I believe that creator of the old adage - "Time flies when you're having fun" would agree that fun could be replaced with a plethora of words. Drinks, to pay bills, - or in our case - babies. In all seriousness, time has just flown away from me. Our newest addition - Miles John Isbell will be four weeks old tomorrow and time has scooted right along. I don't know if it's the minutes in the days that tick by quickly, the days in the week, or the weeks in the month, because I truly feel that I am living minute to minute some days.
My pregnancy with Miles was absolutely terrible . To recap - placenta previa, bedrest, contractions, bedrest, pneumonia, bedrest, gestational diabetes, and to top it all off, four weeks of contractions during which my cervix was at 5cm and I was working full time. However after 39 weeks and six days of well, hell, Miles entered the world easily and effortlessly. No joke, I was induced around 5:30 and he came into the world at 10:40 pm. There was no tearing, stitches, hours of groaning, swearing, just a few pushes and he was out.
Since his arrival he was gained almost two pounds and is the calmest one in the house. Despite a few grunts and some loud eating, we sometimes forget he is here. Carter has taken a strong liking to his new brother but does like to push the limits of Miles' personal space. Miles has already taken on the roll of Carter's wingman. Carter likes to use the excuse of "checking on my brother" to get away from eating his vegetables. Poor Miles has also taken the blame for a few ripped pages of treasured books and seemingly invisible scratches on his brother.
I'm sure that Miles will learn from Carter's mistakes growing up as most younger siblings do, but I think that Carter has been learning a few things from Miles. Case in point, he has a strong sense of the purpose of boobies and can apply so learned knowledge to everyday life. I would like to be modest about my pumping each morning but Carter can't be trusted in a room by himself with his brother, so both of them (along with the poor neighbors who might glance into the kitchen window) get a full viewing of Mom's girls being suctioned by plastic cups. The first time Carter witnessed the ordeal he asked incredulously, "Momma, WHAT are you doin?". I told him that I was pumping milk for his brother. He thought for a minute and then replied, "Oh, like a cow?". This conversation was soon followed by his observation that my tummy was "jiggly". I knew my child was smart, but now I know that he's honest too.
The day before Mother's Day this year I entered a local 5K pushing both boys in my new stroller. (That purchase is a whole other blogpost in and of itself - I'll just say that my husband must really love me.) As I set out getting ready for the race that morning I could hear Carter telling Bradley that he was going to run too. Bradley avoided the issue by assuring Carter he could finish the race with mom. As the race began I was hoping Carter wouldn't get upset about not running by himself and he didn't, just sitting in his stroller with his brother. During the race he was a great sport and cheered on other runners as we passed them or we were passed. About 1/8 of a mile before the finish he asked to run with me. I don't know how he knew it was the finish but he did. The little man ran the whole way and was so excited to cross the finish. This folks, was my crowning moment as a mother. Carter was enjoying my passion as a runner on his own. His cheeks were red, he asked for water, and told anyone who would listen about running a race for the rest of the day. The whole experience was the best Mother's Day present I think I could have asked for.
All in all, I think our familial unit is doing well but Bradley recently admitted to me that he is just "surviving". I feel extremely blessed to have the time off of work until next school year to be with my boys. I will admit that I often feel as if I'm living minute to minute but I couldn't be happier as I reflect on what the last four weeks has given me.
