Thursday, January 22, 2015

You Are My Sunshine

I know everyone around here is relishing this nice weather and we are no exception. The cloudy, freezing days were enough to make any person go crazy, but then add in two kids and a puppy who can’t go outside, and it gets downright insane around here. 

But these past few days have been just what the doctor ordered. 




Tuesday, January 20, 2015

It's a ....

Boy. Girl. Girl Boy. Boy. Boy. Girl. Girl. 

WHAT WILL IT BE??

Grace said she wanted a boy. Claire wanted a girl. I was good with either, but Scott was hoping to try his hand at a boy. 

When the technician told us, happy tears streamed down my face. Apparently I wasn’t expecting it!! 






For the time being, we’ve named the little man “Prince Fred Charming.” 

The Decision for No. 3

The questions started coming about a year after the girls were born: 
“So, you think you’ll ever have more?” 

At that time, I just laughed. The kind of laugh that has you rolling around on the ground with leaves in your hair. Think of having more?? Not any time soon. Like maybe sometime in the next decade. 

Over the next three years, the answer slowly evolved into “Yes, we have thought about it, but aren’t quite ready yet.” 

And then “Yeah, I think we want another, but we aren’t rushing things.” 

And finally, just to ourselves, we answered “Yes, yes, yes!” 

And then a few months down the road, during a particularly challenging month for the four of us, “No, no, nooooooooooo.” 

Needless to say, we bounced back to “yes, yes, yes!” 

And crossed our fingers for just one this time. 

Monday, January 19, 2015

So. Many. Emotions.

This pregnancy feels so different than the last one. My feelings are more wide-ranging and complex. Last go-round, all I thought about was having those babies. Nothing else in my life mattered but those little babies kicking around in there. I was a very one-track mind. 

This time, though, I find myself running a spectrum of feelings about … every hour. 

I, of course, feel SO happy. It’s been years since I thought much about babies (and having my own), but now every time I see one, I think — that’s going to be me in a few months! I’m also soooooo excited to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. With the girls, we went in for a sonogram at 16 weeks to check on those little turkeys and were surprised that we got to find out they were girls at that appointment. So, all of this anticipation is such a new feeling. HUGE props to those who can hold out for the full 40. I bow down to you. 

I also feel anxious. How will we make it all work?? I know now what having a baby is like — and how can I possibly do that again? Last time, ignorance was bliss. I knew I’d be tired, but good golly miss molly, I actually had no idea what tired even meant back then. This time, I know. AND I have kids who will need a Mom during the day — I imagine it will be much more difficult to “sleep while they sleep.” 

I also feel guilty. This is a weird one. But I’ve felt it off and on since Scott and I decided to go for No. 3. Spending five years devoting everything to Grace and Claire leaves me feeling a little guilty for adding a third and naturally taking away from what they’ve had to share all along. Before they were born, I took a breastfeeding class and I asked if my body would produce more milk since I was having two. She said it would be like the girls getting half a sandwich. And really, that’s been their story for the past five years. Sharing everything since before they were even born. 

BUT then my other hand says, what a second, Katie. I have siblings and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. And I was No. 2, so I didn’t have any time to myself. I’ve been sharing since I was born, too. It will actually be good for them to not be the center. (Or half of the center). It will be good for them to make sacrifices, see others’ needs, etc. 

Then I feel excited again, thinking about how fun it will be to experience this baby alongside my girls. Seeing it through their eyes will add another layer of awesome to the whole thing. 


And then I realize I need a nap because good grief I’m exhausted from all this overthinking. 

Friday, January 16, 2015

30 Seconds of Fame

A few months ago, a good friend of mine (who also runs an advertising agency) asked if the girls might be interested in being in a commercial. Knowing what a fun time it would be, we immediately jumped at the opportunity and so began the girls career in the acting biz. 

They were a little shy at first, but warmed up pretty quickly. By the last shot, they were being the little ornery monkeys I know they are at heart. 





The girls loved working with everyone and also didn’t mind getting to eat the cupcakes at the end.

Drum roll, please ...



Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Babies 101

We talk about the new baby often. We’ve tried to prepare the girls slowly for the changes that will happen next summer. 

They know their playroom is getting moved so the baby will have a room. This caused a few tears at first, but they eventually came around. They even sorted through their stuffed animals to find ones that would be good for the baby. 

They know that Mom gets tired sometimes and needs a nap. “C’mon Grace, the baby is making mom tired.” Translation: She’s SUPER grumpy right now, let’s leave her alone. 

But when I told them they’d be great helpers, I didn’t expect any resistance. They are still at that age where they fight over who gets to help. 

Grace: But mom, there’s one problem. 

Me: Oh yeah? 

Grace: Yes. We don’t know how to take care of babies. Will you teach us? 

Me: *bawling on the inside at this sweet innocence*

So, we held a baby class. And it was nothing short of adorable. They sat in their little chairs and hung on my every word of how to hold the baby, supporting its neck. How to feed and burp a baby. The things to check on if he/she is crying. 


It was such a sweet moment. They are going to be great big sisters. 



Thursday, January 8, 2015

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do


Claire stopped taking regular naps about six or so months ago. Since then, she’s probably napped less than a dozen times. At first, I held on to them. I wasn’t ready for her to give them up. Mostly because I also work from home, so afternoon naps are crucial for me to maintain any sort of sanity. 

But, after it was clear she was done, I let them go. And instead of fighting her every day, I embraced the change (or at least I tried to). I made her quiet boxes, with different activities each day and she knows that if she lays quietly until the clock says “2” that she can get her quiet box. My goal was to still give her that alone time, which I think is extremely good for her, still give her a chance to fall asleep if she needs it and to keep that quiet time in the afternoon for me to work. 

Each month has been a little easier. At first, she really did need the naps — she’d get so cranky by dinner time. Now, though, she’s doing just fine without them and is mostly good with the routine of staying in her room until it’s time to come out. 

Grace, on the other hand, was still napping every single day like a champ. She needed it more than Claire (always has) and never fought it. She often begs for them: “Mom, I reeeeally need a nap.” That was, until about a week ago. I have always tried to conceal the fact that Claire doesn’t take naps any more. (They sleep in different rooms, so it wasn’t too hard). I didn’t want that no-sleep nonsense rubbing off on her sister who was, until recently, my nap champ. 

But Grace finally figured out that Claire doesn’t go to sleep and now immediately after I shut the door each afternoon, she opens her blinds and starts playing, too. She knows that she can’t come out until “it’s morning,” so that's the upside, I guess. 


I know many kids don't make it as long as ours did, so I should be grateful, which I am. But it's a brave new world we're entering here. Wish me luck.