The Grind

We'll start this post with a tip of our hat to all those parents reading. This is no easy gig. The past month has brought us more sleepless nights and fussy babies than we know what to do with. Let's hope it's a phase and that it's slowly making it's way out (chase slept through the night last night for the first time since - I have no idea when). By no means do we expect to have two perfect angels who sleep from 7-7, but we have spent hours rocking chase, attempting to let him cry it out, rocking him again (because mom can't handle it), falling asleep in chairs or standing up, and all that only to get an hour or so of sleep out of him. We've felt so frustrated- why didn't we put them on a strict schedule earlier, would that have helped, we should've read more books, we should've asked more people for advice, yadda-yadda. But with one good piece of advice "you do what works for you", we're learning as we go. I don't think that piece ever stops. I have so much more appreciation now for all the working moms. I don't know how you survive the day at work after such little sleep, look so good, and then rush back home to your little ones after working all day. It is a balance that I will soon have to learn as the talks of going back to work are becoming a regular part of the dinner conversation. I have been lucky to be off for well over a year, but don't feel anywhere near ready to be back full time. Will start slowly. The babies are so different from one another - and I have to stop calling them babies because at Gap Kids now they are considered toddlers. I have two toddlers? When did that happen? Their day time schedules are so   different because they are so different. Our nursing hours have been totally cut starting feb 1 which is a good sign that Reilly doesn't need it (hasn't for a while) but sucks for us becuase it was great help. We haven't yet figured out who will be with the babies when I do return back to work but for now anyways the plan will be just to supply when we do have help and see how that goes. 

So now for the babies! Reilly is honestly the sweetest, most laid back little one you'll meet. She's happy when you pay her some attention but would never complain if you didn't. She has graduated from cheesies to veggie sticks. Loves kiwi, scrambled egg and my morning smoothie. She is moving more, rolling and pivoting. Still working on sitting up on her own. Loves to tip toe around the room and is happy as can be bouncing on a stability ball. She is chatting up a storm. Mama, reirei, dada are her three go tos (mostly mama!!!!). She starts her therapy at kidsability in February which means no more home visits so hopefully this will be a good transition for her and we hope to see some good progress with her movement and eating in the next few months! 

Chase. Where to begin! He is crazy, good crazy, but crazy none the less. He never stays still, loves to make a huge mess, is so needy, likes to keep us up all night, and is so bloody cute. He has such a personality and we love it. His new thing is to give us these eyebrows, as if to say "c'mon!" Or "you've got to be kidding" . He eats everything in site, and everything Reilly even looks half interested in. He freaks out when he sees a book and must.have.it. He loves to play games, pull everything out of the fridge, use my cell phone, restart the dishwasher ten times by pressing every button and falls asleep the minute he gets in the car. (Unlike Reilly who is way too eager to sleep, loves car rides for all different reasons). Chase is flying up the stairs now and does so any chance he can. The minute he hears the water for his bath he heads for the stairs. His name is so fitting, makes me laugh. 

They are definitely keeping us busy. But we wouldn't have it any other way. Next month they will be one year corrected, which means one year from their due date. So when they are looked at from a developmental standpoint they are compared to other twelve month olds (now) instead of 15 month olds which is their chronological age. We are excited to see what milestones they'll hit as they approach that one year mark. We will be heading back to Mt. Sinai for their one-year follow up and look forward to visiting the nursery to show off the miracles they helped grow. Will be nice to hear how they are progressing also, even though we know they are doing so so well. We don't think it'll be too long til this boy is wearing shoes  and really giving us a run for our money. And hopefully Reilly will start to sit up on her own and move towards crawling around, chasing Chase. 

A special congrats to our friends Jana and Mike on the arrival of their new baby boy, Leopold James Poulin. Leo was born this week, 6 weeks early and Jana and Mike are experiencing so many of the things we did with Chase and Reilly. We are sending them all our love and strength while little Leo grows at Grand River. You will have him home with you in no time and these days will be a distant memory- promise. 

Thanks for checking in with us, we're so grateful for all the love. A few cute shots of Chase and Reilly below, enjoy!