Finding a groove

**FYI--There is a picture link to Kinlee's blog in the left margin below Braska's picture link. For those of you who wanted a direct connection...there ya go!**

I'm really not keeping up with this blogging stuff like I'd hoped, but hey...what else is new!? Me? Learning something different than I had planned? No way! I know there are a particular few of you who especially enjoy these epiphanies of mine....so go right ahead. The girls are both in their beds sleeping right now, I just got out of the shower, and I've got about 40 minutes to say hello to blogworld and pick up the living room before the PT gets here.

How are we? That is the most popular question. Depending on it's context, there are several answers...

Physically--We are all well. I'm feeling pretty good, much better than I have for months since all that pregnancy aching is gone. The girls have been healthy. M is finally feeling better after having a couple rounds of frustrating symptoms. My net gain for the pregnancy was 8 pounds, and I've lost 22 or so as of the 3-week mark, so I can't complain. Now just to get my appetite in order... I've been famished lately! Breastfeeding is not a topic I'm one to discuss, usually, but it's going well and I'm even storing up a supply in the freezer for later, so that's encouraging. I did learn a valuable lesson about what I eat affecting Kinlee... poor kid.

Mentally--I'm good! Red Raspberry Leaves capsules ROCK! For being such a skeptic about herbal remedies and such, I'm sure a believer in this particular one. If you've got hormone-related symptoms, either with PCOS, pregnancy (morning sickness!!), PMS, postpartum, or whatever, try these. They can't hurt you (according to physician and pharmacist that I consulted) and in my case, and several others that I've now come to hear from, they have been amazing! I've not had any panic since the day I started them, and after the following day, I've not had much of the anxious stuff at all. That's really really really great in my book! The dose on the bottle is 2 capsules per day, but I started with 3 twice a day when I was at my worst, then I've dropped down to 2 twice a day right now, soon to drop to the maintenance 2 per day. Again, this was checked out with the pros. (Now, having worked in medicine for many years, I have to add the disclaimer that I'm not making any guarantees and I'm not a doctor... but if your issues are hormonally driven...I'd say give it a try!)

Maternally--I'm slowly figuring out how to be the mom to two girls, how to have time to be a wife, and how to sleep in small nuggets of time. In all honesty, I think we have been way blessed and fortunate. Kinlee is SO good, and she is much like her sister in ways that many swore wasn't possible. She's very easygoing, rarely cries unless she's hungry, and then it's such a quiet and short-lived cry. She sleeps well in her crib ,and at night she's taken to a 4 hour schedule for the most part, and I'm loving that. Both the girls travel well when we need to go out. Kinlee is happy to have a bottle or the "real thing" either one and does great with both, so what's not to like about that?!? I am sure there will be days when I crumble and want to run away, but thankfully, the last week or so has been quite manageable.

**Ok, both girls just woke up at the same time, so I'll have to adjust... time to wrap up**

Overall, we're just finding our way to figuring out how to be a happy family of four. So far, so good. Again, thanks so much to all of you who have sent cards and gifts and goodies of all kinds. We SO appreciate you all, and one day I might get caught up on my thank-you cards!!