It has been a difficult past couple of weeks. There have been good days and bad days and days where I feel like a failure in every area of life. Not a great way to start an “our weekend” post, but that’s our reality right now. Reading posts like this one definitely help.
Harper has been adjusting so well as a big sister. She really loves Lincoln and always wants to “pet him” and gives him kisses and hugs before she goes to daycare and tells him to “have a good day!” and “see you later!” She’s had a few moments of jealousy, but really much less than we expected. We are so fortunate that she’s been so great with this transition. She still has tantrums like any 2.5 year old, but they’re usually over putting a spoon in her yogurt or giving her water in the “wrong cup.” Sigh.
After a particularly tough week, I really missed her. I see her everyday, but with a newborn who wants to nurse constantly and has a lot of tummy issues (and thus, is upset more often), I felt like I needed some time with just Harper this weekend. Not only did we have such a wonderful time connecting during our special mommy/daughter dates, but it was also just the break I needed.
I took Harper to her Little Gym class Saturday and I loved watching her joy during the class. She loves it so much and I was glad to be recovered enough at this point to go with her and participate along.
Today we went to Michael’s to pick up some holiday decor (yes, I will be putting my tree up before Thanksgiving this year. It brings me happiness! #noregrets #alreadylisteningtochristmasmusic).
Then, we headed to the American Girl Doll store where Harper proceeded to be the best mommy to all of the Bitty Babies. It was hard to get her to leave the store, but when she finally agreed, we headed to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (yum!)
harper’s dress- here | bow- free babes
Lincoln is getting SO big. We have an ultrasound appointment to check his hips this week so I’m praying that goes well. I’m also curious to know how much he weighs now because he has a very healthy appetite!
Candice got these prints I’ve had my heart set on for Lincoln’s nursery as a baby gift and I can’t wait to frame and hang them. They’re by Sharon Montrose from the Animal Print Shop. I’m not doing a major “theme” in Lincoln’s nursery (it will be neutral just like Harper’s was— I like a calm and soothing space for a baby), but there will be a few safari accents. I’ve had his nursery all dreamed up since I was pregnant with Harper and thought I was expecting a boy— so I can’t wait to see it all come together.
I’ve also made progress on the kid’s shared bathroom by adding a gold quatrefoil mirror and pom pom shower curtain. I also picked up these letter hooks in chrome for their towels.
You may have already seen these on IG, but how adorable are these salt and pepper shakers? They’re on sale for $5 and would make a really cute hostess gift!
I hope to have plenty of new posts to share with y’all next week! In the meantime, dont forget to take advantage of this awesome sale at Gap & Old Navy. Click here to see my picks!
It’s refreshing to see a blogger not sugar coating the newborn stage. I love that you are being real and not acting although everything is perfect. Newborns are hard and I feel like so many bloggers/vloggers want everyone to think that they have everything under control and that everything is perfect. It’s ok to admit that things are not easy! So thank you for that.
My oldest son will be 3 in 13 days and my youngest just turned 3 months old last Wednesday.
It’s hard to find bloggers to relate to when everyone just sugarcoats everything so thank you for being honest 😉
I hope Lincoln’s tummy issues get better soon. My first had a pretty severe case of silent reflux and colic and was just not an easy baby. Hoping all clears up for yours soon!
Hi Brooke! Thanks for your comment 🙂 I always believe in complete honesty when it comes to things like this. Harper was such an easy baby. Slept a ton, didn’t fuss a lot and was overall just “easy” compared to most experiences I heard about. Looking back, I hope that no one read those posts about those early days with her and thought I was sugarcoating the experience—she was just truly an easy baby! It sounds like you are doing great with your two! I think as time goes on, it gets easier and that’s what gets me through. I always remember that quote “the days are long but the years are short.” Totally true. I think taking a break every once in awhile and doing something for myself is important. It kind of recharges you. Hope you’re able to get a break every once in awhile too mama!
This decor is too cute. For some reason, the phantom hand taking a picture in the bathroom mirror gave me a good laugh. Thanks for sharing your ups and downs with us. Hoping your next week is full of much better days!!
Thank you Elizabeth! My hand in the photo makes me laugh—it really does look creepy! Here’s to a great week for both of us!
Congrats on the little one! The newborn phase is tough, but you will get through it. Somehow we all survive. I’m expecting my second and a little nervous. With my first he was a tough baby, by no means easy, so I’m hoping I get to experience this easy baby thing everyone talks about. He had acid reflux and we didn’t figure it out for 6 weeks and those 6 weeks were just too much. Every baby is different.
Love the prints too!
I can only imagine the adjustment you’re going through but know there is strength in the struggle. I’m not a Mom yet, but I can only imagine the physical and mental exhaustion that comes from being a mom to a toddler and a newborn. Judging by your blog and others this passes and although that doesn’t help now, remember you’re not alone, you’re strong and you’re doing great!
Thank you Caz 🙂 I appreciate your support. It’s so nice to have so many friends I can text and visit with when the days are tough. Sometimes you forget how hard the exhaustion is and how emotionally draining it can all be— but friends remind you that it’s normal and that it will get better!
I hope you have a great week!
Loved reading this Veronika, and I appreciate your honesty regarding the challenges in the newborn stage! I am due with my 2nd in Jan, and starting to feel pretty nervous about the same issues you were writing about in here. But I am so happy to hear Harper is adjusting well, and you got to spend quality time with her!! I hope this week is better!
Just saw this and it made me think of you https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/must-see-things-for-parents-who-are-already-on-christmas-t?bffbfood&utm_term=.soBlkdmby#.edYRP4q23
xoxo http://www.touchofcurl.com
LOL that article cracks me up! Thank you for your sweet comment 🙂 I wish you the best of luck adjusting to two. I am so lucky that Harper has adjusted well, it makes the hard days a little easier.
I can empathise! My little boy was eventfully put on Losec: total game changer and a different formula. We tried 5 formula before finding the best for him. He’s is a Pavlik Harness for his hips. I seemed awful to start with but now it’s not too bad. Fingers crissed for you but I’m here if you do have hip questions
Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂 I am so glad you found something that worked for your baby! I am about to try eliminating soy as well as dairy to see if that makes a bigger difference. I know it can take several weeks to clear your system so I’m hoping things will start to get better!
I came across your blog a few months ago and truly enjoy the honesty of it. As a mother of a 2 1/2 yr old and 12 month old, I know it can be challenging initially juggling feedings, providing the older one with individual mommy time, and trying to squeeze in a shower or nap for yourself. It sounds like you are doing a superb job. I assure you, it does get easier!
Christina- thanks for your comment 🙂 harper thankfully goes to daycare so I am just at home with Lincoln, but some of the bad days sure can be overwhelming, even just with one. I don’t know how anyone does it with two home at the same time! Hats off to those mamas. Thank you for the words of encouragement 🙂
I follow you on snapchat as well and saw you positing about Lincoln’s cradle cap. I wanted to mention that we used Aquaphor on our little guy and it healed the cradle cap really fast. It was the only thing that worked for us. Just a suggestion if the coconut oil doesn’t work.
I had not thought to try that- I love aquaphor! Thanks for mentioning it Heidi 🙂 did you just apply it and leave it on or did you also use a soft cloth to get the flakes off?
We actually applied it and left it for a while and then used a soft brush to get the flakes off. We LOVE aquaphor and use it daily. My little guy has very dry skin and it really does wonders. I hope you get the cradle cap cleared up.
we used olive oil last night (recommended by a friend of mine) and used a soft toothbrush to brush the flakes off and it totally worked! I was so impressed 🙂 I still love aquaphor and am going to pick some up. I like using it for diaper rash too!
Harper is such a little mommy! I forgot to tell you while we were visiting….for Georgia’s cradle cap we ended up using Mustela cradle cap shampoo (Target) and massaging her head a couple times a day with that little flat soft brush they gave at the hospital. Apparently it’s good to lightly exfoliate with that. I have also heard to put some drops of tea tree oil in coconut oil….and also breast milk, apparently just rub it on his scalp.
Harper looks so much like her dad 🙂 It’s adorable !
I love the animal prints you go for the baby room, and I hope everything will be okay with Lincoln’s hips 🙂
xo
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I love your blog and I appreciate your honesty about the newborn stage. I have a 4 1/2-year-old girl and my baby boy is 8 weeks old. Very similar to you, my girl even has red hair! Things have gotten a lot easier just in the past week. He’s sleeping better at night and we seem to be getting into a routine during the day. And it helps immensely that my oldest is in Pre K during the day!