Well, I'm back and I have no excuse for not posting for over a year and a half. Other than having another baby, who has been sucking the life out of me (literally and figuratively). But since she was born almost 8 months ago, it's not a real excuse, is it? Especially since I managed to find time during my maternity leave to watch Downton Abbey (in like a week), several seasons of Mad Men, and a bunch of Game of Thrones. But it was much easier back then to watch TV and nurse than it was to type. Nowadays, it's hard to do either really since baby L doesn't like being distracted while nursing and bites me with her gums when she senses that I'm not paying 100% attention to her.
So anyway, no real excuse. But we got another little one, and I'm looking so forward to having two teenage girls one day. I'm not on maternity leave anymore. In April, I started going back part time, and by June, I was back to full-time. It's been hard. There's no way to sugar coat it, and I totally called it last year. The little one has not been easy. She didn't take a bottle for the longest time. They spoon fed her in daycare for weeks. She's a pretty crappy sleeper, and a good night for us is having her wake up just twice during the course of the night now. Last night, she was restless even while sleeping and woke up at least 3 times, I think. It's all a blur now.
On the other hand, unlike D, she's a greater nurser and loves to eat. She gets angry when we eat in front of her, so we've taken to feeding her little bits of whatever we're having. Angel hair with alfredo sauce, quinoa/brown rice mix, hummus, whatever we're eating basically has found its way into the little one's mouth. And out the other end -- thanks quinoa! Who knew you weren't digestible by an 8-month old? She's active and will probably have us running after her in no time. And it's pretty easy to get a grin out of her. And man it's a pretty good grin. OMG. Even on the most frustrating, sleep-deprived days, all she has to do is smile at me, and I'm almost ready to forgive and forget everything else.
It's fascinating to me how different the two girls are from each other. It's been like night and day from the beginning. Where D had to be woken up to eat in the early days, L announced her hunger loudly and at regular intervals right from the get go. Where D struggled to nurse and later, didn't like solids for the longest time, L clearly has no issues in this area. Where D lingered at my boob for days on end, L gets in and out because (I think) she can't be bothered to waste her time eating. Where D slept through the night almost from the beginning, we're still struggled to attain that magical milestone at 8 months now. And of course, where D was content to hang out in one place, L already tries to leap out of my arms. She rolled over even before 4 months and sat up soon after. She's been trying to crawl and pull to standing, and I imagine, once she can do both, there'll be no stopping her.
What's been even more amazing is how close the girls have been to each other almost from the beginning. I have pictures from the first weeks of L's eyes fixated on her sister. And to this day, she hears D's voice in another room and immediately smiles and gets excited. And our toddler, who can throw down a tantrum with the best of them and can be as pissy as all get out to us, has never been anything but smiles to her little sister. Well, there was that time she told me the baby cried too much. And more than a little bit of toy grabbing from the baby's hands. And several times when she's "helped the baby roll over" and over and over. But L doesn't seem to mind and I'd say there are far more hugs than anything else.
When it comes to the baby, D loves to help. Sometimes, when I'm busy, I'll send her in to check on the baby, and I'll watch on the monitor as she leans into the crib and offers L a toy. Or says, "Don't cry, baby. I'm here now." And what do you know the baby sees her and stops crying. I know there will come a day when they'll fight and pull each other's hair out. But man, I hope this spirit of closeness continues throughout their lives.
Anyway, life's been busy and stressful and kind of lovely and terrible at the same time. It's been a good year, but not easy, and I've found myself to be cranky and tired more days than not. So I'm making a conscious effort now to have a life beyond just the kids. So seems like as good as any to get back into blogging too. I'm also trying to get back into yoga and am training to run a half marathon! And meal plan so that our evenings go a little smoother, and pack up for daycare the night before so that our mornings aren't as hectic. It's like making new year's resolutions in August! If I fail, at least I can say I kept my resolutions til Aug! :) So stay tuned!
So anyway, no real excuse. But we got another little one, and I'm looking so forward to having two teenage girls one day. I'm not on maternity leave anymore. In April, I started going back part time, and by June, I was back to full-time. It's been hard. There's no way to sugar coat it, and I totally called it last year. The little one has not been easy. She didn't take a bottle for the longest time. They spoon fed her in daycare for weeks. She's a pretty crappy sleeper, and a good night for us is having her wake up just twice during the course of the night now. Last night, she was restless even while sleeping and woke up at least 3 times, I think. It's all a blur now.
On the other hand, unlike D, she's a greater nurser and loves to eat. She gets angry when we eat in front of her, so we've taken to feeding her little bits of whatever we're having. Angel hair with alfredo sauce, quinoa/brown rice mix, hummus, whatever we're eating basically has found its way into the little one's mouth. And out the other end -- thanks quinoa! Who knew you weren't digestible by an 8-month old? She's active and will probably have us running after her in no time. And it's pretty easy to get a grin out of her. And man it's a pretty good grin. OMG. Even on the most frustrating, sleep-deprived days, all she has to do is smile at me, and I'm almost ready to forgive and forget everything else.
It's fascinating to me how different the two girls are from each other. It's been like night and day from the beginning. Where D had to be woken up to eat in the early days, L announced her hunger loudly and at regular intervals right from the get go. Where D struggled to nurse and later, didn't like solids for the longest time, L clearly has no issues in this area. Where D lingered at my boob for days on end, L gets in and out because (I think) she can't be bothered to waste her time eating. Where D slept through the night almost from the beginning, we're still struggled to attain that magical milestone at 8 months now. And of course, where D was content to hang out in one place, L already tries to leap out of my arms. She rolled over even before 4 months and sat up soon after. She's been trying to crawl and pull to standing, and I imagine, once she can do both, there'll be no stopping her.
What's been even more amazing is how close the girls have been to each other almost from the beginning. I have pictures from the first weeks of L's eyes fixated on her sister. And to this day, she hears D's voice in another room and immediately smiles and gets excited. And our toddler, who can throw down a tantrum with the best of them and can be as pissy as all get out to us, has never been anything but smiles to her little sister. Well, there was that time she told me the baby cried too much. And more than a little bit of toy grabbing from the baby's hands. And several times when she's "helped the baby roll over" and over and over. But L doesn't seem to mind and I'd say there are far more hugs than anything else.
When it comes to the baby, D loves to help. Sometimes, when I'm busy, I'll send her in to check on the baby, and I'll watch on the monitor as she leans into the crib and offers L a toy. Or says, "Don't cry, baby. I'm here now." And what do you know the baby sees her and stops crying. I know there will come a day when they'll fight and pull each other's hair out. But man, I hope this spirit of closeness continues throughout their lives.
Anyway, life's been busy and stressful and kind of lovely and terrible at the same time. It's been a good year, but not easy, and I've found myself to be cranky and tired more days than not. So I'm making a conscious effort now to have a life beyond just the kids. So seems like as good as any to get back into blogging too. I'm also trying to get back into yoga and am training to run a half marathon! And meal plan so that our evenings go a little smoother, and pack up for daycare the night before so that our mornings aren't as hectic. It's like making new year's resolutions in August! If I fail, at least I can say I kept my resolutions til Aug! :) So stay tuned!
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