3 suckers and a singing Mickey Mouse doll have been the incentive for Rt to go poop on the potty ever since we potty trained him back in January. He has known what’s at stake. You can ask him and he’ll tell you word for word.

Today, I told him if he went poop in the potty, he could wear his undies for nap time and not a diaper.

He said, “ok!” (um, ya, right, like you’re going to GO potty with that kind of offer.)

So, to honor his wishes, we troops down to the potty and went through several rounds of wanting potty seat on, wanting potty seat off. Then we pushed a few times with no results.

It was getting long winded to say the least.

So, I said, “You’ll also get 20 M & M’s if you put your poop in the potty.”

I even brought them out to show him, counting each and every one. (getting a little old at this point)

And, then with a couple more red faced pushes,

A pebble was born.

MY SON POOPED A SMALL PEBBLE IN THE POTTY!!!!!

He PEBBLED in the potty!

The look of achievement on his face was priceless. I can imagine mine was as well.

AND he even returned later, during his nap and pooped a BIGGER pebble.

What proud parents we are…..

In the same breath, he pooped twice in his undies during nap time, so we have a ways to go before we got this thing licked.

Now, we are thinking wearing undies for naps might be a tad too bold at this juncture. Opting for pull-ups until we can get a full load out of him might just be the ticket.

e

I’d like to give a shout out to the littlest member of our family, Hola the Alligator.

Recently, Hubs and I had been waking little Hola around 10p.m., (if he were already asleep for the night for a nightcap of sorts, a dream-feed) hoping he’d be full and sleep his longest stint as we headed off to bed.

The night before last, it truly backfired. We woke him out of a major sleep slumber, fed him only an ounce or so before he starting sawing logs and was unable to be stirred again. Believe me, we tried! Crap!! Well, that is until he woke up 2 hours later for more liquid fuel. Double crap!

So, last night he ate a normal feed at 6:45p.m., then a smaller feed before 9. Then, off to bed he went, for the night.

So, what happened next?? When did he wake?

4:30a.m.

I GOT SIX HOURS OF SLEEP IN A ROW.

I know this will not last nor be the norm, but I have to celebrate the little things here people. He has done this once before, so it is something to look forward to. All I can say is Ahhhhhh.

I know I had nothing to do with said achievement, but Hola did sleep a heck of a lot yesterday, so if that means I have to carry him in this sling until he graduates, then so be it. Momma needs some sleep!

Latest photo of me and the boys. My recently cut and colored hairdo needs some styling, but other than that, we are making do, flu bug and all. Hey, the itty bitty one is asleep, so that counts for many hours of hair styling. Yes?

And no, that is not my black bra. It’s a brown tank top. And stop looking, ok?

e

Seems I may have caught Rt’s bug from a week ago, or licked my hand after pushing a shopping cart at Walmart. Either way, I got it.

It wasn’t obvious, though. Mostly, a lot of achy body parts, feeling completely and utterly rundown, but HEY!, isn’t that how I am supposed to feel in the 5th week trenches???

No vomiting either. Just a small case of the nether regions……

All I know, is I am so thankful hubs works from home. We should both try out for the NFL as the QB and RB. Our baby hand-off on my way to the potty was impressive. No fumbles here!

I’ll get back to you when things are in better working order, including me.

e

This will be brief since I should be napping.

I just finished my first overnight with Hola, alone. Hubs was out of town last night for the first time.

The night itself was pretty much like other nights, nothing more or less than I have experienced so far. That wasn’t the issue. The problems were before and after the night shift.

Hola was attacked by the gas man, the secret gas man.

He cluster feed from 4p.m. to 7pm. last night. I tried to go with his tired cues first, but the dire need for food won out. Overtired baby usually wants to eat to be soothed. What else could I do? Sigh. By the time 3 hours came and went, he had had way too many little meals to digest easily. So, gas pains sound obvious, huh? Not so much. No leg pulling, no shrieking in pain, just good ‘ol nodding offs to slumber, followed by waking 4 minutes later after being put down in his crib (swaddled). This happened FOUR times. Momma just wants to eat dinner!!! What is wrong with my baby????

Luckily, my mom came to stay the night with me for moral support and Rt was with Hub’s parents for the night. Otherwise, my little frustrating problem could have been way worse. She basically held the guy against her stomach through ANTM and AI while he passed many a biscuit.

Hola has been better than not with his sleeping in the night. It only happened once, but we did have to wake him at 5am worried he needed to eat (um, never wake a sleeping baby, ok? ok.) So, we know this stretch will only be around for a short period of time, but waking twice in the night, then getting up with him at 6:15am made for a very cranky mommy this morning. He usually sleeps 2 more hours after the last feed, but today, only 45 minutes. Man, o man was I bummed.

Hubs does return this evening. He’s taking the morning off tomorrow, so I can sleep in. (He’s not taking the day off for me, he has existing plans later in the afternoon, but I am going to benefit here.) And mom is nice enough to return next week when I’ll have both kids on my own for the first time overnight.

Hola will be 5 weeks by then. Maybe we’ll be getting another hour of sleep in a row by then??? A girl can dream, right?

Ok, off I go to rest up. You know what they say, sleep when the baby sleeps.

e

april, september, april.

my mother never forgets to remind me how loved I am. It doesn’t hurt that a few of her reminders come in tiny packages.

And it’s really doesn’t suck my two sons were born during the month of the diamond. (or white sapphire, in this case)

Hub’s Mother’s Day gift will be revealed to me in two weeks. That’s how long it’s going to take to be made and arrive at my door. Guess timing isn’t everything.

e

I’ll try to make this brief since the babe is asleep in the swing and the 3 yr old was left to nap with a golf ball in hand. (I just didn’t have the energy to pry it away today)

86 peas, a handful of blueberries and a couple of pancakes made an encore performance last Thursday and Friday night via my 3 yr old.

Who would have guessed the night that I encouraged my son to count his peas, with my help, would vomit all 86 of them. Yes, you heard me right, he ate 86 peas. Hey, the kid can get competitive once the counting begins. I stopped at 30, but he told me there were still more on his plate, so we kept counting. I think I should blame hubs for making that many in the first place. That would be so easy.

But, I think both of us are to blame. Mostly for being so stupid. You see, a friend made us dinner 6 days before. She made some yummy cupcakes to boot. We gave our son one of these cupcakes 6 days after they were made. And, then he vomited later that night. The icing was made with cream cheese. Clearly, our minds are not in working order.

Fast forward to 2a.m. Hubs wakes me up to tell me Rt has barfed is his bed. BARFED??? Um, our kid has never upchucked a nugget and he picks NOW to grace us with his mess? So, after a round of “kid clean up”, which included a bath, and “bed sheet overhaul” which included all soiled sheets to be thrown into the garage until further notice, the newborn wakes for his first nightly feed. Not too bad timing, eh? So, I start the feed, hubs finishes with the barfer, comes in, takes over the feed while I pump the midnight oil.

We both retreat to bed, say one hour after this all began. I take one last glance on the video monitor of the 3 year old, see him stir, sit up, tilt his head down and barf once again.

Lovely.

One more round of kiddie clean up and back to bed we all went. Again.

Fast forward to the next evening. Hubs best friend was in town. I sent him out for dinner once he put Rt to bed. That way, I only had to be at home with one wake kid. Nothing to it, huh? Well, as I was putting the newborn down for the night, I heard something coming from the other room. I open the door to see……

Pancake batter all over my kids face. (Did I mention I don’t do vomit?)

Apparently, he had been sleeping on his stomach and threw up in his face. His eye lashes, nostrils and chin were covered in puke. I majorly panicked, and began to fix the mess as the newborn began to cry from the other room. I went and grabbed him, a couple of towels and started project “F*ck me, You’ve got to be kidding”. While immersed in said cluster-f*ck, I called hubs and mentioned all was going to hell in a messy ass hand basket. He had the audacity to say,

“Ah, man, We’re just sitting down to dinner……” (such a guy thing to say, right?)

Silence……

I said,

“You do what you have to do” and went back to calming both troops while still in a major panic.

Within minutes, all was resolved (phew!) and if I had grown a 3rd arm, I wouldn’t have needed anyone’s help. Luckily, he was home before I knew it and was more than happy to help and give me a needed break by feeding and putting the little one down for the night.

But, duuuuuude.

I sure earned my “mom stripes” this year. Cause that wasn’t purdy and I hope to never have to do it again.

Ya, right.

Hey, if I can get through that, I can get through anything with these two, right? right????

e

(in the end, I think he had a flu bug, but that damn cupcake sure was a lame ass call.)

1) Sound Machines - Bring on the fake rain!

We have these in both boys rooms. When Rt was little, and hubs was working from home, (still is) we used one during his naps to block out conference calls, etc. Now that we have two, and their rooms are right next to each other, these “rain” devices are crucial to blocking out middle of the night hunger cries and loud 3 yr olds trying to “remain quiet” while walking down the hall.

2) Oxo-Brite - the cleaner of champions.

Recently purchased this laundry cleaner from Trader Joe’s. ($3.99) Works just as good as Biz to get out pesky grass stains and poop smears, but doesn’t have all the chemical crap in it.

3) Organizational skills - must be ahead of the babes, at all times.

Whether these come naturally to you, or you can fake it like the rest of them, they are key in this time period. Always thinking ahead makes for a smoother day and a mommy who doesn’t run for the hills. Bottle washing, swaddle washing, lots of washing is needed. Not a good time to be conserving water over here…

4) Willing Partner - preferable one that helps in the night.

Hubs took a day trip yesterday for the first time and I SEVERELY missed his presence, especially at night time. His help has been invaluable and weekends have taken on a whole new meaning: Two more hands, Two more hands!!

5) 2nd refrigerator in garage - get used on craigslist!

To hold all the cases of beer we recently purchased at Costco so we don’t spend oodles of money at the local “whole foods” every night on our evening walks. Must have real alcohol to manage the look of normalcy.

6) Peanut Shell sling - Hello, lover!

If I did not own this, my child would not sleep. EVER. Well, during the day that is. The moment I put his fussy self inside, he immediately goes into “4th trimester” mode and passes out. Well, sometimes a paci is needed to settle his cranky self down, but it’s a miracle people, a miracle contraption in turquoise and brown print.

7) Friends - who cook, well.

Since having Hola, a group of gals have been bringing us dinner 3 nights a week. I can’t tell you how helpful and awesome this is for us. When everything is going to hell in an infant hand basket, dinner, literally, shows up at our door. And, it’s good stuff! And plenty of extras for leftovers and tasty desserts. I will be sad when this perk ends…

8 ) Grandparents - local ones are ideal.

My mom was there to bring Rt to the hospital to meet his new brother and hubs parents were able to take him back to their house for 4 days once we returned home. Having both sides fully devoted to helping us, especially with entertaining and doing almost anything Rt wants, is invaluable during this transitional time.

9) House Cleaner - that is not you and you actually pay for.

Sweet Vanessa. What a gal. Our house may not look clean with all the bibs, blankets, swaddles and burp cloths sprawled all over the house, but underneath, we know this house sparkles.

10) Belly Tauts - got to hold that new-found belly blubber in baby!

I have no idea if this thing is actually working, (in some ways, yes, it’s working), but I can say it’s done wonders for my back. Holding Hola (now a 9 lber) in the sling, especially while on walks can really do a number on my back unless I have this wrap on. Core support, I guess. Must work on stomach muscles soon. Crap. I still need to ask Brooke Burke if her extra spare tire hangs out below the wrap like mine does while sitting down. If so, will it stay that way for good? Eeek!

e

Some nursing mom’s pump, then dump pumped contents if they’ve had a couple of cocktails or eaten something that might upset the wee little one’s digestive system.

I have never, intentionally, dumped a pump.

Reasons?

Until recently, I haven’t had any cocktails…….

Until recently, I haven’t eaten anything that might set Hola’s tummy a blaze……

And, I only produce a small amount of “liquid gold”, (as they call it.) I try too hard for that stuff to be put down the drain.

Now, that I have made my pump ‘n dump mission statement, I will fill you in on my evening last night.

I had a beer. My first real beer. Not a near beer. I beer beer. A corona. It was delicious.

I ate spicy blackened halibut with spanish rice.

And, at 1:30a.m., as I was leaning down next to the bed to place the pump back on the floor after my middle of the night pump session, I lost my small amount of liquid gold. I dumped.

You see, when you bend down to do anything, you need to remember you opened the tops to the pumping bottles to merge the two into one. And when you remember you’ve opened the tops, you have to tilt the said bottles so they won’t lose their precious contents.

I wish I had enough brain power after only 3 hours of sleep to remember those important little details.

Hey, at least I lost that beer and spicy piece of fish, right? That’s all I have to go on in regards to said tragedy.

*************

One more thing while I have you here. My son, the newbie, has WOKEN UP.

The 3 week fog is now over. We’ve hit a major growth spurt (from what I’ve read) and have chosen to eat every 2 or so hours. A full bottle, every time.

With said “waking up”, we are more fussy (which is normal, from what I’ve read) and we don’t necessarily go to sleep when we’re tired. (also, expected to happen at this age) So, the past 24 hours since I have written you last have been quite challenging.

So, with this new wrench in the grand plan, I have chosen to hold my baby, ALL THE TIME. Currently, I am holding the baby, in my sling. I just got finished pumping, while holding the baby in the sling.

But, he is asleep. So be it.

He still sleeps in his crib, swaddled, in the night, so I guess a little more “being one with the baby” will have to do for now.

At least I’ve got the sling. I need both hands to type, right? And, eat, drink, play with a 3 yr old, and pull up my pants after a trip to the toilette.

e

Not literally people. Well, yes, literally, but that’s not what I am exactly talking about here.

The title represents where we are in this phase of raising a newborn. You are already out of the starting gates, but not far enough along to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Well, it’s not the light I am looking for. I am ok with where we are right now. And for those of you who actually know me, this is HUGE.

Last go, with Rt, I was a complete mess. Well, the lack of sleep and battling breastfeeding uphill really through me for a good old fashioned loop. That and the fact that I had NO IDEA what I was doing.

This go, I know what I am doing, so I am able to coast just a little more. With a genuine smile on my face. Now that is not to say I haven’t had my meltdowns, because I have. They just aren’t as severe and as often.

Case in point. This past Saturday, a local community college was hosting a “Shred it” day. Bring all your shred items, and they’ll take care of it. Sounds ideal, huh? I thought so too. So, we/I tried to get the kids together, which basically meant I tried to change my UNDERWEAR and pants for the day, you know, nothing TOO extreme, but I had Hola in my arms. He had just fed a half hour before, so I thought I had a good chance of putting him down for a SECOND to change my skivies. Not the case. I laid him flat on his back, on top of a burp cloth on our bed, bent down to remove my pants, and, BAM, HERE COMES THE ENTIRE BOTTLE OF FLUIDS up and out of my son, all over himself, the burp cloth AND the duvet cover.

After a couple of swear words I began to cry. “I can’t do anything” meaning I can’t lay this kid down for a freakin moment before something like this happens and sets us back, I don’t know, an HOUR. Doesn’t sound too drastic, but when you want to get out the door, it’s enough to send your tail spinning, or the tears a flowing in this case.

Hubs came in, saw the destruction at took said baby out of weeping mom’s arms. I said we had never washed the duvet cover, meaning, how in the hell do we actually wash this thing? Hubs reply was, well, if we’ve NEVER washed it, now would be a good time to do so. So practical, the bum.

Anywho, as I was saying. Besides the occasional upchucks, which are common and have been fewer and father between after learning a few tricks from the pediatrician. Like, only feed babe half the bottle before driving anywhere, so the cup won’t runneth over after a couple of jiggles and bumps in the backseat. etc. Makes enough sense, eh? Plus, we pulled out the bouncer and positioned the kid a little more upright so I can do things like use the restroom alone and stuff.

Another item we are currently experiencing is, the kid is too young to be able to just “hang” after he’s fed or wakes. He usually is starving or cranky and needing to sleep ASAP, so there really isn’t more you can do with him just yet. He has made his occasional coo’s which are downright LOVELY, but other than that, he “needs something” when he is awake. I get it, it’s just not so easy when the 3 year old needs things like something to drink, OR to be taken out of his portable high chair after 45 minutes.

I feel really good. Especially for being 3 weeks into this whole gig. And, yes, this will change. It will get harder, then easier, then it will all change, then all go to hell in a hand basket during one Thursday morning. It’s to be expected. I get it. All of this takes time and I am ok with time. It must be the sleep thing. It makes all the difference. I didn’t get the memo the first time around. Stubborn me. Was always trying to do it all myself. Quite the dingle-berry if you ask me.

Last thing, the pumping. Most people will call me crazy for making such an attempt, but there is something about it, that I just dig. Due to not having all my “ducts in a row” (long story, tell ya later), I am not the ideal breast-feeder. With Rt, we nursed until he acted not so satisfied and topped him off (or basically fed him) a bottle. 8 weeks later, I was done. Coo coo and done. This kid, I actually went to see a lactation gal. (who was so not the crazy freak I thought she would be.) We weighed the boy, nursed him, then weighed him again. He had gained/ate 1/10th of an oz. Eek!

So, we just aren’t the best match when it comes to the whole boob thing. I even came home, pumped and got a little, but good amount more than he had. So, we know I have more in there, he just can’t seem to get it easily without one of us breaking down in tears out of pure frustration. So, I pump 5 times a day, enough and only enough to give him ONE out of EIGHT bottles of me, my stuff, my milk. Why all the effort? Cause, I can see the results and it’s so gratifying. As long as I can keep this up, I will. I won’t be renting this pump for months on end. It’s way more expensive than buying a couple extra cans of formula, honestly. But, that’s just not the point.

Like with pumping, I am just taking this 2 kid gig, one day at a time. And it’s good. really good. (and hard and tiresome and never-ending and I can’t think of what else, but I like it. I love it.)

e