June 6th, 2008
I’ve been somewhat help free since Day 4. Somewhat meaning I’ve had my dad coming over for a couple hours in the afternoon on Tuesday and Thursday to help out with cutting the lawn and things like that, and Wednesday and Friday (today) Carter is in daycare. But! I feel like I am totally getting the hang of this - for now.
Granted there is really no routine and I haven’t ventured out of the house alone with both boys - aside from dropping Carter off at daycare - I haven’t felt overly stressed or out of control. Yet.
I’ve been able to manage laundry and dishes as well through out the day, even to have my dad say how surprised he was that the house was so tidy, which made me feel a little more confident in my abilities to parent two children as well as ‘manage’ a household.
Hudson is the most laid back and mellow baby ever. Even when we’re up from 2am to 5am (like last night) there’s no screeching and crying (from either of us), he just eats, burps, shits and looks around at his new surroundings.
I remember when Carter came home and we were learning to nurse. Nights were horrific. I dreaded getting out of bed, sitting up alone and stressing over trying to feed my baby. I would cry almost every night out of shear exhaustion and the need for my bed. For some reason it really never dawned on my that I CAN sleep when the baby sleeps. I would stay up late and not rest during the day leaving me tired and anxious as night time feeds came around.
This time is totally different. Ya, I start to worry a little as 4:30am rolls around and Carter will be up in a mere 3 - 4 hours, meaning that my day will HAVE to start then or I will face the wrath of a bossy little toddler shaking me and informing me that “IT’S WAKE UP TIME MOMMY!!” But there is no anxious feelings, there is no (more) crying and I’ve actually enjoyed sitting in my armchair in the living room watching shows that I’ve DVR’d throughout the day to save for night time. (Like So You Think You Can Dance - I never watched that show before and I am so totally addicted to this season already!!)
Could be that I’ve lucked out with a totally laid back baby or my confidence level has increased immensely since Carter was an infant - even both. But the tears have more or less passed and I feel like I am becoming my old self again. Physically, it took me a good 2 months postpartum with Carter to get to this point: after only 9 days.
Being home all day with two small children and having the confidence that I can do this without royally fucking them up makes it all that more enjoyable.
I dread the thought of this house of cards falling to a heap now that I’ve opened my big mouth. I can just picture myself sitting here Monday and crying into my keyboard because Carter’s been a little hellion and Hudson hasn’t stopped crying in 4 days.
If that’s the case, I WILL have a little coffee to mix with my Bailey’s please.
I am so glad that things are going smoothly for you! I am sure that both boys will continue to be angels for you. I did a little shout out for your new bundle, come by and check it out.
justmylife’s last blog post..It’s going to be a LONG day, Folks!!!
June 6th, 2008 at 10:45 am
hi friend. are you surprised to see me here. i just read your blog and im so happy that you got a laid back baby. when can we come and meet this cool kid. well bring wine and dinner, now that we can finally all have a glass together. how long has that been.
miss you allison
June 6th, 2008 at 10:46 am
yeah, but even on the bad days, it’s awesome to have that confidence to fall back on. That “hee hee hooooo - I CAN do this. Damn it.”
And you so can. XO
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Now When Will I Find Time To Dust My Mother Of The Year Trophy?
June 6th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Awww, I am so glad things are a bit easier. I think that you are right in your observation that it might be a little easier this time because a) this is your second and b) he’s just an easier baby.
If your first baby was really difficult, it can only get better, right?
June 6th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I’m so happy to hear things are going smoothly. And yes, after baby #1 you find that it’s okay to nap when the baby is…you don’t have to be supermommy all of the time!
Mrs. Schmitty’s last blog post..Connecticut Hit and Run
June 6th, 2008 at 11:19 am
second time is always easier. it just is.
also? im watching so you think you can dance for the first time too. LOVE!
June 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I’m so glad things are going smoothly for you! Awesome!
Michelle’s last blog post..Houston, we have a crawler
June 6th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I’m glad it’s going so well.
I constantly feel like superwoman now that I do things with 2 kids. Or spend a day alone with both of them and handle it.
LD’s last blog post..Kindergarten
June 6th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Congrats!! So glad you are getting the hang of it already!! You rock girl!!
Brenda’s last blog post..ggggrrr
June 7th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I remember those days. Then they get bigger and drive you nuts. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t wait until my kids grow up and move out.
Denise’s last blog post..Just A Quickie
June 7th, 2008 at 10:24 am
You know it’s so weird. Reading this blog post - it could be me. All of it. I was scared with my first baby, didn’t sleep when she slept. Was stressed out but mainly just shattered because she only slept two - five hours a night and never in one go.
She was a bad feeder and I persevered for much too long enduring her screaming with hunger. Night times were awful. I dreaded the evening and my ‘baby blues’ lasted for weeks and weeks. Brought on by the arrival of evening, it even got to the point where I dreaded twilight because I knew it brought ‘the tears’. Then even 4.30pm would roll around and it would bring the dread of the tears which was almost as bad as the *actual* tears to the point where the only time I felt like a normal person was first thing in the morning. My house was a mess and we didn’t eat hot food until she was about 4 months old! It wasn’t all bad obviously but those were the highlights
Expecting Ella - I remember when we brought her home and she sat in the car seat on the floor and I felt the tears come…. I just thought - WHAT HAVE I DONE?! - It lasted 2,3 days maybe.
We cleaned, we ate hot food and the baby slotted right in. I think you’re absolutely right. You have the confidence a little more the second time round. Experience gives you that feeling that you know you can do it even if it’s rough. Also I do remember my best mate (who had her second as I had my first) saying - these long nights - they don’t last long - it’s over so quick.. and now I realise how she was able to be so laid back… because I think the second time round you’re looking at that baby and knowing it all moves so fast. Yeah the nights are long but give it a few weeks and you’ll be sleeping through them again…. and the bottom line is number one is just as important as number two. So it *has* to work.
Good for you settling in so well - and your boys are lovely
(can’t believe the length of that comment, sorry)
nutty mummy’s last blog post..Question.
June 7th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I think it is great that you have the confindence!
debkitty’s last blog post..I am A little nervous
June 12th, 2008 at 3:50 pm