Happy one month birthday (Tuesday) to my sweet baby! I can't believe it's been a month already. She is such an easy going baby, much like her older sister was. She is still so little but her newborn size clothes are finally starting to fit her She's definitely starting to fill out. The last few nights, she has started to go a little longer between feedings. Hooray! Up until then, she had pretty consistently been going about 3 hours between feedings, which means I've been getting 1-2 hour chucks of sleep per night for the last four weeks. That's typical for a newborn, but still challenging to function on especially with an active and demanding two year old. Hopefully these new longer stretches will stick around.
Before she was born, I bought Ashton a size 0-3 month little snow suit to keep her warm whenever we went outside. However, it's SO BIG on her she can't wear it. Her little legs don't even make it into the leg openings. Probably by the time she's big enough for it, it will be too warm to wear it. Oh well. At least I bought it on sale.
Life with two kids has been more challenging than I anticipated. I knew it would be tough being outnumbered when Geoff is away, but wasn't fully prepared for how difficult it can be. There are plenty of books and resources out there for new parents and how to handle having a new baby. But unfortunately, there are not many books on how you handle your toddler calling you from the bathroom to come wipe her bottom while your newborn is attached to you eating. Or how to determine which child to calm down first when they are both crying loudly at the same time for you. It's funny how your perspective can change between children. When I was home on maternity leave with Olivia, the long days of quietness in the house wore on me. Now, I would gladly give anything for some of that piece and quiet...to not have Olivia sitting on top of me and Ashton while I try to feed Ashton or flipping on lights in dark room when I'm trying to get Ashton asleep. I guess I just need to be enjoying the middle of the night moments of quietness with Ashton a little bit more in between nodding off.
A few days after Ashton was born, my mom arrived and was here a week with us. She was so helpful in preparing meals for us, spending time with Olivia, holding Ashton so I could shower/nap/be with Olivia and making runs to the grocery store. Geoff returned to work the week after Ashton was born. The first week back, he went in to the office a little later than normal which was nice because it allowed me to go back to sleep after Ashton's early morning feeding while he took care of Olivia once she woke up. However, now it's back to his normal 12+ hour commute + work routine. He's so helpful when he gets home from work every evening though, especially with Olivia whom I really need a break from by 8:00 pm. Actually, these days I usually need a break from her by 10:00 am! Anyways, Geoff's parents arrived yesterday and will be here about two weeks. It is wonderful to have additional sets of hands around again to help out.
I am gradually venturing out of the house with the girls more and more. Since we don't have a car and the weather has been cold, rainy and even snowy (Spring, where are you???), it's difficult to get out and about by myself while keeping both girls warm and dry. However, the few times we've gotten out to go to Olivia's weekly spanish class, the library, doctor's office or grocery store, I get a little bit more confident with each trip that I can do it. Earlier this week, I even successfully got all three of us to Geoff's office via the train so that he could introduce the girls to his coworkers.
Love, love, love our little family of four!
