Trial and Error

Well, I know it's been a big break since I last published. The past few weeks have been quite trying with our newest edition! She's quite a bit more temperamental than M ever was as a baby.

 For the past few weeks we've been struggling with naps and a sleep pattern. L didn't really have one. She still doesn't really, I'm pretty lucky if I can get her to take one good nap in a day let alone two or maybe 3 short ones. She still isn't really sleeping through the night without a fussy wake in the middle of the night... there was a few weeks there when I was just in tears on a daily basis about what to do! I tried the chiropractor, a counselor and finally the doctor just said, she'll figure it out! So I kind of just sighed and said... ok, just let her figure it out. 

There are still days I feel like crying because when she doesn't want to nap, she'll scream at the top of her little lungs but I just have to try and keep her on a little bit of a schedule. She seems to be adapting some days and others she rebels, but I guess that's to be expected. 

What made it doubly difficult was the days I had M I felt like I was neglecting her and focusing solely on L. She's gotten pretty good at helping and knowing when I need extra help if L is being difficult. I have to look at the silver lining each chance I get. She's sleeping in her own crib, she naps sometimes and most of all, she's a pretty happy baby. It's those little things I have to keep reminding myself of and take each day, each moment really, as it comes. 

Hopefully the next 2 months won't be nearly as stressful however she'll likely start getting teeth and throw a wrench in it to keep me on my toes! :)

Coming up on Saturday is M's 3rd birthday party! I can't believe she's going to be 3! It should be fun!

Words and actions

When I was working full time I would send a "thought of the day" to my family by email. The TOTD's, as I came to call them, were meant to give them a smile, or a laugh, or maybe some encouragement for the day. I usually pulled a quote from few "quotations" websites that I liked. Those quotes were often from historical figures, sometimes from books and more recent entries were from celebrities.

I started saving quotes that I really liked hoping to pass on the wisdom of the words to my children in times where they might be relevant. That may sound like me being a little unimaginative as a parent using someone else's words but sometimes the right words fail me and it's nice to get a little help from others whose experience may offer valid insight. It might also provide them with a different perspective than my own words might. Unfortunately, I saved them on my computer at work and didn't transfer them before I left.

There is, however, one that has always stuck in my head and I like to think of it as a goal for everyday.

Be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

This is definitely the way of thinking I'd like to pass on to my children. As a parent we have to start small. Be the person you want your children to be. Our children watch everything we do... EVERYTHING. I was reminded of this the other day when I was talking on the phone to my mom and Little M decided to keep interrupting me. I was a little short tempered because I hadn't had the best night's sleep as Little L wanted to wake up every 2 hours that night. So I kind of barked at her when I said to be quiet I was on the phone. Well, later that day, she was playing pretend with her phone and I went to ask her something and she gave me the exact look I can imagine was on my face and told me "Be quiet! I'm on the phone!" Well, that sure made me think! We are the examples for how our children will see the world and if we want them to be kind and compassionate to others we have to set the precedent for them. Like I said, we have to start small, like modeling patience. But we also have to not be too hard on ourselves because some days will be better than others. 

Enjoying Fall

Has it really been 11 weeks since my second little one was born? On the one hand it feels like she's been a regular part of our routine for longer than that. On the other, it feels like I'm starting to get a semblance of a routine. Although she doesn't yet sleep for long periods at night on a regular basis, for the most part, she's starting to take regular naps and is less fussy than she was previously (although daddy might argue that not to be the case since she cries most often with him).

Big sister seems to be adjusting well. She loves kissing, caressing and getting in her little sister's face to little sis's frustration, but I'm sure soon enough she'll have her chance to return the favor. On the days she's not in daycare I like to work with her on the letter of the week and also watch her ride her balance bike. She's really starting to get confident on it and I can't wait until she's gliding all over the place! :)

So I had printed out a "Fall Bucket List" of things to do during the fall. So far we'v done pretty good. We've admired the changing colors, had apple cider, ate pumpkin bread, visited a pumpkin patch and we give thanks daily. Not bad for the first month and a half of Fall with a new little one in tow!

I'm so blessed that I have this opportunity to be with my girls. I don't know if it will be forever but I aim to get everything out of it and give everything I can to them. The time passes much too quickly.

So now I would like to start getting myself organized and looking a bit ahead to having something to do on the side. Something for myself to keep my brain engaged. I enjoy my signing class but haven't been able to return since little one will not yet take a bottle and is usually pretty fussy at night anyway. As Marc has always told me, I'm a life long learner and I would love to take some classes to refresh my anthropology knowledge but probably not at this juncture since I have zero time to read much! :) But hopefully in the near future. We'll see, just another adventure to look forward to. I'll keep you posted!