Life With Two

... and then there were four. That was the exact saying I used to tell my husband we were having another baby! I typed it on a big piece of taped it to the bathroom mirror with all of my positive pregnancy tests on the vanity.  Fast forward roughly nine months, and here we are!

November 18th, (which just so happens to be my Dad and Step Mom's anniversary) we welcomed Luca Scott into the world! I'll save my birth story for another day, but even from the first contraction, every thing was different than with my first.  Labor, delivery and life as I knew it was all different. Well, most of it.

During my pregnancy I always worried that I wouldn't be able to love this baby as much as I loved Benson.  I know that is a terrible thing, but I think every mom thinks that at some point (or maybe not).  Everyone I said that to told me I was crazy.  They said it's almost as if your heart will double in size to be able to love both kids just the same, which is A LOT! Well, November 18th at 8:37 am, I learned that it is indeed true.  I felt like the Grinch that day... "Well, in Whoville the say- that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day".  (For those who don't know me, I love the Grinch)

ANYWAYS. After my heart grew three sizes, the reality set in... I have 2 KIDS! Now what do I do?!  Well, in the past 3 months of parenting two kids, I've learned a lot and I'm here to share!

Here are the top 5 things that having two kids has taught me...

1. Enjoy the sleepless nights.  
WHAT! I remember crying with Benson because I felt like I would never sleep a full night ever again.  Thankfully, that only lasted 6 weeks, when he decided to sleep all night long! With Luca, I took advantage of them.  I snuggled him.  I stared at him.  I enjoyed our peaceful time together, rather than wishing it away.  Lord knows that in the morning, it will be back to chaos! Can I get an Amen?!  I felt like because I had a whole different attitude about getting up 3 times a night, it made me actually enjoy them! Attitude IS everything.

Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

2. Throw away expectations.  

Here is a list of a normal person's daily expectations:

• Shower
• Drink hot coffee
• Keep a tidy home
• Eat healthy
• Keep it together in public 

Prior to having kids, those were my expectations for myself.  After having one kid, I probably achieved 50% of those on a daily basis.  With two kids, you can forget everything I just mentioned above.  Put a big X right through that list, because it won't happen.  At first, it was hard to accept, but let's face it, having two kids is hard!

My dining room table is currently a fort made out of camo sheets (but luckily you can't see it, because it's camouflage 😉).  Benson eats Fruit Loops almost every morning.  On the mornings that he doesn't, he's inhaling MY hot oatmeal.  OH, and going out in public... HA! I mean, my kids are pretty good in public, but you know those stores that have the little kid grocery carts?!?! I DESPISE THOSE STORES! I'd rather cut my leg off than have to push around my big grocery cart (full of groceries and a baby), chase Benson up and down the aisles, pick up all of the display items that he knocks over from his reckless driving, and carry him to the car kicking and screaming because he had to "park" his cart before we left... all while juggling a baby and bags of groceries. Like, seriously. The owners of those stores clearly do not have children.  But, at the end of the day, we are all alive and (mostly) well (even if I am stinky, in a dirty home, eating oreos).

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

3. Call for back up.

You guys, I am not one to ask for help. Like ever.  But, I did it.  In my last few weeks of pregnancy, I put Benson in day care one day a week. Go ahead and judge me, but, it was exactly what I needed to keep me sane.  I also scheduled all of my appointments and ran errands on that day.  Now, since having Luca, while Benson is at day care, Luca and I get some one on one bonding time.  It's amazing! I had so much one on one time with Benson, which I cherish so much, but having two kids makes it really hard to have that same bond with the second baby! It's also harder to go out on dates with my hubby! We have been able to go out twice since having two kids, which I know doesn't seem like a lot, but it's something! It's so important for Chris and I to have some alone time together and to talk about grow up things, and not "tooting" or "choo-choos"!

Psalm 121: 1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

4. Include #1.

Benson is such a sweet little boy.  He loves giving kisses to baby Luca and sitting next to him.  But, he needs to be included on a deeper level.  Luckily, Benson helps me give Luca baths and he throws away dirty diapers and helps me dress Luca.  He really is such a big helper and he gets excited about it, because I get excited about it! Plus, it gives me a little break when Benson is being a helpful big bro! I think that including him has seriously eliminated a TON of jealousy issues.  Thankfully, we have had very little jealousy up to this point!

Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

5. Don't forget about yourself. 

During my pregnancy with Luca, I was reminded about how important self love is.  Being a mom, a lot depends on me! The job of a mother includes SO many roles: house cleaner, cook, nanny, taxi driver, nurse, therapist, etc.  It's so easy to lose myself in all of the chaos that is around me, that I forget to take care of myself.  Most days, I forget to eat a meal!  But, we all know that if Mom is down and out, life basically falls apart.  I mentioned in my second point about daily expectations.  In reality, I make it a point to shower every day and have a (somewhat) hot cup of coffee.  Whether it requires me to wake up 30 minutes earlier than the kids or pushing it off until nap time, I make it a priority for myself.  Showering and consuming coffee are two things that keep my head above the ground, so they have to happen. Every. Single. Day. For the sake of everyone! 

Psalm 112:7 "She confidentially trusts the Lord to take care of her."

Well, those are my thoughts on adjusting to having two kiddos!  It is a hard task, being a mother, but I wouldn't want any other job in the world.  There's no greater blessing than being a mama to my two beautiful boys.  Thanks for reading! 

 

5 Minute Pickup

Do any of you (all two of you) ever feel overwhelmed by the destruction your children can cause in your home?  I'm talking every book off of the shelf, 50 packs of fruit snacks on the floor, poop on the couch, and crawling on the counter... all in 10 seconds flat?

I would consider myself someone who likes to have a clean space.  In college, my dorm room always needed to be clean, or at least picked up, in order for me to accomplish any type of school work.  It might have been 50% procrastination, 50% neat freak, but regardless, it needed to be neat for my brain to function clearly.  Well, not much has changed in the past 4 years.  I still find myself internally losing my crap when my house is in shambles.  This happens at least once a day. 

I have two people in my life that I need to thank for today's post. First, is my step mom, Annette.  The second, is my Mom, Mary.  Annette has a spot for everything.  It's not just the main floor in her home that she keeps spotless, but every bedroom, every bathroom and even the laundry room is spotless.  Nothing is left out, and everything has a "place".  My Mom, on the other hand, is a little bit more "lax", if you will. She isn't messy by any means, but she isn't as concerned with neatness, as others may be (sorry, Mom). However, my Mom taught me an important life lesson when I was young.  Every Sunday, after church, my brothers and I would have to clean our bedrooms in order to play outside or go anywhere.  It was the rule of the house.  Starting my procrastination at a very young age, I would always drag my feet.  My mom would always say, "Set a timer for 10 minutes, and see what you can get done in that time. You will be surprised".  Much to my surprise, she was right.  Are mom's always right? Yes, yes we are.

I think this "method" worked for me, because I am a competitive person (when I want to be).  But there was just something about this that motivated me to get stuff done. And to get it done FAST.

I would love to have a 100% clean and spotless house.  And someday, I will. But, right now, at this point in my life, I don't. And I won't.  With an 18 month old and a baby due any week, it's just not a reality for me. 

So, I wanted to share what has been working for me over these past few months, and what will continue to be my "go to" until chaos has left our home... so, in 18 years.

During Benson's nap time, I pick 3-4 rooms that need to be "cleaned".  I turn on some music, and I set a timer for 5 minutes (per room), and I get to work.  It's amazing what I can accomplish. ***DISCLAIMER*** - this method will not work if your child is not contained in a high chair, crib, bed, etc.  Talk about 2 steps forward, 8 million steps backwards.

To give you a visual of what 5 minutes can accomplish...

This is our living room BEFORE:

This is our living room AFTER:

 YES! This took just 5 minutes.  I even had time to get out my cleaning supplies, and ended up extending my time limit to dust! The things that excite me these days, are unreal.


This is generally my "checklist" for the rooms...

Kitchen:
- Put away items on counter (usually bills, cups, papers, etc.)
- Wipe down counters
- Put away items on floor (usually toys, toys, or toys)
- Load/Unload dishwasher

Bedroom:
- Make bed
- Take water glasses to Kitchen
- Pick up anything on the floor (usually husband's clothes and towels)
- Put away 1 basket of laundry

Bathroom:
- Clean toilet (and shower if you have time.  However, I usually clean the shower when I'm in it. Is that gross?)
- Wipe down counters
- Clean mirror
- Change towels

Living Room:
- Pick up items on floor and put away (We keep our toys in the living room, so usually the floor is hard to see. This takes a majority of the 5 minutes.)
- Dust furniture and window wills

Mudroom:
- Put away shoes
- Hang up jackets that get thrown on railing (Thank you, husband)
- Shake out rug
- Wipe down doors (Again, thank you, husband)

At least 3 times a week, I vacuum our downstairs, which is our main living space.  Our Golden Retriever, nor our son, has any mercy on our souls.  I also mop once a week.  This can be done instead of picking a room to clean. 

I hope this helps all of you mama's who have lost hope or given up on the cleanliness of your homes (and your minds).  I know that for myself, I can't think if my house is a mess.  This helps me have a clear mind, as well, as it doesn't make me feel overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning my ENTIRE HOUSE.  That gives me anxiety just thinking about it.  Us Mom's need to take life one step at a time!

Comment below with your "before" and "after" pics!! 

lactation smoothies

Seeing as I am due with baby boy #2 in just about five weeks (gasp!), postpartum life is in the forefront of my mind.  In fact, it consumes me a majority of the time.  I am already a mother to my handsome, loving, easy, baby boy, Benson.  He is 18 months old.  We are well adjusted to life with one boy, who, did I mention is SO EASY? I am not saying that there aren't days when I want to strangle him (not seriously), but for the majority of the time, I have nothing to complain about.  Needless to say, bringing home baby will be a big adjustment for all of us, as is to be expected.

I have spent the past three months trying to prepare, the best that I can, for this baby's arrival.  Let's be honest though, how much can you really prepare?  The list of the things I have "prepped" is endless. But, today, I wanted to share with you a recipe that will hopefully make postpartum life, just a little bit easier.

When Benson was born, he had jaundice very badly.  In fact, it was the worst our pediatrician had ever seen.  I was unable to breastfeed him for the first five days in the hospital, because I was unable to hold him as he was receiving constant photo therapy.  Instead, he was fed through a catheter, which broke my little heart.  ANYWAYS, before I get all sappy over here (thank you hormones), that was just the beginning of my breastfeeding "troubles".  I hung on to nursing for six months, but it was a roller coaster of a journey.  I'm praying that with this baby, nursing will be super easy and my body will cooperate.  Just in case things don't go as planned, I have prepped Lactation Smoothies, which are supposed to help boost breast milk supply.  Below is the recipe and directions.

Lactation Smoothies 

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon almond milk (you can use vanilla or plain)
• 1 container old fashioned oats
• 10 bananas
•  5 cups frozen strawberries
•  Flax/chia blend (ground flaxseed works too)
•  Nut butter of your choice
•  Honey (optional for sweetener)
•  Quart size freezer bags

Yields: 10 smoothies

Directions:

• Label and date freezer bags
• Place 1 banana, 1/2 c strawberries, 1/4 c oats, 1 tbsp flax/chia blend, 1 tbsp nut butter, 1 tbsp honey and 1 c almond milk into freezer bag. 
• Close bag and freeze up to 4 months.
• When ready to blend, simply put contents into blender and blend.  You may need to add 1/4 water to help blend.  

 

All of the ingredients in these smoothies are beneficial to nursing mamas.  Here's why...

• oats - high in iron
• bananas - potassium 
• strawberries - iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium (win!)
• flax seed - omega-3 fatty acids
• chia seed - fiber and omega-3 fatty acids
• nut butter - protein 
• almond milk - calcium, vitamins E & D

 Not only are these smoothies healthy for you, but they taste delicious too! That's a win-win in my book.


Comment below if you have tried any lactation smoothies that have helped you! I always love new ideas!

Thanks for reading!