I said several times that having her here was like being on vacation for me, but I was thinking only of how I had someone else washing my dishes and helping with chores. The first morning after she'd gone home, I realized it was also lovely having her presence (and my stepdad's just prior) because someone was always here to give attention to the kids. Monday morning I was back to the unavoidable situation of two babies crying at once with legitimate needs and my being unable to help both at once. I needed to get some important thing done in that moment, Mary was screaming in the sling to nurse, John was weeping at my feet about something else, I couldn't hear John over Mary's cries so I began shouting, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU! WHAT DID YOU SAY? WHAT DO YOU NEED, HONEY?" And then I figured out what he needs only to have to shout over Mary's crying that I can't help him right now anyway. It makes a mama want to sit down and cry herself. Or go hide in a closet.
i know - it's not easy. sometimes there's nothing else for them to do but throw a fit or cry, ya know?
ReplyDeletethis is the first time in 10yrs that i don't have a newborn with a 2yo - but there are still times where charlie will just have to try to 'hang on' while i cut chicken, or put laundry away, etc. it's only a matter of moments then i can tend to him.
Sometimes the only thing that can help in those moments is to know that you are doing God's Will.
God bless!
i'm w/ u....
ReplyDeleteif u find any advice, pls share ... esp. supper prep, cook, eat, etc.
mariah
Mariah:
ReplyDeleteTips on meal preparation: wear the baby if he's crying. :) I have to wear Mary almost all hours of the day (like I am right now)--plus she is still sleeping on my chest at night--because she has reflux, like John did, so she has to be kept upright. I also use a little bouncy seat and a small swing, but mostly she hates those, so I wear her. Yes, my back hurts. :)
So, I'm usually wearing her when I cook dinner. I am careful about cooking with hot oils and such. I have my husband open the oven for me.
Sometimes dinner is just late. If Mary is clearly crying out of hunger, I pause to nurse her and dinner is late. Often I put her off those last few minutes, then am nursing her as soon as we sit down to food (I'm eating and nursing at the kitchen table).
Meanwhile, John can now play by himself, watch TV, or play with Daddy while I'm cooking.
Another tip some moms do is prepare dinner throughout the day. Grab snatches of time when both kids are happy and go chop the vegetables, pull out the heavy pans, etc.
Mary is beautiful!! Katherine and Chris, your children are so incredibly beautiful! We look forward to seeing you all soon. Mom
ReplyDelete