Life is “funny.”
With my first child I knew I didn’t know anything so I freaked out. Then I read some books, got some information and thought that I would be more calm the next time.
Well here I am with number two and I am in a quandary. I know with my head that everything is fine and with the “norm,” but somehow I can’t shake the emotional side which is still freaking out.
I am just a basket case!
OK I just need to vent . . .
I realize that I am quite lucky that Jessaleigh sleeps, but now I am paying for it. I have a 10 week old and I just got my period back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This sucks! this isn’t supposed to happen for MONTHS. Not to mention the fact that the first 5 weeks postpartum shouldn’t count because you are still bleeding from the birth. So, I just get no break.
Oh yeah and the hormones that come with it are just GREAT. Just what I needed – some more hormones. . .
I sure don’t feel like I am getting the hang of having two small children!
I am constantly feeling pulled in opposite directions, like I am neglecting the other child, like I can’t possibly meet both of their needs, like crying, guilty that I would prefer to sit on the couch with Jessaleigh than on the floor and play cars with Chanler, just guilty in general, like everything takes too long, etc. But here I sit, between two sleeping children . . . thinking that maybe, just maybe, things will be OK (not great mind you, but OK)
Nope, I haven’t read the book yet, but life these days is certainly an adventure. Here are some quick thoughts on nursing a newborn and an almost 3 year old
On the bright side:
Toddlers can help with engorgement
Chanler understands that babies need to nurse
Nursing is helping Chanler deal/cope with Jessaleigh’s arrival
On the not so bright side:
More nursing means more milk and way more milk
Chanler likes to ask to “drink all the milk” and isn’t happy if he doesn’t get as much time as HE wants
Taking turns is hard
Toddlers decide when they want to nurse and don’t always cooperate with when you need them to nurse
Right now I am just taking things one day at a time. I am hoping that I get a better hang of the whole nursing/juggling two thing before Scott has to go back to work. I am SO thankful that he has as much time off as he does!!!!
That the only time my child wants to cuddle with me is:
1) 4 hours after bed time
2) When he has a fever over 101
3) After half an hour of tantruming
4) In the middle of the night
I know it is a personality thing, but sometimes I wish he would just snuggle with me without it being a special occasion. Although I guess when he does cuddle now – it is memorable.
OK I realize that Daylight Savings Time is not the norm and that I should just be grateful for having it at all, BUT
Why did it have to end? We were just getting into a nice pattern where Chanler wouldn’t wake up until between 7:30 and 8:30am (I also know it could be much worse, but lets not go there.) This seems like a reasonable time to a tired parent like myself. Now (one day post time change) he is in my bed at 6:30am and flopping, patting, talking, and generally keeping everyone from finishing their night of sleep.
I can’t wait for the days to get shorter, if only for the mornings to be dark again.
Some friends of ours gave us complementary tickets to Gilroy Gardens. Their family apparently gets a ton of them because the park buys apricot sauce from the family farm and uses the family recipe for an “apricot freeze.”
So we picked a sunny Saturday and decided we should head down. We stopped for an early lunch (and to make it a “complete” trip to Gilroy) at Black Bear Diner and then headed to the park. The parking lot wasn’t exactly full when we got there, but there were still plenty of people. Chanler went on a total of 5 rides (the train around the park, The old time cars, a boat ride, the old time cars again, and the people mover type thing), which was more than I expected. He had a great time! even though we skipped his usual nap to go. We of course indulged in some naughty food (ice cream, fried artichoke hearts, corn dogs, and OF COURSE and Apricot Freeze.) and I have to say if you ever go to Gilroy Gardens you MUST try the apricot freeze! It is AMAZING and the highlight of the day.
I don’t think I would ever pay full price to go to this park, but with only paying for parking and food, it was well worth it!
Pictures
ETA:
I almost forgot to mention Ralph the bear. While we were on the boat ride, there were sound tracks to go with some of the animal shaped bushes (i.e. buzzing near the bees, etc.) then we rounded the last turn and started hearing what sounded like someone heaving (like they were going to be sick). We finally figure out where this is coming from and it is a bear who appears to be leaning unto the near by lake to empty his stomach. We dubbed him Ralph
Why is it that at nap time Chanler can be asleep within 20 minutes of telling him is it time for a nap. BUT when it is bed time he is still awake over an hour after the lights have been turned out (which is 15+ minutes after we start the bedtime routine). It is just frustrating!
In case you haven’t heard or figured it out yet – I am pregnant!
Check here for more updates
Pregnancy Blog
I’m an Aunt!!!!
Joshua Daniel Chacon was born June 24th at 7:36am
Weight 8lbs 6oz
Height 21.25 in.
Head Cir 13in (he has Grandpa’s head)
Michelle did a amazing job and made it through labor naturally. I got to help coach (this is as close to being a doula as I will ever be) along with Sergio and Michelle’s Mom. It was a grueling experience (emotionally and physically) and I wasn’t even the one in labor!!!!!