Parenting Two

Ah,  look at our little family.  All of us happy and calm, looking so peaceful.  Everyday life, right?

If only...  It is absolutely amazing how fast those peaceful moments can turn into this - Aaron and I on man on man coverage, trying to rein in the madness while still trying keep ourselves together.  It's been fun, and totally chaotic, transitioning into a family of four!

Some of the best moments of having two young kids is watching them begin to interact and show affection to one another.  From the start Ethan has loved to kiss and hug on Kelsey, to have her sit on his lap or just be lying next to him while he plays.  And now,  Kelsey is giving her big brother smiles and coos back when he plays with her!  I absolutely love watching my two babies make each other smile and laugh.  

Some of the funnier moments of parenting two have been when the chaos is at it's max.  The first time we were driving and both kids start crying at the same time - Aaron and I just looked at each other and all I could think is that at that moment we really are in a whole new ballgame.  Or when there was a line at the changing table to change dirty diapers.  Or when Kelsey goes from deep sleep to crying because Ethan is shaking her bassinet and stealing her pacifier.  Funny moments...

Watching Ethan become a big brother is one of the perks of all the changes in our house.  He loves to show Kelsey off to people and make sure they notice his little sister.  When we are at one of his activities and Kelsey is sleeping in the carseat in the corner, he often stops his play to run over to her and make sure she is ok.  

And my favorite big brother thing he does is make sure we take her everywhere we go - like we were going to forget if he didn't.  If I take Ethan out to the car first and leave Kelsey in the house while I buckle him in, he gets worried and concerned that we haven't brought her with us.  As soon as I bring her out he smiles and is ready to go.  Protective brother! 

Ethan helps out with his sister a lot - he gets down and entertains her during tummy time, always washes her tummy during her bath, will sometimes rub her head while she eats, tickles her toes to make her laugh, and steals her pacifier to make her cry. (ok, that last one is not much of a help at all, he just does it a lot...)

Aaron and I have made a point to make sure Ethan still gets to go to most of his activities during the week and that he gets plenty of time to burn off all his energy (which can be tough, since we can't go outside a lot because this winter has been so brutal).  Right from the get go we figured out how to be mobile with two kids, which did take some practice!, so he can still go to the gym, the pool, the museum, and when we're lucky enough to have the temps warm up for a day or two, out sledding.  

The title of this post should really say 'Parenting Two...and One of them is Almost Two'.  We are not only figuring out how to balance both kids, but at the beginning stages figuring out how we want to handle tantrums, how we are going to discipline in our house, what we discipline for.  

As Ethan gets closer to two years old, I am realizing that parenting is just now getting real.  We are no longer just parenting by providing for our kiddos needs, but are at the beginning stages of helping to shape who they are.  Very cool and a little frightening.  

Like most little kids, Ethan's tantrums only really come out when he gets tired.  Most of the time we get to enjoy all the fun behaviors that come with this new stage he is in.  One of my favorites is watching his problem solving skills improve.  Just today he wanted the light off in his room while I was nursing Kels.  Since I couldn't get up to turn them off for him, he ran and got a step stool out of the bathroom to reach the light.  Problem solved!

He is also more aware of his surroundings these days.  He notices more of the little things around him...like pockets in his pants.  This guy loves that he has pockets!  He likes to stand around with his hands in them and just be.  He doesn't really put many things in his own pockets, but he loves stuffing mine.  The other day I found a thermometer in my back pocket.  Pretty sure I didn't put that there.  He also loves that he figured out that Dad keeps his iPhone in his front pocket.  

Kelsey is 6 weeks old now and still a happy little camper.  This week she has started coo'ing and being very verbal.  If you talk to her in a high sing song voice, she starts coo'ing back at you with a huge grin.   She also loves to sing along to the singing star at the top of her play gym.  6 weeks old and this girl is already a chatty patty.

Kelsey has made our adjustment to two so smooth.  She takes her longest nap of the day mid morning, which is exactly when most of Ethan's activities happen.  She falls asleep as we're leaving and usually stays asleep until we get home for Ethan's nap.  It's nice for both E and I that I can focus most of my attention on him while we are out.  Then while he's asleep, she and I get some alone time to play and coo at each other.  (and on really magical days, their naps overlap a little and I get some time to myself!!)

I haven't commented on how Malley has adjusted to having a baby in the house yet because there has been no adjustment for her.  She is not interested in Kelsey at all, not even one little bit.  This picture is as close as she ever gets to Kelsey, and even then it's just to be closer to Aaron and I as we sit with her.  

Luckily for Malley, Ethan is starting to be fun.  She finally seems to appreciate his attention.  They play chase through the house together, Ethan running with her rope and she follows.  She is still so very gentle with him, only running after at his pace and not tugging very hard to pull her toy free.  Her favorite is when we give Ethan one of her treats to run with so she gets a goodie at the end of the game!

Before Kelsey arrived I was a little nervous about how life with be with two kids under two and I am very happy to report that it is wonderful.  Life is very, very good.