Okay, so this isn't the "what we did on Sunday" post, but it'll have to do for now :).
Since Isaac had his two month checkup today, I thought I'd use the opportunity to share a little about our sweet little boy, and how things have been in our family since he came to be a part of it.
Isaac Stephen Cutler- 2 months and 8 days old Weight: 13 pounds
Height: 23 inches
We love our little Isaac-Man so much! It's weird to say that he is only two months old because we just can't imagine life without him. Seems like he's been with us much longer. Isaac LOVES being held, talked to, sung to, bath-time, Mommy wearing him, and sitting on my lap while I play the piano. He is such a smiler! Sometimes it seems like he cries just so you will look at him, and then he'll pop out a huge grin. It melts my heart! He is a fairly content baby, although he has a fussy couple of days (shots?). He is usually only really sad if he is hungry or tired.
He has never taken to a pacifier like William did. Lots of times he just spits it out or gags on it, although he has been liking it a little more lately. I don't really try it very much because he is usually such a good baby. Lately, though he has started sucking his thumb, and it's the cutest thing I've ever seen! Hopefully I will get a good picture soon. Right now I just have one on my cell phone. His sucking is SO loud! It makes me laugh, and sometimes keeps me awake at night :).
Isaac sleeps usually around 5-7 hours at night before he wakes up hungry, and then will sleep another couple, although it's a little more sketchy after he wakes up that first time. He certainly likes to snuggle with Mommy in the early morning hours better than sleeping in his bassinet! He will take lots of 1-3 hour naps during the day (without being held) and all-in-all is a much better sleeper than William was, so there are no complaints here. :)
William is an AMAZING big brother! This is something I was really worried about because William demands so much attention and is such a momma's boy. However, he has taken to Isaac like it's no big deal. Sure, we've had a couple times where Isaac has started crying and William has run to me and said "Hold ME Mommy, Hold ME!!!", or where he has told me to "Put Isaac down on the couch", but really, those are fairly rare.
I really think that the fact that I had Isaac at home was a huge blessing in this area. I think it was very helpful that Chris and I never had to leave him to go to the hospital, and that he was able to see me and Isaac right after the birth. I actually think he understands quite a bit about what happened when Isaac was born. When I was pregnant, we took the Bradley Method birth classes that my parents teach, and in the process William saw lots of birth videos. So when he came upstairs (I was still in the living room) and we tried to explain to him about his brother being born, he went over to the TV and said something about babies being born on the movie. I thought it was interesting at the time, but then didn't think much more about it.
Several weeks later, while my parents were teaching their class, I was trying to get him to bed, and he was using every excuse in the book to not go. A classic on-needing to go potty-had me taking him up the stairs right when my dad said something about them showing a movie. William immediately started begging to "Watch a movie! Watch a movie! Watch an ISAAC movie!!!" It really caught me off guard and I realized that he did associate what he had seen on the movies with Isaac being born. Then, the next morning he was (again) asking for a movie and he asked to "Watch an ISAAC BORN movie!" So you can think I'm psycho for letting my toddler watch birth movies, but really, I think it helped a lot!
William is always very free with his kisses to Isaac, will step around him on the floor and say "Sorry Brother!", often brings him blankets or stands by him when he is sad, and always makes sure that we are going to take Isaac with us when we go places. For some reason, he seems concerned that we will leave him behind. The other day while he was sleeping in the morning, William kept asking me "Isaac wake-up?" "Isaac still sleeping?" and then wanting to wake him up.
The transition from one to two children hasn't been as hard for me as I anticipated, although for some reason I seem to have emotional breakdowns when Chris is home. Poor Man! However, I have started to figure out how to get things accomplished around the house, and have even made several meals! Something I have come to look forward to is taking a bath with Isaac at night after William is in bed. It is nice because it gives me a chance to relax a little after a long day, and also to spend some one-on-one time just playing with Isaac, as William seems to monopolize my attention throughout the rest of the day. It also helps Isaac relax and wind down before bed, and he seems to sleep better because of it. Here's a picture of the two of us!
He has never taken to a pacifier like William did. Lots of times he just spits it out or gags on it, although he has been liking it a little more lately. I don't really try it very much because he is usually such a good baby. Lately, though he has started sucking his thumb, and it's the cutest thing I've ever seen! Hopefully I will get a good picture soon. Right now I just have one on my cell phone. His sucking is SO loud! It makes me laugh, and sometimes keeps me awake at night :).
Isaac sleeps usually around 5-7 hours at night before he wakes up hungry, and then will sleep another couple, although it's a little more sketchy after he wakes up that first time. He certainly likes to snuggle with Mommy in the early morning hours better than sleeping in his bassinet! He will take lots of 1-3 hour naps during the day (without being held) and all-in-all is a much better sleeper than William was, so there are no complaints here. :)
William is an AMAZING big brother! This is something I was really worried about because William demands so much attention and is such a momma's boy. However, he has taken to Isaac like it's no big deal. Sure, we've had a couple times where Isaac has started crying and William has run to me and said "Hold ME Mommy, Hold ME!!!", or where he has told me to "Put Isaac down on the couch", but really, those are fairly rare.
I really think that the fact that I had Isaac at home was a huge blessing in this area. I think it was very helpful that Chris and I never had to leave him to go to the hospital, and that he was able to see me and Isaac right after the birth. I actually think he understands quite a bit about what happened when Isaac was born. When I was pregnant, we took the Bradley Method birth classes that my parents teach, and in the process William saw lots of birth videos. So when he came upstairs (I was still in the living room) and we tried to explain to him about his brother being born, he went over to the TV and said something about babies being born on the movie. I thought it was interesting at the time, but then didn't think much more about it.
Several weeks later, while my parents were teaching their class, I was trying to get him to bed, and he was using every excuse in the book to not go. A classic on-needing to go potty-had me taking him up the stairs right when my dad said something about them showing a movie. William immediately started begging to "Watch a movie! Watch a movie! Watch an ISAAC movie!!!" It really caught me off guard and I realized that he did associate what he had seen on the movies with Isaac being born. Then, the next morning he was (again) asking for a movie and he asked to "Watch an ISAAC BORN movie!" So you can think I'm psycho for letting my toddler watch birth movies, but really, I think it helped a lot!
William is always very free with his kisses to Isaac, will step around him on the floor and say "Sorry Brother!", often brings him blankets or stands by him when he is sad, and always makes sure that we are going to take Isaac with us when we go places. For some reason, he seems concerned that we will leave him behind. The other day while he was sleeping in the morning, William kept asking me "Isaac wake-up?" "Isaac still sleeping?" and then wanting to wake him up.
The transition from one to two children hasn't been as hard for me as I anticipated, although for some reason I seem to have emotional breakdowns when Chris is home. Poor Man! However, I have started to figure out how to get things accomplished around the house, and have even made several meals! Something I have come to look forward to is taking a bath with Isaac at night after William is in bed. It is nice because it gives me a chance to relax a little after a long day, and also to spend some one-on-one time just playing with Isaac, as William seems to monopolize my attention throughout the rest of the day. It also helps Isaac relax and wind down before bed, and he seems to sleep better because of it. Here's a picture of the two of us!
Chris is still working a lot of hours, so we are grateful for the nights when he gets home early enough to spend some time with us before bed. Every morning, the first thing William says is "Daddy Home?" and I LOVE the days (2-usually) when I am able to tell him that Daddy IS home. I am so grateful for the hard work he does because he loves his family and wants to provide for us, even though there are many things about his job that he does not love. And I am grateful that he HAS a job, since lots of people don't these days. And we are really looking forward to doing something new soon! (Grad school next fall hopefully).All in all, life is good and we love having Isaac with us.
4 comments:
I am glad to hear your family is doing so well. Isacc is ADORABLE! We miss you guys and need to get together soon!
I'm glad this has been such a positive experience for your family. I love reading your blog.
I'm glad you posted an update! I've often wondered how William has adjusted to being a big brother. He sounds so cute with Isaac. I'm impressed William is doing so well with it all.
Isaac is looking so grown up already. It's fun to read what he likes and what type of personality he has so far.
I have much respect for wives whose husbands don't work at home. I don't know how you do it and do such a good job too!! If Daniel ever has to stop working at home then I don't know what I'll do.
Do you guys know what Chris will be studying for his masters? Where will he be doing his schooling at?
I know what you mean about how seeing their sibling being born affects your child. We weren't planning on having Asher there when Rose was born but he was and it was an awesome experience. He's never had any jealousy for her-- he loves her SO MUCH. Reading your post made we wonder if it isn't because he saw her be born? Hmmm... something to think about.
I wouldn't worry about showing your boys birth videos-- I think it is fantastic. Think of what good husbands they are going to be.. no fear of the birth process there! I have a friend who is a doula and her two boys LOVE birth videos-- in fact she once caught them in the bath tub playing "water birth". She just doesn't tell her mother in law!
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