People warned me the transition from two to three is the hardest. To be honest, I'm not sure that's really true. I mean, it's no piece of cake, but it's actually not SO bad. Okay maybe it is the hardest transition, now that I really think about it, but it isn't SO much harder than the other two! I would say the thing that makes it harder is that when I'm tending to the baby for whatever reason, the other two FIGHT. Before, when it was just Riley, I could easily put on a show or hand her an ipad, and she would be fine while I fed/changed/rocked the baby. But this time? That works sometimes, but many times while I am feeding or trying to get Cole to sleep, the big kids FIGHT. Drives me crazy!!!
But we are getting the hang of it. Lack of sleep is hard, as it always is with a newborn. But the big kids totally and completely adore their baby brother. It's almost overwhelming, how much love there is. Every time I sit down with Cole, they swarm. Like, run over and smother him with kisses and head touches and they sing him songs and want to hold him and be around him constantly. When he's sleeping they want to know where he is. When he's crying they want to help make him happy. It's cute, and endearing, and a little overwhelming at times. :)
Riley sometimes gets super excited and hyper around him, and I need to just remind her to stay calm. Jackson occasionally pokes him in the eye, and has hit him a total of three times. He is gentle and nice to his brother 95% of the time, which I think is a great percentage!
But we are getting the hang of it. Lack of sleep is hard, as it always is with a newborn. But the big kids totally and completely adore their baby brother. It's almost overwhelming, how much love there is. Every time I sit down with Cole, they swarm. Like, run over and smother him with kisses and head touches and they sing him songs and want to hold him and be around him constantly. When he's sleeping they want to know where he is. When he's crying they want to help make him happy. It's cute, and endearing, and a little overwhelming at times. :)
Riley sometimes gets super excited and hyper around him, and I need to just remind her to stay calm. Jackson occasionally pokes him in the eye, and has hit him a total of three times. He is gentle and nice to his brother 95% of the time, which I think is a great percentage!
Sometimes it's hard to strike a balance. A balance between keeping the little, very needy baby happy, and tending to the big kids equally. Cole loves to be held. All the time. He's getting a little better, but mostly he wants to be in my arms and walked around. He doesn't sleep well when he's put down. So he requires a LOT of mama attention, which I know can be hard on the big kids. One way we've gotten around it a little bit is by playing outside A LOT. They go outside, and it's quieter inside for baby Cole, and they have lots and lots of fun!
Cole is the sweetest little guy, and he reminds me a lot of Riley as a baby. She loved to be held as well, and was pretty content as long as someone had her in their arms. Cole is the same way. Sometimes though, if he's fed, and not tired, he will tolerate being put down. Not for too long, but I might get 5-10 minutes!
These pictures above were taken over 2 weeks ago when his skin was still kind of bad... poor guy.
He kind of likes his MamaRoo (most expensive swing everrrrrr) but not really for lounging... it keeps him asleep, but it doesn't put him to sleep, if that makes sense. But he will hang out in there for a few minutes, especially if Riley is with him and reading to him!
He kind of likes his MamaRoo (most expensive swing everrrrrr) but not really for lounging... it keeps him asleep, but it doesn't put him to sleep, if that makes sense. But he will hang out in there for a few minutes, especially if Riley is with him and reading to him!
Before Cole was born, I had the genius idea to sign the kids up for soccer. The thing is, I messed something up, because Jackson's soccer is at 3pm, which is right during his naptime. So he never ever goes, because, well, I cherish nap time and can't bring myself to mess it up. But one day, we got all bold and SKIPPED his nap, and took him to soccer. And wouldn't you know, on the one day we go, he is the ONLY kid there!!! Probably because were the only people crazy enough to bring their 2 year old to soccer in the 95 degree heat, but whatever. So since no one else was there, Riley got to join in and play with him!
He was so hot and sweaty but he had a really good time!! He's a lefty, for sure. :)
Other favorite activities these days are sitting on the porch and waiting for daddy to come home, and then getting to drive the car up the driveway.
Other favorite activities these days are sitting on the porch and waiting for daddy to come home, and then getting to drive the car up the driveway.
Jackson may be my little wild child, but he loves to sit and do art. Painting, coloring, gluing, etc... And he loves to play with this random sensory bin I put together ages ago, it's just sand and "dirt" and black beans and trucks. So simple. So many hours of fun.
And lastly... my little water baby, Riley Bug. On the hot 95 degree day we had to very briefly bring out the sprinkler (there is a drought after all...) She ran through over and over and over again... Jackson wanted nothing to do with it, but Riley had a great time!!
Now... in 2 days Cole will be SEVEN WEEKS old. Seven! Where does the time go????
RSS Feed