The "New Normal" is Total Chaos....

....but we embrace.

With these sweet faces, it's hard not to embrace the chaos that they bring!

 

Jack was very concerned about the "wires" coming from momma, so we talked about how momma was ok and that the wires were giving me medicine.

Matt couldn't stop smiling about his boys.

We are over the moon for this new little fella who entered our world in super un-dramatic fashion on 8/27 at 7:40 am.  He weighed 8.8 lbs and was 20.5 inches long....and all lungs on his way out.  He definitely let us know he was "out" and Matt's smile was as big as it was when his first son was born.  

So, now there are two.  Now what?

Here's what:

(I love lists!)

1. The second c-section is WAY harder to recover from than the first.  I felt like with the first that I was back to normal in a couple of days...including clothing, exercise, etc.  I'll be honest folks - I'm still in some pain, I still have a little preggo belly and I'm still just not myself (um, why can I not bend over without feeling like my body is still cut in half??).  Case in point:  On Labor Day, Beau was 6 days old....and we headed to Publix for some groceries.  I had a woman stop me and ask me how I could have a toddler, a baby in a carrier and be pregnant again.  Folks.  I am not even kidding you.  As the tears welled up in my eyes, I explained that the baby in the carrier was 6 days old and that my belly had not reduced back down.  She simply said "oh, that makes sense."  Ya.  No apology. She just walked away.  The reason I know I'm not back to normal yet is because I didn't punch her square in the nose.  In any case, I did get my staples out and am now feeling MUCH more like myself!!  That previous "preggo belly" is now just looking like I had too much for lunch, so I can now go to the grocery store without being shamed.
2. Something is always leaking.  If you have children, you know what I mean.  If you don't have children, don't ask.
3. Jack is smitten with his little brother.  PLEASE, GOD, let this always be.                                               
4. The guilt is real y'all.  I'm talking about the multiple child guilt...like I'm neglecting one kid when I spend some time with the other.  What the....  Is this normal?
5. I hate my breast pump.
6. Poor Beau is already less documented than Jack was at this age, but no less sweet.
7. My husband is an absolute saint.  He wrangles the energy of Jack while I take some time to actually heal.  It's beyond appreciated.  He says that's his job.  He's a good man.
8. I'm trying to enjoy every single moment of Beau and Jack and this time we have, but honestly?  I just need a NAP.
9. Lucky is so confused about the difference between his toys, Jack's toys and Beau's "stuff" (i.e., binkies).  On Monday, Lucky encountered the drumsticks that Jack received from the FSU drum major on Saturday.  He decided to see what they tasted like....This sent the whole house into a full scale meltdown.  I thought Jack was going to run out of the house screaming like a mad man.
10. Does everyone need to have a disaster at the same time or is this just happening in my house?  For some reason, Jack, Beau and Lucky tend to all need something at the same time.  Why is this??
11. Must we pee, poop and/or puke on every piece of cloth in the house?  The laundry is out of control, which is reason enough to stop at 2 children.
12. Can Jack please just go to sleep and not talk to himself and his stuffed animals for two hours every night?  No?  Ok, perfect.  Can I at least stop caring since he doesn't get out of bed and eventually falls asleep regardless?
13. We've been out to eat with both boys successfully.  No one got hurt.  Everyone left full and happy.  It may have been a Christmas miracle.
14. Instead of playing "peek a boo," Jack plays "peek a Beau."  Genius.  I know!
15. I hate my breast pump.
16. I'm already worried about returning to work, but I know that Matt and I will figure out a way to make it all work.  We always do.
17. Lucky is tired of being on newborn duty.  I can tell because his snout gets a bit more gray (grayer?) by the day.  Poor fella.
18. Jack has started to worry that Beau is "eating momma" when Beau breastfeeds.  Ya.  He's really very concerned about this situation, which requires me to explain breastfeeding daily to my two year old. Guess how well that goes?

In Other News....

Jack is obsessed with drummers, drumsticks and "marching band hats" -- which means when the FSU drum major gave Jack his drumsticks at the game on Saturday (9/6), they instantly became weapons and he basically hit everything in the stadium and on the way to the car.

 

Jack is also obsessed with hats, helmets and all types of headgear.  He are a few snaps of his collections:

  

And he even wears his helmet during car rides.... Safety First, folks.  Safety First.

Jack is learning how to pee standing up.  He's consumed with being like Dadda.  I never thought I'd have to worry about pee in places where I've found it.  Don't ask.

Jack is the big kid at daycare now (in age).  We were really worried that he wouldn't embrace this role, but it seems as though he has -- and has had a few weeks in a row without any issues.  PLEASE, GOD, let this continue.  Disciplining a two year old is not for the weak or faint of heart.  And, I'll tell you - he has started talking back and telling us "no" about everything and raising his voice when he's angry about something.....and it's all I can do not to a) laugh and b) break one of his fingers to snap him out of his attitude problem.  

I mean not really, but really. 

We've learned the art of bargaining and trading - but all reasoning is STILL out the window.

I'm constantly amazed at how quickly the tears can dry up (mine and his) with a perfectly timed "deal" -- (i.e., let's trade the drumsticks for some M&Ms, huh, kid?)

OMG.....toddlers....like living with a bi-polar terrorist.

I really want to break Jack from the binky (only used during naps/bedtime), but I'm pretty sure that the binky is for me - not him.  Is there an easy way for me him to get over this addiction?  Cold turkey really isn't for us, so what else you got?

I can already tell that Beau is a laid back little dude.  He's a different type of eater than Jack was....and he's a better sleeper (PLEASE, GOD, let this always be) - even though Jack was pretty good.  I never had to wake Jack to feed him (piggy baby)....but I do with Beau...and he's kind of a lazy eater, a grazer, if you will.

We are only 2 weeks into this adventure, but there's nothing better really.  I love, love, love being a mom of two, but it's chaotic and I keep it real.  There are days when it feels like a lot of work....but then they do amazing little things (just like all kids) and it reminds me that it's all worth it.  

Be Still My Heart.