On My Own

It was so wonderful to have Brian, my mom, and mother-in-law here to help for the first three weeks after having Briella. But, I have recovered so much more quickly this time and have been on my own for the last few weeks. Two kids are definitely harder than one for sure, but it hasn’t been the sleepless, emotional nightmare I was expecting. Maybe it is because I seriously have the best baby ever, or it could also be because Braxton is so helpful and kind and not that difficult at all. It’s probably a little of both, combined with the fact that I almost feel normal again.

To update on me, I have already lost all 22 pounds of Briella’s baby weight plus 5 more of Braxton’s baby weight I never got off. I am already going pretty much full-on with my treadmill workouts and am just waiting for the clear from my doctor next week before I start doing crunches and high impact stuff again. I have already taken my kids on several outings by myself (grocery store, etc.), which I didn’t do with Braxton until he was 8 months! I am actually taking showers everyday and take them on stroller walks and play outside as well, which gets me out of the house so I don’t feel so tied down. Nursing is still going well, although I am still really sore and have to occasionally supplement with formula because she needs more than I have in me. Hopefully, we can keep it up for another month or two.

Braxton is doing SO well. Once we got him sleeping in his bed again, he has become the well-behaved little boy I remember having. He loves to hold Briella and is constantly kissing her and bringing me diapers and blankets, but he is very gentle and never tries to smother her. He loves when I can give him one-on-one attention with stories and he loves to sing. His favorite song is Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam. He has finally adjusted to nursery and comes home to tell me how much fun he had there. He is showing some serious athletic ability. He can really smack the golf ball and hardly ever misses anymore. We are going to get him some real clubs for Christmas and Brian will start taking him out next summer. He likes to watch golf on TV and yells ‘ALMOST’ when they miss a putt and cheers when they make one. He also loves anything with a ball—basketball, football, baseball, soccer. We definitely need to get this kid into sports as soon as we can!

Briella is 5 weeks old and such an angel. She sleeps so well and we are down to only two feedings at night. She is a pretty good napper, especially since I don’t tell Braxton to be quiet and she has learned to sleep through the noise. She has definitely gotten bigger and heavier in the last week or so and I can’t wait to take her back to the doctor to check her stats. She has a little bit of baby acne so her face is red and rashy. She LOVES taking baths, so I give her one every day. And finally, like Braxton, she is not a fan of the binky. I continue to force one on her during crying phases, but as soon as she calms down, she spits it out.

Here are some pics from the last few weeks!

Oh, I also had my 28th birthday. Brian was in Denver and my mother-in-law was here. Both Brian and my mom sent me edible arrangements. I thought they tasted as good as they looked!

Brian took Braxton miniature golfing for a father/son outing. He liked to watch the ball come out the secret shortcuts and he was extremely upset on the last hole when it took his ball!

Briella, my sleeping ballerina

My bumble bee is 1 month old!