2 is harder than 1

Having 2 kids is definitely different than the first time around, as I am learning. Luckily, I have been sending Chloe to the sitter's 3 days a week, so it makes it a little easier for me to work with Ivy to get her on a routine and sleeping, etc. But things have certainly changed. For one, it seems like Craig and I have a shorter fuse with Chloe, probably because we are a little tired or overwhelmed. Sometimes we have to remind each other that she is just a toddler and to give her some leeway.

Also, Sneakers has been having it rough. Chloe has become really obsessed with chasing her and petting her. Unfortunately she can be a little hard on the dog and so Sneakers has been real skittish lately. Poor pooch is having a tough adjustment too.

But otherwise, things are going well and I think the biggest adjustment is for Craig and me. Ivy is starting to sleep longer at night. I can usually get 1 4-5 hr stretch and then a 2 hr stretch, so I am getting a combined 5-7 hrs some nights which really helps since I don't get a chance to nap at all.

As for me, I am feeling really good and starting some moderate exercise to start toning up. I had my 2 week check up and I am already back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I only gained 21 lbs this time and since Ivy was half that, I was lucky to lose it all right away. Of course, I am still a bit soft in the middle, so that is where the exercise will come in handy.

Ivy had her 2 week check up and she grew a whole inch and is now 21.5 inches. She is still at her 2 day weight of 9lb 6 oz and hasn't gone back up to her birth weight, but she is holding steady so we are not concerned.

Ivy is definitely a different baby than Chloe was. She likes to be held more and is more fussy at times, particularly in the evening before she settles in for the night at around 11pm. However, where Chloe hated the car, Ivy passes out as soon as the car backs out of the driveway. Chloe also loved her binky and we are still working on getting Ivy to take one. I think once she has that sucking urge satisfied, she might mellow out in the evenings. I do occasionally give her some gripe water at night and that also calms her down some too.

Well, I have to share some pictures, so here you go!


My little sleeping Ivy

Strong daddy can hold both his girlies at once!

Chloe likes to give Ivy little kisses and pats on the head

A snuggle moment with my little girl

Welcome Ivy Colette

Just a quick post to let you all know that we had our little girl on Tuesday October 20th at 1:38 pm. My labor started at around 1 am that night and the contractions were about 6-8 minutes apart. Relatively strong, but nothing too bad. I just read, did some laundry, played on the internet. By 7am, they felt a little stronger, but still 6 minutes apart. I called my midwife and she suggested I come in to get checked out.

We called my mom to come watch Chloe and got to the hospital at 10:38 am. I checked in and my midwife checked me and I was at 7cm! I felt great and was surprised I was so far along. I had to get some bloodwork done and some initial monitoring and was finally able to go over to the birthcenter for my water birth at around 12:30 pm. I got in the tub and it felt really good, but after a few minutes, the contractions were definitely very strong and fast. After about 20 minutes, my water broke and I immediately felt the urge to push. I pushed for less than 10 minutes and out she came. It was the most incredible experience and I loved being able to do it without drugs. I felt so alert and awake in between contractions and when she was born, it was the most incredible rush.

I had some tearing so it took about 1 hr to get stitched up, but I am feeling OK right now. When they weighed her, I didn't believe that she weighed so much. She weighed 10 lbs 3 oz! They actually went and got a second scale to double check!! She was 20.5 inches long, so she is a inch shorter but over a full pound heavier. It took us a couple hours after she was born to determine her name. With Chloe we worked through the name list to cut it down before she arrived, but since labor was so fast this time, we still had a long list. Ivy was the one name we kept coming back to after meeting her. She just seemed to look like one. Just like with Chloe, it wasn't my first choice from the list, but it was the one that fit her.

Breastfeeding is going well and at her 2 day pediatrician visit, she was down to 9lb 7oz, so well within the allowable weight loss for a newborn. She seems to like to sleep more during the day, so I have to work to see if we can get more of that sleep at night, but otherwise, she is a very good baby.

Snuggling at home


Getting ready for the wheelchair to leave the hospital

Hanging with Daddy

The official weighing

She has great lungs!

Making the best use of my time

Well, since I am now 3 days overdue, I have been trying to make the best use of my time. I have been really crampy and having contractions infrequently, but nothing consistent. I guess this girl is just like Chloe and in no big hurry to make her entrance. I have a dr. appt on Wednesday so I might have my midwife sweep my membranes and see if that gets anything started if it doesn't happen before then.

I have finished the main part of Chloe's costume and I am surprised at how easy it was and how good it turned out. In fact, I went out today and bought some more fleece to make her some jammies from the same pattern since it was so quick and easy. All I have left to make for her costume is the hat with bunny ears and a little tail. I will probably also make her a little trick or treat bag as well, since I have plenty of scrap fleece.

As for me, I am huge and ready for this girl to come out. Like I did with Chloe, I took a picture on my due date, so here are some pictures from a recent trek to Lyman Orchards, pumpkin painting and my due date photo.


I think we got more paint on her hands then the pumpkin.

My little picasso

Here I am on my due date.

Hanging with my girl at Lyman Orchards (I was 38 wks)

Getting a ride from daddy.

Here is Chloe modeling the costume.





She liked it so much that she didn't want to take it off!

Am I nuts?

Or just bored waiting for this baby to arrive. I went to the fabric store today and bought some patterns and fabric to make a halloween costume for Chloe as well as a couple of outfits. I figure, hey, I like to sew, it is cheaper than buying it and it will give me something to do. Yeah, well we will see how it turns out. I am basically making an ivory fleece one piece PJ which will become a sheep costume. Hmm. Sounds like a good idea at the fabric store.

Wish me luck.

Wow, has it been that long?

It seems like forever and according to the date on my last post, it has been. Well the last few months have been hectic, what with a toddler, work and getting ready for baby #2. I am now officially on leave, my last day of work was Thursday and I am hoping that baby hangs out for a little longer so I have some time to relax and get stuff ready (like packing my hospital bag, washing the baby clothes, etc.) I guess with #2 the sense of urgency is a little less. I mean, I have a place for her to sleep, what more do I need?!

I feel huge, but as far as weight gain, I am only up 21 lbs. I only have another week and a half to go, so that is pretty good. I gained 31 with Chloe so I am keeping my fingers crossed that maybe this one will be a little smaller than my 9lb daughter was. I am getting everything ready for my natural delivery at the Birth Center, but a little part of me is concerned that I won't have the option for pain meds. Well, I technically do, I could ask to be transferred to the maternity ward if I really want, but I think not having the option should help. I mean, I know I can do it and that takes the temptation away.

Chloe is getting more aware that the baby is coming and she asks about her baby sister and when she will come and give her a necklace. We promised her that the baby was bringing her a necklace when she was born so she is very excited for that. Otherwise, Chloe is doing great. She is only going to daycare 3 days a week while I am on leave, so I have a couple days with her at home and still some days with her at the sitter, which will be very good when the baby arrives to allow me to get some rest. She is still sleeping all night and napping most days. Her potty training is great. She is in underpants all day with no accidents (except the random occasional one) and most mornings, she wakes up dry too, although we still wear a diaper or pull up at bedtime just in case. She talks up a storm and knows how to count almost to 20 and knows just about the whole alphabet. It amazes me how smart this kid is. Sometimes she says stuff or remembers things and I just marvel at what little sponges they are.

I had a couple 'sprinkles' which are little showers for second time moms. I really was not expecting it but it was so nice to feel loved by my family and co workers. My mom threw me one with my family and then they had a surprise party for me at work. Mostly what I needed was warm clothes for the baby, since Chloe was born in the spring, all her 0-3 and 3-6 month clothes are summer items and this baby will be a winter babe. I think I am pretty well-stocked now thanks to all my generous family and friends.

Work has been going great and I actually miss not going every day. I am lucky to work with people I really enjoy and do work that I find challenging and enjoyable so it is kind of weird to be at home, hanging out, just waiting for this baby to arrive.

Craig's work seems to be doing a little better and he is less stressed now that he has a good handle on his workload. He still works late some nights, but he is always here in the morning and has breakfast with Chloe and I which is really nice.

The weather has taken a turn for the cooler and I love it. Fall is my favorite season and all the leaves are turning and the crisp air makes me want to go for long walks. Of course, walking is good for me right now and helps move things along. I generally get some contractions while walking but nothing consistent. I am hoping that this baby is on time and not a week late like Chloe, but I am also OK with her not coming early. I still have stuff to do!

Hopefully now that I am home, I should have a little more time to post and I promise to post soon after the baby arrives!

Big Girl Bed

I had been getting anxious because we haven't done anything around the house to prepare for this baby, so this weekend we finally got moving. We went to Ikea and got the cutest big girl bed for Chloe. It is a white daybed, so it has 3 sides, and three big drawers underneath. We also cleaned out all of the junk that had accumulated in the spare room and moved the crib into that room. Chloe has made the transition to her bed without a problem. The first night, she was late getting to bed mainly because it took us longer than expected to put it together, so, it was probably not a bad thing. She went right to sleep and stayed there all night. This morning, I heard her talking and went in to get her. She was awake but stayed in the bed. At naptime today, she went down without a problem and again, she woke up, but stayed in bed until we came to get her.

The downside of all this activity is that I am paying the price for it now. Last night my feet were so swollen from all the walking, lifting, bending and lack of rest (not to mention the heat and humidity). I have been having lots of braxton hicks contractions too which means I need to drink more water and take it easier. It is just that there is still a lot to do! Oh well, as Craig tells me, even if the baby came tomorrow, we could just open the pack and play and she would be just fine.

Potty training continues to go well and Chloe goes most days without needing a diaper except for night time. Yesterday while we were out and about at all the stores, she would tell us if she had to go and even was able to hold it for a little while until we could find a bathroom. We don't have that many accidents any more as she is getting better at knowing she has to go and then getting on the potty, plus she loves to run around in just her underpants with the potty strategically placed in front of the tv. I normally don't like her to watch too much tv but sometimes it is helpful to get her to sit on the potty for a bit. I am cautious to claim too much success, but Chloe seems like she really gets it, so I am hoping for a small break in diaper land until #2 arrives!

Has it been that long?

I have been a bit lazy, I admit it, with my blogging lately. I have been thoroughly selfish and enjoying myself! We had a nice picnic on July 3rd and had our photographer come over to take some 2 year shots of Chloe. They came out so good, it is hard to pick our favorites to get prints. Here are just a few. What do you think? These were all taken in our back yard, either on this old treefort or on her little tykes playscape.









Otherwise, everything has been going well. We are still working on the bathroom update. It is going slowly because evidently doing any home improvements with a 2 year old and being 7 months preggo is not a fast process. We have yet to clear out the spare room or get Chloe a big girl bed so we can move the crib over to what will be the baby's room. I figure, we still have a couple months to worry about that. Right?

Chloe is making great progress with potty training. She is pooping and peeing regularly in the potty and will tell you when she needs to go. Most days, she really only need a diaper at nap time and bedtime, but she still has the occasional accident. We have just been taking it easy, making it available and encouraging her but not too stressed if she says one day that she wants to wear a diaper (which she does occasionally, even if she still wants to use the potty every time). Hopefully we will be pretty much completely out of diapers when BG#2 arrives.

The pregnancy is going well and I really like my midwives that I am seeing. They are very nice and take the time to talk with you and ask lots of good questions. I definitely feel like I am bigger this time around with #2 that I was with Chloe, but just like with her, I am carrying all of it out front in my belly which makes it look even bigger from the front. The baby is head down but still moving and grooving a lot, particularly at night. It has been fun sharing the experience with my 3 other preggo coworkers (this is the first baby for all 3 of them). With Chloe I was the only pregnant person I knew and it is great to have others to share this time with.

I promise to take another belly shot so you all can see just how big this belly is getting!

Movie Night

Last night I went to the movies with a couple friends from work to see the
movie The Proposal. It was such a cute funny movie.  We laughed throughout
the whole thing and had a really good time.  I don't go to the movies very
much and I still get excited sitting in front of the big screen.  I figured
I need to get in a few more of these night outs with the buddies before I
have a little baby demanding my attention.  I must admit that Chloe is very
scheduled and it makes life so much easier.  8:00 pm bedtimes are a godsend
and I love that Craig and I still have our evenings together to hang out
and if either of us wants to go out with friends, it isn't so bad because
then the other one can just hang out and watch TV (Craig watched the Red
Sox last night).  Plus, it is really easy for my parents to babysit because
most of the evening, she is asleep and they can just relax too.

I would have thought that by not taking any MBA classes right now I would
have oodles of free time, but instead I seem busier than even.  I really
want to get Chloe's room converted to a 'big girl' room and then work on
turning the spare room into a nursery.  I am also trying to finish up the
wainscoting and painting in the bathroom.  The weather has not been
cooperating as we have literally had rain every day in the month of June.
I am so sick of all this rain.  Everything is damp and musty and my garden
is so waterlogged I wonder if my veggies will ever grow.