BACK TO THE "REAL WORLD"

We got to experience life without Jake Wednesday-Sunday while he was in Minnesota for continuing education.  We definitely missed him and all of the entertainment that he brings to our family but we survived.  It may have also helped that my mom and dad had Jett for most of the weekend!  He had a great time!  He could sit in that swing on the farm all day.

Meanwhile I got to soak up my last few days with this sweetie before returning to work.  I think I took more naps over the weekend than I did during my whole maternity leave (not saying a lot because I can never take naps anymore).

Joss and I were lucky enough to have lunch with all three of my sisters on Saturday after they ran a 5K!

On Sunday there was a train event going on in Waverly.  Since Jett is obsessed with trains, it was a no brainer for us to go.  We went with the Simanek family and my mom.  SO MUCH FUN!

I had to pry him away from this.  Seriously, kicking and screaming!

Sunday night Jake returned just in time for soup, football, and the couch.  The way every Sunday evening in the fall should be spent!

Joss started daycare on Monday.  I always feel like the dread leading up to things like this is much worse than actually doing it.  Things went smooth in the morning getting both kids ready and out the door.  Joss had a pretty good day.  She doesn't like bottles very much and fights them at first.  So that was the main thing I was worried about but I'm sure she'll keep getting better at that.  Jett was really excited about her going along with him.  

She was obviously really worn out from her first day because that night she slept for 9 hours straight. Last night was a different story.  She woke up three times throughout the night which she hasn't done in a really long time.  Growth spurt? Then Jett woke up early.  Jake got up with him and was going to let me sleep in a little.  I got up about 20 minutes before they needed to leave and got both of the kids dressed.  Then when they were ready to leave I realized I hadn't even fed Joss.  So I did that really quick.  After the kids were dropped off at daycare Jake called to tell me that Jett didn't have any shoes on.  Oops!  Luckily they had a pair there that he could wear.  Lets just say I'm lucky that I work from home and I don't have to get ready for work.  I can't imagine how crazy our mornings would be at times if that were the case!

I am definitely appreciating my evenings more now!

MATERNITY LEAVE WRAPS UP:

They say all good things must come to an end.  Maternity leave is no different.  I will return to work on Monday.  I really enjoyed it in every way this time around.  Knowing what to expect and using my experiences from the first time really helped me out.  For one, Jett had some tummy troubles/food intolerance issues as a newborn (likely from antibiotics he had to be on when he was 10 days old with a fever).  With Joss I put her on a probiotic right away and knew what foods I should avoid to make sure she didn't have any similar issues (so many babies seem to these days).  It really has made a difference and taken away the stress.  Maybe she would have never had any problems but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I've enjoyed the sense of comfort from already having gone through everything once.  If something seems to be bothering her I don't worry about it or think too far into it.  I know she's just a baby and sometimes babies cry.   I've also noticed that having a two year old kind of prepares you for anything.  You are so used to being busy and not having downtime that not a lot phases you.  After having Jett, I feel like I struggled with not having "me time" for a while.  This time I was obviously already used to the demands of being a parent and I know that every phase passes quickly and there will be a time when "me time" will exist again.  In the meantime, I'll be creative and make it happen whenever I can.

Joss has been so good to me.  She really couldn't be any better during the day and if she is fussy it is when Jake is home at night.  Shhh, don't tell him though.  Sometimes I like to make him think I've been dealing with a fussy newborn all day so he's more impressed if I've gotten groceries, cleaned the house, or made a meal:).

I will say I don't think it's going to be any easier to take her to daycare than it was the first time we took Jett.  Of course we know our daycare provider now so we know she'll take great care of Joss.  But there is such a sadness that comes along with the return to work/the start of daycare.  It kind of feels like the end of the newborn stage in a way.  There is so much anticipation when you are pregnant.  And then you are supposed to soak everything up during maternity leave and you feel like you have all this time to do so.  But before you know it, you are back at work!  And you feel like you sort of failed at the "soaking it up" part.  I guess that is what I'll be trying to do these last few days.

Watching cars go by all morning!

We have a helper during baths:

Birthday parties are fun!

Jake and I enjoyed our Anniversary last week!  We went shopping, had a great lunch at a new restaurant downtown, and spent the afternoon at the pool.  It was great to relax and reminisce about the last 10 years.  It's funny to think that in the past, that could have just been a random Saturday for us.

Had to do it....

LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND JOSS IS TWO MONTHS:

We had such a great long weekend.  It kicked off with a visit from our friends Amber and Ethan during the day on Friday.  It was so nice to catch up and see how much Ethan is changing.  This is the only picture I got because Amber had her hands full here!

Saturday Jake and I got out of the house thanks to Jake's aunt Letti and cousin Katie.  They took Jett while we went to a tailgate before the Husker game.  We were only gone for 4 hours and we still had Joss with us but it still felt like a break!  It didn't hurt that it was a really nice morning outside so we were all happy.

We got home in time to watch the game and both kids napped for the first half (victory).

Last year Jett and Jake started a tradition of putting the Husker flag out together every week and obviously Jett was even more into it this year.  He wanted to tell everyone he saw about our Husker flag.

Of course we had to take the obligatory first football game pictures with our kids.

TOUCHDOWN!

Jett's version of "throwing the bones"

Sunday we went to my parents to do our fantasy football draft with my family and hang out for the day.  It was a gorgeous day on the farm including a double rainbow!  It doesn't get any prettier than this!

Joss got plenty of attention during the visit!

I still have "newborn brain" and keeping track of who picked who and watching kids while making my fantasy football picks was a little tricky but I'm still going to destroy Roy this week.

Some other pictures from our day on the farm:

We stopped at Mema and Papa's on our way back to Lincoln and had steaks for dinner.  We get such a kick out of seeing Jett with his cousin Kai!

Monday we did exactly what you are supposed to do on Labor Day.  Nothing!  It was so relaxing.  The kids were good to us so we took advantage by being lazy.

Joss turned two months today.  She is 11 pounds 8 ounces (70th %) and 22 1/2 inches long (56%).  There were no concerns on either end so it was a good appointment!

Here are some other pictures of our 2 month old!