Two weeks since my last post - yipes! I definitely need a few more hands and a lot more hours in the day now that our family has expanded. Again I must emphasize how much respect I have for moms who work - seriously, how do you do it?? Anyways, it’s been two weeks that Tim and I have been on our own with the boys and man oh man do my kids know how to break me in! My in-laws left last Sunday morning and wouldn’t you know the next day would be the roughest we’d had so far. Not so much with me with not having enough arms and hands to spread between two children (although that would’ve been extremely helpful), but Max hit a growth spurt that also made him not want to nap which then made him entirely too cranky so for two days I got to nurse him a gillion times, watch him cry and get all kinds of frustrated and hold him all day, both days. Poor Conner - by Tuesday evening he’d had enough and kept telling me to put Max down and as soon as I would, he would start winding up again. This is by far the hardest part of going from one child to two. Even though it was frustrating for Conner not having my attention, he was certainly getting all my attitude and frustration and I hated that so much. But Wednesday Max was back to being my angel baby and I could relax a little while Conner got to have more of my attention - win-win for everyone!
Max is so chill it still amazes me. But even as easy as he is, I’m learning that I just need to follow his lead and roll with whatever happens. I’m the type of personality that can be 100% committed to something and will not stray from it, which can be difficult when dealing with babies because they have an agenda all their own. There are so many things I wanted to do differently this time since I believe my ignorance and sleep-deprivation led me to make poor decisions that enslaved us to a way of life that wasn’t realistic or even healthy for our family in the long run. But even having a baby that adapts very easily to what’s already going on still leaves question marks hanging over my head because I just want to get it right this time. Demand-feeding vs schedule, crib vs co-sleeping, breast-feeding exclusively or supplementing with formula, the choices are endless and while being a second-time mom makes me more relaxed in many ways, there are still some areas that I feel like a complete idiot with and want to make the best decision for my kids. What mom doesn’t, right? So I’m just muddling along, trying to work through things and just enjoy this baby because every new struggle is more confirmation that Tim and I may be done with the having of the babies. It’s so rewarding but my goodness is it tough! Okay, enough mommy-babble, onto some pictures! This is Max’s favorite place to nap and we can’t decide if it’s because it’s so darn comfy or because it’s right in the hub-bub of the house. Either way he logs some serious hours in this thing
This boy loves to sleep and you can not wake him once he nods off. (thank you, Jesus!)
Everyday he’s more and more alert and we get to look into his beautiful blue eyes and talk all kinds of obnoxious baby-talk to him. I think he looks so much like my dad - finally my side is represented in my kids!!
Tim, why are you so excited?
Conner, what’s got you smiling so much?
Conner’s very own train set, that’s what!
Tim and I had been talking about getting Conner a big brother gift and he’s been obsessed with trains and the set they have at Barnes and Noble. Whenever we drive past it, he gets all worked up, chanting, “Choo choo, Mama, choo choo!” so we decided to make his wildest 2-year old dreams come true. But the award for “Most Excited Father for Putting Together Kid Toys” goes to Tim - he was so giggly and giddy putting that thing together and would smile so big when Conner would get excited about it. It has certainly gotten Conner’s stamp of approval and he’s played with that thing everyday, all day, for the last week. And with another little boy that’ll be hot on his heels in no time, it was a wise investment. You’re excited about it, too, right Max?
I have to end this post with a picture of Conner at two weeks and Max at two weeks. One thing that I prayed for was that Max would resemble Conner and sometimes I can’t get over how much they look alike. It’s so neat to see such similarities in your children.
Conner, 2 weeks old
Max, 2 weeks old
AmyG says:
Max definitely looks a lot like Conner. They are both adorable! I love Tim’s smile, he looks like such a proud Dad! Life with 2 is definitely a lot different than life with one, but so rewarding! ;o)
July 18th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Julie Nickerson says:
Wow, they look so much alike at 2 weeks! too cool!
Sounds like you are doing a great job!
July 18th, 2008 at 5:40 am
misty says:
oh my goodness! That chair just swallows him whole!!!! PRECIOUS!
July 18th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Danielle says:
I am so happy to see things are going well. I can’t even begin to imagine what 2 would be like…
Just wanted to pop in and say HI!
July 18th, 2008 at 5:59 am
pinkmommy says:
So good to hear from you! I love all the pictures. So glad Max is a good sleeper. Hope I get one too!
July 18th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Filtering Life says:
You are doing great! Can I tell you how excited Chloe got when she saw the picture of Conner. Lots of giggles. I tried to get her to say his name and all I got was a frantic poke on the picture and the word “eye”. This is true, Conner has eyes..BUT HE HAS A NAME AND LEARN IT DARN IT!!!
July 18th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Rachel says:
I absolutely love the passion you have for being a mom, Its so beautiful. Beautiful babies and please send me good baby sleeping vibes for this new one to be!
July 18th, 2008 at 7:53 am
oh amanda says:
Candace. They are both gorgeous! I’m finding myself getting excited (nervous? anxious?) about this new brother/sister dynamic. I’m liking watching it play out in your living room.
I’m just praying for that angel baby, too!
July 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Merrie says:
Such beautiful boys! I think you’re coping just fine with the addition, though I know it’s hard to split your attention two ways. Too bad we can’t just clone ourselves for that first year!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Whitney says:
Awww…sweet, sweet baby boys!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Elizabeth says:
Those boys are just too precious. It sounds like quality time with the two kidlets is much better than blogging, enjoy it!
Hey, Can, if you ever wanted to bounce off mothering ideas, I think we probably have pretty different styles and I’m all ears and ideas if you ever want a different (crazy) perspective
July 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am
joy says:
love that first picture of Conner he is such a cutie pie! Lucy says thanks for sharing the great train set Sunday. We all enjoyed our time with you guys. love your babys..
i can’t believe how much they look alike at 2 wks. that is insane!!
July 18th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
bee says:
OMG, they do look so much alike!
I think the train table was a great investment! We’re thinking about getting Woggie a gift from his little sister… just not sure what yet! My mom’s already bought the train table for his Christmas present.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
nana grahl says:
Candace…I can’t thank you enough for the update on everyone. I have been very blog-starved the last few days! After being there for awhile it’s just so hard not seeing everyone each day. Love the pictures…my you have a handsome husband..and those boys…so sweet!
I really appreciate you taking the time when I know you are so busy.
Love,
Nana G.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt says:
Drew was the exact same way - EXTREMELY hard to wake up the first few weeks. He was my first so it sort of freaked me out a bit. If I had only known!!!
He recently got that exact same train set! Too funny! Hope yours last longer than ours has (ahem).
The boys are precious.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
natalie says:
Wow. What a cute family. And Connor got the mac-daddy of all big brother gifts. that thing looks awesome. i got something similar for peyton at goodwill, missing a handful of pieces, but i’m saving it up for a santa gift.
i’m so happy to hear your making a good transition to your family of 4. i’m sure your going to have hard days, but i know your handling it GREAT!!!
And thanks for the comment about working mom’s. it is hard. but on the other hand, being a working mom, i wonder how on earth SAHM’s do it. i guess we all have it hard - being a mom is hard work!
July 21st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Cari says:
WOW they look alike!! And both so gosh darn adorable!
July 21st, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Emily says:
such handsome men you have there! i hope conner enjoys his train table!
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm