Family Update

Sadie - Our bigger munchin is slowly starting to settle down.  The past two weeks she's been a little difficult to handle.  She's usually very good during the day, but nighttime has been a nightmare.  And, she's even been waking up two or three times during the night.  We are losing more sleep spending time with her than we are with Jax.  We decided to convert her crib into a toddler bed with the hope that a little autonomy would calm her down.  It seems to be working! 

Thankfully, she loves her brother and has not shown any jealous when we care for him.  She is very gentle and protective of him.  It surprises me all the little ways she helps me through the day, too.  She grabs me diapers, hands me blankets, and puts his pacifier in his mouth.  I think she'll be a great big sister.

Jax - He is still a very good baby.  He is a pretty good sleeper and has a calm, easy-going personality. Yeah! He has a healthy appetite and is really starting to plump up.  We were a little concerned because he is spits up a lot (Sadie never did), but it doesn't seems to bother him and it is not effecting his growth.  At night, he usually wakes up three or four times but always goes back to sleep easily.  He is just so loveable!

In my opinion, he looks a lot like Ben.  His mouth is identical, he has high cheeks bones, and the exact same shaped head.  His eyes may be a little different, but he definitely looks more like a Johnson than a Meyers.  Don't you think?

Alicia - Life with two kids is actually a little easier than I expected.  Once he either learns to nurse or I decide to stop pumping things will be much more manageable.  My biggest obstacle is boredom.  Sadie and I like to be active and go places so it is hard to feel stuck at home again.  I'm very protective of my newborns and try to keep them as sheltered as possible.  I have taken the kids to the library and down to my parents' house twice.   When Ben is home we can do a lot more.  Like last night we went and sat by the pool.  I stayed with Jax while Ben played in the water with Sadie.  It was so nice to get out!  I know this stage won't last long and I am really looking forward to the day when we can do a little more. 

Oh ya, also, I am L-O-V-I-N-G not being pregnant.  Multiple times a day I stop what I'm doing, take a deep sigh, and say to Ben, "I love not being pregnant."  I can sleep more comfortably, touch my toes, and have so much more energy.  My favorite part is I am finally able to get close to the ones I love.  Hugging and holding Sadie just isn't the same when there is a big belly in the way.  Two more weeks and I can start exercising again.  I'm really looking forward to that!

Ben - Ben has had several big deadlines at work lately and has been under a lot of pressure.  Poor guy!  On the nights he works late I either try to go down to the homestead or else my mom comes up to visit.  He has a four day weekend and I am so looking forward to having him around more.  Life is so happy when he is home.

This morning he woke up with a sore throat and runny nose, though.  He's taking a well-deserved nap right now and we're hoping with a little extra sleep his cold will fizzle out and no one else will catch it. 

In Closing - Life with two kids is definitely more complicated but I think it's more fun, too.  We really feel like a family now.  Not that we didn't before but there is something more substantial about it now.  I'm really, really looking forward to watching these two become friends and play together and grow up together.  I am so grateful for my family!  They're worth every ache, pain, tear, worry, sleepless night, pumping session, hospital bill, sink full of dishes, load of laundry, dirty diaper, wrinkle, and stretch mark.