Teething Babies and Big Sisters

Otis has a tooth.  It's sharp.  Another one is on its way in, so he has been a basket case lately.  Nothing seems to work except nursing 24/7 and sleeping thisclose to me all night long.  Which means I am awoken by many little fists and feet thrusting their way into my face all night long.  Tired mama.  TIRED.  But to wake up to this is almost worth it.

Yesterday we went over to H&M to check out their kid's section.  I have gotten hand me downs from there that I really liked, but I have to say, I was not impressed.  They had some sweaters that were okay but nothing too great.  And the girl section sucked big time--tons of Hello Kitty and Minnie Mouse, not my cup o' tea...But they did have this hat for Otis.  He is such a little Irishman!

We went to the park yesterday morning, and it was freezing!  I am simply amazed how quickly our weather turned this past week!  Ingrid had fun on the swings and these little seats that spin around.  She looked so big on them, she's so lanky and tall and just not a baby anymore...

Today we are headed to the store to get goodies for camping!!  I'm so excited, totally not nervous like I was last time.  Well, maybe a little nervous, as Otis is having trouble sleeping.  But the fresh air will knock him right out, right?  Right?

Siblings

We had some free time on our hands while waiting for friends to come over so I took some pictures.  My kids look nothing alike, even though they both look an awful lot like their dad...They are both adorable in their own ways, and I love them.  A ton. 

This one is right after Ingrid passed some seriously giggle inducing gas.  What is it with kids and farts? 

Our Spring Days

Oh the lovely weather puts me in such a good mood!  Yesterday we got out bright and early and went to the lake.  We threw rocks in the water and enjoyed the sunshine.  I love that no one else is around on these chilly days, we get the park all to ourselves.

Today we played out in the backyard.  We got our slide and trike out, and busted out new chalk that was supposed to go in someone's Easter basket...All the crocuses are up, the daffodils are almost here, and the tulips are making their way as well.  After a snack and coffee outside, we came in and enjoyed our sunshiney living room.  Otis was wearing an Ingrid hand-me-down, the tattoo shirt our friend Michelle made!  It has my tattoos printed on the tshirt, it's so cute.

We also did some painting.  I found a paint with water book at the thrifts, completely untouched!  It's so much less messy than any other painting.

While Otis was sleeping, Ingrid and I had quality time together, building block towers just like old times.  She was very happy about having mama all to herself!

Tomorrow is another lovely day of having no plans.  It's supposed to be nice again, so I'm sure we'll find something to do outside.  And most likely coffee will be involved.  I love spring.

Hanging Out, Being Crabby.

It's been snowy and gross around these parts lately.  It makes me want to cozy up inside and not go anywhere, but I think that's getting to Ingrid.  She wants to play and move and I want to sit on the couch and read or just look at Otis. 

Ingrid has been doing well with having a brother, but just the past few days it seems like it's hitting her that she isn't the only one.  I'm not sure why, it's been over a month since we've had Otis, but just recently she has started acting out in a major way!  Lots of power struggles, lots of demanding we do things for her, lots of not listening.  I'm trying to be patient but it's hard.  REALLY HARD.  Especially when it's already been a long day and I'm alone with both kids and downstairs feeding Otis and she screams that she needs me to help get her water bottle that is right by her bed.  And when I call up the stairs that she can get it herself, she starts to cry "Mama, you don't have to yell at me!" 

Sigh...

Anyway, today was fun even though we had a couple rough patches.  I got her wings to stay (ribbon tied at her shoulders!) and she wore her new dress around and played with her fire truck.  I laid Otis on the floor and we sang songs to him.  It's so interesting to see him wide eyed and awake, he is really starting to act like a normal baby.

Hopefully soon I'll feel like getting out of the house again and we'll be able to go play with her friends.  And hopefully soon Otis will sleep more at night and I won't be so tired during the day!

Gain Weight Otis!

Ingrid and I made a sign that said that while Otis was in the NICU.  And it has worked!  Otis is home with us again, weighing about 5lbs 8oz and gaining steadily.  Or at least we hope so...I found that nursing him doesn't give the calories he needs because he can't suck hard enough yet.  So, we are back to bottles of fortified breast milk.  He's sucking them down like a champ and will hopefully have gained enough weight when the visiting nurse comes back tomorrow. 

Ingrid is pretty cool with having a little brother.  He is now officially "Bub" and she has to kiss him and say goodnight to him.  I love seeing her as a big sister! 

I tried out our XS Bum Genius today, it totally fits!  I have smalls in other brands, but they still look pretty huge.  And I have some prefolds but they need to be washed still, so we're still using the disposables the hospital sent home with us.  Today I had the BG on, though, and it looked so enormous and cute I had to take pictures.  Can't wait to be strictly cloth diapering again!

We're All Home!

Otis was released from the NICU on Monday afternoon!  That little guy did so well he was only in there for four days!  It was quite the shock to get that call that we could come get him and take him home.  Of course we still didn't have the car seat installed, so I had to struggle with that before I could even leave to go pick up Brendan from work.  No fun.  Our next car is definitely going to have the LATCH system, this using seat belts is for the birds...

Once home, it was a little stressful.  Getting into that routine of feeding, diaper changes, dealing with Ingrid, sleeping, changing lots of dirty clothes, pumping milk...it's hard!  I went to pick up some groceries and my hormones hit and I just started crying in the middle of the store.  I felt so overwhelmed and my mom wanted to go home--who could blame her?  Her whole month has been crazy because of us.  But she saw me crying as I brought in the groceries and decided to stay.  Bless her, I needed my mommy another day or two!

Yesterday was much better.  I have the hang of pumping and feeding now, and Otis is a sleeper.  Thank god!  He sleeps in four hour stretches at night so we really only have to wake up once.  It's great.  Ingrid loves her brother, I think the hardest part for her was me being away for so long.  Now that she sees I'm here to stay she's been way better.

Otis is doing well.  He had his doctor appointment yesterday and is only one ounce away from his birth weight.  He's a little on the cold side, though, so last night we did skin to skin.  It was SO comfortable!  We sat on the couch with blankets on us and he cuddled right up to me and warmed up.  I can't get over how much I love him already :) 

Today my mom is going home and Brendan is getting his hair cut, so it's the first time I'll have both my kids by myself!!  I can do it.  Right?

New Pictures of the Bub

This weekend we've gotten to spend a lot of time at the NICU with Otis.  He is doing so well, his IV is out, he doesn't have any infection, he's eating and growing.  They're checking his biliruben levels again tonight so we'll find out tomorrow if he needs phototherapy for jaundice, but other than that he's doing really well.  The doctors were pleasantly surprised, as most boys 34 weeks don't do as well.  I guess it's a hard thing to learn how to suck/swallow/breathe.  Not our guy!  He even latched on a couple times and my milk has started to trickle in so he may have even gotten something.  Hooray for that.

This morning Ingrid came with us and got to hold her brother for the first time.  She was so funny, oohing and aahing but grabbing his hands and poking her fingers in his eyes.  Good thing babies are tough.  He didn't even really open his eyes.

Later on Brendan and I went back to spend some time without a squirmy two year old.  We spent hours just looking at him and marveling over how tiny he is, how perfect he is, how he's already here, and how excited we are to take him home!  Here is my all time fave picture of Mr. Crosseyes:

And here's a picture of his fuzzy face.  He has this blond hair all over, which is so strange since Ingrid was all dark hair and both Brendan and I have brown hair.  Genes are funny.

Today he was quite alert and actually had his eyes open for awhile.  He just amazes me every time we go see him.  I know people say that another child just fits right into your life, but I didn't get how that could be.  I was really worried about how I would feel about another kid besides Ingrid but man, that love came right away.  I feel so happy we decided to have another one!!