True Life- Mommy of Two

The unconditional love a mother has for her 1st born child when she gives birth is indescribable   When she gets pregnant with her 2nd she can never imagine loving another as much her 1st, but it somehow it happens. A mother's heart doesn't make room for the new child because that would mean some of the love was taken from the 1st and given to the 2nd.  A mother's heart doubles in size to give an equal amount of love to all (maybe even quadruples).  

I've been home for almost 3 months now and as my days become numbered of being a temporary stay-at-home-mommy I wanted to get this post written before the craziness of the school year began. I can honestly say I was not prepared for the love, joy, and stress these past few months have provided.  For those of you about to embark on your 2nd child I don't think anything could have prepared me better and I'm sure everyone's experience will be different.  

One of my most favorite memories I have is Avery meeting Addison for the 1st time.  I literally thought my heart was going to explode. Hence the picture below of the weeping mommy watching her two babies meet for the 1st time. 

                                      

Avery was so sweet and loving with her.  She was so proud to be big sister and fell in love with Addison as quickly as the rest of us did.  

I mean... 

 At first Avery wanted to be with Addison every waking moment. She even parked her chair in front of her bouncy seat several times just to watch and protect her (while also watching Peppa Pig-of course).

Anytime Addison is on her play mat it's not long before big sister joins her.  Of course this is completely adorable, but it's also stressful because big sisters have "so much love" that can be a little overwhelming for a tiny baby. This big sister is unaware of how strong her arms and legs can be and can easily whack a baby.

cuteness overload

Avery wants to hold Addison like a big girl. We are still working on how to hold a baby properly. She gets so excited when she holds her that she just squeezes the mess out of her and of course it usually ends with me getting worried and Addison crying.

 

bless

 The precious moments that the three of us have shared this summer will never be forgotten and I know next summer will be even more exciting.

Now I titled this blog post TRUE LIFE because this summer has not been EASY or always full of JOY. I feel bad even saying that, but I feel like I need to be honest and not sugar coat everything.  Life is tough with two, but it IS amazing and I would never have it any different.  Will there be a THIRD? NOOOOOOO

Here is my list of 10 things a mother of a toddler and newborn should know or do... these are in no particular order.

1- Keep your toddler in preschool or daycare at least 2 days a week while on maternity leave
2- Cook LOTs of meals before having the baby
3- Get a mani, pedi, and your hair done before baby #2
4- Hire someone to clean your house 2 x a month
5- Buy a bottle of wine to have on hand after baby is born
6- If people want to visit or help out in any way LET them
7- Have the newborn nap in his/her nursery
8- Make time for your 1st born to do things alone with him/her
9- Limit your toddlers "time outs" each day b/c most of them will be from your frustration and now always from their actions
10- Take pictures and journal your experiences b/c time will FLY by

Two Months Old

Addison Claire is two months old. Seriously. TIME.SLOW.DOWN!!!!

Weight: 12 lbs (68%tile)

Height: 22.4 47%tile)

Head:  15.2" (61%tile)

Diapers: Size 1

Clothing: packed up newborn. You are wearing 0-3 and 3 months

Sleep: Not sleeping as much during the day.  We've gotten into a pretty good routine of sleep, eat,  play, repeat.  Most nights she sleeps the first part of the night in her crib 10 or 11ish- 4-5ish.  Then she eats and usually sleeps in her swing the rest of the morning. 

Food: same as 1st month (mommy's milk and formula every 3 hours or so).  She's been less and less interested in my Supplement Nursing System ( The SNS is the best invention ever for mommies with low supply)  She's not latching very well anymore I am having to feed her the rest of her formula through a bottle.  I see our nursing days coming to an end.  I only nursed Avery for 8 weeks, so I am ok with it.  Of course I would have LOVED to have nursed both of my babies for a year, but my body make less than an ounce of milk a day and no baby can live on that.  Yes, I've tried all the natural and prescription meds to help supply and I've even made lactation cookies.  Oh well, moving on!! 

Moods:  Finally I do believe we have exited our daily rides on the fuss bus.  Her fussy time has gotten sooooo much better (knock on wood), but I am not sure what to contribute it to.  The Zantac/ gribe water/ gas drop combination or just maturity. Whatever it is I am grateful and hoping things continue down this path.  

Favorite Toys: Anything she can hold.  She still keeps her hands in fists.  I think this is her coping mecanism to help deal with the gas pains.  When she nurses or take a bottle she likes to hold my hand.  It's precious.   

Playtime: Playtime usually consists of her laying under her playmat.  She's started to swat and kick at the toys hanging above her.  She will lay under there for a good 10 minutes before getting fussy, sometimes more and sometimes less :) 

Firsts: smile, swimming in a pool, meeting my cousin Jamison, Sadie, Uncle Mark, Aunt Mary, and Grandma Ellington.

1st BUMBO sittin

1st time meeting Sadie (one day apart) 

meeting Gma Ellington (92 years old) 

lovin my sissy

1st time swimming

chins and cheeks for days

 Big Sister Update:  2 years and 10 months old
Big Sister Avery is being a typical 2 almost 3 year old. She loves to play with her baby dolls, read books, ride her bike, and sing songs.  She take one nap a day usually about 2 hours long. She knows her colors.  Can identify all upper case letters in isolation. Can count to 10 (sometimes).  We are working on number identification.  She can also identify most basic shapes.   Big News: AVERY is POTTY TRAINED TRAINING!!! She is doing such a good job and I couldn't be prouder of her.  It is so true what they say about potty training, "when they're ready, they will do it."  I tried several times before Addison was born b/c I really didn't want two in diapers, but she wasn't ready and it didn't work out. But one day she said she wanted to go potty and the rest is history.

wedgie :) 

pull ups 

First time staying a week at Mimi and Pop's house

2nd haircut :) 

nothing says summer like fresh watermelon

swimming at the clubhouse

Last but not least, of course we have a comparison picture :) 

At 2 months...
Avery was 9lbs 15.5oz (28%tile) Addison is 12lbs (68%tile)
Avery was 22.4 " (47%tile) and Addison is 22.4" (47%tile) SAME :) 
Avery's HC was 14 3/4" (19%) and Addison is 15.2" (61%tile)

One Month Old

How is she one month already?  Ok, so by the time I'm posting this she's 6 weeks, but who's counting...

Weight: 10 lb 12 oz (74%tile)

Height: 21.25" (36%tile)
This was about the same height as her hospital height.  Doc thinks it's because the differences in how they measure, so hopefully she grow a little longer by her 2nd month check up. 

Head: 14.76" (65%tile)
Diapers: newborn (for about two weeks) - size 1
Clothing: newborn, 0-3month, and 3 months

Sleep: Sleeps most of the day in between feedings. Nighttime sleep varies but usually she sleeps in the swing, bouncy seat and sometimes in her crib. 

Food: mommy's milk and formula every 3 hours or so 

Moods: I keeping throwing around the word "colic" because lil Miss Addison is usually super fussy from about 6pm-10pm.  Her cries are heart breaking b/c she seems to be in a lot of pain from gas.  We've been to the doctor several times.  She's been diagnosed with "silent reflux" but I still on the fence about that b/c she's not fussy on in pain with every feeding.  We began giving her zyntac and are holding off on the rice cereal in the bottle until we talk more with her doctor at her one month appointment. 

Favorite Toys: Nothing really yet.  She did just begin noticing the lights on her bouncy seat and the toys circling from her swing.

Playtime: Not too much playing yet b/c she sleeps so much during the day.  Big sister Avery cannot wait to be able to play with Addison

A few moments of Addison's 1st month

1st Bath 

1st "good" sleep in crib

1st doctor appointment

beginning to stay alert more during day 

1st Lake Trip

Lake w/ Pop Pop

Spending time with big sissy Avery 

sleeping on Mommy

Avery wants to play with her so badly 

I LOVE to compare the girls' pictures at the same age/stage!!

What do you think, do they look anything alike??  I don't really see it. 

Addison's Birth Story

Addison's birth story is the furthest away in similarity from Avery's birth story. And for that I am very thankful.  Since Avery was born via c section I knew I would have a planned c section with Addison.  Many people questioned me if that's really what I wanted.  That made me a little angry because whose business is it anyway, but people will say just about anything to a pregnant person.  I discussed my options with my doctor and I was perfectly content with planning Addison's birth.  Choosing the date was rather interesting because there are so many beginning of May birthdays in my family.  I obviously wanted MY doctor to do it and it just so happened he was on call for May 14th which is my aunts birthday.  She was more than happy to share her day with Addison.  

The morning of May 14th we were supposed to report to the hospital at 10:00am to check-in and our operation was scheduled for 11:30am.  i pre-registered so check in was easy and before I knew it I was upstairs going into the pre-op room getting my gown on.  Joe and I heard a baby crying and asked about it.  We were told the post-op is across the room from us and after the surgery all of us (baby included) would be in the recovery room together.  This was foreign to me b/c with Avery I was in recovery alone b/c Joe went with Avery to the NICU.  

Ready to meet my girl!

It's "GO TIME"

Like I said before everything about this time around was different from when I had Avery.  With Avery I had an epidural 1st while in labor and then had a spinal once I got into the operating room.  I guess b/c I had both I was pretty numb b/c I couldn't move my arms and didn't feel a thing while she was being delivered.  No pulling, tugging, nothing.. This time I only received a spinal and my arms were free to move as I pleased and I could feel everything going on down below.  Nothing hurt, but I could feel "stuff."  Since we were not in a distressed emergency situation the doctor told Joe he could take pictures of Addison coming out.  I will not post those b/c some people might freak out, but if you're interested I'll be glad to show you.  

At 11:59 am this little angel took her first breath and screamed bloody murder for at least 5 minutes.  She scored an 8 and 9 on her Apgar test.  One perfect, healthy lil lady and NO NICU for us.  Praise the Lord!!

Daddy cutting the cord

1st Family pic (minus big sister)

 After hanging out in the OR while they stitched me up we were wheeled to the recovery room.  I was able to nurse and relax with my sweet new baby girl and Joe.  As soon as I could wiggle my toes and move my legs some we were taken to our mother baby room.  Of course Gigi and Mimi were there waiting for us before we even entered the room.  The rest of the day was spent adoring this little angel with all our family members.  Avery meeting Addison was a memory I will always treasure.  I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the room.