Trying a new perspective...

[smlame]

Today is my first FULL day on my own with two kids. I was going to post with a question....."anyone else feel like both kids kinda get the shaft when a new one arrives?" but I've changed my mind. I'm going to try a new way of looking at things....anyone else want to join in?

Instead of thinking what my kids AREN'T getting because there are now two to care for (and oh my goodness my hat goes off to all you mamas with more than two!!!) I'm here to list what my kids did have today.....

Let's start with the basics....
Shelter-check!
Food (healthy food at that!)-check!
Clean water to drink-check!
Clean water to bathe in-check!
Clean clothes to wear-check!
A loving family-check!

Okay and onto the details of what I gave my kids today.....
My dd2 nursed whenever she wanted all day. She fell asleep in my arms for all her naps. I have a video monitor on her so I'm at her side the minute she wakes up. She's has clean, dry diapers and warm clothes wrapping her up. She has a mom and a sister who look at her adoringly whenever she coos. When she cries, she gets snuggled, burped, changed, sung to or nursed.

How 'bout dd1? She has had regular healthy snacks/meals all day. She got to take all the couch cushions off and jump on the couch while I made up a song about "jumpin' bean." She has The Wiggles to keep her company when mom's busy with the little one. And one might be tempted to beat oneself up about the amount of tv happening right now BUT not today. Today, I'll think about how nice it is to have a library where we can get access to free videos that are enriching for my child. She loves learning the songs and the dances and can do some of them all the way through. Not too shabby for tv time! She got to pick out her own clothes and is now also sporting some new flip flops that we got yesterday. She is thrilled! She got to take a hot shower and wash with new "big girl" shampoo/wash. Again, she was pretty psyched about that! She got to essentially empty her playroom closet out into the kitchen and didn't even get "in trouble!"

In just a few minutes, I'm going to take these two sweet girls to the paint your own pottery place to make a Father's Day gift.

Overall, I could have gone down the path of what didn't go how I wanted it to today but this feels so much better!

What about you? What did you give your kids today?

[Beccasteve03]

Good job momma!!
I needed this today! Hubby is out of the country this week and a lot is not getting done, but thats OK! I'd love to write more, but I've got a sleeping baby in my arms! Thanks for the attitude adjustment!

[attached2ethan]

Thank you for this beautiful post! Today is my second day on my own with the kids (well, half day) and I feel like it's going to be a lloonnggg summer. So let's talk about how lucky my kids are (and me!).

DS1 (age 7) got to sleep in this morning because I let him sleep on an air mattress in a separate room from his brother who always wakes him up- he was thrilled. Then he got to play with me this morning with a new Playmobil toy. He got to go play at his friends house and have oreos for a snack. His grandma is on her way here to pick him up to go swimming with her. He's also getting his hair cut this afternoon, which he loves.

DS2 (age 5) had a rockin awesome birthday party Sunday and he has been opening and playing with all his new toys this morning. We played together for a while and Daddy built the rest of his Star Wars legos this morning, so he's been thrilled with that. He also got to play at his friends house for a while.

They are now eating delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Their Grandma is on her way over and they are going to spend the afternoon swimming with her.

DD (the babe) is currently snuggled up on my lap sleeping. She has nursed on demand all day, been out of my arms no more than 5 minutes total, and is dry and warm. She has 3 people in the house who have given her an infinite number of kisses today and talked to her lovingly. Her world is peaceful.

And me? I'm the luckiest mom on the block. I have three amazing little people who look to me every day for love, support, and caring. I am their everything, the center of their universe. That's a BIG job. But it's a damn important job, and I'm doing it the BEST that I can. Even if DS just popped a balloon and woke up the baby who is screaming at the top of her lungs. Hehe.