The Non-Blog Version

One of my dearest friends recently told me she wanted to hear the "non-blog version" of Oliver's birth story.  I knew exactly what she meant.  Sometimes there is a fine line between being sensible about what sorts of things you write on the internet... and presenting a story that is prettier than reality.  I think everybody does that, to some extent.  But it also caused me to really think about how I present us in this blog.


This blog will someday be a book -- a photo book with recorded memories for our family.  While I don't want it to be distressing for any of our kids to look at, I also want to record parts of our lives as honestly as good sense allows.

Fighting over a ball...

Last week was hard.  I thought I would be on my own with the kids and embracing that new challenge.  But instead I was still dealing with mastitis, among other health issues.  The week ended with an unexpected, but necessary, root canal and other dental work.



I battled all week internally with how much help to ask for.  I feel like we have already been recipients of so much help and kindness since Oliver's birth.  Both our moms have babysat, cleaned, cooked, run errands, planned crafts, contributed to my projects around the house, planted flower gardens, and been emotional supports these past 3 weeks.

One of the fantastic meals we've been given -- this one made by Daniel's mom

But with the health stuff I was dealing with, I found myself--yet again--asking for and receiving much-needed help and support.  These first few weeks with a newborn are hard.  Really hard.  I feel like if I could borrow somebody else's body, that would help.  Mine is still healing, and some days are better than others.




Elliot is now our shameless paci-snatcher.  We had weaned him down to a paci only for sleeping, but the temptation to take Oliver's pacifier is too great.  We're not making a huge deal about it and hoping it'll blow over, like it did when Lucy was this age and dealing with a new sibling who got to have a paci all the time.



Actually, Oliver doesn't love the pacifier.  We could probably hide every pacifier in the house, and that would help with the paci-snatching.  I assume now that every pacifier is contaminated (Elliot has a cold), so each one gets sterilized before it gets in Oliver's mouth.


Except today Lucy, in a sweet-big-sister-caretaker way, shoved Elliot's nap-time pacifier in Oliver's mouth.  So maybe I shouldn't bother with the sterilization anymore. 



Words I dread hearing these days:  "Mommy, can I make a craft?"  and also... "Mommy, can I watch a show??"


Saying "no" to the first question makes me feel like a bad mom who can't be bothered to plan a simple craft or two for her artistically and creatively-inclined daughter.  Saying "no" to the second question causes anxiety, since by this point I can anticipate the onslaught of tears, whimpers, and accusations of my parental failings.



Potty training for Elliot has pretty much stalled out.  Which I sort of anticipated with the birth of #3. 



If the mosquitos in our backyard could verbalize their very favorite treat, it would be Elliot.  Poor boy.  I can relate.  I don't even bother with the natural stuff anymore.

 
He gets full strength "Deep Woods" OFF spray.  I also don't really bother spraying Lucy anymore.  As long as Elliot's standing near her, she's pretty safe from the mosquitoes.

We are leaving for England in 11 days.  I have done almost no planning.  I am counting on my sister, who I understand has gotten us a pack-n-play and car seat to use... and has planned a rough itinerary.  We are SO excited to go!  And also nervous.  About leaving the "big kids".  And about traveling with a newborn.


But miracle of miracles -- we got everything together for Oliver's passport and submitted it last week.  We should be receiving the necessary documents/passport early this week.  Exciting!!



I had been missing my sewing scissors.  They are large, nice, stainless steel scissors.  And I couldn't find them anywhere!  Well.  I found them last week.  Thanks to the Xray scanner at the federal building. 
"Ma'am, do you have a giant pair of scissors in your purse?" 
Ohhhhhh!  THAT'S where they are!!  
They had slipped under the bottom cushion in my purse and were totally flat on the bottom.  There is no way I would have found them.  Until I tried to get on the airplane.  That would have stunk.  Thankfully the federal officers were way friendlier than the TSA, and they let me put the scissors back in my car.  



Alright I am out of stuff to say.  Here are some random pictures. 

 Did I tell you Oliver got his little laser frenotomy done early last week?  They put on these glasses to protect his eyes.  Doesn't he look adorable in them? 
 

Wish I had removed the welcome mat.  Oh well.  I still love this.

 

As usual, I am ridiculously late with Elliot's monthly photo.  Will post that soon.