Growing Pains

It is hard to believe that my last post was well over a month ago. We have been experiencing "growing pains" and are learning to adapt to our new family. The adjustment came a few months later than expected and has been more challenging than I imagined. I am so thankful that Oscar is such an easy going and happy baby. We are blessed.

Oscar is changing so fast it is hard to keep up. I recall reading about all the milestones with Oli but sadly I don't have the time to read about them before they happen with Oz. Oscar is fascinated with his brother and Lucy and is content to observe them all day long. He smiles, coos and laughs at them and responds to his name when called. Even when Oli starts to get rough with Oscar, he just smiles and looks at his brother with his big, brown eyes. Oscar holds his head up during "tummy time" and Oliver loves to watch his brother on his tummy. Yesterday I told Oliver that eventually Oscar will be able to crawl and he pushed Oscar's butt and said "GO"!

Oliver has started with imagination play and makes me "cupcakes" and "sandwiches". I think he would love a tea set but I am not sure that Daddy would approve. A few days ago I did "this little piggy" to Oliver and Oscar's toes. Oli told me that he wanted to do little piggy to mommy and I decided to let him tell me the story in his own words. He said "this little piggy eat a cookie, this little piggy no cookie, and this little piggy wee wee wee all the way home!" These are the great moments then there are the moments of mommy madness. Oliver's sleep issues have resurfaced...UGH! On a nightly basis he wakes between 3-4 a.m. and runs to our bedroom carrying his pillow and literally throws himself on to our bed. It sounds cute but is very frustrating. Oliver has also reached a new level with tantrums and has me questioning myself on a daily basis. It is hard to decide what is typical 2 yr old behavior and what is in response to our "growing pains". I try to remain patient and reason with him but at times I just want to scream "JUST DO IT BECAUSE I SAID SO".

I am grateful to have mommy friends who remind me daily that these moments create the amazing experience called motherhood.

Moments of madness

I finally found a quiet moment to update my blog. This past week Oliver has had a cold and unfortunately Oscar caught it too. Our evenings have been separate...Daniel in Oliver's bedroom and Oscar and I in our bedroom. I am hoping that Oli finally sleeps through the night because I know Daniel is very tired. At times I see our progress as a family and feel that we are getting the "hang of it". Other times are complete madness and I have a hard time choosing whether to scream or cry.

The marathon is this upcoming Sunday and ready or not it is only a few days away. I am fortunate to be starting the race with three close friends (Anne, Natalie and Kim) and will run the full marathon with Anne. I am looking forward to a weekend connecting with my friends, two of which live outside of Miami. We have plans for a group dinner on Friday night and I could really use an evening out.

Oscar is getting so big and changes every day. He smiles at us when we talk to him and "talks" back with coos and goos. Oscar still doesn't have much hair but it is getting thicker and his eyes are a mystery. At times his eyes look dark grey and others they look brown with green flecks. Each night I fall asleep looking at Oscar in the moses basket...it is so calming to watch him sleep.

Oliver's newest passion is Play-Doh. He loves the stuff and spends hours each day molding cruise ships, snakes and trucks. It is what he asks to do all day long..."play with play doh". Oli never stops talking and has started with "What's this, what's this" which I predict will lead to "Why". He continues to test and challenge me each day but has gotten better about running away from me. It is a big no no to run away from Mommy and Daddy and he knows it.

Oscar likes to smile at his big brother, Oliver.

A New Year

Almost a month has passed since my last post...Oscar is one month old, Kellan and Patrick visited, Christmas, New Year's day. Where does the time go?

I feel that the days are flying by and I am still struggling with how to change two diapers at once and how to feed Oscar and Oliver simultaneously. I have been taking the boys to Flamingo Park and have figured out how to play with Oli in the sand, push Oli on the swing, feed Oscar, AND change diapers.

Oliver has adjusted well to having a little brother and loves to hold him. Oliver pleads "PLLLEEASE me hold my baby, PLLLEEEASE me hold my baby brudder". Oliver also smells Oscar and squeals "YUK"! I am not sure where the sniffing and yuk came from but it is entertaining.

Oscar was 13 lbs. and 3 oz. at his six week appt. He is becoming more alert everyday and now gives Mommy, Daddy, and Oliver big smiles and grins. Oscar continues to sleep well and Mommy and Daddy are so happy about this. During the evening hours he is sleeping 4.5 hrs at a time.

Daniel and I have figured out a schedule that allows us both to get workouts in. We alternate days and get up at 5 a.m. for a workout. We are also taking family runs (Oli, Oscar and Lucy). I am registered for the Miami Marathon on Jan. 25th and am feeling a bit nervous about the race. I know I can do it, it is more a matter of how comfortable I will be.

I am a runner

I realized today that I am a runner. I took Oliver out for my first beach run since Oscar's birth and it felt amazing to move my body again. I have run regularly for the past 7 yrs. but today I realized how important running is to my well being. I feel more balanced and calm today than I have felt in months. Miami Marathon, here I come!! We are starting to settle into some routines with the boys. Oliver is now napping in his bed when I tell him it is nap time. I read a book to him, tuck him in and leave the room. Some days he plays in bed for half an hour before settling down but he does go to sleep. Progress!! Oliver can now jump and is very proud of this milestone. He jumps every where and on every thing! Oliver has learned a new way to make me smile when he knows I am upset. He kisses me and then declares "NOW MAMA HAPPY!!" He makes me smile, laugh and scream :) everyday. Oscar is doing well and growing at an amazing rate. I take him to the midwife today to be measured and weighed and I am curious to find out how much he has gained since his last check up 10 days ago. He is now wearing a size 2 diaper. I have discovered that cheese makes Oscar a very unhappy baby so I have eliminated it from my diet. Oscar's minutes of awake and active time are increasing daily and his eyes are turning from slate to dark brown (similar to Oli's). Oscar found his thumb three days ago and has sucked on it a bit each day. I am wondering if he will be a thumb sucker like his Mommy and Daddy.

The Power of Two

Oscar has arrived and is now 12 days old. The past twelve days have been a blur of sweet moments, tears, diapers, diapers, 2 yr. old tantrums and more diapers. I have fallen in love with Oscar and as everyone told me it would my heart has grown to accommodate my love for both Oliver and Oscar.

Oliver is adjusting to Oscar and seems generally happy with his brother. Fortunately he directs his frustration toward Mommy and Daddy. He has grown up so much in the past month that I find myself missing my little boy and at the same time am so impressed with what Oliver can do for himself. Oli asks to hold Oscar all the time and is usually very gentle.

Oscar is now 10 lbs. 1 oz. and has a healthy appetite. He coos, smiles and SLEEPS! Danl and I can't believe how much sleep we have gotten in the past week. Oscar often sleeps for 4+ hours at night....lets hope his sleep schedule continues on this trend.

Danl and I are adjusting to our new family and trying to find time to smile at each other. I still can't believe Oscar is finally here after the long, long wait. I am forever grateful to Shari Daniels and the other wonderful people at the Miami Maternity Center for helping me to achieve the birth experience I desired. I DID IT!! No drugs, no hospital, no C-section. I am so happy with the choices that I made and have a new appreciation for my body.

The waiting game

I didn't imagine that it work would out this way, according to the ultrasound dates, I am currently 40 weeks pregnant (my calendar dates have me at Nov.12). I had a false alarm today and thought that my membranes had ruptured. I called the Miami Maternity Center and they told me to come up to be checked and bring my bag. I scrambled to get all the last minute things together, showered, kissed Oli goodbye with tear filled eyes only to learn that I am "getting close" but not there. I am thankful to be going to Shari because I think if I were in a regular OB-GYN office they already would have scheduled me for a C-section. So.....I wait and hope that the extra time will help me achieve the birth experience I am looking for.

My mom has been with us in Miami for 9 days and before she arrived Danl's mom was with us for 12 days. I am totally spoiled and so is Oliver. Oli has LOVED the attention from Grandma and Gramma. Having an extra set of hands with an active (almost) 2 yr. old has been helpful. My mom is staying until Nov. 17th and Gramma Jones is returning for a week so hopefully both Grandma's can meet baby jones. Thank goodness for family!!

Oliver has adjusted to life with Grandma's and has been his happy, silly self. He loves waking up to a Grandma in his room and spends his days entertaining us all. Oli's newest trick is hiding his toys then throwing up his hands declaring "where is ....? I don't see it...I don't know" then he laughs and uncovers the hidden item. He is still crazy about Curious George and watches George every morning on PBS. It is a life saver because he wakes up FULL of energy and it gives us an opportunity to have a cup of coffee to catch up with him.

The attached photo is Oliver as a pirate on Halloween.