The Thing-a-ma-jigger!

Here is a current picture of Ruby who is now known as...The Thing-a-ma-jigger (reference to Dr. Suess). This new name for our stroller miracle contraption seemed fitting since it is now responsible for the toting and transporting of a toddler and a newborn! It may look a bit odd, but moves great (I promise it only feels slightly heavier than before), and best of all- is EASY PEASY to take apart and toss in my Scion. I know that it is quite the sight by the stares I've received, and even got a comment yesterday by a random person in our neighborhood asking if it also was a pack n' play? I replied "well, it probably could be!" but this Thing-a-ma-jigger along with a list of other random THINGS are all part of our new "normal" (if there even is such a thing when parenting two young children).

• I'm drinking water like a camel and eating like horse to keep up with our healthy but rapidly growing newborn 3-month clothing sized but actually only 2 1/2 week old child.

• A week ago is when I actually felt fully recovered from birth. I thought I was good to go a couple days after we got home from the hospital, but just a few more extra days in the 4th Trimester nursery with Grant and the Royal Wedding was just what the doctor ordered.

• Both boys dislike getting their diaper changed, and funny enough- seem to both need to have it done at the same time. I usually take Grant and change him in the 4th Trimester Nursery while Bart takes Benjamin and changes him in the (other) nursery. Since these rooms are just a few short steps away from each other, we both can easily hear what's going on in the other room. As this was going on the other day, Bart said we should videotape our lives right now. I thought this was funny because there's no way around it- diapers have to be changed but to do so at the same time with cries twice as loud really seemed to capture our new family dynamic.

• With this being my first week flying solo on the job, I was trying not to set my expectations too high or victimize myself by saying "I'm surviving." Well, Monday started off great (see last blog post) but by 3 or 4 o'clock....energy began to run out and I knew I was going to have to retreat once Bart got home. I'm glad I did this because it gave myself some time to reflect on what's a real necessity and what's not. I'm one who likes LOVES a clean house, but realized that I don't need it to be sparkling clean. Just picked up, not smelly, and stocked with good food to eat (btw- I am still loving applesauce). This means being okay with dishes in the sink, unmade beds, a few toys out, but NO overflowing trash or dirty laundry. I also know that I can live with the constant sound of the washer and dryer, a tantrum here and there, eating on the go, and other constant multi-tasking because parenting is a juggle. A juggle of fun, a juggle of chaos, a juggle of needs and wants. I therefore decided that my real hope isn't to try and maintain my life as it was before but to simply achieve a flow that works for us as a family. I want to emphasize FAMILY because I'm not doing this on my own. I have an incredibly devoted and caring husband/super hands-on dad, wonderfully willing parents who come up at a call's notice, an awesome playgroup of moms and tots, and when needed, a fantastic babysitter. :)

• On the day Bart and I came home from the hospital with Grant, my parents, Bart, Benjamin, Grant, and I were all sitting around the kitchen table when Bart said "I don't want to go back!" At first I thought he was talking about the hospital (we had a nice stay this time around so I was confused), but then explained that he meant back to work. He loved the sight of all of us sitting together around the table, the noise of silverware clattering as Benjamin played with his food and Grant getting burped, and the feeling of LOVE- oh, so MUCH love filing our home. 

I'm very thankful for our Thing-a-ma-jigger and all of these other lovely things for putting the wind in my sail ~ I'm ready, really ready to continue on the seas of parenting~ off I go with The Thing-a-ma-jigger + two kids in tow!