2 1/2 and 5 Months

At nearly two and a half, Owen is turing into a full on little boy. He is so fun to be around and I LOVE that he can finally communicate with me. It's so nice having someone to chat with rather than talking to myself all day long as I've done for the past two years. I am getting feedback and relish in the insight it gives me into his little world. I love being able to ask him what he thinks of something and what he wants to do. I love that we can discuss our day each night and talk about all the fun we had. My favorite thing is when I am asking him a question, and probing for a specific answer, but he says something totally accurate that I'm not expecting. Owen is my tender and sweet little soul. He is kind, loving and such a joy.

And my little Wes. My new nickname for him is squishy and I am obsessed with his chubby little face. I miss him while I am at work and just want to hug and squeeze and kiss him when I'm home. I feel like we have had found our stride and he is such a mellow baby. He likes to hang out on his play gym, the couch or his swing. He smiles every time you look at him and has started doing the belly laugh. There is really nothing better than a squishy little laughing baby. I'm officially enomored. He still puts himself to bed at night and has been by the book in developing a nap schedule. He is a mamas boy and I relish our sweet moments nursing and napping together.

Then there is the two of them together. It's really the best thing ever and there is so much love. When Owen wakes up in the morning, he wants to know where Wes is first thing. I put Wes in the bumbo chair and Owen does things in front of him while they both crack up. Owen is constantly stealing Weston's binki, but if Wes cries, he will give it back to him. I feel so much less pressure to entertain Wes every second of the day than I did when Owen was tiny because Owen entertains him for me. Brothers. Best friends.

Being back a work has brought a healthy balance back to my life that I didn't even realize I was missing. I miss the boys so much while I'm at work that I appreciate the days I am home with them even more. I enjoy being at work and being a nurse is a huge part of who I am. It feels good to use my brain in a different way and socialize with my coworkers. I am beyond grateful to have a job that makes me feel like I have a positive impact and brings me personal gratification. And I am so thankful that my schedule makes it so I don't have to choose being being with my boys and working. I feel like I am able to devote sufficient time and attention to both, which is an amazing gift.

It feels like we are hitting our stride. Wes is settling into a routine and having two no longer feels super overwhelming. I shower in the morning again and feel put together some of the time. Going to the grocery store with both of them no longer feels daunting, Wes doesn't scream every time I put him in the car and we've resumed some productivity around the house. The first year with any baby is full of transitions and things are continually changing. The last five months we adjusted to having a second child, Ty starting a new job and me returning to work. Each change has brought a set of struggles to work through and with every transition we have figured it out . I'm sure it won't be long before things change again but for now it feels good to be living, and enjoying, the new normal.