One baby, two baby...old baby? New baby?

Now that just sounds terrible, doesn't it?

Month four Check In:

It was easy. In the beginning. Yes, back in the good old days when the NICU nurses did everything for me and/or Ben was home all day and even grandma's ran aplenty. Well, the first week of November I was on my own. It's of course less easy but not as bad as I bought it might be. Gavin is a piece of cake it's just Jaxen with his fits that sometimes make things difficult. Although there are times when I'm carrying them BOTH around because they are BOTH crying. These kids are breaking my back (again!) 

I have to say though that Gavin is a real chill man. (Smiling at me before even two months old! Sleeping 4-5hr stretches by 2.5m old, then 7-10hour straight through by 3.5 months) Thank. The. Stars. Don't get me wrong, he still has all the annoying habits most babies have like a constantly variable schedule and being unable to do anything for himself. Luckily I haven't had to co-sleep in bed with him like i did Jaxen. That's was rough and uncomfortable for me but it was what Jaxen needed so I had to make the sacrifice. Gavin's been fine sleeping in the bassinet across the room from us. A NICU bonus, I guess. Or I hear that most babies do that just fine... We're still planning on moving him to his room somewhere around 6 months. Possibly sooner if he keeps up excellent sleep! Oh, but then there's that SIDS thing...raarg. The chances drastically decrease at 4 months but well...*SHRUG* (that's my default parenting  setting)

Meanwhile Jaxen is chattering up a storm. He's always had lots to say but now we can understand most of it. He's very interested in learning new words/phrases and loves his word books, flash cards and watching lawn mowers on YouTube (obsessed). He's grown quite accepting and compassionate with his lil bro and I am very proud of him for that. I feel like he may be starting to mellow out now that we've crossed the 2.5 year line. Signs are still subtle but I'm a believer. He is really a sweet man under there. Perhaps even a sensitive one like myself so I've gone through great pains to show him compassion even in the depths of his toddler fits. Instead of yelling, time out or locking him away in his room we go sit alone together someplace quiet and calm down. It's harder to do it this way and it doesn't always seem like its effective in that moment (it is!) but I have a super long history of doing everything the hard way so whatevs. The other new thing we've done with Jaxen is switch him to pullups in hopes of getting the potty training thing underway. I have to register him for preschool in a week or two for next fall so I am REALLY hoping we can get that accomplished before then! We don't make him sit on the potty still but we definitely talk about it more and encourage him to try sitting on it. He's gone pee twice (a couple weeks ago we caught half a poo in there too) but the connection is still not there. In fact, he's still in denial about diaper changes in general so I don't think he's ready to make a full blown effort just yet.

We had a busy thanksgiving with everyone visiting but it was nice to have the extra help. Jaxen had an absolute blast with his aunts and uncles! They really ran the energy out of him! THANKS GUYS! Gavin got to meet his GGs for the first time too! Even though I was fretting about having everyone it worked out great and good times were had by all. Christmas was quiet and a little difficult for me on account of Ben being down for the count but we were up to our ears in presents, so much so that it took from 9am-3pm to open them all! Gavin also got to meet his cousins Ethan and Emily as well as his Aunt Martha and Uncle Zack. When he wasn't snoozing, he was busy charming everyone with his devilishly handsome grin.

And now a growth and cuteness update from Gavin:

See you in May for Jaxen's big THREE YEARS OLD UPDATE!