MAD props to the single moms

The flu has been going around my family and yesterday it was Mark's turn. I spent all day taking care of two needy babies.  They're in a very NEEDY phase right now.  According to the book I reference The Wonder Weeks they are learning depth perception.  Basically if I'm more than three feet away from them, they're not happy campers.  The day took every single last ounce of patience that I had.  

Yesterday made me think about single moms.  How in the F do they do it?  Mothers with significant others barely get breaks, but if I need 30 minutes to myself all I have to do is ask Mark and he says sure.  (which I asked for just to write this post.)  Single moms don't have that option; don't have a partner to say, "your turn."  Part of me wants to feel bad and sorry for them cause they don't have what I have but a bigger part of me wants to acknowledge what awesome and strong people they are.  There is no way I could do this by myself for 24 hours a day. 

While playing with the boys on the floor or trying to get them to go down for naps I thought about the Saturdays and Sundays I used to spend watching movies ALL day.  Taking a day to myself and doing NOTHING.  I daydreamed about doing that yesterday.  I even tried to watch a movie while watching the boys.  It must have taken me 4 hours to get through a 2 hour movie.  It just wasn't the same.  Even now as I sit here taking my 30 minutes I'm feeling guilty that Mark is taking care of the boys so I'm not really even 'relaxing'.  I guess this is me getting some things off my chest. 

Everyone told me life would change and I knew it would but this is an experience everyone has to go through and experience for themselves.  My sister told me about this day.  That was yesterday.  The day it really hits you.  That you are a mother the rest of your life. 

I am so grateful that I do not have to go through this alone.  I have a great partner in life and have an AMAZING support group.  Where I do not feel all single mothers go through motherhood "alone", I must give you mad props for all your hard work.  I hope you get your "30 minutes" every once and a while. 

SIX MONTHS!!!

 Pretty sure every time I start one of this 'month' posts, I start it with how fast time is flying by.  It's going so fast that I have been falling behind in posting. I can't put into words how fast time goes when you have kids.  Sometimes I have to remind myself to sit and breathe.

Cooper and Cannon are rolling over like crazy.  They're trying to sit up on their own too but still not all that great at it and end up nose diving into the floor.  They're both getting one - two solid meals a day and starting to drink 5-6 oz of formula in their bottles about 6 times a day.  Both boys get a kick out of me and Mark.  They enjoy being entertained by us any way we can.  I'm unsure of their weights right now cause we still haven't been to their six month check up.  My guess is 17 and close to 14 pounds.  We will see next Wednesday. 

Ever since Cooper's surgery, he's been an eating machine.

We stopped giving Cannon his medicine for his reflux and he seems to be doing fine without it.  Cannon tends to refuse some bottles ever since we started him on solids, it seems like he's going to like his food.

Both boys are really funny. (But I would say that, they're my kids right?)  Cannon loves talking.  He loves talking PERIOD.  He'll talk to anyone, talk to himself, he even talks himself to sleep.  He's still a really silly, overall low key baby.  Cooper loves his mommy, he is most comfortable with me and still enjoys being held A LOT.  We have also entered the teething phase.  The boys can't go more than 30 minutes without soaking their shirts with drool.  They have their hands in their mouths as much as they can.  They have just recently started sleeping on their bellies and every once and a while will sleep 7-8 hours straight.  Mark and I LOVE those nights. 

An update on me and Mark. We can't believe the wedding is in 10 weeks.  I've been struggling to get rid of this baby weight and still have at least 15 pounds to go.  I was doing well for a while when the boys were keeping me so busy I didn't have time to eat nor did I have an appetite.  The appetite is back and there's a little more downtime now that we have established a bedtime routine with the boys.  I have been easing my way back into full time at work.  I recently got offered a few more perks and benefits to come back full time and the offer was a blessing.  I knew having two babies would cost a lot but until the costs starting rolling in I really didn't understand.  Since I made the decision to formula feed we pay anywhere between $250-$275 a month in formula.  That's an F'ing car payment! For this reason only, I cannot wait until the boys turn one and I can move to whole milk and then soon after sippy cups.  Mark has been working really hard lately, he's always on the phone trying to close deals and provide for us.  I admire and love his hard work and dedication.  He then comes home and applies those same things to his home life, plus some.  We're finding it really hard to find time for one another.  Some things tend to slip through the cracks cause so much time and energy is devoted to the boys.  We have not had a day or evening to ourselves since March and I definitely think it's needed.  I can't wait til our wedding night!  The thought of spending the night together alone and being able to sleep in and not have to sleep next to a monitor will be really nice.  I absolutely can't wait to change my last name and be able to officially call him my husband.  I can be a very difficult woman to please and be around and Mark puts up with all of me (most of time).  I can honestly say that we are a really good couple and I'm still really excited for our future as a couple and as a family.  Since we've been together, life has thrown some pretty interesting curves our way, but with the two of us side by side, we handle it all really well and enjoy it all.  Through the struggles, life is still really good.