“Allll by myseeeellllffff….”
Posted on | August 8, 2011 | 15 Comments
That stupid song has been running through my head all morning, but it seems fitting.
Today is the first day it’s just the boys and me at home. Alone. No help. Taylor is at work. My mama and mother-in-law are back to the grind at work, and I’m on my own. So far, so…okay? Sully woke up around 7:00 while Arlo slept in my bed (don’t judge). I got him dressed, dealt with an incredibly gross blueberry diaper that made me question cloth diapering ever again, and fed him before Arlo stirred. Then I blocked off the kitchen, fed Arlo, and put him in his bouncy chair while I made the bed and put away laundry. I had a whole eleven minutes before Arlo started screaming. I picked him up and walked around with him for awhile. The whole time I walked and bounced, I had to scold Sullivan for getting into things he wasn’t supposed to be touching.
Sully has developed a defiant streak. If he’s doing something bad, and I say no, he looks at me and smiles before doing it again. Maddening. He’s been in time out twice. Obviously, it ain’t working.
Then, I worked to get Arlo down for a nap. An hour later, three times playing that stupid glowing Seahorse, and lots of Shuuuuushing, and Arlo is asleep (for now). Sully keeps running full force towards the door to my bedroom where Arlo is sleeping and attempting to dive bomb it. I’ve had to snatch him up four times. I have no idea why he’s so intent on waking his brother, but apparently it gives him great joy. Everytime I have to get onto him about something, I feel a huge wave of guilt. I know he’s just looking for attention, but dang boy, you can’t tackle your brother’s bouncy chair while he’s in it. I fear the hard part of being at home will have nothing to do with a newborn and everything to do with a deranged toddler.
God, please bring me patience. And lots of it.
When Arlo wakes, I’m off to brave the grocery store and Post Office with both boys in tow. Wish me luck.
Tags: Arlo and Sully > Parenting decisions > Pictures of the babe > Two under two
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15 Responses to ““Allll by myseeeellllffff….””
"I'm a twenty-five-year old mama to two little boys and married to the love of my life. I have a serious Diet Coke addiction and a tendency to overshare. My biggest dream is to write a book. A good book that tons of people buy and relate to and love. In the mean time, this is the story of us as we flounder through raising our wild, little boys, moving a million times, and buying and renovating our 1968 Ranch home."
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August 8th, 2011 @ 10:06 am
Good luck Mama! I’m thinking about you!! Arlo is so adorable!! I love the new pictures of him!
August 8th, 2011 @ 10:26 am
Bad news first- All of your days will be shockingly similar for about a week or two.
Good news – the toddler starts to get it really quickly and while there are still “attention starved” moments they adapt really quickly and you fall into a groove. Also, the newborn learns that you can’t run to them every time they cry & I swear they are just more patient as second babies.
I can’t believe you are attempting the grocery store with both- you are fearless. I STILL haven’t done that.
August 8th, 2011 @ 10:40 am
My boys are 22 months apart, and for about the first year of having two kids, I felt like I spent all of my time scolding my two-year-old. Once, he actually turned the bouncy chair over with the newborn in it. Good thing he was strapped in! Talk about a scary moment! But after the first year, it got a lot better. They play well together now and I don’t constantly feel the need to hover all the time. I can actually get things done now and my house is starting to get back in order. It has done wonders for my sanity! Just hang in there! It does get easier.
August 8th, 2011 @ 10:41 am
It sounds like you’re doing great… I’m still barely brave enough to go to the grocery store with one baby in tow! You can do it! Love the middle picture of your handsome boys!
August 8th, 2011 @ 10:57 am
YOU CAN DO IT! Hang in there, as it will get better. My lil’ ones are 17 1/2 months apart, so we have had many of these days. BUT now that they are 3 1/2 and 2 years they are so loving with each other, and *MOST* of the time they get along very well. That bond between siblings, especially those close in age, is unexplainable and so sweet. It isn’t exactly easy in the beginning, but so worth it!
August 8th, 2011 @ 10:59 am
Good luck, mama
I had a couple days last week where I wondered what the eff was up with our near two year old, but the day will pass 
You have the strength.
August 8th, 2011 @ 11:14 am
good luck with your journey. i have an idea I wont be braving anything with 2 for a while.
August 8th, 2011 @ 11:17 am
Yes, your first week will be full of lots of defiant toddler antics. BUT, it gets better. He’s adjusting to this new life and schedule just as much as you are. It does get better so hang in there!!
August 8th, 2011 @ 11:55 am
Laura, who is the center of attention always by default, is one defiant little chick. The more we scold, the more defiant she is. We try to deflect her attention onto something she CAN do instead. It saves us from some tantrums. Some.
August 8th, 2011 @ 12:29 pm
Let me tell you from experience, if you are a busy-body like I am…you have to start getting out with both of them NOW!! If you start now while Arlo is little, he will never know any different : ) I was actually at the grocery store this morning with FOUR kids in tow! Yes, I get at least five comments every time I go, “You sure have your hands full” as I have my almost 6 month old in my Moby wrap while the three others (four, two and two) are in the family cart. You’ve just gotta do it! It is good for your kiddos to learn how to behave in public…and it will teach you patience in the process! ha ha. Besides nursing and such, I never just “held” my younger two babies all that much b/c they kinda had to learn to be easy-going and independent to help keep everyone sane! And it’s totally fine for Arlo to cry for five minutes every once in a while…I promise. I know it tears us mamas up the most, but you can do it! Include Sully in what you do around the house and give him special things for big brothers to do. His defiant behavior will disappear pretty soon when he realizes Arlo is here to stay and that he is actually kinda kinda cool to have around! ha ha. Hang in there mama!! : )
August 8th, 2011 @ 1:38 pm
sounds like you ar edoing great! Love you!!
August 8th, 2011 @ 7:20 pm
You are doing a great job, and everyone will settle into a nice routine in the near future. Look at what a good job you’ve done with; you’ll do twice as nice with two!
August 9th, 2011 @ 8:43 am
OMG Sal, that picture in the middle is my absolute favorite. Arlo looks so innocent and cute and Sully DEFINITELY has the T-Rex and Sally look of mischieviousness on his face. I literally just laughed out loud when i saw that picture. I LOVE it.
August 9th, 2011 @ 11:16 am
Super cute photos! Good luck “all by yourself!” {thanks to you that song’s in my head now
}
August 18th, 2011 @ 8:37 pm
good luck! You can do it, I know it!