Home is Wherever We Are

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

4 months

E is now 4 months old! How on earth can that be?!

This was a big month for Miss E!

E is wearing some 3-6 month & some 6 month clothes. She is in size 2 Huggies diapers.

She is drinking breastmilk exclusively. She eats every 2.5-3 hours during the day.

This month E "graduated" to her crib and we no longer swaddle her. She sleeps great: 10-12 hours a night!

Her babbles include "ahhh", "Raaar" & "eeeee-oooo".

She rolled from back to tummy for the first time. And now she loves to do it. Unfortunately, sometimes she'll roll over and then get "stuck" on her tummy and she doesn't like that.

E found her feet this month. She loves to grab them and roll back and forth.

And she laughed for the first time this month. It was just once. For the most part E serious. I think she likes to study the world around her. But she smiles REALLY big when she thinks something is funny or she is happy.

We went to Sea World again, and E went to the Safari Park for the first time.

E, you are such a blessing to our family. I can't wait to see what next month holds for you!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Life with Two

When we found out we were expecting baby #2, I remember parents with more than one kid being very encouraging and saying how it was going to be easy. "Going from 1 to 2 is so much easier than going from none to 1"...

They lied. Well, maybe they didn't? Maybe it is "easy" for other Moms, but NOT FOR ME.

I think having two kids is TWICE as much work. There are now TWO little people relying on me at all times to keep them clean, fed and happy. I don't know how parents of twins do it!! (Kendra, my hat is seriously off to you!)

I find it super hard to meet everyone's needs. I constantly feel like I'm doing a half-butted job. When E is nursing, CJ is having to entertain himself. (He'll say "all done feeding E?!"and it breaks my Mama heart because I know he wants more than I am able to give). And when I'm busy with CJ there are times that E is having to cry. (equally breaks my heart). There are two of them and only one of me and I feel like I'm doing them both a horrible injustice. When CJ was a baby, I'd have all the time in the world to sing to him and play baby games. E gets to do those things when I can find time in between telling CJ not to jump off the couch and not to throw things in the house.

Venturing out in public by myself with the two of them is something I'm just now getting comfortable with. It's so challenging! Especially the store! I still don't take both kids to the store by myself unless I HAVE TO. First of all, to find a time window where they are both happy so we don't have a melt down is hard enough. E's car seat takes up the entire cart, and then CJ rides in the seat part...so where the heck do you put stuff? (I could wear E in the Ergo, but then CJ would probably spend the entire time kicking her as I pushed the cart). It's challenging even trying figure out how to get them both in and out of the cart. (Think about it...leave one in there to potentially roll away or get taken while you are loading/unloading the other one...) STRESSFUL.

And don't even get me started on my inability to get ANYTHING done around the house. Cleaning falls to the bottom of the priority list (since a tornado hits the house several times a day anyhow...) and we're lucky if I can throw a dinner together. Maybe if my son took naps? But always having to be on "high alert" 24/7 without breaks is tough. Toddlers need CONSTANT supervision. It is mind blowing how quickly they are able to get into trouble (or at least mine anyhow).

By the time JT comes home, I'm so relieved that help has arrived, that I toss whichever kid is crying into his arms. Quite the welcome home for him I imagine...plus the usual lack of dinner.

My life is in a continuous state of chaos. Everyone who knows me knows this, and anyone who doesn't can probably figure it out by my disheveled exhausted look. There is never a free moment it seems, and when there finally is, all I want to do is just sit and do nothing or sleep.

Don't get me wrong. I am SO SO SO thankful for my two blessings, but taking care of them is hard work! I know things won't always be this way. I know one day CJ will be potty trained. One day he'll be able to pour his own milk and get his own snacks 52,000 times a day. I know that one day E won't need to eat so frequently. One day she won't blow out a diaper the second I get her strapped into the carseat. I know that one day I'll actually get to eat a warm meal or go to the bathroom in peace. One day I might miss this "season" of young children...well, maybe certain parts. I DEFINITELY know I won't be telling any expectant Moms that it is going to be "easy".

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I'm back!

One year ago today I found out we were expecting baby #2. Talk about a shock!! I thought I would commemorate this anniversary, with the relaunch of my blog. I know all two of my readers have really missed me, so I'm back!

Where to begin?! You'd think as a military family we'd be used to change...but the addition of a family member has been an major adjustment for us all. Even now, almost four months later, we're still trying to get the hang of our new life.

I'll eventually post about E's birth, but it was great! We had trouble with breastfeeding at first which was challenging for both of us, but after several lactation consultations, we got it figured out!

She was a little jaundiced when we came home from the hospital so she was a glow worm for her first week of life. E is a beautiful girl.

For the most part E is sweet tempered, except when she needs something she will LET YOU KNOW. E nurses every 2.5-3 hours during the day and sleeps 10-12 hours at night.

She is very flexible with naps, probably because she has to be with a noisy big brother and us always being on the go.

I can't believe how quickly she's growing up!

After being the center of attention for 2.5 years, the transition to "big brother" wasn't and still isn't easy for CJ, but everyday gets a little better. I'll eventually do a separate post about this as well. I know once E gets bigger and becomes more "fun" they'll have a great time playing together!

CJ started preschool, two half days a week. It is nice for him to have his own thing, and he LOVES it!

CJ also loves trains and puzzles right now. He no longer takes naps, so we do a "quiet time" when we're at home.

We attempted potty training, but CJ wasn't quite ready yet, so we'll wait a little while longer.

JT is an awesome Dad to his two kids. The biggest adjustment for him has been at work. Shortly after E was born, he was officially made the OIC (officer in charge) for the dental clinic. This is a big responsibility for someone of his rank (he is commanding approximately 60 people, some ranked above him too!).

The US. Navy Dental Corps celebrated 100 years this year and we got to go to a ball on the USS Midway. JT is doing such a great job juggling everything at work and then coming home and helping me and playing with and loving on our kids!

When he walks in the door, CJ still runs exuberantly into his arms yelling "Dada!" Highlight of the day for both of them I think.

E has a special bond with her daddy too. There are times where she gets so worked up, but she'll instantly melt and calm down in JT's arms.

And then there's me. Honestly, I'm still in survival mode. Hence the lack of posts...still trying to figure out how to meet everyone's needs and time manage everything. I'll expand upon all that in upcoming blog posts. I've had a few health issues post delivery, from a kidney infection that landed me in the ER to chronic back pain. In my spare time (ha ha!) I've been jumping through hoops with the doctors office, referrals and insurance company trying to figure out what's wrong and how to get better. Since resting isn't an option, I'll be starting Physical Therapy at the end of the month.

We've had a few visitors come out to help us and meet our new little bundle, so that has been fun and SO nice!

Nana came to meet her newest grandchild and stayed for 2 weeks. CJ misses playing with her and I miss her cooking and company!

Then my friends S & K came out for an extended weekend, which was so generous of them to sacrifice time away from their lives, and so nice for the three of us to have that rare time together!

My grandmother "Gigi" came and stayed with us for 3 weeks. Coming out here wasn't an easy task for an 85-year-old, and her visit was irreplaceable. I'll cherish the memories of her getting to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time, and meeting E and spending time with her great-grandkids my entire life. I'm so excited because my little sister and her husband will be here next week; I can't wait!!

I think that's about it for now...I will try to do much better about posting, but in all reality it won't likely be as frequent as it was pre-E. ;)

Friday, May 18, 2012

Welcome Baby E

Our BEAUTIFUL Baby Girl, "E" was born at 4:59 pm yesterday, May 17, 2012. She weighs 7 lbs, 11 oz & is 20.5 inches long.

Prayers were answered, and it was a WONDERFUL day, including the delivery!

Lacy & E are both doing well, and we will post more later, but wanted to share the good news now.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Overwhelmed

I'm feeling so overwhelmed; in both good and bad ways. This is such a big week. The week that CJ goes from only child to big brother. The week that E joins our family. The week that JT and I become parents to and responsible for TWO children!! So many emotions...anxious, excited, sad, happy, stressed.

I've done everything I can possibly do for everything to be "ready". The checklist is all checked off, and yet, I still feel so anxious. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

The one thing I'm most worried/sad about is CJ. I worry so much about how this change will affect him. I know eventually it will be such a positive thing, for him to be a big brother. But, I know that initially it is going to be so hard for him to have all his schedules and routines turned upside down. And for the first time in his life he won't be the ONLY center of his Mama & Dada's universe. I feel so sad for him, and really hope that I can continue to be a good Mom to him as well as to his sister.

When you're pregnant, the whole going into labor thing is so scary. (The unknown always is.) I kinda feel like a ticking time bomb, with no clock...no way of knowing when it and if it will detonate on it's own. I didn't really mind this as much last time, when I was pregnant with CJ. Since it was just JT and me...But this time, now that we have CJ it feels so different. Being in the military, we don't have the luxury of family nearby...so we're having to rely solely on friends to be "on call" to take care of CJ when the time comes. I feel bad because everyone has families and lives of their own, and I hate so much feeling like an inconvenience.

People have continued to tell me how "small" my belly is. And yet, when I compared my belly pics from CJ's pregnancy to this time...my tummy looks pretty much the same. Fear creeping in... The doctor told me he thought E was probably "6 or 7 lbs". That is pretty much the SAME quote my doc in Michigan told me before my giant baby CJ came out. Totally Satan trying to scare me, but I can't help for my thoughts to drift back to memories of last time. "When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." John 16:21

No matter how accustomed I think I am to KNOWING that things can't be planned...life always still continues to throw curve balls. There was a family medical emergency at "home" in SC last week. Things are "okay" and improving, but sadly, my parents won't be able to come visit right now. I'm sad about that and of course so worried about them since I'm physically unable to go there right now.

And poor little CJ has a cold. He would have to get sick the week we're going to have a baby...I've been planning and dreaming of him meeting his little sister in the hospital. Obviously if he is sick those plans will have to be adjusted. And because I haven't been sleeping well, and am feeling so exhausted, I have a scratchy throat today. Ugh.

Those are all my worries...but I have so much joy and excitement too!! Overwhelming me in the completely opposite way. We feel so much love and anticipation from our friends and family for the birth of this tiny miracle. I am so excited to finally get to meet this little girl who I've gotten feel growing and wiggling inside me. I cannot wait to see all the happiness that she is going to bring and the good changes to come for our family. I so look forward to wrapping my arms around baby E and have her wrap herself around my heart forever. I hope I can REALLY cherish every second this time because I've seen firsthand how quickly children grow watching CJ. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17

Selfishly, I am asking for prayers. Prayers for me to be able to "let go" and trust that God has everything under control. Prayers labor and delivery to go well. Prayers for E to be healthy. Prayers for CJ and the transition. Prayers for JT and me to be able to handle this change and be the best parents possible to both our son and daughter. Prayers for my parents. Prayers for CJ and me to kick this cold quickly!

The next blog post will hopefully announce the arrival of our E! :)

Monday, May 14, 2012

Surprise Shower

SUPER late, but I gotta post this before E arrives!!! :) Two weeks ago when I walked into MOPS the first thing I saw was a chair with balloons and a beautifully decorated table with flowers and presents. SURPRISE! It was for me. How sweet is that?! I thought it was so fitting too, because almost every shower I've ever had (wedding, bachelorette, baby) has been surprise...so these new MOPS friends must have known that would be perfect! ;)