Santa Claus sent Hayleigh her yearly message tonight!! I think I was more excited about it than she was. To see it, follow this link
http://www.portablenorthpole.com/watch/g6MUdi6aRnakMCutaUJtMMA
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Mommy of 2, Colic and a 2 Year Old
Okay, I'm going to be really honest here. It is completely CRAZY in our house in the evening. I find myself cringing when 4pm hits. Around that time, Reid gets colicky, and Hayleigh starts demanding attention to combat with his crying. I know this will all be over sometime soon, and someday, I'll be wishing I was back here again- when both kids are grown and out of the house I imagine....
Anyway, I find myself raising my voice more than I would like, and yelling at Hayleigh a lot more than I would like for her acting out to Reid's crying from colic. I know she is 2 years old. I know she is just wanting more attention. I know that this is not only hard on me, but for her much more. I feel like a bad mom in the evening when it gets completely crazy. I try to commend Hayleigh as much as I can for everything she does that is good, and especially when she is helping me out. But, when she is trying to sit in his swing, stealing his pacifiers, laughing when he is crying, trying to do headstands on the couch, or is screaming when he is crying, I get really stretched thin. I have been getting myself a small drink at night to help calm my nerves- it helps a lot. We have tried everything to help Reid's colic. Some days it's not bad at all....but some days, it lasts the WHOLE ENTIRE DAY. I can handle him crying, and Hayleigh crying for periods of time. It's inevitable... sometimes they will both be crying, and I just have to take care of them one at a time.
In the midst of all of this, I'm wanting to get Hayleigh potty trained. My first nurse at the hospital told me about her daughter, who acted just like Hayleigh does- does not care about having a dirty diaper and loves sitting on the potty, but will not use it. She tried the 3 day potty training method. She said she got it from a book, and it worked! Basically, you have to follow the child around with them just in underwear with rubber pants over- or training pants with the rubber pants and not leave the house. There will be LOTS of messes- makes you feel like training a puppy or something- according to her. She said she wanted to give up that first day so many times- it was very stressful, but she kept up on her, and every time she did not potty on the potty- and did it in her pants, she went on how gross, icky, nasty it was. She would take her to the potty every time, and praise her on the potty. By the second day, it wasn't that bad at all- a few accidents. By day three and after, just accidents here and there. You can find the book here. If you read the reviews, they go into more detail about it all. I will be getting the book soon!
Anyway, things have been stressful. Christmas is right around the corner, I still haven't gotten my proofs back from our newborn shoot, I need to get our Christmas cards sent out, and Christmas shopping done...Just different things are driving me crazy because I'm more stressed. I just about cried to Allen on the phone last night in the middle of the chaos. He was listening to it all, and told me how great I was doing, and that I could make it through. Made me feel so much better having a cheerleader on the phone with me, when he couldn't be here to help! In all reality, we are making it. I know that when the colic is gone, and when Allen gets home, it will be better. I will have more time with Hayleigh- doing crafts or just keeping her busy. Right now, I have to hold and take care of Reid nonstop when his colic hits. I know Hayleigh does not understand waiting yet, or being patient, but she is learning. It is a big change and adjustment going from one 2 year old, to a 2 year old and a newborn...ALL BY YOURSELF.... That is the kicker.... ALL BY MYSELF part... If my husband was home every night, things would be different, but it is what it is, and we are doing what we can to survive these first weeks alone. So, for now, I am counting down the days until Allen will be back home- 4 1/4 days!!!!
Next week, we are going to visit with Santa, and get pictures taken in a private session, bake cookies, and do lots of Christmas crafts and baking. I was really going to do a lot this week with Hayleigh, but I don't want Allen to miss out on it all, and it would be handy to have someone here to help with Reid when I'm elbow deep in cookie icing in the midst of building a gingerbread village. SO, Christmas cheer and spirit are on the way! I promise!! I just have to get my nerves all back, one by one~
Anyway, I find myself raising my voice more than I would like, and yelling at Hayleigh a lot more than I would like for her acting out to Reid's crying from colic. I know she is 2 years old. I know she is just wanting more attention. I know that this is not only hard on me, but for her much more. I feel like a bad mom in the evening when it gets completely crazy. I try to commend Hayleigh as much as I can for everything she does that is good, and especially when she is helping me out. But, when she is trying to sit in his swing, stealing his pacifiers, laughing when he is crying, trying to do headstands on the couch, or is screaming when he is crying, I get really stretched thin. I have been getting myself a small drink at night to help calm my nerves- it helps a lot. We have tried everything to help Reid's colic. Some days it's not bad at all....but some days, it lasts the WHOLE ENTIRE DAY. I can handle him crying, and Hayleigh crying for periods of time. It's inevitable... sometimes they will both be crying, and I just have to take care of them one at a time.
In the midst of all of this, I'm wanting to get Hayleigh potty trained. My first nurse at the hospital told me about her daughter, who acted just like Hayleigh does- does not care about having a dirty diaper and loves sitting on the potty, but will not use it. She tried the 3 day potty training method. She said she got it from a book, and it worked! Basically, you have to follow the child around with them just in underwear with rubber pants over- or training pants with the rubber pants and not leave the house. There will be LOTS of messes- makes you feel like training a puppy or something- according to her. She said she wanted to give up that first day so many times- it was very stressful, but she kept up on her, and every time she did not potty on the potty- and did it in her pants, she went on how gross, icky, nasty it was. She would take her to the potty every time, and praise her on the potty. By the second day, it wasn't that bad at all- a few accidents. By day three and after, just accidents here and there. You can find the book here. If you read the reviews, they go into more detail about it all. I will be getting the book soon!
Anyway, things have been stressful. Christmas is right around the corner, I still haven't gotten my proofs back from our newborn shoot, I need to get our Christmas cards sent out, and Christmas shopping done...Just different things are driving me crazy because I'm more stressed. I just about cried to Allen on the phone last night in the middle of the chaos. He was listening to it all, and told me how great I was doing, and that I could make it through. Made me feel so much better having a cheerleader on the phone with me, when he couldn't be here to help! In all reality, we are making it. I know that when the colic is gone, and when Allen gets home, it will be better. I will have more time with Hayleigh- doing crafts or just keeping her busy. Right now, I have to hold and take care of Reid nonstop when his colic hits. I know Hayleigh does not understand waiting yet, or being patient, but she is learning. It is a big change and adjustment going from one 2 year old, to a 2 year old and a newborn...ALL BY YOURSELF.... That is the kicker.... ALL BY MYSELF part... If my husband was home every night, things would be different, but it is what it is, and we are doing what we can to survive these first weeks alone. So, for now, I am counting down the days until Allen will be back home- 4 1/4 days!!!!
Next week, we are going to visit with Santa, and get pictures taken in a private session, bake cookies, and do lots of Christmas crafts and baking. I was really going to do a lot this week with Hayleigh, but I don't want Allen to miss out on it all, and it would be handy to have someone here to help with Reid when I'm elbow deep in cookie icing in the midst of building a gingerbread village. SO, Christmas cheer and spirit are on the way! I promise!! I just have to get my nerves all back, one by one~
Wordful Wednesday... Kitty
Okay, there is no way I could do wordless today... see picture
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| Meet Fluffer Nutter....the neighbor's cat |
Okay, Hayleigh wants a kitty bad.... sigh....
All we hear is kitty this and kitty that.- not puppy... that would be too easy!!!!
What does this mean to us... a potential Christmas gift for Hayleigh, and pain in the ass for us. Allen is allergic to cats, we have Reid too- and cats around babies are not a good thing. Then you have the added litter box in the house- where in the heck am I supposed to put that in this already cramped house? Plus, I don't know if Hayleigh or Reid will share in the whole cat allergy deal like Allen either. Sigh...damn you Fluffer Nutter!!! Of course Allen has said if we did get a kitten, it would be this one specific breed- I have no clue of what kind it is. He thought it was cool- the people who rented our house before us had one. I really personally do not want a cat. I well remember the attacks from our cats we had in the house for 1 year at my mom's house. In the middle of the night, those stupids would be in full swing. Since living on my own, and having to clean a litter box myself, I have grown to where I like the idea of dogs much better. No stinky litter box, no cleaning litter box, and no cat puke- YUCK!! I don't hate cats. I promise! We had a whole cat farm when I was growing up. Just indoor cats are not my cup of tea I guess.
Anyway, I hope this stupid cat would stop showing up at our back door! I'm not feeding him, but rather sicking Missy on him to maybe teach him to stay in his own yard, so I don't have to explain where the kitty went five thousand times after he has been here.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Flying Solo...MAYDAY!!!
Okay, so maybe it hasn't been that bad, but it has been a BIG adjustment. I agree with everyone now that said going from 1 to 2 kids was harder than going from 0 to 1, or 2-3, 3-4.... Yeah, a definite adjustment not only for me, but for Hayleigh. She is still adjusting, but is getting used to a routine I'm trying to make- nurse Reid, get out of bed, make beds, change Hayleigh & Reid and put on day clothes, start laundry, get Hayleigh sippy cup and breakfast with Mickey on the tube, get Reid settled into the swing for all of that, Hayleigh turns the tree lights on, I let Missy out, and get me breakfast. That is pretty much our first hour in the morning. Throughout the afternoon, we have the tv going, I'm usually nursing Reid, changing him, then Hayleigh- (we are working on potty training again next week), getting laundry done, cleaning up toys, and keeping the floors and rooms clean. I would hate to get behind, and just even attempt to get the house back into shape without someone else here to help keep an eye on Hayleigh and Reid for me.
Anyway, I'll break down our first week for you...Sunday. Sunday was a BUSY day. Allen left the house at 5:20 am. The thought did cross my mind to go lay down in the drive way where he could not leave- but I knew we would survive, so I didn't. After Allen left, I ended up going back to bed and putting Reid down. We slept in until 8:30, and started on the house. I managed to get 3 loads of laundry done up, dishes done, vacuumed the whole house, found more Christmas decor and put it up, moved toys around, cleaned out both Hayleigh and Reid's closets, and moved Hayleigh's clothes out of the dresser, and Reid's into it. Hayleigh's clothes from her dresser went into a plastic dresser thing that went into her closet- this is just temporary until Reid is done using her furniture, then I imagine he will get a bunk bed set or something else. The power was out for an hour, while I took a break, and Hayleigh took a nap.The rest of the evening was spent eating left overs and relaxing. We actually went to bed early that night.
Monday, we took it easy. I did do a couple loads of laundry- bed linens. If I would have kept cleaning, I would not have anything to do for the rest of the week. So, I got in our garage, and dug out our Christmas movies, and finished up a few of our Thank You cards. We also made our first trip out solo- to Walmart. I had to get some packing stuff to ship out a box for my mom, and Allen's mom. We got the stuff, and got out of there! We relaxed the rest of the night, I turned Hayleigh loose in the bathtub with her bath crayons, while I put clothes up right next to the bathroom, walking by constantly to check on her, while Reid slept in his swing. I even managed to get a nice hot long bath in without a single interruption that night! Pure Bliss!!
Tuesday, we managed to sleep in until 9am. I hurried and got our trash out to the curb- I bet our trash guys loved us, for it was the last of the extra trash we have had. Usually we only just fill up our trash can, for the past 3 weeks, we had enough out there to fill up 3 cans- boxes and sacks all around our 1 can. My mom tried to get us another can while she was here, and I had to tell her no, I don't know how many times, because we would have 1 can sitting empty taking up space in the garage. That morning, we also had a Dr. appointment for Reid- his 2 wk check up. We managed to make it out of the house in one piece, and to the doctor's office clear across town early! Reid did great- weighed 9lbs 7.2 oz, and was 21 1/8" long. So he has grown! Proof that he is actually getting enough to eat from me. We do have to go back for a weigh in on Monday- just to make sure he is gaining enough weight. I don't think this will be an issue... We finished the appointment with his 2nd newborn blood screening, and left. I honestly cannot remember what we did the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Wednesday, Same usual routine in the morning...then we worked on cleaning again... We cleaned the house all over again- mainly cleaning out toy baskets- matching toys together- that kind of thing. I cooked lunch, and Hayleigh took a nap on her own- such a big girl!! Duck Dynasty was on later that night, so we made sure we got it on the DVR for Allen for when he gets back home. UPS managed to deliver all of my diapers and wipes I ordered from my amazonmom account- so Hayleigh and I divided and conquered- split the diapers for Reid all up, got the codes put in on our pampers rewards account, and put them all up. Hayleigh ended up going to bed all on her own that night.
Thursday, umm..We watched the Polar Express. That is honestly all I remember from that day besides Reid sleeping really well through the night.
Friday, I deep cleaned Hayleigh's bathroom, Reid had his first diaper big blowout- gassy boy I swear! Hayleigh got a boston creme roll everywhere, and fed Missy so many times she looks like a fat butterball turkey now. I spent the whole morning stain treating clothes, and doing a load of laundry. Hayleigh went down for a nap again all by herself, I snuggled with Reid, and then it was on for the rest of the night... Hayleigh was cranky, I fixed spaghetti, and Reid was colicky until early morning.
Even though the days are running together, and I can't honestly tell you what we did, I wouldn't change any of it for anything in the world. I know that this will not last long- soon both Hayleigh and Reid will be running around, and not want to have anything to do with me. So, for now, the moments of insanity... I'm enjoying it all. Someday, I'll wish I was back to here- Hayleigh has to help me, or do stuff for me like a little mother hen. When Reid cries, she tells him I'm coming baby broder, it's okay! Makes me smile every time. She helps me by giving him his pacifier when he needs it, and fetches me wipes and diapers to help me change him. She asks to hold him every now and then- I know that won't last too long either- soon they will be fighting. For now, all it seems like we do is clean, eat, feed Reid, battle colic, and watch Christmas specials, waiting for Daddy to come back home to us.
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| Reid's closet after the overhaul I did on it. The blue tub drawer tower has his sleepers that are 0-3 month in it, sleep sacks in it for now. The rest of them are in his dresser. The box to the right of the tub has clothes in it my mom bought both kids for next year.... now you can see why storage is a big issue for us! |
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| Hayleigh's room after moving toys in there- it is crowded I know- but toys are not everywhere around the house right now at least. |
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| Her closet was the toughest... She has lots of stuff- and a really small closet compared to Reid to put it all in. |
Tuesday, we managed to sleep in until 9am. I hurried and got our trash out to the curb- I bet our trash guys loved us, for it was the last of the extra trash we have had. Usually we only just fill up our trash can, for the past 3 weeks, we had enough out there to fill up 3 cans- boxes and sacks all around our 1 can. My mom tried to get us another can while she was here, and I had to tell her no, I don't know how many times, because we would have 1 can sitting empty taking up space in the garage. That morning, we also had a Dr. appointment for Reid- his 2 wk check up. We managed to make it out of the house in one piece, and to the doctor's office clear across town early! Reid did great- weighed 9lbs 7.2 oz, and was 21 1/8" long. So he has grown! Proof that he is actually getting enough to eat from me. We do have to go back for a weigh in on Monday- just to make sure he is gaining enough weight. I don't think this will be an issue... We finished the appointment with his 2nd newborn blood screening, and left. I honestly cannot remember what we did the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Wednesday, Same usual routine in the morning...then we worked on cleaning again... We cleaned the house all over again- mainly cleaning out toy baskets- matching toys together- that kind of thing. I cooked lunch, and Hayleigh took a nap on her own- such a big girl!! Duck Dynasty was on later that night, so we made sure we got it on the DVR for Allen for when he gets back home. UPS managed to deliver all of my diapers and wipes I ordered from my amazonmom account- so Hayleigh and I divided and conquered- split the diapers for Reid all up, got the codes put in on our pampers rewards account, and put them all up. Hayleigh ended up going to bed all on her own that night.
Thursday, umm..We watched the Polar Express. That is honestly all I remember from that day besides Reid sleeping really well through the night.
Friday, I deep cleaned Hayleigh's bathroom, Reid had his first diaper big blowout- gassy boy I swear! Hayleigh got a boston creme roll everywhere, and fed Missy so many times she looks like a fat butterball turkey now. I spent the whole morning stain treating clothes, and doing a load of laundry. Hayleigh went down for a nap again all by herself, I snuggled with Reid, and then it was on for the rest of the night... Hayleigh was cranky, I fixed spaghetti, and Reid was colicky until early morning.
Even though the days are running together, and I can't honestly tell you what we did, I wouldn't change any of it for anything in the world. I know that this will not last long- soon both Hayleigh and Reid will be running around, and not want to have anything to do with me. So, for now, the moments of insanity... I'm enjoying it all. Someday, I'll wish I was back to here- Hayleigh has to help me, or do stuff for me like a little mother hen. When Reid cries, she tells him I'm coming baby broder, it's okay! Makes me smile every time. She helps me by giving him his pacifier when he needs it, and fetches me wipes and diapers to help me change him. She asks to hold him every now and then- I know that won't last too long either- soon they will be fighting. For now, all it seems like we do is clean, eat, feed Reid, battle colic, and watch Christmas specials, waiting for Daddy to come back home to us.
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