We are at that place I remember being right before Natalie was born- where we hit a groove with being parents of ONE and felt like we were ready to dive back in to the newborn stage and figuring out life with TWO. That's where I feel like we are now with two- in a groove. Knock on wood, we're in a smooth stretch of no sickness, pretty predictable daytime and nighttime routines, good sleep... come to think of it, should I be putting these things in writing?!
I've officially entered the third trimester, and with summer plans and vacations approaching, I have a feeling it's going to go by fast.
It's funny because I feel so much more ready, or maybe I should say less anxious about baby #3 coming than I remember feeling about adding a second baby to our family. I think transitioning from 1 to 2, I worried so much about the attention I would be able to give to Ryan and how he would handle the change. For 18 months, he was the only little person I focused on, and I remember feeling nervous about splitting my time. With this baby, I already know how sweet it is to watch siblings interact and know that when I am nursing or changing or swaddling the new baby, Natalie and Ryan will have each other to play with.
I also feel like we're entering a season of change in general with Ryan starting school in September and me getting time with Natalie and the new baby 3 days a week in the mornings while he's away. So maybe because it's all hitting semi- at once, it feels like we're just going to jump into all sorts of new routines- all 5 of us- all of one time. And this somehow makes it easier in my mind.
I've decided that my expectations are really low and my calendar is going to be really empty come June. I'm going to soak up my weeks with my two babies before our third one arrives, and once she is here, I am committing my mind to zero expectations on what we do, where we go, who we see, or how fast we get there.
When this baby arrives, I just want to BE.
I want to play in the yard, swim in the pool, enjoy the summer temperatures and space of our new house, but knowing that our first experience with real schedules starts in September, I want to soak in the days with all of our babies at home.
And with that mindset, I honestly don't feel nervous about the change. I feel like already, Matt and I have mostly entered a place where we laugh with each other when we're both home and the role of raising two little ones is just plain crazy- when one or both kids are tired and crying, emotional beyond understanding, or testing limits because that's part of growing up and learning how to live life.
Not to say it's not taxing or tiring, or at points plain stressful, but I guess parenthood has made me take myself less seriously in the sense that I can't control all behaviors, nor do I like the person I am when I try to. I'm learning that kids have to have the freedom to be human, to make mistakes, and to feel emotional for no apparent reason. I've humbled myself to the point of realizing that their tough days aren't a reflection of my parenting as much as they are a reflection of their humanness. So addressing the crazy and trying to find humor in the moments when I clearly have no control over the emotions of the day has helped me lean on God's grace and given perspective in my role as mom.
That being said, he's a look at what we've been up to lately:
I took Ryan and Natalie to my last OB appointment and they both did really well, until the part where I was having blood drawn and Ryan was standing right by my side and Natalie decided to chuck the glucose bottle over the side of her carseat, letting it hit the ground at the perfect angle to crack the lid and send the gooey liquid pouring all over the floor. Yeah, I didn't really see it going that way when I handed her the sealed bottle as a distraction for the 60 seconds that the nurse would be drawing my blood. Bless those nurses for being so sweet to us!
If you know me outside of this blog or have followed along for even a short amount of time, you know I'm not much of a crafter (at all), so I imagine God laughs when he sees me painting popsicle sticks with Ryan for everyone in our family before 7am. This sweet boy did not get his love of crafting from me, that is for sure.
Natalie took her first out-of-the-stroller trip to the zoo last week and she LOVED it! She rode the train for the first time and loved really seeing all of the animals. We can't wait for more trips now that the weather is getting warmer!
We had a tree removed from the side of our front yard last week, and these two were super intrigued by the loud noises and cutting-down process. :)
Matt traveled to a family wedding last weekend that I wasn't able to attend due to Zika, so I sent him this picture after Ryan woke up after a 45 minute nap- because inevitably this happens when he's gone. But when I'm gone, they both sleep for 3+ hours. Go figure.
We went to visit our friends at their new house and Ryan wanted to carry in the flowers- sweet guy
On our way to my parents' house last week, Ryan needed to stop for a potty break, so I pulled over at the first Chick-fil-A we saw, not realizing it was the one that friends of ours from high school own! Now that we know, we'll work in this potty stop into our trips. :) If you live in the Snellville/Stone Mountain area- you'll have to stop by
their Chick-fil-A! Jenny and her husband, Cliff, are just the sweetest. (Also Natalie threw her bow off before we walked in- is it just me or does she not even look like herself without a bow?!)
Dinner at Nonna and Papa's, and Ryan got to sit with all of his big cousins. And he actually didn't come to get me from the adult table even once! He is growing up!
This sweet girl- when she wants you to pick her up, she curls up her hands like this and then starts flapping her feet when you walk toward her. I'm so glad I got at least one picture of her doing it- you never know how long these things will last!
We visited the CUTEST book store in downtown Monroe called The Story Shop and Ryan got to pet baby chicks after story time!
The rest of our time there involved Natalie climbing and crawling and cruising...
...and Ryan sitting and reading books. They are SO different!
Sweet girl (about to pass out!) with her new little stuffed animal that one of her cousins gave her
Back home and glad to be back with Tally- Ryan just finished climbing over Tally when I took this and Natalie was mid-climb... so not sure if the feeling was mutual for Tal ;)
Asking me to pick her up with one hand while she held on with the other- this is one of her new favorite spots in our driveway
The boys went on a hike Sunday afternoon while Natalie and I stayed home- Matt sent me this sweet picture of Ryan and Tally on the path together. Sweet buddies!
Ryan said, "Daddy let's sit her for a little while" ...love this boy so much!
Matt and I sat in awe as Natalie sat through 3/4 of story time before she realized she had been still for a realllly long time. It was so cute to see the two of them propped up there together and Natalie actually looking at the pages of the book with Ryan!
Same spot, different day
Yes, very random picture to close out this Life Lately post, but here's a fun fact for you:
Matt and I will be married for 10 years in November, and this past Sunday night was the first time we ever ate *just* salad for dinner. His had 3 pieces of grilled chicken on it 😂 but we both commented and laughed as we realized we had never eaten salad as the main course for dinner. And as easy as it was, this will definitely be a new meal in our dinner rotation!
Later this week, I'll be sharing a recipe for Cilantro Lime Guacamole and some of my recent Favorite Finds, so stay tuned.
Hope you're enjoying some Spring weather wherever you are- Atlanta is gorgeous today!
