Today was my first day at home all day by myself with two kids. This is exhausting. Let me give you the play by play.
5:30am-Emma starts making noises. Get up, shove binky in her mouth, pat her bottom until she falls asleep and then go back to bed.
6:00am-Emma makes louder noises to let me know she is fully awake and will not fall for the old binky, bottom pat move again. Get up and nurse the baby.
6:30am-Put sleeping baby back in her bed and crawl into my own bed again where I share my pillow with the cat. It is our only bonding time these days. Pet kitty until she bites me.
7:00am-Jake starts crying in his room and calling for mommy. Who is this person and why won't she go to him? Oh yeah, that person is me. Get up, go ask Jake what's wrong and have him tell me "AWAKE! JAKE AWAKE! CHOCOLATE MILK!"
7:02am-Emma starts crying (some might say shrieking). Take Jake to get Emma out of bed and head downstairs for some CHOCOLATE MILK! and a little Elmo to get the day started.
7:03am-Emma continues crying while I make Jake his chocolate milk, get him some cereal and position him on the couch for an hour of quality Sesame Street viewing.
7:10am-Emma still crying. Change her diaper, change her clothes, sit down to feed her.
7:40am-Emma falls asleep. For exactly two minutes.
7:42am-Emma crying again. Give her a bottle, rock her, bounce her up and down. Try putting her in her bouncy seat. What is wrong with this child? She usually sleeps four hours at a time and wakes up for one hour.
9:15am-Emma is asleep! Look over at Jake and remember I promised to change his poopy diaper an hour ago. Change diaper.
9:30am-Decide Emma is asleep for a long nap. Take Jake with me to the bathroom and grab a quick shower. Leave Brady guarding Emma and make sure all doors are deadbolted shut.
9:40am-Out of shower and clothed for the day!
9:45am-Quality time with Jake. We color and play with his play-doh.
10:45am-Send Jake outside to play with Brady while I start to make his lunch.
11:15am-Fruit cut up and chicken nuggets in the oven. Emma's crying. What is wrong with this child? It's only been two hours. Pick up Emma and sit down to feed her yet again.
11:30am-Emma's asleep. Chicken nuggets are cooked and Jake is sitting down to lunch. Emma's crying. Pick her up and rock her back to sleep. Mike will be home in three hours. I can do this!
12:00pm-Jake is finished with lunch. Clean him up and scarf down a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich and a coke. Followed by two chocolate chip cookies. I need caffeine and chocolate and I need them now! Realize that Coke is the stay at home mom's crack. I can't do without it and I don't care how much it costs. I'll sell my own plasma if I need to in order to buy it.
12:15pm-Sit down with Jake on the couch to watch a video and sneak in some cuddle time. Take 45 seconds to rub the dog with my foot so he gets some attention today.
12:45pm-Inform Jake that it is indeed nap time. Go upstairs with his crab and favorite cars to tuck him in. Read three books and then finally get him in bed.
Tell Jake that if he gets out of bed today there will be serious consequences. Kiss him and leave the room.
12:55pm-Hear Jake's door open. Shout to him to get back in bed. Hear him say "NO! Don't want to!" And so ensues an hour long battle of the wills to get the child to take his nap. One and a half hours until Mike gets home. I don't know if I can do this. Try bribery, threats, taking away toys, sweet talking, massage therapy and anything else I can think of to get him to stay in bed.
1:55pm-Finally tell him that he's going to be in big trouble when daddy gets home if he's not asleep. So far, it seems this is working. He's been in his room for ten minutes now without a peep.
2:00pm-Look down and realize the front of my shirt is really wet. It seems that the ranting and raving of the two year old can make me spring a milk leak just like the cries of the baby. Great.
2:15pm-Emma's awake. Where the heck is Mike?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Things I never thought I would hear myself say...
1.) Big Poopies! Big Poopies!
2.) No Poopies!
3.) Get your hand out of the poopy.
4.) Jake, can you go turn on mama's milk pump?
5.) STOP. HAMMERING. THE DOG.
2.) No Poopies!
3.) Get your hand out of the poopy.
4.) Jake, can you go turn on mama's milk pump?
5.) STOP. HAMMERING. THE DOG.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Where I get all sentimental
The only disappointing thing about Emma's arrival was that my parents weren't able to be here for it. My mom had to have a second back surgery the week before Emma was born so she wasn't able to travel. Needless to say, we were all disappointed but the surgery was something that had to happen and I'm just hoping her recovery goes well so that they can get down here soon and she can hold her namesake.
That being said, so many other people visited us in the hospital, brought gifts for both Emma and Jake, brought food for our family and just generally made us feel loved and supported. That means a lot at a time when I just want my mama and daddy around. So to all of our friends and family I wanted to say thank you! I haven't had a day at home alone with both kids yet. Wonderful friends come over to keep us company and play with Jake and watch Emma while I get to go take a shower. Mike's dad made a very long trip from Missouri to be here to watch Jake while we were in the hospital. And I will just go on record as saying that I have the best sister in the entire world. She sees what needs to be done and does it without asking. Plus, she kept us stocked up on cookies, brownies and ice cream for an entire week. And of course I'm not in the least bit jealous that my son has taken to calling Amy his mommy. I think we got that straightened out though. Last night he told me "Amy Jake's friend!" I wish I had pictures of everyone who has helped out but it seems I did a horrible job documenting things. We did get a few pictures of Mike's dad with the kids and Amy holding Emma. Thanks again to everyone and mama I'll see you when you're feeling better!
That being said, so many other people visited us in the hospital, brought gifts for both Emma and Jake, brought food for our family and just generally made us feel loved and supported. That means a lot at a time when I just want my mama and daddy around. So to all of our friends and family I wanted to say thank you! I haven't had a day at home alone with both kids yet. Wonderful friends come over to keep us company and play with Jake and watch Emma while I get to go take a shower. Mike's dad made a very long trip from Missouri to be here to watch Jake while we were in the hospital. And I will just go on record as saying that I have the best sister in the entire world. She sees what needs to be done and does it without asking. Plus, she kept us stocked up on cookies, brownies and ice cream for an entire week. And of course I'm not in the least bit jealous that my son has taken to calling Amy his mommy. I think we got that straightened out though. Last night he told me "Amy Jake's friend!" I wish I had pictures of everyone who has helped out but it seems I did a horrible job documenting things. We did get a few pictures of Mike's dad with the kids and Amy holding Emma. Thanks again to everyone and mama I'll see you when you're feeling better!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
America's Next Top Model
Last week one of the ladies in our Sunday School class offered to come over and take some newborn photos of Emma. She recently started up her own photography business and was willing to donate her time to us. I couldn't wait for the photo shoot! However, it seems like little Emma doesn't like to cooperate with professionals. She's a bit of a diva. Michelle was very patient and spent two hours at our house trying to get Emma to stay asleep so she could position her correctly for the pictures. Our little girl who sleeps all day long could not sleep for the pictures to be taken. She probably just wanted to strike her own poses. Here is the link to Michelle's website where you can see a sneak peak of Emma's pictures. She's the one labeled "Miss E" and she's in the most adorable little green knitted pea pod. Enjoy!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Jake and Emma
Several people keep asking how Jake is adjusting to being a big brother. I'm happy to report that he seems to love it! There were a couple of shaky moments in the beginning, but he loves his baby sister and is really into being helpful when it comes to Emma.
The day Emma was born Mike's dad brought Jake up to the hospital to meet her. He would not even look in her direction and he completely ignored me. He seemed so mad at me! However, the next day when they came to the hospital I bribed him with a cookie so he would sit in bed beside me and I could give him some hugs and squeezes. Then he seemed ready to meet little sister. Mike brought Emma over and put her in Jake's lap and he carefully put his little arm on her legs. I think he gave her a hug or a kiss and then he looked at me and said "All done, enough!" And that was that.
The next day we left the hospital to go home and when we arrived Jake was still taking his nap. When he woke up and came downstairs to find me home holding Emma in my arms, his face just crumbled. I have never seem him look so sad. He didn't even say anything. He just kept rubbing his eyes and had big old crocodile tears coming down his cheeks. I think that was the moment he knew that we weren't giving her away. She was here to stay. Well, it took a little while but ever since then he's been nothing but sweet to her. If she's crying, he finds a toy to give her. And not just any toy. The other day he gave her FOUR of his cars. He NEVER shares his cars. That's how I know she's special to him. He also loves to kiss and hug her and tell her "it's okay Emma." Sweet! I'm very pleased and proud at what a good brother he's being. That's not to say he doesn't get a little rough sometimes. He doesn't quite seem to understand that he doesn't have to put a death grip on her little head when he's patting it. We're working on the gentleness factor right now. Anyway, here are some pictures of brother/sister love.
The day Emma was born Mike's dad brought Jake up to the hospital to meet her. He would not even look in her direction and he completely ignored me. He seemed so mad at me! However, the next day when they came to the hospital I bribed him with a cookie so he would sit in bed beside me and I could give him some hugs and squeezes. Then he seemed ready to meet little sister. Mike brought Emma over and put her in Jake's lap and he carefully put his little arm on her legs. I think he gave her a hug or a kiss and then he looked at me and said "All done, enough!" And that was that.
The next day we left the hospital to go home and when we arrived Jake was still taking his nap. When he woke up and came downstairs to find me home holding Emma in my arms, his face just crumbled. I have never seem him look so sad. He didn't even say anything. He just kept rubbing his eyes and had big old crocodile tears coming down his cheeks. I think that was the moment he knew that we weren't giving her away. She was here to stay. Well, it took a little while but ever since then he's been nothing but sweet to her. If she's crying, he finds a toy to give her. And not just any toy. The other day he gave her FOUR of his cars. He NEVER shares his cars. That's how I know she's special to him. He also loves to kiss and hug her and tell her "it's okay Emma." Sweet! I'm very pleased and proud at what a good brother he's being. That's not to say he doesn't get a little rough sometimes. He doesn't quite seem to understand that he doesn't have to put a death grip on her little head when he's patting it. We're working on the gentleness factor right now. Anyway, here are some pictures of brother/sister love.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Emma update
Okay, I finally have a few moments to update you on little Emma. She has been such a good little baby. She sleeps all the time waking only for a few minutes to eat and look around and then she's back off to sleep. I've probably gotten more sleep the last two or three nights then I did the last three months. It has been good. She weighed 8 lbs. and 3 oz. at birth, dropped a little bit in the hospital and was back up to 7 lbs. 15 oz. at her checkup on Monday.
She looks a little bit like Jake did when he was a baby. She has the same chubby cheeks and cute little mouth. I think her eyes are going to be blue though and right now she has a little bit of dark hair. She is sleeping for four hour stretches and she sleeps in her bassinet that my dad built at night. During the day,however, she really likes to be held. She is definately a cuddle bunny.
Here is the last picture of the baby bump that we took Thursday morning before going to the hospital. She filled up my belly pretty good! We will discuss my bangs at a later date. Much later.
Here are some pictures of Emma right after she was born.
My recovery is going well except for the fact that I'm way more swollen now than I was when I was pregnant. I go in to get my staples removed tomorrow. We had so many visitors in the hospital and friends and family that have come over to help me out while Mike is gone. You have all been such a blessing to us. And let me also mention the fact that I haven't had to cook anything this week because of all the people bringing us food. Thank you so much! Right now we're just trying to get used to having two kids and somehow keep Jake's life as normal as possible. He has been super sweet to Emma. I'll post more later about her delivery and Jake's reaction to her. The vicadin has kicked in and I suddenly just want to go to bed.
She looks a little bit like Jake did when he was a baby. She has the same chubby cheeks and cute little mouth. I think her eyes are going to be blue though and right now she has a little bit of dark hair. She is sleeping for four hour stretches and she sleeps in her bassinet that my dad built at night. During the day,however, she really likes to be held. She is definately a cuddle bunny.
Here is the last picture of the baby bump that we took Thursday morning before going to the hospital. She filled up my belly pretty good! We will discuss my bangs at a later date. Much later.
Here are some pictures of Emma right after she was born.
My recovery is going well except for the fact that I'm way more swollen now than I was when I was pregnant. I go in to get my staples removed tomorrow. We had so many visitors in the hospital and friends and family that have come over to help me out while Mike is gone. You have all been such a blessing to us. And let me also mention the fact that I haven't had to cook anything this week because of all the people bringing us food. Thank you so much! Right now we're just trying to get used to having two kids and somehow keep Jake's life as normal as possible. He has been super sweet to Emma. I'll post more later about her delivery and Jake's reaction to her. The vicadin has kicked in and I suddenly just want to go to bed.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
She's Here!
Ever since we found out that we were having a girl, I've had one song constantly running through my mind. So, in the words of Stevie Wonder...
Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderfull
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love
Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love
We are so thankful to finally welcome Emma Mae into our family. We're looking forward to seeing what plans God has for all of us in the upcoming months and years. This will be it for for having babies for us (I just feel too old to be pregnant again!), but who knows how our family could expand in other ways!
I prayed for this child and God has given me what I asked of Him
I Samuel 1:27
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Let's just make a list
Top ten things to do before Emma arrives.
10.) Take a picture of my feet which are looking more and more like Fred Flintstone everyday.
9.) Take one last picture of my belly and promise myself that I can get this weight off within a year.
8.) Eat as much ice cream as is humanly possible because right now it is guilt free eating. I'm pretty sure it won't be included on my "get rid of baby weight" diet plan.
7.) Pack a box or two because if I haven't told you, we have to be moved out of this house by the end of March and find a temporary place to live until our new house is finished. What does a stress free life feel like?
6.) Find someone to give me a massage.
5.) Remind myself that all of the torture I've been feeling the last nine months will TOTALLY be worth it in a couple days.
4.) Convince myself that just because I can't literally "birth" my babies does not make me a failure as a mother. I just have a very particular cervix that doesn't have an exit strategy. It's kind of like me with a grudge, it just can't let go, in which case surgery is a completely acceptable option.
3.) Have one last dinner out with my hubby.
2.) Hug and kiss Jake as much as he will possibly let me.
1a.) Apologize to hubby for how crabby I've been the last nine months. Sorry honey!
1b.) Wish for the last time that hubby could get pregnant so he would truly understand what it's like.
1c.) Get one last night of truly good sleep because it's about to get crazy up in here ya'll.
10.) Take a picture of my feet which are looking more and more like Fred Flintstone everyday.
9.) Take one last picture of my belly and promise myself that I can get this weight off within a year.
8.) Eat as much ice cream as is humanly possible because right now it is guilt free eating. I'm pretty sure it won't be included on my "get rid of baby weight" diet plan.
7.) Pack a box or two because if I haven't told you, we have to be moved out of this house by the end of March and find a temporary place to live until our new house is finished. What does a stress free life feel like?
6.) Find someone to give me a massage.
5.) Remind myself that all of the torture I've been feeling the last nine months will TOTALLY be worth it in a couple days.
4.) Convince myself that just because I can't literally "birth" my babies does not make me a failure as a mother. I just have a very particular cervix that doesn't have an exit strategy. It's kind of like me with a grudge, it just can't let go, in which case surgery is a completely acceptable option.
3.) Have one last dinner out with my hubby.
2.) Hug and kiss Jake as much as he will possibly let me.
1a.) Apologize to hubby for how crabby I've been the last nine months. Sorry honey!
1b.) Wish for the last time that hubby could get pregnant so he would truly understand what it's like.
1c.) Get one last night of truly good sleep because it's about to get crazy up in here ya'll.
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Final Countdown
It's hard to believe that in just three more days we'll be welcoming our little girl into the world! I'm sorry if you're all tired of hearing about my pregnancy but it's all I can concentrate on so here we go with some last minute thoughts. I am so ready I could literally just pop. In fact, I'm worried that might happen. I can feel the skin around my tummy trying to stretch more and more to accommodate this baby and I think it has reached the limit of stretchability. Is it possible for my belly to pop open and for Emma to come flying out like a balloon? I'll let you know. It seems like I'm going for another 40 pound weight gain with this child which is just one more reason to stop having babies after she gets here. Because I have to tell you that an extra 40 pounds on a 5 ft. 4 in. tall person is nothing short of miserable. And considering everyone is telling me that I'm all belly and you can't even tell I'm pregnant until I turn around, well, that is not an even distribution of weight my friends. My balance is off and I'm afraid that Emma will be born with bruises all over because I keep hitting my belly on everything I walk by.
I have slowed down considerably in the last week. I stopped working and have sadly gotten very lazy about this blog thing. It's just that the computer is upstairs and Jake and I spend most of our time downstairs. So the idea of walking up the stairs to write something that will probably be incoherent anyway is just not appealing to me. I hope to be back in the bloggy saddle again consistently in a few weeks.
I have to say that it very surreal to know the exact time and day that you're going to have a baby. Jake was five days late and it felt like he would never get here. I seriously thought he would start Kindergarten still in the womb. Which would have just been awkward because I can't fit into those tiny little chairs they have at school. Although I would have loved story, song and nap time! Anyways, knowing that Emma will be here around 7:30 on Thursday morning is just plain weird. I've got her bag packed, I'm planning on having my hair cut and styled the day before (vain, I know! but did you see the pictures of me with Jake after 30 hours of unsuccessful labor last time?!) and friends and family can plan on visiting because they know when she'll be here. Strange.
Lastly, (for today anyhow) how can I be so happy to have a little girl coming to join us and yet so sad for the little boy whose world is about to change so drastically? I find myself wanting to soak up every minute with him these last few days knowing that it won't ever really be just "us" again. Yesterday, I felt so tired and was hurting so much that all he and I did was hang out on the couch watching movies. Terrible, I know! But it was also a very sweet time with my boy cuddled up to me for many hours. Of course, getting him to go to sleep last night was a nightmare due to all of the pent up energy in his little body. Still, I think it was worth it. Oh, I hope these two become friends. And I hope that if Jake ever puts Emma in a headlock or a spinning toe hold like my brother used to do to me that she will know it is out of love and not sibling rivalry. And I hope that if they do resort to wrestling moves that she'll be scrappy enough to defend herself or smart enough to blackmail him into letting her go.
I have slowed down considerably in the last week. I stopped working and have sadly gotten very lazy about this blog thing. It's just that the computer is upstairs and Jake and I spend most of our time downstairs. So the idea of walking up the stairs to write something that will probably be incoherent anyway is just not appealing to me. I hope to be back in the bloggy saddle again consistently in a few weeks.
I have to say that it very surreal to know the exact time and day that you're going to have a baby. Jake was five days late and it felt like he would never get here. I seriously thought he would start Kindergarten still in the womb. Which would have just been awkward because I can't fit into those tiny little chairs they have at school. Although I would have loved story, song and nap time! Anyways, knowing that Emma will be here around 7:30 on Thursday morning is just plain weird. I've got her bag packed, I'm planning on having my hair cut and styled the day before (vain, I know! but did you see the pictures of me with Jake after 30 hours of unsuccessful labor last time?!) and friends and family can plan on visiting because they know when she'll be here. Strange.
Lastly, (for today anyhow) how can I be so happy to have a little girl coming to join us and yet so sad for the little boy whose world is about to change so drastically? I find myself wanting to soak up every minute with him these last few days knowing that it won't ever really be just "us" again. Yesterday, I felt so tired and was hurting so much that all he and I did was hang out on the couch watching movies. Terrible, I know! But it was also a very sweet time with my boy cuddled up to me for many hours. Of course, getting him to go to sleep last night was a nightmare due to all of the pent up energy in his little body. Still, I think it was worth it. Oh, I hope these two become friends. And I hope that if Jake ever puts Emma in a headlock or a spinning toe hold like my brother used to do to me that she will know it is out of love and not sibling rivalry. And I hope that if they do resort to wrestling moves that she'll be scrappy enough to defend herself or smart enough to blackmail him into letting her go.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
He is his mama's son
To say that Jake is a little, um, particular would not be an understatement. We noticed quite a while back that he is a little obsessive compulsive about where food items should go on his highchair tray. He likes things in a certain place is all. I completely understand this and am even a little bit proud that he has mastered the idea that EVERYTHING has a place at such a tender age. So I try not to get frustrated when I put his hot dog or cheese in one spot and he looks at me and states emphatically "NO, not there, right THERE!" while pointing at the spot where these items CLEARLY belong.
I'm astounded at his organizational skills and can't wait until he gets bigger and he can help me organize closets and things. It will be such a sweet time of mother/son bonding.
I've also noticed that he's a little ritualistic and again, I think this comes from me. He's got so many years of therapy ahead of him. When we wake up in the morning there is just a certain order to the way things have to go. For example, after screaming "I'M AWAKE!" one or six times until I get myself up to go get him out of bed, the first thing he needs to do is to look out the window to show me where the cars are parked outside. Then, he needs me to turn off his humidifier. Then we have to talk about which animals are awake while we go turn the lizard's cage lights on. Next, after much discussion over whether we need to change his diaper or not we head downstairs to get some chocolate milk and cereal and turn on Elmo while mommy finishes waking up. It's our thing. It's what we do.
Anyhow, imagine my pride last night when upon taking Jake upstairs to go to bed, this is what Mike and I saw.
I couldn't have been happier. Do you see the way the cars and trucks are all lined up? Do all little boys do this? My only concern was that police car that is not completely straight. I almost had to fix it, but then I told myself to get over it. Do you know what Jake did first thing when we got downstairs this morning? He walked over to the door and fixed that police car so it was perfectly straight and lined up with the others. I wanted to cry, I was so proud of him.
Tomorrow, I think I'm going to buy a pack of M&M's and teach him to line them up by colors before eating them. And everyone knows you start with red and save the green and brown ones for last. Right? That's completely normal.
I'm astounded at his organizational skills and can't wait until he gets bigger and he can help me organize closets and things. It will be such a sweet time of mother/son bonding.
I've also noticed that he's a little ritualistic and again, I think this comes from me. He's got so many years of therapy ahead of him. When we wake up in the morning there is just a certain order to the way things have to go. For example, after screaming "I'M AWAKE!" one or six times until I get myself up to go get him out of bed, the first thing he needs to do is to look out the window to show me where the cars are parked outside. Then, he needs me to turn off his humidifier. Then we have to talk about which animals are awake while we go turn the lizard's cage lights on. Next, after much discussion over whether we need to change his diaper or not we head downstairs to get some chocolate milk and cereal and turn on Elmo while mommy finishes waking up. It's our thing. It's what we do.
Anyhow, imagine my pride last night when upon taking Jake upstairs to go to bed, this is what Mike and I saw.
I couldn't have been happier. Do you see the way the cars and trucks are all lined up? Do all little boys do this? My only concern was that police car that is not completely straight. I almost had to fix it, but then I told myself to get over it. Do you know what Jake did first thing when we got downstairs this morning? He walked over to the door and fixed that police car so it was perfectly straight and lined up with the others. I wanted to cry, I was so proud of him.
Tomorrow, I think I'm going to buy a pack of M&M's and teach him to line them up by colors before eating them. And everyone knows you start with red and save the green and brown ones for last. Right? That's completely normal.
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