I'm sure everyone has noticed that I haven't been posting as much as usual lately, and you probably understand why. How do people find the time to blog when they have a newborn and a grumpy little toddler? I have no idea! So here is a quick update on how we're all doing in the Veater house:
*Natalie has been improving a lot! She now wakes up to eat on her own, seems really hungry a lot of the time, and is gaining weight. She will still take a couple weeks to get back up to her birth weight, but at least she's gaining and the doctor is happy with how things have been going with her. As of last Monday, she weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces, and we're taking her in for another weight check this Monday. It feels SO great not to be constantly worried about her, and to see her awake and alert more often and actually wanting to eat. I love it!
*She's getting better with her days and nights as well. She's usually awake and active throughout the evening, and then settles down for a longer stretch of sleep at around midnight. We're still sleepless in Seattle, but it's getting better. :)
*So now that Natalie is eating, she's suddenly become the easy one. Kirsten is not adjusting well to the new baby, and I feel so bad for her when she wants me to play with her and I can't because I'm taking care of Natalie. I keep thinking she'll just have to get used to it, but so far poor Kirsten is really whiny, grumpy, and bored. My little girl just needs someone who can play with her and devote all their attention to her! She still won't touch Natalie or show much interest in her. This is the closest I've gotten to getting a picture of the two of them together.
What should I do to help Kirsten? I feel like I'm being such a bad mommy to her!
If you want to take Kirsten out for some "Mommy and Me" time, you can drop Natalie off at my place and I would be happy to watch her for you so Kirsten can spend some time alone with you.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad she is eating better & being more alert :) that is wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!
Call Miranda!! And know that as more time passes, it'll get better. You're doing the best you can by both girls. When Natalie's older, Kirsten is going to have a BLAST playing with her little sister.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought: feeding time for Natalie can be reading time with Kirsten. If she can turn the pages, she can sit next to you while you read to her.
I WILL take Miranda up on her offer. :) And I really wish Kirsten would like me to read to her. She still doesn't like books or reading, and she never has. She's such a busy girl, she likes to be moving around constantly and playing hide and seek and DOING stuff, so books just aren't her thing. I wish they were! It would make it easier for both of us!
ReplyDeleteThat picture is great! It's like the caption should be, "Mommy, what is that thIng!?" I would definitely utilize Natalie's naptimes as Kirsten time. You shouldn't feel so guilty, Kirsten will be just fine! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley! I don't know if you remember me, but we were in Bothell 3rd together about 2 years ago. I had my little girl a couple days after you had your little girl. Anyway, I stumbled on your blog while I was surfing. Congrats on baby number two! We just had our third the end of Januray. I hope you guys are doing good. I remember seeing your husband at the gym for a while after we moved out of the ward. Take care!
ReplyDeleteCarly Bingham
Hello!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great Mother's Day!
My house was full of sweet kids and grandchildren.
Very normal for big sister to feel this way...She is used to 100% of your time.
Does she have a baby doll, blanket, bottle and a chair to rock her in? (I'm sure she does)
I would say - You can be a little mommy just like mommy... and they would copy what I would be doing or pretend to...
I would get the biggest kick out of my sons that would pull their shirts up when I was nursing and try to nurse their cabbage patch boy dolls!!!They loved it when they would burp them too!
She will learn to adjust. Give her time.(There's that word "time" again)
I also sang when I nursed and that would help everyone feel a part of it. Any of her favorite songs!
Love always,
Lisa
yay for eating babies! so glad!! (:
ReplyDeleteshe's so beautiful, fer reals.
Please, if you find something that works in terms of getting Kirsten to like Natalie more, let me know! I'm thinking Ethan is going to have the same reaction to New Baby.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I'm giving your blog the One Lovely Blog Award. It's supposed to be a pass it on thing, but you have a little bit going on right now, so just accept it and don't worry about the passing it on unless you want to!
Details here: http://growingababyinseattle.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-lovely-blog-award.html
Oh I'm sorry about that! And as a mother of 1 I don't have much advice for you! Maybe it will just take (more) time? Or are there some little friends that can come over and play with Kirsten or something? Good luck!! I think you are a wonderful mommy!
ReplyDelete