The Pants

Often a new fashion trend will strike me as a bit odd at first but after awhile I get used to whatever crazy thing is out next and, like a sheep, usually end up following suit. The colored pants trend, however, is one I just can't quite stomach, even if Kate Middleton is doing it. 

Maybe it's because this girl was wearing them long before it was deemed fashionably acceptable:

And as much as I adore Sue Heck and everything, she is all I think about when I see someone wearing colored pants. So I apologize in advance if I laugh at you when I see you wearing them. Maybe I'll eat my words some day, but for now I just can't do it.

No Worries and Other Random Tales of Toddlerdom

Funny things I don't want to forget . . .
 
This morning James brought me a handheld mirror, so I turned it toward him and said "Who is that? Is that my sweet Jamers who I love so much?" And he replied, "Nope, that's the boy who you wish would just stay nice and clean."

*****

 

The other day I gave James a bath and was sitting on the edge of the tub washing his hair. I was particularly tired that day, pretty sure I hadn't showered, and any make-up I'd mustered the energy to put on that morning had long since worn off. I felt like crap and any suspicions I had of looking how I felt were only confirmed when I caught James staring at me with a disgusted/confused look on his face, followed by "Mom? What happened to you?" I laughed so hard. I probably would have cried but I was too tired. I went and told Brian afterward, who was probably equally as disgusted but too nice to say anything. I've made more of an effort to shower and fix my hair since. Please no feigning shock comments on this from anyone who has never had a new baby (ahem, sisters).

*****

There's an older couple who live next door to us who are kind of quirky. I was outside with James and Livy the other day and the older guy came over to see the new baby. We chatted for awhile and then as he was turning to leave he paused for a second as if searching for the right word and then just kept repeating over and over "She sure is a cuter--yep, sure is a cuter!" A cuter, huh? Nope, didn't make sense to me either. I think the word he was searching for was "cutie." Close enough, I guess.

 

 (pictures have no relevance to the stories)

James is getting increasingly too smart for his own good. He's been good at communicating almost always but lately it's gone to an entirely new level. (Yeah, I know all people think their kids are stinking smart, so just roll with it. Mine is also a horrible listener, whines too much, and potty training has dragged on longer than I care to recall, so it all evens out.)
 
Background: Yesterday James and I went to the backyard to play and I told him he could choose ONE toy from the toy bin to play with. Of course, being two, he immediately disobeyed me and continued to throw every single toy from the bin on the deck straight onto the lawn. About five minutes later it got really windy and dark storm clouds rolled in. Well, James is totally scared of rain storms so of course when I announced to him that a storm was approaching and we needed to clean up the toys, he screamed like the end of the world was near and ran inside as fast as he could. I ran after him and reminded him of our rule "If you make the mess, you have to clean it up" but he was already sobbing hysterically on the couch at this point from fear of the storm (and it hadn't even started raining yet) so I sighed and went back outside to put the toys away. If I recall correctly (yep, clear back to yesterday), it never really did more than sprinkle.

Anyway, early this morning after it started raining for real (gotta love these southern spring storms) James and I had this conversation:

me: "It's a good thing we put those toys away outside yesterday. Actually, let me rephrase that: it's a good thing I put them away. They would be all wet if I hadn't. Do you see why it's important to clean up our toys outside now?"
James: "Yeah. It's a good thing you put them away. I didn't help you at all!"
me: "You sure didn't. That wasn't very nice of you, was it?"
James: "Nope, but it's okay, Mom. Hakuna Matata."

What a stinker.

He's also started really sensing when I'm getting mad at him and tries to preempt it with good, positive vibes to assuage any punishment or verbal anger coming his way. When he knows he has done something wrong he'll usually come up to me (before I discover what he's done) and say something like "Mom? I love you. Can I give you a kiss? OR, my personal favorite "Mom? Umm, I'll sing you a song so that you'll be happy, okay? Will that make you happy?" Which is usually followed by me pleading "James, what did you do? Show mom what you did."

I sure love my boy, sass, mischievious nature, and all.

Books and Stuff

Anyone ever heard of World Book Night? It was a night designated to giving out free books to people who are considered "light or non-readers." So I was chosen to be a WBN ambassador and was sent a box of books (Kite Runner) to give away. Well, the box arrived a couple of days after WBN was supposed to take place. Now I still have a box of books to give away. If there are any "light readers" out there who have never read Kite Runner, please let me know and I'll save a book for you. Although I think Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns is a better read, it's worthwhile and eye opening on the devastating role the Taliban has played in Afghanistan.

Last month I read Bill O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln. It was awesome--by far the best historical non-fiction I've read. Did I already mention that here? I might have but I am mentioning it again because yes, it was that good. Read it already.

I'm currently reading Tina Fey's autobiography Bossypants. Aside from the occasional inappropriate language, it is one of the funniest things I have ever read. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile. Usually bad language will totally deter me from a book (it's just so unnecessary), but this book is so funny I can't help myself. If you need a good laugh, I recommend it.

For book club next month, we're reading Heaven Is Here by Stephanie Nielson. I have mixed feelings about this that hopefully won't come across as totally insensitive to her situation. On one hand, it is definitely an inspirational story (and one of total nightmare that you hope and pray never ever happens to anyone you know). On the other hand, I've heard her story a hundred times already and I really am not a fan of her blog (bad writing, boring, and she has turned it into a promotional medium for concerts and other random products. "Mention NieNie and you'll get 20% off!" Okay, I'm done when a blog starts doing that.). So, the verdict is out on this one. I'll keep you posted.

If anyone has read anything else good lately, I'd love to hear about it.

Life as a Mom of Two

No nap for me today. That whole "sleep when the baby sleeps" doesn't work anymore because I have two kids now.

That thought totally weirds me out every day.

For the past week or two, both James and Livy have napped at the same time so I got to nap as well. Not today. Darn hiccups kept the little girl from sleeping so I had to walk around the house with her, bouncing her up and down, to keep her from crying and waking James up.

Being a mom is rough sometimes.

I was spoiled with James. The kid was sleeping through the night by the time he was three weeks old. Not so with our Livy girl. She likes to eat and poop around the clock. It's awesome.

I thought my month-long adventure with RLS would prepare me for the sleep deprived early weeks with a newborn. Not so. In fact, I think I got less sleep with the RLS, so why does it feel so much worse being up every 2-3 hours to feed a baby? 

Look at this beautiful face though. Who can resist her? Not me.

Not her grandma . . .

  

And certainly not her grandpa.

Even her brother kinda likes her. He fondly refers to her as "My Livy" and is always asking if he can kiss her (or "sniff her," because that's just what James does).

We tried to make James feel important while all our guests were visiting. We went to the zoo, the park, and fed the ducks on multiple occasions. 

And let him play in his beloved sandbox with all the cool sand toys.

Being the mom of two is sure different than I thought it would be. It definitely means more stress, less sleep, and more patience on my part. I'm so glad for all the visitors we've had to help out. They came to help with the baby, but entertaining James usually took top priority. That kid likes attention.

My mom left on Sunday, so this is my first full week on my own. I am doing just fine (hopefully), but luckily we haven't had to go anywhere all together yet. I've been trying to schedule any appointments I might have with Brian's post-call days. So in between those days we've just been hanging out at home being boring. I don't know how people do it with tons of kids or with kids super close in age. I would go bonkers, that is for sure. So my hats off to people who can manage it and stay sane. I definitely don't have the patience but I know with a crazy independent/stubborn/opinionated/energetic kid like James, God is trying to teach me to develop some. Let's hope Livy stays as calm as she is now.

I had my follow-up c-section doc visit yesterday. Even though I still have five pounds to go to reach my pre-pregnancy weight (more to reach my ideal weight), the doctor told me I looked skinny enough and not to lose any more weight on purpose for awhile. That made me feel good since I still feel like a fat lard with an awesome c-section pooch. In one more week I can start exercising again . . . "again" meaning actually start exercising since we all know I didn't really exercise at all before. But my goal is to run a 5k some time this year. I can't be the only one in my family who hasn't done it. So even though I won't purposely try to lose more weight, at least I can try to get in shape!

Then maybe I'll have more energy even on those sleepless/napless days.

Cherry Blossom Time

I think it's safe to say that James really, really, REALLY, liked the cherry blossom cupcake his Aunt Andrea brought him from D.C.

 Yep, pretty safe.

Thanks, Andrea!

Two Weeks

It's already strange to remember what life was like before this little lady arrived and it has only been two weeks. Little Livy has brought so much joy to our lives already. I have always had a fear of getting a colicky baby but she has been an absolute angel so far. We adore her. She's got the skinniest arms and legs I've ever seen, but her squishy cheeks and double chin can't be beat.

While her Aunt Amy was here last week not only did she entertain Jamers, but she went to town sewing up hair bands (which I don't usually love and swore I'd never let my daughter wear, but the ones she made are perfect so I made an exception), making girly onesies, and even crafting a wreath for our front door. Thank you, Amy! 

When Livy was five-days-old, a good Knoxville friend took some absolutely amazing photos of her. They were all so darling that I've had a really hard time choosing favorites, so here are just a couple of them . . .

James has been a champ the last couple of weeks. It has been really hard on him, and on me, for that matter, for me to not be able to pick him up. He's quite the cuddly boy so even though he's old enough not to be carried around anymore, not holding him before/after naps has especially been rough. He has acted out a little bit, been extra clingy/whiny at times, but for the most part, he's handling everything so much better than I thought he would. He loves his new little sister, smothers her with kisses every chance he gets, and if he doesn't see her he's always asking where she is and if she wants to play with him. It is darling.

Although my recovery this time around has been rough, a lot of other adjustments have gone smoother than I was expecting, in large part thanks to awesome family and friends. I am extremely grateful for everyone who has been there to help in even the smallest way, from phone calls with words of encouragement, to gifts, meals, and even my awesome mother-in-law weeding the flower bed and mowing the lawn, we have felt so loved and humbled by how many people care.

Must Remember . . .

Things I want to remember before deciding to have another baby/c-section . . .

Stay away from the scales for at least a week. Trust me, it won't be pretty. It's probably best just not to look for awhile.

YES, you will look at least five-months pregnant for several days even after you have the baby. It doesn't matter if you remember it differently from the first time. Don't freak out. You won't look pregnant as a non-pregnant woman forever. It takes time.

That said, go ahead and eat whatever you want without feeling guilty about it--especially all the stuff that gave you mega heartburn for the past few months. You deserve it.

When you've just had a baby you are completely exhausted. And drugged. And overly hormonal.  This all results to rational thinking not being your strongest point. This, too, will go away, and when it does you'll realize it wasn't everyone else being crazy, it really was you.

Having to nurse a baby EVERY 2-3 hours really is as hard/tiring as you remembered. Sorry about that one.

Write all your thank you notes BEFORE you have the baby. You'd think picking up a notecard and writing a brief message on it would be easy, but sometimes the small things are the hardest.

I know you have a hard time letting people help you, but just do it. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Love it.

C-sections are rough. There is no way around it. Just remember that next time it will be two kids you can't pick up, not just one. Make sure you've given them a good briefing about it beforehand.

Listen to your gut (yep, the gut that still looks five-months-pregnant). If you think you should stay an extra night in the hospital, you probably should. If you're desperate enough to actually want to stay in the hospital another night, you probably need it. 

Take it a day at a time. Just because your baby slept horribly and kept you up half the night one night does not mean they won't be better tomorrow.

When you're already thinking about all the sleep you want to get tomorrow and it's still today, just go to bed already.

Finally, as a good friend reminded me today, your baby will only be a baby for a short time. Laundry can wait. Dishes can wait. All that other stuff can just not be perfect for awhile. Just enjoy your baby.