Interview with Jennie as a Mom of Two!

Kim gave me a list of some questions she and some of you had. Here are my answers :)

• What is life like with 2 kiddos!? 

Life has changed a little lol!! Going on almost three weeks, Grayson, mama, daddy and Cody are all starting to adjust and get into a routine. Since little Gray sleeps a lot, I am able to get some mommy and Cody time in which is great (that has been one of my hard transitions…. feeling guilty that I don’t have the “all day one on one time” with C Bear… BUT, I know (and remind myself daily) that in the near future, Grayson and Cody will be buddies, playing together all the time and it will be SO worth it)! I feel like this time around things are SO much easier because we have already made that transition.. you know, the realization you have when you bring your first baby home and you are faced with “OMG! I can’t do what I want anymore?? This little baby is taking up all my time and needs me 24-7?!” I remember thinking with Cody, “are we EVER going to be able to watch a movie again?!” YES! Life goes on and you figure things out along the way. This time around, it has been so much easier because we already have that life with kids and we have been there done that. Neither of us are as stressed or worried about messing things up like we were with Cody!! Things are way more relaxed this time around which is fabulous! The hardest part that I have found is trying to juggle my time between two during the day when I am by myself. Grayson is nursing every two and a half hours so that takes up a lot of time and I haven’t tried to master nursing in my sling yet (which I want to do this time so I can be on the move and not stuck to the couch)! I am figuring it out and as I get through each day on my own I gain a little more confidence… which feels GOOD! I CAN do it right?! :)

• How is Cody adjusting as a big brother?

Cody is doing really well so far. He loses interest in Grayson after a few minutes since he can’t play with him, but he has been very gentle with him. He loves holding his hand and gets down on the floor with him during tummy time. He gives him hugs and kisses before bed which is very cute. I have been waiting for the “When are we taking him back?” question but it hasn’t come… YET! We had a few nights where Cody woke up in the middle of the night asking for mommy and daddy, but that has stopped so overall, he is doing great. When I am nursing Grayson I try to talk with Cody about whatever or I have him bring some toys out and play so I can watch him. All of this has helped I think because he still feels included, even though Grayson is constantly attached to me!! Over the last few days I have been feeling better (less sore) so Cody and I go outside and play a little while Grayson is inside napping which has been fun. Although I complained about being preggers in the summer, it has been a dream to be able to get outside in the warm sunshine and play!! One thing the pediatrician told me is instead of saying “Can you get me a diaper for Grayson etc.?” you should say “Can you get Grayson a diaper?” because it bonds them together instead of bonding you and the child. They feel like they are doing things for their sibling vs. for you. I thought that was good food for thought!

Big Brother Cody loving on baby Grayson

• How is the baby sleeping?

If you have been reading the blog you know that I was TERRIFIED of the whole sleep deprivation thing. Cody is a great sleeper now, but in the beginning he was up for hours during the night. We were walking zombies and at each others throats from the exhaustion. I am not sure if we are more seasoned this time around so we are more relaxed and therefore little Gray is relaxed or if he is just a good sleeper, but night sleep has been great (knock on wood)!!! The first night in the hospital he was up all night and I didn’t sleep AT ALL! The second night we sent him to the nursery in between feedings so that mama could rest! Although I was tired, I felt relived because I knew that my cuddler was going to be there for me at the house to help with lack of sleep a few nights a week!! Let me tell you…. she came the second night we got home and it was AMAZING!

I was still waking him every 3 hours to nurse so she came at 10:00pm, I handed Grayson over and off to bed I went. She brought G into my room every three hours and I would send her a text when I was finished feeding. She would come in and take him, burp him, change his diaper and put him to bed. I NEVER even had to get out of bed all night!! H-E-L-L-O!? I thought it would be strange having someone in my house, helping me with my newborn, but it really wasn’t. I took a lot of time choosing the right person for the job, she was in my home and I knew that I was doing it so that I could be present during the day with both my boys. I was very happy with my decision when I woke up the next morning feeling totally refreshed!! I can relate having a cuddler to sending your baby to the nursery, but way better. You know who has your child, it is in the comfort of your own home, it is consistent for the baby and it is peace of mind for you (I was able to sleep so much more soundly knowing that someone else was making sure he was o.k. and breathing)!

However, from that night on, Grayson has practically been sleeping through the night. I feed him at 10p, lay him down by 11p, he gets up between 3-4p to eat, goes right back to bed and then up again around 7-8a for the day. As much as I LOVED the cuddler, we haven’t had her back because we just haven’t needed her yet… crazy right?! I am holding my breath it continues, but we shall see!! If you are interested in a cuddler I have a WONDERFUL referral so you can email me and I will give you her details!

• What has changed the MOST since I came home from the hospital with baby Grayson?

NOT ENOUGH TIME! I was use to having some down time during Cody’s nap or while Cody played by himself through out the day. Cody was big enough I could jump in the shower and not have to worry a ton about him because he would just play in the bathroom until I was done. NOW… I am running between the two and my down time has turned to nursing, burping, changing more diapers, rocking and cuddling :) Not too bad, but mama still needs to try and find some quiet time every day to keep my sanity!! lol

Me and My Boys

• What am I most excited to get back to doing post pregnancy? 

Running!!! I already have my double jogging stroller and I can’t wait to start running again. I MAY enter myself into the turkey trot run so I have a goal, but still not sure about that! I was in such a daze when I had Cody and I didn’t really start to get back into shape until he was a year and I really want to try and start early this time! I feel so much better when I exercise and, although I will have the boys with me, it will give me something I can do just for me :)

OVERALL, things have been great. I was super stressed this whole pregnancy worried about how Cody will do, will I love another one like I love him etc. etc. I can say now that worrying got me no where, I love Grayson just as much as I love Cody and we are figuring things out as we go along. The newborn stage is a lot of work, but it’s all worth it in the end :)

I am surrounded by boys :)