I am loving this book!

I've been spending some quality time with my Kindle this week, reading "How to Have Your Second Child First." It's been somewhat of a trying week and I feel like this book has validated everything I'm experiencing and feeling lately but might not necessarily say out loud; it's encouraging. This is probably just in my head, but I get the feeling sometimes that after the first few months (dare I say weeks?) people expect things to smooth out and get easier (and they DO, in some ways) but I am still figuring all this out and it is still tough! I don't know why but I feel like I should say things are going well when asked "how's it going?" so others don't feel obligated to offer advice and I don't sound like a complainer. Anyway, I digress.

The book is made up not so much of chapters, but 100 different observations and reflections from 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) time parents who did things a little differently after their first child, although I'm guessing any parent who's made it through the first year would say many of the same things. Here are a few that are particularly relevant to me right now:

# 61 - "It's ok for you and baby to "do nothing" all day. You are no longer judged on how much you cross off the to-do list--you are accomplishing a major feat each day that you parent this new person. Hey, if you and your baby have been fed and are reasonably clean, you've done quite enough, thank you."
# 63 - "Parenthood can be extremely boring" (Gasp!) Sometimes it really does feel like Groundhogs day, when you're doing the same things over and over in 3 hour cycles and have little adult conversation. Some days are worse, some days are better.
# 65 - "You and your [husband] don't have to do everything the same way." Yeah, sometimes I just need to shut up and let Bill take the baby for a while. Nuf' said.
# 79 - "Don't Get Ahead of Yourself. It's easy to get wrapped up in what's lying ahead--and how that place might be better, easier or more interesting. That's normal. We all skip ahead in parenting books to learn what our baby will be doing next week, and we imagine how exciting that will be. With all that forward-thinking, it can be hard to remember to relish the moment you're in. Try. [Second-time] parents realize that even though there are times that seem painfully slow, the first year really does go quickly. And as soon as [he] stands up on his own, that new baby will disappear before your eyes." Okay, so I'm working on this one.

Yes I'm exhausted but just when I feel like I'm going to blow a fuse he does this:

Sam @ 8 weeks

A couple pics of my baby at 8 weeks. His smiles KILL me!

What do you do with a baby all day?

Ummm... I'm kind of embarassed to ask, but seriously. These weeks with Bill working 7 days in a row are going to be looong. Sam's not much for napping in his bassinet or crib. He will sleep if I have him in the carrier or if I'm out running errands, in his carseat/stroller. But I can only run so many errands! I've been driving all over the place since I have no friends/family in my neighborhood and the gas bill is adding up. The chores are also stacking up because there's only so much I can do with Sam in the Baby Bjorn. I'm sure he'll grow out of this soon and hopefully nap lying down but in the meantime, the house is a mess (oh and I kind of am too). At least the weather is gorgeous this week so we can get in some good long walks with the dog.

Oh, and Sam is 8 weeks old today! (Will snap a pic later)

Slowly Coming Back to Life

I can hardly believe it's almost 8 weeks since Sam was born, and even longer since I have blogged. I wish I had been better about documenting the birth experience and the first few months, but blogging's been pretty low on the totem pole! No time like the present, right?

I don't even know where to begin. I love my baby boy like I have never loved anyone. I could stare at his sweet face all day (well, maybe except when he's screaming or crying which is often at this age). Most of the time despite being exhausted, I feel so much joy and am amazed when I think about how blessed we are and all the support & love we've received from family and friends. Admittedly though there have been a few times, more in the first few weeks, that I wanted to run away. The change is so immediate and so intense that I didn't know how to deal with it. I'm still trying to figure out what this new life will look like. Sometimes I find myself thinking that I can keep doing the things I've always done, the same way. I can fit in walking the dog, cooking, keeping the house clean, seeing friends, doing my hair & make up (well, let's be honest - taking a daily shower!), getting pedicures, maybe working out from time to time AND be this wonder mom, right? (Oh, and add to that list blogging and reading) Ha! It sounds ridiculous but I really do have those delusional moments and have to come to my senses and realize that life IS different, priorities have changed and it's GOOD. It's so hard but so wonderful.

It is still early days, I know that. I'm anticipating that regular 5 hour stretch of sleep, the predictable routine, less fussing at night. It will come, right? I'm torn. I know he won't be this small for long and he'll grow up too fast. I try to remember that when I'm holding him and memorize him just as he is.

Here are a few iPhone shots from the last 7+ weeks:

Post-epidural. Chillin'


Brand New Baby (No that's not my natural color, that would be a fever!)


Proud Papa


Ecstatic Grandmas


Ready to head home. We have no idea what we're in for!


First Bath


First Walk at Green Lake


Story time with Dad

Nowhere to go from here

but OUT! Look at this belly -there is no.more. room.



I had a feeling I (or I should say Sam) would be late, but I'm starting to go a little crazy. (Almost) every inch of the house is clean, carseat's installed, I've watched more Netflix than I care to admit, and am starting to become a hazard to our bank account since I seem to find a reason to run to Target or Old Navy or Fred Meyer just about every day. (Couldn't resist this little number... I think it might be his going home onesie).




The weather's been beautiful the last few days so I've gotten out on some long walks with the dog. I feel like a slacker for not working until the last minute, but luckily I had a ton a sick time built up so this really won't shorten my actual maternity leave at all. Induction is scheduled for Monday night. Please pray with me that baby boy will come earlier, on his own. Stay tuned...

The bebe's room

The baby room is complete! It's so pristine right now... I like to sit in the chair and think about holding my baby boy, actually using the changing table, dressing him... I can't believe I will meet him SOON.

I'm actually trying to soak up the quiet, if that's possible. I know there won't be many quiet nights for a long time. I know that my life is about to completely change but I have no frame of reference for what it will be like...it's bizzare!

I'm praying that he's safe and healthy, and that he will stay that way. I don't think about it too much but every now & then I worry that something could go wrong. Mostly I'm just excited to see him and hold him. And I must add, excited to not be pregnant any more! I think a bottle of champagne is going in that hospital bag.

Couldn't find the cable for uploading from my camera so these crummy iPhone pics will have to do.

My Valentine - Belated

Hope our baby looks just like my William. We're so excited, but it will be strange to have another person in our relationship after 14 years together, just us. We had a nice leisurely breakfast Sunday morning and I made this awesome french toast. It didn't look quite as pretty as Annie's but it was so good.


Hope you all felt loved and appreciated on V-day.