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!

Father's Day Weekend

This weekend was a special weekend. We had Father's Day and Lincoln's baby dedication. On Saturday we spent the afternoon with Nathan's family. It was a beautiful day. The guys played volleyball.

The whole family enjoyed some time outside, playing games, talking, boating, and swimming.

I took Jonathan out of the paddle boat for the first time. Nonna and Abi took a ride with us.

Lincoln slept most of the day. He is such a good baby!!

On Sunday we had Lincoln's baby dedication. Pictures to follow soon. Afterwards we had a brunch at my parents house to celebrate my dad, Nathan and Kevin (soon to be dad :) ). It was a yummy meal!

Nathan got the special plate this meal, since he has the newest child! He is such a great father!!

We gave my dad some twizzlers. They are his FAVORITE candy! Yummy

The morning of Father's Day I had Jonathan take a bag of Reese's Pieces and a card up to daddy in bed. It was so cute as he handed them over. He's such a big boy! we are so blessed to have 2 adorable boys!

newborn shots

A friend of mine, Kayla, did Lincoln's newborn shots for me. She did an amazing job! Here are my favorites!!!!

Thank you so much Kayla! You did an amazing job! I would recommend you to anyone!!!

hospital fun

I've been in the hospital for 3 nights now. Today I get to go home. I can't wait. There's something so sweet about going home to your own bed. Now, I've enjoyed my stay here as well. I've been waited on hand and foot by the nurses, my meals were prepared and delivered to me, housekeeping cleaned, I had a large bedroom and bathroom (and I loved the shower head from the ceiling), enjoyed free snacks and drinks, and the best part, had lots of visitors! But it's always nice to get back home. Get back to a new normal.

Well, Lincoln is about 3 days old now. I was eagerly waiting for him, full of questions and wonder.

Will he look like Jonathan? - no, he looks nothing like him

Who will he look more like? - me

Will he cry all the time like Jonathan did? - no, over all he's a very quiet baby, and he sleeps lot!

Will nursing be easier this time? - yes, he caught on very well, after he finally did start eating. He was so tired that first day he had no interest in eating

How will Jonathan react? - he loves babies, so the first first times he was interested in looking at him, touching him, trying to give him hugs, etc. It was so cute. I don't think he realizes he will be going home with us. That will be the true test! :)

Those have been the main questions on my mind and I look forward to getting to know Lincoln, and to see how our family will grow together.

So I have a few more hours here. I sit here, waiting for my breakfast from room service. My baby sleeps in the crib next to me, and I enjoy these quiet moments. Nathan is at home with Jonathan. He needed his own bed (Both of them). I sit here and reflect on the past few days, and wait for my new normal to start this afternoon.

I love my boys, all 3 of them!

Baby Boy Steele has arrived!

He's Here!!!

Lincoln William Steele

Wed, May 25, 2011

7 lbs 4 oz

19 inches long

Cute as a button.

Pics to follow soon!

God has truly blessed us!

Thoughts before baby

Tomorrow is the big day.... the day our 2nd child will come into this world!

I am so tired of being pregnant, so I am excited. I feel like I've been pregnant for 2 years!

I can not wait to see him, to see how similar or different he'll look from Jonathan as a baby, and to make sure he really is a boy! I don't know why I have my doubts... but I do!

I can't wait to hold a baby again! Jonathan is growing up so fast!

I'm anxious to see how Jonathan will react to a new baby. He has no idea that his world is about to change.

I'm nervous about having 2 kids, 15 months apart. What challenges will I run into? Will Jonathan adjust okay? Will baby Lincoln wake him up during the night? I don't think I'll do too well if I have 2 crying kids... and I know Nathan wont' enjoy waking up to take care of Jonathan.

I'm nervous about the c-section. I'm excited that I know the date and time, and VERY glad that I don't have to go through labor pains this time. 18 hours of labor prior to the last c-section was NOT fun. However, at that point I was so anxious to be done I didn't have time to THINK about surgery. Now it's all I think about. I pray that everything goes well. I know it's a routine thing, it's just not something I go through everyday. The thought of being cut open is not very appealing, but labor pains aren't either.

I'm nervous about the fact that I can't pick up Jonathan for the 1st 2 weeks. He won't be very happy about that. He won't be able to climb over me when we are sitting on the couch, or playing on the floor.

I'm thankful for my husband, my mom, and my mother-in-law who will be helping me out these first few weeks.

In 24 hours... I will be in surgery, hearing the precious 1st cry of a newborn baby! How sweet a sound that will be!

Here is my latest picture, 38 weeks: I can't wait to be skinny again!!!

Softball

We went to Nathan's softball game last night. Jonathan always enjoys going. He's so cute. He claps when our team is up, and he loves to watch the guys playing. When he gets bored with the game he plays in the dirt. After the game Daddy gave him a ride on his shoulders. Jonathan apparently was really relaxed and enjoying it, because he decided to rest against the batters bag. At one point he had his arm resting on it, he was so cute! :)