Wow!

I can't believe it's been almost three weeks since I've posted anything. I think about it all the time but then get tied up in doing something else. This two kids at home/new house lifestyle has kept me busy! So here are some basic happenings:

ELI
Eli is doing well but has developed acid reflux. Honestly, I used to think that diagnosis was sort of a BS diagnosis for cranky babies. But I see how it sometimes bothers him to eat (arching back, constantly pulling away, screaming, etc.) and how he can get so upset before a big burp/spit up and continues to scream for a minute afterwards because it burned on the way up. Poor little guy. He's on medication and it's helped some but the reflux is still there.

Other than that one issue, he's a pretty good baby. Yes, he cries and has his witching hour, but on the whole he is much happier than Tali was. I find myself constantly saying "Tali never did this" about Eli's smiles and cooing.  This baby has to be good natured and flexible because I'm carting him everywhere. In two months, he's been breast fed in the car more times than I think Tali was for the entire first year. He's pretty good about it, luckily.

TALI
We're done with camp now so I have both kids home for a few weeks until Tali starts school. For the most part, she's been great. I try to do something fun for her everyday. On the days I can't, I make sure we get in a good game of hide and seek (she LOVES this and never tires of it, even though there are only about five "hiding" spaces in our apartment) or something else equally fun. She has become an excellent dog walker and now holds Jackson's leash 90% of the time we take him on a walk. When he has to pee or poop, she patiently sits on the curb and waits for him to go.

We go to the new house 2-3 times a week and she loves it because there is a (very old) swing set there. She's perfectly happy as long as she gets to play on the swings/go down the slide for a bit. She's also gotten comfortable napping in her Peapod in her new room. Last weekend we hired the 16-year-old down the street to babysit her while we met with our landscaper. Tali had no problem warming up to her and I'm glad we'll have a babysitter so close by.

ME
I have my hands full these days and am constantly reminded of this by strangers who hold doors open for me. I think I hear "you've got your hands full, don't you" at least 2-3 times a day. Luckily, my MIL and cleaning woman come to babysit every so often so I am able to run out and get some errands done without both children in tow. But, there are still daily outings for the little things. I am thankful that Tali has really handled the transition well. It makes it a bit easier.

Eli's still not sleeping through the night so I'm still not getting that much sleep. Between the lack of sleep and everything going on, I truly think I've lost my mind. H will agree. I say/do things that I just wouldn't have done in the past. It's strange and a bit embarrassing. Hopefully my brain will find it's way back to me soon.

H
H has been very busy at the house. He spends the majority of each weekend there either meeting with contractors or working out the details of the renovation. He's hardly had a real break in the past month. I don't think he's had a full day at home since we've closed. He's also up late at night working on house-related things. I feel for bad for him. We knew it would be like this but knowing about it and living it are two different things. For me, as long as I can keep the end goal in mind (a nice house that is ours, no more house hunting/renovations on weekends, etc.), then I know we'll get through it. When this is all over, we won't know what to do with all of our free time!

Jackson
Jackson has been on a diet for the past few months and the results are finally starting to show. He's lost about two pounds (which is something like 20 pounds for a human) and looks much better. He has more energy as well. Jackson has gotten very used to being walked by Tali or her 2-year-old friends and simply follows whoever is holding the leash. Oh, and he loves the new house also. When I take him with us, he spends the first few minutes just running around. He's never had such a large open space to himself before and it's great to watch him enjoy himself. Luckily, he's very well behaved and never strays too far from me. He comes when he's called and isn't interested in trying to escape.  

So that's the basic update over here. More to come soon. Promise.