A LITTLE (S)MOTHERING

Peanut continues to be a constant source of entertainment for Bean and Cakes - especially for Cakes. She practically mauls Peanut with love and affection.




For the most part, Peanut enjoys the attention from Cakes. I think Cakes gets more smiles from her than anyone else in the family.

Cakes is also her chief tormenter. As previously stated, she often tries to pick Peanut up by her head. She's also a "close talker." She'll get right up into Peanut's space (and Peanut has a definite sense of personal space) to babble and squeal adoringly. She smothers her with kisses on the mouth and head hugs (wrapping her arms around Peanut's head and squeezing), despite my protests of, "Gently, gently!"

But, Peanut is an easygoing kid. She's got quite a tolerance for her doting big sisters, and knows that her mom will swoop in to rescue her when things get a little unbearable.

And, breaking out the baby and the camera phone is a surefire way to put an end to any fighting between Bean and Cakes.

I'M BAAAAACK!

I have been so woefully neglectful of my blog lately! Having three kids is an enormous change from having two. I've always heard it said, and now I'm living it.

I remember how busy I was when Bean was born. I was a new mother and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I felt like I barely had time to breathe or bathe.

Then, Cakes came along. Overnight, the number of children I had doubled. I was so busy. I remember wondering what the heck I was doing when I had just one - sitting around and eating bonbons? I felt like I was running ragged.

And now Peanut is here. Six weeks, two bouts of mastitis, and a 24-hour bug later, I'm wondering how I thought having two kept me impossibly busy! In spite of that, she's a very good baby. She's been sleeping better than Cakes since the day she was born. She only cries when she's hungry or poopy (which is pretty much non-stop; seriously, I have never seen a kid poop so much; she's like a Poopinator).

Peanut was tiny when she was born. And she's stayed tiny. Her weight gain has been about 1/2 an ounce a day (normal weight gain is 1/2 to 1 ounce per day). Her regular pediatrician (who is used to me bringing in my petite children) has been out on maternity. The pedicatrician that has been seeing Peanut in the interim is obsessed with getting her to gain an ounce a day. So, I was at the lactation consultant every other day. Once, I went from nursing in front of the lactation consultant to getting examined for my mastitis by my OB. Sheesh! I may as well have just spent the day topless!

But, things have settled into a routine. Peanut is up to about 7 1/2 pounds, which makes everyone happy. Bean is manhandling the baby less and helping me out more. Cakes has pretty much recovered from her jealousy, and now spends a great deal of time trying to pick Peanut up by her head when my back is turned.


And, I'm busy. And, I'm sure that after I have a fourth baby, I will wonder why I thought I was so busy with just three kids.