Where has the time gone?

I have realized as a parent that the more children you have, the faster life passes by. Jackson is already three months old and it seems like every other day if Friday! I can't believe how different my life is with two boys. Having two instead of just one changes absolutely everything. I now realize how easy I had it! I also realize that age is a big factor. With Benjamin just turning three and Jackson still an infant, boy is my patience being tested. Benjamin is in the thick of a battle of the wills. Every time I turn around he is bumping into his boundaries and testing me. It's hard to be patient with that when I am trying to nurse a crying baby, or cool a temper tantrum when Jackson is trying to nap all while trying to stay calm myself and keep my own emotions in check.  I am always having to remind myself to be the grown up. That Benjamin is a typical three year old boy and that this is when personalities are developed and consequences and so important so that they learn the value of authority. It's hard to know how to break their will without breaking their spirit. Their will has to be broken in order for them to submit to authority but how do you do that without breaking their spirit? Questions I know parents have thought much about for centuries. 
Jackson is such a good baby. Much like Benjamin but even more calm. He is very content most of the time and never cries unless he's hungry, needs a diaper or is longing for affection. Guilt is something else I'm trying to overcome. With the second child you simply don't have the time to just sit and hold them or give them one on one attention like you did with the first. I try so hard to equally divide my attention.
Being a parent is the hardest job in the world and I just hope that my best is good enough!

Jackson Steven Myers

I can't believe it's been almost seven weeks since the birth of my precious little Jackie. Even though he's only seven weeks, it seems to me that it's been a lot longer than that. I think it must be because with both my boys, when they were born, it felt as if I already knew them. Also, already having a little guy running around I haven't really had time to sit and enjoy him like I did with Benjamin. I have been trying more lately to not crowd my days with my to do list so that I have more time to just "be" with my boys and sit and hold Jackson. I want more time to simply look at him, really study him. I look back and treasure the time in the hospital for that was the most uninterrupted time that we had together.

He is growing like a weed compared to Ben. We thought for sure he would be a preemie sized baby based on his measurements, but he was born weighing 7.2 lbs and was 17.5 inches long! That's a full pound heavier and and inch and a quarter longer than Ben. He's already wearing NB or 0-3 month size clothes whereas Benjamin was still in preemie. I'll be taking both boys to Shriner's hospital in the next month and am anxious to see what they have to say about Jackson and his size.
Benjamin is adjusting very well to having a baby in the house taking up mommy's time and attention. For the most part he is patient and always very loving toward his brother. Benjamin has changed in some pretty major ways though. It seems that bringing home baby triggered some new attitudes, such as, obstinance! Sometimes it feels like he gives me pushback every time I ask him to do something. It is quite infuriating. I try to remind myself that he is simply going through a phase, that his whole world has changed in these last few weeks and this is his way of coping. I guess this is the hard part of parenting? Discipline, which I hate to do even though it is obviously important and necessary. There are days, I will admit, that I just want to run out the door screaming and go shopping. Thank God for naps. I am so greatful that Benjamin still takes naps. I think I'll cry when those days come to an end.
So there you have it. My life in a nutshell for the last seven weeks. I have good days and not so good days, but every day, I am thankful for my little gems for they are the reason for my existence!

Seven Weeks & Counting!

I am counting down the weeks now until I will be welcoming our newest member! I can't believe how quickly time is passing...only seven weeks left. We just scheduled his delivery for July 15! We have narrowed down the names to Andrew or Jackson...I'm betting on Andrew, but we'll see when he gets here. Benjamin is getting more excited too. He comes to me quite often now, lifts up my shirt and puts his ear against my belly and says he's saying hi to baby brother. Just tonight, he gave him a hug and a kiss! I have the sweetest little boy ever.

I am very excited for Saturday as Stephanie and I will be relaxing at Soucie & Soucie for our first ever spa day! I figured it would be the perfect time to be ultra pampered before baby comes and my life is once again turned upside down. I recommend this for all moms, I really do think we deserve it, don't you? I will be enjoying four hours of spa bliss to include an hour long massage, a lunch of sparkling cider, strawberries, croissants, blueberries, whipped cream and whatever treat Steph brings, followed by a facial and spa pedicure! Yahoo! Did I mention how excited I am? This all coming off of the most uncomfortable week as of late with this pregnancy. I think from this point on I will be spending most of my time at home with my cozy couch close at hand. Hey, it's better than bed rest, which I am trying to avoid at all cost!

Chad is really starting to help pick up the slack. You would think the more times dads go through this the more prepared they would be? Not really. I think it continues to blow their minds just how much is involved in getting ready for a new baby. He is better this time however being able to anticipate what I am needing help with without having to be asked a hundred times and all with quite minimal complaining, which we all know is a big deal for them.

My baby shower is June 16 where I will be blessed to be in the company of my closest friends and family. It will be a special time. I'm so glad I was good about saving everything from Benjamin since all I really need is more preemie size clothes and cloth diaper stuff. Yes, I am going to try my hand at cloth diapering. I know that it will be better health wise than the chemical ridden disposables and if done right, will save me a ton of cash(which I can use later for the fun stuff!)  I am also starting to do a little nesting. I'm trying to get everything done in the next three weeks since I know that the last 3-4 will be really uncomfortable, but baby won't be. Everything will be ready for his homecoming!

"Give Me That!"

This is the newest thing that I hear Benjamin barking at me throughout the day. I realize that he, of course picked this up from his mommy as being the most efficient way to get what he can't get for himself. I am now working on practicing the new way of asking "can I have that please?" His is catching on, however slowly:)  Some of his other funny phrases are, "I have to wake up," "I don't like this," "I'm not eating," "I can do it!" The last one is the only one that I really have much appreciation for other than the fact the he is at least able to verbalize his needs. It's so funny watching and listening to him excise his will on a daily basis. I also have realized that through the years this is indeed going to be the most difficult part of parenting. Being able to show your child that though it's good for them to know what they want, to be able to accomplish things on their own, they still have to be obedient to mommy and daddy. Such a hard thing to explain and demonstrate to a 2 year old! This is where I pray for grace! Luckily, I think my patience has improved and I am getting better, knowing this is just the beginning.  I have also been feeling quite overwhelmed and a little panicky about the realization that I only have 10 weeks until I am once again the mother of a newborn! I know that I will do fine and so will my Benjamin. Thank God for family and friends as I know I'm going to need all the help I can get in those first few weeks home. Any advice you can give me about coping in those first few weeks would be greatly appreciated, keeping in mind also that I will be delivering via C-section! Yikes! I am being paged from the other room, so until next nap time...by for now!

I'm A Big Boy Now!

So this last Thursday, Benjamin decided he was big enough to sit at the table in a "big boy chair!" He is relishing doing away with the high chair and sitting with mom and dad! It's so amazing to look across the table at him and to realize how fast the time is flying by. He is growing into such an amazing little boy! He is the most affectionate, kind spirited, easy tempered, loving little boy I know. He is also very determined. He wants to try to do everything himself, testing his own abilities. I love this about children. Seeing them solve problems and overcoming little obstacles every day, knowing that it is this same skill that will lead them through the challenges in life. Something I hope every parent appreciates and nurtures! Chad took Ben to the woods just the two of them for the first time today. Looking at the pictures, I think it was pretty great for both of them and am looking forward to more of that. We have spoken so much and have been looking forward to the special times with just Daddy and the boys. I have such fond memories of my own with just my dad, it's so precious watching those same memories being created in my own family now! Well, have to go for now, this mommy needs some good sleep before more new adventures tomorrow!

It's a boy!

So we had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday and found out we're being blessed yet again with another son! We are so excited. I will admit that I had a moment, however brief, of disappointment as I was hoping for a girl. To be honest, I wanted a boy for Benjamin. I always thought it perfect for a boy to have another little boy to play with, share secrets with and tell of their dreams! I know how much I have so appreciated my sister over the years and am thrilled that Benjamin will now have the same thing. Everything with baby looks great, he is measuring right on schedule for a baby between 19 & 22 weeks.  We can't say for sure of course whether he will be a little person or not, only God knows for now which is just fine by me.  We will have a follow up ultrasound at week 26 for additional measurements and I'll let you know what we find. In the meantime, Benjamin is talking more and more about baby and I think understanding what is happening. He came with us yesterday to the 3D and now when I show him pictures, he immediately recognizes it as "baby boo boo."  He is also becoming more and more independent which is awesome. His favorite phrase is, "I can do it." Whenever Chad or I come to help without him asking, he insists that he can do it. I'm quite sure that the Lord has blessed me with a very capable little helper.  I will upload a 3D image just as soon as I get my scanner working so you can all see the little guy! Bye for now.

Little Baby Bump

So here's my first picture of my newest little family member! HeHe! This is me at 4.5 months and growing! I am even bigger now 2 weeks later...this pregnancy is going by so fast! I must keep up with the pictures to make sure and not leave anything out.