Currently - Transition to 2 kids

It's been a month now since we brought Ava home and became a family of four. I remember the first month with Erin was the hardest for me. This time around was no different, but knowing what to expect made things a little easier. However, adding a toddler in the mix did make things a little challenging. Breastfeeding was just as challenging this second time around, with all the engorgement, clogged milk ducts and whatnot. My milk came in faster this time around though which was helpful. No jaundice for Ava because she was getting plenty of breast milk from the get-go.

Erin seems to be adjusting well to her new role as big sister. Phew! She's always asking to see Ava, but unfortunately, Ava does a lot of sleeping right now so she's not much fun. Erin always wants to be involved in all the things we do for/with Ava (she'll get quite possessive/demanding sometimes as well). She'll stand there while I change Ava's diaper and while I nurse. She's always giving Ava kisses/hugs and comments on how little her body parts are. Erin has been a great big sister thus far! She seems to understand that Ava needs to be with mom a lot right now so she's been spending lots of good quality time with daddy. The only down side to all this is that Erin seems to be just a tad bit more sensitive. She'll cry more easily now when she doesn't get what she wants. There is a lot more "No" from her as well. Not sure if its because of the new addition to the family, terrible twos, or both, but hey, no complaints here. I just hope her positive sisterly behavior continues and won't start to head down hill in the coming months. Crossing my fingers.

My mornings are a little more hectic because I have two kids to myself now. Some days both kids are crying and I'm running around like a crazy person trying to get everyone ready and out the door on time (it'll probably get more chaotic once I start work). We're still sending Erin to daycare while I'm on maternity leave. Once I drop Erin off in the morning, it's just me and Ava so things get more manageable. Ava eats and sleeps better than Erin did at this age. Ava was already sleeping in 3-4 hour increments just a few days after being born. I think her long naps have helped with the transition to two kids. I'm not feeling so overwhelmed because I'm getting lots of long breaks throughout the day.

The lack of sleep at night during the first few weeks were quite challenging, but my tiredness is starting to feel normal now so I'm feeling more energetic as each day passes. At night, Ava is sleeping in a bassinet in our room. But most nights I actually put her in Erin's room and Erin ends up in our room. I forget how noisy newborns are and I actually don't get any sleep when Ava is in the room with us. I wake up to every little sound so I actually prefer having her in another room.

At 1 month Ava is still doing a lot of eating, sleeping, pooping and hiccuping. She's a squirmy little babe, but she's pretty mellow. She's on somewhat of a schedule now (minus growth spurt days). Here's what a typical day for Ava looks like right now:

6:30 am - Wake up and Eat

7:30 am - Take Erin to Daycare

8:00-8:30 am - Eat
8:30-10:30 am - Sleep

10:30-12:00 pm - Eat and play

12:00-2:30 pm - Sleep

2:30-4:00 pm - Eat and play

4:00-6:30 pm - Sleep

7:30-9:00 pm - Eat and Play

9:00-12:00 am - Sleep

12:00-12:30 am - Eat

12:30-4:00 am - Sleep

4:00-4:30 am - Eat