New Babies

It is so amazing having a new baby. How you can fall in love with someone so little who can't talk or respond and you have never even met before is pretty remarkable. Ellie is starting to get used to life outside the womb. It is such a crazy thought that she used to live inside my body and then one day had to start getting used to life outside of it. She has been struggling with falling asleep. She gets really tired and all worked up about it and thinks that she needs to continually nurse to help her sleep. After I nursed her on each side twice she still wouldn't fall asleep at 9 last night and she had been awake since 4 in the afternoon. She was acting so hungry, but I knew she was exhausted so I put her in her crib to see if she would tire herself out crying. After about a half hour of crying, she quieted down and slept for 6 hours! I got up to check on her because it had been so long and I was worried. She was still asleep so I woke her up to feed her. I hate listening to her cry, but it was the only way she would go to sleep and I am so glad I did. I am not so naive to think that this means that she will start sleeping every night, but I am willing to take the one night of success and be happy.

Bennett and Rachel are doing well. Rachel is probably 80% potty trained. She hasn't had an accident in 3 days and is even pooping in the toilet which is a big accomplishment! She caught on so fast and I am so proud of her. There is no way we would have been able to try potty training with a new baby in the house if she wasn't ready. Bennett even told me that he helped her use her potty chair this morning before I was up and even wiped her and gave her a jelly belly. I'll tell you, sometimes I think that boy could live in his own apartment and be fine. He is so independent and self-sufficient and only 4!

I took Ellie to the Dr. today just to use the scale to make sure she is gaining weight now and she was 8 pounds 4 ounces. She is gaining weight, but not as fast as I was hoping. I have been more worried about Ellie getting enough milk than I have ever been with my other kids. She just wants to nurse so often I worry that she is hungry because I don't have enough milk or something. I know that nursing too often doesn't allow your body the time to replenish the supply, so I have been contemplating the binky to appease Ellie's wanting to suck in between feedings. It just seems crazy to need to feed her more often than every 2 hours. I really don't want another thumb sucker either. Rachel's orthodontia bills will be high enough on their own.

We have been awful about taking pictures, so I don't have anything new to post. Be patient with us! Yesterday was my first day on my own, so we are in coping mode. Thankfully our church has been bringing us meals, so at least we have been eating! What a blessing food is! I am sure glad I put some food in the freezer before Ellie came.

Hopefully I will post some pictures soon!