The second month

It's our second month as a family of six. 

The in-laws have returned home, and life is now falling into a more predictable rhythm. It's a rhythm of juggling, through a haze of sleep deprivation that a newborn brings. These days I still feel like I'm just fighting to stay afloat: I find myself carrying the baby and bringing Small J for his numerous potty requests just before naptime, while yelling at the older two to stop fighting. I half-wish I was an octopus, with extra arms to do what needs to be done. But octopus I am not, so I do the next best thing, and babywear. 

Babywearing works for all of us: I get my hands back, so I can attend to the older three. The baby is happy, because she is snug, and being upright helps so much for her reflux. She gets to sleep, while I get to do school, read to the boys, or cook dinner. The only one that is complaining is my back, and the nagging thought about encouraging sleep associations that might make getting her to nap harder in the future. So I try to put her in the cot whenever she falls asleep. Sometimes she stays asleep, sometimes she wakes, then it's back into the carrier for another stretch. But for now, it's really a matter of whatever works. 

Whatever the case, I am so glad that we are falling back into some semblance of a routine. I've learnt to be an opportunist when it comes to homeschool, snatching whatever time and opportunities I have for learning. There are no pinterest worthy lessons, just lots of reading aloud, and short lessons as and when I can manage them. I am really thankful for my parents who have been helping out, and the hubby who has been a trooper, juggling both work and his daddy duties.

Lessons aside, Junior J and I had the chance to take part in a fundraiser to raise funds for Preemptive Love Coalition, and are looking to do another fundraiser with the group in the near future. That aside, we're starting to prepare for the upcoming homeschool Children's craft fair in May. 

Amidst it all, we're also preparing to renovate our new home. (You can find more updates over on Instagram. You can find us at @justtey.) These days, we've been scouting for tiles, which has been both mind-boggling yet exciting.

With all that has been going on, life has been really really full, but in a good way. Whatever the case, we're all enjoying having a new member in our family, and these moments of togetherness make all the craziness worth it!