Time flies...

I can hardly believe it's been 2 weeks since I last posted, maybe longer.

Both of my parents have come and gone and I am officially a temporary-single-mother of three. I am way, way outnumbered now. I am incredibly surprised and blessed at how quickly I have overcome the pain associated with my recovery. It's amazing that God has enabled my body to heal so quickly, knowing that a speedy recovery was definitely needed. Since I have been pain free for quite some time, I definitely did things I should not have done, but I'm sure I would have noticed if I hurt myself too badly. My days go by unbelievably quickly, but I work in 3 hour shifts. Alden eats and plays then I have about 1.5-2 hours to spend with the girls and keep up on the house and then we start all over again. The house is cleaner than it's been in a long time. I've realized that if I don't keep up with things throughout my day, it'll get to the point where I'll never recover. SO, I just move, non-stop, until I hit the sheets. Then I sleep. Hard. I know I am getting a lot less sleep than before, but it's good sleep. I am finding that I can function very well while tired, it's just the exhausted/fatigue thing that is hard for me. I'll take tired over fatigue any day! I finally went to see my MD about my migraines. He gave me some steroids to help my body reset itself and some narcotics for the pain. The steroids seemed to have worked and I now only have migraines a couple times a week which is a huge improvement from daily, and they aren't as severe. That's good. I'll follow up with him in July, but until I stop nursing, nothing else can be done. I haven't had any increase in my milk, so Alden in continuing nursing and receiving formula after each nursing. Despite this being the third time I still am disappointed that my body cannot adequately feed my children, but I'm coming to terms with it. It's a hard thing for me. All I've ever wanted to be was a mother and yet my body just cannot perform the most basic of tasks in that endeavor. But I am able to give Alden what I can of me and supplement with the next best thing (according the the formula label). The important thing is that Alden is fed and nourished and healthy.
He had his 4 week weight check with the pediatrician and gained 1.5 pounds in a 2 week time period. That just reassures me formula is definitely needed. He weighed in at 9 pounds! I think he's grown since that visit, 2 days ago, too. He is filling out nicely. He still prefers to be as close to me at all times, but is learning that's just not an option. He naps by himself during the day, although a few trips to soothe him are needed, and still sleeps in my bed at night. He's getting better, to the point where he doesn't need me to hold or touch him in order to sleep, but definitely needs to be near me. I know I could probably spend a few long, long nights just putting him into his own bed and working through it, but since I need to be able to function during the day, I just don't see that extreme happening. I'll ease into it, even if it takes a few more weeks.
The girls are doing well and Ivie is such a help to me, most of the time. She "babysits" Alden while I shower. That basically means she gives him his pacifier, if he needs it, while in his swing. Both the girls love to feed and talk and play with Alden too, sometimes. They spend a lot of time just being little girls. They love to play together and do a great job at that. They have handled all this transition very well and I am so thankful for that. They definitely aren't perfect and manage to have some really gloomy moments, but for the most part, they are remarkable. I don't know how such little things can handle all that they have in their short lifetimes, but God has blessed us with their wonderful spirits and with giving me and Mike the tools needed to raise these little girls in a way that is pleasing to Him. I certainly am not a perfect mother, far from it, but God is so faithful to me.
So, from here, we continue to move on. I have been reassured that I am more than capable to do this. I am ready to move into our normal way of life and continue raising the wee ones in a manner that glorifies God. I sure do have a lot of work to do in that area, but I know I have a lot of love, prayers, and strength from so many people, and that definitely keeps me moving forward.