Learning Curve

When we first brought the boys home from the hospital, Mike and I were determined to do everything "right" with them. We would not take the easy way out. But bedtime had to change. We needed some sleep. So, we moved a swing and a bouncy seat into our bedroom. And we used them. We needed sleep. They needed sleep. It was a matter of survival. And...it worked. Hallelujah!!!

Now that I was getting slightly more sleep, I was finding it less overwhelming during the days. We had our moments, but I really started to get the hang of it. For the most part, Chandler and Tyler were really easy on me. Tyler was very mild mannered most of the time. Chandler tended to run a little more hot and cold. He was usually in a good mood, but when he wasn't he made sure his voice was heard. Tyler got his point across with facial expressions. I have never seen a baby with so many different expressions. And you can tell me all about how newborns don't smile. I will simply tell you that you are wrong. Tyler had a smirky smile when he knew he had gotten his way from the start. And he still sports that same smirk today. I don't think it's gas.

All too soon, it was time for me to return to work. I hated the thought of leaving my babies for the majority of every day. I didn't want to leave my boys, but I knew they were in good hands. And, if I'm completely honest, work was WAY easier then caring for two babies on my own. But still I insisted on working up to it slowly. The first week, I worked half days. The second week, Mike worked half days. And then it was time for all day daycare. Before we knew it, the daycare ladies loved our boys almost as much as we did. And they did everything they could to make my job easier. They ALWAYS fed them before my normal pick-up time so I wouldn't have to do it alone when I got them home.

Feeding was our biggest challenge. I was insistent that they eat together always. So if one baby was hungry, we had two options. Feed them both or feed no one. But it worked for us, and we didn't spend our whole lives feeding them. This strategy is why I believe the Boppy to be the greatest invention EVER. We could prop the babies and use one hand for each bottle. It worked like a charm.

Did I say feeding the babies was my biggest challenge? Ummmm...no. My biggest challenge was my health. I don't think I went more than one day in a row without being sick during those first few months. I had the stomach flu several times, laryngitis, strep throat and a whole host of other ailments. This was all on top of my "normal" illnesses. Yeah, I know I sound whiney. I just don't care. It was awful being sick all of the time and there's no use pretending otherwise. I dreamed of a babysitter just so I could sleep. But wait! Didn't I have anyone to babysit and take some of the pressure off? Of course I did. Mike, my mom, Sarah, my brother and Jayme...The line of people willing to take some of the weight off was endless. But I was too stubborn to take them up on it. What was I thinking?!?!