Treading Water

I've been back to work for 3 weeks, really almost 4 at this point, and I feel like I'm barely treading water.  This mothering of two wee ones and a teenager ain't no joke.  And if we're really being honest, which I am, I feel like I'm barely making it work.  I'm up between 345 and 430, Monday thru Friday and lucky to be in bed by 930, assuming little miss is cooperating.  From the time I wake up until the time I lay down it's pretty much go, go, go and someone's always needing something..ALWAYS! I barely have time to use the bathroom let alone take a breath.

Oh so now let's add into this madness the fact that I may or may not be losing 4 days a month from my paycheck, thanks for that Congress, and the stress factor up in here is just about to boil over.  Which is why when I woke up with a migraine on Tuesday I wasn't all that suprised, I actually had been expecting it.  So now I do what I do best, adjust and get on with it.  I'm not sure what I thought mothering two wee ones was going to be like, easy not so much but maybe not quite so overwhelming but hey with barely a minute to breathe I don't have much time to wallow in it.

On the days when it becomes to much I'm going to remember something I just read from one of my favorite blogs, Enjoying the Small Things. The Momma, Kelle Hampton, was talking about her tranistion from two to three kids, she just had the cutest little boy to add to her beautiful family, and she said "Life does not lend itself to smooth transitions."  It's like God knew I need something to remind me that we do the best we can and that's what I'm doing, even if some days I don't feel like it. 

And just to keep it all in prespective these two just need me to love them.  Everything else will fall into place, won't it?

I love them.

3 Months - Baby Girl

Sweet Dumpling,

Oh sweet baby girl, where is the time getting so fast.  You're already 3 months old.  It seems fitting that today, Valentine's Day, is your 3 month birthday because it's a day we celebrate those we love and baby girl I love you more than words.  You're growing and changing so quickly that some days I'm afraid I'll blink and miss this first year because I know how fast it goes.  While I would never say that I long to be a stay at home Momma I do sometimes wish that there was a way for me to have more time with you than just the few hours in the evening and on weekends but I'm trying to remember that the time we do get is about quality and not quantity.  You'll understand when you're a Momma one day.

This last month has been a month of new things for you.  You started daycare and are still adjusting.  You're not napping which means you're so tired when we get home.  You're taking a bottle better than you were before starting daycare and I think that's because you realize that if you want to eat you have no choice.  You're putting on weight like it's your job and really it kind of is.  I can't wait to see how much you weigh when we go for your 4 month appointment next month.  When I weighed you last, at about 2 1/2 months, you were already 14.7 pounds.  You're my little chunky monkey and I love it!  Your brother still adores you but I imagine it's only a matter of time before that changes, although I hope it never does.

Another month in the book that is your life sweet girl.  I can't believe it.  You keep growing and I'll keep loving you!

Forever & Always,
Momma

Wordless Wednesday - Sibling Love

Haven't participated in wordless Wednesday in a while but I'm back at work now and I have this gem to share so how could I not?

He loves her! And I love that he loves her! This parenting two littles ain't too bad

2 1/2 Months - Baby Girl

Oh sweet, sweet girl.  How are you already 2 1/2 months? I just don't understand where the time has gone.  I see how much you've changed just in the last month.  You've more than doubled your birth weight and you're trying so hard to coo.  Nana came and put your crib together for Momma, since daddy's been out of town, and now we're trying to get you transitioned over.  You can't sleep in our room forever. 

Next week is our last week together, just the two of us, before I go back to work.  I'm sad and happy at the same time.  Sad because I've cherished this time we've had but happy because quite honestly Momma isn't stay at home material.  I love and cherish you and your brother but spending every waking moment with you just isn't for me.  I like to think about our time as quality over quantity.  The first couple of weeks will be difficult as we find our stride but before we know we'll be old hats at it.

You've already changed so much in the last two and half months I can't imagine how much more you could change in the next couple of weeks but I know you will.  I love you sweet girl more than words can explain and I can't wait to see the person you become.

Forever & Always
Momma

Birth Announcement

My baby girl is 2 1/2 months, ALREADY!  This parenting two little ones is hard work but I have to believe that once I get back to work and I'm forced to really get a schedule going things will get easier.  Goodness at least that's what I'm hoping.

With only a week left on my maternity leave I FINALLY got baby girl's birth announcement done.  Once again I went with Shutterfly, just like with the Bean's, and I'm sure I won't be disappointed.  I'm sharing them because I love them and because Shutterfly will give me $10 off my next order, which should be in the next week when I order Baptism invites, so much to do and not enough hours in the day.

What do you think?

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

You guys I just LOVE her!

1 month - Baby Girl

This was supposed to be Dumpling's 1 month birthday letter but really she's 7.5 weeks now.  This two kids thing is exhausting but I'm slowly getting it together.

Dumpling
It'd hard to believe that you've been in our life for over  month already.  You came into this world a little earlier than expected and had an unexpected extended hospital stay but on your two week birthday we finally got to bring you home.  The Bean fell in love with you instantly and I think that two of you will be best friends growing up.  Your oldest brother isn't a fan of tiny babies but he loves you, he'll just like you more when you're a little bigger.   And Daddy, oh your daddy is wrapped around your finger already.  There's something so special about a girl and her Dad. 

These first few weeks have been blissful, with the holidays and family, and I know that there are challenging times to come because that's what being a parent is about ups and downs with their kids but I hope no matter what that you always remember I love you.  You're the little girl I wished for and prayed for and not only me but Granddad and Nana too. 

Forever & Always
Momma

35 Weeks, 3 Days

I started this post when Dumpling was 4 weeks and today she's 7 weeks.  To say things have gotten hectic with a new little would be an understatement, throw in the holidays and there just haven't been enough hours in the day.  However, without further delay, Dumpling's birth story.
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35 weeks, 3 days is how far along I was 2 days after my last post and the nite my water broke.  More than 2 weeks earlier than I had expected and definitely sooner than I would have liked.  I spent the entire day at work with out a single BH or contraction, of course the nite before I had tons of both but didn't think anything of it.  I got home from work and took care of some things around the house and right after I'd switched out the Beans 18 months clothes for 24/2T clothes I stood up and felt a trickle.  At first I thought nothing of it what with being 8.5 months pregnant and having a bladder the size of a pea then I got to the bathroom and sure enough my water broke, at 35 weeks & 3 days, I called Hubz then my Momma. I feel like I should have been a little scared, I mean 35 weeks that's pre-term, but the thought never crossed my mind.  Dumpling was coming and there was nothing I could do about it but embrace it and get myself and the boys together because bag packing wasn't supposed to take place until the following weekend.  Within about half an hour of talking to Hubz both our Moms were at the house, which was good because my contractions were making it hard for me to get things done, I was also a little overwhelmed since this was so unexpected.  By the time Hubz showed up everyone was packed and the Moms each took a boy and we headed to the hospital, after a stop at the gas station since neither the car or truck had gas ... sitting while having contractions is NO BUENO!  Luckily we missed rush hour and made it to the hospital in no time. 

I'll never understand the point of pre-registering since I had to stand and answer questions and "check-in" once at the hospital.  I also had to deal with a very well meaning volunteer constantly asking me if I was sure I didn't want a wheelchair, it was much easier for me to handle the contractions if I was standing.  After what seemed like an hour we headed to triage, where they had to make sure I was in labor ...REALLY!  We finally got to a L&D room and I finally got my epi, by that point I was 5 cm dilated, which had been my goal to reach before getting the epi.  Once I had the epi it was pretty much smooth sailing from there.  I progressed pretty steadily until I got to 8 cm at which point they gave me a little pitocin to help get things moving more steadily again. Finally, at about 530a on 14 November I was almost to 10 so the doctor had me start some practice pushes and apparently I was pretty good at it because when she returned to do some practice pushes with her in the room she said I was ready for the real thing.  I started pushing for really, really at 630 and my precious baby girl was born at 644a. Weighing in at 5.5 and 18.5 in long she was smaller than her brother weight wise but they measured the same length.  Of course as I expected she had some complications breathing and she would up in the NICU for what would become a 2 week stay. 

She finally came home on 28 November and other than some reflux has had no issues. We had a rough time establishing breastfeeding, since she'd been on the bottle for the two weeks while she was in the NICU but it was breast milk but now we're smooth sailing.  She's perfect, but I'm biased and the Bean is totally and completely in love with her.  My parents are besides themselves because this is the first girl in 28 years, since my sisters were born.  I'm still on maternity leave until February and now with the holidays over I'm going to enjoy these last few weeks just me and my girl.