- When I stop to think about it, the last almost 2.5 years of my life have been defined by sleep, or the lack thereof. Owen didn’t sleep, then he did, then he would regress, then he would sleep again, and then, blissfully, he slept through the night. Then we had the crazy idea to make another little person who would interrupt our sleep and even though he actually sleeps pretty decently most of the time, he still wakes up.
But we were prepared for that. Infants wake up. What we weren’t prepared for was for Owen to suddenly start waking up again in the middle of the night, but here we are. He is — and of course, usually within 20 minutes of Ryan so YEAH, that’s fun — and he’s waking up scared. He wants to know “what’s that noise?” and holds us hostage in bed with him. We try to reassure him, to address his fears and help him to see there is nothing to be afraid of, but it’s keeps happening night after night. He has a solid routine and a night light and we always come in when he gets scared, but so far, no luck. A little Googling tells me this is common around the 2-2.5 year mark, but still. SLEEP, CHILD!!
- Ryan, however, is having a really good sleep last night into today, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.
- Something irritated Kodiak’s skin, and he’s pretty much gnawed a hole in his side. It’s gross and I feel bad for him and since at-home care doesn’t seem to be working, we’re taking him to the vet today. In the meantime, we had to keep him away from it, so we were forced to put him in the Cone of Shame. He can’t maneuver well with it, so he crashes into walls and gets stuck in doorways. Is this not the most pathetic face ever?
- I ordered a bunch of new clothes and they came yesterday. It was about 50/50 with what I’m going to keep, and that was a little disheartening. I KNOW I had a baby eight weeks ago. I KNOW it takes time for everything to go back. I’ve done it once before. But this time I’m having a harder time with it mentally and the fact that I still cannot pull my regular jeans up past my thighs makes getting dressed one of the least enjoyable parts of the day. People have been very nice and tell me I look great, but I just don’t feel like me and I’m uncomfortable in my skin right now.
I bought a pair of jeans a size larger than I normally wear and they fit. So at least I can feel a little stylish and retire (some of) my yoga pants. Back in the day I used to watch a lot of What Not to Wear and I remember them always saying to “dress for the body you have now, not the body you’re hoping to have later.” I guess that makes sense, although it could get expensive!
- Today is grocery day. Wish me luck.
11 comments
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September 12, 2012 at 8:20 am
Dara
Hi Molly! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now…before the boys were born. My daughter was born about a week before Owen and my son is 5.5 months old, born at the end of March. I was like you, bounced back after my first without worrying much about it along the way. I was thinner than before my daughter was born. I know how you feel this second time, I was also more worried this time. Slowly but surely though, the weight is coming off and I’m starting to fit into my all of my old clothes again. I know it’s annoying to hear, but it does take time and it WILL happen. I wore my maternity jeans for the first 2 months or so. Hang in there!
September 12, 2012 at 8:29 am
Gillian
Hi there! I have an eleven week old son and a 25 month old daughter and we are having the exact same situation with sleep. I am consistently up more with her than with the baby. I’m relieved to hear that it is typical at this age…gives me hope that she’ll get past it soon. Our pediatrician told us that the adjustment period for the first child after a sibling is born is up to six months (this started when he was born so I’m assuming it has something to do with that as well)….which seems like forever after a night like I had last night, but in the grand scheme of things isn’t that long. Hope things get better for you sooner than later!
(Oh ya and I’m no where near fitting into my pre-preggo jeans yet, even though I lost it all after my first…you’re not alone!)
September 12, 2012 at 8:47 am
Shaba
Hi pretty lady,
I just wanted to tell you you’re doing a great job! You’re such a great mom to all your boys (including the furry one) and you’re a complete inspiration. I hope the nights get easier for you. xoxox
September 12, 2012 at 9:24 am
karijo09
This will probably reach you too late but long aired dogs get hot spots. Mine gets them all the time. Once they get one, they seem to be more prone to them. The vet will most likely give you a topical cream but if you catch it early enough, you can use aloe gel to help calm and soothe his skin. Ive been told cornstarch too but never tried it. Good luck!
September 12, 2012 at 9:43 am
Candice
Nate wakes up every night right now, between 11pm and 5am, and usually says something about being scared. Even when going to bed sometimes he gets up two or three times and says he’s scared of the dark.
I did the same thing and Googled it and found that this is the age for that and that co-sleeping is higher for 2-3 year olds than any other age (which is what we do when he wakes up in the middle of the night – he just stays with us then). It’s a developmental leap in their imaginations, which is wonderful… just not at night.
Our dog recently chewed a hole in himself, too, and we had to put the cone on him. But once he got some treatment, it healed right up. I hope Kodiak feels better soon.
September 12, 2012 at 10:29 am
Britt
Poor Kodiak! I hope it’s nothing serious. Good luck with the sleep thing. Maybe if we all send sleepy thought towards Owen?
September 12, 2012 at 11:04 am
Lisa
Give your post baby body 4 more weeks. I bounced back by 6 weeks with my first and I was SO anxious when it took me a bit longer this time around, but I can say everything still went back
. My second was just 4 months old yesterday, and I fit into my skinniest jeans a couple of weeks ago.
September 12, 2012 at 11:36 am
(Natalie - wife of) Jimmy
I am so happy to hear these comments about weight loss. I had my second baby born weeks before Ryan. I too am having a harder time shedding this weight and so happy (sorry) to hear others talk about going through the same thing. We are also having our oldest (2 y/o) is waking up at night too – something that works about 75% of the times he wakes up in the middle of the night is for us to snuggle and sing with him and then, when we leave, we give him one of “mama’s shirts” to snuggle with for the rest of the night. We also tell him we will come back in 10 minutes to check on him – if it works we don’t have to go in again because he has fallen back asleep. But, there are night none of that works.
September 12, 2012 at 2:55 pm
navigatingthemothership
I think that the difficulty of losing weight with baby #2 has more to do with not getting enough sleep and having higher stress. It’s so hard for your body to functional optimally (i.e. let you lose weight naturally) not to mention it’s SO DARN HARD to make the healthiest choices when completely exhausted and stressed.
But all that said – you bounced back the first time, you’ll do it again. For sure. Plus – remember how you bounced back a little too much? Maybe this will help guide you to your happy weight?
Toddlers waking up is the hardest thing ever. B started going nuts after Oli was born with that, too. Oof.
September 12, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Crissa Robertson
I am in the same boat. I want to be in regular clothes but those darn things don’t fit. I can now get my regular jeans on but I can’t sit or they will be goners. Here is what I bought: http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-womens-kimono-sleeve-maxi-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-13847780 That dress is the most comfortable thing ever….plus it is on sale right now! I bought it in pool table green, red coral, and casual grey. I love love love it. It covers up the lumps and bumps but is flattering. It is also great for nursing. Maxi’s are the new sweats
September 17, 2012 at 12:44 pm
prettyis
Ohhh….to get more sleep. I have a toddler and would love for him to sleep more. I did something cute on pinterest for when they get scared. Take a spray bottle/can and stick a label on it that says: \”Monster spray.\” When they get scared, spray it under the bed and in the closet and all the places they are worried about. Or, do it each night before bed. That might help a little. And, to be one of those uber annoying people that recommends a method-I really like the Baby Whisperer books. I have one on toddlerhood and it\’s really helped with mine.
Take care and you\’re doing awesome. I cannot imagine having a toddler and an infant.