Some Thoughts on Having Two

I've had several people tell me going from one kid to two kids is the hardest transition. I can't verify that yet, but I can verify that two kids is harder. Period. Here are some conclusions I've drawn since Brady was born:

1. I am nursing, and changing diapers, and nursing nursing nursing, and changing diapers. This is how I am spending my days now. Now throw in getting the toddler fed, trying desperately to manage her newfound tantrums and attitude, and nursing some more...there is very little time for anything else.  Getting everyone bathed, and dressed (this includes myself), and out of the house even for a walk around the block is a much bigger accomplishment than I thought it ever could be.

2. Keeping up with the housework is next to impossible - but an untidy house stresses me out. So I make time! I am tired.

3. I miss having time to myself. At this point, it is hard to believe I will ever have time to read a book (I'm talking a book with no illustrations and more than five words on each page), work on any projects, or exercise ever again. I got one of those coloring books for adults that everyone is raving about these days. I got it right at the end of my pregnancy and I loved it! Now I'm afraid the pages will remain colorless forever.

4. Carly is TERRIBLY two. There is a saying that a toddler is like a blender with the lid off. Now add some extreme sass and a dash of dictator and you've a got a two year old Carly. She is very obviously feeling what it's like to share her parents with another kid and she isn't crazy about it. Fortunately she LOVES "baby budder" and only shows her darkside to Mom and Dad.

5. A handful of you know while I was pregnant with Brady, a few sad, stressful, and downright scary things appeared in my life quite suddenly. I truly feel that Heavenly Father sent me this beautiful boy to lift my spirits when no one else can. He is a blessing through and through. I love and treasure him more than I can say. He is calm and sweet and everything I need right now.

6. Despite the stress and tears having two kids brings, there are countless and fleeting moments that make it all worth it. The three of us took a walk the other day. Brady fell asleep on my chest, and Carly was holding my hand while softly singing one of her made up songs. I could only smile. In moments like that, I have never felt such a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

I've got this!!

Happy Birthday to Us!

November isn't a very pretty month, but it's my birthday month so I love it anyway.  Last year, Carly decided to join us in November, so now I have even more of a reason to love this month! She was born 4 days after my birthday (and a week overdue, I might add. But I don't hold a grudge. ;) I look forward to celebrating our birthdays so close together every year. Maybe we can even share a party every once in awhile if she doesn't mind... I will never mind.

We kicked off my birthday celebration with a little trip to Tucanos! If you live near a Tucanos, I highly recommend joining their birthday club. Who wouldn't love a free meal of all-you-can-eat meat with a Brazilian flair? Tucanos is how I imagine heaven.

This was me last year... It turns out, you can fit a lot more food in your stomach if there isn't an overdue baby in there. I enjoyed myself a little more this time around :)

The next morning (my actual birthday) I got out of bed to go get Carly from her crib. When I came back, Matt had put his presents for me on the bed.

You may or may not know about my love for Wizard of Oz. It probably stemmed from playing "Dorothy #1" in my elementary school's play. Long story short, I saw this old movie poster several weeks earlier in the store, fell in love, then walked away convinced I didn't "need" it. Later on, I briefly mentioned it to Matt when I told him about my day. I'm so lucky to be married to a man that listens! I was shocked to see it on my bed. And so so happy.

"Get DOWN Tonight! Psalms 95:6 ...let us kneel before the Lord our maker."
*Mom-jeans included.*

This next gift was more of a gag gift. It cracks me up every time I see it. Matt and I saw it on clearance while browsing through the BYU Bookstore. It's the most ghastly t-shirt. I can't believe it exists. But it's awesome. And I wear it.

Matt spoiled me further by making me pancakes and bacon. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22.

 

 

My stylish Mom got this gorgeous dress, and we finished the day with chicken curry and pumpkin pie. What a fabulous birthday!



 

We kept Carly's birthday simple (as I believe all one-year-old birthdays should be.) with presents and carrot cake. We filmed her tentatively peel back the paper on her presents and daintily eat her cake. She's a sweet, rambunctious girl and I just can't believe how big she is. When did she grow?? Happy First Birthday Carly bug. Life would be so boring without you!



What I've Learned: Part 2

A few weeks after Carly was born, I blogged about what being a mom had taught me (here). She's 6 months old now, so I hope I can add a few more things to my list.

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1. Anybody who knows me knows I am not a patient person. But somehow, with this little girl I have found patience! I can hold her while she cries, change her diapers in the middle of the night, wipe the peas off her eyebrows (and mine), and do anything within my power to keep her happy without any complaint (usually).  Maybe it's because she is so cute.

2. I never expected to have a friendship-type relationship with my kids until they were older, but I am happy she has become my best buddy at such a young age.  She laughs at my jokes, and I laugh at hers. We are inseparable not only because we should be, but because we want to be!

Which leads me to...

3. Separation anxiety.  She's got it, but you better believe I've got it too.

4. Every move she makes is SO FASCINATING.  Learning to sit up, trying new foods, reaching for toys, eating her toes, singing a song... Sometimes I forget this stuff might not be so interesting to others (her bowel movements for instance) but other parents usually understand.

5. Her laugh. Literally the most beautifully happy sound my ears have ever heard.

6. She's so cute, guys. I want to eat her. I want to nibble on her chubby knees. That's normal right?

7. I'm starting to get a better idea of how much my own mom loves me.  Even better, I'm getting a better idea of just how much our Heavenly Father loves all of us.

Mothering children rocks. More please!

What I've Learned

I have been a Mommy for almost three weeks now.  I'd like to share a few things I've learned/am in the process of learning.

1. I will never be bored again. Ever. And that's fine with me.

2. I could spend all day just staring at my daughter and be perfectly content.

3. I've never missed my own mom as much as I do now.

4. Breast feeding HURTS. But it gets better. And it's totally worth it.

5. The whole "sleep when the baby sleeps" thing is impossible for me.  If she's sleeping, I'm folding laundry!

6. Watching my husband play with Carly when he doesn't know I'm looking is my favorite. He knows he's got himself a daddy's girl, and he loves it.

7. I forgot how to make dinner for awhile there, but I'm getting back into the swing of things.

8. It is the coolest thing to see pieces of me and Matt in another human being.  She's a perfect mix!

9. Moms have super powers.  Not only do I have cat-like reflexes, but I can pick out which cry is Carly's in a crowd of crying babies.  I feel pretty awesome.

10. I didn't know I had the capacity to love someone this much.  Being a mom is the most selfless job I can think of.  And I am honored to join the ranks :)

Matthew

*WARNING* 

You could say my husband and I are still in that "honeymooning" stage.  I am about to brag about him A LOT.  And get a little on the mushy side.

As our baby's arrival inches closer and closer, I've thought a lot about how this new addition will change mine and my husband's relationship. Of course I am hopeful she will only bring us closer.  But I can't help but be a little nervous about this big change.

There are often moments when we spend time together doing the simplest of things that I just pause and think to myself "I am SO happy! Can this moment please just last forever?" Just give me a moment to express how wonderful Matt is:  

Matt is happy.  If I could only use one word to describe him, that would be it. Easy.  Not in a sickeningly optimistic sort of way.  Just a happy-to-be-here sort of way.  And it's contagious.  Which is good for my ever realistic (*cough* negative *cough*) attitude.

Matt makes me laugh.  It is REALLY hard to stay mad at this guy.  Boy does he know how to work those blue puppy eyes and dimples.  He loves to get people laughing and is always working on his comedic timing.  He has me smiling and giggling all the time.

Matt constantly strives to improve his life.  He is a goal-setter.  It is because of his enthusiasm that we have Family Home Evening once a week, read scriptures and say prayers together in the morning, and put together a meal plan at the beginning of each month, among other things.  He is one motivated man, and I do my best to keep up.

Matt is a really good kisser.  'nuff said.

Matt doesn't take life too seriously.  We're college kids.  Life isn't exactly stress-free.  Money is tight.  But Matt knows how and when to take a break and have a little fun - whether it be treating ourselves with doughnuts on a Saturday morning or putting homework aside for a moment to play a card game with his attention-yearning wife.

I could go on forever.  I love that I get to walk/run/skip/jump through this life, hand-in-hand with this man.

I love you Matthew. You are going to be one fun daddy.  To infinity, and beyond!