One of Those Days

Dylan had a weekend trip, which translated into me having my hands full with two boys. Like, really, really full. Sometimes the baby does not sleep much during the day (or really at night for that matter), and he pretty much nurses the entire time. That leaves me fixing PB&Js with one hand while poor Graham has to figure out how to stay latched while his bum is supported by the kitchen counter. Luckily my mom came to help out and played with Gavin and even cleaned my kitchen. On Saturday, we made it across the street to celebrate Hudson's 6th birthday, so we didn't stay completely cooped up. But by Sunday night, Gavin was in complete meltdown mode. I set the baby down in an attempt to get G in some pajamas and off to bed really, really early, but I physically could not contain him with all the kicking and screaming. Luckily Dylan was on his way home and handled the situation a half hour later. As soon as he walked in the door, I felt like I had finished a marathon.

On Saturday, I was so tired that my eyeballs literally hurt. I know a little bit about physiology and anatomy, but I'm not sure what sort of eyeball muscle was actually sore. I just know it hurt to look left or right, and I was 99% sure it was a side effect of no sleep. On Saturday night, I had one of the worst nights with the baby. We were up for four straight hours and a little before and after, too. When both boys woke up at the same time, earlier than normal, I thought I might die. I told Dylan that I thought I was going into multi-system organ failure. (Sometimes being a drama queen feels so good.) The eyeball pain was worse.

But lo and behold, we had an above-average night on Sunday, and I'm starting to feel a little bit human again. The eyeballs are better. We had a much better day on Monday, and Gavin was mostly pleasant. It's amazing how different things are one day to the next when you're living this mom-of-small-children life.

Playing in the dirt. His favorite.

A Costco run. For for everyone!

Pushing Baby Graham ("Graham-bee" as Gavin calls him) a little aggressively.

More dirt. Whatever keeps him happy.

Playing at Big Cousin's Birthday Party.

Met his quota for eating food coloring for the year!

Showing Connor the ropes of digging in the sand.

I'm not playing favorites by posting so many more pictures of Gavin than Graham...it's just that Graham doesn't really do anything. Love him to pieces, though!

We checked in with a lactation consultant yesterday because I've been in some pretty legitimate pain. She taught me how to get him to latch a little better and gave me some other pointers, but I didn't find it to be life-changing as so many say it is. Also, he has lip tie, but she didn't encourage me to get it fixed yet. More of a "wait and see" thing. I was encouraged to cut out dairy...she things it's the cause of his green poo. That is a huge bummer. I am taking any and all suggestions for non-dairy substitutes. (Looking at you, Paleo people.) Anyway, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't allow nursing to make me completely crazy. I have a family to take care of, after all. No time to be a crazy person. Also, Dylan reiterated yesterday that he needs me to be a functioning human. (I was honestly delirious by the time he got home on Sunday.) Well, we've almost reached the crazy-making point, so we'll work at it a little longer and see what happens. This first month to six weeks is supposed to be the hardest part. Graham is three weeks old today, so maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel?

Lastly, I realized that I never brought up New Year's Resolutions. I didn't really make any, but that's okay. By the end of the year, I never even remember what my resolutions are, which means I probably didn't keep them anyway. Resolutions are fun and motivational and help get the year off to a good start, but I've been a little preoccupied this year, so I haven't given it much thought. I suppose I'll just do my best to be kind and non-judgmental to people, patient with my family and to always choose love over anything else. 2015 was sort of The Year of Lu. It was a great year, but I don't need it to be all about me every year. I have a feeling 2016 will be the year of Graham...everyone here has already made some serious adjustments to welcome him, but it couldn't be more worth it. I feel like Gavin has taken to him a little bit more over the last few days, so hopefully we'll be over the hump of his terrible behavior soon.