So let's try again. I am strugglin ya'll.
The boys are growing so damn fast. I work three days in a row and don't see them the whole time because they are sleeping when I get home and sleeping when I leave. When that third day comes, I feel like I have missed so much and I swear they've grown 10 feet. P has lost his sweet baby face and really looks like a big boy. It's weird. and sad. O is still so small. He's not even on the growth charts. The pediatrician swears he's fine. I don't think anything serious is wrong, it's just odd that he is so small, considering the amount he eats!
Big Boy P! |
They are not speaking and we were worried about a speech delay. They say "here", "duck" and "dada" (oh the irony). We work with them every day on talking, reading books, pointing etc. They do follow simple commands and can identify objects. But I feel like a failure because I don't think I give them as much time as they need. It's hard to divide attention between the two and one almost always seem to get more attention than the other. The pediatrician assured us this is normal but we insisted on seeing an audiologist. Well, they failed four hearing tests in two weeks! The doc said it could be a number of things including the fact that they always have ear infections and fluid all the time. So we opted for ear tubes and will go back for hearing test in two weeks. If they fail again then we move on to other things like speech therapy and possibly hearing aids, but I can tell a difference already! They are babbling a thousand times more. They call each other dada but don't call me or R momma. It's a little disheartening. I'm hoping it's coming soon. It's so hard not to compare them to each other and other babies too. Our friend has a 15 month old and he says like 15 words. It's really hard to not get jealous when we have playdates with him and he is talking. I've been trying to teach them some sign language but that has gone over like a lead balloon so far. They will sign "all done" and "more" though so that's a start.
And in other news...I have no friends. Seriously. I used to. Then I got old, and married a woman and had kids and the group of people that we had things in common with got smaller and smaller. I do have a dear friend but we see less and less of each other. A lot more of my old acquaintances are having babies now and I wonder if we will be brought back together because of that? You probably wouldn't think it if you met me, but I am shy. And I hate new things, oh and surprises. So basically I am grumpy cat in human form. I have joined facebook groups, twins clubs, babywearing clubs, gay parenting clubs, all in hopes of finding friends. I want to have more mom friends but I literally don't know how to make them. I feel like such a dork for even saying that! I may have 200 likes on a post and talk to 3 of those people in person. That's sad and I feel like I am failing. How can I be a good role model for my kids when I can't even make my own friends? The few interactions I have had with other moms usually start out fine and end with them leaving quickly to "run an errand they forgot about" when the find out I have a wife. Maybe I am being paranoid. I would love more queer parent friends but there aren't that many around here. The struggle is real. I often turn to these blogs because I feel so isolated in real life that it's nice to see families like ours really do exist. So I will continue to stalk my cyber friends here in the blogosphere until real people appear...that's not weird is it? I know everyone is different but do ya'll have trouble with this?
The boys are so cute! I often feel the same way, I'm shy, would love to make more friends, but it's hard. You might think there are tons of gay families in Phoenix, but where can I find them? For now, I joined a facebook 1st Time mom's group, who all had babies in 2014, so I've been going to playdates and meet ups to socialize Fox. But I still feel like I have nothing in common with these ladies, they are all so sweet, but what do you talk about besides your kids? And then you always feel awkward when they ask about your husband or even worse, when I bring Katie and they ask if she's my sister! Ugh! Luckily, after a year, it seems like most of them know of our situation. Hang in there, I know it's hard!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am so glad you are still here and reading! Second-I am also glad that I am not the only one that has this problem! It is so awkward when they ask who's the mom or if we're cousins lol!
Delete"That nap tho" had me rolling!!! The struggle is real girl, and that is the truth! We are also stuck at that place where we can't decide whether or not my wife should go back to work full time/part time/school. She doesn't want to go back to her old position (can't any way) and she doesn't really want to work nights, but that's the only thing that's feasible, and we aren't to sure how nursing school would work out with it's demanding hours and tons of homework with 2 babies and a 7 year old and me leaving the house at 7 and not coming home until 6. This shit is tough. A lot tougher than we ever thought it would be. But i know from seeing my parents struggle and working 3 jobs and weekends, that it's TOTALLY worth it. To know that they won't see the struggle and will only really remember all the good stuff that comes from their mama's hard work is enough for me to sacrifice a little time with now for the better. It sucks missing things, it really does. But not having to deny my kids the things that they want after providing all their needs makes me feel like a bad ass mama!
ReplyDeleteI wish we lived closer, because I know that we would honestly be the best of friends. We have similar personalities, you seem funny as hell so our sense of humors are aligned, and I just get a really good vibe from you. And besides, we both have RIDICULOUSLY adorable twin boys. That could only be a recipe for one of the best friendships ever! So whenever you wanna move or visit new york, let me know. You'll always have a friend in me...
Well that just made me bawl like a baby! i don't know if I should hug you or pinch you for deepening my obsession for cyber friendship! I just keep telling myself if this was the 80's we'd totes be pen pals complete with Lisa frank stickers :) I went to school full time and worked during the pregnancy and for six months after they were here. It was all online though and honestly it wasn't that bad. And you are so right, it is so worth it to be able to give my babes whatever they want and more importantly what they need. You are lucky that you have family close and I would fully take advantage of that! I hope some answers come soon for both of us! And I used to aspire to be a new Yorker when I was little-it seems like a whole other world to me! Who knows maybe we'll make a trip someday?!
DeleteI could have wrote this. I used to be a social butterfly. Then got married (to a complete introvert) and yes had kids who consume every drop of damn energy a person has. Really, who has the time to make friends when you just want to nap?!? I am lucky to have a tight circle of go to friends, but almost all live far away. So cyber friendships is a reality for me as it is the only way to communicate long distance. Another thing is that I am more open on my blog than on face.book or in real life. SO my blogger "friends" know the REAL ME better than the people I see every day, it just happens, blogland is cool like that though, haha!
ReplyDeleteI know many little ones who have doubled their speech following ear tubes. Little Monster has been in speech therapy since he was barely 2 and he did not start really talking until over 3 years old. Now he does.not.shut.up.ever so ummmm, careful what you wish for, ok? LOL!
So true! My friends in real life don't even know about this blog and it allows me to be more candid without fear of judgement. Silly I know. Everyone keeps saying be careful what you wish for lol! I just can't wait to hear them say mama or I love you. I think the ear tubes have helped and we are waiting for an evaluation from a speech therapist. So we are making a little lead way. I don't want to come across as an over reactive mom I just want to make sure i have done everything I can for them.
DeleteI need more friends too! I can 100% relate to how you feel. All me and G have wanted for YEARS is to have a big group of lesbo friends but it's just not in the cards for us. A few years ago we even had a "BYOL" (bring your own Lesbian) party in an attempt to meet some gay girlfriends and all our gay guy friends just showed up with vodka. Now we've come to terms with the fact that we may just have to be each others BF's, as cheesy as that may sound... I wish you all lived in NM. We would totally be homies.
ReplyDeleteTry not to be so hard on yourself with this whole parenting thing because you're doing your best! The boys are loved and learning everyday even if they aren't chatting much right now. I'm excited to see what developes now that you're working on their hearing!
Oh and futon sex, LOL! I miss those early days when we practically lived in my tiny bed, if you know what I mean... ;)
If only we all lived in the same area and we could live on a big fabulous gay compound *sigh*
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