100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 83

For Monday, November 10th

1. We went to Costco around supper time with two kids and I have to call it a triumphant success. I had just nursed Grayson before we left so he just slept the whole time, and Carter was a really good boy. He is usually a pretty good shopper, but he was exceptionally good this time. Afterwards, we grabbed hot dogs and chicken fingers and fries (super healthy, I know) from Costco for supper. Carter continued on his good boy streak and ate an awesome supper.

2. While we were at Costco, we found this set of Mickey Mouse books and bought them for Carter. I've talked before about the obsession Carter now has with Mickey Mouse, so we were excited to find the books. Some things we buy him and save it for Christmas/his birthday, but we couldn't make him wait until Christmas for these. He got so excited when he saw them. 

As an aside, I think it's so funny how I used to love buying myself things and now, my version of retail therapy is buying clothes/toys/shoes for my kids. It's a truly strange shift that you don't see coming. 

3. I'm so happy that Jeff is off for one more day. When he's home, I get to sleep in, in the mornings since he gets up with Carter and I feel so much better rested for the day!

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 82

For Sunday, November 9th

Today was a rough Carter day... again. Man, toddlers are challenging. Newborns make sure you have no sleep, but toddlers make sure you are always on the verge of checking yourself into a mental facility. And my toddler takes his job very effing seriously. Nonetheless, the day, like all days, had its finer moments.

1.  My parents bought me flowers and this amazing necklace as a "thank you" for their newest grandson. Opal or pink are the options for Grayson's birthstone, so they went with the opal. I'm not a huge fan of pink, so the opal was a better choice for me. When Carter was born, I got flowers and a necklace with his birthstone as well, and so when my mom showed up with a Ben Moss bag and flowers, I had a pretty good guess about what was in there. And, like when they gave me the necklace after Carter was born, I started to cry. (To to fair and honest, this time the tears were in part because Carter had just had the worst and longest meltdown he's ever had and I was extraordinarily stressed.) Either way, I think the necklace is beautiful and the sentiment is so meaningful.

2. Tonight, I left Carter at home with his dad and Grayson and I went to uncle Joel's for supper with my fam. I was actually planning on taking Carter and Grayson on my own and giving Jeff a couple hours to himself to decompress and do something fun (I knew I'd have a ton of help with the kids once I got to Joel's), but since Carter decided to have the most epic of meltdowns due to yet another no nap day (what the eff is up with this?!), I knew he would need to be in bed pretty early and that taking him out to a house where his crazy uncles would rile him up and where we probably wouldn't get home until after his bedtime, wasn't a stellar idea. Anyway, so it was just Grayson and I who went for supper and visiting with my family, without the distraction of a crazy toddler made for a relaxing evening. 

3. I should have put this as one of my graces for Friday, but forgot. So, as I mentioned, Friday was Jeff's first day back to work and my first day alone with two kids. At one point, I was in the kitchen and both boys were in the living room; Grayson was in his swing sleeping and Carter was playing on the play mat. I heard Grayson start to squawk, which, like most newborns, he does in his sleep a lot. So I poked my head around the wall to see him. Carter didn't see me do this and didn't know I was watching, but as I stood there, he got up from paying with his toys and went right over to the swing. For a minute he just stood there looking at Grayson and then he finally gave him a gentle pat on the head like he always does. 

People had told me before that when you have two kids, watching them interact and bond and seeing how much they love each other is an incredible thing, but nothing prepared my heart for the love and happiness I felt in that moment. As Carter completed his check to make sure our baby was okay and sat back down to play, my heart might have exploded. I will never forget that moment.  

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 81

For Saturday, November 8th

*If you are looking for a new drinking game, please get your beverage of choice ready and take a drink every time I say "Mickey Mouse." You are likely to be too intoxicated to finish reading this post, however. Good luck.*

Today wasn't an awesome day, but I suppose not every day can be. I felt a little cranky, really tired, and more inpatient than normal. Grayson has been doing better than a lot of newborns in terms of night sleep; I'd say I'm averaging about five to five and a half hours of (broken) sleep, but that's up from the three or so I was getting in the first week. In spite of his decent sleeping, I'm still only getting five hours, which obviously isn't really enough for anyone and I'm sure my body is trying desperately to catch up from the lack of sleep last week.

Grayson was fussy for a big chunk of the afternoon and I just never really managed to feel awake today. Today was a mombie day, for sure. In spite of my tiredness and my grouchiness, today had its highlights:

1. My parents came over to visit with and spend time with the boys. It was nice to break up the lazy day with a visit from people who looked awake and alert. I forgot that there were people in the world who look awake during daylight hours. Weird.

2. My Aunt and her family brought over more gifts for both Carter and Grayson. Carter got these Mickey Mouse pajamas. He is obsessed with Mickey Mouse right now and there are days where he will only wear Mickey Mouse clothes (which is a serious problem, because I only have two Mickey Mouse shirts for him). They buy my boys the cutest things. I truly don't care about people buying either of the boys gifts, but the fact that they do and the fact that they are excited to do it makes me feel like they just really love my boys and makes me feel happy and grateful to have this family in my life.

3. My cousin, Nicole, came over today with her man-toy, Levi, to bring the gifts referred to above and she pointed out that I hadn't taken a photo yet of her and Grayson. She's been here a lot helping us out since he's been born, so I've had a thousand opportunities, but my brain is mush and it didn't even cross my mind! Anyway, yesterday, finally, I got some good pictures of her with my newest babe :)

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 80

Friday, November 7th

1. Today was Jeff's first day back at work. The day wasn't awesome. I was CRAZY tired; Carter didn't nap. But, dammit, I survived and I survived without help. I knew I could call my mom or Nicole to come over, but I didn't. I wanted to know I could actually do it, I guess, and I did. AND, I did it without plopping Carter in front of the TV to watch Mickey Mouse all day. So there! 

2. My cousin Chelsey came to visit and meet the baby. I haven't spent time with her, just the two of us in years and it was so nice. She brought us a congratulations on the new baby card and gave us a gift card for the movie theatre saying that our very first date night post-baby was on her! She said that she figured we had all the baby stuff we needed, and she's right, especially since Carter and Grayson were born in the same seasons, so all the clothes I have are even seasonally appropriate. I thought it was such a smart idea to do a date night gift card instead! Thanks, Grace!

3. It's Friday. This is important now that I will be home with a toddler and a newborn. More importantly, it is a long weekend. Jeff took Monday off and Tuesday is Remembrance Day, so I get another four days with my whole little family here and with the immense help that an extra adult is. I just wish all weekends were three or four day weekends. Do I really have to share Jeff with the rest of the world? Really?!

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 79

For Thursday, November 6th

Today was a really good day because:

1. My dear friend, Ali, whose website you can visit here, is an incredibly talented photographer. She came to our house today to do Grayson's newborn photos.

I've talked on here before about how I typically just find doing family photos stressful: I stress about what to wear, what to have Carter wear, the fact that I'm essentially useless when it comes to doing my hair and/or putting on makeup, and then I feel a lot of pressure to get good photos; to look good in them, and to get Carter to cooperate enough that we get some good shots, etc. This was probably the least stressed out I've ever been, which is impressive given the fact that we've added a fourth unpredictable element to mix: a newborn.

We did what's called a Lifestyle Shoot, which basically means that Ali captures real moments in our lives and day, rather than the "typical" posed, canned shots you see in every newborn shoot. I have to say, I really think the pictures went well, I think she got a ton of gorgeous shots, and I can't wait to see them. Grayson was a mostly happy or sleeping baby and Carter did some cute impromptu toddler stuff that made for some great moments for Ali to capture. Ali also seemed excited about some of the shots she was getting, and she's the one with the eye for pictures, so when she gets excited, I get really excited! Once I do have the photos, I will post a link to them, or post a few of them on a blog post. But I will warn you: you really want to book a session with her ;)

2. We loaded up the kids and went to Target this evening. This was our first retail experience with two kids and I'm not sure it can be deemed a success, per say. Carter had a tantrum half way through (his first ever tantrum in a store, actually) and Jeff ended up taking him to the car while I paid for the stuff in our cart, but the point is we went out and we survived. I will admit that I'm still terrified of taking the two kids out on my own. Frankly, I just don't see how it would work with any degree of success; Carter can be a really good shopper, but can also be very challenging. He will take off running, leaving me to be that mom who is running after him, attempting to haul her kid, whose body miraculously turned to jello, to the shopping cart. He doesn't freak out; he actually laughs his ass off. He must see how ridiculous I look trying to reign him in.

3. We all slept right in this morning, even Carter. We finally woke up and got up around 9:30. I got a good 5.5 hours of sleep (albeit, broken sleep), which I think isn't too bad for having a newborn. I felt really good and decently rested all day today.

Today was just a really good day.

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 78

For Wednesday, November 5th, my three good things are: as follows: 

1. Pat came over this evening to meet Grayson and visit with me. I haven't seen her in about two weeks, so I missed her terribly. I was also so happy that she finally meet the little guy she had watched expand my belly for the eight months prior (and who I blamed for many of my crying outbursts at work). She brought me Starbucks, cuddled my little guy up right good, and stayed until 11:15 p.m. because we needed that long to catch up. I can't tell you how good it was to hear her voice and see her. And I cannot tell you how wonderful a human being I think she is.

2. Jeff took Carter to gymnastics tonight. I did consider going because I'm feeling pretty good, but I wasn't sure how well I  would do sitting on the hard bleachers. So I decided to stay home and give my broken bottom half another week to heal. I should be good to go next week. Either way, because I didn't go this week, I was alone in the house with Grayson. It was nice to have some quiet time. Because newborns just eat, sleep, poop, and look around, it almost feels like I'm alone in the house. Alone time is valuable people!

3. I'm feeling better with  every day. This means I am able to get to some housework here and there. I actually kind of enjoy cleaning. I think it's just because being in a messy house makes me feel cranky. I feel more together, with it and just happier in general when the house is cleanish. So today, I managed to get the kitchen in decent shape and I got some laundry done. I've listed cleaning as a positive before, and I'm pretty sure it makes me look like a crazy ass, but it is what it is. :)

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 77

Three good things for Tuesday, November 4th:

1. My baby is one week old! As is every age and every milestone with kids, this makes me both happy and sad. I know that as time passes, everything will get easier -  the balancing of two kids, nursing, night times, etc., but he's the last newborn I'll ever have (unless I can seduce Jeff.... errrrr, I mean talk him into having a third -  which is about as likely as Carter sitting through an entire meal at the table and eating everything on his plate). It already feels like it's going too fast and like so many other moms, I just want my new baby to stay this miniature forever.

2. Grayson had his first official outing today. Destination: Nana and Pepe's house. We went for supper and the food, company, and cuddles with the boys were fantastic. We also took our first official picture as a family of four. Yes, I should have done it the first night, but I didn't. Anyway, I love that I'm feeling well enough to leave the house. I'll tell you, this was not the case with Carter.  I remember at four weeks post partum, making a doctor's appointment with the delivering doctor because I was worried that I wasn't healing properly because I still had to be very, very conscious of how I sat down. I distinctly remember getting into my car to drive to that doctor's appointment and very gingerly getting into the driver's seat. At one month people. ONE MONTH.

3. My belly is smaller at this point post partum than it was at this point post partum with Carter. I don't really stress too much about what my stomach looks like after having a baby. I know it will go down and I also know that it will never look exactly how it looked pre-baby. There's no question that your post partum body requires some adjusting, and this adjustment can be harder for some women than others; I'm just one of those women who doesn't find the adjustment particularly hard -- at least not yet. Either way, I'm not unhappy that my belly is smaller than it was at one week post partum with Carter :)

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 75

For Sunday, November 2nd

1. Normally I handle Grayson on my own at night and let Jeff sleep because during the day he needs to get up with and look after Carter. Also, if Jeff is well-rested, then when I need to lay down to take a nap or just rest, I feel less guilty asking him to hang out with a sleeping baby and a busy toddler (yes, I feel guilty, even though he'll tell me to go nap). I also figure, what's the use in two of us being exhausted. For me, that serves no purpose, especially when I'm the only one that can feed the baby anyway.

Long digression. The point all that background brings me to is that since Carter stayed at my parents' last night, and they were keeping him all day, right until supper, Jeff didn't have the responsibility of caring for him the next morning or day, so he helped me out in the night by doing all the diaper changes, the burping after feeds, and getting Grayson settled back into bed. It was the most sleep I've had since he was born. Grayson gave me two, 2.5 hour stretches and then in the late morning, Jeff took him to the living room to give me another two hours. I felt like a million damn dollars. Okay, maybe more like a hundred dollars, but it's going up!  The help was nice and the sleep was even nicer.

2. I did my hair and put on makeup today. I think this is the first time I've worn makeup since Grayson was born. It felt nice to feel semi-attractive.

3. My family came over and we ordered Chinese for supper. It was nice to have them here. My grandparents were here too. My grandma had come up to see Grayson at the hospital, but grandpa hadn't seen him yet, so he got to meet his newest great-grandson for the first time. He said to me, "thank you for the new baby." My grandma always comments on how cute he is. I loved getting pictures and video of them with him. I'll cherish them forever.

Just having my family here in general puts me in my happy place. They would have to be here an awful lot -  like an excessive amount -  before I would feel like I needed some space.

Life is grand :)

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 76

For Monday, November 3rd

1. The public health nurse did another home visit today. This resulted two awesome things to note for the day. First, she was really impressed and gave me a "good job, Mom!" when she took Grayson's weight. He was born at seven pounds even, only lost one ounce by the time we left the hospital, and was down to six pounds, 13 ounces at two days old. Doctors like to see the baby gain weight and be at least back up to his birth weight around 10 days to two weeks old. Today Grayson is six days old and weighed seven pounds, seven ounces. So not only has he regained his birth weight, but he's even packed on the seven extra ounces!

Hearing this is such a relief. It had been a very, very rough week because of how sore my poor boobs were. There is something so rewarding in knowing that pushing through the serious discomfort - no, excruciating pain - that nursing with cracked nipples brings, is so very worth it because my little guy is growing and thriving.

2. While she was here, the nurse checked my stitches as well. I had a second degree tear and an episiotomy. With Carter I had a third degree tear and an episiotomy. (I will leave google to explain the different degrees of tears and warn you to google that at your own risk.) Though I still tore this time (with a seven pound baby - -  really lady parts? A little dramatic, methinks!) I feel so much better than I did after Carter was born. The nurse checked me over and confirmed that I'm healing well and things look really good. I'm happy about this, though I think we should take "looking good" with a grain of salt, considering she's talking about my sad, stitched up nether regions.

3. Carter is still dealing with this huge change in our lives and family very well. There are no jealousy issues that I can see. He is acting out a little, but he's been doing so for the couple of weeks even prior to Grayson's birth, so I think it's more a matter of him being nearly three and realizing that he can push the envelope on things he doesn't want to do, or when we refuse him on things he does want to do. I'm really relieved that he's adjusted so well.

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 74

For Saturday, November 1st

1. Today was my due date. I had marked this day on mine and Jeff's shared calendar, so during one of Grayson's middle-of-the-night feedings, the reminder for that "appointment" popped up. It made me smile as I held my newborn boy in the quiet of our living room in the wee hours of the morning. I just feel so lucky to have this second gorgeous little boy.

2. Tonight, mom and dad offered to take Carter home for the evening to give Jeff and me a bit of a break. Carter has been REALLY acting up and challenging at bedtime and, frankly, it's exhausting when we're not also caring for a newborn. It was nice not to fight with Carter to eat supper, then to get in the bath, then to get into bed, etc.

When they take Carter, mom always texts me updates on how things are going and I usually get  picture from my dad. He had a great, great night and it was good to hear that he had so much fun at Nan and Pe's. He and my dad played and played and played some more. And then they watched a movie and had snacks. It's the exact Saturday evening I always wished my kids would get with their grandparents and here we are.

3. Because we had a free evening and a sleeping new baby, I got to actually watch a TV show. This is as big a deal as putting on makeup. It both felt like a luxury and like I was just relaxing as I would on any other night.

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 73

Friday, October 31

My three good things:

1. My mom came over today and helped Jeff and Carter carve pumpkins. I was sitting in the living room, nursing Grayson off and on and I was smiling to myself listening to the three of them in there discussing and working away on their pumpkins. Carter picked the design he wanted for his pumpkin and told us it's because it's the "scary" one. So flippin' cute. I took in the feeling of having my little family prepare for  Hallowe'en with the help of Nan and it felt like it upped the love levels in the house. It was another one of those road/life marker moments where I thought, "life in this moment is perfect and I'm exactly where I should be."

2. Carter had a tough evening because he didn't nap today. When I say he doesn't nap, I don't mean that we don't put him down for a nap. Actually, lately he has been putting himself to bed. But sometimes he just chats himself up right good in there for 45 minutes or so before we give up and go get him. Anyway, because he didn't nap today, I was worried that trick or treating would be a gong show with a cranky, tantrum-y, and totally uncooperative toddler. At first, it was. He didn't want to eat his supper, then he didn't want to wear his costume. Finally, he's in the costume, but refuses to wear the matching hat. Because it was cold out, it wasn't an option not to wear a hat, so he wore his winter toque and looked totally mis-matched. But arguing with a tired toddler goes no where good for anyone, so out Jeff and Carter went.

This was his first time trick-or-treating. In the past, we've dressed him up and taken him to see my parents, my aunt, my grandparents, my brothers, and sometimes - if there's time - a couple other people. But this year was his first door-to-door, stranger's houses experience. They only did about 10 houses, which is what I expected. It was cold and he didn't fully "get" it, but did understand enough that for the next two days, every time he knocked on someone's door he yelled "trick or treat." He also LOVED handing out candy when kids came. He enjoyed his Hallowe'en and that made me really happy. I was a little sad that I couldn't see him walk up to people's doors and that I didn't get video of it, but I had a 3-day old baby to care for, so it is what it is.

I also got the boys' first pic together  I have video of them, but had no pictures yet. I was happy to get a photo, even though it's not the best one. Carter makes it a challenge to get a good picture, so I'm just happy that least I have it - a pic of our first Hallowe'en as a family with two kids to dress up.

3. Since I'm still walking a little bit like I've been horseback riding for a week straight, and since I spend a lot of time nursing a newborn, my Mom stayed to help me all night on Hallowe'en. She got up when kids came to the door so that I didn't have to go up and down the stairs and/or take Grayson to the door with my boob out while nursing. I just really appreciated having her here and it was nice to have an evening with my Mama ;)

100 Happy Days Challenge: Day 72

For Thursday, October 30th

Well, I'm getting very little sleep these days, but I have a pretty good and very cute reason ;)

I'm so thankful today for:

1. My amazing husband. As if having a second baby didn't already make me feel more in love with him, he's been incredible in every possible way: he's done virtually all the cleaning and cooking; chasing after Carter; nearly all the diaper changes; and everything else you can imagine. He gets up in the morning and goes non-stop. I don't have to ask him to do anything either, he just does it. My wish for all the good, deserving women in the world is to have a husband half as good as mine.

2. Again, my cousin, Nicole. She came over and helped Jeff and I with the boys. Her being here allowed me to take a sitz bath, take a shower, and have an hour and a half long nap. It felt amazing to be clean AND have napped. It's the really, really, really little things, people! While she was here, she just went right ahead and cleaned the kitchen. No one asked her to; she just did it. How amazing is that?? Love you, Nin.

3. The health care system here. We are just so fortunate, truly. I went to the hospital, had a baby, stayed one night and I won't get a bill in the mail. THEN, the health region will send a public health nurse to my house to do as many home visits as we need two weeks postpartum. She came out Thursday, weighed Grayson, checked his heart rate, lungs, took his temp, and looked him over, and she also checked me over - blood pressure, temp, and a quick peak at my in-need-of-healing bottom end to see how I was doing. There was one thing that had me a little concerned on Thursday, and the nurse completely put my mind at ease about it. It just really is pretty amazing that a nurse will come to your home and check on you and your newborn, and I just feel so lucky to live in a place where that is the level of care I receive.