And They Said..

...that we'd need a double stroller. Not with our creative PJ.

XO

Parenting Two

Parenting these two beautiful children:

Sometimes feels like this:

Beyond worth it. 

XO

Small Moments: Sleeping Babies

I rocked Jelly Bean to asleep and then I carefully laid her in her little bed downstairs. Then PJ did the same with his baby. 

Best big brother ever. Most adorable little sister ever. 

XO

One Month Jelly Bean

Today Ms. Jelly Bean is exactly one month old. Holy jeepers; one full month.

This past month has been such a different experience than the first month with PJ. Bluntly stated: I enjoy Jelly Bean in a way that wasn't possible with PJ.

As a second-time mom, I now know that this precious, exhausting newborn phase disappears quickly and when it does, it does forever. When PJ was a newborn every challenge felt like it would never, ever end. We would always be sleep-deprived. He would always demand to be carried everywhere and all the time. He would always eat every hour. With Jelly Bean, I know that none of that is true and, therefore, I can thoroughly enjoy snuggling with her for hours every day. Hours, people, hours, and with absolutely no shame and no guilt. I Love it.

I can even get a little teary-eyed when I realize she's already outgrown a bunch of clothes, a proof that this special time is already rushing by.

Yup, outgrown.

I barely got her into this one before she outgrew it.

I also know now what type of mom I want and - more importantly? - can be. And I know how to ask for help being that mom. I also have mom friends that I can share war stories with and be greeted with understanding, encouragement, and, often, laughter. I'm also much, much better at ignoring unwanted advice, skirting undesired conversations, and doing what is right for my family.

 

I'm a baby-wearing, sushi-eating, natural-term nursing mommy. And so much more.

Another part of my ability to enjoy Jelly Bean is that she is just an easier baby. She cries less (that link goes to my all-time favorite blog entry about PJ as a newborn); she sleeps more; and, since I had gained experience and knowledge, establishing a nursing relationship has been much easier.

Laid-back Lady

And, lastly, and extremely importantly, I'm doing well emotionally. I am not suffering from post-partum depression this time. Even after a rough pregnancy, another induction, a horrid post-partum infection with an extended hospital stay, and the challenges of expanding our family dynamic from three people to four. It is amazing how different the newborn phase is without a dark, heavy cloud wrapped around my soul.

No PPD! Even the coffee tastes better.

Happy one month, little girl. Boy are we happy to have welcomed you into the Steinbach clan.


xo
 

The Jelly Bean Story in Pictures

The past two weeks have been one hell of a wild ride. Instead of blocks of text and details no one (but my mother) would care about: pictures with commentary!

Okay, okay, if you've been reading this blog or listening to me complain the past 10 months, my pregnancy with jelly bean wasn't so easy. On Tuesday, October 8, another round of ickiness started and it was bad enough that I called my doctor. She asked me to please come into the hospital...and off we went.

 

And I was admitted. My boys had to leave me there. I may have cried over it.

 

The next day, Wednesday and one day before our estimated due date, we started an induction. I was two minds about it because while an induction went well with PJ, I wanted that experience of labor starting naturally this time. I even had some romantic images of driving to the hospital in contractions. But in the end, the Mr. and I decided to go ahead with another induction based on all of my ongoing health challenges and the doctor's concern about jelly bean and her "tired" placenta.

 

 

The contractions started pretty quickly but not a whole lot was happening towards labor for the first two days. Frankly, it was pretty boring, especially since the staff was concerned that I could be infectious and encouraged me to avoid all the other patients.

 

Thankfully, my boys came to visit me and we spent some time on the playground of the hospital. And I did get that "labor starting slowly" experience...for over two days.

But the second day, Thursday, I was smiling on the outside but I wasn't so thrilled on the inside. It was just like with PJ all over again...and then BAM! on Friday evening, October 11, at 6:30pm my water broke. Just three and a half (very loud) hours later, our little girl burst onto the scene.

Since it was a slow night for the hospital, we got to hang out for a few hours in their amazing birthing rooms getting to know each other.

The next day PJ got to come in and meet his little sister. His first words were, "Mein baby halten!" (hold my baby!) Which he did, like the excellent big brother he is.

And even better: I got to hold my two babies at the same time, one in each arm. Its true: moms' arms really do grow to make more space for each baby.

And then we got our first family portrait. Handsome group, I'd say.

Jelly bean and I stayed in the hospital until Monday. We slept a lot.

Then on Monday I got my last check up: no temperature, no pain, and I was released to go.

Yet, just shortly after we got home, I wasn't feeling so great. In fact, I felt like I was having contractions again and then suddenly I got freezing cold. I took some pain killers and tried to relax on the couch.

It didn't help. Instead, it got worse. I called my midwife who was concerned at what I described; took my temperature (over 38 degree Celsius after pain killers); and off we went back to the hospital. On the way there, the contractions increased and I felt like I was in labor again.

I got to experience that whole contractions-in-the-car bit and trust me: its not that great. Be careful what you ask for, the gods are always listening.

Upon arrival at the hospital - on the same day I was released (only me, people, only me!) - I was diagnosed with Endometritis. To help my body push out the infection as well as heal, I got pumped full with antibiotics, contraction-creating medicines, and (thankfully!) pain meds. From Monday until Wednesday I was in labor again...but I had already had my baby.

That will fuck with your mind. Just saying.

In the end Jelly Bean and I were in the hospital for over a week while the Mr. held down the fort at home and PJ dealt with his mommy being away for the first time ever. We did it all with as much grace as one can expect in the real world.

And, if I may brag for a moment please, Jelly Bean nursed through it all. That's right: I nursed my baby girl while I was going through contractions and - to quote the doctor - had a wound the size of my baby on the inside of my body. And to also quote one of my amazing nurses, that makes me one hell of a badass.

Finally on Tuesday, October 22, Jelly Bean and I finally got to go home for real. Thankfully we still have a midwife coming regularly; PJ gets to play at his kindergarten during the day; and the Mr. still has some vacation. Together, we are all easing into being a family of four.

I'm healing and gaining strength. Jelly Bean is getting some fat on her. The Mr. is still holding down the fort. And PJ is getting use to his baby being around so much. In other words, the adventure continues.



xo

Jelly Bean!

The Steinbach clan has expanded by one healthy little girl! We welcomed Jelly Bean into the fold on the International Day of the Girl Child and during the Germany vs. Ireland football game. 

She's 50 cm long and weighed in exactly like her brother at 3010 grams. 

Speaking of PJ, he is a very proud big brother. Within three minutes of meeting her, he demanded to hold "mein baby" (my baby). Then he smothered her with kisses, kisses, and more kisses. 

After a rocky 40 weeks, it's amazing to see her, rosy and completely healthy on the outside. I'm also doing well. Alls well that ends well, right? 

XO

Last Date Night

Right on time for jelly bean and I to hit 39 weeks, the Mr. and I had our last date night before becoming parents of two. Thankfully hot babysitter was able to hang out with PJ while we were out.

As soon as everything was all settled at home, we walked (or in my case, waddled) over to a local restaurant, had a great meal, and enjoyed what could be our last evening of kid-light conversation. We talked about upcoming weddings, our careers, a little bit of politics, and just enjoyed being out as adults.

On Thursday we'll be celebrating 40 weeks! Looking forward to it.



xo