My son starting staying home with me full time at the beginning of last year. Let me just tell you how exhausting being pregnant and taking care of a very energetic toddler can be. I have mentioned before that we don't really have any help with our kids, so having a break was not going to happen for me ha. Anyways when I gave birth to my daughter my husband and I decided I would stay home with both kids because childcare for both of them is absoulelty ridiculous. Since I stayed home with my son the first 5 months of his life I thought it would be a breeze. Me and my son always had a groove. He could sit and just chill for hours. He was such an easy baby. He is such an easy kid.
Enter Memphis. Our girl came out screaming! She continued to scream straight through the first three months. She wanted everyone to know she was there. My son could just sit and chill but not my lady. She does not like to be sitting in the same spot for more than 15mins. She does not like to ride in the car. She does not like light. She does not like loud sounds (she's my diva what can I say) She loves to be held but with two that can become quite a feat. My c-section this time around was much better but seemed to cause a lot of pain for a little longer than my c-section with my son. So here I was balancing trying to heal, a newborn and a three year old.
I found it very trying. When one was changed the other needed to be changed. When you got done feeding one the other one was Hungary. Inbetween feeding and diaper changes and the pain meds I was taking for my c-section making me want to pass out I was ready to scream. It was taking me twice as long to get both ready to head out the door. All the while all I wanted to do was sleep. I was spent. That's when I knew we needed a schedule. We needed some form of organization or I was going to lose my mind.
I started meal planning. I can not express how much of a weight that took of my shoulders. I started trying to include my son more with my daughter so I would have an extra pair of hands, even though tiny they helped a ton. I learned to take 30 mins for myself. Weather that be just to sit in the bath or run to the gym. Alone time is alone time. And just like that we powered through the first three months. I'm not sure how but we did.
This past month I started going back to school and my husband works on the weekends. We are learning how to balance that as well.
I'm learning everyday to just walk in the other room and breath.
I'm also learning how to make time for my husband as well. We don't get nights out if we do they are verrrrrryyyy far between. We have learning to just take them with us if we go anywhere. It can make it hard for conversations but we are leaning how to balance that was well.
Typical day:
Memphis usually wakes up first around 7.We feed then hang out. Jack then joins us and I feed him. After Jack eats he goes to play. Then that's time for Memphis to eat again. By then it's time for butt changings. Memphis usually goes down for a nap after that (which they don't last very long). That's when me and Jack do our flash cards. We sing some songs, read then he's off to play. That's when Memphis usually wakes back up to eat. After she eats, Jack is usually ready to eat. Then butt changing time. By this time I'm having to get myself ready for school! Make my husband something to eat and head to school. I get out around 8:30 I then head back home (an hour drive)
As soon as I return home it's bath time then I put memphis down. Play with Jack then put him to bed. Study and then talk with my husband and then head to bed myself.
It can be exhausting. My husband helps out as much as he can. But honestly I wouldn't trade it in for the world. Being a mom to two is such an amazing thing. But at the end of the day it is a
Balancing act!
Until we meet again-ASH
