PP Mamas, how are we doing?

[secondimpression]

I'm thinking there's enough of us now to really get a thread going

How are you recovering?

How is your new LO?

How is breastfeeding going?

How is the rest of your family doing?

What else would you like to share?

Me, I'm finding recovery to be way harder than labor and birth. I can't wait for my stitches to heal (it stings like crazy to pee thanks to my labia tearing clear in to my urethra!) and for my abs to regain some strength. DS is on my lap right now asleep and doing a wild Frankenstein pose every few minutes before curling back up in the fetal position, it's adorable. Breastfeeding is getting less painful (I can even stand to wear a shirt again, lol!), so we must be doing it right. DH is having a hard time adjusting, he's really jealous that he can't feed DS so he spends a lot of time during non-cluster feeds with a sleepy DS in his arms.

[skybluepink02]

We're doing ok. I'm in a slightly different reality than you guys because my babies are almost 7 weeks old, but they've only been home two, so I'm still in the newborn adjustment phase, I think.

I'm really, really tired. We're fighting reflux and it's really hard. However, breastfeeding is going really well with Emaline, though Ben is fighting it still. I'm hoping to have Emaline breastfeeding fully by the end of this week and hopefully Ben half the time by the end of next week. We're having to go slower with him, because we pushed him too hard earlier and he started to loose weight. Hopefully as he gets bigger and stronger he'll have the energy to eat more and gain weight while breastfeeding.

The babies are adorable. Whenever they're not in their swings after feeds for reflux we're either holding and cuddling them, or letting them cuddle up with each other. They've started to look at each other when we put them close and it's a funny look of amazement, like "I KNOW you from somewhere!" Their eyes get really big and they just stare and stare.

Other than that, I'm just really tired. It takes half an hour to feed each of them then another half hour to pump, so I really get very little sleep, since they eat every two to three hours. Once they're fully breastfeeding, it will be easier I think. Especially if I can figure out how to tandem feed them.

[smocklets]

We are doing well. I didn't tear at all, so pain wise this has been my easiest recovery. I am still tired, but luckily have been able to nap when I need to because my mom is with us a for a few more weeks.
Little Timmy is doing great. His discharge weight was 5 lbs 8 oz, but three days later when we took him to the doctor, he was up to 6 lbs. His next appt is tuesday, his due date, and we can't wait to see what he weighs. He is finally fitting into newborn clothes and diapers.
My older kids are 5, 8 and 10--they adore their baby brother! my 10 yr old dd has been a huge help and now changes as many diapers as me.

[dex_millie]

How are you recovering? Today is exactly 2 weeks since birth. I am doing really good. I didn't tear w/ DD (which I did w/ DS like a 3rd degree, 4months recovery down there) so it has been really easier, no burning, using the bathroom normal. Only those afterpains was the problem, they lasted 3 days and where NOT fun AT ALL.

How is your new LO? DD is doing fine. She seems to be already a pound more than her birth weight(born 7lbs). Her poops is what I am concern about. She is not doing the NB poops I am use to. She started off with going twice a day. Now it is been a day and she has not pooped yet. I am wondering if this can be ok for a 2 week old baby. She seems fine though. I wasn't going to take her to the ped. until a month but now I am thinking I should properly go.

How is breastfeeding going? Going good, I finish going through that painful period. My milk did come in faster w/ her. I didn't even get engorged she really took care of that.

How is the rest of your family doing? The rest of the family is doing fine. DS is always trying to kiss and play w/ her. He tries to pinch her checks too.

What else would you like to share? I am ready to start excersing, I have to find out when it is ok. I want this belly gone. I still have about 35lbs on but that doesn't bother me as I was underweight before and like having a little more meat on my bones. Other than that I am trying to settle into a routine as I start back my Parttime Home Job April 23rd.

Being home alone w/ 2 children hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, but help would have still been better. Just glad I am having a easy recover or things would have been different.

secondimpression - hope things heal up fast. I know how using the bathroom starts to become a miserable chore. Maybe you can do some herbal sitz baths and see if you can put things like aloes or calendula to help speed the healing along.

[ShineliketheSon]

I'm not pp but I just wanted to say that is was so good to read about how your all doing! Keep us posted, we want to hear all about those babies!

[momtokimari]

Recovery is going well. It's been a month now, so I'm looking forward to my pp visit on the 16th and then hopefully being cleared to start doing some yoga. I miss my old stomach. lol. Breastfeeding is going well. Mathias' RSV looks to be getting better at this point, so hopefully just a couple more days in the hospital. Now he's spent more time in hospitals than out. But hopefully once he comes home this time it's for good. He'll probably have asthma, but I think that's the only problem he's going to have. My daughter had GERD and lots of issues with digestion/constipation until recently, but I think it was because she was so much earlier. Kimari loves her little brother. She's missing us at the hospital, and I don't know how she'll readjust to having us home again, but she was doing really well with him when we were there before. She was being a good mommy to her dolls. And only once tried to take Mathias out of my lap when I was breastfeeding.

DH says he can't believe we have 2 kids now. I kind of agree. It's a little weird. But he works a lot so I'm not sure he'll really notice a change in lifestyle.

[secondimpression]

Originally Posted by dex_millie

How are you recovering? Today is exactly 2 weeks since birth. I am doing really good. I didn't tear w/ DD (which I did w/ DS like a 3rd degree, 4months recovery down there) so it has been really easier, no burning, using the bathroom normal. Only those afterpains was the problem, they lasted 3 days and where NOT fun AT ALL.

How is your new LO? DD is doing fine. She seems to be already a pound more than her birth weight(born 7lbs). Her poops is what I am concern about. She is not doing the NB poops I am use to. She started off with going twice a day. Now it is been a day and she has not pooped yet. I am wondering if this can be ok for a 2 week old baby. She seems fine though. I wasn't going to take her to the ped. until a month but now I am thinking I should properly go.

How is breastfeeding going? Going good, I finish going through that painful period. My milk did come in faster w/ her. I didn't even get engorged she really took care of that.

How is the rest of your family doing? The rest of the family is doing fine. DS is always trying to kiss and play w/ her. He tries to pinch her checks too.

What else would you like to share? I am ready to start excersing, I have to find out when it is ok. I want this belly gone. I still have about 35lbs on but that doesn't bother me as I was underweight before and like having a little more meat on my bones. Other than that I am trying to settle into a routine as I start back my Parttime Home Job April 23rd.

Being home alone w/ 2 children hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, but help would have still been better. Just glad I am having a easy recover or things would have been different.

secondimpression - hope things heal up fast. I know how using the bathroom starts to become a miserable chore. Maybe you can do some herbal sitz baths and see if you can put things like aloes or calendula to help speed the healing along.

I do seem to have lucked out on the afterpains. Everyone told me the PP bleeding would be like the worst period of my life and I'm not really seeing what the heck they were all talking about I've been doing the sitz bath which results in slightly less cussing than peeing does but about a half hour after I'm done I feel pretty good down there...and it's starting to look like my vagina again Also itching like crazy from the stitches, ugh (a spray can of benzocaine is my best friend right now).

I totally hear you about the weight and being underweight before. Definitely not used to my belly jiggling when I walk and can't wait to regain enough abdominal strength to firm it back up.

I see you're also a Marylander, how're you enjoying this wonderfully yucky weather?

[momma2be_k]

Oh yay! I've been wanting to talk to the pp mommas here....

How are you recovering? really good. I only had a tiny 1st degree tear, and I don't even feel it (burn) when I use the bathroom. Overall - just a little sore from, um, well, pushing a baby through my vagina...lol. I have this great bum spray from Earth Mama Angel Baby that has witch hazel, cucumber extract and lavender and peppermint oil that I like using after I go the bathroom, and I looooove my peri bottle.

How is your new LO? just awesome. I stare at him a lot, in disbelief that he's really here. I can't believe my body did this! He's a lot smaller than I thought he'd be... 7lb2oz at birth and by the time I got him to the ped 3 days later he was at 6lb 9oz - but he's eating well so I'm hoping that by the time we head to the ped in a couple weeks his weight will be up up up!

How is breastfeeding going? Good... he has plenty of wet and bm diapers (he's a pooping machine - just to give you a laugh, I've already had projectile poop shot at me not once, but twice!) but I have concerns that we've got the latch quite right (because of the pain when he latches on sometimes) but today the pain is actually getting better, and I think my milk is coming in, so he doesn't have to nurse as hard to get his fill... it's a learning process! I'd like to have a lactation specialist come by, but I'm not sure how to find one in my area. I try to keep confident though... my body was meant to do this, right?!

How is the rest of your family doing? Family is great. DSD is staying with us for the rest of the school year (she usually stays with her mom) which is so awesome - she's totally in love with her new little brother! DH and I are settling in easily as well... we're feeling much closer, and he keeps reassuring me with how great I'm doing, which makes me feel good!

What else would you like to share? I get a little weepy occasionally.... will I do a good job? what if something goes wrong and I don't know what to do? Am I doing a good job breast feeding? Feeling a little overwhelmed at times... mostly in a hormone plummeting way...lol. I make sure and talk to DH about it, I don't want to keep that to myself, and it all feels very normal. I also get weepy out of joy... I feel so blessed... this little life that now depends on me for everything. All in all... things are great, and I can't complain about much!

[secondimpression]

Originally Posted by momma2be_k

I try to keep confident though... my body was meant to do this, right?!

: You said it mama!

[Jude-a-buddies-mom]

How are you recovering?
Recovery is going fantastic. I had a couple of small tears but they have not bothered me at all. The thing I was most worried about after delivery was hemorrhoids because they were killer last time but not this time I am a little tired but other than that I feel fantastic.

How is your new LO?
He is so great, I am enjoying him so much. He is very mellow and I love just to hold and snuggle him.

How is breastfeeding going?
It was a little bumpy at first, some sore nipples trying to get him to latch correctly. It still is work to get him to latch correctly but he is doing better.

How is the rest of your family doing?
Really good. My dd is so in love with him and wants to hold him all the time. My ds does not find baby's very exciting until they interact with him but he likes to show his brother things that he likes, like his trains.

I agree with dex_millie I am so eager to start exercising again. I started at 3 weeks postpartum last time and plan to this time.

[sdmoose]

How are you recovering? I'm physically recovering easier than last time for some reason. Perhaps less "damage" vaginally because delivery wasn't so fast and already used to interrupted sleep

How is your new LO? He's great! Seems mellower than his big brother so far.

How is breastfeeding going? Well, just a little tenderness on one side. I think I have a little sore on that side

How is the rest of your family doing? Good. Big brother is loving the baby and one G'ma was just here for a week and other comes in a few days for a week to help out

What else would you like to share? Still feeling some guilt regarding my induction, that I should have gone in sooner to avoid becoming fully pre-eclamptic. Also wondering if it's normal to want to keep hibernating...and for how long post-partum? Weather hasn't been great, but it's sunny today and I just want to stay inside with baby.

[goodmomma76]

Recovery-I feel good. I actually didn't tear this time, so that part is good, and the soreness is almost gone. I don't have any ab muscles though. It's frustrating to try to get up off the couch sometimes! I am tired, but today is the first day it feels like it really 'caught' up to me. I slept for like 2.5 hours today, but oh well. My mom has been here off and on helping out and that's been great, but I haven't been able to sleep without my snuggly bundle, so she's been doing supper and vacuuming and it's been great!

LO-She is awesome I get teary thinking about her and how much I love her, I noticed DH tearing up last night too. I remember feelinng the same things with my other 2 also, so I think iat some point it becomes less over whelming. She is sooo snuggly. She loves to burrow down in the valley between my boobs to sleep. And sleeps much sounder on me than any where else.

BF- Well we are getting there. I had a horrible experience the first time, and the LC pointed out my scars first thing at the hospital, but I only have one small sore right now, and it is bearable. The funny thing is for the last 2 days she was refusing to nurse on my right side. She did finally just have a good session on that side, so hopefully that little 'tantrum' is over, lol!! She seems to love nursing, and can go from nursing to pacifier (LC told me not to let her comfort nurse because my nipples are so sensitive and gave me one of those soothie pacifiers, she told me it would not hurt our breastfeeding experience, and so far she was right!) Shes a champion nurser!!

Family- Good DH and I never put her down. He teases me about not putting her down all day, but then if I lay her down to go pee, he picks her up, so it's not all me, lol. DS constantly says, is it my turn to hold her. He even held her through dinner the other night 'so I could eat' and then didn't give her back for like an hour! DD was here last night, and she loves her so much you can just see it.

Momm2b-k- I agree with you on the weepy part. I feel that frequently and it's a little upsetting, but probably just the baby blues I think. The nurse told me those last 7-10 days, so I am hoping to feel better soon. I cry every night for the babies lost on here. I cry because I feel so lucky. I cry because she's so tiny and I am afraid of not getting it right. I cry because I'm crying and dh doesn't say or do the right thing. On and on. But most of the time I feel good, this just hits me in the evening when I am already tired and worn out.

I am glad we have a thread....I like to hear how everyone is doing!!

[MaryTheres]

Originally Posted by secondimpression

I'm thinking there's enough of us now to really get a thread going

How are you recovering?

How is your new LO?

How is breastfeeding going?

How is the rest of your family doing?

What else would you like to share?

Me, I'm finding recovery to be way harder than labor and birth. I can't wait for my stitches to heal (it stings like crazy to pee thanks to my labia tearing clear in to my urethra!) and for my abs to regain some strength. DS is on my lap right now asleep and doing a wild Frankenstein pose every few minutes before curling back up in the fetal position, it's adorable. Breastfeeding is getting less painful (I can even stand to wear a shirt again, lol!), so we must be doing it right. DH is having a hard time adjusting, he's really jealous that he can't feed DS so he spends a lot of time during non-cluster feeds with a sleepy DS in his arms.

Recovery: I am not having a good time with this recovery at all... I know this is the last thing people here want to hear, but I recovered much more quickly and easily from my c-section (DS1) than with this (not that I am not still totally happy that I had a vbac, it's just that everyone told me the recovery would be so much easier and, honestly, it isn't for me) .... I have a second degree tear and it's making me miserable, my vagina was so swollen and I still swell up if I walk around too much. Plus, I am still having trouble moving my bowels and still on stool softners - tmi, sorry, but it's really annoying me. I did not have any of these problems with my c/s and not much pain at all. Also, after my c-section I was right back to my pre-pregnancy weight within a week of giving birth. It's taking longer this time (vain and silly I know but still), I expected to be back into most of my clothes by now based on last time and I am not - I still got about 10 lbs to go and I am finding this very frustrating. The weight just literally fell off last time, why am I still holding on to 10lbs this time around? (btw, I am very small and petite so 10 lbs is alot on someone of my stature)... sigh - I'd just feel alot better if I were back to my old self/body and that feels so far right now

New LO: Is great! He's a sleeper so far, just like DS1, so I may have lucked out again ... of course it's only been 2 weeks! Anything can change. But so far he isn't cranky or colicy, doesn't get upset at all the noise that DS1 makes and seems to sleep through anything. So far, he's alot like DS1 in terms of sleeping and eating alot and things puitting him to sleep like vacumn, swing, being worn and car rides, which is great, imo. In addition, he also seems more laid back than DS1 (so far) and that is also great imo!

Breastfeeding: Is going great. So much easier second time around. No problems at all and this time I can nurse laying down and dozing ... something that I could not do with DS1 until about 6 months.

How is the rest of your family doing? This is my biggest problem (other than my recovery). DS1 is really acting out. He is so excited and rambunctious and just acting like a crazy kid. Sometimes, I barely recognize him. I was in tears the other night b/c I miss the old DS1 - he was such a good kid, so sweet, we were so close. Now he's been acting like a wild kid - like he's all wound up on sugar and I feel like DH and I are constantly correcting him, threatening him, etc. We are doing our best, but he's really become a handful. DH has been home and takes him out every day and does special things with him, ect. But the transition just is not going well. He's gotten somewhat better over the past week and half but he's still a problem and it makes me very nervous about being with the both of them on my own when DH goes back to work. This makes me so sad, like I said, I just cried and cried about it last night. With DS1 I never had pp depression; in fact, I was so happy it was as if I were on drugs. I really enhjoyed the first year tremendously. The infant phase is my favorite. I loved being a mom. But with this birth, I find myself getting very anxous and depressed when I think about how the heck I am going to handle these two on my own with DS1 acting up so much. And I miss the sweet kid tha DS1 used to be predominately. Anyone have any advice at all about this? I really need some help. Tell me at least that DS1 will get better as he gets used to DS2...

[mom2sol]

Physical recovery is terrific. I didn't tear, so I'm just dealing with some hemmerhoids

LO: Beautiful, lovely a little jaundicy but nothing serious

Breastfeeding is okay: I think I have a hyper letdown, causing her to be a little gassy. I'm trying to nurse on one breast for several feedings to see if that helps things at all. Kind of funny because most people worry about not making enough milk, mine just shoots out and floods the babies and they gain weight like crazy.

Kids were acting up at first, adding to my pp anxiety. The first week was a little crazy and hectic. Not at all what I remember from my first. Grandma was here for a few days and helped with the kids but then she left and DH was sort of checked out mentally because he wasn't feeling well because of a chronic condition, kids were flying out of control, it was raining outside.... Then my hormones plummeted on me, I got hit with pp anxiety and insomnia, had a panic attack.... I was seriously thinking about putting this one on formula and I've extended breastfed two kids to three years now... any way, that didn't last long and I'm feeling better now.

Grandma is back and DH is being more helpful, kids are adjusting and behaving better. I'm still nervous about handling two kids and a newborn with sleep deprivation on my own when DH goes back to work... but at least it doesn't feel sufficatingly impossible any longer.

[mom2sol]

Originally Posted by MaryTheres

Recovery:

How is the rest of your family doing? This is my biggest problem (other than my recovery). DS1 is really acting out. He is so excited and rambunctious and just acting like a crazy kid. Sometimes, I barely recognize him. I was in tears the other night b/c I miss the old DS1 - he was such a good kid, so sweet, we were so close. Now he's been acting like a wild kid - like he's all wound up on sugar and I feel like DH and I are constantly correcting him, threatening him, etc. We are doing our best, but he's really become a handful. DH has been home and takes him out every day and does special things with him, ect. But the transition just is not going well. He's gotten somewhat better over the past week and half but he's still a problem and it makes me very nervous about being with the both of them on my own when DH goes back to work. This makes me so sad, like I said, I just cried and cried about it last night. With DS1 I never had pp depression; in fact, I was so happy it was as if I were on drugs. I really enhjoyed the first year tremendously. The infant phase is my favorite. I loved being a mom. But with this birth, I find myself getting very anxous and depressed when I think about how the heck I am going to handle these two on my own with DS1 acting up so much. And I miss the sweet kid tha DS1 used to be predominately. Anyone have any advice at all about this? I really need some help. Tell me at least that DS1 will get better as he gets used to DS2...

I know exactly how you feel. My son is such a sweety and we've been very close, I homeschooled him for kindergarten this year and after the new baby was born with his new behavior I decided he's going to public school next year. Which made me feel so sad and like such a failure but I realized my limits and he's also showing many signs that he's ready. I also cried when his first sister was born because I realized that our relationship would never be exactly the same again. But we are still close and he's just a little boy doing boy stuff, which some times irritates me.... Any way- the adjustment is going better. I have made an extra effort to give him my undivided attention for even a short while every day. I also ask him to come and help me with the baby, etc... He really loves his little sister and I love watching him talk to her and look at her, it's very sweet. We are all adjusting to the change, I just try to stay in the moment and find good things there and realize that we will all survive this big change and things will settle down to a normal level of chaos.

[mom2sol]

Originally Posted by Jude-a-buddies-mom

H
I agree with dex_millie I am so eager to start exercising again. I started at 3 weeks postpartum last time and plan to this time.

I went to a pp yoga class today- 2 weeks but I don't have tears or anything like that to deal with. I need to get out of the house every day and go for a walk or do some yoga or something. Sitting around the house was not helping my mental health.

[acp]

Well, I'm only about 36 hours post-delivery, so probably not surprising that I'm still recovering. Things are going relatively well - lots of afterpains (worse than with DD), but I had almost no tearing, and I don't even really need the peri bottle when I pee, which I definitely did last time.
I'm still VERY sore, and have trouble walking much. I'm bleeding a ton, and midwives have told me to stay in bed as much as possible these first few days. But I'm feeling better today than yesterday, so I'm guessing I'll be feeling more like myself in another day or two.

BFing going relatively well, though not quite as well as with DD. He just doesn't seem to be quite as efficient at it or as much of a natural as she was. It's more painful, which makes me think his latch isn't quite right, and he spends a lot more time BFing. Also needs to burp a LOT afterwards, and gets very uncomfortable for a while. But he's pooping and peeing (again, not quite as much as DD) and I think my milk is already coming in, which should help.

DD (almost 22 months) is adjusting relatively well, with some difficult moments. She's shutting me out quite a bit, and is VERY clingy with DH, and has thrown a couple tantrums and gotten upset when DH held DS, for instance. But she's also wanted to come in and see him, and hold him, and pat him, and wants to help change his diaper, and walks around with her doll pretending to feed him and burp him and change HER diaper. So I think she's just processing it all. We're trying to give her lots of one-on-one time.

I'm tired, and probably will be for a while, but I also remember how crazy these first few days were with DD, and am looking forward to when he starts to get day and night sorted out, for instance, and to when I can be up and about more and feeling more totally myself.

[inky leeuhhh]

recovery is going well. right now my only concern is the 15 or so lbs i have to lose before we get married next year. i dont want to diet right now while bfing (am i even spossed to at all while bfing?), so im going to have to think of some type of exercise to do. lol. i wish we had a good jogging stroller, because pushing the baby up and down the hills we have around here would be awesome exercise. i got two little "skid marks" and one tiny tear during this birth, and there has been virtually no pain in that area which is great . the afterpains were bad until maybe two days ago, but they are gone now thank goodness. it was awful while bfing in the middle of the night getting those pains!

gwyneth is doing great as far as i can tell. we have to take her in next week to have her jaundice checked on. i honestly cant tell if she still has a tad of it, or if her skin is just a darker color. she seems fine though. she sleeps like a champ at night, which is totally different from dd1. i *think* she is gaining weight now after being born at 6 lbs 14 ozs, and being 6 lbs 5 ozs at her last ped check. i am just in love with her!

breastfeeding is going great so far. this has been my saving grace- i was so bummed that the birth didn't go the way i wanted. i was very sore for about 5 days, and that is now improving greatly. one breast has an inverted nipple, and as the nipple has been drawn out the skin has kind of pulled apart (ow)- so that breast is a bit harder to nurse off of. the other breast is fine though. lanolin has been my saving grace. i really hope my supply evens out though soon and the ladies go down a bit in size- my frame is little and i look a tad large on top right now!

the rest of my family is doing well. having some issues with dh helping out around the house, and trying to convince him that he won't spoil the baby by holding it, but otherwise he is in love with his little girl. big sister is doing very well considering. she has autism and i was so afraid that she would resent the baby or become withdrawn. she has been very hesitant to do things like hold the baby, but is slowly coming around. she tells us to "shhh!" whenever the baby is sleeping, which is quite cute. she also thought it was hilarious when mommy got sprayed by baby poo yesterday : .

[sdmoose]

MaryTheres: How old is DS1?

[dawncayden]

Its only been 48 hours since the birth, so keep that in mind

How are you recovering?

I'm a bit sore but I can't believe how much energy I have. I was in such a daze after ds1's birth, and this time I have to restrain myself from doing too much and just sit down, lay down and rest.
My afterpains come at night, so I've been taking tylenol which helps. Hurts a bit when I pee (small tear, no stitches) and I have to keep remembering to keep my legs closed
Bleeding is almost non existent since yesterday afternoon.

How is your new LO?

He's a pretty great sleeper. I'm getting tons of sleep with ds1 on one side of me and ds2 on the other side. We sleep so soundly Dh is in the other room with the monitor on in case I call, and ds1 know's he can go sleep with dada if baby is too noisy (he really hates diaper changes)
He pooped about 7 times in the first day, so he's been getting tons of colostrum through...now the poops are looking normal and not meconium.

How is breastfeeding going?

He's nursing great, but has such a powerful suck...I have to make sure his latch is correct. His lower lip goes in just like ds1's used to, so I have to make sure it flares out.
Nursing lying down is a wonderful art to master I guess I mastered it with ds1, because its so great to not have to sit on my sensitive bits every time we nurse and especially when I want to sleep while he's nursing. I have DD's and its quite easy to nurse both breasts without having to switch sides. I'm not sure if that is breast size or just the way you learn how to lay...but it totally helps with sleep.

How is the rest of your family doing?

We are all great. Dh is taking 6 weeks off work, so I'm totally taking advantage of his help and trying not to do too much quite yet. He's awesome at taking care of meals, cleaning and taking care of ds.
Ds is good. You'd think he's always had a baby brother. I think it really helped when my single friend stayed with us for a few weeks with her newborn about 4 months ago. Ds loves to hold, help and care for babies and so far I haven't seen an inch of jealousy. He seems to understand that I need to do things for the baby, like nurse or change diapers and he either asks to help or goes and plays.

What else would you like to share?

Our families have been so great this time around. Last time, I guess they didn't know how they could help or what to do for us. We have soooo much food in the house and so much help. People haven't been bombarding us with long visits and they haven't been calling all day. I love all the space we've been getting
I just find it funny that I feel much more at ease and rested with 2 kids then I did when I only had one.

I also can't wait to be getting out and about, doing normal everyday things and toting ds2 around in a sling.

I do not share everyones need to exercise no no no, I hate exercising :
I would like to start doing some sports eventually or a african dance class...but that won't be for at least 3 months.