Mom's night out

I did it, I left my two kids again!

This time, to attend/host a baby shower for my dear friend from mom's group who'd moved out to the other side of the state (she was in town for a wedding).  Because she's the last one in the group to have a 2.0, naturally none of us really wanted to host and cook for the occasion.  So we went out and had a nice night out, complete with happy hour.

IT WAS A BLAST!

I don't remember having had this much fun for a long time! I mean - we spent the majority of the evening talking about our kids and commiserating about parenthood with two small ones, but man it was so much fun and so good for the mama spirit.

Traditionally, in our mom's group, we ALWAYS do a craft along with food for a baby shower.  Because this was at a restaurant, crafting was sort of out of question...sort of.  I put my creative hat on and pulled together a quick craft.  I bought a pack of diapers and brought some sharpies.  I bought a cute beach-themed box I found at Home Goods to keep the diapers.  I had each of us write an inspirational message for mama to read during those late night diaper changes. I told her that even though we're far away, we wanted to show her that we're still with here, even at those late night changes.  It was a hit!  We even saved a few for her older son to decorate.

What a night.

Also, tonight was the first time M had to take care of the two kids alone - and put them to bed too, not an easy feat, even with 2.0 (the most laid back baby ever).  At first, his mom (who was over for dinner) insisted on staying, but he kicked her out and made her go home (wow, proud of him!).  He then played in the park with both kids, then bathed and put the big one to bed, fed the little one, played with the little one, and got him asleep all before I got home too.

This mama is in heaven right now.

Oh, and I just bought two pairs of buttery leggings for myself.  Life is goooooood right now.

Parents' night out

We did it!

With the great help of four of our best friends, we were able to make it out to our cousin's wedding this weekend without kids!

5 hours without kids! You couldn't even tell that we're running on 4 hours of sleep here!

The story of 4 sitters.  There was one at first, our dear friend who took the day off to come watch my kids (thanks, K).  Then, another friend with a 3 month old baby was recruited to come play/watch the kids.  Then, another friend decided to come, and bring Popeyes for dinner.  And finally, K's husband, E also came after his shift, what a trooper.  

I will not lie, I had a LOT of anxiety leading up to leaving my two kids with my friends.  Sadly, NOT because I was apprehensive about leaving my baby for the first time (2.0's are awesome like that). The anxiety stems from the hellish tantrum phase that my AJ is going through right now (more to follow, in what is probably going to be a multi-part series in the next few days about this).  He's seriously CRAZY right now.  I learned after returning home for the night that he'd learned to call one of aunties "nasty nasty."  and he also told her to go die when she asked for some of his mac and cheese.  WHAT. THE. FUCK.

It's late so I'm out, but promise, more to follow on AJ's craziness....

Metamorphosis

It's been a long two weeks, to say the least.  Something was always going down in our house - if not the hubby being ill, then the big boy.  If not them, then me.  Of course, all while this was happening, little 2.0 went through what seemed like a 2 week-long sleep regression and growth spurt.

Don't get me wrong, 2.0 is a very laid back child.  But going from sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at night back down to 1-2 hours at a time can be very trying, even if he's not crying when he wakes.

Last night was particularly trying.  I had a 2-day long headache I was dealing with.  2.0 was recovering from his 2 month shots, so he was particularly vocal about his discomfort.  He woke up almost every hour on the dot.  Not to eat though.  Just to snuggle and get my company.  Though, when it was happening, I had no idea that he was not eating, so really, it was him getting snuggles and my boob leaking all over the place while I held him and slept in the rocker in his room.

I can't count the number of times I feel asleep like that last night... and the nights before that in the last 2 weeks.

Luckily, as a second time mama, I remembered that when times are tough, and it feels like we're in the midst of a giant storm, there always seems to be a reward at the end of the stormy period.  I knew 2.0 was working on developing something awesome.  I just didn't know what it was just yet.

Today, that something happened.

He SMILED for the first time!

Happy 2 month birthday, 2.0, my sweet sweet sweet boy.



2.0's 2 month stats:
height: 24 inches
weight: 13 lbs 12 oz
skills:  smiles!