« Ad-Free | Home | Another year over, and a new one just begun . . . »
Finding Normal
By sandi | December 30, 2008
This Friday we will have known Paul for one month. Wow – only one month and yet it can seem like so much more . . .
Arriving home during the Christmas season was a wonderful blessing. However, adjusting to a new son, who every experience was new, and keeping Christmas traditions alive for three anxious little girls, has been difficult.
People have commented that life seems so perfect now for the Brown 6 pack and admittedly it really is fabulous, but it is not without lots of hiccups. We are all learning how to live cohesively in this family.
Paul’s sleeping habits are erratic at best. He has yet to successfully sleep through the night or nap well on any given day. Certainly not the end of the world but over the past couple of years we have gotten used to our sleeping through the night.
Paul’s eating is getting better. We have found that we can mix pretty much anything into mashed potato and he will eat it. His favorite American foods are Cheerios and french fries and if either of those are available to him he will eat those over anything else. He also enjoys refried beans and tortilla. We took him to Ethiopian food the other night, he ate more food than I have ever seen him eat. I think we will have to get out there more often.
Paul is trying to self-feed a lot. He generally has to hold his own spoon while I hold the one with the food. As you can see he still needs to work on this skill.
Bill went back to work on Monday and we are settling into our new normal routine. It was nice to have the time with everyone home and Paul is really missing him. He tends to attach more easily to men and he really enjoys his Daddy.
Annie and Kimberly are still off on Christmas vacation from preschool. They miss it but are happy for the lazy mornings. They spend huge amounts of time each day lazing about playing Barbies or pocket vsmile.
All the girls are watching far more tv than before to accommodate Paul’s need for two naps a day. They are really enjoying this but it makes them more antsy because they are not running off enough energy. We are going to have to continue to work on this situation. The weather has finally perked up, maybe it is time for more walks.
We have not had many home cooked meals lately, except for those made by family or friends. There is just so much more to do with just one little man and he is still very needy, understandably so, that I find it is dinner time before I know it. If I am able to cook it is normally like this. 
All in all it is perfect and I know we will find our normal, it is just going to take some time. Even though most nights Paul looks like Mr. Potatohead we still love him and are so glad he is part of our family. Now that he is here I just can’t imagine it any other way! (Which is why I am still in shock that it has only been one month.)
Topics: Annie, Family News, Kimberly, Madeline, Paul | 5 Comments »
December 30th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I love that shirt in the first photo! Too cute. It sounds just like a new baby in the house to me.
And I think he is doing great with the spoon. I always give my kiddos a spoon to hold as soon as they are able. They seem to like it.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Looks like things are going well. Love the baby carrier! He looks like he really enjoys it!
December 31st, 2008 at 8:21 am
I love your blog because it is so honest. I think that is especially helpful to us waiters because it can help us prepare. You all look as though you are doing amazing. Paul is just perfect.
December 31st, 2008 at 10:47 am
I really think Paul is one of the beautiful children I have ever laid eyes on. I think it’s because he is loved so fiercely by so many. I’ve started being a bit more open on my blog, because you have taught me via yours that this is my forum to bare it all. What a blessing you have been as a friend. I dream of the day Paul and Sam can meet each other in person!
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 am
God help you Monday when you have Mikaleigh as well… We should have a camera crew following you around for a reality show.