Let the fun begin!
We now enjoy the life with 2 kids. A WHOLE different story. Especially one being a preemie. The first week home with all under the same roof, we got sick. Horribly sick with the stomach bug. I don't think there is anything worse for a parent that for both parents to be sick at the same time, with a sick child, and a preemie. It was Olivia's first official time being sick. Congratulations Olivia! You made it to 19 months! Impressive, indeed.
Moving on. We are in a pretty great groove. Or at least I am feeling a bit more in a groove with a newborn and a toddler at home. Each day has some flexibility and some routine. Just the way I like it.
Noah is on a 3 hour feeding schedule since being home. The same schedule he was on in the NICU. He is like clockwork which is nice and predictable and helps set the day's structure. He is talking 6 bottles of 2 oz each a day of pumped milk and 2 breastfeeding sessions a day. We are weighing weekly to make sure he is gaining weight appropriately. Last weeks weigh in he weighed 6.3 lbs. I look forward longingly to the time I can exclusively breastfeed him. Except for the occasional bottle to allow for sleep and a pedicure or lunch date or.. He is doing great and I know we will reach that goal soon. The estimation is approximately 4 weeks from his "due" date. For now: "pump, pump pump!" says the lactation specialist. ugg
Noah is a mellow baby so far. Just eating, sleeping, burping, poop and pee-ing. A few cries here and there but only when he is hungry or has gas or a burp. We are so much more relaxed this time around I am sure that has something to do with it too. And that he was in the NICU and is used to noise, lights, self soothing. We will see if that lasts as he reaches his gestational due date.
Olivia is a star. Ok well a toddler star. She is becoming very personalized. Expressing her desire for independence and a mind and voice of her own. Hmm. It is challenging but oh so fun and entertaining to boot. This is no easy stage for parents. Between Matt and I's different upbringing experience with discipline we seem to have a nice balance happening. She is responding well so far and knows limits. She tests them, but she knows them.
She is a little mother at times and a big sister the other. She wants to share with Noah her milk, her books, her sausage. Pretty much everything. She helps burp him, diaper him and kisses and hugs him constantly. She touches his toes and cracks up thinking they are so funny. She picks flowers for him and now when she is supposed to kiss and tell me good night, she says: "ni-ni Noah" and reaches over to kiss Noah, totally bypassing me. What?! Yup. Ah well, At least she loves him. Alot.
Olivia, now 19 months, says pretty much anything. She cant articulate everything, but says well over 100 words. She says "applesauce" as her first 3 syllable word and is putting together 2 and 3 word sentences very well. She can also read about 15 words or so since we have been showing her the My Baby Can Read series since she was about 13 months or so. She is incredible. The doctor recently noted her particularly large (like off the charts) head and we are attributing it to her extra large brains. Of course we are. Oh, and those Arnold skulls.
For now we are keeping the family in isolation since it is RSV and flu season. We will keep Noah home for another month, then return to meetings and careful exposure. It is socially and mentally challenging at times to be isolated, but it is well worth it to keep him healthy and out of the hospital. Soon, it will all be a distant memory..
I have been able to return to walking with Olivia, which was one of the greatest things I missed being on bed rest. Ahh the ocean air, Jehovah's scenery, and endorphines. Who can beat that! I love getting our walks in as we can and Olivia enjoys it too.
Matt is doing great. Being the father of all fathers. Managing his household so well. We are all so happy and he greatly contributes to that.
Matt goes back to work next week so the story will change! Eeek! I am trying not to over worry about that, but change AGAIN. My goal is to do nothing but get through the 24 hrs. Not getting out of my pj's, taking care of the kids and nothing else til Matt returns the next day, then straight off to a long nap. I know it will go well, especially since I have recruited my sister and niece to come help! HA! Hey everybody needs a little help. Especially this mom of 2.
My "do-it-myself" days are over. Thank you very much. I have 2 kids.
Noah first week home. 37 weeks adjusted. 5 weeks old.
Back at the beach!!
Happy big sister.
Noah 6 weeks old.
After some rainy days Olivia gets outside for some play time in her "sand pots". She writes in chalk as she says her friends names.
Noah and I during a bottle feeding. 7 weeks old.
