Mama of Two

The transition from one baby to two has been wonderful at times and tough at others. It's certainly exhausting. A pastor told Ty on Christmas that having little kids makes for the longest days and the shortest years. We were both really moved by his statement because it is so true. The days are tiring and frustrating but also wonderful and fleeting. I just cleared some clothes that no longer fit out of Weston's drawer and he's only a month old, the newborn phase is already passing us by.

The first week baby Wes was a dream and Owen was really difficult to deal with. All the change, sleep deprivation and the deviation from our normal routine lead to a lot of melt downs, while Weston just slept and nursed. I was upset with myself for feeling like Owen was exhausting and frustrating because I rarely feel that way about him. I mourned the loss of having just one child and the luxury of focusing all my energy and patience on him.

After that first week things settled out with Owen while Wes started coming to life and requiting more attention. Now it's just busy. Weston is a pretty mellow baby and having a newborn is much easier the second time. Owen is his normal 2 year old self. They're both pretty good but require a lot of attention. It generally feels like if one of them is calm, the other needs something. There is no down time. Owen goes to bed early but Wes stays up late. Owen wakes up early and Wes sleeps in. Wes needs to nurse and we need to make Owen lunch, Owen is destroying things while I feed the baby, when Wes is fussing he needs to be held and my hands are tied up for long periods of time. It's a balancing act for sure. That being said, we are figuring things out and it is getting progressively easier.

Ty has been home with me the whole time, which has been amazing. This week I've taken both the kids to co op and MOPS by myself and done a majority of the days on my own. I was having a hard time imagining being by myself with both of them all day but now I feel like I can handle it. I may not be able to keep my house as clean as I want and I may not have time to shower first thing in the morning, or at all, but I will be able to care for the boys.

The best thing about the second baby is watching the brotherly bond begin to develop. Owen loves Wes and wants to know where he is at all times. He searches for him first thing in the morning and kisses him before bed every night. He shows him off to his friends, loves to hold him, kiss him and give him his binki when he cries. At six weeks Wes follows Owen's voice and turns his head toward him. They're already buddies and I'm so looking forward to watching their relationship continue to grow.

Turns out that having two boys just might be the best thing ever. I love these two something fierce and wouldn't want it any other way

Christmas 2014

Christmas this year was busy. We celebrated Saturday evening with Ty's family over at Aaron and Kelsi's and got together with my work friends on Sunday. My dad came into town Tuesday and we had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities here. Steve and Paula were here both days and stayed the night on Christmas Eve, Aaron and Kelsi joined us for Christmas Eve, Rachel, Josh, Cam and Abby for Christmas Day. Two days after Christmas Trevor and Polina came into to town and stayed with us overnight. A few days after they left we drove to Oregon for four days to celebrate with my side of the family. Did I mention that we have a newborn? It's been crazy. But good. We really enjoyed the time with friends and family. Owen loved all the treats and attention that freely flowed during the two weeks of festivities and it was a perfect opportunity for everyone to meet and love on baby Weston.

The best part of Christmas was church on Christmas Eve. We've never been able to attend our church on Christmas because in years past we've always been away from home. It was so meaningful to me to be in church, reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. I love going to church and feel peace and comfort when I'm there. I always have. As I sang Christmas carols with my boys by my side I teared up with joy, feeling so incredibly thankful for my family and all God has done in my life.