. With you moving 90 miles an hour all day long, I adore the few moments of calmness and cuddles as we lie together on the pillow with the blanket over us and read a book. I hope this is only the beginning of a lifetime appreciation for stories and reading.

mom and lexi reading

 

Love,

Mom