Evie is getting bigger and bigger and discovering more about the world every day. A couple nights ago we sat down to dinner and I put her in the high chair. I had drug it out a few days before so she could sit with us while we eat, even though she’s really a bit too small for it still. The high chair has a toy on top of the tray that plays music. As we were sitting there eating, I noticed she was picking her arm up and aiming for the toy. She managed to hit the rolling part that starts the music. I watched as she did it a few more times then realized I should grab the video camera. As soon as I got the camera started up, she started getting fussy, but I did manage to catch her reaching for the roller a couple more times.
I get so excited as she meets these little milestones, but at the same time I just want to slow her down. I don’t want my baby to grow up!
Other than checking my e-mail, searching classified ads for child care, and a bit of twittering, I’ve been away from the internet this week. Part of that is because Hubby’s parents were in town and part of it is because nearly every time I look at a computer screen I start falling asleep. I suppose the sleep deprivation that comes along with a newborn is finally catching up with me.
The good news is that Evie does sleep pretty good most of the time. She generally sleeps for four hours at a time through the night and a couple of times has made it even longer. Plus, I have perfected the breastfeeding laying down technique so when she does wake up it really doesn’t disturb me that much unless she needs a diaper change. That is the one major advantage of the co-sleeping/breastfeeding combination. As long as I keep a stack of diapers and some wipes beside the bed, the farthest I have to go at night is into a sitting position.
In all honesty, I think the bigger cause of sleep deprivation is the two-year-old rather than the newborn. When he wakes up at night-which happens nearly every night-he wants to climb into bed with us. That wouldn’t be a problem except that now we have a baby in the bed, plus two rather large adults, and a two-year-old. And we have a queen sized bed. Four people in a queen sized bed (even if one is tiny) is a bit much. If I had the money I would go out today and buy a King because I’m guessing we have several more years of this and the kids are only going to get bigger.
Speaking of the two-year-old, things have been getting a little more stressful with him. He still appears to adore his little sister most days, but his behaviors say otherwise. I expected the backlash to come at some point, but it is getting quite frustrating. He doesn’t listen to a word that his Dad or I say. He’s hitting, pushing, and biting (yes, I now have that kid). On top of that, my fully potty-trained kid has been having accidents left and right (but only at home of course). It all came out tonight though as he was throwing his latest tantrum. He was mad because Mommy came to get him out of the bathtub instead of Daddy. When Daddy asked him, “Why don’t you want Daddy to hold Baby Sister?” Zach said, “Cause I DON’T LIKE HER!” Enough said.
I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with him at this point. I realize that this is a major change and he’s probably having all kinds of feelings that I can’t even begin to understand, but Hubby and I are both at the end of our ropes and don’t have a clue what to do with him. On top of having the new baby at home, his favorite teacher at school just had a baby and is out on maternity leave. That means his class is stuck with a teacher that Zach doesn’t really care for and it is getting harder and harder to leave him there in the mornings. It has me considering another day care change for him, but at the same time I know if we just wait it out his teacher will be back and that situation will get better again. However, it would be nice to have both kids in the same place if I could find openings for them both.
Oh, and while we’re on the topic of day care, I have yet to find a place for Evie. I do have an appointment to meet with a lady on Thursday, but she’s opening a new day care and wasn’t planning to open until sometime in May. She is willing to work with me though and may be able to watch her a bit earlier. She’s not in my ideal location, but at least she’s not too far out of the way. I have a few more places to call tomorrow, but I really haven’t had much luck at all. If any of you local KC people know anyone who does home day care in the Grandview or OP areas (or anywhere between those areas) I would love some recommendations.
Other than those things that I’m stressing and obsessing about, things are going good. Evie is growing, growing, growing. She seems to have gotten huge in the last week and I’m really anxious for her one month check up later this week so I can see just how much weight she has gained. In the last few days she has pretty much outgrown all of her newborn sized clothes and we’re definitely on our last pack of newborn sized diapers. It makes me a little sad to see her growing so fast, but I suppose that’s just how it has to be.
Each day is getting progressively worse at day care drop-off. The last two days, Zach has started crying before we even get out of the car. I pretty much have to drag him out and into the building. Once we’re inside the screaming starts. I have to walk away while he’s crying and screaming, “Mom, Mom, MOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!”
I know it will get better. I know he will adjust but it is hard on me to watch him go through that every day. By the time I get to the car, I’m practically in tears.
The good part is that he seems to be happy when I pick him up so the day can’t be going all that bad. When I ask him if he likes his new school, he says yes. When I ask him if he had fun at school he says yes. Plus he seems to be actually learning some new things.
