Well maybe not entirely. Mike is enjoying an evening out with friends at a birthday party. He will not only get to enjoy fun and conversation, but is also there to do a little employment networking. I was invited but we didn't feel like upsetting the cart quite yet with preparing for a babysitter. Our routine is not established enough for us to manage a night out on the town together. But before you feel bad for me, know I also wanted to use the time to catch up on the week's work. Moving and unpacking took more time than I anticipated, and I want more than anything to assure my colleagues in the Netherlands that I will be able to reach all of my commitments even though far away. I planned to work the entire time he was away, as any quiet moment is precious these days, but it is nearing 9PM and I just fell asleep on the sofa reading. That is our wild and crazy life: 9PM... home 'alone'... and I am going to go to bed.
Both James and Will are adjusting incredibly considering the moving and fluid routine of late, but they are not quite back to normal. James has been off with his sleep patterns, and Will has yet to establish any sleep patterns at all. That translates into the family awaking at 5AM the last two mornings... I wouldn't be surprised if Mike is nodding off at his party right now. Though hopefully he has risen to the occasion.
We've had a busy week, including scoping out James' new school (the teachers are great and the kids seem like a fun group). Typical of the 2-3 year old window in time, there are kids older than James in the class who are smaller than our petite fellow, and a gigantic kid who is younger than James. I am not joking-- this boy is a bruiser-- I could probably fit into his shoes. He is huge. James was excited to visit the class and we are happily anticipating this experience, too. Now all we need to do is have some immunization forms filled out by a physician. That should only involve a visit to the pediatrician and a Ducth-English dictionary. We have also enjoyed catching up slowly with friends, though not nearly all of our beloved Charleston crew.
Will started rolling last week, and in the last few days has been rolling over and over and over again. He is truly unstoppable. The worst is when he catapults himself upside down, sideways and over in his crib, only to find he does not want to sleep in that position. It requires notifying us with a sad little cry, at which time someone goes in, flips him over, and settles him back into sleep. We are working now to establish better naps and a consistent bedtime for him.
We broke down and bought formula yesterday. I feel like the stress of late has been diminishing my milk supply. I have not felt full since we left the Netherlands, and I kept thinking that when we came here and settled in things would pick up. In many ways I feel like a failure because I know that supplementing with ANY formula is a slippery slope... that as Will takes in formula his demand on my supply will lessen, decreasing my supply, leading to more formula, less milk production, and so forth. My other option is to spend time each day building up my supply by pumping, but I am having trouble finding time to work and contribute to the household as is. To be brutally honest I also really hate pumping. All the enjoyment of nursing dissipates to the uurr--aarrr---uurr--aarr rhythm of that machine. But we are trying to find the balance in what is most important, and what we can manage to accomplish.
I am including a few photos of our house in 'Pleasantville'. We love it-- it is comfortable, spacious, and perfect for our needs right now. The James Island county park is just down the road, and we have already made a few trips to walk the dogs and visit the playground.
3 comments:
Great colors in your house!
Don't fret on the nursing. You have had incredible stress this past month. I'll bet you haven't been able to eat or drink enough or on schedule. You can do what you can do. The upside is that Will will probably sleep better with the intro of some formula at night (my kids did, anyway).
What are you doing with all that refrigerator space these days! It must feel somewhat strange to not have to be so small all the time.
I have a hard time pumping as well. We used the last jar of breast milk from the deep freezer while in Seattle and now I have to pump if I want to go anywhere w/o Rachel for an extended period of time. There is some security in having a quart or so of backup in the freezer, but making and pumping that is daunting. Will will be just fine either way. You have fed him breast milk exclusively through the critical early times. You just have to take care of yourselves as you all transition and find a rythm that works.
Kat, I am with Steph and Megan on the nursing. It is so difficult to find a balance that works for all of you. Give yourself credit for what you have done...nursing is no easy task, and you have gotten him through the most important time. While formula isn't as good, it is so much better today than even a few years ago.
The house looks great, Terry and I have started talking about coming to Folly this year for our beach trip, hopefully if a new job works out, we will be able to. Would love to have some time with you guys.
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