Going from 1 to 2!

There's life, there's life with a kid and then there's life with 2!

It's been an adjustment, a challenge, an adventure -- and it's all just beginning! I'm not sure who planned the timing here, but welcoming an infant and the terrible two's may have been a really dumb idea!

I have been told that if you can keep your cool through the first few months, the good stuff will come and you'll be thankful for the close age range.  Let's just say I'm waiting (im)patiently for those first few months to rally and for us to find our well-oiled machine! 

Top Findings so Far:

* the term multi-tasking has a whole new meaning

This is a picture of Cameron sitting in my lap while I feed Payton, all while sitting on the floor and playing after school!

* you have to commit and be flexible in equal properties

* with Cameron I was nervous to leave the house for at least the first month - I was a hermit! Payton though? We were hitting Target by day 3!

*  toddler sometimes trumps infant and infant sometimes trumps brain cells or cooking, or cleaning - but I refuse to let infant trump my shower!  It's important to feel clean and somewhat put together!

* it is still important to find individual time and moments for each of my boys, Tim included!

* let these Brothers find their way on their own time - I need to remember this as they get older too!

We do a lot of verbalizing who's turn it is and who does what first. This seems to help Cameron see that he gets time, and that things don't come as a surprise. When we get in or out of the car, it's "who's getting out first?". When we leave in the morning, it's: "baby, time to take Cameron to school".  We talk about how Payton, aka "Baby" is getting dressed or getting a bath and that Cameron's next. Cameron likes to show baby how he does things, which is really nice because we're getting things done.

Sharing will forever be a challenge, it still is for me sometimes, but if we can find ways to tweak how they learn to share maybe it will make it a little easier.

For the first time last night Cameron wanted to sit and hold Payton with me while we fed him! We are making progress and I'm starting to see a glimpse of that well-oiled machine! You can't help but smile when you see these two figuring out the first steps to brotherhood!