Well, it has been one CRAZY month with 3 wonderful children and 2 exhausted parents under one roof! There have been moments of complete perfection and moments of complete hysteria, but for the most part things really have been pretty great around here!
The first two weeks were insane as everything was ending-- MDO, MOPS, BSF, Dance, etc. On top of all of those things, we also had what seemed like a million doctor's appointments. The first day I had all 3 of them by myself, I took them to the pediatrician's office during naptime. I like to challenge myself... HA!
But truthfully, I really don't have a problem with continuing our normal life with 3 kids in tow. I do want to enjoy these years with them at home and therefore, am looking for ways to cut back so that we aren't always on the go, however, for me, there are no "I can't do this by myself!" thoughts running through my head. I like the four of us going to Target, Sams, Wal-Mart, TJ Maxx, Chik-fil-a, etc. when we need to... It isn't easy, but that doesn't mean it isn't doable or isn't kind of fun in spite of its craziness!
The last two weeks of this month have been much more calm and I've realized just how much I love being at home with my kids! It has been nice to establish a home routine which is something we've never really had before. I thought we'd all go stir-crazy on day 1, but we really haven't. By the end of the week, we usually are ready for Daddy to be home and for a chance to do something different, but for the most part, we are all enjoying the more relaxed schedule. There's only been one day that I just knew if we didn't get out that Finley was going to be a handful so we went to Chik-fil-a and she was an angel the rest of the day.
I'm going to write a longer update on Evi and myself, but here's a quick look at how all of us are adjusting.
Evi:
Like our other newborns, Evi is at the EASY end of the spectrum. She isn't the angel baby that Jude was, but she is definitely not a difficult or demanding baby. Devin and I always amazed when we hear that the average newborn cries 2 hours a day because I don't think any of our babies have cried a total of 2 hours their entire first month!
Evi actually reminds me a lot of Finley as a newborn... The main reason Evi fusses is because she can't keep her binky in her mouth and I remember Finley doing the same exact thing! It seemed to take forever before that stage was over. Like Finley, Evi is also really alert probably even moreso than Finley was whereas Jude was more of the typical newborn who constantly slept. Like Jude though, Evi tends to just grunt or groan at night when she wants to be fed instead of the typical newborn cry. That's really nice for us since Devin gets up so early... his sleep is obviously disrupted, but he rarely wakes up in the morning able to remember Evi waking him up.
Now that we are at the end of the month, I definitely feel like I have a better idea of who Evi is and what her needs and preferences are. She has obviously changed repeatedly throughout the month, but I now can really tell what her cries mean and know how to get her to sleep, etc.
She is adjusting to her new world and I am so thankful that she is HERE!
Jude:
Jude was totally not interested in Evi in the hospital, but once home, he took notice and always smiles when he sees her! He really, really wants to touch her and love on her, but of course, he is too rough for us to let him do that! I'm thankful that he seems to really like her and in fact, one of his first words that he said consistently and clearly was "Baby" which is so sweet!
I asked Dr. K how I would know if Jude was feeling left out or having trouble with adjusting to the new baby and he said Jude would hit me or hit Evi which thankfully he hasn't done yet!!!
However, Jude has been a lot fussier than before Evi. He gets easily frustrated and has started throwing fits when we tell him no. Thankfully, his fits are very short and he is still at the age that we can distract him. He also hates the stroller right now. I think he was stuck in it too much when I was pregnant and had doctor's appointments etc. He seems to do better in it when Finley is around to help entertain him which is good!
In general, he isn't the easy boy he has always been. Though I think part of this is completely normal for his age--- he is learning to talk, but can't communicate very well yet... he can walk, but can't completely keep up with us yet... he has preferences, but isn't in control, etc. All of that can lead to fits and frustration, etc. However, I'm sure that adding a new little sister probably heightens these issues as well.
Regardless of the fussiness, I do think he is adjusting pretty well! He's still eating and sleeping as usual and he doesn't seem the least bit upset AT me or AT Evi. Despite being at a difficult stage, he is just the sweetest and I'm so glad he is going to be Evi's big brother! I can't wait to see how their relationship develops!
Finley:
Well, obviously, Finley was THRILLED to meet her little sister. She has been great with her and truly loves her! It has been so amazing to see! Finley is at the "ideal" age (in my opinion) to be a big sister. She can help me and is independent, but isn't at the age where she sees Evi as a chore. I try to let her be the big sister and not the mommy which is difficult at times because she so wants to help me with everything and to watch her and hold her all the time.
She isn't quite as possessive over Evi as she was Jude, but is so proud of her! She talks to everyone about her! It is sooooo sweet!
As far as adjustment goes, we have seen little areas of jealousy-- times when as soon as I sit down to feed Evi, she needs something to eat or needs help with something... times when she acts like she can't talk (think this is more because of Jude than Evi)... times when she wants us to carry her or feed her.... She is also not sleeping very well... this started before Evi was actually born, but I do wonder if it is still somewhat tied to the new baby.
And another reason why she is at a great age... when she does start acting this way, I can talk to her openly and ask her if she thinks her behavior is due to the fact that I can't spend as much time with her right now and so we have been able to work on her finding better solutions to her feelings than acting out... It's a work in progress, but she can at times say "Mommy, I need some extra time with you."
In all, I think Finley has done exceptionally well over the last month. We have had major changes in our schedule with everything ending and with the addition of Evi, haven't been getting out as much as Finley is used to. Jude has also become more mobile and more verbal which has changed her dynamic with him. So I will happily take a little jealousy and a little acting like a baby. She could be A LOT worse!!!!!
Like with Jude, I just can't wait to see Finley's relationship as big sister grow and I'm thankful that she is doing as well as she is! Evi and Jude are very blessed to have her!
Me:
Physically, I'm doing great! I felt better the day I had Evi (even being super sleep deprived) than I had in probably 6 weeks! I didn't even realize how much pregnancy and chasing 2 little ones had taken its toll until I wasn't pregnant anymore. I am so thankful that I have felt so well and had such an easy recovery. After the first week, I had about 10 pounds to lose. After the second, I was down to about 5 pounds to lose. I doubt my weight will change until I'm done breastfeeding. I feel GREAT about only having 5 extra pounds and it feels really good to be in my regular clothes. I have good genes!!!! And just so I don't forget, after having Evi, I realized that I never got the linea negra which is kind of weird!
Emotionally, I love having 3 kids! I never forget what a blessing they are or that this season (parenthood) is a short one! It has been nice to spend so much time at home lately and not have a million things to be doing. I am a bit sleep deprived so I find myself a little low on patience at times and can be easily frustrated, but I have been trying to plan in at least two naps a week and while some weeks go better than others, I am trying to make naps a priority! I'm also used to more adult time and more time to do things like shopping and errands than I have right now. It's an adjustment, but I know that it is actually the reprioritizing that my life needed and I'm happily embracing it! On the negative side, I'm super-paranoid this go round. Though Evi is my third, I'm always looking for something to be wrong with her. I question everything and am always on the Internet searching for information. I think there are a lot of reasons for this, but I am learning to accept that Evi might just be as healthy as I prayed she would be!
Though I think I'm adjusting well to 3 kids, I admit it is HARD. It is amazing, but it is not easy. Juggling the needs and wants of three unique people is difficult and not for the weary! HA! The laundry alone is a full-time job and let's not even talk about the number of diaper changes! Trying to get everyone in the car, pack snacks, drive somewhere, get everyone unloaded, accomplish an errand while dealing with well-meaning, but annoying people who stop me every 5 seconds to tell me that I sure have my hands full, get loaded back up, and drive home before Evi needs to eat again should win me some sort of Olympic medal! It is exhausting to be a mom! It is the most selfless thing I'll ever do, but it comes with lots of hugs and kisses as well and I do so love it!
Devin:
I never like to speak for my sweet hubby, but he has been great since Evi has been born. He has been home by around 6:30 p.m. every night which has helped immensely. He is a great dad and has been really wonderful at letting me go to Hobby Lobby or to Guthrie to meet Beth or run errands etc. once he is home from work or during the weekends.... He realizes that I need to get out of the house!!!! He is also really great about taking Finley and Jude outside to play while I feed Evi so that I can get a little quiet time!
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