Four weeks down and I’m pretty sure my sanity is still intact. I bet Tim would begged to differ, but being a mom of two is sooooo different than I thought it would be. I have to say I seriously underestimated a lot of it and overestimated how much I could handle.
This past week I had my check-up with my doctor and after giving me the a-okay to resume life pre-baby-style, we said our sad goodbyes. He asked if he would see me again in the future to which I replied, “Hopefully just at the grocery store!” but the truth is I have no idea - Tim and I go back and forth on whether or not we will venture down this road for a third time and it really depends on the kind of day we’re all having. When Max coo’s and smiles at me it’s yes, I want another, absolutely. At 3 am when Max has sucked me dry and is wide awake for the next hour and a half it’s a resounding hells-no. I do love my boys and am thankful that at the age of twenty-seven I do not have to make that call yet, but when I do I hope I am ready for whatever we decide.
Now onto one of the reasons why having two children is more than you bargained for - getting out of the house. It is such a production! Seriously. Monday we were all just sitting around staring at each other so me and the boys decided to take a trip to the local play park. Not such a big deal - one would sleep the entire time and the other would exert some pent-up energy and I could sit and just be for a little bit. Which is exactly how it went once we got to the park. Getting out the door was quite the opposite and was an amazing spectacle of strength and dexterity on my part, which went a little something like this: take a shower, nurse Max, put on lotion and start putting makeup on, change Conner’s diaper, change Max’s diaper, pick up mascara wand only to put it down to give an unhappy Max a cuddle, nurse Max, change Max’s diaper, again, put clothes on both boys, finish makeup, throw on some clothes that didn’t have spit-up on them, get boys downstairs, pack the diaper bag, give Max a bottle (the boy tanks up in the morning), pick up bag, infant carrier and corale everyone out the door, bring everyone back inside and put everything down when I forgot something upstairs, come back downstairs, re-gather everything and everyone, load everything and everyone into the van, sit in the drivers seat to catch my breath. And I am sure I missed something in the retelling. It felt like some sort of circus act. And taking both of them somewhere by myself still incites a little anxiety, like when I went to the grocery the next day with them, by myself. We’re not talking run-in-and-grab-a-few-things grocery run. It was full-out Walmart need-every-thing-but-the-kitchen-sink grocery run. It was not pretty and I am 99% sure my pits sweat the entire time we were there, but we did it. It only took two hours and three meltdowns (one of which may or not have been mine) but we did it.
So that’s all I got. I miss the blogging and the blog-reading, but if I get to brush my teeth at least once in the course of a 24-hour period, then it’s been a great day. Even tho the adjustment has been difficult and at times I feel so isolated from people and situations that it takes every ounce of me not to scream in frustration, I know it’s only a short time. It’ll seem like I only blinked and Max will be Conner’s age now and I’ll wonder why I moaned and groaned about how difficult it was in the beginning. So thanks to those who are still checking in. I hope to be “back at it” soon with all kinds of fun and ca-razy stuff. Here is Conner and Chloe on what appeared to be a study date, but turned into a little less study and a little more date. Gotta keep our eyes on those two!
Julie Nickerson says:
Hey,
It’s your new blogging buddy.
I can only imagine how hard it would be to get 2 monkeys out the door. I feel like it is hard with just one. And I know the feeling of forgetting something and then getting him out of the car seat and bringing him back in. But I am proud of you for going to the grocery store. I didn’t take Abel till he was like 3 months b/c he HATED it!
Looks like you are doing a great job. ADORABLE pictures of Chloe and Conner!
PS-I love the Lansinoh breast cream in the background of the first picture.
True breastfeeding mom. I’m remembering those nights of feeling sucked dry with a wide eyed baby. But your right, soon you will wonder where the time went. 
July 31st, 2008 at 4:31 am
CAB says:
I smiled when reading your post. I can remember how scared I was just to take my first to the grocery store alone - I waited until she was about 6 mos. I think! Then, terified that she would have a meltdown, I headed out - we went through the grocery store for a “need everything” trip as well and she was perfect - she got a toy at the end of that trip on the baby aisle - a small stuffed Pooh bear - and to this day, it’s her favorite (she’s 7 now!) and she calls it Baby Pooh. Memories!
Now, we’re expecting #5! I probably won’t ever leave the house again once this baby comes in January!
Oh yes, and you actually put on make-up!?! I can’t recall the last time I wore more than lipstick - you go!
I ran across your blog somewhere along the way - I think via Crafty Daisies when I was searching awhile back for crochet tips and came across an old post on that site. I’ve enjoyed your craft and project ideas as well.
Stop by sometime and visit our crazy crew (in your spare time, of course)
CAB
http://oldspillhouse.blogspot.com
July 31st, 2008 at 7:17 am
Toni says:
hahahaa, I have to laugh because that is me every time I leave the house. Its so frustrating.
I think I could of written that whole post
Max is a doll!
Love the pics of Conner and Chloe, too cute!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:21 am
Kate says:
Geez, I felt exhausted after reading that trip to Walmart part. But you’re right, soon it will be second nature and the time will fly by. You give me hope!!
Glad that everything went well at your doctor appt.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:40 am
Melany says:
You did it
Now you can do it again and again and it will just get better 
July 31st, 2008 at 11:06 am
Elizabeth says:
Looks and sounds like great memories to share with the kids later, Can.
Wishing you well.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:10 am
Rebecca says:
Its great to read your update! Sounds like you have your hands full. My heart goes out to you…I know just how hard it is with a baby and toddler. Only I have an 11 yr old stepdaughter to help out when I need it. I think I would have lost my mind without her when Daniel was a baby!
It all changes so fast! I feel like I was where you were such a short time ago…
But now I sit here with a 3 1/2 yr old who is potty trained & going to preschool 2 hrs a day and a 16 month old toddler who just this week weaned himself and is sleeping full nights alone in his own bed in his own room! Even though I’m happy to see my kids reach great milestones (for them and me!) I found myself in tears at the reality of being a mom no longer to baby and toddler, but now toddler and preschooler. Ack! What happened?
Enjoy every moomeny, they grow up too quickly!
July 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Merrie says:
Welcome back to a little bit more of the real world. And I remember all too well the struggles of getting three of you situated when two of you are small.
You remind me of me at 27. I’d just had my 2nd and felt the decision of “do we or don’t we” have a third was a ways off. Now that newborn is almost five, and I’m suddently 32.
My only hold off at this point is that I work and hubby stays home, and I don’t think he truly wants to be home with three. If only I could get that turned around…
Thanks for the update! Enjoy your boys!
July 31st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Rachel says:
Girl I totally understand! Its a damn miracle I am still alive some days having to girls! And to think I went and got myself pregnant again on purpose.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Filtering Life says:
Totally know your pain. You are braver than me…haven’t traversed Walmart…just Target alone. Baby steps. I think I am going to need to give Chloe a purity talk this weekend. Study my butt…that is funny though!
Now you can see why I was a bit of a hermit the first month. So much work to get out the door…SO MUCH. The pit stain comment is hilarious and oh so true!
July 31st, 2008 at 5:24 pm
joy says:
thanks for sharing honestly sweetie. I love you so much and i am so proud the great mamma you are to Conner and Max. Love thos pictures of Chloe and Conner.. Lucy’s going to be jealous
July 31st, 2008 at 6:51 pm
bee says:
The fact that you guys are living and breathing after four weeks makes me think you are SuperMom! Seriously, I just got back from the grocery store and spent WAY too much ’cause I don’t think I’ll ever be able to leave the house again! And I’m sure I’ll go at least three more times in the next six days!!
BTW, I love those pictures! You’re going to have to watch that little lady killer!
August 1st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Kacey says:
It gets better. I promise. And soon you’ll wonder where your tiny baby went. It goes FAST. Which is probably good, because months without any sanity to speak of? Not good.
BTW, AMAZING that you went out on your own with the boys to the park and to Walmart. I still try to avoid trips to the store with both boys, and Wyatt is 8 months now!
August 1st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Cara says:
Max could not be sweeter! You have another handsome boy
I haven’t been online for a while, but I wanted to let you know that I was praying for you towards the end of your pregnancy because the Lord put you on my mind, and now I know why. I’m so glad everything turned out well, with a happy and healthy mom and baby Max…..Venturing out with two is definitely overwhelming at first. My first trip out with Aiden and Ava was a mess. We were at the mall and they were both screaming and crying. Things go much more smoothly now. Praise God!
August 1st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Emily says:
Those pictures are so great! Go Conner, making the moves on Chloe. Max is going to be just as handsome as his big brother.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:44 am