... in love with a new little girl, and more in love with a big-ish little girl :)
It will be two weeks tomorrow that Miss Sadie Rose came into our world, and reality is starting to feel like it is falling into place. I am begining to crave routine, to have a predictable schedule, to be able to go from day to day having a clear set of expectations that I can welcome with open arms. I'm not usually a plan-it-out person, but I am finding that with two littles in the house, predictability will be key for successful days.
Lets backtrack a little...
Miss Sadie Rose was born on Friday, March 11th... two days after her papa's birthday and nine days after her mama's birthday and six days before her Nan's birthday. We like March birthdays around here :) She was just a little heavier than her brother and sister at birth, both weighed in at 7lbs 1 oz, and Sadie Lady weighed 7 lbs 5 oz. This little babe is also promising to blow her brother and sister out of the water with her growth as an infant... she has gained almost 1 1/2 pounds in less than two weeks! Looks like we will finally get that chubby Portuguese baby after all ;)
Sadie was born after 8 hours laboring at the hospital, my longest "labor" of all three children. I am happy that she was born without the use of any meds, just as her sister and brother before her. I did ask Bob (in the middle of that lovely transition period) WHY DID I WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN??!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?? But you know what? I would do it a thousand more times to have the three healthy beautiful children I am blessed with.
Once that tiny babe is placed on your chest, cradled in your arms, the entire universe stops and begins revolving slowly around YOU. Nothing else matters except for the heartbeat and breath of that baby, softly melting into you. You breathe her in, kiss her a million times all at once, say a silent prayer of thanks that she has been delivered safely into your arms. There are no words for that moment. It is a magic unlike any other that will ever be experienced.
Our new little lady is healthy and happy... still at the very sleepy stage where all she does is sleep, poop, and nurse, and maybe stay awake for an hour several times a day. Her dark hair and features remind me of Maya Grace as a newborn, which makes my heart tighten in my chest to now see my "big girl" as an almost-18-month-old toddler. I think she grew up overnight while we were at the Hospital....
Maya Grace is embracing big-sister-hood with open arms. She had a nasty virus last week that scared us a little... she had a fever of 104 and didn't eat for three days :( Thankfully Papa was home for the week, because all my girl wanted was her Mama and someone had to be responsible for taking care of the newborn. Boo is finally on the mend and l.o.v.e.s. her "beebee"! She likes to sit beside me on the sofa and "hold" Sadie on her lap, kissing her head and patting her back. The grin on her face is absolutely priceless :) She gets concerned when sister cries, and is always pointing into the bedroom to find "beebee" when she is napping throughout the day. There doesn't appear to be any sort of jealousy unless Maya Grace is tired and Mama is nursing Sadie... those are the times when I wish I had another set of arms to soothe both my girls at once.
Big brother is really stepping up to the plate... playing with the middle child when I am busy with the littlest, snuggling the littlest while I am busy with the middle child, helping around the house and otherwise being VERY agreeable. I am beyond thankful to have his help and know that I can turn to him in times of need without feeling like I am dumping too much responsibility on his shoulders.
Papa is back to work this week (sad face). I am finding that while I am looking forward to the help he can be when he gets home, I am also wanting him to take care of himself and do basic things like shower and eat dinner before I will accept any sort of relief from my role as mama. I am fortunate to have a husband who works so hard for his family, who puts his own needs behind those of others. He is an excellent Papa to his little girls, and a great role model to Griffin. I would be lying through my teeth if I told you I wasn't looking forward to the weekend when we can all be home together for a while without worrying about work or school... just some go-with-the-flow pajama time with my family.
As for me, I am adjusting to the new demands of life with two littles... the nightime wake up calls every 2-3 hours, the poopy diapers, the fussing of a gassy baby, the soothing of a tired sister who just wants a snuggle, the pile of dishes in the sink and laundry mounting in the baskets, the desperate longing to just take a hot shower, the inner struggle to want to do it all and not ask for help, the guilt of not being able to be superwoman and be everything all at once. I am trying to let go of things that can wait and be present at times that matter most; when Maya Grace climbs onto my lap with a book that we will read six times in a row or watching her wrap her baby dolls in one of Sadie's blankets, whispering "shhhhhh beebee" and tucking them under her chin to rock them back and forth. When Maya has *finally* gone down for her nap and I can steal a few quiet moments with my new baby sleeping peacefully on my chest, breathing in her soft scent and brushing my lips across her ridiculously soft chubby cheeks. When Griffin is explaining his homework to me and I am really listening instead of just nodding distractedly. When I am rocking Maya to sleep at night and how she says "ah-you" in response to my "I love you" before placing her into her crib. When I collapse into the rocking chair at the end of the night preparing to nurse Miss Sadie to sleep and I am thanking my Bobio for doing that last diaper change. Life is crazy and hectic right now, but I feel like I will miss a thousand important moments if I blink my eyes too many times.
For now I am focusing on the things that are important. Loving my family with all of my heart, and making sure they feel it completely. Life is good <3
you have a beautiful family and you are all so lucky to have each other. You are an amazing woman, Melissa, and such a great mom!
ps - someday you have to write a book!!
Posted by: janet macleod | March 24, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Ditto to what Janet said. You should write a Mommy blog posting sentiments just like you do on here on Highly Entertaining. Or maybe even better, rename this blog to "Highly Entertaining Mommy." Nice job, Melissa, on all fronts: beautiful writing, making beautiful babes, being an awesome friend and all-around warm, loving, talented woman. XOX
Posted by: Janice | March 24, 2011 at 07:20 PM
Good for you. I remember when my little guy was born, thinking my 17 month old had turned into a giant overnight! You sound like you are in a very good place...congrats! You are doing awesome :)
Posted by: PaulaSG | March 25, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Ditto to Janet and Mac and Stickles you are such an inspiration to many and in particular to your family. You and Bob are truely wonderful parents. I look forward to your blog entries and always make sure I have a box of tissues to hand because I am either crying or laughing until I cry reading your entries. ((hugs)) to you all.
Posted by: ej | March 26, 2011 at 08:38 AM
WOW, I feel like I can relate to everything u said. You must be exhausted...but so happy! :)
Posted by: kell | March 31, 2011 at 07:19 PM