A peek inside the six-week postpartum mind

*Photo

A lot has certainly changed in the past six weeks. In some ways, I can't believe six whole weeks have already passed. And in others, I feel like Beatrice has been here with us forever.

Rather I shared it with anyone or not (did I?!) I gave myself the first six weeks with the goal of just "being" with Beatrice and not worrying too much about what was coming next. I wasn't totally true to that promise to myself (sure I've been a little stressed all along) but now that the real six week mark is here, I've got to get my head out of the sand about a few things.

 I've got to figure out when I'm going back to work, figure out the best childcare arrangement/schedule for the girls for the summer and find a long-term childcare solution (in the form of a new nanny). Then there's the promise for a swingset for Josie which is going to require MASSIVE yard renovations first (do you think people would honestly show up with shovels in hand if we promised pizza and beer?) and also the vegetable garden (oh no, maybe I should've been reading gardening books while on bedrest).  And then there's the personal stuff - the in-between sizes post-natal clothes fiasco and major hormonal changes that have turned my skin into something very closely resembling a teenage boy just hitting puberty.  Sprinkle in the obligatory dose of mama-guilt we all experience for lots of reasons that we know we shouldn't but just do anyway and well, I'm sorta kinda an absolute freaking mess at the moment.  Picture your best toddler tantrum and that's what is brewing. Really, I just feel like putting my hands on my hips, stomping my feet and yelling "You can't make me!" to the world right now. Luckily, I remember this with Josie and know that this too shall pass.  (Oh and poo - just realized I need to schedule my six week postpartum doctor's appt. Add that to the list.)  So, I'm clearly venting but that's what happens at 2pm when I just ate breakfast and have yet to brush my teeth. And alas I am blogging instead of hopping in the shower so - ha - I have no one to blame but myself.  I guess I just had to get all of this out of my system. So, there it is. Phew! I feel better and now I can move back toward my happy place. Bea is sleeping soundly and I better at least get out of my pajamas before it's time to go get Josie Posie from school.  No one said it was easy, but it's definitely all worth it.

Six Weeks and Smiling

Little Beatrice sure has come a long way in six short weeks from that first "Meet Beatrice" video of her just beginning to open her eyes and take a look at the world. Now she's a shiny happy six week old. Enjoy!

Cuddlin on the couch...

...watching Backyardigans

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Comparing the Bug & the Bee

I can't resist sharing these photos of Josephine & Beatrice. There are times when I think Bea will grow up to look just like Josie and others when I think they will look very different. Have a look and let me know what you think.

Josie's Hospital Photo - One Day Old

Bea's Hospital Photo - One Day Old

Josie at One Week Old

Bea at One Week Old

Josie at One Month Old

Bea at One Month Old

So...I'm really looking forward to your feedback on this one. I certainly have my thoughts about whether or not they look alike - what do you all think? :)

Week with Grandma

With the exception of Bea's full birth story, I think this post will officially have me all caught up on the blog. (Well, almost...I just thought of something else I forgot. Stay tuned for that.) 

Grandma swooped in to save the day for my first week alone with Beatrice once Lou returned to work. He had a full week at home with Josie and I when she was first born, but the cards didn't fall that way this time. Most of Lou's week off was spent in the hospital since I was induced at the beginning of the week and that really only left us with two full days at home just the three of us. My mom came the next week - week two - and we impressed ourselves! There was a trip to the hair salon, to the mall, to lunch, out to get coffee and to the park with both girls.  (My oh my how much easier the second one is than the first! I barely left my bedroom during Josie's second week - let alone venturing out all over town.) 
Grandma definitely spent plenty of time helping out around the house and with Beatrice during the day, but her biggest job was keeping Josie entertained and amused and she did that with FLYING COLORS! Once Josie realized Grandma was there this time just to play and not to babysit while we were away at the hospital, she was all over Grandma.  And they spent LOADS of time together - having a blast! Here are some of my favorite photos from that week.

Grandma taught Josie how to play baseball in the backyard.  They spent about an hour playing catch and learning proper pitching. Girl Power!

They also played "Bengal Tiger."  Grandma has spent a lot of time practicing her Cincinnati "Who Dey" Bengal growl - doesn't she look fierce? And doesn't Josie look impressed and amused? And aren't Grandmas the best?!

Grandma also taught Josie how to work the computer by herself so she could play the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse stories:

And we made fruit kabobs:

This one cracked us up! Josie took Grandma's camera and we later found a bunch of photos of DR. OZ that Josie had photographed from the cover of a magazine. Who doesn't love Dr. Oz?

Here is Josie modeling her pajamas for us one night before bed - look closely - nothing matches - everything is mismatched down to the socks and slippers. Silly little goose!

And of course there was lots of time with Sweet Sweet Bea!

Grandma even captured Bea giving her first kiss to Josie!

And cuddling with DD:

Yay for Grandparents!

Thanks for all of your help Grandma! You have two very lucky little Grand-daughters! xo

Fashionista

Here we have Josephine modeling the outfit she dressed herself in for school this morning.

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Five weeks old

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...and smiling

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Painting Rocks and Climbing Trees

This weekend was mostly spent in and around the house because both of the girls were down with a nasty cold and cough.  We had a great time just hanging out together, but not much to report.  (We did finally get caught up on laundry thanks to Grandma Fifi and all of her help!)

Last weekend was great. The weather was nice and we spent a lot of time in the yard. The highlights were both Josie-inspired.  She & Louie decided to collect and paint rocks to look like bugs, and Josie was very engaged in that work for most of the afternoon.

Later she got it in her mind that she wanted to climb her first tree. We have enormous trees in our yard - not the best for climbing unless you had a ladder to reach the lowest branch. Luckily Lou realized that we had the "perfect" tree in our side yard and up she went. I love this first one of her looking up at the tree. Her face says it all.

 
I love these moments when Josie tackles something that she previously thought herself too small or too young or too scared to do before. She was so unbelievably proud of herself after this. (Made very obvious by the fact that she first declared before climbing that I should bring the camera, later she announced that she would tell all of her teachers about this at school on Monday, then she asked if we could go get all the neighbors so they could see her in the tree.) 

Oh how we love our brave little girl!  This one is my favorite - if you haven't already noticed the headband that she rocked all weekend, I think this shot just about sums up Josie - climbing trees in princess shoes:

In other weekend news, spring arrived on our block!  I am trying with everything I have not to get my hopes up too high and to try to be realistic about what we can actually accomplish in our yard this summer. But for now I am just positively giddy about the tulips and and daffodils and green buds on all the trees!

And - we have a woodpecker! We hear him often and over the weekend we finally captured him on film (albeit blurry film).

And we definitely now know his favorite tree - with telltale holes all the way up and down the trunk - that little stinker.

Days like these confirm we made the right choice by leaving the city and getting a yard. We love it here in EWH!

Swingin & Slingin'

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Bea loves the sling. I love the sling. Josie loves the sling because I still have two free hands. Three cheers for baby-wearing.

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