Aside from "having your hands full" and "not getting any sleep" and all those other things people will tell you, there are about a million totally awesome amazing things about having two little munchkins under the age of two. Am I totally sleep deprived? Yes. Are outings more difficult these days? Yes. Does Riley occasionally get into more trouble now that he's here? Maybe. But there are just so many moments each day that make me so so happy. Moments like....
Bath time! These two take a bath together every night, now that Jackson has stopped pooping in the bath. Riley loves to "help" wash him, and then he gets out and she gets another 10 minutes of bath time all to herself. And as he gets older and is able to actually play with her in the bath, it's just going to get better and better!
When Riley wakes up in the morning, she always wants to "go see baby?" and when she finds him, she doesn't leave his side. She wants to hold him and kiss him and get right in his face. She just LOVES him!
When Riley wakes up in the morning, she always wants to "go see baby?" and when she finds him, she doesn't leave his side. She wants to hold him and kiss him and get right in his face. She just LOVES him!
She likes to show him all her toys and books and favorite things. She is always asking me "show jack jack ____?" and then she'll run up to him and say "look, jack jack, bells!" "look jack jack, ri ri doing jumping!" and on and on... Most of the times the things she shares are harmless, and actually Jack seems to like them...
Although sometimes, the things she shares are, uhh, less than ideal...
She runs over to him and gives him kisses. She asks to hold him, and laughs and laughs when he kicks his legs. She thinks it's hilarious when he sticks out his tongue. She wants to lay on his play gym with him and do tummy time with him. She holds his hands and "helps" him do the hot dog dance from Mickey Mouse. When he poops she yells out "Jack Jack did a poo poo, stinky, P.U. baby!" and then she sits with him and strokes his head while I change his diaper. She is simply infatuated with him, and I couldn't be happier.
We rarely have any issues with the two of them. For a while Riley would try and take his paci and put it in her mouth, or try and climb in his rock 'n play, but we've been consistent about making it clear that that is not allowed, and she doesn't do it that often anymore. Other than that? She's never tried to hurt him, she doesn't seem to get jealous very often (the only thing I can really think of is actually yesterday she cried for me to put Jackson down and pick her up and carry her, which was a unique request so I obliged, and all was fine). She doesn't really act out or throw more tantrums now that he's here. She's coping extremely well with having a new baby in her life.
Honestly the hardest part right now? Lack of sleep (Jackson isn't the best sleeper between the hours of 1am and 5am) and the guilt of not being able to be totally involved in playing with each baby during the day. Having to resort to TV or ipad more than I'd like... not always being able to take Riley out to the activities I would like during the day. And then the flip side... the guilt of not being able to just spend time with Jackson... talking to him and reading to him all during his awake time. Being 100% present with him rather than leaving him to "play" independently so I can do some things with Riley. Not being able to hold him and snuggle him all the time like he wants. It's a balancing act for sure, and soon I'll get into a groove where I feel like both babies are getting sufficient time, stimulation, and attention from me. But for now, I think we're doing just fine. :)
Honestly the hardest part right now? Lack of sleep (Jackson isn't the best sleeper between the hours of 1am and 5am) and the guilt of not being able to be totally involved in playing with each baby during the day. Having to resort to TV or ipad more than I'd like... not always being able to take Riley out to the activities I would like during the day. And then the flip side... the guilt of not being able to just spend time with Jackson... talking to him and reading to him all during his awake time. Being 100% present with him rather than leaving him to "play" independently so I can do some things with Riley. Not being able to hold him and snuggle him all the time like he wants. It's a balancing act for sure, and soon I'll get into a groove where I feel like both babies are getting sufficient time, stimulation, and attention from me. But for now, I think we're doing just fine. :)
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