You know you're the parent of a newborn when...

For those of you who already have kids out of the newborn stage, like me, I'm sure you've forgotten conveniently tucked these away in some remote portion of your brain by now. For those without kids, here's a little preview!

Here are some things that happen to your life when you have a newborn...welcome to my world!

1. You wake up and look at yourself in the mirror and realize that last night's mascara looks good enough to intentionally not scrub around your eyes when you wash your face.
2. You hear a baby crying (could be real, could be on TV) and immediately start bouncing and swaying back and forth.
3. Your maternity shorts wont stay up and your regular shorts won't stay on.  You revert to work-out gear. At all times.
4. You discover your innate ability to do all things with one-hand.  
5. You realize that you've taken a daily five minute shower and a cup of coffee for granted your entire life.
6. You've never cared so much about someone else's poop.
7. You know the exact location of every squeaky board in your house.
8. You forget what you were saying, mid sentence.
9. You find yourself singing the songs that the bouncy chair plays all day.  Except that song doesn't have any words.  So, you make them up.  "Have you seen my iPhone?  It is lost! I can't find it..." 
10. You realize that you can sleep almost anywhere.  Sitting and / or standing included.

The little bundle that makes this all possible...

Daddy enjoying his babies!

Onward and upward!

First, thanks for the sweet notes from the last post Chelsea, Stephanie, Courtney and Liz!  Sometimes you just need to hear it from others that everything you are going through is normal and will get better!  Misery loves company?!

I've been making a better attempt to get out of the house and do more Cooper and Mommy things.  Like on Friday, we went to Starbucks and I got him a donut thinking it would be a great "special treat" for him.  He took about two bites before he handed it back to me and said "I no like this."  I just don't understand his distaste for all things bread-like but I couldn't complain about it with my mouth stuffed full of donut!

Every morning we've been getting out and going to the park while my nanny watches Carrington.  Yes, I realize that staying at home with a nanny is not the real life but I couldn't exactly fire and rehire her when I went back to work, darn the luck...

Here's one of Cooper working on "positive outlets" for his energy, ha!  Today Cooper had his favorite Peine twins over to play.  They still play more around each other than with each other but they all had fun and I have one tired pup on my hands, mission accomplished.

Kyle got out and hit some balls at the driving range on Sunday during Cooper's nap so I had to spend my time on the couch doing this:

Not too shabby!  

Carrington says that there is only room for one Royal Princess to be born in July 2013 so she's quite pleased Kate and William's baby was a boy!

Have a happy week!

Life as he knew it...

Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down...

Sorry, totally cheesy but I can't stop singing it while writing this post so I'm deeming it appropriate cheese!

I know we're only 9 days in, but going from one kid to two is not nearly as big of an adjustment as going from zero to one.  We're already parents, we're used to having our lives dictated by a tiny person and what's one or twenty more dirty diapers?!

Cooper boy, on the other hand, is adjusting from zero siblings to one so his story is not so peachy at the moment.  He is very sweet to his sister but is hell on us. He absolutely won't let me out of his sight.  I think he's afraid if I go away again I'll come back with another baby.  He also melts down over the tiniest little thing and you never know exactly when or where or why that will be.  What's up one hour crying fit after the photographer moved the couch today?  Let's talk about it.  Wow.

I know that just like with all kid phases he'll get over it soon but this is rough on his Mama.  Half of the time I'm melting down right there with him, danged postpartum hormones. I've got about 10 more weeks of maternity with which to win him over before I go back to work at which time I'm sure he'll be really happy for me to go back! [Sigh.]

What did you do to help your kids adjust to new siblings?

Here's a sweet video of Cooper "playing" with his sister.

Here's one from Carrington last night: "Mom, its 2am.  Are you really trying to wake me up to eat?" Since the Cooper boy demanded to be fed on the hour every hour for about the first six weeks, I'm not quite sure what to make of this!

Meet Carrington!

Excuse my absence, I was off welcoming our daughter into the world!  It's been a whirlwind week but I am happy to share some pics of our new little addition.

Last Tuesday, Carrington Savannah made her fashionably late entrance into this world. She was born at 6:18pm weighing 6lbs 11ozs.  She gave us a little scare by having her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck...twice! But hey, what gal doesn't love a little drama!

Here are some pics!  She looks so much like her brother...with more hair!!!

And, for comparison's sake...

Carrington

Cooper

Carrington (4 days)

Cooper (4 days)

It was pretty shocking when they first brought her to me, deja vu much?!

Here's how NOT to go into labor

Yes, I realize this will be my third post in a row about NOT having this baby yet.  I guess you can say it's been on my mind lately!

I've been doing everything under my power as of late to get this baby out of here gently encourage this baby into the world.  Here are some of the things I have tried that have not worked...yet?

• Spicy Food
• Walking
• Husband / Wife time (sorry Dad!)
• Acupuncture...4 times, and yes I HATE needles!
• Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
• Pineapple
• Prunes...um yeah, desperate
• Labor inducing pregnancy massage 
• Squats
• Dance parties with the boys
• The bounce house on the 4th of July.  There is a reason they do not recommend for pregnant women, oof.  (Cooper made me do it!)

The one thing I have not tried:

• PATIENCE!  Easier said than done at 41 weeks!!!

Send any suggestions my way!  This was my dinner tonight, yikes.  Kyle's pretty sure after 12 wings that this is going to make him have a baby, too.

And, just for fun, here is a pic of Cooper boy during one of our dance parties.  The "Standing Tripod of Anger" has turned into a dance move!

Your baby is the size of a...

...WATERMELON this week! If you've ever been pregnant before you know about the weekly email blasts you get about what kind of fruit your baby is the size of.  I never really put much thought into it until I caught a reflection of myself in the grocery store carrying this beauty.  Mostly because they say odd things like "Your baby is the size of a leek!" and "Your baby is the size of a rutabaga!" So odd...

But this week I would have to agree.  Yes, Baby Center, my baby IS the size of a watermelon!

Happy early 4th of July!  Here's hoping for more than just fireworks tomorrow!

The Eviction Notice

The Eviction Notice from Mommy to Baby Girl Charles!

(I've seen these letters from moms to unborn babes floating around the interwebs and thought I'd try my hand at it!  Sorry if its overplayed...I still think its funny!)


July 1, 2013

Dear Baby Girl Charles,

I am writing this letter to remind you that your lease is up tomorrow.  In October 2012, you signed this lease and for the following reasons I will not be granting you an extension period.

• Undiscussed Expansion of Property - You were granted the lease of the space in the front of the house.  However, there have been extensive expansions to the top, sides and rear of the house that were not approved under your lease.  Therefore, I can no longer grant you use of the house and you must vacate for repair.
• After Hours Parties - As your landlord, I do not approve of the parties you throw after midnight where you seem to be dancing to techno music and possibly doing back flips.  Again, these nightly activities were not approved under your lease terms.

You will have 10 days from the issuance of this letter to vacate the property.  After such time, you will be forcibly removed at the discretion of the Landlord and her Physician.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Love,

Landlord Mommy