Tripp: 1 Month; Maddie Grace: 22 Months; Claire: 333 Months

I’m not sure how to do these updates anymore with more than one kid but I love writing them and sharing our best memories so I’m just going to go for it here. I can not believe my sweet little Tripp is already one month old! Well I guess I can… it actually kind of feels like he’s always been with us now and I really have a hard time thinking back to life without him. Tripp fits into our family so well and where I wouldn’t say he completes our family (we’re hoping for another kid or two but thinking way into the future, just in case you were wondering) he does definitely belong in our family and we absolutely love him. Even Maddie Grace – yes she has moments where she attacks him or steals his pacifier, but for the most part she is hugging, kissing, touching, wanting to hold him, and saying things like “oh no, were’s baby?” (if he’s not in her line of sight) and “aw it’s okay baby” (when he’s crying).

So one month, my goodness. Tripp is a great grower. He’s already almost outgrown all of his 0-3 month clothing which is impressive. It makes sense though because he is also a great eater. He’s started cooing and makes the cutest little faces when he’s awake. He likes to look at things almost as if he’s studying them and several people have commented he looks really smart when he does this. His eyes are finally opening big and wide and more often so we were able to figure out he actually has steel gray eyes right now. I know they probably won’t stay that color but if they do I’ll love it because they’re very distinctive. Tripp sleeps a lot of the time. I mean this kid really likes sleeping. He will tolerate tummy time (which Maddie Grace always hated) but typically falls asleep while doing it. Tripp is incredibly easy going and laid back. At my 4 week postpartum visit with Maddie Grace I remember her screaming the whole time and a nurse saying to me “I think she might have colic” (thanks nurse, I hadn’t realized that). Tripp came with me to my 4 week postpartum appointment yesterday and was a dream baby. He slept in his carseat, woke up once and nursed quickly, and fell right back asleep and let me strap him back into his carseat without waking up. Even the doctor said that he was one happy baby. We have been calling him Tripp, Trippy, Buddy or as Maddie Grace has picked up on (I think it’s just easiest for her to say) “Bubby”.

After a really terrible week last week, especially at school, Maddie Grace has been much better this week. Less tantrums, less violent towards Tripp, and just all around things with her have been better.  I think a large part of the problem is that Maddie Grace gets frustrated that he can’t play with her and that will change. She wants so badly for him to interact with her – she will take blankets and throw him over his head to try to do peek a boo, and she always wants to hold him, so she has a hard time understanding why he doesn’t engage back with her. Maddie Grace has such a fun and loving personality. She can be a crazy person, running around in circles shrieking and full of energy, one minute and the next be a complete snuggle bug and just want to cuddle with mama and baby on the couch and watch some cartoons. Maddie Grace has an obsession with giving treats to cats – both ours and the cats that wander into our backyard. She runs around saying “TREATS TREATS” and wants to give the whole bag to the cats. Girlfriend loves to eat – she’ll try just about anything and her absolute favorite is Chick-Fil-A nuggets. And my favorite thing about this stage? The dancing. Just about everything that excites her warrants a fun dance from her, and usually she wants whoever is around her to join in on the dancing. Maddie Grace is obsessed with Minnie Mouse and Peppa Pig and always wants to wear clothing with them on it (or her elephant pajamas) which is cute and fine, just means I’m constantly doing laundry so she can wear her Peppa shirt around.

My doctor gave me the okay to workout again so I’m excited to get back to that and hopefully get back in shape and lose the rest of this baby weight! I’m thinking new workout gear will do the trick to encourage me to exercise more. These amazing crops are from Fabletics and I’m just in love. If they don’t get me to strap on one kid and buckle in the other in the BOB to take a walk around the block I’m not sure what will. I’ve had to be so much more active with Tripp during his first month than I was with Maddie Grace – as I’m always chasing her around. On one hand it’s kind of nice to get out of the house (with her I was going insane being stuck at home) and get back to having play dates and seeing our friends frequently. On the other hand it’s hard to play with her and nurse the baby. Thank goodness so far I’ve been able to get them both to nap at the same time daily and lots of times that means I get to lay down and take a nap as well. Also thank goodness for Happy Baby Wrap and babywearing so that I can mulititask like crazy.

I’m really enjoying breastfeeding this time around but get so sick of how limiting nursing fashion can be. This grey and white striped shirt from Milk and Baby is amazing. Not only is it cute and the perfect top for wearing to play dates, but it has an empire layer that lifts up for easy and discreet nursing. This makes it perfect for when we are out and about. I also love the kangaroo carry shirts.

In short, things have been crazy over here, and some days I’m pushed to my limits, and find myself wanting to lock myself crying in the bathroom with a bottle (or two) of wine. But my heart is so full and I go to bed every night feeling incredibly happy. I’ve never felt more fulfilled. And I’ve never felt more like I’m doing exactly what I was made for.