Coffee Date: August 2017

8.01.2017


J turned 6 weeks old on Sunday, and I wanted to sit down and share a bit about what life is like currently. There's no better time than the start of a new month, so let's do that blogger thing and pretend we're friends meeting in real life for a coffee date. Although you all know the drill by now: I don't actually drink coffee (yes, it's true!), so I'd probably order a chai latte.


Adding R to our family was wonderful, but it was also so stressful and tiring, and I've shared in the past that I didn't exactly love the newborn stage with her. Thankfully, transitioning from one kid to two has been so much better in so many ways.

For one thing, I am already used to operating with less sleep overall, and for the past 5ish months before J even arrived, it was rough in the sleep department. R has been a good sleeper most of her life, but we have definitely been waking up multiple times a night now for a while. R had a terrible case of hand, foot, mouth; I had strep; we dropped the pacifier and transitioned her to a toddler bed.... adding in the exhaustion of newborn sleep cycles and waking up throughout the night hasn't been as drastic as it was after having R. 


I have memories of stumbling around in the night, falling asleep while nursing, and just feeling like I had zero energy to do anything at all. Certainly there have been moments of that, but in general I'd say I haven't felt that extreme, indescribable exhaustion that I did two years ago.

Breastfeeding is going really, really well, and I'm so thankful. I tried not to assume that just because R nursed well, J would too, but so far it's been great. R weaned around 13 months, so it has been almost a year since I've breastfed, but it all came right back to me the moment J was placed on my chest and started rooting around. I felt so at ease and so confident. The first few weeks were painful, but there wasn't any bleeding or cracking or bruising like I experienced with R. With her, I was obsessed with my nursing app, timing the exact moment I started a feeding to the exact moment I ended it, and I used it for months

This time I have a more "go with the flow" kind of attitude. He eats when he eats, which is generally still every 2.5-3 hours, but I'm not as consumed with it and feel much more relaxed. (For a post on my experience the first few weeks nursing R, go here.) I also am much more relaxed about his naps, unlike last time. I try to pay attention to his sleepy cues and put him down when I can, but mostly I'm of the mind-set that he does what he does, and I just go with it. It's so freeing.
I started pumping once a day a few days after he was born to try and get a freezer stash going, since last time the pump and I didn't get along so well once I went back to work. I get about 3-4 ounces during a session, and right now I have about 80 ounces in my freezer! I'm really excited about that.

If we were meeting for coffee, I would ask you what makes a blog a "mom blog" because I think I've officially crossed into that territory. This is what is happening in my life right now, and so this lifestyle blog is naturally going to include lots of kid talk. I get that some people won't be as interested in this blog anymore because of that, which does make me sad, but isn't that how life works? Some people are in your life for a season, and then they move on. No hard feelings. But I do wonder if maybe I've become too "serious" lately, and I miss just sharing random funny stories. I want to try and get back to some of that.

Then I would tell you a funny story from J's first week of life.

First you need to know that I am hilariously terrible at changing baby boy diapers and have gotten peed on more times than I have fingers. R likes to stand on a stool next to me and watch me changing his diaper. She gets me wipes and things and in general is very interested in the goings ons. So one afternoon I was changing his diaper, and R was standing next to me holding a bowl full of pretzels that she was eating as a snack.

In the transition to putting on the new diaper, J peed a giant stream straight into the air. I screamed, naturally, because that's my reaction when something unexpected happens. So R screamed because I scared her, obviously, and she continued to cry as pee rained down upon her head. I yelled for Jordan, who raced in, and we had to stick R's head under the faucet and wash her hair. Pee had pooled into the cup of pretzels, so I went into the kitchen to get her more. Except I couldn't find the pretzels anywhere, which was odd because I had just ten minutes ago gotten them out to give her some. Jordan and I commenced a search of the house and turned up nothing. In desperation he pulled the freezer open, and there they were sitting in front in all their salted glory. Jordan thought it was the best thing he'd ever seen, and we laughed about it for the rest of the day.

I would probably mention as some point during our coffee date that my maternity leave will be over soon, and I'm having serious anxiety about it. I'm already tired and busy, so I don't know how I am supposed to fit a full-time job into my life! I'm also worried about paying for two kids in daycare. But mostly I'm worried about how much I'll miss R and J during the day when I'm at work. But since it's not happening for a few weeks still, I would tell you that I'd rather not talk about it and we would move on to more fun things like....

R's second birthday party! It's this weekend, and I'm so excited to celebrate. It will be a small, low-key party with our families. I don't have a fun theme or tons of cute decorations, but I have been crafting a bit, which you may have seen peeks of on my Instagram. The "theme" is mint and pink, because when I walked around Hobby Lobby last week looking for decorations, I kept putting mint- and pink-colored items into my cart. Creative party blogger, I am not. 

I took R to the park last weekend to do a 2-year photoshoot, and while I didn't get the laughing, smiling pictures I imagined in my head, I do think I got some good ones and am excited to share them with you! She is such a beautiful, smart, sweet little girl and I love being her mama.

By this point in our date, J would probably need to eat, so I'll have to say my goodbyes. We wouldn't hug because as some of you know already, I am not a hugger. But we'd make plans to do it again (the coffee date, not the hug), because I think having friend time in person is rare these days and something I really enjoy.

So now a few coffee date questions for you!

What's something you're looking forward to?
What's something you're feeling anxious about?
What kinds of blogs do you enjoy reading the most?
Amy @ A Desert Girl said...

Love catching up with you! :)

I am looking forward to not being pregnant. I am anxious about not being pregnant. And I enjoy reading blogs that are REAL. I'm not drawn to only mommy blogs or only fashion blogs or only...whatever. I'm drawn to the person behind the blog and I just want to feel like they're being authentic - whatever they're writing about.

Torrie said...

Other than a couple balloons (which I'm pretty sure my mom brought, not us), we didn't decorate at all for either of Raven's birthdays, so...you're definitely beating out at least one other mom in the party department, ha ha.

I personally love reading other blogs whose writer has kids (just because that's the stage of life I'm in), and I especially love that we share a lot of interests, like reading, running, and frugality. I'm not a big craft or DIY person, so I don't tend to gravitate towards blogs like that.

Unknown said...

I'm glad that the transition from 1 to 2 is going better than the transition from 0 to 1. I really struggled when Amelia is born, and I pray every day that it'll be better this time around!

Unknown said...

was born*

Laura Morgan said...

Yours is the only blog I'm reading regularly right now. I'm on Pinterest, the melting pot of blogs, way too much, so that counts too I guess.

I'm looking forward to living in just one house! Friday is the day.

I'm anxious about starting pre-k. I'm so thankful for all the time I've had with Ava, and I've tried to be intentional about these years. But it's starting to make me feel a little queasy when I think about how many decisions I won't be there for. Oh, and I'll probably have to set an alarm. I used to be a morning person, but it turns out that I need sleep for that.

The Lady Okie said...

It really is easier going to 2! For us, at least. It's hard too, but easier in a lot of ways.

Carolann Chambers said...

I loved reading this update and I'm so glad to hear that it's been a smoother transition. Don't worry about posting too much serious stuff or mom stuff. I am not a mom and while I don't really gravitate towards mom blogs, I love reading your blog and hearing what's going on in your life. Sometimes on my blog I post a lot of stuff about being a military spouse and I worry that it will alienate non-military spouses, but then people tell me that they enjoy reading about a life that is so different from theirs. So my advice is to write about whatever you want!

Courtney said...

Girl yassssss. You totally described the comparison between baby 1 and baby 2 for me.

The pee/pretzel story was fabulous. I fully anticipate being horrible at changing boy diapers myself.

I'm not a hugger either. Go us!

Shay said...

Hi! Don't know if you accept random Instagram account requests, but I just friended you. �� Congrats on baby j! I've been following since before R was born. I'm a Texas girl living in FL.

Rachel Emily said...

Good chat, friend! :) The pictures of you all are just precious! Love a family lifestyle shoot. I know going back to work was super hard for you with R, and I know it will be this time but you will make it work because that's just what we do. We do hard things because we have to and then our capacity for the hard stuff grows! Those babies could not be more blessed to have such a strong, capable, loving mom watching out for them <3

Kayla MKOY said...

I wish you all the luck in going back to work in a few weeks! :) You'll do great. The pee/pretzel story cracked me up!

Michelle said...

I love random funny stories!

The pretzels in the freezer. That's too funny. I can't even imagine changing a boy diaper. Even Gracie managed to nail me a few times to I can't even imagine. I can't believe R is almost 2!!! It feels like Gracie has been in my life forever, but then I think about R turning two and I swear you just announced your pregnancy with her.

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

You're killing it! And I'm laughing so hard at that pee story. Poor R!

Unknown said...

oh that pee pretzel story! that has not happened to us yet, but oh my goodness have i gotten peed on a lot...mostly bathtime? glad it's going well. we had a similar experience, i am still struggling with the room sharing thing, but i have decided to give it up to God and just deal with it haha.

Audrey Louise said...

You should definitely blog about things that are important to you and things you like, no matter what goes on with your audience :)
That pee story is hilarious!!
Enjoy your weeks at home, mama! Glad it's a little more familiar this time around!

Jen said...

I'm glad that the transition has been relatively easy. I hope it continues to be that way. Oh my gosh, that pee story! Haha!

Jenny Evans said...

You are such a wise mom. You seem to have figured out with 2 what it took me several more kids to figure out! I love "go with the flow" and frankly never know how to answer the "when is his naptime" question. I don't know: it's whenever we're home and he's tired! So glad this transition is going well for you. You are an awesome mom.

Kari said...

First off, I cannot begin to fathom a life without coffee with two littles. Trying to wrap my head around it....nope! Just can't! Good for you because I might be slightly addicted.

Love the pee story and the pretzels. Classic and one that will be told for years to come!

I'm looking forward to Fall. My favorite time of year. Here in Northern IL it has been hot and humid. I dislike this to the utmost extreme. I'm getting back into running and Fall is my favorite time of year for outdoor treks.

Anxious about everything! That's who I am I guess. No, but really I was approached about a job opportunity at the church we attend. I've been with the same company for 9 years (currently part-time). Wondering if now is the best time to make a change. Praying for sure!

Thanks for sharing your blog! I love blogs that are real life. Like yours!

Rachel said...

I can imagine that the transition from 1 to 2 would seem a bit more natural than the transition from none to 1. Glad you're having fun with your two little ones and that you have this time off of work! I'm very much a "go with the flow" kind of person by nature--schedules annoy me. It's probably the result of growing up in laid-back SE Asia AND being homeschooled. Not a good combo if you want someone who appreciates organized and precise schedules!
Funny stories of real life are my favorite thing on blogs but I'm pretty sure that's been patently obvious for a long time...

Ellen Ross | Ask Away Blog said...

You have a beautiful family. i love your blog so far <3
XO Ellen from Ask Away
www.askawayblog.com

Danielle said...

That pee story... Ahhh!!! It sounds like you are doing an awesome job!

Laura Darling said...

I'm so glad you're finding this transition easier! Sounds like you're really adjusting to being a family of four! Those pics are awesome. How cool to have your daily life documented! :)

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

i think it's great you are more relaxed and confident with things this go round. i guess that's how it goes. i'm sorry your maternity leave is ending soon. boo. i wish there was a better solution for you. the pretzel story is hilarious. honestly, in regards to the mom blog thing, there are blogs i read that are all sorts - mom, single, married, whatever. i generally read anything if i like the person and they are interesting. if people are only reading blogs they specifically 'match' or relate to.. i mean, i'd never read anything? lol.

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