but i have to think it feels awfully similar to what the past month has been for us. we never stop. there is always something. someone needs something at all times. we're exhausted but there is no rest. because someone needs something. again.
things have definitely gotten better/easier since those first 2 weeks. whew. those were rough.
let's start with miss rylee.
she's been out of my womb for a month!
here are her stats:
10 pounds 4 ounces (the EXACT same weight as caden at one month. freaky stuff)
22 1/2 inches long
she's been chunking up like crazy lately.
she eats every 2 hours during the day and at night has been giving us some longer stretches. usually a 5 hour stretch at the beginning followed by about 3 1/2 hours. we're thankful she sleeps so well at night. that being said, we've been putting her on her belly to sleep (just like Caden). today at the doctor, i got scolded for doing so. all that SIDS stuff. so because i can be easily guilted into doing "the right thing" we're going to start trying her on her back. i shudder to think of the lack of sleep coming. (someone tell me to not listen to the doctor and be a rebel.)
i keep thinking we got another high maintenance baby. she loves/requires being bounced on the ball like 20 hours out of the day and she will not WILL NOT take a pacifier. i have tried 4 different kinds. she gags on all of them and will sometimes tolerate one specific kind but it's a battle and then it falls out and it's game over. but then i went back and read old posts from when caden was this age. and i think we've got it way easier this time around. he was much more fussy throughout the day/night. and this time around we aren't dealing with reflux thank goodness.
she gives us an abundance of smiles when she's awake (and lots of involuntary ones when she's passed out). she nurses like a champ and doesn't hate riding the car (also a big difference from her brother).
next let's discuss big brother caden.
he is an absolute rock star big brother. i was so nervous about bringing a baby into our lives. he went through a spell where anyone smaller than him, he did not like. and if i held a baby around him, forget about it.
we prayed that it would be a smooth transition. and all things considered, it has been.
his whining has definitely been elevated. but he loves his sister. he often calls her "my baby" and lately wants to hold her on the couch a lot. he gives an abundance of kisses and sings to her.
we try to do plenty of one-on-one time with him and the time i get to spend alone with him is that much sweeter. he's such a fun kid. just last night he decided he wanted to start praying out loud before bed. i can't even explain to you the sweetness of hearing your 3 year old thank Jesus for his family.
he started preschool this week. he's just going 2 days a week but i think it will be so good for him. his first day was great. no tears (from he or mommy!). he will learn colors, letters, numbers and best of all Bible verses.
also, he still naps. can i get an amen?
(no, he doesn't have pants on. at least he's wearing underwear)
and lastly, an update on all my issues after delivery.
up until late last week i was still in significant pain in my lower abdomen. i went to the doctor last week where they drew blood and did an ultrasound to see what was going on. i still had internal blood that hadn't all healed yet. oh and an infection "down there" that was causing pain. so they put me on antibiotics and i had to start taking my pain meds again. after the infection cleared up though i started feeling significantly better. as of today i'm pain free and completely off meds! i can't tell you what a relief this was. part of the stress those first 3 weeks was the fact that i wasn't feeling like myself. i still had so much pain and would often feel a little "off." add to that the ridiculous hormones that were making me cry daily and i was one hot mess.
i finally found a baby carrier (bjorn) that works for us and i can't tell you what a difference it has made. rylee is a baby carrier champ and absolutely loves to be in there. it makes getting out with the 2 of them nearly effortless. but we both end up incredibly sweaty by the end of it so in that sense, i'm looking forward to cooler temps.
speaking of cooler temps, i'm really not ready for fall. i know i know everyone just LOVES everything about everything about fall. and i get it. pre kiddos i loved it too. but now that i stay home with 2 kids, the thought of fall (shorter days, colder weather) just means we're that much closer to winter. and winter means lots of inside time. and last winter was.brutal. so for me, i'm mourning the end of a fabulous summer and looking so very much forward to next summer with a 4 year old and almost-1-year old (we have season passes to the water park in town next year. words can't describe my excitement about this). at least i get to dress up a chubby little girl this halloween. caden wants to be elsa. i'm not kidding. also, upon re-reading this paragraph it was painfully obvious how much i need to be content in the present. even in the cold, nasty, winter. i'm already wishing away half our year. i need to work on this.
i can't really believe i got this post done "on time." thanks for reading and caring about the happenings in our crazy little family.
oh geesh i didn't update you all on brent.
he's good. major helper to me. he's always filling up my water jug with more ice+water. even at 3 a.m. and he bounces rylee on the ball during her witching hours (8pm-10pm) though it hurts his back and knees (i try to help but she just roots on me). i'm immensely grateful that he is my partner is all of this chaos. he keeps me calm.
i'll check back in with you all in about a month :) maybe sooner if i start to get the hang of all this and schedules start to form again. i'm ready for a schedule. why can't babies just come out already on a schedule and already with all their teeth?
