Cohen is a wonderful big brother. He loves his "baby Henley" and is always checking on him. He cannot wait until he is awake and just loves to sit and talk to him, often climbing into his crib to have chat and play. He had a somewhat difficult time adjusting at first with the change in dynamics but has seemed to settle nicely. Cohen finished out the summer taking swimming lessons and is now excited about football, Christmas and Shocker basketball. His Elf on the Shelf is now back in style! He calls everything "ho ho" that is Christmas and seems to add new things to his Christmas list each week. His speech has really taken off and he actually is quite hilarious. Unfortunately, Cohen has had ear infection after ear infection so we have an appointment with an ENT doctor later this month to get tubes put in. I am not really letting myself dwell on it since it will be difficult to watch him undergo any procedure. However, we are extremely blessed that this is the biggest medical problem he has had so far. He actually has an ear infection as I write this while we wait for our scheduled appointment.
Adjusting to life with two little people is an exciting ride! I am so glad for the blessing. Having said that, we are lucky to have survived this long, people! I am humbled every day by this job. I bow at the greatness of every mother after these few months. Some days, just wow. After my first few days and weeks flying solo with both, I considered the day a success if 1) we were all alive and unharmed at the end of the day and 2) we all three weren't in tears when Chris got home. God has really taught me to relax and lower my standards since almost nothing is in my control. Life is almost comical most days. Last week, one night we got a grand total of about two hours of sleep and I hauled both boys to the doctor for Cohen's ear infection. Cohen was turning the lights off and on and singing into the light on the table like a microphone while Henley was bawling. On the way home, "we" managed to spill lemonade and coffee. It was raining all this time and Cohen insisted on getting the trash bin the trash men wouldn't take because it was too heavy without sharing the umbrella. Anyway, each day presents a new set of challenges and we are growing more accustomed to our new normal. Although hands down, the absolutely most difficult job I could ever imagine, I wouldn't give it up for anything. Those days of freedom, uninterrupted showers, going to a movie or staying up late for fun, are a distant memory. Now, I cannot imagine life without double diaper duty, crying in stereo, stains on my clothes that makes me shrug and think, "wonder what that one is?" and forgetting to change, cold food and the darkest circles under my eyes I have ever known. But, I also can't imagine life without the pure laugh of my four month old and the peacefulness of a (finally) sleeping baby or late night snuggles with the 2 year old and putting out imaginary fires with our styrafome hoses and wearing our bright, red fireman hats. Oh, it really is the life! It is messy and chaotic, it is exhausting and draining, but it is beautiful.
