The New Normal

Dave went to work for the first time in 2011 last Friday, January 7, and since then we have been working on getting settled into a routine and figuring out what the new "normal" is now that we have two kids. Things are going pretty well for the most part. We've had a few episodes of jealousy, mainly when Tyler is fussy and requires more of my attention, but Emma really does love her little brother.
Emma has really shown what a "BIG" girl she is the last couple of weeks. She has started doing a few small things without having to be asked - mainly putting her dishes in the sink after eating and wiping her hands after meals or snacks. She has also made a leap forward with her potty training and is starting to go more often on her own (without us having to remind her). On top of all that, she also really likes to help with Tyler. She has been giving us lots of opportunities to praise her and we've been working hard to try and keep some of the old "pre Tyler" routines to allow her life to be as normal as possible.
Tyler had a visit to the pediatrician on Monday to make sure he was gaining weight like he should. Babies should be at or above their birth weight by the time they are 14 days old (that was Monday for Tyler) and he came in right at 8 lb 7 oz. Since he had only gained 3 oz in a week, which is pretty much the bare minimum for what he should have gained, we are going back next Monday for another weight check. The doctor suggested that we start making Tyler's bottles a little bigger since he gained the minimum in weight and was consistently draining the bottles he was getting. He's up to 3 1/2 ounces at a feeding and is eating about ever 3 hours, so he shouldn't have any problems packing on the pounds :) The timing of the doctor's visit was perfect... we had noticed that his right eye had been getting "gunky" on a pretty regular basis, so I asked about it. Turns out the poor guy has a blocked tear duct. This is a big deal if it happens to an adult, but it pretty minor for babies. I have to give him a little mini facial massage periodically and eye drops 4 times a day until next Monday night and that should clear it up.
I am slowly, but surely, getting back into the swing of things around the house. I do have to be a little careful to not over do things, but it is nice to feel like things are returning to normal.