Overall I think we're adjusting well to life with two under two (2U2). I think we're settling into a nice routine. I know the real test will be when Danny goes back to work next Tuesday and I'm home with both kids on my own. I think I've got it under control though. See how I'm using the term "I think" a lot? Well, that's because I know we will have our good and bad days and there will be days when I have no idea what I'm doing, all routine and order will go out the window and chaos will consume our home.
Life with 2U2 is going better than I thought it would be. I'm not sure that Danny is cut out for staying at home though. It's been nice to have the company and extra helping hands but I can tell this just isn't his thing. He will readily admit it, too. It's tough, I won't lie...but it's going well. I'm beyond exhausted by the end of the day, Marissa tests our patience at times, but she really is doing great.
Here's a quick overview of what we're up to:
Marissa now has 8 teeth. I counted and felt around today and she has 8. 5 on the top and 3 on the bottom with another about to poke through.
Marissa adores her baby brother. She loves giving him kisses, bringing him a toy or his pacifier and today she patted him on his back while I was burping him. Such a sweet big sis.
The first few nights home Dylan had his days and nights mixed up. One night (I believe it was our 2nd night home) he was awake from 10 PM until 3 AM. Ouch. Needless to say there were naps in our future and we kept Dylan awake the following evening and he slept much better! We tried keeping him in the PNP bassinet in our room but he wasn't having that so he wound up in our bed. By our 3rd night home we put him in his crib and he slept much better.
Nursing is going well. He eats every 2 hours during the day and is giving me solid 3-4 hour stretches at night. He is eating really well so I hope he is back up to his birth weight at his 2 week check up on Friday. We will introduce a bottle around 3-4 weeks old and continue to offer one at least every other day in hopes of avoiding the bottle strike like Marissa had. I don't want to introduce the bottle too soon and cause nipple confusion and I also don't want to hurt my supply by offering a bottle too early. People always assume you can just pump and give a bottle but it's not that easy. Your body works on a supply and demand system and the baby is the best way to stimulate more milk production. It's especially important during growth spurts that baby nurses on demand, otherwise you may be looking at supply issues.
Dylan's cord fell off on his 11th day.
We spend most of our days in PJs. I know this is a big taboo to some people but at this point I don't care.
We had our first family outing and it went surprisingly well. We went to Costco, the mall and Target. I wore Dylan in the Beco Butterfly II and Marissa was in the stroller or the cart while we shopped. We were in town for about 5 hours total and there were no major melt downs while we were out. I call that a success. I know it won't always be that easy but it was nice to get out of the house for a little bit.
Dylan is a paci boy. Marissa never really took to the pacifier but Dylan seems to enjoy it in spurts.
....but he may be a thumb sucker like his big sister...time will tell!
I ordered Dylan's birth announcements today. I can't wait until they come in and I can get them in the mail.
Well, it's been a long day. Time to enjoy a Guinness and relax.
Dylan is so cute! I love that first picture of him and Marissa together!
ReplyDeleteGlad things are going well - you give me hope that it's possible to have 2 without wanting to take a long walk off a short pier. Good job, Mama!