5 days old
I can't believe it's already been 9 days since Kellen was born. Is there a pause button somewhere out there that I can press to keep these precious newborn days from flying by so fast? I really want to cry, knowing that he's already growing and changing so fast!
I just love love love having a newborn in the house. He's like this little piece of heaven that I get to smell and hold and love on each day. He's a smiler, for sure. I don't know who ever said that newborns don't smile, but this little boy smiles all the time -- and I know it's not gas.
He's still sleeping most of the day. God is so good to make babies this way, and ease us into mothering a new little life. Can you imagine if babies were born as toddlers?! What a life-changer that would be! As it is right now, things aren't too overwhelming. I can kind of count on Kellen sleeping through the kids' bath/bedtime (hardest part of the day) and try to give T and L as much attention as I can while K is sleeping. Of course, I've had plenty of help with all of that this week ...
If you ask the boys (and me!!) what the best part of this week has been, it would be that Daddy has been home ALL WEEK! I can't even begin to tell you what a gift his help has been to me! For three whole days last week, Jon took the boys out of the house on an "adventure" all day. They had the BEST time, and I got to just savor some quiet moments with my newest love. I felt like I was a mother of one again during those days. It was just me and Kellen ... I SO appreciated the PEACE around here, and just knew the whole time how precious those hours were with JUST him.
Tanner has been smitten with the little guy. He is VERY good with him and loves to hold him several times a day. I'm hoping to introduce an occasional bottle sometime next week, and I think I'll give Tanner the honor of feeding it to him. I can already imagine his delight ... :) He talks baby talk to him ALL DAY LONG and I can tell he is totally in love -- what a good big brother.
Landon has had kind of a hard time. He doesn't really care at all about the baby, which is totally fine. I get it. But his behavior has been so bad. Just so not like him. He also doesn't really want to have anything do to with me, and I think our interactions have been mostly negative all week. I think I've cried about it every day since I brought the baby home. My mom says his behavior probably has a lot more to do with the fact that he's turning 3. He's not a baby anymore. He wants to be independent. I probably agree with this a little. But it still makes me sad.
Tomorrow is Jon's first day back at work. I had kind of a trial run today with all 3 for an extended period of time. Jon had a muster for the Army that he had to report to. (He's still in the Independent Ready Reserves and has to report for a day here and there). But, he was home by 4:30, and by then I was already close to the end of my rope. I'm a little bit nervous for tomorrow, but I'm also looking forward to establishing a routine, getting Landon back on a nap schedule, etc. I'm praying so hard that Landon's attitude will change, and that God will give me huge reserves of patience and kindness for my sweet middle boy.
That being said, I should probably do my part by getting to bed at a decent time and waking up as well-rested as possible. First, though, a few more cuddles with my newest. He's such a little angel-baby. No chance he'll grow into a sassy, stubborn 3-yr-old, right? ;)
2 comments:
Hey Rachel!
Kellen is a sweetie pie!!! I love his wrinkly forehead!! I'm so glad that you've had some time last week to just be with him while Jon and the big brothers had some fun time away.
You sound just like me after Maggie was born..."every interaction is negative." I cried everyday about this too. I started to just overlook some things (like him climbing on furniture) during this time just so we weren't always having a negative conversation. It just took time. A lot of time before he got used to the idea of being a big brother. He still has moments where he's a stinker in his role.
Look how far Tanner has come! Remember when he cried when y'all sang happy bday to your Dad b/c it wasn't about him (that made me laugh so hard back when it happened)? And now look at him! Biggest Brother Extraordinaire!!
This is such a happy and hard time, isn't it? Enjoy the highs and know that the lows won't last forever. I promise!
So sweet. So happy to see that adorable angel boy. As for Landon, I think each child adjusts in his/her own way. After a few more weeks it will be like little K has always been there and Landon won't remember what life was like before (thank the good Lord for children's forgetfulness! :) He will then have the chance to shine loving the baby and helping you.
I will say, the hardest thing about boy #3 was dealing with boy #2, so you're not alone if this continues. It's just the ages of the other two. They're still so little and processing so much. Hang in there... You will find your new normal. xox and prayers.
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