15 Weeks! And How to Stay Sane With Too Many Kids

Okay, people with 3+ kids are probably rolling their eyes at my title - but hey, I've never had 2 1/2 before! :)

2nd trimester continues to be great, although 1st trimester still comes by for an occasional annoying visit. Nausea and exhaustion still hit me sometimes, but nothing compared to before. I can clean the house and not faint now! Which brings me to another interesting point...

I've found a secret that has revolutionized my routine with the kids and my ability to enjoy them even if I feel too pregnant to live. So are you ready for this life changing discovery?? Well, it might not be so for you (especially if you're a better homemaker than me), but the new healthy habit I've adopted is...

Keeping the dining table/room sacred.

I know, not earth-shattering, but you see, we don't have a kitchen table. So this is the only place where we can have our meals - well, aside from the couch, where I'm ashamed to say Melissa used to eat most of the time. Watching Yo Gaba Gaba, naturally.

That is, UNTIL I had the revelation one day to feed both kids in the dining room, just like margarine commercials. And I also made the commitment to always keep it clutter-free and clean. It sounds laborsome (if you're  a non-neat freak like me), but after awhile it's become surprisingly automatic, like brushing my teeth. What motivates me are these astonishing results:

- Melissa's TV obsession has gone way down;

- The kiddos have bonded more by being each other's only source of entertainment (aside from toys);

- True, they fight more too, but then I make them hug and make up, which is oh so cute;  

- Since less TV time, Andrew started taking more steps (yaay); 

- Seeing them so happy with no help of Nick Jr. makes me more confident about bringing in number 3 and surviving!

Now, before you think I've become anti-TV, far from it - they still do watch it, but I try not to let it go past the 1-hour mark per day (and usually after nap time when I'm just DONE with exhaustion and counting minutes till daddy comes home :).

Can you believe I typed that? They used to watch TV 24/7, so me putting a limit on it is huge. I didn't think I could even parent without this. To realize that being pregnant with 2 small kids would be EASIER with less TV just didn't seem to make sense. And yet, it does. 

So there you have it! My 15 week report. What did you want, an essay of my symptoms?? I can't even stand to read that, imagine other people lol. Aside from aforementioned preggo annoyances, I'm feeling relieved that my last check up 2 days ago went a-ok. Baby's still there, so this is really happening! Can't wait for ultrasound 4 weeks from now, when the pink or blue explosion shall begin :).