King Archer and the Nights of the (not so) Sound Fable
Monday night was our first tough night and to be fair to Fable, it wasn’t even that bad. Two hours of sporadic crying before she passed out was all — but after more than two weeks of seamless nights (Fable’s feeding every three hours but at night goes every four) I absolutely didn’t mind. In fact, I was starting to feel guilty for my nights being so easy.
Fable: professional sleeper
What most shocked me, though, was that when Fable cried out at 2am? Archer didn’t wake up. He didn’t wake up at 3am or 4am either, even though our bedrooms are attached (Fable’s sleeping with us for the time being and will likely stay with us until she’s six-months, which is what we did with Archer.) Several times I checked on Archer through the commotion and there he was, passed the eff out like a drunk.
I had been worried that this was not so much going to be the case. Archer, after all, has always been a light sleeper. So much in fact that we don’t usually flush the toilet when he’s sleeping out of fear it will wake him. (Gross but quite necessary.) Now? We can flush again! PRAISE JEEBS!
Minus the little runaway moment last week (which I’m still not over), adjusting to life with two children has been relatively easy (knocking the shit out of some wood right now, FYI.) Archer’s in school from 9-2:30 so mornings and afternoons are a bit manic but eh, when were they not? Archer’s absolutely regressed in the potty department but that was to be expected and sure he wants to be “held like a baby” every now and then but that’s also understandable.
So many people warned me with: “you wait! Two kids is WAY more than twice as hard…” and I respect that, but honestly? It just isn’t the case around these here parts.
Maybe I’m lucky? (Knocking on wood like a crazy mofo!) Maybe I’m still high on the remains of my epidural? Maybe all the beer I’ve been drinking to up my milk-supply has turned my brain into that of a laid-back frat boy but… uh… it’s really pretty non-stressful up in here. In fact, I’m starting to understand Angelina’s logic more and more. I could TOTALLY rock it with fourteen kids.
Okay, maybe not.
But two? Rocking it. Exhausted but rocking it.
***
This is such a lovely picture.
Very cute pics! I`m glad it`s going so well for you. But I`m going to check back in about . . . oh, six months or so, and giggle when you talk about how difficult it is with two.
From the time the littlest starts grabbing stuff and wanting toys until about 2, it`s really tough with two. Mine are 1.5 and 2.5 and keep me on my toes ALL DAY LONG. Course, that might be cuz they are so close in age, too . . .
Totally.
It probably doesn’t hurt that they’re both so effing beautiful!
I with you on two doesn’t seem as bad!! I have a 5 yr. old and a 14 month old…I’m sure I think this because their is a bit of space between them. I hear you on the not flushing the toilet as to not wake the sleeping child. I did it too, but the 5 yr. old never woke up because of his brother. It is the strange crazy dreams that get him.
You’re ever so lucky! My older son (16mo when #2 was born) threw a tantrum every time I nursed the new baby. FOR A MONTH STRAIGHT. And let me tell you, #2 was a champion nurser. He’d go 45 minutes to an hour straight and wanted to eat every couple hours, if not more. It was HOLY EFFING HELL. But it was still awesome and wonderful and I wouldn’t change a thing. After a month it miraculously got better. Yay.
BTW – Older son also slept through the screaming, but strangely still wakes to the flushing toilet. Go figure.
gorg mama baby pic! love it.
also, my theory is that archer is doing so well because he was ready for it. i’m totally down with the 3-4 year spacing for a bunch of reasons. not that that’s the only factor in archer’s awesome adapting to baby skills, but i think age and emotionally “maturity” i guess you could call it on the part of the big sibling really can help a lot. here’s to continued transition to family of four success! woot.
by the way, she makes me uterus want to kill me. oye vey.
oh, i forgot. the title of this post is sheer brilliance.
Ah, GRACIAS! You noticed! I was pretty proud of the title myself, gotta say.
As for the age difference? I highly recommend 3 1/2 years. I think you’re right. It has a lot to do with the transitional ease thus far.
Post Title. Too Good. Must find better muse for myself.
BTW, Fable is breathtaking
What a beautiful family! And I agree with the age difference thing, and your son is at school for most of the day. Babies are the easy part of parenting/siblings. But I am sure it won’t be anything you can’t handle. Best wishes.
Ha! My kids were 18 months apart, both in diapers, neither one in school. I think that’s where people start talking about how tough it is. You got the timing right, you get some time with just 1 during the day (which is probably wonderful!), and although Archer’s regressing right now, he’ll probably be bounced right back in no time. You’re doing wonderful!
Do you have a fan for Archer’s room? A little white noise helps a lot, too, with keeping the elders asleep through crying and flushing and barking, etc.
I had four in 5 years and even that spacing? No sweat. It’s all in your attitude. The baby gets the vibe and the other kid(s) mimic the parents. You don’t panic, they stay mellow. If I wasn’t 37 and already pushing my luck with 4 perfect kids, I would go for more! Maybe…
I remember the very early days were pretty easy for me too. Eli slept a lot, I was high on endorphins, Caleb was pretty stoked on his baby brother. We even took a family vacation at 3 weeks to San Diego. Then at week 5 the sh*t hit the fan so to speak. Eli woke up a bit and I was up with him every 2 hours at night and he cried nonstop from 5-8PM every evening. This is when Caleb started to get insanely jealous. I think because the baby wasn’t a blob anymore and was commanding so much of my attention. Now I have a toddler again, and OMG I forgot how hard toddlers are.
I sincerely hope you are luckier than I was and your angel remains and angel! You are so lucky Archer is in school! We put Caleb in 1/2 days M-F in January and it has helped with my sanity for sure.
no, no, all of those people are wrong. two is not so tough. it’s three or more that is hard. just like the age thing. two’s are not so terrible. it’s the threes that are a headache!
OMG. They are so cute. Congrats mama!
It is amazing how well the older kid can ignore the younger kid. Even if they have only been the older kid for 7 days – its like genetic coding or something. Babies are totally ignorable (is that even a word?) until they break a lego creation or eat “someone’s” crayon. Then, its on.
That is such a beautiful picture of the two of you. My two oldest are two years apart. My first was a boy, and such a calm tempered baby. My daughter was second, and she was fussy and still is almost 19 years later! Two was like having ten for me! My third was a boy and he is very calm tempered. I think it just depends on the baby.
I think you’re the first person with two kids who has posted really happy posts about the experience. That’s good to know. Oh, and great taste in bedding – I have that same Olivia set from Target. It’s darling.
Oh, they are just beautiful. *B-eautiful*
GiGi and I are happy you’re happy
I almost feel bad to disappoint people when they ask me “So is it just CRAZY with two?!!” And I usually say something like, “Ask me after the baby starts crawling.” Mine are just under 3 years apart and while 3-year-old can be a challenge, it’s nothing like the horrors people have described to me! I agree with Nicole up there…it’s all in the vibe. My 3-yr-old can be a little wild but he’s my child – it’s to be expected! Sure maybe things will be hectic once baby’s moving, shaking and grabbing, but they’re both so fab, I’m feeling the angelina vibe too! Of course my house is a mess and the kids’ noses are snotty, but it’s real life!
I’ve got two daughters (Sadie and Lena) and they’re a little closer in age than Archer and Fable, but I still totally agree with you. It’s not “WAY more than twice as hard…”, it’s just an adjustment. I completely respect you for not getting all wrapped up in the problems and enjoying the fun stuff.
I think it must have to do with Mama’s personality, too. I love and need and am unpleasant without sleep. My healthy level is 9 hours per night. My horrific level is anything less than 6 hours. So your pumping every 2 hours story makes me irritable just hearing about it.
It’s a weakness, I admit it, but I do think how difficult any child is at any given point in time has a lot to do with Mama.