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Often times Steve and I are asked what it's like to suddenly have two kids versus just one. It's fantastic! And looking back at life with just Alexander... things back then now seem so simple and easy. Yes, easy. Not that it's "hard" with two.... life continues to become fuller and richer!
Sierra is now 6 1/2 weeks old and Alex is just over 2 years 3 months. We are blessed to have them... and Alexander and Sierra, we love you so much! You are two sweet and good-looking kids!
Here's what a typical 24 hour day in our life looks like right now:
-Daddy goes work anytime between 6:30 and 8:00 a.m.
Mommy is often still sleeping in bed with little Sierra (she still sleeps in our room so we can listen to/keep an eye on her breathing. It has gotten better, for now. The doctors say it often becomes worse before most kids outgrow it.)
-Alex wakes up around 8 a.m. and Sierra eats and then goes back to sleep in her sleep and play rocker
-Breakfast with 'Bob the Builder' and 'Curious George' or 'Barney' (Sierra continues to eat throughout the day)
-Get dressed, and eventually go outside to play for a while
-Lunchtime and nap around 12:30-1 o'clock ish
-Mommy sometimes naps and often just relaxes/picks things up/laundry, etc
-Anywhere between 3 and 4 pm Alex wakes up
-Snacktime, playtime
-Daddy comes home and we have dinner
-Sometimes Bre is here to help Daddy while Mommy is at her evening meetings twice a week
-Bathtime for Alex, and then bedtime around 8 or 9
-Daddy and Mommy get a little 'us' time, and Daddy often takes the last feeding via bottle for Sierra. This is usually around 10 pm
-We get ready for bed and Sierra sleeps til around 2 or 2:30 am. Thank you Sierra!!!
-Then I wake you, Sierra, up around 5:30 a.m. and put you back to bed, and after my phone call, I often go back to bed with you!
So, as you can see, things are busy... and very very full!
I think one of the most challenging things right now for us as a family is keeping the house clean and keeping up with all the laundry. We had a house cleaner last year and this year are using the money to hire Bre to help Steve out a couple times a week. One thing that may help is the arrival of the back ordered baby gate for the kitchen. Just yesterday, Alex, you pulled out all the placemats and laid them all over the floor. "Alex make carpet" you said. Super cute! Now, if we could just get some consistency in picking up toys and perhaps folding laundry (smile).
We are also using the 'love and logic' approach (thanks Jenni for inspiring me to dig out that book), and it's fabulous. Choices and natural/logical consequences make for easier parenting and a non-stressed out Mommy. To be honest, there are only a few times that I have felt overwhelmed with things. Though we are tired, we are super happy!
