Category Archives: Baby

Two month shot struggle

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Yesterday was a rough day for this little munchkin. He got his two month shots. The post shot soreness was hard on him. You couldn’t touch his little legs without him crying in pain. The only comfortable way for him to lay was across my lap.

Those little cries are the hardest to hear. It literally broke my heart that I couldn’t make the aching stop for him.

He isn’t aching as much today. The shot spots are a little sore but it’s not causing him to cry (thank heavens).

I think not being able to take away their aches and pains is one of the hardest parts of motherhood💙

Camden’s second flight

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Camden’s second flight!

He did so great on the plane. We booked ourselves on the earliest flight so he slept the entire time and only woke up just a few minutes before landing.

We looked a bit ridiculous when we got our bags from baggage claim. We literally had 7 bags. 😂 But in our defense, one bag was the stroller, one was the car seat, and one was the golf clubs. So technically only 4 of them had clothing and other items. I of course needed his diaper bag, my husband brought his one bag, then I had to bring two bags. I packed Camden’s doc-a-tot in my large bag and it literally took up over half the bag. So a second small roller bag was necessary to fit our clothes. However, it was a bit comical to see two people and a baby with 7 bags. Thank god we flew with two friends because they were able to help us out.

This whole flying with an infant thing is becoming a breeze! As long as you schedule flights around sleep times, it makes it so much easier and less stressful!

Traveling with an infant

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Traveling with baby can be super easy, or incredibly stressful. I wanted to make it as easy as possible so I was the psycho crazy lady planning everything down to the minute. ⏰

We took the 7am flight out so Camden would sleep a good amount. He typically sleeps in till 7:30/8am as it is. Then naps about an hour after waking up. So I knew if we were on the plane at 7 he would sleep for at least an hour, wake to feed then go back to sleep. We got to the airport an hour and a half early, found the nursing room and cozied up. He fed and got a diaper change in a quiet room away from everyone. I made sure to feed him again right before take off to ensure the pressure didn’t bother his ears too much. If they’re swallowing it helps reduce some of that pressure they would feel.

I brought his boppy feeding pillow along. It’s kinda big and was just one more thing to carry, but he loves it. He loves to just lay on it when feeding or napping. I knew it would be a homey feel for him so I had to bring it. It actually made it easier and more comfortable for me to hold him on the plane. I put it in my lap and laid him on it. That left my hands free to reach for anything he or I needed.

He slept the first half of the flight. He woke up midway so I changed his diaper. SO glad they have put changing tables in airplane bathrooms! I was actually fearing changing his diaper till I saw the changing table. I literally was plotting how to position him laying on the toilet seat cover. 🤦🏼‍♀️

He fed one more time then fell asleep again and slept till just before we landed. When the plane started to descend to land, that’s when he woke up. He didn’t seem phased that he was in a new place. Just looked around at the people and next to us.

Strollers and car seats can be checked free. I checked mine before security instead of taking them all the way to the gate. Instead I brought my Bjourn front carrier and put Camden in that to go through security. It was easier than having to deal with the stroller. I would definitely recommend using a front carrier with an infant instead of a stroller if traveling alone.

I know everyone is different in their likes and needs, so to each their own! This is just what worked for me! I had zero stress, and I’m a high anxiety person typically. Planning out the trip around sleep times really is a must. And making sure you can travel without dealing with lots of unnecessary items is a huge help.

Life with two young kids

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Life with two young kids….. 👶🏻 👶🏻

Yesterday the day started with one kid peeing ON my pillow. I’m still debating on whether to put it in the wash and bleach it or call it a loss and just throw it away. 🛌

It was then followed by Ryder taking off his shorts and diaper and running naked through the house. He was kind enough to take me by the hand and show me where he peed on the floor during his streaking episode. 🚽

Ryder’s new thing is sticking his hands down his pants…..we knew the day would come as it does with every little boy. However, we have started with the back side of our pants. It took all my energy not to fall over laughing when ryder stuck his hands down into his diaper, only to remember he had just pooped. He pulled his hands out and they were covered with poop. It was HILARIOUS to see the look on his face. Then I realized I had to clean him up. It stopped being funny…… 🧼

That afternoon Ryder decided he wanted to have a party while I was changing Camden’s diaper. He went into the pantry and took out the paper plates and flung them all over the kitchen. He then took out the remaining plastic wine glasses from a previous party and lined them up on the floor. He filled those glasses with animal crackers from his snack bowl. The dog decided to join the party and ate some of the animal crackers. He also took out any boxed food item and stacked them as high as he could. 🐶

During another of Camden’s diaper changes, Ryder thought it would be funny to go in the closet, shut the door and sit quietly giving mommy a heart attack as she ran around the house panicked trying to find him. 🚪

Dinner consisted of 75% of the meal ending up in Ryder’s lap or on the floor. (We are still trying to master our silverware skills.) So of course right before bed he was starving and asking for more food. Guess what I gave him……the remaining animal crackers in the plastic cups! 😂

Would I say this was a bad day? No. It was definitely a battle of a day but not our worst! We are all in one piece still. So I’d say it was just one of our more “busy” days. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Mistakes

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I realize now that I made quite a few “mistakes” with Ryder. Mistake might not be the best word to use since everything really was a learning experience. I’m just realizing now, I maybe should have done some things a different way than I originally did. Although, how are you to really learn/know without a little trial and error? 🤷🏼‍♀️

You can follow all the baby books and advice you want. But not everything “recommended” will work for your child. Sometimes you just have to throw out the books, ignore what everyone says (except your doctor) and just try your own thing! Your first child is like the experiment child. You figure it out as you go! 👶🏻

I get less anxiety when Camden cries. When Ryder would cry I would immediately panic to try to figure out what he wanted/needed. I actually caused myself unnecessary stress. With Cam I just listen. He has certain cries to give me cues if he’s hungry, tired, etc. Sometimes he just cries for a minute as if he’s confused as to what he wants. I let him do his thing and then he’s done as if nothing happened.

I’ve also got this diaper changing thing down now! I get peed on less and I’m more prepared for the projectile poops! I know the wall appreciates it. It saw its fair share of poop splatter the first time around!

Ryder has been the best little guinea pig a mom could ask for! I was way more prepared this second time around and definitely a bit more confident thanks to him. 😂💙

3 weeks post delivery

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Almost 3 weeks post delivery. My body isn’t ready for regular workouts yet but I had been itching to just get out and move. Camden and I have started coming up to our golf club and just walking the track. It’s nothing major but gets me out of the house and moving! 🏃‍♀️

I’m not in a huge rush to lose the baby weight this time. With Ryder I was so panicked about the extra weight and wanted to get in the gym the day after I had him to start working it off. (I didn’t but I wanted to)💪🏻

This time around I’m taking it slow. I know I can get the weight off. So rather than pushing myself like a crazy person, I’m just taking my time and easing into everything. The weight will come off in due time. I’m more focused on making sure I get in enough calories daily and am eating good foods to fuel Camden! 🍎

Mom Guilt

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I had no idea what I was in for when I brought Cam home from the hospital. I knew it would be different but I didn’t realize HOW different.

The first week we brought Cam home, I cried multiple times. Not from depression or anything like that. Mainly due to feeling overwhelmed and as if I was letting Ryder down.

Ryder had been so used to having 100% of my attention all the time. When Cam came home that changed and he got maybe 30% of my attention. The rest was spent feeding Cam, changing him, etc. It was really hard on Ryder, which made it hard on me. I felt so guilty I couldn’t give either boy 100% of my attention. And it’s not easy to get a toddler to understand WHY they are no longer getting all of your attention. I had a significant amount of mom guilt.

I’ve been working hard to find ways to make more time for Ryder. While Cam naps I give Ryder my full attention. My house is completely neglected and doesn’t look like it’s clean self, but I don’t care. Ryder needs me as much as he can get during this new change.

I’ve also made Ryder my little “helper.” I ask him to help me do things for Cam. Like hand me a diaper, close the wipe warmer, put away a toy, sit with us, etc. He’s proud of himself when he’s able to help out. I can see a significant change in him from day 1 to now. He doesn’t side eye his brother anymore. Lol He actually goes over to him and looks at him. Sometimes he points at things like his foot or hand and says “what’s this?” It’s progress!

I knew it would be hard, but I guess I wasn’t prepared for how hard it would be mentally and on my heart. I was just prepared for the physical aspect. This has been an eye opening experience. However, I don’t regret a minute of it. No matter how difficult, these boys are my world. 🌎

Baby Update

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Baby update: The boys and I are slowly adjusting to life together. It’s definitely been an uphill battle. Routines have changed and the vibe in the house is very different. Even the dog is thrown off. 😂 But it’s a good different. Literally each day has a new challenge to work around and learn from. 👍🏻

Trying to get Cam and Ryder up and taken care of each morning definitely isn’t without its battles. They are both in a demanding stage and need so much of my attention. Also, a clean house isn’t the easiest task now. So I do my best just to make sure things don’t pile up. Showering is done if I’m lucky. I have to beg someone to watch the boys just to be able to rinse off. God only knows when I’ll be able to find the time to wash my hair again. Dreadlocks may be in my future! 😂

By no means am I complaining. I love the new changes in our life. And despite Ryder’s annoyed faces he gives Cam, I think he will settle in soon and realize Cam isn’t a threat. If my over possessive dog can be ok with Cam I know Ryder will be too (eventually). 🐶

When people ask what I need, my only request is positivity. I just need everyone to be positive and happy around me. If others around me are happy and positive, it helps keep my energy levels and positivity up. I focus more on the good and less on the things upsetting me or stressing me out. And trust me, with 2 little ones under two, the feeling of stress and being overwhelmed comes quick!

Dogs and kids

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One thing I’ve found interesting over the last two years is how attached my dog Sadie has become to Ryder. 🐕

When I brought him home from the hospital she snarled and growled at him. She would pace by his bed and whine. She was clearly unhappy. I really worried that she was not going to be ok with him. ❌

I gradually introduced Sadie to Ryder. I made sure to only pet her when I was holding him. I wanted her to understand that when I had him, I still loved her and would give her attention. When I wasn’t holding him I sort of ignored her. So she got rewarded for being good when he was close. After about a month she eased up and become interested in him. By the time he was 3 months old, she would actually go and lay by him. Now, he’s almost 2 and she is glued to him. She follows him all around the house. 💙

She’s really protective of him and careful of what he does. If he does something she knows he’s not supposed to she lets out this growl. It’s not a mad growl like when she growls at the mail man or lawn guys. It’s like a warning growl. As if she’s telling him not to do that. 😡

When Ryder gets too close to the pool or is in the pool and gets too close to the steps, she will actually growl and put her body in between him and the pool/steps. If he goes over by the deep end to put his hand in, she runs over and lightly nudges his arm and growls as if to tell him to tell him to stop. He’s even put things in the pool that didn’t belong there and she went to retrieve the item out of the pool, and move it far away from him. 🏊🏻

Every dog is different. I never expected Sadie to take to Ryder as well as she did, but I’m so grateful. It’s nice having a second set of “eyes” on him. She may not be able to do as much as me but I love that she tries to help keep him safe. 💙

Traveling On Hold

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Well, my traveling days are over…..for a few months. I’m far enough along that it’s recommended I not travel anywhere far unless I’m prepared to possibly deliver somewhere unplanned! ❌

I’m a planner and I like comfort so I fully expect to deliver at my hospital of choice. I haven’t gone more than 30 minutes from my house just to be safe! Im probably being a little dramatic but better safe than sorry! 😂

We have a weekend vacation planned in October that I’m looking forward to. And yes, we will be taking little Camden with us! Ryder however will stay home with Gramma. There’s not enough things for a toddler to do there so he’d have more fun with his Gramma! Plus I literally fear taking a 2+ hour plane ride with a 3 month old and a 2 year old at the same time! Props to those moms that have done it! I have zero faith in myself and my kids to make it through the plane ride without multiple breakdowns and everyone on the plane hating us!🤷🏼‍♀️