Friday, November 16, 2007

Adjusting



Well, week one was a whirlwind and week two was a little harder and now it's the end of week three and Matthew and I are feeling it. We officially are the parents of TWO children. Why is this so hard? People say going from one to two is the hardest thing you'll do...I think they may be right. I've learned this week (my first week at home with Arseny and Kyra alone---Matt went back to work) that you can do absolutely nothing but take care of kids. There is no getting online, cleaning the house, or making some various baked goods (not that I ever did anyway), even going somewhere downtown with the both of them can turn into a disaster--as I found out! If you attempt any of this it usually ends up an unfinished task and usually 2 out of the 3 of us are crying for some reason or another. Instead...we play ball, watch various educational videos, play with toys, read books, go for walks (thank you double stroller!) watch more videos--and try to hook up with other stressed out moms so that our children can play and get tired so they'll take naps. Speaking of naps...you might be thinking that I would somehow have some free time during naps...think again, for some reason these little guys sense that when one is sleeping that they (the other) must wake up. I kid you not...it's happened all week! My rant here is not ill intended...it's actually humorous at times (you have to make yourself laugh) and I think that I'll remember this time years from now and be happy I had the experience---It doesn't last forever.
So this week however, Arseny has...fallen off the couch after being told not to stand or jump on it repeatedly, has learned to climb up on EVERYTHING (he learned to use his step stool), then he stole a fork out of the dishwasher and boogied through the kitchen as fast as he could only to fall with it in hand (I was sure that one was a trip to the ER---although both eyes were intact) he's been confined to the stroller everywhere we go because when given the liberty to hold my hand and walk he pulls the old limp fish trick where he unsuccessfully tries to get away from me. He's been pulling hair, saying NO extra loud, and I could go on but he's basically just doing a very good job at being a one and half year old. However, he's struggling to figure out how to share mama with that little baby. I know all of this is normal with a huge adjustment but it's been a terrorizing week. Needless to say, I have spent the little time I've had thinking, reading, asking other moms and looking into how I can work to smooth over this transition and keep my very strong willed toddler entertained. I know it will get better---hopefully just soon TGIF! Daddy is home for the weekend!

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Pretty in Pink



So early on Friday Morning, we checked into the hospital and knew that in a few short hours we would be meeting our daughter for the first time. It was scary but exciting. Everyone right down to the nurse who just wheels you from one place to another was so warm and caring. I was nervous about having another C-Section and staying at the hospital as I would have preferred to have a more natural and comfortable atmosphere but it turns out that my babies will all be born by C-Section and so I'm becoming more comfortable with the hospital routine. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful care we received at St. Mary and felt very taken care of by all the doctors and nurses that assisted us.

Kyra (which is what we'll call her) is doing great! She eats and sleeps and rarely cries...at first I thought something was wrong with her but come to find out this is how most babies are their first weeks of life. Arseny on the other hand cried and rarely ate or slept, GOD IS GRACIOUS! I'm glad I had the hard one first ;) Recovering has been and will be a long process, I'm trying to lay low but it's hard when you're home...you tend to want to pick up the toys or the maccaroni and cheese that's on the kitchen floor but you have to just let it go. It's easy to forget that you had major surgery.

Arseny is doing really well despite all circumstances. He spent a lot of time with daddy while I was staying in the hospital. He was a little afraid the first time they came to visit, I got a little bit of the cold shoulder but he perked up after a little while...he was afraid of the IV's in my hand and would hide his face if the nurses tried to talk to him. Now that we're home he's just a peach. We thought he'd have trouble with me holding the baby but it turns out that he has a major problem if DAD holds the baby...that was funny. Over all he is not jealous at all and shows much love toward his little sister. He's very curious about her and we let him touch her "Gentle" and he gets really excited about this. Whenever he refers to her or sees her he changes the tone of his voice to a really sweet and light sound, points or reaches for her and says "dee da" sister?... baby? we're not sure but it's really cute. We let him play with her blanket and take her hats and socks. We also let him jump in and explore her bassinette. I think all our hard work preparing him with the baby doll and talking about it has really paid off. They're going to be best friends I think ;)

Matthew is off from work, glory to God! So we are lucky to have some great quality family time. Although it's been a little hard getting used to two little ones. We each have one to watch now and it can be a juggling act at times. Over all Matt has been Super Dad and I can't imagine trying to do this without him. We also have such great friends and church family who have helped us with Arseny and brought us meals, prayed for us, visited and just have been supportive through this whole process. I'm so amazed and can't imagine not having this support network of wonderful people. Thankyou to everyone! We're all doing well and we'll keep you posted on what's new. Thanks for stopping by and checking in on Malenky's World. Anna

...SHE'S HERE!


Well, guess who made her grand entrance into Malenky's World?

Kyranna Magdalene Harrington was born last Friday October 26th at 8:33am. She weighed in at 7lbs 14oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. She is a beautiful and big healthy girl. I think she looks like Matthew. More pictures to come!