Octopus Envy

I envy the octopus. It has eight arms. Yesterday was my first full day alone with two kids. It really did feel like I needed eight arms!

Despite a rough night with Luke, I was able to get out of bed and dressed by 9:00am. Savannah and Luke were dressed and fed in a reasonable amount of time. After getting ourselves organized I also was able to do two loads of laundry, empty the dishwasher, vacuum two floors, clean the master bathroom, and organize all of Luke's new clothes (two giant bags full!).

I have been surprisingly eager to clean - I almost think that's why I feel so good emotionally. I have been able to do all the stuff I used to do. On Tuesday I organized Savannah's closet (really - it was impossible to even see what she had!), vacuumed, mopped, made a dessert, did laundry...and I've been able to keep with scrapbooking and writing in the baby book...I have been able to be my normal obsessive self. It's almost amusing to me...I was so worried about how we'd survive with a second child and how I'd manage the house and both kids...but here I am surviving with a three week old and an almost 3 year old. I'm tired as all get out (I actually fell asleep at the lap top the other night!) but I am happy. I haven't really felt any baby blues...of course at 3am when Luke is STILL awake after an hour of trying to burp I'm pretty frustrated...but nothing worrisome.

Luke is gaining weight well. At his 5 day check he had gained back to 8 pounds even (he dropped to 7lb 10oz at his lowest) and then at his 12 day check he was 9 pounds even. I know I must be doing something right if he is gaining so well! I am much more comfortable nursing this time...I even nursed in our garage (with the door up!) while Carl worked on organizing it. I just covered up a bit and faced away from the road. I never would have felt okay with that before...so I know that as long as he and I stay healthy, we are hopefully on a road to a happily breastfed baby!

Sleep is still something I miss...for some reason I remember Savannah sleeping so well the entire time...but I know she must have taken at least a little bit to sleep more than 3 hours at a time! We have decided to let him sleep in his bouncer...he just does better. I know it's a habit I will eventually have to break, but I have always been a fan of the mantra "pick your battles"...and this is one he can win for now. I need sleep. He needs sleep. When we do transition to the crib, he will hopefully be sleeping better...so missing an hour every night breaking the habit will be much easier when he sleeps 5-7 hours at time than now, when I am lucky to get 3 hours of sleep from him (which equates to 2.5 for me since he nurses).

Little Luke will be three weeks tomorrow! It's hard to imagine! Big sister Savannah is a dream - so far no jealousy and no angry voices. I hope it stays that way. She has been amazing and wonderful. It makes me proud to be her mama!