-
Recent Entries
-
Find me elsewhere
Daily piffle:
Photos
Feb
7
There are a lot of things I had forgotten about new babies, like how they constantly make a series of weird/adorable noises: tiny grunts, snuffles, balloon-deflatey pbbblllth sounds from their mouths, half-grumbles, delectable fluttery pigeon coos, etc. Also, the turtlish head extensions, the shockingly strong crooked little legs, the frantic piglike snorting during their cries when they get all pissed off about a diaper change.
I forgot how hard it is to change a newborn’s diaper. I get one diaper off and he instantly starts wailing and squirming and pees all over everything within twenty feet. I wrestle on a new diaper, trying to avoid the terrifying umbilical stump, peel off his wet clothes and blankets, and thread his noodley arms through a fresh outfit — all while he’s doing that panicky full-body crying — then I re-wrap him, toss his wet stuff into the laundry basket, and then it’s time for him to eat because he’s depleted all of his energy resources freaking the hell out about the DIAPER. Two seconds into the feeding, his butt goes blrrrrrrt and it’s time to do the whole cycle again. In the meantime, the baby has now spit up on fifteen clean blankets.
That’s what’s so exhausting about newborns, really. It’s the lather, rinse, repeat cycle of eating/pooping. There are these wonderful periods of sleeping in between, but hell, now there’s laundry to do. Which I would ignore in favor of joining Dylan in a tandem snorefest, except there’s this whole second kid dynamic this time, and I am frankly wondering why I thought it was so hard to have ONE baby, back when Riley was first born.
Except, I do know why it was so hard, and why it’s actually much easier this time. The first time around, we had no idea what we were doing. We were scared, stressed out, and filled with the sort of brain-bending paranoia that makes otherwise normal people fashion tin foil hats and mutter darkly about alien transmissions. Everything that went in or came out of Riley’s body was painstakingly documented in an Excel spreadsheet, because god only knew what would happen if we didn’t know to the milliliter how much he had eaten between 2 and 4 PM.
We’re much more relaxed with Dylan. Everything is coming back, in that cliched bike-riding sort of way, from how to get a really good swaddle to the best burping method. We aren’t constantly afraid that we’re going to break him, which is much less stressful. Although maybe I should worry about this a little, since I’ve found myself casually moseying through doorways with Dylan slung out to one side, nearly cracking his tiny, still-smooshy head into the wall.
Things are easier, even if they are also harder in some ways. Riley is doing very well with his new baby brudda, much better than I had expected, but he needs extra attention. He’s super rambunctious and chattering nonstop, all in an apparent effort to display his many fine talents and positive qualities, and he is such an awesome, awesome kid but it is all a little tiring. I am blown away, though, by his ability to be sweet to Dylan, and his desire to be helpful by informing me whenever Dylan’s hat has fallen off. He even kissed his brother’s head earlier today, at which point I died. I just, you know, DIED, because does life get any better than that? Seeing my two beautiful boys together, neither one of them attempting to kill the other?
Coming up soon: Dylan’s birth story, which is refreshingly drama-free but chock full of thrilling surgery details which I know you are on the edge of your seat to hear. Or maybe not, but too bad, I want to share it ALL. In the meantime — more pictures, OF COURSE:
Comments
111 Responses to “Like riding a bike, only with more explosive poops”
Leave a Reply
-
Loving, Lately
JR Watkins Vanilla is my new favorite body lotion. Love the smell, love the way it feels, love the awesome label design.
I may have mentioned it once or twice, but Breaking Bad is the best thing that has ever happened to television EVER. You should watch it right now.
Bob Book Series
Riley has honestly learned to read as a result of these little box sets. Cannot recommend enough.
This applesauce bread from Allrecipes is superfast, supereasy, and the kids love it (I leave out the spices).
Ugh..he makes my ovaries ache. He is soooooooo adorable and all ‘too small for his clothes’ cute.
A gorgeous family..
You are blessed
congrats on all levels.
and also, can i just say that dylan is a really fantastic name? and i mean that in the most non-sarcastic way possible.
I actually kissed the monitor….am I am such a sap for babies Linda.
Wow – the beginning of the comment food chain!
He is adorable! Love the name. He doesn’t even have any of that newborn weirdness that both of mine had plentiful amounts of – smushed face, baby acne, stork bites, blah, blah, blah. So beautiful – all of you!
Congrats!
Just gorgeous.
A photo of Riley kissing his head would kill us all, just so you know ;)
A million congratulations! What a perfect little boy. And you look fantastic, too, I mean that.
I love that they both have the furrowed brow of suspicion in the first picture!
What a beautiful, beautiful family you have. So gracious of you to share it with us.
Also, I just have to tell you that your blog is scaring the shit out of my boyfriend, because I just keep talking about it and now he thinks I want another baby pronto. I can’t help it, his terrified face is just too amusing. But thank goodness I can live vicariously through you!
Riley + Dylan = Squeeeeeing all over the internets.
(that sounds dirty. Oops.)
You’re all looking LOVELY for having a newborn at home! Boyfriend says I’m not allowed to read your blog for a while – he’s afraid I’ll catch the baby bug. ;)
Oh lord have mercy. I read that whole post while holding my breath I think- it was fascinating. You gave us a hearty bunch of answers and details to things I have been wondering about and I betcha others have been too. Oh, I am so happy and excited for you and your family. So glad to hear that Riley is adjusting and loving and being sweet.
Any grandparents coming for a visit soon?
Your pictures are so wonderful.
That teddy bear outfit is adorable. You look so great… I can’t believe you just had surgery!
Love the family photos. You guys look great. Also love the new baby stories. It reminds of of all my sisters coming home, newborns. :)
Oh…..my heart just melted. SO adorable. Many many congratulations on your stunningly beautiful little baby boy, and I’m so glad that Riley is being an awesome big brother so far.
I have to laugh, we did the whole spreadsheet thing with eating, peeing, etc. for our first, and are expecting our second any day now. I’ve been trying to envision how it will all go down. Amazing photos of your wonderful family – great lighting!
What a perfectly happy family!
maybe one of the good things about having a baby as young as i did, was i didn’t know about spreadsheets and documentation! i was too young and stupid to be freaked out! haha. i’m not sure at this point, if i (God forbid) had another baby, that i would remember how to do everything! i’m not sure i remember how to ride a bike, either. one thing i really wish i remembered (though i have NO idea why) is how to fold a cloth diaper. it’s odd that i would forget, as i folded THOUSANDS of them, sometimes even in my sleep, i think. but nope…totally purged from teh memory.
your family is delicious. many many congratulations to you all! *love*
Oh that last one. My ovaries have been aching for a while now and that DID NOT HELP. But it did make me so awwwwww right out loud.
he is so cute that it hurts. your family is beautiful.
Gorgeous, all of you! The sugar sweet cuteness makes me want one.
So sweet. What an adorable family you four make. Congrats – again.
I’m still trying to get over the fact that you aren’t pregnant anymore! =) wow. Such a beautiful family!
Well, I can’t really say that riding a bike while explosively pooping sounds that great. But, y’all make it look good! I love that second picture for some reason (well not for SOME reason….for the reason that it shows a precious sleeping newborn in clean clothes on a clean blanket looking picture perfect!)
yeah, Tammy, that. the ovaries hurting thing. ouch.
my heart can’t possibly stretch this much. your little family is making my heart swell 2 times it’s size
Dylan is darling (of course) but you look amazing!!! HOW do you look so fantastic only a few days after giving birth? I’m impressed.
I just can’t get over how much he looks like you! It’s amazing how Riley looks like such a big kid now too.
The first picture cracks me up because Riley looks sweetly uncertain as though he’s trying to make sense of it all, and Dylan is all DAMN it’s bright around here!
I might be the worst offender in terms of reluctance to delurk, but I wanted to tell you that I’m completely thrilled for you and your beautiful family, Linda. I remember waiting for these same types of posts when Riley was born, and learning from Chiara that he had perfect eyebrows and was just a lovely infant. Dylan is perfectly gorgeous, as well, poop and all! Thank you for sharing so much with your readers.
You look terrific, and the baby! How could you put him down, I would hold him all the time and no one else gets to! And snuffle him all up.
Did Riley look huge to you when you got home? I just love them both, and kissing him? Could it get any better than that? I don’t think so….!
Its so lovely hearing about how you are adjusting to life with Dylan. I just about died reading about Riley giving him a kiss, this is something I have imagined in a completely abstract way for when we have another baby. I am looking forward to all the gory surgical details! Lots of love and congratulations to you and JB and your beautiful family of boys!
The family photo is absolutely beautiful. You look healthy and happy. How in the world do you bounce back so fast? Best of luck and enjoy every minute, because it all passes so quickly!!
So sweet! As a mother of 2, I think it was MUCH harder going from 1 child to 2 children versus having your first one. It gets easier though!
The sibling love was something I was so unprepared for…I had no idea it would blow me away so. So glad to hear Riley is adjusting, I bet that sets your mind at ease.
he still looks like you! for now. ;)
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
Once again, he is sooo cute!
Reading this post brought back memories for me of the whole lather/rinse/repeat routine.
I can’t wait to hear your birth story.
PS-you look wonderful!
Holy WOW! Amazing and beautiful all at the same time. I’m raising three boys and when my (gulp) twenty YEAR old does something sweet for my six year old, or god forbid for my thirteen year old (like I saw them hugging it out the other day) I also die, a lot.
It’s like fierce love between brothers.
You made awesome children!!!
Oh please get a piccie of Riley kissing Dylan on the head! I’ve got a few of those from when The Captain was a baby; I use them now to keep my sanity on the days when they are punching each other in the head. And why do you look so GOOD after a c-section? I looked like hell! Beautiful family pics!
I think Riley should be wearing his “Bear Patrol” shirt – I spot a bear on Dylan! hee!
My husband, looking over my shoulder just now, said, “That must be a c-section baby. He is too beautiful to have been squished out the other way.” I agree. Dylan is a little looker, just like Riley. Can’t wait to hear the birth story. I absolutely love birth stories;some people love Christmas, some are into pets, I love birth stories.
You are killing me with the gorgeous images. You and JB clearly combine well.
He’s adorable. I love the hats!
That picture where his hat is so big it’s almost falling off is just the best thing ever. Dylan is so beautiful! I’m glad that Riley is adjusting so well.
The Sundry family is too pretty! Congrats!
My heart? It totally melted when I looked at that last picture of that sweet, sweet face. Thanks for sharing him with the internets.
Awwww, he’s so cute! Makes me want to have another one soon!
I know I have mentioned this about one hundred times (sorry) but I am anxiously awaiting surgery details since my second c-section is coming up and I feel like I’ve blocked out nearly everything about the first. Especially now that it appears not to have been overly-traumatic. . .
Again with all the beauty. Do you ever get tired of hearing how gorgeous your family is?
I love this post because I think, I think my biggest fears about this second baby on the way in August have to do with those early tired days that seemed so terrifying and dark when Matthew was born. I know it will be okay this time because it has to be for Matthew but also to know it is hard but easier is good, to read about it from other people that gives me confidence and less fear! Thanks!
You all look great and Dylan – SO BEAUTIFUL!
Gawd, you and your family are so beautiful, I could just SQUEEEE (and did, much to my own husband’s surprise). I -love- your description of Riley and Dylan’s interactions. Can’t wait to hear all about them in the future. And also, what nickname Dylan might end up with. Dilly-boy comes to MY mind, but that’s just me. Mmmmmm Dilly Bars…. ice cream… chocolate….. oh, sorry, got distracted. All the best to all of you.
Seriously with the explosive ovaries! Adorable boys you have there, Linda. My mom always says one of her favorite stages is newborn to six months, and I have to agree that while they’re so much fun at Riley’s age, the snuggly squirminess of a newborn (plus a dose of baby head smell) just makes your heart melt. Of course we’re still working on number 1, so maybe my mind will change when I’m the one up all night with a wee squirmy newborn.
I have been loving every minute detail of your journey, and am just DYING over this new little boy. He’s so wise/serious looking.
Also, I feel compelled to mention that I really didn’t… like my twins when baby #3 came along. They were too jumpy and wild and talk-y. I too had a Csection, so I didn’t want them to accidentally use my stomach as a stepping stone or tampoline or something. I didn’t want to share the baby with them (except for those really sweet nanoseconds during the day, when they would kiss her or coo to her). I thought this would last a few days.
Not so much. It was a good, oh, 3-4 weeks before their presence didn’t make me jittery and frustrated. Then, one day, I fell in love with them again.
Anyway, I’m saying this b/c I know lots of mos are shocked by these sorts of feelings- that their precious, precious firstborn is now someone they cringe about.
THE END.
Two words: teepee peepee. He’s absolutely adorable! I love the photos of the four of you.
sweet, sweet, sweet
How incredibly sweet! Congrats and enjoy your wonderful family of four!!
The first thing my niece did on meeting her baby brother was poke him in the eyes so he’d open them and she could see if they were blue.
I love the family photo, Riley looks like “oh, hi! Hi camera! What a surprise!”
You guys are so cute.
And the head-kissing? My heart is sort of all gloppy and melty at the sweetness of that.
Hooray! Congrats! Sooo freaking adorable, those two together!
oh my oh my— sweethearts, both of those little boys. again, many congrats!
He is so, so sweet. They both are. You all are! Congrats.
You guys all look so healthy and happy! Again, congrats on the new family of four. And yeah, having the second one is pretty amazingly relaxed compared to number 1. Although you don’t EVER get to do the “sleep while the baby sleeps” crap they tell you. Sleep while the baby sleeps and the three year old smears poop on the walls, maybe.
Enjoy every excretion-filled second!
Awwwwwwww!!!
You all look wonderful!
Congrats!
Beautiful. Your family looks complete now.
You just totally described what it was like for us when we had our second, and first for that matter. I think you also figure, “Hell I’ve kept the first one alive for this long, I must really know what I’m doing!!” The lack of stress will inable you to really enjoy gorgous Baby Dylan, and be warned that this may induce days of guilt about how you felt about Riley, just a heads up. I was racked with guilt, but I’m also a freak so maybe it won’t happen for you. :)
You are a lucky Momma to two beautiful sons. Try to enjoy every minute of it. Take care.
Aww, thank you so much for sharing your family joy with us. Perfect and Beautiful.
But are you sure you just had major surgery…you look amazing!
Hi Linda
I’ve been reading you for about a year. Just so you know..enjoy the times when your boys are getting along! I have two, 11 and 14, and all they do is fight!
Congratulations on your beautiful family!
wow – what a gorgeous family! I can relate to everything you said in this post as we just had our 2nd daughter in as many years on Feb 2nd. You look great!
your post partum nursing boobs are kicking my post partum nursin boobs asses! both boys are adorable. every time i pull out my camera now my oldest runs over to kiss my youngest’s head
Ahh! Your family! And the hands … Dylan is following right in his big “brudda’s” foot steps :)
I can’t believe you found the time (and the brain cells!) to write such an entertaining post. You amaze me, really.
Awww! Thanks for sharing these pictures with us. They made my morning. You truly do have a lovely family, and I wish you all the best. Quick question, though: The quilt in the second picture-did you make it? Or did someone make that for you? It’s beautiful. Of course, the baby lying on top of it is even moreso! Take care of yourself.
Dylan is irresistibly adorable, I want to nibble on his little cheeks. That’s an awesome picture of the three of you.
This is your first weekend home…so if it’s anything like my first weekend home with my daughter last year…you might want to install a revolving door in your house…there are just sooo many people to see and nibble the new baby that will come through your house.
Welcome home and Congrats again! Dylan is beautiful!
So adorable! Between you and my sister, who had her baby on Wednesday, my ovaries are about to explode with jealousy! So happy for you and your family.
Congratulations! You are a very beautiful family.
Wow. And suddenly, there were four. At the risk of beating a dead horse, congratulations!
He is so cute. I just love little babies. I think all the cookies you craved while pregnant even made him more adorable. You did great.
no ovaries here, but that is one cute kid. :)
Yay! You made it through! You’re on the other side! I can’t wait to hear about it all.
We, of course, need the FULL birth story. With all gory surgical details (including sound effects?!?!) intact.
Dylan is just gorgeous and I look forward (maybe a little too much?) to the complete birth story – I love your detailed descriptions. Congratulations to you all!
how can you be writing so eloquently when you just had a baby???
What a beautiful family–you must be so proud!
Riley kissing Dylan’s head would have made me die, too. Squee!
And I am TOTALLY on the edge of my seat waiting for your birth story. I live for that kind of stuff. Gory details, please!
Dylan is so cute. Riley is adorably serious in that first picture. Totally cracks me up!
You got that swaddling thing down? THREE kids, and I NEVER got that right (and my 10 year old “baby” isn’t in to letting my practice on him).
Oh and that not trying to kill each other thing…..they get over that.
Coming up next…… Riley saying “I’m going to run away!” I’ll send my two older boys to help you with that one. They straightened out their little brother when he pulled that one…..”Dude! NEVER say that to Mom! You don’t want to see what she does!
SO CUTE!
And I love birth stories. The gorier the better.
I just love the pictures, and how happy you all look despite the exhaustion. Congratulations again!
You look amazing!!! That little one is quite the looker already! This post makes me NOT fear having another baby. Thank you.
You guys look great, and you are entitled to under eye bags the size of footballs. Congratulations, and try to enjoy the little moments through your sleep-deprived haze. And take lots of video.
That last picture of Dylan is so beautiful! Is his skin absolutely perfect? Because it looks absolutely perfect.
Such a beautiful family!
Good God, I think my uterus just skipped a beat! They are just so cute, especially together. Oh the photographic opportunities you will have!
Aww… I love the family picture.
Oh my god, the matching Mr.Burns hands of suspicion are SLAYING ME. You make some damn pretty babies, Linda.
I have been waiting anxiously for every update and I’m so happy you posted one! Dylan’s adorable and the four of you look so happy together.
Side note: I have to go to Seattle on Monday (live in Canada) and one of my Mom’s first responses was “oh hey you can go see Linda!”. I won’t… we’re not like y’know creepy and stuff, we just sorta umm… love you!
Riley and Dylan will have to start their own boy band. The girls will swoon! :)
I think you now both have mini me’s of yourselves!
He is gorgeous Linda!
he is just perfect. yum!
Lookit, lookit! Both of your boys are suspicious in the first photo. DANG, your family is adorable. And you look fantastic.
The wee hats are killing me. KILLING ME.
Feeling all kind of mooshy and choked up. . .don’t know why. . . . .
I’m so glad Riley is adjusting well. My aunt just had her second child and her first born is being an absolute monster.
And that whole bit about Riley kissing Dylan’s head just about killed me! How sweet and adorable!
Congratulations for the 187,236th time on your beautiful family!!!
My parents have a series of photos of me when I was a baby starting to cry and being comforted by my older brother. I’d say it’s one of my favorite memories, except I don’t actually remember it.
Speaking of photos – how bout a cuteness warning next time? A newborn in an oversized teddy bear onesie is approaching dangerous levels of awwww.
MORE SMOOSH! Gosh darn, but you guys are cute.
Was it as weird for you to blog about Dylan as a real live person instead of as Smalltopus Of The Belly as it was to see it written? SO COOL.
Whispering: also — is it weird that certain commenters at certain other sites who typically pop up immediately to leave challenging, negative-y comments haven’t popped up yet to offer congratulations? I’m just saying.
Ahh, I can’t take this much cute! Also, wee and delicious. He is such a beautiful boy. And the look an Riley’s face in that first picture… aww.
You officially have the cutest family EVER. You all look so happy :) Congratulations!!
Can I just say – wow! You know, I used to look at pictures of you, JB, and Riley, and think ‘God, this is the perfect family!’
Now I’m at a loss, because this – this is better than perfect. And I don’t have a word for how happy these pictures make me.
Thank you so much for posting, even though I know you’re wayyyy busy. Are JB’s folks still there helping out? If not, I’ll volunteer to stop by and deliver a casserole the next time I’m in town :-) Just say the word; chicken and wild rice is my specialty.
How are YOU feeling Linda, is the C-section surgery healing up well? Not too much pain I hope.
And JB must be a very busy/attentive dad, as it appears he’s been wearing the same shirt since Monday. (Or does he just have a LOT of plaid flannel? Heeee!)
Dylan’s complexion is to die for. How I wish we all kept that wonderfully soft and perfect skin the rest of our lives.
Hope you are getting enough rest! Lovely pics!
Beautiful baby, beautiful family. Congratulations to you all.
Precious!!!
I know you have that video monitor and you are quite tech’y. Since you have all this spare time (HA), you should set it up as a web cam so we (loyal readers and already Dylan fans) can watch all day!!!
Dylan looks just like you!
and I love Riley’s face in the picture of the 4 of you. so cute.
Oh, wow, Linda, I am so happy for you all. What a lovely family you are.
Oh Sundry. You just perfectly described my experience in having our second also. Enjoy enjoy. And munch on him plenty.
I love the name. LOVE it. And your photos are some of the most beautiful newborn/ post partum photos I’ve ever seen. Seriously. Am I weirding you out here? Sorry. I’m excited for you and your family.
He’s so pretty!!!!!!
I’m dyin’ over here – your family is so precious! Thanks for sharing!
PS – you look FABULOUS!
Hot damn. You look way less gigantic already. I had no idea chicks deflated so quickly. I kind of thought it would take a long ass time. And I’m not going to read all five billion comments before me, I’ve got laundry of my own to do, (sans urine thank god) but check out Riley’s face in that first picture. I swear to god he’s the spitting image of Puss in Boots from Shrek two or three or whichever Shrek he was in. (hopefully a hundred people haven’t already pointed that out) I used to have a poster of Puss in Boots making that face. Yes, I realize I’m a full grown man and that’s pretty fucking gay, but he’s just so damn adorable! Plus the chicks loved it. Even imaginary adorable shit gets chicks all happy and lovey dovey.
How long does it take for babies to start growing hair and looking less like Neo after he pops out of that energy pod all gooey and bald? Cause I sort of thought babies were born with eyebrows at least, but apparently not. God I’m ignorant. May the lord have mercy on the poor woman I eventually knock up.