being a mom of 2

Wow - has life been crazy lately! 2 kids under 16 months is a handful! Overall I've been able to manage 2, but there are times where both kids are crying, and I have to decide which direction to go in first to make things better.

Jonathan has been adjusting well to having a baby brother. For the most part he ignores him, but every once in a while he realizes there is a baby in the the room and he runs over to him with a HUGE smile. He wants to kiss him, poke him, hug him, pull on him, and smash him. I have to keep a very close eye on him, or else he would probably hurt him accidental. He doesn't understand that he can't play yet. But he is a big helper. He gets the diapers and wipes for me, he throws the old diaper in the trash can, he likes to try to put the pacifier in his mouth (usually when Lincoln is sleeping, so the end result is Jonathan waking him up), and he likes to hold the bottle when I'm doing a bottle feeding. It's adorable. He also comes and gets me if Lincoln is crying. So cute!

The other night however we saw something I had been dreading... sibling rivalry. We were all sitting on the couch, and Jonathan turned around, smiled, and smacked Lincoln right on the face!!! Needless to say, he got a spanking for that one.Was he was upset that I was holding him, or was he playing? I don't know. But hopefully it doesn't happen again until Lincoln can defend himself!

So, overall Lincoln is an easier baby that Jonathan was, which has been a blessing. Nights are not always the easiest, but we're managing. I don't do well being sleep deprived, but we knew that going in. Emotions run high when I'm tired and I have a baby that won't sleep. I have had some good nights, one including a 6 hour stretch, but he was up until midnight/1am that night crying, so it was a much needed stretch. But, I remind myself, he's sleeping better than Jonathan did at that age, so I'm a happy camper!

My biggest struggle so far has been with breastfeeding. I am a yo-yo when it comes to this department. One day I want to quit, the next day I want to continue. My closest friends and family (Nathan, my mom, Michelle, and Marissa) have been great support people for me as I vent about my feelings. I had actually decided for good that I was going to quit, and started the weaning process for 2 days before I changed my mind again to continue. So, I'm going to just go with the flow, continue breastfeeding for the 3 1/2 weeks I have left of maternity leave (wow, I can't believe I have to go back so soon), and just give bottles when I need to, and not stress about it. I remind myself that whatever I do, as long as he is fed and loved, I'm a good mom.

So, besides that struggle, I've been doing well. We've gotten out of the house for multiple play dates, which is always fun. We attempted grocery shopping with all 4 of us, I've ventured out to Walmart with both kids by myself (a small challenge... always park next to a cart area), we went to Pirates Fest for Lincoln's 1st outing, gone to Nathan's softball games, and to grandparents house for holidays/gatherings. I look forward to more play dates, zoo trips, Breakfast of the Farm, and great grandparents visiting in Aug.

Life is good. God has blessed me!