Hey guys! Gosh it’s been a week since I’ve blogged! Honestly I’ve missed it and missed you guys! Don’t get me wrong, I know I needed to take some time off and focus on my family and I am loving every minute with them! But this blog is something I am so very passionate about and writing it helps me feel like I am continuing to do something that is just for me. Which I think is so important not only as a mother, but in life in general! So today I want to talk about our first week home with Riley.
First I just want to say that I hope this post makes sense. I’m so exhausted from lack of sleep that I feel like it’s hard for me to string two sentences together right now. Speaking of lack of sleep, I totally forgot how little sleep you get when you have a newborn! Throw a toddler in the mix and the sleep deprivation is even more intense! One night this week Riley woke up every 1.5 hours and then Molly decided to get up at 5 AM. That was a pretty rough night/morning. Luckily, we had the grandmas with us this past week. Both my mom and Kevin’s mom were here, so it definitely made things a lot easier on us.
1. TANK TOP | 2. HIGH-WAIST JEANS | 3. RILEY’S ONESIE
Kevin’s mom headed out Sunday (because she is coming back for two weeks when Kevin goes back to work mid-June), and my mom actually just left yesterday morning. I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty terrified now that it’s just Kevin and I with these two little ones. But we’re also looking forward to having some alone time as a family. Both grandmas offered to stay longer, which was so sweet of them, but we honestly thought that we needed to have some time alone as a family so we could get in a routine and figure out how this is all going to work when we don’t have help. So even though this first week has been challenging, I know so many more challenges lie ahead! And let’s be real, newborns basically sleep all the time for the first two weeks of their life. So we know once he becomes more awake and alert things will get a bit more tricky.
On Tuesday, we had our friend Ashley come over to take family photos of us and newborn photos of Riley. And I have to say it was quite the reality check for me. I shoot photos with Ashley all the time since she shoots most of my blog content, so I’m no stranger to long shoot days with her. But trying to get in a bunch of family photos and newborn photos (and sneak in some blog content) in one day was just way too much for me 5 days after giving birth. My body totally gave out. We only shot photos for 4-5 hours or so (with breaks to nurse Riley and eat lunch) and we normally shoot for a lot longer than that, but that 5 hours was a lot for my body to take. And Molly just wasn’t having it, throwing multiple toddler tantrums, and poor little Riley didn’t get the sleep that he probably needed since we kept picking him up for photos. So what I’m trying to say is that it was kind of a wake up call for me that I’m not gonna be able to push myself as hard as I used to. Things are going to have to change now that we have two kids under two. Life will have to slow down and my work commitments will have to slow down. I’m just trying to figure it all out day by day. And yesterday was a lesson that I needed to learn and I know there will be many more lessons to learn in the weeks, months and years ahead.
Molly is adjusting but it’s not easy for her. I feel like Molly’s reaction to Riley is a whole other blog post. For now I will say that she is definitely jealous at times, but we are giving her even MORE attention then before Riley arrived. One of us is always playing with her, whereas before baby Riley we tried to encourage her to play on her own at times. We have taken her on extra long walks to smell the flowers, which is her favorite thing to do.
I definitely haven’t even touched the surface of what this first week home with Riley has been like. But like I said at the beginning of this post, I’m just exhausted and feel like I can’t think straight or put two sentences together. So I’m probably not gonna be able to write out everything I’ve been feeling and experiencing this week. Obviously. But I want to end by saying this, before Riley was born I was worried about loving him as much as we love Molly. I didn’t feel completely connected to him during my pregnancy. I never felt that way when I was pregnant with Molly either. I’m just not the type of person that feels super in-tune with their body. But so many of you told me that once I saw him my heart would grow and you were all so right! When I first saw Riley it was totally love at first sight! I couldn’t believe how much I cared for and adored this little guy from the get go! And bringing him home has been the absolute best! Every time I have to wake up in the middle of the night to feed him, despite how utterly exhausted I am, I’m honestly happy to wake up because I just love spending time with him and holding him. Sometimes, I won’t even put him back in his bassinet after nursing because I just want a few more moments with him – even though its 2am and I am running on fumes (btw- for those asking abut my nursing tanks in my insta stories. I’ve been wearing these so far). I know it’s just going to keep getting better and better and my love for him will grow bigger and bigger. If that’s even possible!!!
And thank you to each and every one of you for reading this blog post and for supporting and loving my little family! You guys are the best!
What a sweet post, you’re doing great, Ali! Seems like it’s been a hectic but fulfilling first week with Riley! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
It’s been exhausting but so wonderful too!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and pics and keeping it so real! There is so much pressure for women to look perfect right after having a baby! I’m a Dietitian so I feel even more pressure to look perfect- I just had my second baby 12 weeks ago and my baby stories are exactly what yours are from the first to second baby so second time round I didn’t have realistic expectations for myself as the weight isn’t falling off as quickly this time round. Thank you again for sharing your story! Keep keepin it real and making women feel normal with realistic expectations!:)
Hi Ali
Welcome back! we’ve all missed you & your blogs!
Molly’s going to adjust nicely & be a great sister to cute baby Riley….who fits so comfortably in your arms. 🙂
hugs
(i like your high waisted jeans)
I am happy to be back! I won’t be blogging as much. But it’s something I want to do for me every few days so I stay connected with all of you!
So happy for you and your family Ali 💙💗💙💗 glad you have great support from family. Best wishes
One of Your fans Susie
You look SO fantastic! Never would guess that you just had a baby, or that you were sleep deprived! I am due in about 2 weeks & you’re posts with your new squish are making me even more excited to meet our new little lady!
-Chelsea
I had my makeup done in two of these pics. We did newborn/family pics so I got it done so I didn’t look like too much of a hot mess! ha!
So very excited for you and your family! I feel like I truly went on instagram all day to find out if you had delivered yet and was so excited to see the first post. Your family is beautiful and I wish you all so much happiness in this new season of two adorable babes. I do have a random question for you regarding Molly and her skills at reading already! It is so impressive! I was wondering if you could shed some light on what strategies you used to help Molly progress with her reading so early on. If you could share some advice that would be wonderful! I have a 9 month old baby girl and we read all the time but I definitely would love some strategies to help her adjust to learning the words and letters as she grows up. Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!
Molly is soooo into books! But there have definitely been some products that have helped us teach her letters and words. Like this letter set: http://bit.ly/2JFtvCq
I will do a blog post on this in the future!!!
These photos are absolutely amazing and the one of your two little ones….oh my goodness, simply precious. Give yourself another week and you’ll feel like you always had two little ones. My first two are 16 months apart and once I got past that first week, I honestly felt like two babies weren’t that much different than one. That first week is sort of a blur. Give Molly some little ‘jobs’ to do, even my 16 month old liked to go get a diaper for the ‘baby’, and wanted to help put his little socks on. The other thing I always did was let my older one sit next to me while I was nursing the baby, and that’s when we read books. I had my third 6 years later, and by then, the older two were REALLY a big help! I agree with you about the family time. I never had anyone come help until the newborn was about two weeks; I really felt like I just needed the time myself and dads did not get time off for babies back then. My kids are in their 40s/30s now. You’re doing great, mama!
Molly likes picking out what he is going to wear for the day! I will have her help me by getting his outfits 🙂
Aww very sweet!!
Ali, you look absolutely gorgeous and Kevin so handsome! Your faces reflect the joy and pride you feel about adding Riley to your family! He is sooo darling! I love all of the pics so much ( darling Molly with her bro and Owen next to you are sooo sweet) with my favorite one being the one with you, Riley and Kevin! Riley’s skin is gorgeous and his sweet, turned up nose, could not be any more adorable!
Ali, I love this blog post! I have a 18month old little girl and am 21 weeks pregnant with a baby boy! I literally just had a conversation with my husband saying that I was scared if I was going to love this little boy as much as I love our daughter. I mean I know I will love him, but like you mentioned, I felt so much more excitement that first time around being pregnant. Thanks for being so honest!
It gets easier mama!!! Our boys are 23 months apart. (We’re just about 4 months in to this 2 kid thing). The first 2 weeks are the hardest. Mainly because you’re super tired and your hormones are all over the place. By week 3-4 things seem normal again and the almost 2 year old started really acting like he liked his baby brother. It’s still hit or miss with the toddler on what he thinks of the baby. I think when the baby isn’t so fragile things will get easier. You got this!
You’ve got this mama! It will seem like chaos and so hard. But trust this.. you will look back in a month, maybe a year, and you can’t imagine it any other way. You’ll find your groove. The first few months are the hardest! I read a quote before that said “the days are long and the years are short” it is so true in these early years of raising babies!
Ali-thanks for all of your honesty and for letting us into your parenting adventures of 2! Hopefully you will be able to get some space to heal and recharge a bit since giving birth takes so much out of a person. I chose to have newborn photos with my now 20 month old 4 days after he was born-we love the pictures but that 3 hour session was really tough for me physically. We are all sending you lots of positive and well wishes-big congrats to you and don’t forget to take care of yourself too!
You have such a beautiful family Ali 🙂 I envy all the help you’re getting. I was home alone with our new son and 2 yr old son. Everyone in my family lives far away. Oh well, you learn as you go along, and I’m sure you’ll do great!
The way you describe falling in love with your second is so bang on. My little ones are 22 months apart as well and I was so busy during my second pregnancy I didn’t always get to just stop and feel that connection… I also didn’t understand how I would love another little human as much as my daughter! Then my son was born and *bam* it all just happens naturally. Truely the best feeling ever!
Congrats on Riley’s arrival, Molly is going to be a great big sis! Also, I know from your IG stories Molly loves books. If you have any big sister books, try reading them and substituting Molly and Riley’s names in for the characters (if you haven’t already). Someone recommended this to me and my daughter LOVES it!
Enjoy these precious first days as a family of four <3
Hey Ali,
Oh my gosh yes! I totally forgot what it was like to have a newborn when I had my second. My husband wasn’t able to take time off so I was on my own with a 2 year old and a newborn from day 2 on all day long! I was exhausted to say the least. I live away from my parents and family and my husbands family, so it was all on me. I felt a big weight on my shoulders, but we got through it. To make matters worse my second didn’t sleep though the night until she was 18 months old! Also my first daughter was ready to potty train a month after we had our second daughter! It was a busy time, but now I’m glad they are closer in age! Enjoy this time! My youngest is now 3 and I think WOW where did the time go! I, like you, enjoyed every night time snuggle even if I was exhausted! 🙂
Congratulations! You have a beautiful family!
Same Here! I didn’t have anyone to help me out either. Once my hubby went back to work after a couple of days it was all me taking care of a 2 year old and a newborn. I didn’t get more then 3-4 hours of sleep in a row for the first 3 months. My hubby asked me jokingly once, “How are you still alive?”
New moms of more than one kid should not have to go anywhere or visit anyone. They should just take care of themselves and their children. I hate that everyone wants to visit after you have a newborn. It’s really hard when you have more then one child. Really!
I’m recalling how it was the same for me – no help and husband gone like day 2. Ali – mine were 31 months apart and mine had the exact same sleeping schedule. For awhile. But it is great you have started our w/ support and help and most of all you have already learned the most important word ever (and I keep mentioning it) and that is how to say “no” to things. Having 2 close together and really having kids in general just really helps you focus on what is important which is: sanity and rest and health and TIME – time with your kids and time w/ ur hubby. Things will gel later and you will begin to slowly feel yourself come back but I am glad you are finding a little snippet of something for you like the blog. Love the photo of Molly and Riley! Btw – how’s Owen doing?
Hi Ali! 🙂 I’m totally feeling your vibes right now. My daughter Luna is 18 months old and just welcomed my second baby May 8th. Isn’t it SO hard balancing a toddler and a newborn?! Will definitely be reading up on your post for any tips on how on earth to survive having 2under2. May the force be with us both lol 🙂
Your kiddos are adorable Ali! You and your family will find your groove. I have a 28 month old and a 10 week old so I understand everything you’re going through. Our family is complete, which I think you’ve said about yours as well, so it makes every stage a little bittersweet because it’s the last time you will go through it. I think that helps with the sleepless nights because you know it won’t last forever and they’ll never be that little again. I’m always on the lookout for good nursing tanks so thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Mine are 18 months apart and we are almost 6 months into this crazy journey. My big one just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago, and I promise it does get easier! The first 2 weeks are the worst, and the first 6 are difficult. You eventually get into a new routine though and the older one gets used to having the new baby around. Mine now will go get diapers and burp clothes and will even play with her sister when I need a quick break. You learn to survive on coffee and adrenaline, on less frequent showers, and you learn to take any help that’s offered. You’ve got this!
I love reading your blogs and following you on your journey being a Mom! You and Kevin are such great parents. Having kids is the best gift in the world. My son is 30 and my daughter is 19. They are my life. Now I have a granddaughter and it’s the most special gift. I just love her so much. Keep up the great work and you will eventually start getting sleep lol
This blog post gives me so much hope. I’m 39 weeks pregnant (expecting a baby boy), and we have a 22 month old little girl, so quite literally the same scenario as you, and I have been feeling anxious about how it’s all going to work out. I have a super amazing, loving, and supportive husband, a true partner in parenting (as you do with Kevin), so I know everything will be okay, it’s just finding that sweet spot and figuring out how to navigate the whole 2 under 2 thing. I feel confident knowing that there are other women that are going through it with me, even though I don’t know you personally, I feel like I do because you write from a genuine and honest place, so thank you for sharing your life with us, Ali! <3
Hang in there!! It will get easier. The first few weeks are always overwhelming. Things will settle down and I’m sure a routine will be established at some point!! My 2 kids have a larger age gap, so I can’t comment on the 2 under 2 (but I bet it is very challenging!! I have a 2 year old right now and know how stubborn they can be!! Haha.)
Slowing down a bit sounds like a great idea, especially in the first little while they are so young!! As they get older (my eldest is almost 8!), there definitely comes more time to do things for yourself.
You and Kevin are doing an awesome job -congrats again!! Enjoy those newborn snuggles💕
Thanks so much for writing this! I am pregnant with my first and it is a boy! I have always wanted a girl so I am still in a bit of shock that its a boy and I too don’t feel super connected so I am glad to hear you say that too. Not because of it being a boy just don’t feel intune with my body either but I cannot wait to meet him in person and fall in love!!
Hi!!
I remember my first week after I had my second (15 months apart). My newborn was colicy and my older son (William) was super jealous (lots of tantrums and he was getting into things he wasn’t suppose to to get attention!! It lasted two weeks and then it was all back to normal). My newborn would not sleep, if he did, it was 15 min and he gave me only one 4 hour stretch from 9h00-13h00. It was definitely rough! But I kept a positive attitude and told myself I could do it! You can do it 🙂
What helped my hubby and I alot was to establish a routine and we stuck to it! It was reassuring for us and for our older son and naturally good for our newborn too.
It get’s easier!!! 😀
Hi Ali! I have been following you since your Bachelorette days, and I love reading your blog! You have such an adorable family, and I can’t wait to hear more and more about Riley! You always look so beautiful, and I love your positive, energetic vibe. Maybe there was a blog post on this before I became a reader, but I have to ask—how did you meet Kevin?? #goals
It’s a whole new world with 2 little loves… you are doing great and you will find your rhythm as a family. I’ve been listening to Kevin for years on the radio and started following you after hearing all about you from him. I think you guys are just the best little family : )
This post and the one Kevin wrote are SPOT ON! My two are 15 months apart 😯 and I had some/ all of the same thoughts and feelings when #2 arrived. Now my little guy is 9 months and my daughter will be celebrating her 2nd birthday is a few weeks…wow time went fast!! If you can, slow down or take a break for a few weeks. Maybe more guest posters …. I don’t think you’ll be saying “I regret not getting back to my blog sooner” but you might have residual guilt of not giving quality time to each of your babies (or maybe that’s just something I deal with). By month three, things started to get easier so hang in there.
I remember the toddler jealousy stage 😂 my son was 4 days from turning two when our 2nd son was born. The worst part of the transition was he regressed in potty training. Pooping his pants and not caring. Then we saw giant tantrums that we had never seen before. It gets better and then it gets hard and then better 😂once our 2nd born was crawling and could get toys, our first born was pissed 😂 now he is good at sharing with his little bro, for the most part.
I love everything you’ve said! It’s going to be challenging with two under two but it will get better! You have a very supportive husband and that’s awesome. Riley is just the cutest. Molly will get the hang of things eventually. Temper tantrums are a form of communication. Molly is so smart and has a strong little personality. When things don’t go like she wants them to this is so normal. Sounds to me like your on the right track with the longer naps for her that will help. She’s just the cutest and she will be fine. Wishing you all the best! Congratulations ❤️
As a mama of 3 who are now tweens and teens. Please take care of yourself. You don’t need to be perfect and do everything for everyone. You don’t have to shower or put makeup on every day. Please focus on you, your husband and babies. This time will pass quickly and you’ll miss it. Lock the doors for a month and don’t answer the phone, door, emails, social media. It’s okay, we will all be here waiting. You just need to take of you and your family ❤️❤️❤️
You guys are incredible parents and Molly and Riley…and Owen of course are very lucky! Congo all of you!! Thanks for always being so open and honest with us Ali! 🙂You really are an inspiration to us all.
Not sure if you’ve been told about this or not but we had a little “big sister” party for my 3 year old daughter when her brother was born. It seemed to cut down on the jealousy & promoted feelings of love for her little brother & wanting to “help” out. We had just immediate family. Everyone got her a little gift and we really made her feel very very important & that Mommy & Daddy really needed her help with fetching diapers & wipes & help with bathing. (We let her get a little soapy and wash his little feet & stuff.) So from the get-go she felt included & important, especially with her big sister t-shirt on! Any tiny little thing you can think of that will make her feel important & needed will help so much as you get used to your new family dynamic. Congratulations again & relax, take it easy & get lots of sleep!
I love what you said about late night feedings and enjoying those moments with him even though you’re exhausted. My now 23 month old son was in the Nicu for two months and it was the most emotionally and physically challenging period of my life. I clearly remember how hard it was to get myself up with so little sleep every hour and a half to pump and then feed him. But no matter how exhausted I was, the second he was in my arms~ all the stress and exhaustion would melt away and it’s the clearest early memory I have of how powerful a mother’s love can be~ how much strength it can give you through any unknowns and challenges. Congrats on your adorable family! I love following your story!
Totally understand this all around! These first few weeks are the most exhausting but it definitely gets better. Highly recommend a 2nd time mommy/me group of you can swing it. So helpful in your transition and in managing our toddlers. Harder than I expected!
So happy for your sweet family. Molly and Riley are adorable. I don’t miss those no sleep days but enjoy because they grow up so fast. Mine are 20,17 and 12 😞 Thanks for sharing your family with us. Your blog and insta stories make my day and take care of my baby fever lol
Congratulations! My second and third were 19 months apart, and I remember crying when my husband went back to work. I couldn’t imagine doing it all alone. It’s amazing how you will manage and figure it all out. It all works out, and now looking back at it all 8 years later, I don’t regret having my second and third that close. They are two peas in a pod! Take care! 😊
My two little ones are 22 months apart (little girl and boy), and I remember bringing Dominic home to big sister, Delaney. I immediately felt like I needed to keep control of our routine and life that we had so carefully established with Delaney. Welp, the “new normal” didn’t exactly work out the way I intended! I remember feeling awful that I let Delaney watch a little children show on my phone while I nursed non-stop during the day those first few weeks. My mom gave me the best advice “just let her (Delaney) have what she needs, if it’s (the phone) going to make her happy and you at ease during this time, just do it – it’s temporary!” She was so right! Every day is adjusting to this new crazy busy routines and life with 2 under 2! A little different these days but so worth it and sooo much fun. So my advice, just take it one crazy, lovely, sleep deprived minute at a time. There are amazing sibling moments and rough patches where you bawl your eyes out. HA! But, do the weeks go by so fast! Such a sweet family! Good luck, Mama!!!
I am loving your blog posts, I also have a 1 week old today! We also have a 2 1/2 year old and everything you describe is exactly what my family and I are experiencing. So much love, so many emotions, and so much exhaustion!! But all 100% worth it! It’s nice to read about your experiences and know this is all completely normal when you go from 1 to 2 children.
You really are doing this so amazingly well! Better than you think! I am a new mom of a three month old little lady and my mother in law was in town for those first five weeks of her life! I can relate to wanting to have alone time to be with just your little family. I really dealt with baby blues and I honestly just wanted to spend time with my baby and my husband as we were just getting to know her! I love that you kindly turned down their offer to stay longer. Riley is just beautiful! I love keeping up with you on Instagram- you’re very relatable!!
I had my second baby girl a few weeks before you had Riley and my sweet first born, who is just a few weeks older than Molly turned a little jealous, too. But once we got into our routine whendaddy went back to work she’s actually been much better. Sleep exhaustion is real! But I feel the same way, even in the middle of the night I just love to love her. Keep it up mama! We got this!
Thanks for sharing your journey, you are doing amazing! My girls are only 13 months apart and I remember so many of these feelings you describe! They are now 5 months and 18 months old…some things get easier and some get more difficult…some days you feel like you’re killin the mom of 2 thing and others you feel like you can’t make anyone happy! My husband was only able to take a couple of days off work after we came home from the hospital so the fact that you get so much time all together these first few weeks is such a huge blessing! I felt so alone and helpless those first days on my own and was so exhausted I couldn’t even figure out how to take care of my own basic needs like showering and eating! You got this!
Oh my goodness! Your family is absolutely adorable!! Congratulations on your baby boy – Riley. I have a 15 month old and we are thinking of growing our family. I have been really nervous and I have been really enjoying watching/reading your journey. I love that you are so real and honest. Thank you!!
I totally understand what you are going through! We just welcomed our son on May 18th and we have a 2 yr old daughter as well. I feel like I’m reading my exact thoughts when I read your blog and watch your stories! Best of luck to you and your family! Hope you get the rest when you can😊
You are doing amazing! Your kids are absolutely adorable! I can totally relate to this post! Or daughter will be two in three weeks and our son is 7 weeks old. I felt the same during pregnancy and always questioned how I could love him as much. Truth be told since he has arrived it has been so easy to love him. It is true that your heart grows and you love them so differently! You will get into a routine and things start to become easier! I can’t wait to follow your story!
Congrats on your newest addition! I’ve been following your blog since my first pregnancy with my son. He is 20 months currently. I am now pregnant with our little girl and am due in just 2.5 months.
I’ve had the same hesitations and anxieties regarding how my son will do once our daughter arrives. And I definitely expect there to be challenges. I think that’s what I am most concerned about is feeling utterly lost when it comes to taking care of two small children. I know it will get easier in time but I have true worries about the beginning of the journey.
Thank you for your candor. It’s always been refreshing reading your blogs and especially giving advice based upon your experiences. I look forward to reading more of your blogs regarding your transition with two tiny ones. Best of luck and wishes for the next month or so while you transition.
I just adore you and your little family. I look forward to the insta-stories of Molly, and now little Riley. My mom was over this past weekend and I was telling her how Molly “reading” is the cutest thing ever. Her and I both adore kids, and since I don’t have any yet (I’m also an only child), we love to oogle over other people’s kiddos. Thanks for sharing yours with us!!
Congratulations on baby Riley!! Having two is a HUGE adjustment for each member of the family, but you’ll get the hang of it!! It’s ok for it to not be perfect, it doesn’t matter if the house isn’t spotless and there’s laundry piled up! Allow yourself to rest, extend yourself lots of Grace! This mommy stuff is hard! I love how honest you are in your blogs and always enjoy ready them!
Oh this post brings back so many memories! My first 2 are 16 months apart- they are now 2 and 3- and I just had another! My advice: Hire some help. At least in the afternoon between 3 and 6- to help you give molly a bath, feed her dinner. That was the one big thing that made my life so much easier! I can tell you that in 6 months, things will be so much easier- and then you’ll want to have a 3rd 😉 Hang in there!
You will look back at all this and be so grateful you had them this close together. My first two were a little under 16 months apart and yes on purpose. I loved every second. And the older one loved being a little helper going to fetch a diaper or wipes when I needed it or a burp rag. It will be a breeze in no time. You are awesome with 2 extremely cute kiddos mama. Keep being you!!
Thank you so much for sharing about your experiences of motherhood. I’m not a mom yet, but the honesty and rawness is so valuable in preparing for the future. (Probably the biggest lesson is preparing to not feel prepared haha.) I think it’s so important women have conversations on these topics, so that we don’t feel alone in our feelings and experiences. Real stories like the ones you share are so helpful to women to establish real images of what motherhood looks like that is beyond the picture perfect stories we often hear. Thank you for sharing with us. Best wishes to your family❤️
You are going to get everything figured out and you will forget what life was like with only one! 😉💖💙🐾 Riley looks so much like Baby Molly and he is perfect!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful, real, amazing family and journey with us!! 💐☀️😊
Funny how it all comes together when you add a new member. Everyone has their own adjustments and I feel like it is different for all in many ways but also the same if that makes sense. We recently watched a video of the weeks after my third was born. We honestly went everywhere with all three kids. I had sort of forgotten how busy we were. My son was a month early and it was summer and we had family visiting and it was a busy three or so weeks. Until I watched it back (It’s been 21 years) I had forgotten it all. I blame sleep deprivation. But I was happy on film I looked pretty with it :). Enjoy your time with your kids it goes by so fast. Love reading your posts.
congratulations on your new addition, you sound like you’re doing great and your daughters reaction is normal. her world has been turned upside down…my son (oldest) still asks me now why we decided to make his sister because she keeps breaking his me to models! ( she is 3 and definitely does it on purpose!)
make sure you get the rest you need. 2 kids is a game changer, but in a great way. x
I think the best piece of advise I was given when I went from 1 to 2 (my boys are just under 21 months apart) was that your only real job during the day is to keep everyone fed and changed. This includes yourself. So as long as that’s happening, you are doing alright. Anything else is a bonus. Do a load of laundry? Great! Can’t do anything else today? No problem. Your babies are fed and (somewhat-hah) clean. You are doing great. It does get easier but pace yourself. You went through a major physical and emotional change and no one expects you to have everything all together. I hired a house cleaner a couple times in the first six months, just to help me stay afloat in the House department. Do whatever works and don’t apologize for any of it.
Ps- Riley is adorable and you are doing a great job mama!
Congratulations to your little family!!!!
I can not believe how much Riley looks like Molly, yet he looks like such a boy and she looks like such a girl. Make sense?
You are radiant as always! Enjoy your babies, as they grow up so fast. Thank you for sharing your happy time!
Thank you Ali for sharing your experiences so candidly. I’ve followed you for years but never posted. I’m 12 weeks pregnant with my second and have a 15 month old, so am literally following your lead of how to go through this journey of bringing two under two into the world. Thank you for being so real and not being afraid to share all of the details at each stage. It helps so many like me get an idea of what’s to come, both good and challenging. When I’m awake at 4am lately I have been starting my online shopping quest by looking through your older blogs and maternity clothing links, so thanks again for those too! Rest when you can, and enjoy all of those snuggles with Riley!
Girl I’m nervous currently pregnant 32 weeks with baby number 2, and I have a almost 2 year old girl who seems a lot like Molly. I’m so nervous for the two under two but I’m glad to hear that things are going well for you. I better get as much sleep in now while I can. 🙂
Hey Ali,
Welcome back my Blog Friend! 🤗💕
My gosh I feel like it’s been forever! Since I’ve been posting to you I feel that you are now my pen pal! Ha!
Always thinking of how your doing, prayers always being said, and just by knowing how you are actually feeling now.
Hopefully you have found and read my past posts. I’ve actually have been way down the line of your comments! Ha!
I don’t want to repeat anything that I’ve said, from before.
I so much had enjoyed posting to Kevin. He’s such a sweet guy and you can see how much he Idols you with the sweet words he had towards you.
You both were meant to find each other and grow old together for sure!
Yes, of course it will take time for all of you to get into a routine, and yes you’ll feel that you don’t have much patience anymore but, Ali God would have never given you baby Riley if he knew that you couldn’t handle it.
Don’t be hard on yourself it’ll all work out. I’ve heard that from my mom so many times as I was a child.
I was always hard on myself even now I can be my worst enemy, but we all have to be firm and steadfast! And not to fear nor be dismayed for God is with you and all of us!
Hang in there as always take one day at a time. Live for the day that we’re given because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
🤗😘 too you, Jolly Molly, Smiley Riley, Devin Kevin and fuzzy Owen Wags! 🐕
😘 di
Riley is gorgeous! I have to say how jealous I am that kevin gets to be home for so long. My husband gets 2 weeks vacation a year and his job offers no leave when a baby is born so he was only able to stay home 2 days. I was home alone with a colicky cranky overtired newborn who only slept about 9 hours out of 24. Pure misery. Fingers crossed baby 2 is a better newborn if we are blessed with another down the road.
Ali,
Love your post! Just want to say your amazing and doing a great job with Molly and Riley. Enjoy the new memories as a family of four and congrats again.
Awe great post and having a son that’s 2 and a baby that is 6 months I can totally relate. It’s been tough not going to lie my son has the fits and seems to know when I am busy with the baby to get into trouble. My husband travels a lot but my mom stays with us in the evenings to help with the baths and bedtime routine. As my daughter is getting older my son is able to play a little with her he’s diffenlty jealous but there is always one of us playing with him at all times. I wouldn’t trade it for the world but understand everything you are experiencing . They say have kids close in age is a great thing 😀 And it gets easier as time goes by. It sure makes you appreciate your parents even more.
Congrats on your new addition. Beautiful family. Love reading your blog and it’s nice that you are so open about life and motherhood. Having a newborn is tough and having two I imagine is even harder. Take this special time to be with your family. Enjoy every moment, as I’m sure you found out with Molly, it goes quick. Look forward to your IG stories and your updates. 🙂
You are doing great Ali, take your time, we are not going anywhere and it is much needed for you and your family at this point of life. These moments are so precious, since newborns grow and change so fast. Love reading your blog and miss your bachelorette review 🙂
Congrats Ali & Kevin!
I have a 3 year old girl (most strong willed child ever, yikes!) and a 1 year old boy (pretty chill). You guys are the same little family that we are. You’ll love it!
The lesson I learned when I had my second was that, “Everything doesn’t have to be prefect.” It’s a hard lesson to learn when you’re type A like I am. Getting the prefect outfit for the kids, the prefect family pictures, the prefect birthday party, etc… is out the window now. Two small kids make everything harder it seems like (at least mine do!).
Just do your best and be happy with the outcome whatever it may be. I have so many good memories now of taking bad pictures, kids crying at Disneyland when they were supposed to be having fun, and never being able to get ready as nice as I’d like to anymore. I’ve accepted that, “Hey, this is life with two kids and I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world!”
WOW! he’s reallllllllly a beautiful baby!
Ali,
Congrats on the new addition! I have a new little one at home as well (just turned a month old). I was curious as a busy mom, if you breastfeed, is there a pump you use that you recommend?
So happy for you and your family! Sleep is in the horizon!😂 I promise! My youngest is nearly 6 months old and that newborn stage seems to go by faster with each child! 😭 Soak it up! And never feel guilty for taking it easy on yourself and putting YOU first. Being a mom is a full time/lifetime calling. You are rocking it! 🙌🏻😊
Hi Ali.
I love your little family and enjoy your post but lately have been scratching my head and feel you want to be picture perfect (professional photo shoot with a 4 day old?)
Advise. Please let the photos shoots wait. No need to add that extra stress with a 4 day old and a toddler. What’s the hurry? Also wait to do your house tour photo tour. Again. What’s the hurry ?
The MOST important thing right now is your healing and Molly’s adjustment to little brother Riley.
You don’t need a picture perfect life right now. Please just let it be. Enjoy the peacefulness of holding your baby with Molly reading by your side. Don’t worry about makeup artist hiding your beautiful flaws or what outfit you should wear to a photo shoot. All that stuff… will come back to your life in time. But for NOW…. it’s about Molly and Riley and adjusting !!!
Your family is beautiful! I greatly appreciate how upfront you are in your posts. When I was pregnant with my daughter I very much remember not feeling connected to her until after she was born. I greatly appreciated you mentioning that in your blog as I felt I was the only one at the time that experienced that feeling or lack there of. Thanks for doing what you do 🙂
You have a beautiful family Ali! It took my granddaughter 3 weeks to finally acknowledge her baby brother! Now they’re best buds at 5 and 3.
You have a solid family and before you know it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without Riley.
Great post! Enjoy every minute, even the crazy ones! I had three kids #1&2 are 16 months apart and 2&3 are 20 months apart – all boys! They are all teenagers now, but I barely remember the blur of the first year or so with all three. It was crazy! I had come on hoping for a Bachelorette recap – by this was better 🙂
Congrats on the new addition, you have such a beautiful family. Love the blog and the fashion posts. “?” for you or anyone out there. What brands of onesies/infant pajamas are you using for Riley that have the built in mittens? They look super comfy.