Hello, hello – we are alive and WELL!!! I hope you have been too – I’ve missed you!
Things are definitely calming down around here (I feel like I scared a couple soon to be Mamas of two with my last post – sorry!) and we are getting used to life as a family of four. Don’t get me wrong, things are still nuts, but we’re accepting nuts as the new normal. Ironically I’ve eaten almost an entire jar of peanut butter in a week. Quick and easy protein, FTW!
Anyway, after a rough couple of days after we got home from the hospital, Lincoln has been doing really well with the transition. He’d been all over Cameron with kisses and snuggles but was pretty upset with me for having a new little man on my lap. We’ve been each other’s constant companions nearly 24/7/365 for the past three years and to see him hurting, testing limits, and upset with me after we got home felt unbelievably awful. (⬇️ Trying to teach baby brother to read!)
Things finally turned around when we were able to get out of the house just the two of us, take a long walk, and visit the neighborhood park. We needed to reconnect and since then he’s been doing awesome. I mean, hello normal 3 year old issues – “sometimes I just forget to listen, Mom!” – but other than that he seems to be back to his old self. Not to say we we don’t have challenging days ahead of us, especially when Ben goes back to work (HOLD ME) but life feels 1000x better today than it did a week and a half ago in this department. My biggest problem now is convincing him to stop kissing his little brother on the mouth (cold season is a comin’!) ? Oh my sweet little first born!
In other news, I’ve been so enjoying my little “maternity leave”! I feel like the best version of my Mom self because I don’t have deadlines, emails, and social media tasks looming in the back of my mind all day. I mean, they’re there but I’m trying my best to take a legitimate break. Although every moment from the time I wake up to the time I crawl into bed is accounted for, being fully present all day has been really nice.
I’ve also been taking advantage of having Ben home on paternity leave, and being out and about with Lincoln while Cameron naps (holy cow I forgot how often newborns nap! ??) to declutter and organize the entire house. Martha Stewart, eat your heart out! Truthfully it’s all stuff I should have done before Cam was born but was too tired and uncomfortable to do so. Regardless, it feels so good to be organized.
My maternity wardrobe has been packed and stashed in the basement, closets and pantries have been cleaned out, and bins and bins of “stuff” have been loaded into the car to be donated. Life with two kids demands organization so organized is what I shall be…or die trying!
Mr. Cameron is doing wonderfully. He is the sweetest little soul and looks just like his big brother but with dark hair (Lincoln’s was blonde.) Their temperaments as babies are similar too – observant and quiet except when hangry. Between me and Lincoln he receives a minimum of 4,000 kisses a day and I not so secretly love to let him nibble on my cheek. This little boy is well loved, that’s for sure. ?
After taking your solid advice into consideration we bit the bullet and bought a Rock ‘n’ Play. Umm, best investment ever! Cam naps in his crib but sleeps in the RNP next to my bedside at night. It’s great because it keeps him feeling snug, secure, and angled so he can go right back down after overnight feedings. Don’t even care that it could be rough transitioning him out of it when the time comes because honestly I feel more rested and have more energy NOW than I did the last 2 months of my pregnancy when insomnia woke and kept me up starting at 3 or 4am every morning. Forget peanut butter – RNP FTW!!!
We’ve been trying to get out of the house at least once a day, whether it be to HyVee, or the mall and Scheels’ putting green. (#thatfamily) Although Ben is still home I’m trying not to get too comfortable because sadly it won’t last forever. That said, I took the boys out for the first time by myself yesterday and what do you know, the world did not end. Granted, it was 3 miles away to Lincoln’s school, but baby steps, right?!
We were able to get out for a little Halloween fun, too!
Lincoln decided months ago he wanted to be a scarecrow (?!) so I hot glued straw and cloth patches onto an old pair of overalls and called it a day. I feel like DIY’ing a Halloween costume officially earned me my Mom card. ?
Last Saturday the family went to Living History Farm’s Family Halloween. Locals, it was SO cute – got to go next year, for sure!
The little trick or treaters got to walk around the 1875 town and collect treats at all the shops along the way. I nestled Cameron into the Solly baby wrap I ended up getting (thank you again for your advice on that! I’m working on a “must have items from a Mom of 2” post with all my tried and true gear recommendations,) and he snoozed the entire time. Thank goodness because there was no Plan B!
Like I said, life is crazy and it feels like every minute of the entire day is accounted for, but this little family finally feels complete and there’s so much less anxiety this time around. I felt like last time I was constantly challenging myself: Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right? WHAT AM I FREAKING DOING?! That said, new Moms: you are doing enough, you are doing it right, and nobody knows what they’re doing!
A couple of nights ago Ben paused and said, “Babe, we have a FAMILY. Like, we have two children…what the heck!” What the heck indeed! Things are going to be chaotic for awhile but we are happy and rolling with the punches.
I’ve got some recipes in the works for you starting next week so stay tuned – can you even BELIEVE we’re talking Thanksgiving already? What’s on your menu this year that you’re looking forward to? I really want to make some soft and buttery dinner rolls. Wish me luck. ?
Have a great rest of your week and I’ll talk to you in a few!
Oh he’s adorable. I love that photo of Lincoln kissing Cameron even though germs. Glad to hear things are going fairly well.
RNP saved our lives when my son was born! He slept in it I want to say for almost 6 months…he was premature and we were able to bring him home at 4 lbs! The angle really helped him. We used to push it from room to room upstairs on the carpet, and called it his sled. He ended up transferring to a crib just fine when the time was right!
Hehehe it really does glide like a sled – so cute!
I love to see that you and your adorable family are doing so well!! You have a whole community of support out here. You take, and enjoy, that break!! Congrats again! :)
I was almost brought to tears reading this, because it wasn’t so long ago that we had our second child. Our youngest is 9 months old.
It was a big change, but seeing our two daughters interact now is seriously sweet. There’s nothing else so heartwarming.
Just to offer some support, wanted to reaffirm that it does get easier. Your oldest will get used to the new normal at home, and giving him a sibling is the best gift there is. It’s obvious that you’re a wonderful mom. Just wanted to say Congrats, and remind you to be kind to yourself during the transition. Enjoy being a family!
You are doing a wonderful job as a mom of two. We love seeing all the pictures of the boys. I was pleased if I got my teeth brushed by noon! Hang in there and keep enjoying every minute. They fly by fast!
They do look so alike!! My babies #2 and #3 are the same age difference as your boys and absolute clones of each other (physically and temperamentally). The baby makes faces at me sometimes, and I feel like I’m being transported back to 2012. I love it!
We are definitely experiencing a lot of that as well – so sweet to see the faces of our first born being made by our second. Ah, memories! ❤️
The Rock ‘n Play was our savior with our very refluxy 29 weeker who after 60 days in NICU came home and kept us up for 2 months before we finally listened to everyone’s advice and bought this silly thing. I was freaking out about his transition as well but what I found helpful was moving him from the RNP to our travel sized pack ‘n play (less room for him to roll around) and after a couple weeks in that we moved him to his crib. He was a champ! Keep doing what you’re doing!!
Hi Family of Four!
Kristin I am so happy you are taking time away, you may become anxious about it, but really you wont regret it down the road. Enjoy all the snuggles and love.
Thanks for the update. Glad to hear everything is going well. Cam is just precious!!! LOVE the pic of the whole extended fam at LHF.
One of my favorite tips for kisses from older siblings is tell them to give them kisses on their feet if they want to kiss them. they get to share the love and no germs on their faces!
Congratulations! Sending so much love and deep breaths your way! I have a 14-month-old precious baby boy and I can’t believe it but… we’re thinking about trying for round 2 in the spring. It makes me a bit queasy to think about but also overjoyed. It’s amazing how intense those two emotions can be simultaneously. Regarding the RNP, totally worth the weekend of sleep you’ll lose months from now to transition for the extra sleep you get now. We swaddled, rocked and used the RNP. That’s 3 transitions! But it’s what worked for us. And you’re right – the insanity is temporary. Keep breathing :)
We thought we might be able to say goodbye to the RNP with baby #2, but we can’t quit it. Our babies love to be snuggled up at night. And to help ease your fears: my 2 year old slept in the RNP for naps until she was four months and night until she was three months, and the transition wasn’t that bad. Maybe a week of a little extra bouncing before you set her down? Either way it was worth the extra sleep in the early weeks!
So, so happy for you all. You ARE doing well, and enough, and all the rest of it. Thanks for sharing this special time in your life with all of us.
Thank you for sharing this post! Due with my second child on 11/29 so I will be going through all of this soon – eek!
It’s definitely getting so much better, Erica!! No stress – you got this! Congrats to you and your family!
Aw, this is such a sweet post! I’ve been reading your blog for years, and I have to say you just radiate happiness in these pictures! Life as a mom of 2 suits you :) Congratulations!
Congrats again on the expanded family! I see smiles on faces, so you must be doing a lot of things right! Not sure there really is a right way, just do it your way :) It is amazing how multi-tasking you need to be as a newborn momma with more than one child. My husband and I always paired off with the kids, and I got my son (the youngest). It’s formed a great bond that I really cherish (he’s 11 now), and my daughter relies a lot on her Dad, which is also so great.
Glad to see you are doing well!!
Um, you are just the best! I am happy to see your family is doing so well, your boys are so sweet! Thank you for sharing this fun update. You are my favorite blogger and I just love all your recipes and life posts too. Thank you for all that you share with us here!
I’m curious why you decided on the Solly, and how you like it vs. the K’tan. I actually got (and LOVED) a K’tan upon your recommendation a few years ago. How does the Solly compare?
I got the Solly because you can control how tight it goes and I figured I’d need it chasing after a toddler. It’s been really great, though I think the Moby does the same thing and is considerably less expensive!
I love reading about your sweet family! Your comments about spending alone time with Lincoln made me remember the weeks after my second little arrived – my pediatrician told me to spend 20 minutes of quality time a day with my then 2 year old. It helped with transition in so many ways! It definitely helped us and is something I still try to do a year later.
I second the RNP! We had no issues transitioning out of it around the 8-10 week mark. I agree it is SO worth it regardless!
Congrats to your beautiful family!
Congrats to all of you! When my second was born, the girls were 22 months apart; the first three weeks were a huge transition, but like you’re experiencing, it does get easier! Now we almost have a 3 y/o and a 1 y/o. Used a RNP w #2 and for almost six months! She slept like a champ then and still does! I was dreading the transition (hence the six months), but she had no issues whatsoever! She didn’t like to be swaddled either; we did put a little foam wedge under the crib mattress though to elevate it a little so maybe that did the trick? Regardless, enjoy those quiet night feedings as one day they will end!
Hello! Just wanted to say thanks for a good read! I always love reading your articles and trying new recipes. Great looking family and you seem to be settling in nicely with baby #2! Congratulations!
I am 12 weeks pregnant with my second baby and cried halfway home from work Friday after reading your post about getting some one on one time with Lincoln and telling him you love him. With the hormones and being afraid that I am going to ruin my daughter’s life with baby 2 this post is a great reassurance that I’m not and everything will be fine. Congrats!
We’ve had no trouble transitioning from the rock n play, if that gives you hope! Best.thing.ever. Congratulations!
Loved reading this post because these words so echo mine. I brought home baby #4 a day before you (got a cute pumpkin hat too!) My 3 daughter sounds so much like yours going through this transition of having a new little person taking moms attention! Congrats on your growing family!
I loved your post!! I had a baby boy on 10/22 and am in the same situation as you. Love hearing your struggles/wins and what’s working for you. You’re doing great!!
Just loved this post and the sweet photos, Kristin! Thank you for the update on your sweet family, which seriously brightened my morning. Glad that you are all settling into your new routine (and that you are actually getting a little sleep…yay!)
What a sweet family; enjoy every second! ❤️
Congrats on such a beautiful baby boy and Lincoln being such a sweet big brother! My two kiddos are 3.5 years apart and it was like WHOA when Graham was born! Life changed BIG TIME with two of them but it’s great! Chaotic for sure, but great. :) Enjoy these sweet early days!
Hi! Congratulations and thanks for sharing! I had a little girl 10/17 who joins a 2 1/2 year old sister, so feeling your pain! We are using the RNP too but just for the later part of the night, and it has been great. She is sleeping in her crib for the first and sometimes second rounds of sleep.
So fun to see an update! Glad you’re doing well and settling into a new normal. I’m impressed you’ve found time to do some organizing. I feel like I’m still catching up sometimes and my second just turned 3! Enjoy this time –you deserve a real maternity leave so you can focus on your family. Take care!
So fun to hear that you’re all doing well—-what a cute family!!!!
So, SO glad things are slowly but surely falling into a routine for you! I have my second one on the way so by April, I’ll be right where you are and I’m equal parts excited and terrified. :) PTL though for rock and plays and baby wraps, both of which I will use as much as is necessary for sanity in those early days. Thanks for your encouraging post and hang in there! xo
You guys are such a cute family!!! Out of all the blogs I follow, I honestly feel like you are the most down-to-earth, adorable little family that I could relate to. Maybe because we both live in the Midwest? lol… Anyways, I think you sound like a fantastic mom and it does sound like you DO know what you’re doing because the smiles in all the pictures prove it :) I read this yesterday afternoon, have been so, so sick for the last 2 and a half weeks, and went to check in with my dr yesterday again. After telling her I was one day late (and stupidly thought nothing of it since we started trying for a family for the first time literally right before I got sick but when I was in the hospital they did a test and told me it was negative) she recommended an hcg blood test. Turns out I am actually pregnant! I’m so excited and so nervous at the same time. Your blog post was literally exactly what I needed to read yesterday. And I can’t wait for your list of best baby items! Blessings! :)
I’ve been a reader for many years (one who rarely comments!). I LOVE the posts about your family, congratulations on your new addition. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old (both boys!) and just have to say that with #2 the time goes twice as fast. I am lamenting about being out of that baby stage as I read your post! At 21 months apart, the first months with two were such a blur of ALL emotions. I really had a lot of grief about ‘losing’ my relationship with my first. It was a tough transition, but has greatly improved and he is such a great big brother now. Individual time is the best! I can’t wait to continue to see more about your boys.
Thank you, Melissa!! Definitely are going to keep on trying our best to do regular one on one dates – so important!
So glad that your little family is adjusting so well. Keep up those Mom and me play dates for Lincoln for sure! What a great idea.
You are simply the best, love the updates on your sweet family of four and it looks like you got this Mama!! During my 2nd pregnancy w/ my 2nd boy, I was basically an emotional wreck thru most of knowing I wasn’t going to be able to give him my undivided love/attention too, or that he wasn’t going to be my only babe anymore, etc. It’s crazy how much worry that brings and then all of the sudden, it was like “why was I worried!!?? Anyway, I love that you are taking time off and IMO you should take more time off! As much as you need. Congrats again. XO ps, can’t wait for Thanksgiving and thank goodness for LLR Leggings!
Hahaha, so true!! I already have my pair picked out for the big day! ;) Thanks for the kind words, Joanna!
Loved all your sweet pictures! Thanks for the update! You’ve been missed! So glad everything is going well!
I’m so happy to discover your website thanks to the fact that Pinterest says your recipes are its most top trending! What a joy to read this post tonight, and as a mother of two sons now grown, I hope this wonderful piece advice will help you that my dear MIL gave me when I was at the exact point in life where you are with Lincoln. To give me infinite patience with my older son adjusting to the arrival of his new baby brother, she told me this: To know exactly what your older son is going through now that the new baby has arrived, just imagine that your husband comes home one day and presents a new wife to you and tells you that from now on she will live in the same house as you and your husband! Plus, you must share everything you own in your house with this new wife….and BTW…that sharing includes your husband!…and one last thing…that new wife is never ever going to leave — she’ll be staying with us forever!
Ugh it’s so true!! Poor little troopers!!
Hang in there girl. It WILL get better. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Shortcuts will often get the same result. Keep taking lots of pictures.
I remember when my second child was born (both were boys), I thought it was so fun and exciting to say “the boys”. LOL!
I have a three-year-old and six-month old, both boys. Your last couple posts are deja vu and all too familiar. All I can say is, time flies even faster with #2. It does get better, but the challenges change. And I STILL feel wiggly (in the “OMG” kind of way) saying things like, “the boys”, “the kidS”, “brothers”!! I often find myself quoting the ever-so-awesome words — “The days may be long, but years are short. So, Enjoy!”
Congratulations!! The first days/weeks with two were a total rollercoaster for all of us. Our first born was so excited about her baby brother and so proud, yet, very often in tears. It’s tough, being pushed from the throne… But she adapted to the new situation fast and has been a very loving older sister ever since. Ok, they fight, but they play a lot, too and look out for each other. I could not imagine it any other way.