Pick-me-up

I bought a new sling for the Fall. Justifiying the cost of another Sakura Bloom was easy considering that I wear the sling most of every day and that Merritt practically lives in it. After 7 1/2 months I wanted to update my look.

Any ring sling might do, but these are luxurious. The Pixie collection is festive and pretty for the cooler months, but will surely be just as versatile through the Spring and Summer.

It's Friday already

We've been in the Outer Banks all week.

Roscoe's been holding tight to his position that "Roscoe doesn't like the beach."

The wind today was intense!

While Merritt's been doing a lot of snoozing in the sling (nothing new here!):

The cousins continue to grow on each other, and the adults have survived 4 kiddos under 4 for the past five days. I completed my first ever legitimate sewing project (more to come on this!), and caught up on a few inspiring reads that I've been hoarding for this very trip. Andy took Roscoe to the theater for his first movie, and the pool has been their home away from home all week.

Hopefully, I can share some pictures and stories soon.

Family work in progress

I feel like a hostage again. But I know it's not forever.

My once mellow and not at all demanding baby has recently turned a 180 and assumed the more familiar role of protesting sleep anywhere but in my arms, and an extreme preference for nursing over everything else.

I'm frustrated with having to maneuver through every day handicapped by the use of only one arm. I frequently opt not to do the things that I want or need to do because the agony of muddling through it one-handed is just too much. Of the moby wrap, sakura bloom ring sling, and hotsling pouch, none truly allow me full freedom --I frequently find myself propping Merritt's head, supporting his butt, or otherwise reinforcing the carrier. Even though wearing Merritt in the Bloom is 100 times better than not wearing him, I'm disappointed by this.

Roscoe has, on cue, realized that I am incapacitated when nursing, and therefore unable to enforce any spoken directives. Our "discipline" of choice so far has been redirection or removal. Impossible choices when couch-bound. It's not always enough to verbally corral Roscoe, and I can't reinforce my words with action when I'm nursing. I've resorted to ignoring his antics when I'm not able to follow through--an irritating scenario that I quite frequently find myself in.

Some days I feel I let Roscoe down. Merritt is in the sling, or nursing 98% of the day. It's hard to meet the needs of everyone simultaneously, but even I am tired of hearing myself say, "let me finish x with Merritt, and THEN we can do y", or "I can't do x right now, I'm nursing Merritt." Merritt, Merritt, Merritt!

The last few days have been particularly hard, and after giving it some thought I was happy to remember that all things with babies and toddlers come in phases. Soon Merritt will be heartier, and able to hang out on his own a little more. This week nap time was a disaster, but that's not to say that next week will be the same.

The kids' needs and their routines are out of sync right now. The three of us do our little dance around each other all day, every day, and sometimes we all line up, and sometimes we don't. We're figuring it out together.

Disney

The Magic Kingdom was a madhouse Monday afternoon. The four of us, with two little ones in tow made it through the front gates around 2:00, when morning naps and full bellies gave everyone the best chance for a happy experience.

I've never been to Disney at Christmas time and Main Street was decked out for the Season. We weren't the only ones who thought a Disney trip in December was a great idea; the streets were so packed we could barely navigate. The MVP of the day (and possibly the trip so far) was my new Sakura Bloom sling. I can't believe we survived the infant stage without it, but I'm so happy that we finally have one because Roscoe camped out in it all day. He was snug and content, enjoying the view and the people from the safety of my arms. Besides the minor balancing act that I had to perform to manage my belly and Roscoe without toppling over, I was so grateful we threw the sling into our pack at the last minute, "just in case".

Pirates of the Caribbean was a surprising hit--we kept things cheery by keeping the focus on the animals--and Roscoe just could not contain his excitement during the Jungle Cruise, and The Tiki Room. We stayed until the sun set, then made one last stop at the Main Street Confectionery for pumpkin fudge, caramel apples, and Mickey shaped rice crispy treats. We made it home just in time to usher Roscoe into the tub and then tuck him in for the night.

The temperatures have been in the 70's, and besides the bird of paradise in our villa that we decorated with white lights, and the stockings we hung in the living room, it's too easy to forget that Christmas is just 3 days away.