Rewind: Spring Break Staycation.

Another very long overdue post on our fun-filled Spring Break week (I will continue to use Small Fry as an excuse for my delinquent blogging until he sleeps through the night!). 

I have to admit I was dreading Spring Break -- and not because Fawn would be home from school.  That part I was actually looking forward to!  There are two important reasons for me to love Spring Break -- Fawn's home and my mom is off work.  But, since everyone in the state of Alabama (slight exaggeration, but pretty much everyone...) is on Spring Break the same week it's so hard to take kiddos anywhere because everywhere is packed.  This year, though, seemed better than years past.  Perhaps because I've learned my lesson in terms of expectations and where to take the little ones to not be bombarded by ridiculous crowds (i.e., it is insane to attempt McWane Center period and crazy to try the zoo on 1/2 price Tuesday).

Monday: Mom and I took the little ones to the Botanical Gardens in the morning for some exploring, strolling and a lunch picnic.  The weather was gorgeous and it wasn't crowded at all!  We capped off the picnic with a Doodle.  Yummy!

Tuesday: Library time for puzzle playing, book reading, and choosing new library books.  They had awesome vehicle/machinery puzzles and toys out, which Fawn loved.  We were the only ones there (probably because there were no story times or events that week).  Even the Children's Library desk which is usually manned by three or four librarians was occupied only by Miss Rachel (who happens to be Fawn's very favorite librarian).  The conversation that took place:
Fawn:  Miss Rachel, why are you the only one here?
Miss Rachel:  That's a good question, Fawn. 
Our library time was followed up by meeting sweet church friends at the Tot Lot.  So very crowded, but still fun.  We spent the afternoon at Overton Park with a different group of sweet church friends.

Wednesday: We braved the zoo at Fawn's insistence.  Luckily, we got there right when it opened and played in the fountains before they were swamped.  We met our neighbors -- who have two precious children close to Fawn's age -- a little later and enjoyed the morning at the zoo.  It quickly got packed, though, so we headed home.  We got out the baby pool in the afternoon for some at home fun (I think being in the zoo fountains made Fawn remember how much he loves the water!).

Baby pool...here we come.

Thursday:  A group of Fawn's school friends gathered at Overton Park.  He was so excited about this outing and was looking forward to it all week.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate for very long...but the fun continued at Chick-Fil-A where we ate lunch and let the boys run wild in the inside playground.

Friday:  Art day with Mommy!!!  The weather was still uncooperative, so Fawn and I painted Easter pictures, made foam sticker pictures, and dyed Easter eggs.  Fawn loves him some arts and crafts and was thrilled to hang out in pajamas and be creative all morning.

I love the look of concentration while peeling the back off a dinosaur foam sticker.

Using his hands to retrieve the egg -- that's how he rolls.

All in all, a wonderful week! And, I have a much better attitude for future Spring Break staycations.



Village People.

I promised a post long ago about the people who have made the transition from one kiddo to two kiddos so much easier.  I cannot fathom how people do it without the support of loving family (plus a community of neighbors and friends).  The realist in me knows that it would be physically possible to go it alone, but the mommy in me knows that I am so blessed by the support I have because it provides me the help to raise my children how my heart desires.
Our parents have all been willing to pitch in either with Fawn or Small Fry or both as we make this transition.  It was (and still is) priceless help -- whether it's Fawn spending the night out while Buck is away so I only have one little one on my hands, Small Fry being rocked while Fawn and I go to story time or a play date, or another grown up in our house so I can tend to the needs of one of the boys.  It's been wonderful help -- and I am so thankful.

I feel like we hit our stride about week six.  Funny, that's when I felt like I hit my stride when Fawn was a baby.  And, our loved ones helped get us there.  We are now adjusting to our new normal, and it's so nice.  I have figured out how to balance the needs of the boys -- and what routine works for them.  While two little ones is definitely more demanding than one three-year old, not only is it doable but it's so much fun.  I am cherishing the new memories we are creating together. 

Small Fry snoozing on my dad (how I found them when I returned from a play date with Fawn). 

I have to give serious praise to my dad -- he has surprised and impressed me by his willingness to help with either boy.  The first few weeks he picked Fawn up from school on occasion so I wouldn't have to get Small Fry out of the house.  When his work schedule has allowed, he also has spent fun time with Fawn -- taking him to visit a construction site to see all the machinery, playing soccer in the backyard, and letting Fawn take naps at my parents' house (which to Fawn is a huge treat!).

My sweet mom (aka the baby whisperer) with Small Fry.

While my mom is awesome with Fawn (and he adores her), she has been invaluable in her help with Small Fry.  She is truly a baby whisperer...if she ever quits teaching school she would definitely excel in a second career as a baby nurse!  She spent both nights in the hospital with me when I had Small Fry and seems to know how this little fellow ticks (sometimes better than me!).  When we faced the week of jaundice, she and I took turns sitting in front of the windows with him soaking up the sun.  After his two-month shots (which resulted in hours of screaming), she spent part of the afternoon rocking Small Fry so I could give Fawn some much-needed attention sans the background noise of a screaming baby...and of course she quickly lulled him to a peaceful sleep. 

My in-laws with the boys on Easter.

Buck's parents kept Fawn while we were in the hospital with Small Fry; it was so nice to not worry about where he was or how he was.  When knew he was happy and very well cared for and could focus on the needs of our newest addition.  Throughout those first few weeks Fawn spent the occasional night with them as well, which was especially helpful on those nights when Buck was out of town for work!  My mother-in-law has taken Fawn on fun outings -- and has helped me get Fawn to his much loved story time either by taking him or sitting with Small Fry in those early weeks before Small Fry got his two-month shots and I was trying to shelter him from all the germs.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for getting us this far!  We are so blessed to have your love and support and thrilled that you play such a wonderful role in our children's lives.  They are lucky -- and so are we!





Brother love.

Though it's taken time to develop, sweet love between brothers is on full display at our house. I was playing with Small Fry on the floor while Fawn ate his breakfast. He looked at me and said: "Mommy, thank you so much for growing this baby in your belly." Melt my heart.

Let the Competition Begin.

While Fawn truly has amazed me with his adaptability and affection for Small Fry, of course he has his moments.  When Small Fry and Fawn both needed me at the same time, Fawn told me:

"I don't have to share you with him Mommy because I won the race out of your body." 

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Two Month Recap.

Small Fry turned two months old on Easter Sunday.  Wow, time continues to absolutely fly by -- and we are soaking up wonderful memories with this dear little one.

(Notice the absence of Fawn in this month's photos -- he was burned out from Easter photos and wanted no part of photos with brother.  Maybe month 3!?!?)

On the health front, we seem to have Small Fry's sensitive tummy issues under control between the changes to my diet and the addition of a probiotic for him.  While he still has some tummy troubles, they pale in comparison to what we were dealing with those first few weeks.  And, those long nights because of his tummy are in the rear view mirror...just another reminder that everything with children truly is just a season.  Helps keep things in perspective when you are in the trenches!  We did make an extra trip to the doctor this month -- Small Fry developed quite a rash.  I originally assumed (incorrectly) that it was baby acne, but it got pretty bad and I took him to the doctor to discover that he has basically just a case of very, very, very sensitive skin (I guess to match that sensitive tummy -- at least he's consistent!) that was having a difficult time retaining moisture resulting in a yucky rash.  Now we're simply applying Rejuvaderm twice a day and it quickly cleared right up.  All pretty easy things to deal with.

We're still not sleeping great around here.  We have several good nights a week with wake ups at 1 am and 5 am.  And other not so great nights.  But, Small Fry is a perfect angel in the middle of the night and I just love that time with him to snuggle.  He is easy to put back to sleep which is also a huge blessing.  Plus, I will take several hours of comfortable sleep over restless, 9-month pregnant, tossing and turning any day of the week!

We're not on any sense of a daytime schedule -- but Small Fry does love his naps and is happy to take them when we're out and about.  We've continued to go, go, go this month.  I braved our favorite library story time not once, but twice this month with both boys.  It was a bit of sensory overload for Small Fry, but Fawn was a happy camper.  Small Fry also made two appearances at the Botanical Gardens, Trussville Park, Leeds Park, and the zoo.  Small Fry also got to watch his awesome big brother perform in his school's "Two's Spring Program".  (Fawn was a bumblebee and it was really cute!)  While I have yet to make it back to Sunday School since Small Fry arrived, we're at least back on our church routine which brings a sense of normalcy and calm.  It was a busy month -- with Spring Break thrown in too.

Fawn has really adjusted well to his role as big brother this month.  Fawn is eager for Small Fry to be able to play, though.  In fact, earlier this month he suggested that we send Small Fry to Mars until he was old enough to play.  I asked him who would take care of Small Fry on Mars, and without missing a beat, he responded that Martian Mickey would (for those of you not in the throws of toddler entertainment there is a Mickey Mouse space movie that features a normal Mickey and a Martian Mickey).  I'm finally starting to get glimpses of precious sibling love -- and it really does warm my heart in a way I can't really describe.  Fawn is constantly telling me all the things he wants to teach Small Fry and toys he wants to play with together.  And, he loves it when he can make Small Fry smile!  He's constantly checking on Small Fry in his car seat for me ("eyes open" or "eyes closed").  If Small Fry cries in the car though Fawn immediately requests that I turn off the music and then he covers his ears with his hands.  I have to stifle a laugh!  But, when we are in the house and Small Fry starts crying, Fawn is much more empathetic -- speaking sweet baby talk to Small Fry.  One day I overheard him say "It's okay baby.  Mommy loves you, and Mommy always comes back."  (I was in the kitchen while Small Fry was hanging out in the swing in the living room.)

On to the stats...Small Fry is huge!
At nine weeks:
14 pounds, 3 ounces (literally off the charts)
23.5 inches tall (91 percentile)
We're already in size 6 month clothes.  To me, he's just perfect!  The perfect size to cuddle!

Month Two in Pictures.

Five weeks.

Six weeks.

Seven weeks.

Eight weeks.

Our Wheels.

I'm not talking cars, I'm talking strollers. If I had parenting pre-baby advice on strollers it would be this: buy the cheap snap and go frame that works with your car seat. And then be done until you figure out what will work well for your baby.

I have been blessed with two boys with very different stroller-temperament. Fawn hated to be strapped in the stroller. Hated. It. In fact, most of our walks started with him in the stroller and concluded with him in a baby carrier and me pushing an empty stroller. He finally tolerated the Bob jogging stroller for mommy walks sometime after his first birthday - when I could bribe him with food. Now either Buck or I can bribe him with an iPod. (Thank you Apple!)

Small Fry, on the other hand, is perfectly content in his car seat. So he's happy to cruise in the stroller. As long as he's not hungry, of course, which he seems to be constantly as we are in the middle of the two-month growth spurt.

I am so glad I didn't waste money on a fancy stroller system or a high-end umbrella stroller. They just wouldn't have been used with Fawn. Once he learned to walk he just walked everywhere unless it was mommy exercise time. Who knows with Small Fry? We may end up with a Maclaren after all. Time will tell. But for now I'm enjoying strolling with him in this beautiful spring weather.

Milk him.

When Small Fry fusses or cries, Fawn's immediate response is "milk him mommy milk him." It's hilarious! Small Fry is such a good, easy baby that Fawn's parenting advice is generally spot on. Thus perpetuating the cycle. Happy Monday!!