5 Months of Ellie with 5 Thoughts.

Oh boy, how can I already be writing this post? 

It doesn't feel like 5 months yet, especially when I just took Ellie for her 4 month shots today...little late.   

Anyway, I've been trying to conjure up some thoughts about parenting two and any new things I could add to what I've said before about it. 

But this week I've been ultra drained, more than usual. We've all been sick last week and have either caught a second round of colds or the first ones are just lasting forever. All except Wren who is peppy and full of energy and finding me quite boring as I am like Sid the Sloth this week. 

I tried to get outside with her because it's been beautiful out, so we went to the playground and I wore Ellie in the Ergo carrier. After a good 45 min I thought my torso was going to snap off with the weight of Ellie. She's over 17 lbs as of today. That doesn't sound like a lot, but I was waddling down the sidewalk like I was pregnant again. And then I thought...never again... 

If you want a lot of annoying elementary age kids repeatedly asking you dumb questions, just wear your baby in an Ergo. Honestly. All I heard was, 

"Is there a baby in there?"

"Why is that hood up over her head?"

"Why is she sleeping?"

"When will she wake up?"

"Can you wake her up?"

"Can I see her?"

"Can I see her when she wakes up?"

GAAAHHHHH!!!

This leads me into my first thought on being a mom of two. Pt 3 or something of my "series". 

1) I have a lower patience threshold. Especially for irritating kids at the playground or anywhere in public. I feel like I'm Shrek and they're all Donkey. I barely have patience to spare for my own children some days, so other kids just get what I have left. Basically nothing.

2) TV really is the third parent, only better. I can put Wren in front of it and she won't move. In fact, she will barely talk. She zombie's right out. TV is a tool for a parent's bad day, in my humble opinion. I feel next to no guilt using it when needed, like when I'm trying to sneak in a quick shower, slapping together supper or getting 2 seconds to myself in the bathroom.

3) Despite the work of two, Wren entertains Ellie far longer than she would normally be if Wren wasn't around. Wren went to my parents for the day and then slept over, and I actually found myself wanting her back because Ellie was bored so much more easily without having her Wren running around her. The house also feels strangely quiet and weird without Wren, and I miss her quickly, but we're all better for having a break too. 

4) People say that the second child is so much more easy going because they have to be. However, I find myself still feeling like I don't know what I'm doing with Ellie some days, especially with nap/bed time. She doesn't seem all that "easy" in that department and I don't think that I do things all that differently but like I have said before, my memory is shot so I could be wrong.

I can also say along that note that I eat my words all the time. Ideals are meant to be shattered when it comes to raising kids. And don't say "never" or "always". That's not realistic or true. You will break your own rules and how you wanted to do things. Move on.

5) It's not a bad idea to buy appropriate clothing to the season, before the season hits. Don't you hate when the weather changes suddenly and you don't have what you need for your kids? They grow so fast! We have to buy Wren new shoes, she was hobbling around in her size 8's because they were too small. Longer pants in the cooler weather. How come all the long sleeve shirts are belly shirts now?? I can't keep up. That's why Joe clothing is the smartest thing ever. I pick up kids clothes while I grocery shop. Because I don't have time to set aside for shopping otherwise with them. I loathe taking both of them to the mall with me. What a hassle! Do I sound vent-y yet?  

6) (I know I said only 5 points, so you can stop reading now if you like). Play group at our community hall has surprised me. I didn't feel a huge need to go when it was just Wren and I. Since going, it's become like an AA group to me...uh, not like I have ever needed to go to AA...

I used to think I was above needing a "moms" group kind of thing. Who wants to just sit around with other moms and talk about your kids? Laaammmme. 

Except now it's different. It's supportive, helpful, a good place to go for the girls and for me. I've been watching the other kids slowly grow bigger week after week. I've been seeing mom's pregnant and then coming with their new babies. We talk about our struggles among the happy screeches and noise of the toddlers. We get each other, and it's okay if all we talk about is our kids and sleepless nights and the awful time we are having potty training and so on. When I'm nursing Ellie, another mom is helping Wren get a snack. We all need a little spot for something like that in our lives I think, but if you don't, that's fine too. I am happily surprised by what it's done for me. 

That actually sums it right up there...happily surprised by the last 5 months. Even if myself and the girls were all wailing last night at bed time (while Kenton was running an errand) and we were all sad and I hated my life at that moment. Because now I'm excited for a waffle at the market tomorrow morning and to walk around with the girls and him. 

:)