And then there were four.

Posted on | August 22, 2011 | 8 Comments

It seems like just yesterday and a lifetime since we’ve added Arlo to the mix of our family. It’s true what “they” say about having a newborn,

“Days are slow. Weeks are fast. Months are faster. Years are gone in the blink of an eye.”

Some days, I count down the minutes until Taylor is home and he can’t arrive soon enough. On those days, he walks through the door, pours me a glass of wine and directs me to the couch while he takes care of everything else.

Some days, he comes home to a clean house, dinner on the stove, and a happy wife. It’s hit or miss right now, but I assume it will be this way for awhile. I’m learning to keep my sanity even when the Biggest throws his entire lunch on the floor. Again. And when the Littlest fights a nap so hard that we are both sweating by the time I finally give up on it (more often than not). There are many mantras of “This too, shall pass,” and many moments of soaking up whatever newborn snuggles I can manage while chasing a toddler.

I often ask myself why I ever thought having one was difficult because having two is a whole ‘nother ballgame. Though, I suppose it’s all relative.

Yes, I’m exhausted and covered in spit up most days. I stumble to the post office with wet hair because I only had five minutes to shower and get ready before Arlo woke up and something has to be mailed right away. I leave the house without make-up occassionally (I hate not having my make-up on. HATE). Many nights, I lay in bed, heart pounding with anxiety that I’ll hear Arlo stir and have to rock him back down again. I have to stop the Biggest from sitting on the Littlest during floor time. I can’t leave them in the same room together for fear that Sully will hug Arlo too hard and hurt the baby.

A moment, like this one, where I sit down to hammer out a post is often interrupted countless times because Arlo has hiccups and wakes from his nap or Sully decides to take a flying leap from our armchair (current count for today? five)

But y’all? It is worth it. It is so worth it.

I look with wonder at this little family Taylor and I have created. Love has manifested itself in the form of our children, and nothing is more beautiful than to see a piece of your husband in the eyes of your sons.

Arlo is a dream baby. An old soul, I’m certain.

He looks around at us like, “I know you. I know this place. I’ve been here before, you just haven’t realized it.” He very rarely cries; only letting us know his dissatisfaction during bath time, the occasional diaper change, and sometimes in the car. We never have to wonder why he’s crying. We never have to walk the floor to try to get him to stop crying. Despite rarely crying, he is incredibly vocal. His constant grunting soundtrack has earned him the nickname, “Baby Dinosaur.” Even in a deep sleep, he voices his opinion in deep, guteral noises. His deep voice only strengthens my belief that this child will be wise beyond his years. No whining. No high pitched squeals. None of the typical newborn noises I’ve heard before him. Sleep isn’t perfect (when is it ever with a newborn?). Naps are hit or miss. Sometimes he goes down so easily it unnerves me. Sometimes, I want to pull my hair out because as soon as I put him down, he wakes up and stares at me from his bassinet. The last couple nights, he’s been up just about every hour to eat. I’ve kept him in the bed with us because it’s easier on me to be able to just pull him close to feed him. I think maybe it’s a growth spurt? He’ll be five-weeks-old tomorrow, and most literature I’ve read states there is usually a growth spurt sometime between four and six weeks. He must have read it before, and is just responding appropriately.

Sully is adjusting so much better. He loves his brother, sometimes too much. Of course, he still acts out for attention, but he is almost two, so that is unsurprising. The hardest part of his behavior is reminding myself that even though he looks big compared to Arlo, he is still a baby. He doesn’t understand everything, and his life has just changed drastically. If I can continue to remind myself that, it makes it easier when he does something that makes the hair on the back of my neck bristle. Lots of patience and hugs make him a happier toddler, and in turn, I’m a happier mama.

So we’re making it. Every day is a lesson. Every day is a new chance to start over and be a better parent than the day before. Every day brings me closer to my husband and my boys, and every day brings me further away from this newborn phase and closer to toddlerhood with Arlo, and further away from toddlerhood and closer to the school years with Sully.

Scary.

It's always nice to share with your friends.

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Comments

"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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