Learning 2 Remember

I agree that you are doing an excellent job! This...

2012-05-26T21:06:56.943-04:00

I agree that you are doing an excellent job! This stage is so hard, I am finding. I am struggling with the same loss of yoga, loss of running too, and well, just about any form of exercise :) It has been a lesson in humility for sure.

Can't believe how big they are both getting!

-Tara

I LOVE that picture of the boys!! Ezra's expre...

2012-05-24T16:10:55.393-04:00

I LOVE that picture of the boys!! Ezra's expression is priceless. I think you are doing an excellent job being easy on yourself and flowing with life's adventures- I admire you greatly! Sending big hugs your way.

The bean sprouting is NOT going...my first effort ...

2012-04-21T21:44:33.795-04:00

The bean sprouting is NOT going...my first effort was a spectacularly stinky, rotting failure. Don't know where I went wrong, so I'm not feeling highly motivated to repeat. I've had more success ACCIDENTALLY spouting than I did with this batch!

Your garden beds look great, I'm so very jealo...

2012-04-17T22:10:04.048-04:00

Your garden beds look great, I'm so very jealous of those. I'd love to hear how the bean sprouting is going!

Hey friend, Just catching up on a few posts! I&#...

2012-03-22T21:52:54.259-04:00

Hey friend,

Just catching up on a few posts! I'm obviously in a different sitch than you and Matthew, but the thing that stands out to me as I read the above is that you really do have to make that time for yourself, even if it is hard on Matthew AND the kids for a couple of hours (and it might be).

Otherwise, there's no way for you to replenish your energy, and you're the one who has to be present and grounded with them every day...

I *SO* feel for you! Millie is 9 months on Monday, and is still waking up every 2-3 hours, so I don't have any advice on that front, except to accept all help offered, and try, try, try to grab some time away from them each week!

Big hugs,

Tara

Oh, wait-is this my fellow yogini Lindsey? Mixed u...

2012-03-14T11:54:47.603-04:00

Oh, wait-is this my fellow yogini Lindsey? Mixed up my Lindsey/Lindsays, if so...

Aww, Lindsey-most everything good I ever learned a...

2012-03-12T20:19:58.727-04:00

Aww, Lindsey-most everything good I ever learned about parenting came from the AP community of Austin. I sure do miss my mama friends there (and I still read the Austin listserve digest most days-ssshhh).

Still loving your posts, Abby. I check in with yo...

2012-03-12T11:12:01.619-04:00

Still loving your posts, Abby. I check in with your blog about once a week and am always excited when I see a new post. I hope to be as mindful in motherhood as you are.
All the best from Austin,
Lindsey

Your awesome Abby. I had my 2 boys 19 months apart...

2012-02-15T21:01:44.870-05:00

Your awesome Abby. I had my 2 boys 19 months apart and my youngest is 5 months now. I start to feel that way to about if my older son would just leave him alone or quit touching, poking, pushing, rolling him over ect, it would be so much better. But then I remind myself how much I love them both and how blessed I am. I enjoy reading your blog.

What a beautiful chubster! So glad your birth wen...

2012-02-03T13:46:37.604-05:00

What a beautiful chubster! So glad your birth went well and you've given birth to such a sweet new soul ;)

Noah was so very proud at school - he came in the ...

2012-01-28T18:56:45.225-05:00

Noah was so very proud at school - he came in the door and literally beamed at us. Love the name, love the cheeks, love the whole story! Congrats!

Congrats. He is beautiful. Glad your mom got to be...

2012-01-28T12:24:51.906-05:00

Congrats. He is beautiful. Glad your mom got to be there.

Congratulations, Abby, Noah and Matthew! What a b...

2012-01-27T20:42:48.191-05:00

Congratulations, Abby, Noah and Matthew! What a beautiful new addition to your wonderful family.

Congratulations Abby and family! Noah looks like ...

2012-01-27T14:20:49.062-05:00

Congratulations Abby and family! Noah looks like he is in love - what a beautiful looking bunch you are. Enjoy these early days!

What a gorgeous addition to your beautiful family....

2012-01-27T13:15:22.981-05:00

What a gorgeous addition to your beautiful family. He's so ... PLUMP! And from the pictures, he sure looks like his big brother.

Congratulations to you all!

lots of healthy baby blessings!!

2012-01-22T22:37:34.051-05:00

lots of healthy baby blessings!!

the past year of being a mom to two feels like an ...

2012-01-12T23:38:28.176-05:00

the past year of being a mom to two feels like an expanded version of labor. so much work, but incredibly rewarding when i have those beautiful appreciation moments.

yeah, noah's going to have a rough time probably, but you're giving him a gift unlike any other AND you'll be teaching him to embrace this new person - a wonderful learning experience.

and it will be a big change for you and Matthew. not a lot of time to talk, think, be together, etc... you'll be focused on the doing and coping and less on the appreciating. it's hard sometimes, but i know you guys are more than capable of making it through. feel free to email or call me anytime you need to rant or talk. i'm feeling slightly less crazy these days. :)

Thank you, everyone. Your comments help ease my mi...

2012-01-12T10:22:02.541-05:00

Thank you, everyone. Your comments help ease my mind and give me much-needed perspective. 11th hour fretting, indeed.

Oh my yes, what she said. "This too shall pa...

2012-01-12T08:45:07.631-05:00

Oh my yes, what she said. "This too shall pass" should be tattooed on the wrists of all new mothers! If it helps at all, spending time with Noah the last couple of weeks has been amazing - he is bright, funny, and when he is a little contrary, he's quick to realize it, go think about it, and then come back sunny. It all feels so much bigger than it is, and you're right, it's all 11th hour fretting. Obviously, let me know if you need any help - you know where to find me. :)

Our experiences with our first and second are comp...

2012-01-11T12:29:34.616-05:00

Our experiences with our first and second are complete opposites. With Loki I was anxious, nervous and generally distressed approaching his birth and for the first few weeks...approaching my second I was calm and prepared! I can tell you (after only a measly 3 weeks of being a parent of 2) that it is infinitely easier this time around. Yes, my house is messier, my oldest took some time to warm up to the new family dynamic (lots of tantrums and meltdowns in the first couple of weeks), I get less sleep than I would like, I know what two kids shrieking simultaneously sounds like...but at the same time I now know that each bad moment is just that -- a moment -- and that something new will come to take its place. You'll find your balance, I'm sure of it!

Make your motto, "Isn't that interesting?...

2012-01-08T16:35:47.501-05:00

Make your motto, "Isn't that interesting?!?!" Curiosity does a wonder of a job defusing (literally) your emotional/physiological reaction and your rational interpretation.

Careful, though: take it too far (as in my case), and people will think you're a doofus :)

You'll do wonderful, Abby. I have full confidence.

Ah dear you are now fully aware of the challenges ...

2012-01-08T15:19:07.263-05:00

Ah dear you are now fully aware of the challenges you are facing, childbirth, sleeplessness, caring for two, not the fresh faced innocent of being a new mom. What you do possess is an arsenal of wisdom and experience you did not have before and that will help you. Don't look too far ahead, focus day to day and enjoy Noah as an only child for a few more days, you will never walk that way again. You will be amazed how you will have strength and everything you need when the time comes for it, you don't have it yet because you don't need it. I Love You, Mom

You look great and Noah looks so loving - he must ...

2011-12-17T15:11:44.951-05:00

You look great and Noah looks so loving - he must be getting excited!

Wow, you look stunning and that boy, my grandson i...

2011-12-16T17:58:50.307-05:00

Wow, you look stunning and that boy, my grandson is getting so big and handsome

Oh, I LOVE this! Your belly ain't the only thi...

2011-12-16T15:43:27.788-05:00

Oh, I LOVE this! Your belly ain't the only thing that looks huge- you are looking quite bodacious across the board. : )