Babymooning with CJ

First -- little Corbin is amazing, big brother Gavin is wonderful, Daddy David is an all-star and I am feeling great too.  I adore these dudes and love being surrounded by them. 

Corbin is calm and the sweetest little baby.  And, this is taking nothing away from G because he is no longer a baby ; )

Life is good.  We've been home 6 weeks with CJ and I love the babymoon stage.  Our pace has slowed down and there is a unique peace that comes with a new little life.  I've even managed to read a book this month!

David's parents came to Austin and stayed with Gav while we were in the hospital.  Then, my parents came during C's first week and David's mom and sister returned during his second week.  It was very helpful to have our families here and Gavin had the best time playing outdoors all-day-everyday!

The boys and I had our first solo days around the 3 week mark.  I'd say managing the two dudes is working out better than I'd projected.  We've definitely had our share of crazy days... most days start hectic and then chill out as we flow into that day's routine.  The big difference between life pre-C and post-C has been feeling drawn to stay at home even more, rather than taking spur of the moment trips to the grocery store or park.  And, fortunately we've been blessed tremendously by friends bringing us delicious meals and having meals our moms prepared and froze for us.

When C was almost 4 weeks old - I ventured out with the boys to go to the park.  Gavin did some running around until he decided watching a tennis practice would be more fun.  He sat, mesmerized, for almost 45 minutes... he just looooooves sports.

At 5 weeks we took our first solo grocery shopping trip.  Corbin slept through it and I considered it quite the victory.  I may have bribed G with a matchbox car while we were shopping - it took me almost 2 hours (compared to less than an hour) to make my way around the store and focus on the task at hand ; )

At six weeks, C still sleeps a lot but has started having more wakeful clumps of hours.  He doesn't have an eat/play/sleep routine but we are working towards it.  From what I understand, that will come during the 10-12 pound mark.  Some nights he wants to be held from 8pm-1am, even if he is sleeping... he will wake right up if I lay him down.   Other nights he will sleep mostly thru the night... and still other nights he is wanting to eat every 1-3 hours.  So, we are all over the map : )

The upside to his crazy nights is that he likes to be held upright and will reach his arms up to my neck as if he is giving me a hug.  It is sooooooo awesome!

 

For us, the jump from zero to one kiddo was a significant shift.  But, the addition of Corbin has felt natural and like growth as a family, rather than embarking on a whole new life stage.  Also, with Gavin, evenings were hectic and tiring.  With Corbin,  mornings (and the evening bedtime routine) are our challenge.  Getting 2 little ones dressed and fed when they are hungry at the same time (!) is quite the feat.  Luckily, G is a patient little guy and extends me lots of grace in the mornings.  Often he will go get his farm and bring it wherever C and I are to play with it while he waits. 

It is beyond precious watching the boys get to know each other.  Gavin is a tender hearted big brother and we are learning more about G just by listening to him talk with C about toys and all the made-up conversations when G both asks AND answers his own questions to C. (ex: Do you want to go outside and play with water guns?  Oh, no.  You need to be bigger, right?  Ok.  Do you want your pacifier?   Yes. I'll go get it..."