Hello from the other side of baby!! Thank you so, so much for your well wishes and congratulations via visits, calls, texts, emails, and comments over the past several days. It is such a joy to share our joy – Baby Cameron!
We welcomed Mr. Cameron (thank you, Summer Olympics 2016 and Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy for the much needed naming inspiration!) into our lives Thursday morning and he is doing wonderfully. Over the past six days he’s been smothered in snuggles and smooches by both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and big brother Lincoln, of course. ❤️
Now, by some complete miracle the dishwasher is running and both boys are currently napping, so I wanted to pop in to say hi. HI! I’m working on a “Life After Baby” post series that will publish over the next couple of months with my thoughts on having baby #2, but here’s what’s currently going down at casa de IGE:
A friend told Ben and me a few months prior to Cameron arriving that having 1 kid was like having 0 kids, and having 2 kids was like having 10. NAILED IT. Having two children who depend on you completely – and for totally different things – is definitely more difficult than I imagined. People with more than two children, you are amazing. I need to know when you get things done. The balancing act has been really difficult and we’ve only been home two days! ? Maybe that’s the key thing though – it’s only been two days.
Mostly we just want to make sure Lincoln is doing ok with this enormous transition. We’ve been doing lots of one on one time, hugs and kisses, and a few fun presents like Floam. Can you say mega hit? I know once everything isn’t so raw it will feel less complicated but, at the moment, when I think about Ben going back to work I break into a cold sweat. And not even a hormonal one. Although that’s also happening.
The other day I made the horrible mistake of reading a Dr. Laura column about a 4.5 year old child who still resents his mother 16 months after his baby sister arrived – can’t unread the words, can’t unfeel the feels. That’ll teach me to Google anything parenting-related besides like, whether a Rock ‘n’ Play is worth it.
Our house is a Disaster with a capital D. Today for lunch I ate chunky peanut butter by the spoonful for lunch. Ben arrived to the hospital the day after Cameron was born with his shirt inside out. Edited to add: and fell asleep at Walgreens waiting for my pain medication prescription to be filled!!! #thatguy Despite having been here before, we are total parents of newborns right now! ? Let’s just say the first night at home was REAL. Thank you Lord for perspective and the knowledge that this is all temporary.
I am enjoying the newborn scents and cuddles more than I ever thought possible – there is nothing better! Probably because I can literally see in front of my face how quickly it fades away when I look at Lincoln. Prior to Thursday I though he was the tiniest little person on the entire planet. When he came to the hospital after Cam was born I had to squint to make sure I was looking at my 3 year old and not a 13 year old.
When I was pregnant I was legitimately worried I couldn’t love this baby as much as Lincoln – my first born, child soulmate, little buddy, and constant companion. Everyone said my love would expand not divide, which I knew of course, but it’s crazy just how true those words are and how instantaneous it happens. I am obsessed with/love all my boys equally (including Ben!)
I never went into too much detail about Lincoln’s birth but it was beyond horrific (not the hospital, doctors, or nurses – many of whom we were reunited with again when we had Cameron!) Anyway, this time around I had a planned C-section and could not have felt better leaving the hospital – mind, body and spirit. Just wanted to mention this to anyone whose first child came into the world in a way you’d rather not remember and are planning on, or want more children. It can be so much better the second time around!
We are relying on the generous help of our family right now and are asking for lots of prayers and as we navigate this chaotic world of loving on our two beautiful children. It does get easier though, right? ? Have a great rest of your week!
Jenny 10.25.2016
Congratulations!! I’m only 11 weeks out from bringing home my second boy too and can tell you it does get easier (or you just learn to adapt?). But the joy of watching the two love each other is beyond measure. Enjoy this special time! It may be hard, have lots of tears and little sleep, but it also is so amazing.
Gina 10.25.2016
Many blessings to you and your growing family. Both boys are very handsome. My daughter had our little Audrey 3 months ago and I have cooked many of your recipes for her and her husband as they navigated being a family. Enjoy your time with ALL your boys. With love….Gina
Kristin 10.25.2016
What a beautiful baby and big brother! You must be overwhelmed with LOVE right now!! Congrats! Loved this update and very much looking forward to the Post Baby Series :) Can I just say… YES YES YES to a rock and play- totally worth it! Its so portable too, we wouldn’t have survived without it! Enjoy every single cuddly moment and All the delicious baby smells
Lara 10.25.2016
Many congratulations – and thanks for the red beans & rice recipe. Just whipped some up for lunch. Delish! Hope you are getting a chance to eat more than just peanut butter!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures 10.25.2016
Congrats!!! He’s sooooooo adorable! I’m so happy for you and the family. Enjoy!!
Steph 10.25.2016
Congrats! Thanks for the encouragement. I’m expecting my second…a surprise 8 years after my first and 27 years after my boyfriend’s youngest. We are a bit nervous….but excited.
Katie 10.25.2016
Congratulations! Yes, the rock n play is worth it… So worth it. You can tote baby #2 to whatever room you want to be in with monster #1 (said with much love of course ;) ) Hang in there! I have a 3 year old boy within a week or so of Lincoln I think and 6 month old twin boys. I also had a repeat c-section (though my first was scheduled and totally uneventful) and I had a rough time settling in for the first week or so home. All this to say… It quickly became not just ok, but wonderful. Joyful, exciting, loving, snuggly, and awesome. Yes, sometimes loud and chaotic and messy, but we’re a happy hot mess and I think God loves us for it. Hang in there! You’ll find your groove!
Julie 10.25.2016
He’s gorgeous! Congratulations!
Tracy 10.25.2016
Congratulations!!! Remember: This too shall pass. You’ll find a new normal routine soon, I promise! Enjoy this precious time. He’s darling!
Molly 10.25.2016
I almost never comment, but after getting/reading/enjoying your posts for a couple years now I just wanted to share a congrats on baby #2! We just added #2 this past March (after 6 years) so I can totally relate to what you’re going through now -the duplicated kids are much more than duplicated work, but totally worth it! Best of luck as you settle into a new normal!!
Carol Wayne 10.25.2016
Congratulations….easier …no…you just figure it out. Rest as much as you can.
Megan 10.25.2016
Congratulations to you guys! What a beautiful family!
Wishing you all the most happiness! And things becoming smoother sooner rather than later. :)
Maureen Gribble 10.25.2016
You are doing great and everything will be “normal” before you know it – a new normal, but the kind of normal where you do have a (relatively) clean home, you are able to watch your TV shows again, and you do get to sleep more than 2 hours at a time. Congrats!!
Lisa E 10.25.2016
CONGRATS to your wonderful family. He is beautiful. Prayers are coming your way
Chi Chi 10.25.2016
Hi IGE! Congratulations. I do not comment much on your blog but I have been following for YEARS! Anyway, I wanted to share with you something that still gives me a lump in my throat and I tell this to any new moms of two…these first couple weeks will be hard. You might feel a little sad or blue, you will feel stretched in every direction, as though you are about to pop and split right down the middle. When you begin to feel this way, take both Lincoln and Hamilton up in your arms and just enjoy the moment. Take in deep breaths and smell their hair, kiss on their lips, squeeze them, just love on them because like all the other hard times, this will also pass. Don’t feel like you need to do everything or anything at all. Much love to you and your family of four. I have three and would not trade our experiences for anything.
Chi Chi 10.25.2016
NOT Hamilton! LOL Cameron! My friend just had a baby and named him Hamilton. :)
Celia at Chicago Jogger 10.25.2016
Congrats to your family!!! What a sweetheart :)
Shel 10.25.2016
Congratulations on your beautiful new addition! He’s gorgeous!
Katie 10.25.2016
Congratulations! I wanted to quickly pass on a little advice when I had my second that worked out SO WELL. Whenever, I was about to do ANYTHING with my oldest, I would say “No, baby, you’ll have to wait. I’m doing something with oldest now.” It didn’t matter if the baby was fast asleep, or perfectly content on the playmat (though sometimes she would be screaming/crying). My oldest would always smile and it would reinforce that sometimes she got top billing over the baby. Hope that helps! And good luck!
Laura A 10.25.2016
You got this, mama!! My two are 18 months and 3 years old and once the little one started sleeping through the night, life got SO. Much. Better. It’s crazy and exhausting of course. My best advice is never turn down someone who wants to help :)
Alice 10.25.2016
Congrats! Check this off your worry list…Memory begins after age 3 – and usually is spotty until 4. Lincoln will not have any memories in time that do not include his brother, so don’t focus on his adjustment too much, for him this will be all he knows shortly. I had 4 singlets under 4 and chaos reigned, but they only know life all together, and that is what a family is. Enjoy!