When Ian first came home from the hospital, he didn't mind me putting him in the sling, but as soon as he got out of "sleep all the time" mode, he screamed when he was in it. Nadia was happy in the sling for a few months. Next I tried the Ultimate Baby Wrap. He definitely preferred that to the sling, but I have a hard time putting it on properly. I can't seem to get it tight enough that it stays put. If Paul helps me then I can use it, but generally when I want to use it he's not around, and it doesn't work for him to put it on me in the morning before he leaves as it doesn't stay on properly especially when I have to fiddle with it to nurse Ian. So aside from church, I haven't been taking both kids anywhere by myself. For church I have Ian in the infant car seat and hold Nadia's hand while we walk from the car to the building. That wouldn't work at the grocery store. I can't shop and hold Nadia's hand, and I doubt she'd hold my hand throughout an entire shopping trip. So I've been only doing shopping when Paul is home so that I can leave Ian at home and just take Nadia with me. That usually means only going to the grocery store on Saturdays.
Yesterday I decided I wanted to try to take them both with me to CVS. I decided to give the Snugli a whirl. He screamed on the way there (it's only about 5 minutes from our home) and continued to scream while I was shopping. I had him in the Snugli and Nadia in the cart. Thankfully after a few minutes of screaming he fell asleep. I guess I need to stick with just shopping with Nadia for a bit longer. Eventually he'll need to get used to being in the Snugli while we shop. The first few times I used the Snugli I had a hard time figuring out how to wear that device as well. At least I've mastered that one. I am not very "mechanically oriented."
Speaking of which, I need to learn how to start the lawn mower myself. I have never been good at starting machines that involve yanking a rope. I asked one of the neighbors to come to our house after she gets home from school to watch the kids so I can finish weeding and then put the mulch down that is currently in a pile on our driveway. I'd also like to relocate the pile of dirt, but I might be underestimating (again) how much can be accomplished in a certain time span. When I feel badly that I need to hire a babysitter to help me so that I am able to get yard work done, I am trying to remember Joy's encouraging comment that taking care of two little ones is a big accomplishment in and of itself. :-) I have more success getting schoolwork done during the day than I do housework, but that's because I can grade papers and nurse Ian at the same time whereas I can't nurse him and mow the lawn. Once he gets better about being in the Snugli I think I'll mow the lawn during Nadia's nap while he's in the Snugli. I don't always want to have to pay someone to babysit so I can do yard work, but I shall do so today.
Last night was a good night for Ian. He slept 7.75 hours and after nursing for an hour slept 1.5 hours. Anything that exceeds 9 hours total is a good night in my opinion as it means I was in bed at least 8 hours. I'll be home all day aside from choir rehearsal tonight so I'm planning to work on his ability to take naps in his crib today. I also want to spend a lot of time outside today and tomorrow since it will be a lot cooler starting on Friday. The best news regarding Ian is that he now weighs 9lb 3oz!!! WOOHOO! He gained over 3 ounces the past 2 days! That's a big improvement considering over the 8 days before that he only gained 2 ounces. This makes me feel a big sense of relief about my idea to supplement a bit more. The past two days he's had 9-10 ounces by bottle (some of it formula and some of it EBM). I don't think he'll stay at that pace the next few days since Monday and Tuesday are the days I'm separated from him for 5 hours a day those two days, but I am thinking he should probably continue to have at least 6 ounces a day by bottle. I would be thrilled if he could get to 10lbs before his next doctor appt (which is in 2 weeks).
Speaking of which, I need to learn how to start the lawn mower myself. I have never been good at starting machines that involve yanking a rope. I asked one of the neighbors to come to our house after she gets home from school to watch the kids so I can finish weeding and then put the mulch down that is currently in a pile on our driveway. I'd also like to relocate the pile of dirt, but I might be underestimating (again) how much can be accomplished in a certain time span. When I feel badly that I need to hire a babysitter to help me so that I am able to get yard work done, I am trying to remember Joy's encouraging comment that taking care of two little ones is a big accomplishment in and of itself. :-) I have more success getting schoolwork done during the day than I do housework, but that's because I can grade papers and nurse Ian at the same time whereas I can't nurse him and mow the lawn. Once he gets better about being in the Snugli I think I'll mow the lawn during Nadia's nap while he's in the Snugli. I don't always want to have to pay someone to babysit so I can do yard work, but I shall do so today.
1 comment:
I usually only go by myself to stores with carts with the cars in front - Brett rides in there, Lydia sits in the cart and I wear Reggie in the Ergo carrier (he outgrew thw Ultimate Baby Wrap : ( and I'm sorry that one's not working out for you - it took me a lot of practice to figure out how tight I needed it). We used a snugli a lot with Lydia too - quick on quick off, but Reggie was too chunky.
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