Nearly 40 Hours After the Last Post

... and some time off from parenting and I'm back to my normal perky self.  

When I wrote the last post, I hadn't been outside of the house by myself to do something other than grocery shop in nearly two weeks.  And Joshua's work schedule hasn't been too kind to us either.  Early mornings, late nights and most of our weekends have been filled with one work obligation or another for the past two months.

Over the weekend, I got some much-needed time away from the house.  My mother and I went to see a musical at DeSales University (Anything Goes) and went out to eat dinner.  Even though it was only five hours away from the kids, it was enough.  Also getting a few hours with both my mom and dad, just shooting the breeze, is so refreshing as well.  They are the best cheerleaders and two of my closest friends.

Parenting two -- actually, parenting in general -- can be a roller coaster of emotions.  This may be due to the random sleep schedules, back and forth of one's children's emotional states and all the other things that can go wrong (or right!) in life.  I struggle with finding the balance that is needed and am grateful for the support from family and friend, both near and far, who help me to appreciate the struggle and keep me going.

Joshua is at the top of the list of supporters.  Not only is he a terrific father, he is a dedicated husband willing to take on more than he should to give me the rest that I need.  Now we just need to find ways to give him rest as well ... or ways to make him take a rest is more like it!

Today was a great day.  A normal day which consisted of reading a ton of books, taking a long walk around the neighborhood and generally enjoying my kids.  My lovely daughter who I have to wrestle to get a hug and my son who never leaves my arms.  I'm beyond blessed to get to spend my days with them.  And I'm trying to be cognizant of the time that I need to schedule away from them as well so that I can be a better parent.

In a few days, I'll do a re-write of the 4 month James update.  But now, since I have a house full of sleeping babies (and a husband in the garage working out), I'm going to bed.

4 Months

 Can I admit that writing an update for James this month is difficult?  He is such a sweet snuggly, cute little guy but he is also extremely high maintenance.  Some time in the last week we slowly moved away from the sleep training and have spent the last few nights wrestling with him again.  We seem to be always seeking a break from the constant attention he needs during the daytime to keep him from screaming.  Sure, we can keep him quiet and happy, we just never get to put him down.  We are just plain worn out.  It is frustrating to admit but this transition to two kiddos is starting to overpower us. 

 Honestly, it is even difficult to even list some of the new things that he is doing.  Feel like he is growing bigger and more interested in the world.  But the fact that he needs to constantly be attended to makes him more like another full-time chore.  After four months without let-up, it's difficult to see all the joy in that chore without a lot of effort.

Alma is still a great teacher for us in enjoying the moment.  My biggest fear is that she sees the frustration that is building within her parents and starts to replicate that as well. 

Every member of our family is key and I would do a million back bends to take care of everyone ... but at some point I feel that my back may break from this little guy.

Sleep Training

Last week we allowed James to cry until he fell asleep.  It took over an hour.  It was awful.

But since then he has only been waking twice a night (usually 2am and 5am) between the hours of 8pm when we put him to sleep and 7:30am when Alma's voice rouses him from sleep.

Even though these longer stints of sleep are great, they are also challenging because now I have to rouse myself from sleep to get to his room to nurse him.  I used to simply grab him from the bassinet that was parked next to my side of the bed and plop him in bed with me.  Surprisingly, this adjustment has been difficult and I've been feeling just as tired during the day as I did when he was waking me every hour during the night.  I know, seems like I'll complain about anything if I'm both complaining about sleeping longer!

I'm ready for James to be a little more independent during the daytime too.  He will have little cat naps in his bassinet and allows me to do baby yoga with him while Alma is napping but he spends a majority of his day in my arms.  This kid just does not like to be put down.  While this has created a perfectly shaped head (no flat spot on this child!), it has also created a worn out mama. I've heard and seen other moms who don't put their children down and thought it was the craziest thing ever.  Now I am one of those moms!  I remember feeling similarly when Alma was this age and I know that this stage will end. 

Recent Photos

Happy Easter!

Alma Quotes

Joshua: What do babies eat?
Alma (glances at James): Hands!

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Alma (walks outside): Look, the moon!  I want to walk to the end of the block to see it better!

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Alma: I ate the dog's food.
Laura: Really?
A: Yes, it is in my tummy.
L: Alma, we don't eat dog food.
A: Then take it out!

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Alma (holding a very dirty Cat Woman action figure): Look, a woman pretending to be a cat.  She lives in the garden.