Managing Two

I spent my first week home with both my boys by myself- 2 boys under 2!  I was pretty nervous, especially since Cael had been so crabby and needy the previous week and a half being sick and teething (his first molar)!  But I honestly was thanking God that Saturday and Sunday he was more himself, and I began to feel like I could handle the challenge of both boys.  Cason slept at just the right times that I could give Cael the attention he needed, and Cael has been becoming much more accepting that when it is time to feed brother, he needs to wait and play or watch "Panda" (his favorite show- well the only show he watches at home).  I give Cael the choice to color, read Berenstein Bears, or to watch "Panda."  He will make his choice and tends to stick with it for the 10-15 minutes I need to feed Cason.

When Cason is awake and we need to be able to move around the house to play, I have been using a Moby wrap to carry him in while I chase Cael around the house from room to room while he plays or reads books.  I was so nice outside most days this week that we were able to go out and play for a couple hours 3 of the days.  Cael loves to be outside.   I have an Infantino carrier that I put Cason into to go outside.  We go down the street for walks, throw rocks, shovel dirt, walk around the yard, listen for cars and airplanes, and even got his firetruck car out of the garage to play in.  Cason eventually would fall asleep after a little fussing. 

Scoop

Carry

Dump

There were some challenges.  Cael thinks that every time we walk by the kitchen he has to eat more.  So we have been dealing with a few tantrums when he is told he can't have any more to eat.  There are also times that he wants to be held when I am feeding Cason and he has a difficult time understanding that I can't hold him too, which results in a mini tantrum. 

Tug of War

Holding head up

Helping brother

It has helped tremendously that Andy's coworkers have been making meals for us.  A different person has made a meal for us, which Andy brings home with him after school.  It has been nice not having to juggle the boys and preparation of meals for dinner.  We have had plenty of leftovers to make lunches easier to prepare for the next day as well.  And the best thing is that we will have meals all next week as well, and the following my family will be here.  The bad thing is I will be out of practice with making dinners, but for now I am just fine with that!!

It was a great week with my boys.  It has already been 3 weeks home, and I only have 3 more until I have to go back to work.  Very sad to think about :(  There never seems to be enough time.  But I will enjoy every minute I have and just have to keep thinking that there will only be 6 1/2 weeks left of school until I get the summer off with my family!