Wednesday, September 17, 2008

We're surviving!

No, we're better than surviving--we're doing great! I've had the girls on my own for 3 days (4 if you count Sunday which we should since Reid was in meetings ALL day) and honestly, we're doing really well. I don't remember the last time i've enjoyed being a mom this much! It was probably about 9 months and 4 weeks ago. And i'm feeling good. I think i'm mostly "recovered"-- but still not enough to exercise, no, no, that'll take at LEAST 10 more weeks or so, at least! My energy's pretty good though, and honestly, i'm just in LOVE with my girls! we've had a really good 3 days. We've enjoyed a heaven-sent week of GORGEOUS weather here. We've spent lots of time in our backyard, went to a friend's house, and we even made it to a playdate at a park yesterday (and, might I add that i was the FIRST one at the park!!)

I'm feeling a bit like Patti LaBelle--and i apologize for getting this song in your head--but I've got a new attitude! I really do! I'm just really enjoying being a mom right now! Like today when i went to get Abby out of the crib, i had a fussy Eliza in my arms, i needed to pick up my upset 29lb child from her crib, and Grace was clinging to my leg. Five weeks ago this senario would have had my pantyhose all up in a wad (glad to be able to quote my brother here), but today i just thought "When else in my life will I be able to hold all my girls at the same time? how soon is it going to be before they stop openly admitting that they need me? And how soon will it be before Abby won't even be in a crib to take her out of (the thought makes me shiver)? So instead of throwing them all out of the window i just soaked up the moment...and then it passed. And all of these moments, sweet and sour, are just passing. And i want to ENJOY them. So, I'm coming out of my "whine all day because being a mom is hard" rut (not that it isn't hard, cause it is!) and i'm feeling awesome!

Now, that said, three kids is KICKING MY BUTT! Not because they're driving me crazy, or because they're too much to handle--it's just that they're TOO MANY!! Will i ever get ANYWHERE on time again! Will i ever have anything but a ponytail in my hair. Will i ever have a clean kitchen or laundry room again (it didn't happen often before, but it did happen!) Will getting in and out of the car ever take less than 17 minutes? Will my children ever sleep through the night again (we've been having nightmares, etc, since Eliza came home) Will i ever go to sleep before 1am again? It's just crazy! And I know it will get easier--I felt this exact same way when Abby was born, and it definitely got easier. But for now, I just wonder if or when I'll feel like i've "got this down"--perhaps never. Most likely it'll be about 1 minute before we find out we're expecting #4.

The good news of the day is that Eliza didn't cry for 3 straight hours tonight. She did projectile vomit all over my couch--that was a first--but she only fussed for about 30 minutes! Maybe this whole dairy-free business is working! they say it takes 7-10 days to get out of your system, and it's been about 10 days now, so maybe her colic will just dissappear! And i'll just hope for no more puking...

Reid's enjoying being back at work, but he misses the girls, and they miss him. His first day back at "work" he played in a "work sponsored" golf tournament--it was a really tough first day back! It was the 4th round of golf he's played since Eliza was born--see what a good, loving, selfless wife I am? :)

Grace and Abby continue to keep each other "busy" throughout the day. There's a lot of screaming that goes on between those two--sometimes it's happy screaming--most of the time it's not. But the most unusual screaming happened yesterday when they were playing in the backyard. I heard Grace yelling "Cheeses"--or so I thought. But then it occured to me to ask her what she was yelling. She said "Jesus." I told her that we shouldn't yell Jesus' name at the top of our voice cause it wasn't very respectful. She just kinda ignored me. So i go back inside, and she does it again. This time I ask her why she's yelling that name, and she says, "Because I like Jesus. I love Him, and I want him to come here." What do you say to that?!?!

And Eliza officially won me over (as if she hadn't already, i'm a total baby lover!) tonight when she flashed this smile at me. It's her first smile, and I only had the camera out cause i wanted a picture of her cute cheeks at this angle, and right when i clicked the button i got this:

I know it's not a huge smile, but it was a "i'm looking at my mom and I'm happy" smile--not just a "windy" smile. It made my WHOLE night!


Eliza, sleeping with her dad tonight on the couch--would you look
at those cheeks? I really do have "liquid gold" for milk!! And look at that head--do you see why i so desparately wanted that epidural?!?!?!

10 comments:

Em Russ said...

Love the cheeks and the big head. You know I'm a sucker for those as well! :) And, to answer all your questions... NO! You'll never get anywhere on time, you never get anything but a ponytail, and as for kitchen and laundry... just try not to grow mold! that's my policy!!

I'm impressed with he 17 minute car loading though. I heard that you should add on 10 minutes for every kid so I figure that my 30 minutes is about normal!! (and as for the yelling Jesus thing, I just heard Lila with a doll talking in a "Cruella Devil" voice about Heavenly Father putting someone in jail.... go figure?)

Melissa Snyder said...

I love those cheeks!! She is so cute. I am glad that you getting along ok. I am nervous for this third one. I hope that I can survive like you are.
You have such pretty girls. Sure miss ya!

Stephanie B said...

I remember after Rachel was born thinking, "Tons of people have 2 kids, why am I finding it so hard?" I love newborns, but that first month is always hard. Your daughters are gorgeous!

The Busby Family said...

I love reading your blog Emily you crack me up. it sounds like you are pretty busy, it is so hard when you don't get any sleep, Sawyer still wakes up way too much during the night, I really need to let him cry it out. Good luck with everything, Kelly has been on calls to china starting at 8pm and he has tons of other work to do so he has been getting to work early, it is aweful, we are just crossing our fingers for his security clearance, hopefully he will get it soon.

Jessica Mason said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jessica Mason said...

I am in love with your girls. I'll tell you what, if my next one, if I dare have a next one is a boy and your next one, because we know you will be having another one, is a girl...let's swap. That would be ok right. Oh i love you tons and can't wait to see you again. I do want to just bite those cheeks. You are a cream momma just like me! Love you babe. So happy for you. Just remember to rest when you can. These first few months are going to kick your butt, but you are right...the dishes and laundry can wait, but you will never gets these moments back. Enjoy!!!

Steph Bowen said...

She is SOOO cute! I love all the headbands. Do you make those? If so will you tell me how?

merathon said...

reid has golfed FOUR times in the last four weeks? patrick hasn't golfed four times in the last four years probably (much to his dismay)! i actually love golfing too... but sadly haven't been able to go since i've had kids! yikes! i'll be horrible if i ever get to pick up a club again!

natalie said...

Emily, you and Reid have beautiful daughters. All of them. I just get a smile on my face looking at your pictures and reading your descriptions. I can so relate, but add keeping a perfectly clean house while trying to sell it on top of it. Yeah, life is crazy, but it does pass. Almost too soon. (I say almost because some days can't go by fast enough. Whereas, other moments pass too soon.) I've given up on doing my hair, make-up, and dressing decent. I always have a little bit of spit-up on my tee shirt or down my leg from the projectile spitting. But who needs fancy clothes? I agree that a positive attitude goes a long way towards making it through each day with some sanity. Three girls are FUN. They are loving, sweet, and full of personality! There isn't anything more rewarding than a smile from your baby or an "I love you." from your child. It is totally worth it.

Utah gal said...

Grace calling out for Jesus is priceless, so glad you didn't let it go at cheeses. Although I like cheese too:)