Now, for a little update - I will say I never could have imagined the difference in going from 1 child to having 2. I underestimated how hard it would be. I also know that it keeps getting easier each day though. For a while I felt like Harper was never happy when she was awake and that was tough. However, I think her medicine is helping the reflux and I'm getting better at reading her cues (knowing when she is tired, uncomfortable, etc.). I feel like since last weekend she's had some really great days, so that is promising.
Earlier this week I described how I was feeling to some friends...like I was barely keeping my head above water. I am only able to get the necessities done and no extras. I have a to-do list a mile long and the type-A personality in me is dying to not be able to cross off each item. However, earlier this week I heard the same great advice from two different people (my mom and my friend, Katie...actually Katie's advice was given in a blog comment to my friend Stacey, but it applied to my situation as well, so thanks Katie!). Right now I feel like I keep wishing for time that I can do "my" stuff, but I just need to keep reminding myself that when my kids are teenagers I'll probably have plenty of time to do "my" stuff but will be wishing that I had this time back while they are so sweet, little and fun. I'm trying to just let go of the to-do list at the moment and enjoy every precious second with them right now because it goes by SO fast. Thinking this way has definitely put a new perspective on things for me. I got a little reminder of this yesterday. Handley and I were looking through her 1 year-old scrapbook and I couldn't get over how much she has changed in just 2 short years. I kept thinking about Harper and how this time might seem a bit stressful and difficult, but before I know it she is going to be 2 and I'll be wishing I had these sweet infant times back.
One thing I hope to accomplish in the next few days are getting some pictures of Harper up in my house (especially those beautiful ones Jen took for me) and also taking more pictures of Harper myself. It is true what most people say, that they have a million and one pictures of their first child and hardly any of the second. For now I do have one picture to share. Handley has gotten a little better with a napping and I'd say she probably naps at least 4-5 days a week now. SO much better than no nap at all which is what she was doing for a while there. When I turned on Handley's video monitor I saw her sitting up, playing with her animals. Then it got really quiet and when I looked again, this is what I saw:
I just had to sneak in and take a picture!
9 comments:
This is absolutely precious!! I know how you feel...there is just not enough time in a day. Emresen has reflux too and it has been really difficult but is getting easier for us too. :) Hope it continues to get better for you guys!
That picture is hilarious!! You are a great mom!! Hang in there:)
I'm so glad my advice was helpful to you! It is so hard to let the "little" things go because, to people like us, they do not seem like little things. I know that it is so hard for me to relax and enjoy KA when the house is cluttered, or there are clothes to be folded, or I see all the weeds in the pinestraw out the window.
But, once she's just a few years older, my house will be all in order, my yard will be weed free, and my clothes will be folded... and she'll be too old to sit on the floor and read or build with blocks or play baby dolls with me. I'll have years and years to have a preteen, teen, and adult mother-daughter relationship with her, but only a few short years of this baby and toddler time together. I wish I had time to clean, organize, cook, craft, sew, paint, blog, exercise, and spend hours playing with Katie Anne every day, but I don't... so I have to decide what's worth my time.
That's so much easier to say than to actually remember in the heat of the Type A moment, but that's what I try to keep in the forefront of my mind. Glad I could help! :)
That last picture is so sweet!!
Love this post and it is all so true, please remind me of this in a few months. You are a fabulous Mommy and your girls are so lucky!!! I almost died when I saw the precious picture of Handley napping with her legs crossed, so sweet!
Hang in there girl! We all go through these feelings, but in no time things will be smooth sailing again. Trust me, if anyone knows this I DO! Try to keep that sunny positive outlook going - it'll rub off on your girls too :-)
Hey CB hang in there...what you are going through sounds exactly where I was last summer, Lizzy was so opposite of Owen and had reflux, colic, etc... hated the swing all seats too! We have come a long way from that and it will pass before you know it..... and when people say having 2 kids is triple the work believe it!! Try to have fun and remember somethings have to give right now.
going from one child to two children was the most difficult for me. it really throws you into the crazy cycle. it took about 6 months for me to become really adjusted but it got better one day at a time. it is so hard. know you are not alone.
isn't amazing how much children teach us about ourselves?? and how self-sacrificing a mothering really is? hang in there, friend.
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