Both babies have reached a stage over about the last month and it is called:
WE. WANT. YOU. TO. HOLD. US. FOREVER.
Basically, they have both been very needy at home and want me to read to them, sing to them, color with them, play with them, change them, feed them 25 times an hour, and share all my food in the process. Babies require that? This is news to me. And you’re like, “Kalen, how are you writing this then?” Well, Smarty Pants McTelligence, I am writing this because they are both simultaneously shoving cottage cheese and bananas in their mouths. I have about 5-10 minutes before the reaching-reach-reach-reach starts.
This has been one of the more difficult phases with them. They’re both teething, Beckett is trying to walk so Everly is pushing him down, they’re fighting over toys, and they both want MOMMY. NOW. BEFORE I EXPLODE AND KNOCK STUFF OVER.
I was telling my friend Jess that we only bathe them twice a week and I heard her respond with a quiet, “Oh…” It is true. It’s just too taxing at the end of the day to worry about it so we usually wipe them down with a warm rag or diaper wipe instead. And they rarely ever wear clothes at home and they sleep in whatever they’re in as long as it’s clean. Those are my confessions. Those are the little things that help us manage two babies so close in age, and I don’t care if you’d do it any different, my babies are healthy and wait… no one said anything, did they?
;)
It’s just… I’m much more lenient this time around, and I find that is the easiest way to cope with the intensity of being in CONSTANT. PARENTING. MODE. If Beckett eats jello off a friend’s floor that I know is sparkling clean (because I know my Jodi) then I don’t rush to stop him because it’s keeping him from banging his head on the glass door or licking crayons. If Everly asks me to get her out of the baby pool because it’s a little bit deep and the grass is a little high and she’s nervous, I don’t do it right away. I tell her, “No, you can do it,” and cheer for her when she does.
Just finding a balance between being there & being THERE. I guess they’re pretty happy.
I don’t clean my yard, either. AND?
I think you are doing just fine. There probably is no reason to bath them more than a couple times of week. Your skin produces oil that you need and washing to frequently can cause dry skin and a ton of other problems. And eating off the floor, dirt builds our immune system, and babies need strong immune systems. I know you are doing a fine job. I am sure you were not looking for words of encouragement, but you are awesome, your kids are great and so what if beckett eats a bug, or dog food, or whatever….You got this.
<3
And you are doing exactly what you need to do to “survive”. And that is ok. Remember I did this with 3 under 3 so I speak from experience…..and sympathy :-) . Nothing wrong with 2x a week baths – I still do that sometimes :-0 . You will survive this phase, just keep doing what you’re doing. In the mean time, try to enjoy every moment holding them because they WILL get big and self sufficient and need you less. Looks like you’re doing a great job….they are precious!
It’s so bittersweet as they become more self-sufficient, isn’t it? Girl, so many times I have said, “Sarah survived, I can survive!” :) You’re a great example of a great mama that has managed many things all at once.
Your doing exactly what works and being terrific at it! Your a great example and make it look so easy to have 2 under 2. I only wish my child didn’t get something strange caked in her hair everyday making me wash it every single night, it’s exhausting and no longer fun. I enjoyed bath time much more when I could skip a day. I also love the vote in confidence that you think my floor is sparkling clean (lucky for little B that day it actually was!)
I may not have the highest standards when it comes to what I refer to as “sparkling clean” since it’s a direct comparison to my own floor, haha.
I never bathe Brady all that much. Twice a week is fine I think. Whatever haters.
Haters gon’ hate. Throwin hunets.
You so crack me up!!!!! We have a bath every night for two reason it’s part of the bed time routine and truman NEEDS routine and because of his snotty nose allergies, that gets honestly since I’m allergic to earth… But we still DO NOT SLEEP without waking and crying at least 3 times a night, now it’s not even for a drink it’s for me!!!! And I have caved and brought him to my bed but it is NO BETTER he can’t wake without crying so I feel you on needing to do whatever to survive… You r a good mama and at least make it seem that u have it all together…lol… Oh and Tru is 28lbs and i’m still packing him around on the ol hip most of the time…lol. ur awesome!!!
@andrea – we bathe every night too because it’s part of their bedtime routine. it relaxes them before story time. plus, my daughter always ends up with yogurt in her hair never fails.
but, with a hub currently gone for 2 months – sometimes, i don’t bathe every night and i have to do a wipe down. if not, the kids wouldn’t get into bed until 9 p.m. and i wouldn’t have my sanity.
even though my kiddos are 2 1/2 years apart, i’m trying to find the time to spend with both in individual segments. it’s basically impossible.
you’re amazing, kay. any time i get frustrated with parents, i always think of you.
Harps used to love baths and now she hates them. So I don’t give them all that often — ain’t worth the fight, yo! I do a lot of hot washcloths on her face/hands/crotch. These babies don’t have hormones — they don’t really smell or get greasy, so c’mon. 2-3 days a week is fine… By the time I have 2 kids they’ll probably bathe 2-3 times a month ;)
Props to you for the two lil babies. I don’t think it’s in my constitution! Hopefully my next kid will be less hands-on than HJ. Shew. Tomorrow I’ve got another 2 year old coming over so his mama can get some stuff done and I’m petrified.
This too shall pass for sure! <3
Kalen your post crack me up! I love it…..and your babies look very happy to me….Keep up the good work…