It's Not Easy Being Green....Or A Big Brother

When my mom told me she was pregnant with Sarah I was angry but I was also 7. I could communicate my wants and needs and I had two big brothers to keep me company. I was old enough to enjoy caring for Sarah and I thought it was funny having a little sister around. 

That is not what is happening at our house right now. 

Connor is green from his toes to the top of his head. It's been a tough go here at the Tilley house. Connor has always demanded attention...in that, I'm going to scream my head off or bang it against the hard wood floors until you give it to me, kinda way. That demand has increased twofold since Baby Alice has made her debut. 

It breaks my heart. 

It's so easy to forget about Alice and devote 100% of your attention to Connor because she is an amazing baby! Then as soon as you realize how craptastic you've been treating her and try to give her even a fraction of your attention, Connor freaks....and demands attention.....in tha,t  bite your leg/foot/arm/whatever I can reach, kinda way. 

And on that note I need to say.....

Connor is absolutely amazing too. You can't not crack up around this kid. He's a natural comedian....in that, I'm going to make sure that I've caught your eye before I do this incredibly hilarious thing, kinda way....then when you laugh, I'm going to do it again. 

I wish all this change wasn't so hard for him. 

I love that little boy! In that, I could eat your face, cuddle you all night, sniff up your scent, until it hurts, kinda way. 

Alice - 3 Weeks

Dear Baby Alice,
   Wake up and smell the roses!

Eating - Your eating habits haven't changed much in a month. You're still averaging an ounce an hour. Sorry you're eating habits aren't more interesting.

Sleeping - You slept a 5 hour stretch last night. I was thrilled. Here's hoping you're a better sleeper in the long run than your brother! You're also having longer wake times during the day. You're longest is just after your brother goes to sleep!

Motherhood - Steven still isn't back at work so things are going pretty well around here. He goes back on Saturday so we will see if I can keep it together. I had my first PP freakout this week. It wasn't pretty.

Fatherhood - Steven is busy trying to get things done around the house before his return to work. He doesn't want me to have a ton of chores to do when he goes back.

Brotherhood - I'm hoping Connor will calm down and start to adjust now that all the visitors are gone and we're in our normal(ish) routine again.

Nana came to meet you this week and she was so in love. She says you look and act just like I did when I was a baby. Poor girl, you better start doing the lunges now cause this rear end and thighs are nothing worth inheriting!

This was taken at a little under 3 weeks. 

PP Hormones...I've Been Waiting For You

• I don't want to get dressed because my pants don't fit.
• I don't want to leave the house because that means I have to get dressed.
• Friends and close family...I am alive, regardless of my recent disappearance. 
• I want to sleep always but sleeping when the babIES sleep doesn't work as well as sleeping when the babY sleeps. 
• I'm ready for the rotating door that is my house to be sealed permanently ....seriously 24/7 visitors is no good. Give it a rest. 
• I may never leave the house again once Steven goes back to work. 

Alice - Week 2

So our internet's been out...this post is a little late.

Dear Baby Alice,
   I'm sorry your brother is a jealous boy. Your face has been smacked more than any baby's should. I think it's love????? ; )

Eating - You're eating 2-4 ounces every 2-4 hours. So to keep it simple we could say you eat an ounce an hour. Not too bad!

Sleeping - You're still sleeping most of the day but your alert periods are slowly increasing. You've stayed awake for up to an hour and a half at this time. You only cry if you're sleepy, hungry or need a diaper change. Sweet relief! You're sleeping well most nights and waking around 12, 4 and 7 to eat.

Motherhood - It's a challenge to get anything done! Dad is still home with us and we're still adjusting to this new change. It's working for now. Things may fall apart when Dad goes back to work but we'll enjoy our time together while it lasts.

Fatherhood - "I'm busy feeding my daughter." He is enjoying all the time at home. He is cooking a ton!

Brotherhood - I should have included this last week too. The hitting has slowed down to almost none. Your brother mostly pats you gently. He does look away as he pats you and end up "patting" your face.

You're a sweet, laid back girl.....the very opposite of your brother! Alice, you're a breath of fresh, relaxed air in a chaotic, bustling house!

Alice - Week One

Dear Baby Alice,
   You were born into a house of chaos, noise and dog hair. I'm so sorry sweet, little girl!!! But we do love you!

Eating - You're eating 1.5-2 ounces every 2-3 hours. It's manageable but does take some time to eat as your big brother tries to pull the bottle from your mouth every chance he gets. In the past day you've started taking a little over 2 ounces occasionally.

Sleeping - You sleep most of the day but your wake time is starting to increase to about an hour at times. You're sleeping well at night but you still wake to eat every 2-4 hours. 4 hours is your longest stretch of sleep at this time.

Motherhood - Two under two is proving to be a challenge. The hardest part is teaching your brother he can't hit you, take your food and steal your paci. I have a feeling those battles will be life long. (Minus the paci!)

Fatherhood - "It's the same as with one, but there's another one." BUWHAHAHAHAHA. Love that man!

Alice's Birth Story

I pretty much knew from the start of my pregnancy with Alice that I would be induced...history repeats itself and all.

I went in for my induction at 40 weeks and 4 days. I was scared to wait too long because I didn't think my body could survive another massive baby! I was geared up for a couple day stay but still taking comfort in what I heard over and over my entire pregnancy. "The second baby comes faster."

Boy, they weren't kidding!

Steven and I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am on Tuesday, June 26. I was glad to see Debbie, the same nurse that delivered Baby C! She was amazing and totally put my mind at ease. They immediately started an IV of Pitocin.  The contractions started right away but weren't bad at all. The pit was slowly turned up because my body was having regular contractions on it's own. (I was so proud!) I hadn't been in the bed even an hour when Dr. Jones came in a broke my water. I wasn't thrilled about having it broken so early but I figure that the doctor is the expert. Plus, I was already 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced...it took me 3 days to reach that point with Baby C.

By 11:30 I requested an epidural.  My pain threshold is -10. Seriously. This was the best epidural EVER! I could still wiggle my toes and move my legs and I could even feel the contractions. (This was so different from my first epidural where I couldn't even keep my legs from flopping off the bed!) Once I began active labor they had to add something to the epidural because I REALLY started feeling contractions again. I'm sad to say I don't know what they added. During this time we had several visitors, family, friends and church members.

Around 6:45 pm, Debbie checked me and I was almost a 10. She said Alice's head was low but not low enough to push. I could feel a ton of pressure in my bottom and kept telling her I thought the pressure was increasing. I really like this nurse but I would be lying if I didn't say it was frustrating when she said "I could check you again but it won't make the baby come any faster."  It the midst of all this, there was a shift change. The new nurse, Tonya, was on duty. She was in the room as I was insisting there was in increase in pressure.

When Debbie left I told Tonya that I knew I had just been checked but there was more pressure. She said she would go ahead and check me. After she checked me she said "Don't move, cough or sneeze. Her head is right there."

She yelled for a nurse to page Dr. Jones grabbed gloves and shoe covers just in time. I told her that Alice was coming right now. I could feel her head crowning. The nurse ran over to the bed just in time to catch her. I delivered Alice Elaine Tilley, in my hospital bed, at 7:18 pm. She weighed in at 8lbs 0oz and was 20.5 inches long.  She was delivered without a single push.

The second baby does come faster!

Alice

You're 24 weeks old and seem to be a lot more gentle than your big brother. I hope you're a little more low key as well. I don't feel you move often but you seem to prefer the 10 o'clock hour. You're very low in my tummy and positioned in just the right spot.....you know, the spot that makes you feel the urge to pee every 5ish minutes.

Alice, you don't have a middle name yet...unless it turns out to be Alice. Some possibilities are Alice Mae, Mary Alice, Alice Jane.....I don't know. We'll figure something out. Just this moment, looking at your name spelled out, all I can see is lice....great.

Big things are happening around here to make room for you. You'll never understand what a huge deal this is but your daddy is cleaning out the toy room. We've got a lot of work ahead of us to make the perfect spot for you and I'm not getting any smaller. We better hurry.

Most importantly baby girl, I'm terrified and thrilled to bring you home for reasons I'll never be able to put in writing.