A Family of Five

Well, no one is more surprised than I am that I’ve only posted once this week (a cool giveaway, so go enter!). “Spare” time has a whole new meaning when you have a 4 1/2 year-old, 2 1/2 year-old, and newborn. Plus, I’m saying this while I’ve had 2 weeks of help and someone to watch my kids while I’ve napped with the baby. Next week comes the real challenge: managing life as a mom of three all on my own!

The bigger kids are adjusting fairly well to this new person in their lives and my main concern (thankfully) is convincing them to stop touching him when he’s sleeping. Kai is actually a pretty good sleeper and will rest for long stretches – as long as no one is tugging and touching him. I have to admit that I understand, though. His, little fingers and kissable cheeks are pretty irresistible.

I do think it’s a bit of a struggle to for both kids that preschool just ended, so not only do they have this new person who takes up most of mom’s attention, but they are virtually together 24/7. We’ll definitely be going to the park, booking play dates, and headed to library time to mediate some of this. All in all, they’ve actually got along beautifully. Ezra simply has a case of the mischievous, climb all over everything, get into all that he shouldn’t, scream and spit two’s, making him a bit of a challenge.

Kai, thankfully, is a sweet baby who mainly fusses when he needs something. In fact, he’s designated himself a co-sleeper, so at night he doesn’t usually even need to cry out to let me know he’s hungry or poopy. He just starts to complain and make a noises and I know. The poor baby struggles with gas and hiccups and goes through tons of diapers, one of those newborn things I forgot about. I hate to admit it, but I’ve switched between cloth and disposables for this reason. The one size diapers are just a bit too big (they make it hard to get him in his car seat) and he really simply needed so many these first couple of weeks that we’ve used a bit of both.

Fantastic things about the third baby:
– Amazingly, it all feels sweet and new again. In fact, it’s special in a whole different way.
– You’ve done this before. Every baby is different, but you feel more confident this time around.

– There are still things to learn. For example, I can pump this time around without it being an agonizing chore. Hooray!
– Babywearing feels like more of a necessity, so I’m giving it more of a chance this time around and loving it! My Baba Sling from Toots n Tots has been absolutely wonderful and made trips to the store and park so much easier.

– People keep telling me “You look so happy.” Truthfully, I am. This is difficult and exhausting, but I am thrilled to have this new little person.
– I’m not exactly sure how to describe it without sounding cheesy, but I feel like I know Kai. I had this sense while I was pregnant and when he came into the world, it was like welcoming an old friend. Maybe he senses it too because he is a bit of a mommy’s boy.

– It’s easier for me to accept help this time. I know I need it and my husband and mom can’t stay home with me forever. I am so grateful for good friends who’ve brought meals and helped with the kids as well. It’s humbling to accept help, but it’s made this transition so much easier.

A few friends have asked for photos, so I’m including some of my favorites from Kai’s first two weeks of life throughout this post. Some, of course, were already included in previous posts.