Milestones
Posted on | March 10, 2010
by | Kim
We’ve been busy around here recently, mainly helping Elise make those next big steps in her life – sleeping sans crib. Her crib broke, so we took the opportunity to transition her to something without bars. We’ve had absolutely no problems with her new little sleeping set-up, and that’s a great blessing to be had. She’s also mastered the art of drinking from a cup – no straws or lids – after about a day or so of spills. It’s so amazing to see how much she’s accomplished in the last 18 months.
Obviously, no word on the Little One front; other than standard crampiness and me still being ready to give birth. Greg doesn’t think I’ll make it to the due date, but I’m not entirely sure on that. I’m starting to be more at peace with the fact that I am so incredibly uncomfortable but there are absolutely no substantial contractions happening or anything that would make think LO will be here soon. I know labor can get started with a bang or a whisper – Elise’s labor started very whisperlike, so perhaps Little One will be my ‘bang’ labor. 
I guess I’m just ready to get onto the next leg of things – physically, mentally, spiritually. I’m ready to meet the little person that I’ve been nourishing since June of 2009, ready to see what life will be like with 2 under 2 (for a few more months, at least) or scarier to most people – two in diapers. We’re ready to greet this new little soul, to care for and protect and teach the Faith to and be frustrated and scared and stressed out all at the same time. I think Greg and I would be lying if we said we weren’t on some level scared (terrified?), but we know that God doesn’t give more than we can handle. I’m trying to find the lessons He’s telling us in this wait, this wait that has felt like geological eons despite being only months.
Regardless, there are at the most 15 days (or perhaps 16 or 17) left between the mysterious Little One and actually having our first face to face meeting. Despite my impatience and readiness, I am enjoying the time with Elise as “an only child” – our one on one time that will be treasured moreso than ever when Little One arrives. It’s bittersweet in a way – we’re ready to get going but at the same time, would like to pause time for now and keep Elise little and Little One entirely safe.
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6 Responses to “Milestones”
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March 10th, 2010 @ 3:20 pm
Feel free to email me with any questions you may have about 2 under 2, my first 2 are 14 months apart, so I remember the apprehensive feeling you describe.
Your braver than me on the bed without bars! My first was 2 1/2 when we switched.
And my second baby was definetly my Bang labor, my oldest was a 21 hour labor, my second was 2 1/2 hours from being unable to sleep because I was uncomfortable (but no contractions yet) to her arrival, with me protesting that I wasn’t in labor the whole time!
March 10th, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
Woohoo Elise! Matthias still tips the cup all the way back, so we’re all about sippys in this house.
I totally know what you mean about the “only child”… I still cry sometimes during those special moments with Matthias, and think, “How will I do this with a newborn around? And how will I have moments like this with said newborn with Matthias here?” I am just trying to soak up and treasure all the one-on-one time I still have left with my firstborn. <3
March 11th, 2010 @ 7:53 am
@ Young Mom – you are an absolute Godsend. I will definitely email you when those inevitable questions pop up.
Hopefully Little One comes soon – with Elise I was in labor for a day or so, this time around it’s very quiet. More crampiness that is sort of uncomfortable today but just not contractiony. It’s driving me NUTS!
@ Laura – I’m 100% sure you’ll still have those special moments with Matthias and #2. I’m sure Young Mom could weigh in on this topic with her thoughts.
Definitely soak it up and treasure it, we’re doing the same; but don’t think that they have to stop with the arrival of #2.
March 11th, 2010 @ 11:15 am
We’re praying for you every night for a smooth and peaceful labor and delivery. I’m hoping that these crampies are really preparing your body for a smooth transition into active labor. God Bless You, my dear!
March 11th, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
I had zero contractions leading up to my second labor too! Nothing at all until I was in labor, I was stunned when my midwife arrived and told me I was dialated to 4, and an hour and a half later when she told me I could push anytime I told her she was crazy, until the baby was born with the next contraction that is!
And you will absolutely still have those special moments with your babies, its just ones that you can’t imagine right now. You will have the crazy days where they are both crying at once, and you feel so bad because you can’t help them both at once, but you get to watch your oldest interact with the baby, you get those mornings where you all lay in the big bed together and “whisper so we don’t wake up the baby”, you get your little toddler being so incredibly eager to “help” with the baby, and watch them rock a stuffed animal to sleep when they copy you taking care of the baby.
It’s pretty special. It helped me to think of both of them (all 3 of them now!) as being my babies. Yes my 3 year old is older than my 2 year old and my 5 month old, but she isn’t a “big kid” yet. They are all my babies, and they all know that they can climb in my lap for hugs and kisses and lullabies. It gets a little crowded sometimes, but the more the merrier.
Sorry I got carried away there.
March 11th, 2010 @ 2:14 pm
@ Nicole – thank you SO MUCH for the prayers! I’m pretty sure they’re part of the reason that my impatience has (somewhat) lessened.
@ Young Mom – carry on! After hearing how your second labor went, I don’t feel so insane. At this point with Elise I was having major time-able contractions when I walked anywhere … so the lack of timeable contractions definitely had me frustrated. And this pregnancy has been so different than Elise’s, I know it’s silly to compare but I can’t help it. So now I don’t feel totally insane thinking this kiddo will never come. Or that I’ll have cramps forever.
“It gets a little crowded sometimes, but the more the merrier.”
^^ THIS, 100%.