Why Mess With a Good Swing

Next week I return to work. Which translates to my real life homecoming. No more living in a never-ending fairy tale. The good life will now resume in the evenings and Friday through Monday. Welcome back chaotic mornings. Travel coffee mug. And, daycare germs.

In my return to work preparation, I’ve been noting Ella’s unregulated schedule for our nanny, also known as my Mom. She’ll be watching El two days a week, Jack one day. As a baby, Jack was very particular about life. He liked to be put to sleep a certain way. Hated the bottle. Loved being held. And preferred the comfort of routine.

Ella is the world's opposite.

At seven weeks old, she’s surprisingly on somewhat of a routine. Wakeful mornings. Long afternoon nap. Playful evenings. And heavy sleep-filled nights. She took to a bottle of breast milk without a hiccup. Will sleep anywhere. Loves smiling. Prefers her fist as entertainment. And rarely sheds tears.

Today, my Mom asked about Ella’s particulars. I sifted my brain. She really has none that I’ve noticed. Probably because she’s the second child and has adapted to the demanding needs of her two-year-old brother. One thing I know for sure is she absolutely loves to nap in the swing. Hands down.

Jack hated it as a baby. Only spending time swinging when I took showers. Ella spends all naps there. Which equals a good part of her day. While she sleeps in the pack-and-play in our room at night, she usually ends up sleeping anywhere during the day. Lately I’ve been trying to have her nap in her crib, but found she sleeps more peacefully and longer in the swing. Regardless of Jack’s screeching, ball-throwing or table-jumping activities surrounding her. She sleeps.

So I concluded, why mess with a good swing? She sleeps there perfectly during the day. Why change? As a second-time Mom, I've learned to not mess with a baby unless there are real tears.

Ella snoozing in the swing. 

Staying Sane

I know I’ve been severely slacking here. It’s not the only thing lacking my attention. Aside from daily laundry, cleaning, nursing, toddler meltdowns and overwhelming amount of diaper changes – life is flowing and the kids are happy.

I’ve heard it millions. The change from one to two little ones is huge. That’s an understatement. You have one set of eyes. And two kids. There’s no warm up here. Just game on.

I was thinking of writing about the regulated chaos of my daily life. Juggling a newborn and toddler. Instead, I thought of something more useful. The tiny things that have kept me sane. More relaxed. And able to enjoy this ever-so-short time with my babies.

So here it is. Some things that have kept the hair on my head. My eyes open. And my husband smiling at me. Well, most days.

1. Coffee. I’ve referenced my requirement for coffee before, but with the addition of Ella come night nursings and lack of sleep. I can’t complain. Ella’s slept at night since she was born. Sleeps in four-hour chunks. And only wakes to quickly eat. I know. I thank God daily. But, I’m still loosing sleep and now have two littles to occupy. Which means I need coffee to run.

2. Minus One.  Whenever possible, I leave a kid at home with Justin or a grandparent when it’s grocery shopping or errand time. Although Jack has stood tall with his newfound freedom in the world, it’s just so much easier to pack up one.  Dress one. Unload one. Carry one. And so on.

3.  Get Fresh. I still shower every day and apply at least the bare essentials of make up. My husband laughs, “Who are you going to see today? Getting pretty for the UPS guy.” But, putting on fresh sweatpants and mascara makes me feel fresh and accomplished. Which equals sound me and, therefore, happy kids. So, I try to shower before Justin leaves for work or at naptime. Making sure to leave room for a handful of minutes to just stand in hot water silence.

4. Play Time. The dishes can wait. The laundry won’t burn. So everyday I make sure to get on the floor and play with Jack. Yesterday we built a zoo of blocks for all the small spiders, snakes, dragons and animals he has.  Today we cooked rubber bands in his kitchen. One day, my Mom watched sleeping Ella while Jack and I built a snowman out front. My favorite is coloring. Amazing how rejuvenating crayons and books can be.

5. Read Anything. I love to read. And lately I’ve realized it’s not only my adult books, but also magazines, blogs, news and even children’s books. I’ll read at night after Jack’s asleep and Ella’s nursing. Jack and I’ve also gotten lost for an hour reading his books. I never thought it could be so relaxing. 

Back with a New Addition

Three weeks ago Ella Marie joined our family. Seven pounds, four ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. Long skinny feet. Chubby checks and pouty lips. Fingernails ready for paint. And hair long enough to tuck behind her ears.

I was induced the day before my due date. So, Ella was born Nov. 28, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. We had arrived at the hospital at 6 a.m. A half hour later, as I lay hooked up to monitors, Ella’s heart rate dropped. They broke my water. Justin’s face was white. But seconds later, her heart rate was back up. And an hour later Justin was having breakfast.

At 7:30 a.m., they started my pitocin – a drug that jumpstarts labor. Four hours later, I was gripping the rocking chair. Barely breathing. A nightmare of contractions. I paged the nurse, was hooked with an epidural by noon. Then, I took a 20-minute nap.

Around 1 p.m., mid-sentence to my mother-in-law, I felt the need to push. It was go time. I waited for 15 minutes for my doctor to arrive from surgery. Gripping Justin’s hand. Entire body shakes. I couldn’t hold her in any longer. The floor doctor gave me the go ahead and just minutes later my doctor arrived as Ella was crowning.

But Ella wouldn’t move. Her heart rate dropping again. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. Twice. My doctor’s quick thinking and 13 minutes of pushing later, Ella was out. Loud and healthy.

Justin and I exchanged wide-eyed glances as our little El squealed for the first hour of life. During her check up, bath and bake under the heat lamp. Worried she was going to be more of a gauntlet baby than our first. But, despite our fears Ella’s been a dream ever since.

I wasn’t sure how it would be. If I would feel the same crazy love that I did when I met Jack. Would I love him less, to make room for her? But as Ella nursed in my arms for the first time, my heart grew. Her warm body now pressing the outside of my tummy. I was overwhelmed new baby euphoria all over again. My heart is bigger. My love is brighter.

The past three weeks have whizzed by. Filled with baby sister kisses from Jack. Nights of quiet nursing. Laundry after laundry. Tiny squeals and newborn stretches. We’ve all started adjusting. Even Ella. Snoozing peacefully as her brother shrieks to hold her.

I thank God daily for my amazing luck. And my two beautiful children who make my world go round.