lmintzer
12-10-2003, 04:54 PM
Thanks to all who really cheered me up and encouraged me on Sunday night when I was having my meltdown about dh going back to work.
Monday went okay--I had my hard moments in the morning with the 2 kids before my dad got here. Jack was pretty good while I was nursing Joshua, but then when I went down to make Jack breakfast and Joshua started crying, Jack got upset. And the demands from Jack come fast and furious (he was like that before but is trying even harder to control what he can in his little world now that the baby is here). He's also even more compulsive than ever (he's a little boy who likes order--takes after his mom, lol). His favorite activity lately is lining up toys. He'll sort by color, by type of toy. He'll line up his food, his plate and cup and fork--pretty much anything. I know this is normal behavior in a toddler but it is even more pronounced than ever now.
My dad is definitely a help while he is here (2 days/week when I don't have my nanny). DH and I joke (not in front of ds) that Jack is like having twins, so now it's feeling like we have 3 kids. My dad plays with him and will even change his diaper. I still do all the food-related stuff for both kids and put Jack down for nap and give him his bath, etc. I am pretty worn out by the end of the day running from kid to kid. I also feel like I have to run interference between my dad and Jack, since my dad can be too critical and say "no" too much (which Jack then reacts to and acts up more). But I can't look a gift horse in the mouth. I need the help, so I have to accept it even if it isn't perfect.
My nanny is quitting her other job (office job which she works at when she's not here). It is SO tempting to think about hiring her full-time, at least for the short-run. However, I don't want to leave her in the lurch when, say, 3 months from now, I decide that I can handle some time on my own with my two children. I may see if she's interested in a few additional hours while she's looking for other work, though. Until Joshua's nursing is really stable (i.e., more spread out feedings that don't take 45 minutes each) and until I'm not struggling to get him latched on the right side with my Boppy, my back rest, my nursing stool, etc., it's feeling good to have as much help as possible.
On a more fun note, I'm feeling "entitled" to fun baby equipment. I ordered a P3 in Synergy and a matching infant carseat from Marilyn at A Running Stroller. I may order a Latch Marathon for DS #1 as well. And then, when the new Aria doubles come out in Jan. . . you never know. : ) DH thinks I'm crazy to buy the P3. We didn't really need it. But I felt like a treat, and it is a nice in-between size that either child can ride in comfortably. And it does also have the rear step that Jack can use when he's a touch older. Here I am justifying all this to myself, lol! DH has been in "speaker mode" lately (new large, free-standing stereo speakers and new speakers for our 2nd car). So I say he can have his little obsessions and I can have mine. I should post all of this on the stroller board, no?
Well, sorry to ramble. Better go check on my tiny guy. He seems to be making some noise in his sleep.
Lisa
& Jack, 4/20/01
& Joshua, 11/16/03
Monday went okay--I had my hard moments in the morning with the 2 kids before my dad got here. Jack was pretty good while I was nursing Joshua, but then when I went down to make Jack breakfast and Joshua started crying, Jack got upset. And the demands from Jack come fast and furious (he was like that before but is trying even harder to control what he can in his little world now that the baby is here). He's also even more compulsive than ever (he's a little boy who likes order--takes after his mom, lol). His favorite activity lately is lining up toys. He'll sort by color, by type of toy. He'll line up his food, his plate and cup and fork--pretty much anything. I know this is normal behavior in a toddler but it is even more pronounced than ever now.
My dad is definitely a help while he is here (2 days/week when I don't have my nanny). DH and I joke (not in front of ds) that Jack is like having twins, so now it's feeling like we have 3 kids. My dad plays with him and will even change his diaper. I still do all the food-related stuff for both kids and put Jack down for nap and give him his bath, etc. I am pretty worn out by the end of the day running from kid to kid. I also feel like I have to run interference between my dad and Jack, since my dad can be too critical and say "no" too much (which Jack then reacts to and acts up more). But I can't look a gift horse in the mouth. I need the help, so I have to accept it even if it isn't perfect.
My nanny is quitting her other job (office job which she works at when she's not here). It is SO tempting to think about hiring her full-time, at least for the short-run. However, I don't want to leave her in the lurch when, say, 3 months from now, I decide that I can handle some time on my own with my two children. I may see if she's interested in a few additional hours while she's looking for other work, though. Until Joshua's nursing is really stable (i.e., more spread out feedings that don't take 45 minutes each) and until I'm not struggling to get him latched on the right side with my Boppy, my back rest, my nursing stool, etc., it's feeling good to have as much help as possible.
On a more fun note, I'm feeling "entitled" to fun baby equipment. I ordered a P3 in Synergy and a matching infant carseat from Marilyn at A Running Stroller. I may order a Latch Marathon for DS #1 as well. And then, when the new Aria doubles come out in Jan. . . you never know. : ) DH thinks I'm crazy to buy the P3. We didn't really need it. But I felt like a treat, and it is a nice in-between size that either child can ride in comfortably. And it does also have the rear step that Jack can use when he's a touch older. Here I am justifying all this to myself, lol! DH has been in "speaker mode" lately (new large, free-standing stereo speakers and new speakers for our 2nd car). So I say he can have his little obsessions and I can have mine. I should post all of this on the stroller board, no?
Well, sorry to ramble. Better go check on my tiny guy. He seems to be making some noise in his sleep.
Lisa
& Jack, 4/20/01
& Joshua, 11/16/03