first, i wish i had written some more of the "real" details of when parker was a newborn in my blog back in the day. i look back to see what life was like with him at elliot's age & i seem to only touch on the good stuff. but i definitely remember some low points. i'm gonna be real this time around.
yesterday had some high points & some low points. elliot did awesome in the moby for a big part of the day which was a lifesaver. i was able to change parker diapers, make breakfast & even do puzzles with parker while elliot snoozed in the wrap.
lowpoints? elliot woke up every other hour the night before & parker was up for the day at 6:30... about an hour & a half earlier than normal. it's not fun to start your day off feeling more tired than when you went to bed. also, a local transformer blew & we lost power just before lunchtime {call me lame but electricity was kind of a big part of my game plan for the day... what was i gonna do with no internet, tv or microwave?? we're in survival mode here, people} & parker hysterically fought his nap with screams & wall kicks. that was NOT fun.
but at the same time as this two kid business is kicking my butt, i also kinda feel like i'm doing ok. i'm much more relaxed this time around & not as "scared" of elliot as i was of parker. i'm already a mom this time, i've done it before. i feel like i'm enjoying my newborn a little bit more. i'm not scared of elliot waking up & me not knowing what to do... he doesn't intimidate me like parker did. everything was new & was my first time with parker, which was exciting & scary all at once. with elliot, i'm well practiced. sure he's gonna throw me some curve balls, no doubt, but i'll roll with it.
i asked moms of two or more on my facebook page how long it took them to get into a good routine with their new baby in the mix & got answers ranging anywhere from two weeks to six months. i really really hope it happens faster than six months for us.
it's hard not to wish away these early days of no sleep, very little social activity, no working out & a baby that hardly interacts. these early days are hard & i'd be lying if i said i didn't think a lot about getting to elliot's three month mark where i know life will be a little more normal. but at the same time, i'm resisting. i'm really trying to enjoy all the little things about my curious, wide eyed newborn who curls up in a ball on my chest to sleep, makes all kinds of silly snorts, grunts & squeals & wants really not much else in life other than to be held, rocked & fed by me. elliot is such a sweet baby & i'm trying to soak up every single moment because even though these days are long & feel endless, i know they'll be over before i know it.
Call me crazy but with Jasper the newborn days were my favorite. I'm hoping with our girl, due in december, I'm able to cherish those days like I did before. Hope tomorrow is easier for you guys!
ReplyDeleteThe thing about the newborn stage is it passes SO quickly. I'm glad to hear you are taking moments to cherish this fleeting time with E. He's adorable!
ReplyDeleteyou guys do make some gorgeous babies! Amy, you are such an amazing mom and so intuitive with your kids' needs. As tough it might be, you're doing such an awesome job and will bless the world with two more great & awesome people.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the 3 month mark but like you said I am trying to soak up this time with Lucas (Born Aug 2nd) that he just eat, sleep and poop! He is our third and LAST so that makes me what to savor every moment even more. He will be 5 weeks tomorrow and we still are working on a schedule/routine. My old two are in school so that helps during the day. Elliot is a cutie btw!
ReplyDeleteelliot looks like he's giving you a fist bump in this picture, like "you're doing great, mom!" ;) hang in there! I sometimes miss the snuggly, little ruby time, but I won't lie - I love the interacting baby phase. the older she gets, the more fun it is to hang with her and watch her grow. so, I hear ya. hope more sleep comes to you soon, too. it is the pits feeling constantly tired. ruby woke up 2 - 3 times a night until she was 16 1/2 months, so I feel ya on that front, too. anyway, I'm rambling. you're doing great! take care! :)
ReplyDeleteWhether we admit it or not, all of us in that newborn phase silently wish parts of it away. The sleepless nights, the lack of mobility of said tiny newborn...it's par for the course, even when we know that those days are fleeting. Hang in there!! You'll be rocking the two kid days SOON!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're being real...I wish I was more "real" too with some of the low points with Peanut - I was definitely intimidated by her and down-right terrified to stay home alone with her after Jon went back to work.
ReplyDeleteI'm terrified to start trying for a number 2 because I just don't know how I could possibly do it!! Keep up the good work momma, the first weeks are the roughest ones! Lack of sleep alone will test anyone's patients add in a newborn and a toddler and its bound to be stressful. You are doing an awesome job.
ReplyDeleteHang in there! Just take it all in stride...there will be rough days, there will be great days!
ReplyDeleteI just had my first baby in February. I appreciate this post so much. I found the newborn stage exhausting, stressful, and I spent a lot of time being sad. Now that my little man (William) is 6 months I am finally starting to relax and have fun. I know everyone says to enjoy the newborn stage but for me I'm glad it's over. I have no idea how I'm going to do it a second time but just reading your posts is encouraging me that when the time comes I can do it. Thank you! Your boys are both adorable:)
ReplyDeleteOh the newborn days are so hard! And so wonderful! And so hard. I'll never forget my first day alone with two kids. It was so eventful, frustrating, and hilarious. Real is so much better than nice :) Hang in there! And keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteOh Amy! Thank you for being real! I'm only a little way ahead of you in the second child journey and believe me it's had it's ups and downs! We're at the 12 week mark now and just starting to get 8 hours at night which is lovely! Hubby and I can talk at night without one of us standing there rocking an unsettled, colicky baby... I hope you start getting better sleep soon - it's definitely the key to sanity! Our little miss 2 has taken to waking an hour earlier so we're up at 6am now too so I'm thankful Miss Peppa is sleeping just a little longer at night!
ReplyDeleteNaps are hard.. I bought Miss Daisy a new toy who now naps wiht her every day and that seemed to work! It's Nemo - go figure! I think you've inspired me to do a post about the last 12 weeks for my next Real Life Wednesday post!
xxx PS. Elliot is gorgeous!
Sounds like you are doing fantastic mama! What a little cutie!
ReplyDeletehang in there momma!! you are doing a great job!!! i remember when alex threw some major fits after owen was born. they were awful but didn't last too long!!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling I'll feel the same. I'm due with #2 in about 8 weeks or so, and I don't think I'll be as "scared" of #2 as I've done it before, I'm a "seasoned" mom and I've had a newborn before...but dealing with the older one is the hardest part, as I've read and been told. Best of luck, as you say...I often wish I could skip to the 3-4 month mark, but the newborn stage really does go by quickly!
ReplyDeleteyeah, i'm starting to get freaked out about everything you have described you're going through in this post. it's been hard being pregnant chasing a 17 month old around, but i know it's going to be even more hard next month when this new little dude is here.
ReplyDeleteyou look like you're handing this two kid thing though with flying colors. i bet in a just a few weeks you will be rocking this two kid thing like no one's business! :)
he is beautiful. and, you will get the hang of it.
ReplyDeletei cannot imagine having a toddler and a newborn. every time i wish for another... im smacked in the face by reality... my reality... which consists of a teenager. and a toddler.
a baby... well im sure that would be enough to push me over.
now, with a toddler i look at other peoples new baby pics and remember how fast it went. how i miss those first moments. so, even if sleep walking {lol} cherish every minute
<3 hugs.
I love the "real" posts. It will help you remember this stage of life years down the road when it's long gone. Elliot is such a sweet and easy-going little guy...I'm excited to be able to watch as his little personality will unfold. I'm amazed at how well you're doing, Amy! You're an awesome mom!
ReplyDeleteHe is so adorable and looks so alert and wise!
ReplyDeleteI hope things get easier soon!! I've always heard that 3 months is the magic time when everything settles down, whether it's your first, second, or tenth baby.
He is gorgeous, good on you for keeping it real! Every day will be a bit different, and every day a bit easier :)
ReplyDeleteI love this picture of Elliot. It reminds me of my Sammy.
ReplyDeleteI love that you tell it how it is! I'm about 7 weeks away from becoming a mother of 2 girls and am FREAKING OUT about how much my life will change and how it will affect Scarlett. It's nice to get a glimpse of what life will be like...and I can't wait to hear about how Parker is handling being a big brother!!!! Little Elliot is a handsome guy!! Congratulations!!!
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