Here goes nothin'...!

Baby Ford has almost survived our nutty family to the two week mark, and for the first time Monday we were without grand/legacy parents to help wrangle the beasts.

I was reminded of the infamous moment before the 2009 Army Ten Miler, when the cheery voice of my dear friend Rachel cut through the incredibly tense pre-starting gun silence: "here goes nothin', guys!"

Indeed.

We did survive. Seth continues to spend most of his time wrapping up grad school and getting ready to start ILE (as annoyed as I am about the lack of family time or any kind of paternity leave, I have to admit that the overlap is shitty and stressful for him), so Monday was my trial by fire. Countless meltdowns, spills, outfit changes, and threats to sell both kids to the gypsies as well as three baths and a near-concussion sustained by Ford at the hands of Finley and the remote control later, I felt like this when Seth walked through the door:

(That's Seth and Finley at the park Sunday, but a perfect demonstration of what it felt like to cross the bedtime finish line on a day at home with two under two.)

I seriously do not know how stay at home Moms do it. Tuesday morning I was only too happy to forego an extra hour of much-needed sleep to get Finley dressed and ready for daycare dropoff. I miss her madly during the day and plan to take her there for shortened hours so I still get lots of time to hang out with her, but wow. It really is like wrestling boa constrictors or herding cats. (Not to mention, she really does like her own little routine, and is apparently big enough to have friends that she misses!)

These were taken during the few calm moments Monday in our gorgeous backyard (the azaleas are blooming and my Mom groomed the grass into shape that would make Augusta National jealous while she was here, so it's a pretty stupendous place to hang out right now),

before baby MMA commenced.

Finley tolerates Ford OK by turns, but has made her displeasure at losing only-child status clear. (Luckily, and remote incident notwithstanding, she seems to blame us and not him.)

I try to make time for special Mom activities when the best baby in the world is sleeping or Seth is home to snuggle him (he really loves snuggles), and Finley has become a terrific "helper." She loves making Dad's juice (she samples everything, even the lemons),

using her new broom from Ana & Ata,

and making eating the dinner salad.

She love love loved getting to spend time with A&A and Grandma Jayne (who brought her presents and was endlessly patient with her demands to take lap after rainy lap around the yard), and we're already looking forward to the next grandparent visit (come ON, May!)

I am beyond grateful for all the grandparents, who helped immeasurably in easing the impact of this transition on our precious first baby.

Baby Ford continues to be chill and wonderful. He eats great, sleeps a ton (2-3 hours at night?!), and likes nothing better than a good snuggle (but is happy to chill in the bouncer while I make dinner.)

And as spread-thin as this period of my life makes me feel, I have learned to carry two babies at a time like a pro, and treasure the moments. It's crazy that this is our last baby, and my time at home to soak it all in already seems to be flying. It's still not exactly relaxing (see here for my thoughts on the "me-ternity leave" nonsense), but is definitely a special- if crazy- time.

Seth signed in to ILE today, which means we should be able to manage a schedule and some much-needed family downtime in the next couple months. Our last summer in DC!

We're looking forward to the adventures that await our little family of four.