It's been too long since I last posted, but between everyone here cycling through being sick, and me hitting what I call my 4 week wall, I really just haven't been up to posting.
Thomas is finally over his bronchitis! 2 rounds of antibiotics and an inhaler and he is well! He had is first basketball game of the season last night and did GREAT! Spirit won and played well, and Thomas got a good amount of playtime, which he was happy about. The team is very competitive, and with missing practice time for his ankle and bronchitis, he was worried he might not get in and have much playing time. Benjamin and Max kept Norman busy at the game, alternating between watching the game for VERY short amounts of time and climbing the bleachers, running around out in the commons area, and waiting for their turn to run around on the court after the game! Abby Grace did what she does best these days - ate and slept, and looked oh so sweet!!!
Benjamin is recovering from an occluded and infected ear tube and general overall yuckiness. He is truly the best patient, and the person in this household I MUCH prefer to be around when sick. He gets quieter than usual, and a bit more cuddly, but he does NOT complain, like the bigger boys, or want to be CONSTANTLY in my arms and lap, like Max does. It was actually a big deal Monday when he woke up at 3am and said "My ear hurts." He took some ibuprofen, and went right back to sleep. Bless his sweet heart!!
Max has had nasty runny nose the last few days, but it has had NO effect on his food intake (still high!) OR his energy level (higher still!!!) I'm told that's a good thing, but a little slowing down would be ok by me!!
I am slowly coming out from behind my 4 week wall. I have discovered that, for me, the 4th-7th weeks after baby arrives are the hardest, and a true struggle for me. The "brand-newness" has started to wear off, and the high-needs part begins. Abby nurses A LOT, as did her brothers, so much of my time is spent feeding her, which is wonderful in it's own way, but also challenging. By week 4, my energy is back and I have a LIST of things I want/need to do, and just can't, due to the nature of caring for a newborn! She HAS started to sleep longer at night-4 hours from 11pm-3am- so that's happy, but I struggle with not being able to do nearly as much as I want to! I am working on rethinking my expectations and focusing on what I DO accomplish, but that is a struggle when I feel quite inadequate! I have discovered that, in the past, anyway, I am pretty well-adjusted by about week 7-8, so this, too shall pass and get better, it's just a matter of pushing through!!
The good news on the Abby front is that she is just PERFECT! So sweet and growing and changing already! Her 1 month check up was on the 8th and was great! She was 8 lbs, 8 oz, and 20 1/2" long. She is healthy and growing well, and just wonderful. She SCREAMED when she had to get naked and get weighed ( I TOTALLY sympathize, let me tell you!), but nursed then was happy and quiet for the rest of her exam! Good baby!! She is a happy baby who loves to be held and cuddled with!!! Fits right in with her brothers!!
Well, the day beckons and there are things to do, dishes to wash, and clothes to fold. I will try to take (and post!) some pictures later this afternoon when Abby isn't nursing and her adoring brothers are napping! Wish me luck!!!
