How We Survived the First Weeks (with a newborn AND toddler)

Its been said that the first weeks with a newborn are rough.... well, add a teething whiny toddler into the mix, sprinkle in a little newborn breastfeeding latching problem, another busy work week for Brad, and you get the idea of what our first weeks as a family of four was like. I am happy to report that no matter how tiring and difficult the first few weeks were, we survived!! After all, it is our second 'go' at this newborn thing, and we have to be pros by now! We quickly learned after the first night of the boys waking each other up with their cries to separate the sleeping quarters temporarily until we got things under control. Brad was on Taj duty in the back of the house, and I slept with Jax in the livingroom. I was quite comfortable on the couch with the Christmas tree as a nightlight, Jax slept in the co-sleeper bassinet we keep in the living room. Easy access to the kitchen and I didn't have to tiptoe around. It was necessary to do this as Taj had some teething going on the same first week Jax was home, so he was actually waking more than his baby brother! Poor Brad! But honestly we couldn't have done it all if it wasn't for the help from our friends and babysitter! The first week our dear friends, the Jacobsens, cooked us 3 nights of dinner, salad, and dessert! We appreciate their thoughtfulness and kindness. Then Sam was there to help us entertain Taj (and take him out to play) the first 2 weeks, since Jax was much too little to be out in the cold and around other people. About twice a week now, Sam helps us by running errands, buying groceries, taking Taji out to the playground, feeding and giving Taji baths, and even tidying up the toys and kitchen. She's our Super Sitter! I'm also looking forward to having her come an additional day so I can resume my weekly pilates and get a couple hours of "me" time in! We are so grateful to have her part of our family and for all the ways she simplifies our life!

The first weeks I found that no matter how stressful, sleep deprived, and snappy Brad and I got at each other, at the end of the day we are a great team and have each other's back..... literally! I'm referring to a husband who encouraged me to go get a massage the first week postpartum (due to back pain i was experiencing) while he offered to take care of the boys! Even now we continue to divide up the responsibilities (Brad takes care of Taj when he wakes in the middle of the night, in the morning, and often puts him to bed, while I do the same with Jax.) Now that we all sleep in the bedroom together again (Jax sleeps in the pack n' play by our bed, while Taj is in his crib in his room), Brad continues to be helpful with even Jax's feedings so I can get my Z's.

Important things I learned thus far: paper plates and bowls make life a heck of a lot easier (and reduce the dishwashing I absolutely dread), while sleep deprivation is our worst enemy we continuously battle. At the 3rd week, all the frequent wakings finally caught up to us and sleep deprivation has hit us like a ton of bricks. I have mastered the art of closing my eyes and catnapping while giving Jax a bottle (it can take him almost 30 minutes to drink a 3oz bottle!), and I KNOW I can fall asleep at the drop of a dime. That's how tired I am. Although I was sad in the beginning that I was not able to breastfeed Jax easily as I had with Taj, pumping and feeding Jax my breastmilk out of a bottle has actually turned into a blessing in disguise. Again, simplifying our life so that anybody can feed him, and he in return is as happy, easy going, and well-fed of a baby as they get. Speaking of Jax being an easy-going baby, unlike Taj and his early newborn colic days, we can take him everywhere with us (shopping, restaurants, etc.) and he sleeps through it all without a peep! He is an awesome shopping and errand companion, and I think I can see a date nite in the forecast pretty soon (taking Jax with us to dinner while Taj stays with Sam!) Bless his little heart and soul, we definitely received a sweet angel on Christmas morning.... especially since Taj is growing more into a "Taj"manian devil these days and requires a lot more attention! LOL

I love how they are our Ying/Yang children, but even with their complementing personalities, together they can still be a handful. Although I was thrown into taking care of them already by myself on Jax's 2nd day of life, its toughened me up and I'm lucky to have a system in place. Since then I have been home with them quite a bit, and its all about balancing time with each. Thank goodness we have the bouncer seat and swing to put Jax in so we don't have to hold him all the time. And its been a blessing that most days both boys nap at the exact time allowing me a good 2 hours to "attempt to nap", tidy up the house, prepare food, wash dishes, do laundry, and pump (which is now my 2nd job in the household.) Fortunately my postpartum recovery was quicker this time around, and all I can say is that it is SO much easier to take care of Taji (and Jax for that matter) now that I am not preggo and not sporting around a heavy belly. Its amazing how well I can get around now, and the energy, wow! Taking care of the boys is a balancing act as I mentioned already, and quite literally too! I have learned to balance Jax's bottle with my chin or the same arm I'm holding him with, so I have the other hand free to feed or play with Taj! Now that we are able to venture outside, I absolutely LOVE going on walks with the Mutsy tandem double stroller and taking Taj to the park so he can play and run around! Brad and I have also found it to be essential to spend quality daddy-son and mommy-son time with each boy. Brad bonds with Taj over soccer, the rough housing, the bedtime routine, outside play, etc, and I get my trips to the grocery store, walks, story time at the library, and times when baby Jax is sleeping to cuddle and bond with my First-born. Phew! And that's just what we have experienced and learned these last 3 weeks! I wonder what other wisdom we will acquire as time goes on. Whatever it may be, I know going into it we are more confident parents and definitely have the patience to ride things out as they come!