And Then There Were Two

The past several weeks have been an adventure, to say the least. Having baby number two is one of those experiences that, though you "know" it will be a big adjustment ahead of time, you're never really prepared for. When I feel most like I'm drowning in my, well, my inability to adjust, I sort of cling to the reassurances and empathy of many good mom friends.

It's strange how knowing that it is hard, that it was hard for others, and that it's okay for it to be hard for me, too, makes me feel better. Often I feel overwhelmed by the smiling pictures and cute outfits and chipper facebook updates of all my friends that also have newborns along with older children. I don't doubt that there are plenty of happy times with multiple children--I have had them, too, even in these few weeks. I just feel overwhelmed much more often than I see the proverbial "everyone else" displaying it. It's nice to know that not only have others felt the same way; they've survived and, *gasp*, gone on to have even more kids!

Sorry for the picture quality. Pretend it represents being bleary-eyed from lack of sleep.

And much of the advice and commiseration seems to have a theme--around three months, everyone says, things start to look up. It feels good to have a concrete goal; if I can make it to three months, I'll be good. Things have already improved so much, I'm much more confident that I will feel capable and in control of my life again.

In any case, as I said, amid learning to balance the needs of two kiddos, myself, a husband, and a home, I'm also really enjoying the chance I've had to get to know this little guy. Here are some things we already know about James:

• He loves tummy time. (Cambrie hated it.)

• The only way he will fall asleep at night is if we hold him. In order to put him down without waking him up, we need to hold him for thirty minutes or more. This must be done after every time he needs changed or fed.

• He already adores his older sister. This caught me by surprise, not because I thought he wouldn't, but because I didn't expect it so early. It is very obvious--some of his earliest smiles were for her.

Meet my crazy-haired princess and my dashing young prince.

• He needs to be held. Like, all the time. He loves the front carrier, specifically the cheaper one that really kills my back.

• His grin is the cutest thing in the world. That, coupled with the early predictions that he might have red hair in a few years, makes me excited for a potentially hilarious red-headed kid.

Heehee... love that face.

Unfortunately, I don't have any non-blurry smile pictures. Oh, and a shout out to Uncle Andy and Aunt Leeanne for the cute onesie!

Overall, we are adjusting well. Though I still wonder how on earth people are still willing to have more kids after introducing numero dos, I still take it for granted that our family will probably grow again, too (WAY in the future, guys, calm down!). After all, the good days are really good, and the bad days are only 24 hours long. 

I love having these two little people in our home--they belong to us, and we all belong together. And, though I may not admit it now, I can tell that eventually I'll be able to say that a few sleepless months were more than worth it.