Erin Akin Carroll

We were supposed to be taking Hayes’s newborn photos and Hudson’s two year photos along with some family photos with Tracy Turpen today. I was so excited! Hayes is at a great age for photos because he sleeps so much and puts himself in the cutest little positions.

I had laid out everyone’s outfits for the perfect comfy, home photos. And then this morning, Hudson woke up with a fever. He had to miss his picnic at school and I had to call Tracy to reschedule our photos.

But the bigger concern than missing the picnic and post-poning the pictures is that Hudson is contagious and Hayes is so young. Because I can’t drive yet, my brother drove Hudson and me to his doctor so he could get checked out. Fortunately, he just has a cold, but he is contagious. So we had to call for back up.

Fortunately, TC’s parents are in town. My mom is still staying with us helping me out during the day, so TC’s mom came and picked up Hudson to keep him at their house until he is fever free.

It’s just part of our new normal. I know that with two babies there is even more opportunity for us to have to change our plans because someone is sick or someone skipped a nap and is grumpy. Getting out the door alone is going to be a challenge. I just have to remember that God always has his own plans and sometimes I can feel him telling me to slow down and to change my expectations. Things won’t be picture perfect and won’t go as planned. I need to remember to be kind to those I live with and remember that life happens and there are only so many things that I can control.

I can’t say that our days around the house are glamorous at all. I can’t even really call them exciting. In fact, when my brother called right after we got home from the hospital, he asked what we were doing that day. I believe the response was something like, “feeding, burping, playing, pumping, and sleeping. And then repeat.”

And his response was, “well, that’s sad!”

It made me laugh a lot because it doesn’t seem at all sad to me, but I can totally see how it’s not a desired way for someone else to spend their day.

Juggling two babies has been a bit of a challenge. Especially because I can’t pick up Hudson for a few more weeks. He holds up his little arms and wants to show me something, so he says, “show me, show me. Hold you!” And I have to call for back-up for someone else to come pick him up so he can show them what he wants on a higher shelf.

Thanks to his big brother book from Nina, though, Hudson understands that he is a big help to me and that there are lots of things he can do that the baby can’t do.

With my pumping and feeding schedule, I do feel like we’re kind of living a Groundhog Day kind of life these days. We pump, feed, play, sleep, and get a couple of things done around the house and then start all over again. It’s all very temporary, I know, and these days are fleeting. Which is exactly why I’m not complaining about it. I know how quickly it will be over and I’ll be wishing for the sweet, simple days at home.

When Hudson was born, we napped when he napped. Now, when Hayes naps, we play with Hudson. It’s a very different experience with the second baby.

But each day, I’m trying to take lots of pictures and soak up the time with both boys. Hudson is at such a fun age that I don’t want to miss a thing– because everything is hilarious.

Hayes is only this tiny for so long and I want to take advantage of the days when he’s willing to lie still in my arms for hours– even though I know I should put him down!

I wish I had more pictures to share– life just gets so hectic that I forget to slow down and take pictures. I promise I’ll try to be better.

The winner of the adorable Southern Tots Mud Pie toddler swimsuit is….

Congratulations, Kendal! I know your little girl will look adorable in the swimsuit. Shoot me an email and we’ll get it to you soon!