What a Day

Yesterday was one of those days that makes me so happy to be a mom. Reeves didn't have school, so we went to playgroup at the playground at Riverland Terrace. It was a nice cool, breezy day right on the river, and the shoes came off shortly after we got there. Reeves was in hog heaven because his current favorite person, Bose, was there. He is happy as a clam running around after Bose, trying to do all the things that this big 3 1/2 year old does. Whenever I mention playgroup, Reeves immediately breaks into a chorus of BOSEs and can't wait to see him. So, of course, this started the day off with a bang. In a bit, all the other chilluns got there. Their mommies had been JOGGING! I'm so impressed and hope to be a part of that once these inflatables go down some. Anyway, the morning was super fun, and Reeves even ate all of his lunch - quite an uncommon feat these days. To top it all off, Bennett slept in his carrier the whole time which gave me some time to take pictures.
When we got home, I fed Bennett, and Reeves played happily and quietly (relatively) with his trains. Bennett went down, then Reeves. He fussed some, but I went outside so I couldn't hear him. I was able to get another section of the fence completed and put in another post. I think this is a big part of making me feel like I have had a good day. If I can actually accomplish something at some point during the day, I find myself looking back, in the evening, with a wonderful sense of satisfaction. It's good for me; it's good for the boys; and it's good for Bryant because I am in a much better mood.
Reeves woke up from his nap in a really good mood. This doesn't happen too often. Usually it takes him a while to warm up to the fact that he is no longer asleep. Those 15 or 20 minutes are no fun around here, but yesterday we didn't have them. I now realize that in addition to my accomplishing something, Reeves had zero screaming fits yesterday. This was the most integral part of making yesterday such a great day. He was calm. He didn't scream when I reminded him that he couldn't throw balls in the house or told him it was time to go inside. It was pleasant, and both he and I loved it. The fact that Bennett slept and ate great definitley contributed to it. It was all around perfect.
And to top it all off, I went to my first PTO meeting. This meant that Bryant had both boys by himself for the gangrene hours. Luckily for him, Reeves continued his good behavior. Bennett, on the other hand, who had been quietly swinging when I left, apparently cranked up within about 5 minutes of my departure. Poor B! He gave him a bottle and tried to sooth him as much a he could, but sometimes, when they're this little, it seems like only a momma can do it. When I walked in, all I could do was laugh. There were cabinet doors open, the counter was covered with dinner's remnants and the day's mail, and there were toys and pillows all over the den floor. Reeves was playing, and B and B were in the recliner with the pacifier finally doing its job. I loved it. I loved that Reeves had continued to be good. I loved that Bennett was quiet. I loved that Bryant had gotten to have quality time with just him and his boys. And I loved that I didn't get mad that the house was a mess. This is a big step for me. I like things to be done my way - because, naturally, my way is the right way. But having two boys is teaching me to let some things go. I'm beginning to realize that just because Bryant doesn't do things exactly like I do, that that's OK. The result is, for the most part, the same, and that's the most important thing. I also realized that when you have as good a day as I had yesterday, it's easy to laugh when a tornado comes through your house because everyone's still alive and happy, and it's much better to be able to hug and kiss and tell your kids you're proud of them than focus on the messy negative.
Thanks, boys - all three of you - for such a perfect day.

Worst Idea of the Week

Returning home from Mt. Pleasant via 526 at 5:30 in the afternoon. While I find almost any amount of traffic frustrating, it is nearly unbearable with two fussing children in the heart of the gangrene hour. What was I thinking? Luckily, we all made it home in one piece with no lasting effects on any of us.

Just to Compare...

The first is Reeves, the second is Bennett. I can't believe how much fuller Bennett's face is, and he is a week or so younger in this picture.

Here they both are in their going home outfit. Oops, looks like we forgot the hat for Bennett. We'll just chalk that up to his being early.

This picture of Reeves is one of our favorites. Of course, he was just over a month old at that time. Bennett was two weeks old when his picture was taken. And the outfit is already tight on him!


So, maybe they don't look quite as much alike as I had originally thought, but I still don't think there is any doubt these two are brothers!

Just a Quick Update

I know I have been remiss in posting recently. I'm still trying to figure out where Mommy's "computer time" is going to fit into my day. I had assumed it would be late at night, but I have taken everyone's advice and am putting myself to bed right after I put Bennett down after his 9/10 o'clock feeding. It has really made such a difference and is giving me a blessed extra hour or two of sleep a night. So, until Bennett drops one of the nighttime feedings, it looks like posts will be sporadic at best.
I am still working on the birth story. It is turning out to be quite a tome, much longer than I had expected and probably not terribly interesting and riveting reading to most, but at this point, it is becoming more for posterity than for entertainment value.

Reeves is still loving his new brother. He doesn't appear to be showing too much jealousy, although he has recently become fond of wanting to climb in my lap to read a book (usually the heaviest one he has) while I'm nursing. As long as I don't gain any weight, this is working out OK, and I honestly do love holding them both at the same time. Bennett has been having some latching on issues lately, but they seem to be working themselves out. It is now taking no more than 10 minutes at the longest to get him to latch on. This improvement could be due to Reeves' help - pushing his brother's head into my boob - but I don't really think so. My solution has been to let him get absolutely starving. It may sound cruel, but it works. And after trying to get him to eat for an hour and a half, I figured I might as well spend that time not fighting with him. I never thought I would dream about feeling the pain of a child latching on as sweet relief, but I do. We go back on Wednesday for another weigh in, but both Bryant and I agree that he looks like he is gaining weight. This was not something we ever saw with Reeves at this age, so it is a welcome change.

I am working on establishing a schedule, and so far, we are pretty consistent in the mornings. He eats around 6 or 6:30 and is then down for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. If this morning's second feeding is any indication, his stomach is getting bigger because he ate well on both sides. I'm glad I have already pumped a good bit because it doesn't look like I'll be able to get too much of that done for a while.