Tee: J Crew (here in solids) | Denim: AG | Booties: Jeffrey Campbell (identical for $32!) | Earrings: J Crew (only $19!) | Tote: The Impeccable Pig (also here) | Sunglasses: Miu Miu
I tell Seth that there are these brief, probably less than 5 minute, moments during our day that are chaos. Both of them need me. Louie needs to eat, Haddie hit her toe. Haddie's going down for a nap and wants me to read her a book/put on her socks/ get her passie and Louie is just screaming. Louie wants to get out of his bouncer, I'm pumping, and Haddie spills her milk everywhere and is freaking out. Brief. 5 minutes. But your brain goes into overdrive trying to solve everyone's problem and get things back under control and cleaned up.
My biggest learning with having two has been to take those moments and make them as calm as possible. Of course both of my kids are going to need me at the same time during the day. And when they both REALLY need me at the same time and its hectic and there is crying, I can choose to let that moment define the rest of my day or move on from it. Staying calm when they are upset keeps the mood calm and makes it easier to take a deep breath and move on to the next step.
Life with one baby was life altering. Before you could pretty much do anything you wanted, anytime... EVER. Sleep in. Yep. Stay out. Yep. Paint your nails.. of course. And then, one day... you have another little human babe that needs your every attention and relies on you for life. It's a HUGE life change and responsibility. The greatest gift and blessing, but the greatest change too.
Haddie was a wonderful baby (and Louie isn't terrible) but Louie just requires a lot more attention. Lou babe also has had some tummy issues from the get-go and a lot of gas. He daily (and nightly) usually gets pretty uncomfortable at some point and has a little crying fit until he can pass some gas or poop. It's so sad to see him uncomfortable but my doctor has said it is something he will just grow out of, since he is having regular bowel movements. I give Lou lots of probiotics and gas drops daily to try to keep him regular! (If any mom's have any extra tips- I will accept any advice!!)
Having Haddie took a lot of adjusting but having two has been less adjusting, FOR ME. I feel like we just throw Louie into whatever Haddie and I do during the day. lol I enjoy having both of them together and taking care of them both. I love how Haddie loves her brother and always wants to check on him and wake him up to play with us.
Life is crazier and busier but I love it more and more everyday. Taking care of two is not easier than one, it's just different, and takes more planning and prepping before leaving the house!
Two things that have helped keep me the "most normal" over the past 5 months:
1. Pump. Have a supply and bring extra milk where ever you go so you can always be on the go! I did pump with Haddie but only after every morning feeding, and then if I was going to be gone somewhere extra long away from her. It worked great. I made a great supply by having that extra milk from the morning, which I didn't use most days, and could just freeze. Now with having two, I am still just running on Haddie's schedule and bringing Louie along with it. We still do all of my and Haddie's normal activities (a work out/walk/park/library/grocery store) and bring bottle's along to feed Louie. I love bringing along extra milk and knowing that if we are gone somewhere too long, or Seth wants to meet up for lunch, we can do that without having to detour our plans.
2. That being said, I only pump and feed Louie breast milk from the bottle. It's not my favorite thing but it's what works best for us. Haddie was a great and efficient eater (about 10-12 min) and I did that for 10 months. Louie on the other hand liked to take his time, fall asleep and just eat slowly (about 30-45 min feedings). It was really hard to watch Haddie and feed Louie during all of his feedings, let alone entertain Haddie for 45 min every 3 hours! I realized though that when he took a bottle it only took about 10 minutes, so now I just pump and feed him bottles. I have an awesome hands free pump (Medela Freestyle) and so I can easily pump/ feed bottles while being attentive and hands on to both my babes.
Having two has been so great and I can't wait to see Louie and Haddie's relationship continue to grow! I love being their mama!
xo, ash
Dress: ASOS (non-maternity but works so well with a bump) | Heels: Sam Edelman | Earrings: old, love these | Necklaces: Made by Mary | Handbag: Amazon ($19.99!) | Lipstick: MAC Pink Nouveau