A Normal Family of Four....Wait, This Isn't Normal?

There's not a lot going on but there's so much happening!

I can't brag enough about Jack, y'all.  I was SO convinced he would be the jealous type, but - YOU GUYS (!) - he totally loves Beau.

#JackAndBeau

For now, I suppose.

Beau doesn't walk or talk or steal toys yet, so I'm sure there's more to come, but the first month and a half has been bliss on the brother front.

Selfies are no longer my own.  One kid is photobombing and one kid is giving the stink eye.  Aaaand, I cut my own head in half.  #NailedIt

What has NOT been bliss is that Beau is sort of a crankapotomus. I know I know, you are probably all shocked because Matt and I are such pleasantly calm and well balanced people.  I know.  I was shocked too.  (please tell me the sarcasm came through?)  Sadly, we aren't good at handling the cranky because Jack was an easy baby.  I'm sure you can imagine how a sleep deprived, super grumpy conversation goes at 3am when the baby won't step yelling at me, right?  Yes.  It's been buh-liss on that front.  However, we are currently turning the corner and the swaddling/eating/sleeping more than 2 hours at a time thing is upon us.  For example, we slept for 5 hours straight last night and I thought that a) the world had ended and b) I had enough energy to run a marathon this morning.  WOW!

You know, I'm a fan of swaddling but it totally speaks to my fears of being trapped therefore I'm never good at tying the kids down tight enough.  We had a miracle blanket with Jack and I just broke it out with Beau.  It's named really appropriately.  They can not escape and they SLEEEEEEP, which makes it a damn miracle.

When they sleep well...they wake up looking like this....and you like them again:

The thing about newborns is that they wait for NO ONE.  I happened to be stuck on the Howard Franklin bridge the other day....in 4 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic....and Beau decides that he's hungry a full 2 hours before he's "supposed to be."  And, because newborns are on their schedule and their schedule alone, I had to cross over said 4 lanes....pull off the side of the road....get out of the car, get BEAU out of the car and proceed to the passenger seat to feed him.  You have got to be kidding me right now.  There are people all over this bridge thinking I'm a lunatic.  You know who's not thinking that, though?  Moms.  *fist bump*

We have, in fact, discovered another miracle for little reflux babies - this magical wrap called Solly Wrap, which makes me look like a total hippy (don't be offended, hippies, you know I'm right).  I'm all about our Bjorn carrier, but this one let even the smallest version of Beau be held upright and close to prevent the cranks from taking over his body.

We've done some Florida State supporting (thanks to Becky for making the trip with the kids in tow):

Beau maaaay not be into football.

At least not yet, anyway.

Jack was NOT PLEASED with the first quarter against Wake Forest.  He let 'em know about it.

 We've had some visitors (thanks Dirky for playing with Jack!)

 

 

So maybe you saw it on the national news or some other news source, but Matt left me alone with the children for a week.  A WEEK, people.  I entertained, cooked for, cleaned up after, folded clothes for, created art projects with, tap danced for, did cartwheels with, disciplined, fed, traveled to FSU games with, bathed and DID NOT HURT the children (or the dog) for 7 full days.  I deserved a medal nap.  Upon Matt's return, said children promptly forgot all of our quality bonding and this ensued:

 

W-T-F.

I'll eat him up.

 Jack is planning to be Captain Jack Sparrow for Halloween, but he's also a Tigger fan and couldn't resist the opportunity to be Tigger for a few minutes in our local Stellie Bellies.

Jack has always been quite a character, but lately it seems like everything he says cracks us up.  Honestly, if his energy doesn't wear you down, his conversationalist skills will.  He's a talker.  And he expects timely responses.  And I *know* all of your babies are saying similar stuff - or did at Jack's age - but re-live it with me for just a moment and crack up!

As he's picking up acorns off the sidewalk.....  

Me:  "Jack - Whatcha doin?"

Jack;  "Picking up coconuts"

As he's approaching the house being built on our street...

Jack:  "Construction Boys!!"

Yep...that's a hard hat.  And he has his hammer in his hand.  He's a helper, y'all!

Admiring the newly built condos near our home....

Jack:  "Dadda - that building is MONGOUS"

(translation: HUMONGOUS)

Recently becoming obsessed with Toy Story....

Jack:  "To immfemmenny and beeeyond"

(nope.  i don't know what "immfemmenny" is either)

Noticing Beau has the hiccups....

Jack:  "Momma!  Beau has the shookups!"

Upon realizing that his shoes light up...

Jack:  "I only wear the glow up shoes"

After learning about sword fighting....

Jack:  "I'M Guard!"

Me:  "On Guard!"

Jack:  "NO! IIIII'MM Guard!"

Recently becoming obsessed with Superman and his "super shirts":

Jack:  "Super Jack saves the day!"

And an oldie but a goodie:  When he'd see someone with eye glasses on....

Jack:  "eye sees"

Generally speaking, Jack is a pretty polite kid.  He's  good at sharing, says his pleases, thank yous, you're welcomes....and ALWAYS, ALWAYS says hi to bikers, joggers and people walking their dogs when they go by our house and we're outside.  

Here's your PSA for today:  Say hi back.  If you don't, he will call you out about it - loudly.  (read: "Mommy!!!!  He didn't say hi back!!!  Why not??") 

God love 'em....when they aren't being bipolar terrorists, they are pretty damn funny.

We're all good here....come visit!

~Beautiful Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Pete~

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.

How About Now?

#JackAndBeau

I've officially carried this baby 2 weeks longer than I carried Jack, which has produced a whole new respect for women who carry beyond 40 weeks.

No thank you.

And beyond 40 weeks in the FL Summer?

Nope.  I opt out.

We have a c-section scheduled for 8/27....and I'd be ok if Beau made his arrival before that. We are ready (or so we think).  We are all tired of me being pregnant and hot and miserable and grumpier than my usually grump-with-charm self. ;)

We stay busy with our first born -- the one that needs a brother in order to inform him that he's not actually the center of the universe.

We've been working really hard on the discipline....and we seem to be getting the hitting under control, which is just in time for the next challenge (opportunity?) to pop up.  Now he feels the need to get out of bed at night and open/close his bedroom door to get our attention.  Then he asks "momma - I sleep in your bed?"

Um. No.

It's a rule that Matt and I have had since Day 1 (of even finding out I was preggo with Jack).  No babies in our bed.  Ever.  No exceptions.  If said baby is sick, momma or dadda will retreat to said baby's room for consoling/cudding/sleeping.  We've stuck by the rule for 2 years -- and, we can't give in now.  STAY STRONG, people.

We have also experienced a regression on potty training.  The doc said it was normal and expected, but I can't help but feel disappointed.  We were pretty close....but the bigger my belly gets, the more Jack isn't into being a big boy.

Me:  Jack - Do you have to go pee pee in the potty?

Jack:  No, Thank You.

Well, at least he's polite about it?

Except for that day that he sat on the potty for 15 minutes, only to poop on the back porch. 

I wish I were kidding.

Also....he's decided that he only/mostly wants to wear his "tackle shirt" (aka, FSU football jersey) on most days.  You'll see that reflected a bit here.  We try very hard to make sure that it's always clean, however, we now have 3 of them just to be sure we aren't sending him into the world smelling like a wet sock.

I maintain that every household with a child - regardless of age - is struggling with something.  I think I just feel better if I write it here...in case there was some confusion about our household/parenting life being trouble free.  HA!

That kid, though....he cracks me up.  He learns so much every single day that I can barely keep up with all of his questions.  There's a lot of ....

"what that?"
"what his name is?"
"what him doing?"
"where his momma?"

There's also a lot of counting, ABCing and pointing out colors.  He's FINALLY stopped saying everything is pink.  Thank God.  I thought he was color blind for a while.

We've been occupied with all sorts of events since we last spoke.....

A visit to Springfield for cousin Esmee's Baptism, resulted in hockey chaos for 3 days:

 

Ellyn's Wedding:

Jack's First 4th of July Firework Experience and "Pock a dickle" (Popsicle):

 

My amazing friends - both near and far - gave Baby Beau lovely "Sprinkles"...so I wanted to give shout outs to you lovely ladies who threw the partays (Jaime and Emmalee) .... and for those who attended or sent gifts for the newest little fella.

And, in case you were wondering -- we are, in fact, raising one intense, energetic, all-boy-all-the-time little dude.  He needs to do laps in the yard before coming in for dinner....and he needs to race in the living room on rainy days.  It's a constant battle with the energy level, so we are learning new and creative ways to harness it all.  I think we are getting better, the more we learn that sitting at the table coloring is NOT his thing.

This is the "calm" before the "storm" of 2 children -- or so I'm told.  I think we could totally handle the energy level and intensity....if I could just get him to wear pants.

But, it's summer in FL....and honestly?  Who cares.

  

 

Next up....Beau's Arrival.  Bring it, kid!

The Boys.

With a kick, kick here....and a kick kick there....

...here a kick, there a kick....every where a kick-kick!  (and maybe some hitting!  see below!)  Or maybe those are punches or elbows?  Who knows, but Baby #2 is definitely busy.  He may be setting up shop in there with all of that movement.  I do like the constant movement, though, because sometimes I forget that I'm pregnant because I'm so busy being a momma already.  

No one told me that Jack wouldn't see me as "fragile" while pregnant, like everyone else does!

Trust me, I KNOW I'm pregnant -- it's very clear when you look at me -- but I run around constantly being a momma and a whole bunch of different things for my family/friends/clients, that I often am not as focused on this baby as I was when pregnant with Jack.

Practicing being a big brother with Baby Brynn

Double stroller duty!

 I think this is normal, but it doesn't last for too long -- because I think Baby #2 may be building his own toys in there or something.  He is constantly kicking and moving ...which gets SUPER weird when people in meetings can see my shirt moving from his kicks.  It's like that movie "Alien" -- just a tiny bit abnormal, folks.

I have been pretty surprised about how clingy Jack has become in the last few weeks.  He seems to always want to be near me or on me...and is constantly asking "momma - i hold you" (translation: i want you to hold me).  I think he senses the change coming....which makes me a little sad for our relationship, but I know it'll only get better and stronger.

I guess no one can really prepare you for being pregnant while being a momma to a toddler.  No one can prepare you for the constant on alert, on-your-toes, stop that, don't ride the dog, please pee IN the toilet, how did you poop that much, please don't tackle the bigger kids at school, must we watch Little Einsteins again (?!), how much is newborn daycare per week(?!) banter that completely takes over your life.

He loves watching "Ses Street" in our bed on Saturday mornings.

While I'm busy trying to not have gestational diabetes again (total fail!), we are also desperately trying to raise a polite, respectful, smart and strong young man.  He's all of those things, yet, somewhere along the way he picked up "aggressive" or "strong willed"....Weird.

So, let me just cut to the chase confess -- Jack hits and kicks.  He's intense.  He wants to be first.  He doesn't like waiting.  He will pick a fight with a bigger kid.  If he wants a toy, he'll push down another kid to get to it first.  

See what I mean?  So intense!

It's a work in progress, folks, but currently - we may be raising a bully - but no one panic - we are working on it.  We've made some good progress -- and he is very sweet 95% of the time, hugging all the kids at daycare when he leaves, but let's be clear -- that other 5% of the time?  We need to focus our energy here.

 <You can not hit.....the bigger kid....in the face...with a stick, simply because he threw the ball over the fence.>

OMG.  

Yes, that's Jack chasing the big kid.

Beyond being a (possible) bully -- he's also a nudist.  This has become convenient though since we are in the middle of potty training....in FL....where it's 1000% humidity.  So, he's been taking queues from Lucky and pottying on trees.  I'm just trying to make sure he doesn't hike his leg.  

OMG.  

Me:  "Jack....where are your pants??"

Nekkid Golf:

We've had pretty good success with potty training, but I'm anticipating a setback when Baby #2 arrives.  And, I'm really against posting any potty talk on social media, but this conversation is TOO FUNNY not to share....Please forgive the toddler nudity.

While we've figured out that toddler discipline is harder than anything we've encountered thus far (and we thought weening from the swaddle blanket was hard?!), we DID, however, overcome the gymnastics class antics that were preventing the energy drainer we signed up for.  He has finally figured out that it's more fun to go along with the group (of calm girls) rather than swing from the rafters and sit in time outs for 45 minutes.

Me:  "Jack, please don't eyeball the little girl like you are going to tackle her"

From talking to all the other parents I know....there's always something to deal with....whether it's a picky eater (not Jack), a non-sleeper (he sleeps until 9am!), a biter (nope), a binky addiction (maybe a little) or some other "vice" -- no kid is perfect.  So I'm ok telling you that we struuuuugling with "aggression," but we see the light at the end of the tunnel....or, maybe that's the train heading for us.  Hooray for us!

In any case, I think we are doing pretty well (uhm, bullying aside)....  Jack is a pretty cool damn kid.  

Big kid eating arrangement....complete with his pirate-scope.

He talks a ton, tells about his day, asks a ton of questions about everything and has the personality for politics or comedy - I can't tell which one...and maybe the athletic ability of a tri-sport kid, but only if he doesn't have to wear a uniform.  At All.  ....and as long as he can tackle other kids regardless of said sport rules (seems inappropriate on the golf course though unless he's with Happy Gilmore).

If he's going to be a politician, though, I probably need to stop posting pictures like this:

He could always go into management, though: