The Reality of Two...It's not double the work!

No, someone once told me that when you add a second to the brood, you don't double your work, you triple it! I say hogwash! It's not even close. WAY more! And while I don't presume to understand the amount of work to come in raising two boys as the lone female among the bunch, I do know and understand how very little "me" time there is these days. I am so thankful that I was able to come to grips with the reality of a mother early on. I realized very quickly how meaningless it is to quibble over the fact that you probably won't shower with any given regularity, or at least when you want to, how you will treasure the rarity of a visit to the bathroom by yourself and will sit there extra long just to see how long it can last, how quality time with your husband may consist of a quick hello, an even quicker kiss goodnight, and maybe a "how's it going" passing each other in the hallway, and how a clean shirt without food, boogers, spit up or some form of dirt is basically unheard of and ceases to bother you more than a passing glance.

And I have to shake my head and smile at it all. We still pass each other in the hall and give a kiss goodnight, but more often than not it's to change places with one of the kids that is not sleeping through the night, or to figure out who's going to sleep in the bed, the mattress on the floor or in the crack of the boat bed. The other night we started out with Cooper in the hallway and us in our bed. Middle of the night Thomas comes in and boots me out of bed, just in time to hussle Cooper out to the couch to eat. I thought better of disturbing the snoring Whipples in the big bed, so Coop and I headed to Tommy's room where he slept in the toddler bed and I tried to sleep on the boat bed. Musical beds! At least I didn't end up on the mattress on the floor. There is so much sand in that bed from the kids jumping that it's hard to sleep unless curled up tightly on the blanket that also doubles as "the tent".

Cooper has a great case baby acne right now, is still sleeping a great majority of his life, and in the last week has put together 5 to 7 hours of sleep a few nights. That, combined with John taking some midnight-1 am feedings, and I feel like I can manage pretty well throughout the days. I'm getting used to running in and out of the house to watch both boys at once, and have figured out how to hustle Cooper from floor, to bouncy seat, to swing and back, all the while keeping Thomas happy while swimming and playing at the beach. It just takes constant motion on my part, and I feel like I'm figuring it out, one day at a time. It helps that on days when I start to hyperventilate, Lil and Bruce come to my rescue, taking Tommy upstairs, outside and out on little trips, freeing me to just focus on Cooper. I don't know if they realize what a life save that is, but it is truly what is keeping us afloat during this crazy time. It also helps that Thomas seems to be adjusting to his changing life. When it's time to come in to feed Coop, he's pretty good about coming in with me and waiting it out, providing he can be entertained with a show and a snack. I'm very grateful that he's quick to distract and slow to get frustrated. All in all, 5 weeks have flown by and I think we're all very eager to enjoy a beautiful summer together.

The Week of the Baby Whisperer

This week we went and picked up mom in North Bend to have around this first week that John goes back to work. I just couldn't imagine what it would be like if I had to be home alone so soon, so mom eagerly took on the challenge of helping out. Thankfully, she is a jewel with babies, and the week was entirely enjoyable being able to share time together, hang out and catch up, figure The Coop out (or try to that is!) and keep things a bit more sane on my part. We were able to trade nap times, share time outside with Thomas, I was able to take Thomas to preschool and spend time with him there, as well as enjoy some grocery shopping without both boys. Bruce and Lil take Thomas upstairs and outside when I needed to feed Cooper (Thomas is still trying to figure out why mom spends 45 minutes at a time feeding Cooper on the couch instead of playing with him) and that helped out a bunch. I don't want to lean on them too much, but it is such a relief and a blessing that Thomas can call up "hello?" and can be distracted and loved on when I'm fussing over Coop. I really don't know what I'd do without all the support we've had. I'm scared to think of what will happen when I'm actually alone.

Week 3 Wrap-Up

This week we determined that unlike Thomas and his 4 1/2 month addiction to the swaddle, Cooper does not enjoy being wrapped up like a burrito.

Cooper does not appear to enjoy the dubbie (pacifier). He'll take it about 10% of the time. Most of the time it just makes him gag.

This week we kicked Cooper out of our room and into the hallway. He does WAY too much snorting, grunting and groaning to remain by the bed. Between John snoring, Thomas coming into our room halfway through the night and what sounds like the Seahawks whole defensive line grunting before the next play, I was getting even less sleep than the norm for a newborn sleep schedule.

Junior Parade

For the last two years, we've attended the Ski to Sea Junior Parade as spectators, enjoying the sights and sounds with Thomas. Both years it's rained, but not enough to keep us from attending. This year, with Thomas' Catch The Son Preschool a part of the action, we decided it would be fun to try "being" in the parade instead of watching. After a mad dash to the starting line, and leaving Cooper at home with mom, it was time to enjoy a different view. Thomas had a blast riding his bike along the parade route, zooming way ahead and weaving in and out of the parade crowd. John and I had fun listening to the near continuous comments from people along the parade route about the little boy riding that cool bike. It was almost embarrassing the amount of attention he received. Good thing he didn't realize what a hit it was. He already enjoys the attention he gets way too much.

Mother's Day 2007

My third Mother's Day celebration! And what a beautiful Mother's Day it is! I have two beautiful, healthy sons, a wonderful husband, a family that is full of love and support, and a home that is filled with laughter, joy and love. I could want for nothing more on this special day.
Barb and Stephen came up with their family to celebrate, but I took a long nap this afternoon and missed out on most of the cooking and hanging out. I was thankful that they were able to hang out, enjoy time together and celebrate the double birthdays of Stephen and John.

John's 38th Birthday!

Today we got an early start out to go pick up mom from North Bend. Unlike last year when I surprised John with dinner with friends at Big Fat Fish Company, this year we had no plans other than just to spend time together as a family. John even ordered his own gift online, which almost guarantees that he won't send or take it back, unlike 99% of the gifts I try to get him. It didn't seem very fitting for a birthday celebration, but with a three week old in the house, I think neigher one of us is much up for a big party or night out on the town. We'll save that for when we're getting a bit more sleep at night.

Circumcision Slumber Party- Put on a pound since birth!

Today was the big day for Cooper...the day we see how well he's growing and to get his little "snip-snip". I wanted to run him far, far away and keep him from this trauma, but it will only be some surgery he'll have to get later in life when he'll hate it even more, so I pulled myself together, loaded him up with Tylenol and hit the road. Thankfully, Lil watched Thomas, so we didn't have to worry about him as well. That was a blessing for the morning.

8 pounds, 3 ounces-up from his 7 pounds, 3 ounces he was when we left the hospital. 20 and a quarter inches

However much Mommy Guilt I feel about it, Cooper has put on a pound instead of losing weight since joining this world, and I believe it has to do with the extra food I give him when he's unsatisfied with my milk. It makes it much more bearable for me to give in and supplement, knowing that he's growing and not having any of the weight loss and jaundice that Thomas faced his first few weeks. Although you'd think he's already grown by his latest measurement, in fact they are much more accurate with his length measurement, and they have him at 20 and a quarter instead of the 19.5 that he was at the hospital.

Today was rough for Cooper, and although his first two weeks have been relatively quiet, calm and sleepy, the snip-snip today brought him to life with gusto. Tonight John and I took the night in shifts, as I knew that I needed some sleep or I would fall apart. Thankfully I got about 4 hours of solid sleep and took over my shift at 2 am. At 2:30 am, holding Cooper on the couch in a sleep-deprived haze, I heard the telltale sounds of a rousing Thomas coming from his room. Sure enough, much to my horror, out comes a tousled hair, blinking TT, dragging his pillow and dubbies in tow. I put a crying Cooper down on the floor, and quickly ushered Thomas into bed with John, hoping to keep him somewhat asleep, knowing John had just gone to bed himself. An hour later, after climbing over John, playing with his face, and generally doing his best to wake John up, Thomas gave up and shuffled out at 3:30 am. I wanted to cry, as Cooper was just trying to settle down and I had a fantasy of catching a nap on the couch. Not to be. I tried to coax Thomas back to bed, but soon realized it wasn't to be. How could he go to sleep when Mommy and Cooper were partying it up on the couch without him. I tried to shut my eyes while Tommy watched El Dorado at 4:30 am, but that was not to be, either, as Tommy kept up a steady drumming with his feet on his crib slats for the entire movie. At 5:30 I agreed he could come out of his room and join us anyway, as I'd given up on getting any rest with a crying Cooper and energetic Thomas. It was just easier to admit defeat, cuddle with the boys on the couch, try to comfort Cooper and console myself with the hope that tomorrow night I can find some sleep.

Opening day of boating season.

This was one of those times when I had to put on a brave face and "just do it". After a lot of thought and debate on the outing, I finally decided to give it a shot, even though I was really conflicted on it. It would be so much easier to just sit back at home, sit on the couch, feed Cooper his meals and wait for the crew to come home from opening day of boating season. I wouldn't have to get the baby ready for an outing I had no idea about, nor would I have to worry about the wind, the waves, nausea, cold, what to do if Cooper doesn't like all of the above and starts to cry...things like that. Basically, I could sit back and just do "safe". After all, after a week, I've got it all figured out, right? Then again, do I like "chicken"? No! And I refuse to be one of those moms who continually plays it safe just for convenience. There may be times when it won't work, but if I'm just acting out of the fear of the unknonw, then I'll never take Cooper out. So, I sucked it up, packed up a bag and we headed out.

Turns out it all went great, better than I expected actually. Nothing happened, nobody went overboard. Cooper didn't throw a fuss, Thomas didn't throw a fuss. The waves were calm and I didn't get sick. (I promised myself I won't ever be nauseated again after 38 weeks straight of it with Cooper!) Lil packed a fabulous picnic lunch for us to munch on while we both motored and sailed, which was a big treat for us all to enjoy and the weather held up nicely with no rain. I was very thankful that I decided to go, however nervous I was about the whole deal. I would have missed out on the enjoyment of seeing Thomas light up seeing the SpongeBob-decorated boat, the SpiderMan on another boat, helping Grandpa steer the boat, and cuddling with him on the bed in back. I would have missed out on taking Cooper for his first sail at 8 days and hanging out together as a family. Memories that I wouldn't have back on the couch at home!

Tip Toe (or trudge) through the Tulips.

Last night John was up with Thomas until after 1 am, and I wasn't so sure Thomas would be up for preschool this morning. It took some coaxing on my part, but we managed to get out of the house with enough time to face the first day of neighborhood rush hour traffic and a donut break before heading into preschool. Forced with knowing I had to get home to get ready for our outing down to the tulips, I promised Thomas I'd pick him up like all the other moms, and left the building with tears in my eyes. This wasn't the first time I've left him, as I've ran out to get gas and a donut for him, but it was the first time I intended to be gone for the duration. I wiped the tears away, raced home, got ready and raced back, thankful the traffic didn't hold me up too much. I have no idea how I will manage to get stuff done with both boys and John at work, but I'm in denial about that and want to just face each day as it comes...when that time comes.

We met up with The Lawrences and Jodi and Lauren down at Krispy Creme. Both boys were sleeping, so we led the way out to Roozegaard Gardens to see if there were any tulips still up and out. Turns out the kids had more fun running around the gardens than actually caring that the tulips were pretty much out of business for the year. It was nice to catch up with Jodi and talk about the pregnancy and my delivery of Cooper. The kids get along so well, and it was very cute to see Madeline holding Tommy's hand as they made their way to the gardens. It will be such a sweet blessing to see these kids grow up together. I am so thankful for such wonderful friends to share in outings like these.

Twins (3 yrs. removed)