The New "Normal"

Well, Matthew has been here for 2.5 weeks already.  In some ways I can't believe I've only known him for 2.5 weeks, and in other ways I am already nostalgic for the "newborn phase" which I feel is going to fly by.  We have already moved Mr. M into size one diapers (which we should have done from the get-go), and I think Taylor was at least two months old when she moved up a size.  So, I feel like he is growing up too quickly.  I just love watching him stretch and grunt like all newborns do.  I know he is going to grow out of that soon and I will miss it!

I've been on my own for a week now.  Tommy is back at work full-time, and Mimi is long gone.  We are slowly settling into our new routine, although I would say we have no routine at this time!  My mornings are a blur.  They start whenever the first child wakes up.  Some days it is Matthew; some days it is Taylor.  Whichever child wakes first is attended to first.  If the second child wakes up while I am still getting the first one changed/dressed/fed, then the second must wait a little bit.  I haven't figured out when I am supposed to tend to myself yet.  In fact, it is 9:30 here (grandma is taking Taylor to her Gymboree class this morning, so I have a rare few moments to myself), and I have yet to brush my teeth.  Gross.  I am still dealing with the guilt of not spending enough time with Taylor, but I also hate that I am not able to sit and snuggle with Matthew all day long. 

Taylor has been so much better in the past few days.  There have only been a few tantrums, and she is playing very well independently.  Thank you, God!  She still makes me laugh constantly.  Her vocabulary is incredible.  Her memory is even better... nothing gets by this child!  She also seems to be getting SO BIG.  I know some of this is due to comparing her size to Matthew's, but I think she's also just gone through a growth spurt.  Her little hands, which used to seem so petite and baby-like, are now thicker and look like a toddler's.  And her face has filled out.  Her teeth look bigger.  And she is so heavy to cradle and rock at night before bed.  I am so proud of her for being such a great big sister.  She gave Matthew a bottle for the first time yesterday, and it was just precious.  When I am tending to Matty, Taylor follows me around with her baby (Georgia) and mimics everything I do.  Adorable!

Matthew is a dream baby.  To say I love this little guy would be such an understatement.  He is sleeping well, but unfortunately, he still wants to eat every 3+ hours.  I was hoping to sleep for more than a three-hour stretch by now, but it's not happened yet.  When he is awake, he typically lies contently and takes everything in.  I love to watch him and wonder what he's thinking.  He truly only cries if he is hungry or wet.  I am excited for him to start smiling and developing a personality, but I am certainly not wishing this phase away.  Below are Matty's stats from his two-week check up:
Weight: 9 lbs, 4.5 oz (75th percentile)
Length: 21.25 in (90th percentile)
Head: 14.5 in (55th percentile)

Aside from caring for my two little munchkins, I've done very little.  The list of thank you notes to write is growing, the dust balls are accumulating, and the food in the refrigerator is dwindling (thank you, friends, who have brought us dinner!).  Yesterday, I was proud of myself for getting the vacuum out of the closet and carrying it upstairs.  Sadly, I only got the master bedroom closet vacuumed before Taylor demanded my attention.  At least the vaccum is still upstairs and ready to go when I find the energy again!  Tomorrow, my goal is to get the three of us up, changed, dressed, fed, and out of the house by 9:00 for my Mother's Fellowship group at church.  Wish me luck.  I am not used to this process yet!