Claire's Favorite Things

Just wanted to brainstorm her favorites as I think about what kind of cake she'd like for her 1st birthday. So, here goes: Kitty cats, balls, climbing, our lounge window, being outside, Daddy, sand pits, putting things in her mouth, rolling on our bed, climbing up on chloe's hand-washing stool in the bathroom, shredded wheat, chicken, puppies, anything chloe's playing with, the lime juice bottle or any bottle for that matter....the list goes on. Hmmm, we'll see.

Sleep

Sleep has been on the forefront of my mind this week. I don't know if its possible, but I think somehow as Baby number deux turns nine months that I'm as sleep deprived as I've been since First born came along. Perhaps Deux's 5am wakeup call combined with First's drop of the nap is culminating in one tired momma. So, I took these pics at the end of a day where for most of the day I only thought about when we'd arrive at this time of the day....the time when they'd be in bed for the night, asleep, and so would I. I figured since I'd been dreaming about them being asleep that I should document its occurence. Perhaps tonight I'll dream about enjoying them when they're awake. I miss them already.

The Grocery Store

Gifted Online grocery shopping. That's what's kept me out of the grocery store with the two year old and her baby sister, who's only 17 months her younger up until now. I cannot tell you how many times I've said a thank you in my head to my mother-in-law for that gift. I hope I've said it outloud often enough as well. But, its time now to brave the often spoken about challenge of it in the real world, not just carving out the computer time to make groceries appear in our refridgerator.

Our first attempt went well enough, I thought. They're supposed to be melting down in the check out line, right?! I decided I'd better arm myself with some tested tools for the next adventure and can now proudly condone the following:

1) Keep both babies in the trolley as long as possible.

2) Food. Surrounded by it. Let them eat it. Try the produce section first and choose something like grapes or an apple. Remember to have them charge you twice for the same one you put in your basket, but didn't eat!

3) I spy. Brilliant with toddler once she could stand the trolley no longer. I used colors and she was allowed to touch the items w/ one finger. It was a good way to keep her moving down the aisle without taking things off the shelf.

4) Put unbreakables into youngers hands along the way. She loved the colors & textures of fruit and packages.

5) Key with 8 month old was she was fed & napped just before we arrived. Gone are the days of stopping in on the way home. This was our morning event.

6) Keep to the list, keep it under an hour including check out (both of which will also save $$), & hand toddler the special snack you brought for her just before entering the "sweet-free" check out line some stores provide.

I did read some of these ideas from various places, I'm sure, but I bet most are from Parenting Magazine: https://www.parentsinc.org.nz/parenting-magazine/newzealandoptions/

The Quiet Farm Can Wait

I'm sitting at the farm and its quiet.
With two babies under two that just never happens.
It must be just moments until it ends, so I'll enjoy it,
like I enjoy them.
And, oh, they grow.
I know it will be so soon that I'll find more quiet than I'd like
and they'll be gone.
They're only little for a little while: I know that already.
And, they're so pretty.
Their little faces, little features, little expressions
that get big reactions from me and everyone who sees them.
I do adore them more than I can say, just as many mothers
would also relate.
Wondering what they'll become,
but loving just who they are right now: all giggles and smiles
and thighs to write about for miles as Blake said about something else.
Oh, they are something else, aren't they....my little so called Irish twins,
that do perhaps have some Irish in them,
but hopefully the bit of green I see in this stage will give way
to a beautiful and glorious friendship between them.
One that I hope to have with each of them one day as well.
So sweet to see glimpses of their blossoming love for each other
in spite of their need to have me for themselves.
The precious kisses and unprompted cuddles,
self-initiated sharing and smiles, laughter
or the way they want to walk side by side,
though one doesn't even know how to walk yet.
They are cute, tongue protruding in a heart-stopping way,
each giggling to my tickles and asking for more.
One learning to ask for anything she wants,
the other learning that there are so many things she wants
and fascinating herself with that which drops on the floor.
So much more to say, but the end of silence encroaches
and I won't wish for it to stay,
but rather enjoy the beautiful noise of my two girls while
they are so briefly my babies.
Quiet on the farm can wait.

Sheep

"He leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter because they aren't used to the sound of it."

-John 10:4-5

Read this today and it made me glad to know that we are made to follow our Shepherd's voice and that we won't follow other voices. God is good.

First Sentence & Other Accomplishments

"Momma errand run."-Chloe (20 months)

Slept 7:45pm-5am with a dream feed at 11pm & a dummy re-plug at 4am: Claire (4 months)

Notable tactics:

Toddler

*Converse with toddler at mealtimes, asking questions, recounting her day, leaving space for her to talk.

*Use puppets who only know how to say "yes." They are her instant, at-home friends and she wants to do what they want to do.

*Initiate a snack or activity with toddler such as play dough or coloring in the highchair before settling newborn for sleep. Keeps the newborn's sleep area quiet and decreases toddler's irritability surrounding all the attention baby requires at that time.

*I use a hand stamp as a reward for cooperative tooth brushing as it was an area of struggle for us for her to let me brush her teeth. It can be useful for other struggles, too.


New Born

*It is true that you can lay baby down sleepy but not asleep. I wait for that first slow blink when she's pretty settled. I did not learn that with my firstborn and am glad to know it with my 4 month old. She may grizzle for up to 15 minutes off and on, but eventually gets to sleep without all the rocking/bouncing/etc.

*I find that at 4 months she goes to sleep easier at night if she's gone to sleep in her bed each time all day. If she's been out in the car seat then transitioning to the bassinet isn't as easy.

Sleep Deprived Moment

We all have 'em. Mine came while showering. I reached for my face soap,
filled my hands, applied to face, only to realize I'd lathered up my skin with
Pantene conditioner. Nice. Creamiest scrub I've ever experienced. Hope
my pores survive it!

3 Months 3 Weeks and here's her schedule:

7AM Awake/Feed
9AM Sleep
10AM Awake/Feed
12PM Sleep
1 PM Awake/Feed
2PM Sleep
4PM Awake/Feed
5:30PM Sleep
6:30PM Awake/Feed
7:00PM Bedtime

10:00PM Feed
2:00AM Feed
5:00AM Feed
7:00AM Feed

Perhaps the conditioned skin is now understandable.