Meeting Mira

Once Dustin and Aryanna came home, the next thing step was for them to meet their new baby sister. Dustin has understood that he was getting a new baby sister for a while now, and he's been very excited. But Aryanna just knew that Mommy had a big fat belly, and it was fun to poke my belly button. So now, it was time for all of my children to meet each other.
I held Aryanna while Dustin stood beside me and we looked into Mira's crib. Aryanna kept pointing at Mira and giggling, like she was a new baby doll toy and wanted me to hand her over. Dustin was cooing at her and saying "Awww" and asking if he could hold her. I told him he can't hold her yet, but he can touch her hands or her feet if he wants. He very gently reached into the crib and laid his one finger on top of her foot. I wasn't sure in that moment where this would be leading, or how they would handle how demanding Mira is for Mommy's time. But that's all stuff we'll figure out together as time goes on. Right now, it was just wonderful to have them all home and together.
Dustin was very curious and compassionate about Mira's incisions. He asked about her 'cuts' and said that Mira doesn't like cuts. He wanted to know why the doctors would do that to her. I explained that's why we were gone for so long, because Mira was sick, and the doctors had to give her cuts to make her better. He was okay with that answer. He also forgot about breast feeding, apparently. "Why are you feeding her with your boobs, Mom?!?!?" Lol! Then I reminded him that this is also how I fed him and Aryanna.
Aryanna is very curious about her, but doesn't yet understand how to be quiet or gentle, so I can't keep her too close. Aryanna is still at the stage where she thinks everything revolves around her, so she can't understand that she has to accommodate Mira.
All of this will be fine in due time, and right now, I'm just happy to have all of my children together, at home. The schedule is insane, meeting their needs feels like I'm running a never-ending marathon, and I'm trying to figure out how in the world I'm going to give them each the one on one attention they need and deserve; but my family is complete, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

The Kids!

Mira came home on Monday, and Dustin and Aryanna came home on Wednesday. It had been just over two weeks that I went without seeing Dustin and Aryanna in person at all. We had FaceTime and pictures, but I have never been away from my children for this long in their lives.
Having them home makes Mira's schedule even more difficult, and I knew this was how it would be before the kids came back. I knew that they would be driving me up the wall within ten minutes. I knew that as soon as Dustin walked in the door, I wouldn't get a moments peace because honestly, he never stops talking. I knew that Aryanna would be difficult because she's about to start walking, and she's in a demanding phase where she wants everything her way because she's exploring her own attitude. I knew both of them would be constantly seeking attention in disruptive ways because they're not yet used to having a new baby in the house; especially one with Mira's constant needs. While I knew all this before the kids came home... I couldn't wait!
Two weeks! Two weeks may not sound like a lot, but it killed me. It broke my heart every time I talked to Dustin on the phone throughout that time, and he would cry because he didn't understand why we weren't all together. It killed me to see pictures of Aryanna and know how big she was getting, and know that I was missing it. It killed me knowing that every day they were wondering why we weren't home, and that there was no possible way to make them understand. So even though I knew I'd be ripping my hair out once they got home, I also knew that I'd gladly go bald for that reason because I couldn't wait to see them, and hold them, and answer Dustin's 12,000 questions, and pick up Aryanna in all her chunky glory even though I'm still post c-section and not supposed to be lifting her.
My sister pulled in the driveway, and I was already waiting on the porch. I walked out to meet them, and Dustin ran into my arms yelling "Mommy!" Aryanna smiled so big while my niece, Nikki, brought her over to me. She started pointing at me was saying "Ma!" in a way that sounded kind of like she was questioning wether or not it was actually me. I couldn't wait to scoop her up in my arms, and that's exactly what I did! It was so relieving... Finally having them home and seeing their plump little cheeks in person! Knowing that the waiting was over, and I wouldn't have to keep trying to explain to Dustin why him and Aryanna were getting shuffled around, and why Joe and I weren't home. That was all over, and I could hug them, and take care of them, and tuck them in at night, because we were all finally home! All of my children under one roof, my roof, and that was that.