The Real Picture

We recently figured out a way to transform our blog into a book so that, hopefully, we'll always have it. We used some Christmas money (thanks Bill and Nancy!) to order one book for each year of our blog. Kinda like a Nelson family yearbook!

Ever since having Ada, we've often looked back at the blog to see what kinds of things were happening when Ruby was her age. I realized that I left out many details that I wish I could remember about Ruby as a tiny babe. I'm trying to be better about that this time.

I've found I frequently blog about the fun times, post the pretty pictures, and share the funny stories. Truth is, it's not all rainbows and teddy bears all the time. I know, shocking, right?! Anyway, in order to paint a true picture of our lives during these times, I want to be sure to tell about our struggles too. These past four months have been so fun, so exciting, so rewarding, and so HARD! Adjusting to life as a family of four has required lots of patience and creativity! I'm hoping this doesn't come across as whining or complaining, but this is the reality of our crazy life:

We have a tiny house. There are toys EVERYWHERE. There is baby gear EVERYWHERE.

We have 2 bedrooms. Ada still sleeps in our room. We hear every move she makes.

Ada goes to bed at 7pm and wakes up at 7am, she nurses once a night. BUT she wakes up several other times during the night. Sometimes all she needs is to be "plugged" back in. Other times we resort to putting her in the swing.

She sleeps beautifully in that swing. Not a peep. Sometimes 10 hours straight. Why can't she do that in her crib?! She's going to grow out of that swing.

Ruby's had a LOT of change these last few months; becoming a big sister, saying goodbye to her babysitter, staying home full time with Mom during maternity leave, an ear infection, a new nanny, a new daycare, lots of congestion, traveling over Christmas, a second ear infection, Mom going back to work, a new molar, a third ear infection, moving out of her crib to a big girl bed, and a cough that just won't go away. Too much change for a two year old!

Ruby's been waking up often at night. She hasn't been napping very well either. Ruby is MUCH happier and cooperative when she's well rested. We've been working on it. We have a VERY early bedtime and things have gotten better. I'd be lying though if I didn't admit we're usually up 5 or 6 times a night between both girls. It's rough.

We've all been sick. For two months.

I went back to work a month ago. It's hard.

Ruby has had a hard time adjusting to our new childcare set-up. I don't think I ever mentioned that our beloved "Miss Kerry" and her family moved to Rhode Island in November. (How did I NOT mention that?!) We were VERY sad to say good-bye to her, Maddie, and Taylor. We miss them dearly. We now have a nanny 3 days a week and go to a daycare the other 2 days. It's a good situation. But change is hard. Ruby is slowly adjusting. It's hard to nap somewhere new and she often doesn't.

I don't mean to complain. Really. The good far out weighs the bad. Just want to paint a true picture of what's going on in the Nelson house.