Life with Two

 

Yes, this is life for us now. Two calm kiddos, snuggling with us on the couch. We really just hang out and play all day. It's really picturesque.

Here are a few of my thoughts on the first month with sweet Addie girl added to our family...

-WHAT THEEEEEE

Okay, so that was just one thought. But, really.... How did NO ONE warn me about how crazy life is going from one kid to two kids? I mean, I know a lot of people with kids. A LOT of people with kids. Furthermore, with kids close in age (i.e. the two years Addie and Anthon are apart).  If you are reading this and are one of those people, I hold you personally responsible for the shock my system has taken adjusting.

Shame. on. YOU.

haha. Okay, no shame.

But, honestly....craziness!!!!

I don't even know what else to say...

Some days are so easy and really, just awesome.

Others, I have two kids crying, dishes covering the counter, laundry spread on the couch waiting to be folded, and toys all over the floor.

I've gained a true appreciation for...

Saturdays

These have previously been days I look forward to because we can all do something fun and Matthew can come party with us. Now, I realize Saturday is coming and I'm overcome with a huge sense of relief. Halellujah! I have an extra pair of hands to hold and help during the dayyyyyy!!!

Late Nights

Honestly. For the first time, I understand why my mother stayed up late doing stuff around the house. Because, some days, it is THE only time you have to get things done around the house.

Showers

People with babies always say things about not getting showers. With one baby, I never understood that. For me, showers every day are my sanity. So, at some point during Anthon's sleeping times, I would definitely get a nap. With a two year old and a newborn on different sleep schedules, there are days when I don't get showers now...and I now understand what those shower-less moms were talking about.

Our Income

Because, lately, me spending an hour making dinner just isn't going to happen. I'm SO grateful for Matthew's job and the option to have him pick up food somewhere for us.

My MOTHER

Oh my gosh. She was here for two and a half weeks and cooked all our meals after Addie was born (and many before). She also took some late night shifts with homegirl so I could get some much needed sleep. OH and made Anthon's LIFE by taking him on a few outings after Addie was born. But, back to the cooking....best mom EVERRRRR. Oh, and did some much needed organizing in my kitchen. And some laundry. And anything else I asked for help with. Oh my gosh. SO grateful.

Time

Time? What is that.

Dear other friends that are going to have kids close together. . . you've been informed.

You're welcome.

Now...on to the magical side of being a parent of two...

Anthon loves when I changed he and Addie's diapers at the same time. It's one of the few times me asking to change his diaper elicits a smile (or happiness, for that matter). He gets excited, says "TWO?!" and holds up his fingers to indicate I'll be changing not only his, but Addie's as well.

As Matthew was wheeling me into an elevator at the hospital when we were going up to Labor and Delivery, I started crying. I heard about people crying about having their second child, but never had it hit me until we got to the hospital. I was terrified of changing our family. It was SO good just the way it was. I didn't want it to change.

Three weeks later, I'm home, sitting on my couch with Anthon after just having put Addie down to sleep. I'm adoring his sweet little self jumping up and down next to me as he puts his smiling face excitedly right next to mine, hands on either of my cheeks, just squeeling in a 'gosh mom I love you so much' sort of way. He then sits down close next to me to read a book with Matthew and I. As I sit, it feels like there's not enough space in my body to hold the joy I feel being near this little boy of ours. Simultaneously, my arms yearnnn for the baby girl I literally JUST set down in her bassinet. To have her snuggled on my chest, nuzzled in so I can just lean down the slightest bit to kiss the top of her head.

I feel like that moment best describes how insane it is--that you really can feel SO much love for two little critters. Your heart just somehow makes room. That doesn't mean it isn't ridiculously hard to find one on one time with each kiddo, but it does mean that you find so many magical moments to share all together. --

I was sitting in Anthon's room, he in his chair, and Addie and I on the floor right next to it, as I rocked Addie back and forth. She let out a massive laugh. Remember, she' was less than three weeks old at the time... But, Anthon and I both look at each other, excitement and shock in our eyes, before we proceed in attempts to get her to replicate the laughter. Magical moments like that...

Again, don't get me wrong, sometimes Anthon begs me to put her in her bassinet (he makes a snoring noise and points to Addie... haha), and sometimes he has a breakdown when I come to get him up from a nap and I have her in my arms, but, for the most part, it's moments like this--

I'm reading to Anthon (Addie asleep in the other room), and Addie starts to cry. Anthon leans over, takes the book in both hands, moves it to his lap, says "baby", and then waits for me to go tend to her and/or bring her to join us.   

Addie: Month 1

 

Loves:

-sleeping on/with mom

-sleeping on her stomach (which was the only remedy we found to sleeping on mom) But man, it's QUITE the remedy

-sleeping for 6 hour stents at night, sometimes longer

-having her hands up by her head

-smiling

-sucking on anything

-tilting her head up to look at you while you hold her

-being bounced

Hates:

-being swaddled

-being put down

-when I sway side from side when she's still awake

New Things:

-laughing (happened only once, and totally randomly). It was magical.

-staring intently--as if she's totally understanding/trying to process what you're saying. It was like a flip switched and she started doing it one day--Matthew and I both noticed it and it was crazy!

Anthon: Month 23

 

 Loves:

-being naked

-being chased while naked

-cookie dough (he moves faster than anything you've ever seen when he's going for a handful)

-his put-put car

-all cars

-the movie and characters from the movie CARS

-Look and find books

-all books cars

-basically anything and everything cars

-Walks

-Hide and Seek

-Apple Jacks

-helping mom (throwing away diapers, getting diapers/wipes, putting things away for me)

-his blanket

-milk

-all things fruit

-his bink

-bubbles

Hates:

-carrots and all things vegetable

New Things:

-a hair cut!

-kicking the bink. He was a CHAMP about it

-Using the potty!

-Words, words, and more words--sooo much talking! A lot of it we understand because of so much interaction with him, my mom didn't understand as much. But by the time she was leaving she was understanding him a lot better.

-swinging for more than 1 minute. Usually he's in and out, but he started enjoying it more and wanting to swing for longer!

Matthew...

I don't know how ANYONE is a single parent. Of one child, let alone two or more. The few times in the last little bit Matthew has worked late, I think about that so much. I can't imagine being a single parent and am SO grateful I have Matthew. A husband who will...

-eat totinas pizzas, ravioli, pb&js, taco bell, Wendy's for however long without complaining once

-change baby diapers

-go into work at 3AM to be home to help me because he knows I've been struggling (that after going to bed at midnight)

-make up new games or car ramp ideas for Anthon endlessly. Honestly, I don't know how he does it!

-do the grocery shopping

-sooth a screaming baby without complaint

-be concerned for me

-love our kids unconditionally

-tell me I'm a good mom

Words can't really describe how grateful I am for Matthew. This transition has been tough, but I can't imagine experiencing it with anyone besides him. He is so incredibly helpful, willing, and kind. After insanely long days at work (which he's had a few of lately), he'll come home, play with Anthon for hours, take Addie (who is sometimes screaming) while I put Anthon down --or put Anthon down himself, and then do to-dos (whether they be bills or shopping) while I do other to-dos.

Additionally, he takes notes about his conversations, thoughts, and experiences at work to share with me in the evenings, talks to me while we do the dishes, and lets me keep him awake to talk at night after the lights are out.

In Conclusion...

Holy cow, is two kids hard.

Holy cow, is two kids magical.

Holy cow, is my husband the best.

Holy cow....

it's now 1:47 AM