We're only two weeks into this "new life," so I'm confident things can and will change at the mere posting of this entry, but I wanted to take a moment to reflect on where we're at these days.
Cadriel's first week was a bit rough (for him...and a little bit for me). He was fussy a lot, wanted to nurse A LOT, and was generally either crying, nursing, or sleeping. It didn't bother me too much (except the few nursing sessions that would last for hours), I more just noted how extremely different these first days were from Burkley's first days. But, we are now in a groove. This week he has been much more content and I think we just needed some time to get to know each other. His nursing patterns are vastly different from his brother's: he nurses for about 5 minutes (total) every hour or two and during the night will go 3-4 hours between nursing (approximately, I truly don't keep track). At this age, Burkley was nursing every two hours for 20-30 minutes! I feel like Cadriel is much more of a comfort nurser though because he will not be put down for long without wanting to nurse again and when he does nurse, he's not often actually eating but just suckling. We're really trying to not use pacifiers (yet?) but lately I have been giving into that sucking need with a paci a bit more here and there when I just need a break or a certain two year old needs my attention.
Elimination Communication is going great with Cadriel. He's a rockstar at responding to the "pee" cue ("sssss") though I've only caught two poops and both of those were by accident. Part of this could be because he doesn't poop much, and part of it could be because he poops in his sleep! But, he gets really angry about having to go pee, so I (almost) always know when he needs to go and can let him do so in the toilet/sink/tub/bowl/whatever-is-handy.
He had his first chiro adjustment today and next week he's got his first checkup. I'm so eager to see how much he's grown! He is very strong and great at holding his head up already. He has a loud and persistent cry that we're all getting used to. :) It bothered me at first how much he cried, but now we know that where Burkley hardly ever fussed, this kid is just a crier. It doesn't take much to set him off and he's easily and quickly settled, but every little thing makes him just scream!
It's amazing too how much I simply adore this little bitty. My heart is just so filled with love for him that all I want to do is snuggle and kiss him.
Burkley now seems older than ever and is still just as silly and smart as always. He brings us so many laughs each day and is such a great big brother. There are times of each day that are tiring, but I know it's just that he's two and is testing boundaries and trying to figure out his place in the world and the family and how to get along with everyone.
We've gotten the hang of getting out and about just the three of us (me and the boys) and Burkley is patient with me as we get in and out of the car and deal with everything taking a bit longer since I'm now always wearing a baby. He always says, "Cadriel in the wrap?" and helps soothe him when he's crying in the backseat and in general just always wants to hold him, snuggle him, and kiss him. Lately whenever he holds Cadriel he says to him, "Hi, Big Buddy!" in a high voice that's so sweet.
While I feel like we're all adjusting really well, one thing we have yet to do successfully is make dinner. We've been blessed to have people bringing us meals or have had various events to attend where meals are served. I'm a little nervous about cooking, but I figure if I can handle breakfast and lunch, we'll be able to handle dinner too--especially since Daddy is home for that meal!
For bedtime and naptime, we all snuggle and read together. Burkley can hardly fall asleep without his hand on Cadriel's head. He always wants to snuggle him. Then, we all just sleep together for naptime. For bedtime though, Burkley's habits have not changed much-- once he's asleep in his bed, he stays there until anywhere between 2-5am and then comes in our bed. Big-brotherhood must be taking a lot out of him though because lately he has been sleeping in until about 8:30 rather than his usual 7:00! Hooray!
I'm excited to see how things go as the boys grow and can play together. Our new life has had a great start and while I know parenting a toddler and a newborn is a difficult stage, I also know that it will go by quickly.
Cadriel's first week was a bit rough (for him...and a little bit for me). He was fussy a lot, wanted to nurse A LOT, and was generally either crying, nursing, or sleeping. It didn't bother me too much (except the few nursing sessions that would last for hours), I more just noted how extremely different these first days were from Burkley's first days. But, we are now in a groove. This week he has been much more content and I think we just needed some time to get to know each other. His nursing patterns are vastly different from his brother's: he nurses for about 5 minutes (total) every hour or two and during the night will go 3-4 hours between nursing (approximately, I truly don't keep track). At this age, Burkley was nursing every two hours for 20-30 minutes! I feel like Cadriel is much more of a comfort nurser though because he will not be put down for long without wanting to nurse again and when he does nurse, he's not often actually eating but just suckling. We're really trying to not use pacifiers (yet?) but lately I have been giving into that sucking need with a paci a bit more here and there when I just need a break or a certain two year old needs my attention.
Elimination Communication is going great with Cadriel. He's a rockstar at responding to the "pee" cue ("sssss") though I've only caught two poops and both of those were by accident. Part of this could be because he doesn't poop much, and part of it could be because he poops in his sleep! But, he gets really angry about having to go pee, so I (almost) always know when he needs to go and can let him do so in the toilet/sink/tub/bowl/whatever-is-handy.
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| two weeks old |
It's amazing too how much I simply adore this little bitty. My heart is just so filled with love for him that all I want to do is snuggle and kiss him.
Burkley now seems older than ever and is still just as silly and smart as always. He brings us so many laughs each day and is such a great big brother. There are times of each day that are tiring, but I know it's just that he's two and is testing boundaries and trying to figure out his place in the world and the family and how to get along with everyone.
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| Naptime snuggles |
While I feel like we're all adjusting really well, one thing we have yet to do successfully is make dinner. We've been blessed to have people bringing us meals or have had various events to attend where meals are served. I'm a little nervous about cooking, but I figure if I can handle breakfast and lunch, we'll be able to handle dinner too--especially since Daddy is home for that meal!
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| Getting ready for bed in Burkley's room |
I'm excited to see how things go as the boys grow and can play together. Our new life has had a great start and while I know parenting a toddler and a newborn is a difficult stage, I also know that it will go by quickly.
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