fussy pants

our daughter has become a fussy pants.. we are on day 3 of fussiness and everyday something different seems to be the solution. but we/i don't figure it out until after i have a headache or am exhausted.

today, she got swaddled and it seemed to be the trick so at least she's sleeping for now.

on a good note she slept from 9:30pm to 6am last night. yeah, sounds great but i woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep right away even though harlie was sleeping (that's the time she would normally request my attention). then i woke up again at 5:30 leaking so i thought i better pump before i burst a milk gland. then she woke up at 6am requesting some breakfast and a diaper change.

phil, the super husband, let me sleep in until 8am so i must admit, i feel rested. however, i was planning to work out this morning and didn't get the energy to get out of bed in time.

good day

Since I vented and shared my rough day then I thought I should share the good ones too. Today Wendell and I had a pretty good day (Harlie too). He was patient and listened and even volunteered to pick up some toys without my asking him (that was a first for him). We went to the park then did some shopping at Hy-Vee and I let him ride in the little vehicle cart so he feels like he's driving. Then he ate his meals pretty good and took a good nap. He even let me watch Oprah and didn't get into too much trouble or complain too much. Then we went for a "walk" and he rode his tricycle for almost a mile. It took him almost an hour to do it but he rode the entire way taking a few breaks here and there to observe his surroundings (glad I took the stroller and not the baby holder!). On a side note, he also picked up a leaf on the way (he's a collector). He loves to pick up leaves along our walks and his tricycle has a little compartment in the back so he puts them in there. Then he ate his supper with out any major issues and is now spending time with his dad. I might even get to publish this post in one sitting.. usually I have to stop and then come back to it later. So anyways, we had a good day. I trust that I will survive having two kiddo's.. although there will be more rough days and more good days! (sorry no pictures this post.. maybe next time?)

rough day

So the other day I had started this great post about how life is going pretty good and we were doing quite well with two kids instead of just one and then ... well, yesterday wasn't such a great day. First off, we all work up early so none of us really felt rested, then after Phil left for work I decided I'd like to shower and I thought, how am I going to do this? I really can't leave Wendell alone with Harlie as I don't quite trust him and yet if I took her downstairs with me then I knew he'd follow and then get into things he's not suppose to. Well, choiceless, I took her down with me and as I predicted, Wendell went down too and there I was trying to shower and he was jumping on the digital scale and turning the humidifier on and off and who knows what else. So eventually I just told him to sit on the stairs until I was done (which amazingly he did). Then we went up stairs and things just didn't get better. I'd ask him to do something or not do something and if I didn't know any better I'd think his ears needed cleaned out. We were going to go to the park or at least outside but then we got a couple of phone calls that took some time. By the time we could have left it was almost lunch time and quite honestly I felt like he didn't deserve to go outside and have fun because of his behavior. Is that wrong? After I reflected on the day, I did realize later that we should have gotten out of the house. If anything, it would have been for me to have some moments of freedom (my attention not directed at his behavior) not a reward for him. So then we have nap time and thankfully he fell asleep. Since Harlie was also asleep I thought maybe I'd just take a nap and try and refresh myself. 20 minutes later, Harlie wakes up so now I'm even more tired as 20 minutes was about half long enough. I get her quited down and decided to just lay in bed awhile to have a break. So about the time she falls asleep, then Wendell wakes up from his nap. I tried to put on my happy face but he just continued to be a rascal. I then decide I give in, he can watch tv for awhile and I'll just keep my distance but after about 15 minutes of that he didn't want to watch tv, what?? not watch tv? This should have been my final clue that Wendell just wanted some attention but by then I'm not in my right mind. So, we call Phil to find out what time he's coming home and he informs me that it'll be another 2 hours, what? I thought he was getting off in an hour, not two! So, I broke down. I should have just let it all out but Wendell was there and whenever he sees me cry he gets "concerned" so I get it together. By then, I've decided that supper is going to be easy BLT's, not the fancy stuffed chicken and homemade mac-n-cheese that I've been wanting to make. Wendell and I go outside while Harlie sleeps and he plays while I sit and watch. I finally got a moment of peace for the day. My neighbor actually came out and chatted for a bit which was a nice distraction from the day we'd been having. Phil came home, I cooked supper, and then we went shopping. Although we got home late, it was worth the trip. I think Wendell and I both needed out of the house.

Wendell and I've had days like this before so I know we'll be fine. It seems odd that taking care of Harlie seems so easy.. it's the 2 year old that can drive me mad! When does this stage end? It's starting to feel like NEVER... I'm hoping it's easier with Harlie.. maybe her and Wendell will play together and keep each other company? Or am I looking at double trouble in 2 years?

Really, when all is said and done, I'm just disappointed in myself. Every once in awhile, it all builds ups, I get so angry and then every little thing just makes it worse. How can I let go of the anger and "reset" myself so that it doesn't just build and build? Hmm... any advice for me?

Well, thankfully, time doesn't stop and yesterday did end. Today has been a little better but I can tell I'm still frustrated with the little guy. At least the weekend is here so hopefully we'll be busy enough to stay out of trouble.

One last thought. Looking at today's date, I realize I have no right to complain, it could be worse - much, much worse.

last free weekend

This is our last free weekend without Wendell for awhile. I must admit though, I miss the little guy. He was gone a few days earlier this week and when he came back I had forgotten how much fun he can be. He's just a "silly monkey" and likes to make us smile. But my parents have him for the weekend so I have a few more days alone with Harlie (and Phil). I do have a few things I need to get done so I'm glad he's gone for now. So far, Phil and I went out for lunch, then did a little shopping and came back home (none of which were on my to do list). Harlie was a peach through it all except the last few minutes when she decided she was hungry.

There are a lot of things that I'd like to get done before Wendell comes back. One thing is that I have been trying to journal Harlie's "birth story" and there is so much to write that I just need to get it done before I forget. I also have a baby book that I really want to get a good start on so I don't forget those little details either. And we have some gifts/decorations that need to be hung, pictures need to be ordered/picked up/organized, and get the house cleaned up. I'm sure there are many other things that I'm not even thinking of.

Just as a general update, we are all doing pretty good. Harlie sleeps pretty good for the most part waking every 3-4 hours but then goes back to sleep after I feed her. Overall, she's a pretty happy baby and doesn't cry that much except if she's hungry. I still can't tell who I think she looks like so I'm just going to say Harlie for now. Eventually I'll find my photo album that has Phil, Wendell and my baby pictures so we can compare them. Wendell continues to do pretty good with her, although he hasn't really been around her but for a few days. Physically, I am feeling much better than I did a week ago and am on the mend. I also think I'm starting to adjust to lack of sleep but next week will be the true test when Phil goes back to work and Wendell is here; if Harlie continue to wake up at 6am. Part of me wants to get back into a routine which includes exercise, play dates, eating healthy/cooking, and more structured life in general and part of me laughs at the thought of this and says that I should just wait a month before attempting to get my life back to a new "normal".

On a side note, I'm happy to report that I am "meeting" my nursing goal of being able to breastfeed Harlie in front of other people especially men. I've had the challenge thrown at me 4 times and 3 of the 4 times I did nurse (covered) in front of a man and the 4th time I had pumped and Phil gave her a bottle (which I'm perfectly happy with as well). I have also nursed in front of a couple of female friends without the cover and this I did not even do when Wendell was a baby. I am not completely comfortable with nursing in front of people as I have not mastered the nursing covers/cape/shawls (I have 3) but so far I'm pleased with what I've accomplished. I can tell I'm becoming one of those "freedom" breastfeeding women as I want to be able to do normal things and not feel like I have to hide when I feed Harlie but at the same time, I don't want to just whip it all out and be totally exposed. I'm sure I will find a good balance that makes me and others comfortable.

This next week, we have some outings planned during the day so it'll be interesting to see how I do with a toddler and nursing infant. Harlie has her 2 week appointment, I'm hoping to get a play date in with my friend Sarah, and am hoping to also do some traveling to see parents and my mom. So, at some point next week, I'll have to give you an update of life with Phil at work and me being a lone mom of two.

Well, enough rambling for now... here are some fun pictures.

we're home

We have now been home a few days and a small part of reality is setting in. So far, I'd say we are doing pretty good. I'd give it an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best.

Here are the top few questions that we get asked:

How is Harlie doing? Harlie has been sleeping pretty good for the most part.. last night we had some issues with her not wanting to fall asleep except when I nurse her - she doesn't take well to the transfer from my lap to the cradle so I spent the night on the couch last night with her laying on my belly... her princess pad as I called it last night. Yesterday, she wasn't latching on very good so I've been using the nipple shield which is kind of a bummer. I was really hoping to feel more comfortable nursing in public but with the nipple shield it makes it more difficult. on a good note, we tried a bottle yesterday and she took it really well.. and I was sitting right next to Phil (and Wendell) who were giving her the bottle.

How is Wendell adjusting? Wendell is "Mr. Helpful"; he gets diapers for us if we need one, likes to caress her head when she's sleeping, and loves to hold her for short amounts of time. I feel like we've been yelling at him a lot the last few days but I think that's because we're trying to get too much done and that means he gets in our way - ex. - I still don't have my bags unpacked because we've been busy with the obvious plus meals, soaks in the tub (for me) and just general pickup. I think now that we're mostly caught up then we can spend more time with him. I'm a little concerned that he's not going to like the new slow pace of life but we'll just have to compromise... me being willing to go more with an infant and him learning to play at home. Wendell is going to Phil's parents today so we'll get a few days without him. Hopefully I can get caught up on a few things like thank you's, hopefully visit the lactation consultant to see if I can do anything about this nipple shield, and visit some people at work.

How does the c-section compare to a VBAC? Well, honestly, the VBAC is a lot more painful from the tear. The fact that I have to sit on the sore makes it much harder to adjust, plus it makes walking, bending, lifting, etc. all more painful. I also think it's a lot more sensitive down there compared to my lower abdomen. I do think that the experience of a VBAC is much more exciting and just an awesome accomplishment. I've seen many different deliveries on t.v. but it's so different when it's your own. I would definitely do the VBAC again, in fact looking back on Wendell's delivery, I probably would have done things differently.

Who does she look like? If you had asked me this the day she was born, then I'd say she looks more like me then Phil. But today, she's gained some weight in her face so she is looking more like Wendell/Phil. So, not sure who she looks like, I guess just Harlie!

Other thoughts: I think the fact that this is our second child has made the experience a lot more enjoyable. We were so much more relaxed and patient then when anticipating Wendell's arrival. Even breast feeding and dealing with her crying have been a lot easier just because we've experienced it before. I'm definitely not as emotional as I was with Wendell and I think it's because I feel more in control and expect there to be hard times. Although, we had a rough night last night, I can see today being a little more like a normal day. I got to go outside and play with Wendell while Harlie was sleeping. Phil was gone a few hours and I survived just fine. Today, I even got breakfast before lunch time, unlike yesterday. I'm excited to have a Wendell gone for a few days but I'm also ready to get into normal life routines.

Baby Harlie is here!!

Baby Harlie is here and there is so much to write about! But we'll start with the fun pictures.
The first one is "mommy meeting Harlie" for the first time.

This second one is one of the first pictures of Harlie after she was born, she was very bright eyed and bushy tailed.

And this third picture is Wendell checking out Harlie, observing from a safe distance.

We'll start with the stats. Her name is Harlianne (Harlie) Rene` Hunt. She was born Tuesday August 25th at 4:46am, 8lbs 2oz, and 21 inches long. She was successfully born VBAC after 27 hours of labor!

We just got home today (Thursday) and are curious to see how our night goes. She's been taking short naps and then nursing for short amounts of time. We're a little worried that this will continue or she'll wake up and want some attention throughout the night.

Overall, we're doing pretty good. Wendell seems to be doing well. He has held her quite a few times and likes to give her kisses. I think after a few days, her presence will settle and he might become a bit more clingy.

One quick funny story, about 15 minutes after we got home from the hospital, Harlie had her first explosion and Phil volunteered to change it (prior to knowing it was an explosion). Once I saw what she'd done, I had to grab the camera to take a picture as it was quite comical. So poor Phil was requesting help and I was just laughing taking pictures. Once we were both working to change the diaper, the phone rings and of course Wendell answers it. By the time I got to it to say hello they had hung up. Then a few seconds later, Phil's cell phone goes off and it was his boss so he answered. Anyways, the task got completed and it took all three of us (Wendell included) to get the job done.

Well, I'm pretty tired and need to go to bed so I'll have to give you more stories and pictures another time. Thanks to all who have prayed and visited/called us!

Harlie in a couple years?

Is this what Harlie will look like in a couple of years?