Friends

Some of our good friends, the Crows, came in for a visit this past week.  We had lots of fun going to fossil rim, the ranger game, and fort worth science and history museum.  It was so awesome to see them, and I was very sad to see Sara and D go home (sorry we missed you this time Wade!).  They live in California, and I keep trying to convince Tony that we should move there.  But alas we can't afford it, as Tony keeps reminding me.  Plus, my mom would kill me if we moved away (maybe you can just come too mom???) 

E and D make faces at Fossil Rim

M takes it all in

Ummm Zebra in the car!

D playing peek-a-boo

Ranger Game with Sara and D 

I only have a few close friends, and I am so happy that despite the long distance Sara and I have remained friends.  In fact, I think our friendship is closer now than when she lived in Dallas.  Miss you girl!  See you in Sept!  (In the meantime, I will keep trying to convince Tony to move to California! :)  )

This Life

My life has been crazy this past week. Tony has been having back problems, which has basically meant he can't help me as much as he usually does.  And let me just say that putting two kids to bed by yourself is HARD! (Especially when the baby doesn't like to be put down and basically only wants mommy!) At times I really feel like my world is spinning out of control...ok...ok  MOST of the time I feel that way.  My house is a wreck, my flowerbeds are a wreck, the car needs work, and most importantly my sanity is almost at its breaking point. I know this is just a stage that our family is in. Adding a new baby to the mix makes everything hard simply because they require so much of your time. I just wish I could have some control of my life back. Our pediatrician said something to me yesterday at M's 4 month well visit that was really helpful. When I told her that I feel like I can't get anything accomplished during the day, she said I WAS accomplishing something.  I am raising my children, and that is an accomplishment.  And I guess she is right. I am just trying REALLY hard to remember that.  To remember that household chores and day to day errands are not as important as creating well-adjusted, compassionate, intelligent adults. I mean, that is why I signed up for this job right?

For now I will just try to take it day by day and keep perspective on what is really important about this life I am living at the moment. My kids will only be little for a short time. Hopefully, I can look back on this time, remembering  the fun things we did, and not how the clean laundry sat on the living room floor for a week waiting to be folded and put away. :)

Sleep

 It is funny how much I took sleep for granted before I had children.  I mean, seriously, why didn't I sleep more or at least nap more?  Of course now that I have added children to the mix, getting a good night's sleep is like winning the sleep lottery.  

When E was a baby (and well through most of her first year), she was a horrible sleeper.  I used to cry and cry out of frustration because she wouldn't take a nap, or wouldn't go to bed, or wouldn't go back to sleep in the middle of the night.  Ask my mom, she knows.  I am sure she got tired of those phone calls where I would ball into the phone because E was screaming in her crib instead of sleeping. Ask Tony, he knows. I am sure he remembers how I used to go into the garage, so I couldn't hear her crying in the crib while we tried to "sleep train" her (yeah right!).  It just broke my heart to hear her cry, but it made me so dang tired to be up all night with her too.  It wasn't until she was a little over 1 year old before she slept through the night... and by this I mean not waking up more than twice to nurse.  

Now with M at 4 months old, we have won that sleep lottery.  Finally!!!  The last month or so he has been sleeping 5,6 or 7 hour stretches at night, usually only nursing once. Not to brag, but it has been heaven!  And see how funny it is that I consider a 5 hour stretch of sleep heaven!  I am definitely taking my sleep for granted, and hopefully M will be consistent and continue to sleep well for us.  Or he won't. :)

P.S. Happy 4 months old to little M!  How fast time flies!