Here are things I have to let go:
-Getting my thank you notes out.
-Updating my blog so it looks like I do indeed have six children instead of just five.
-Taking super cute pics of Janey in all those cute baby poses like the professionals do. (Abbey tells me I am going to regret this.) I don't want to wake her when she is sleeping and I don't want to upset her when she is happy and awake. And besides I just want to be her mom, not her photographer.
Right now, we are down to the bare essentials. A shower for me in the morning, keeping up with the laundry and having food bought and prepared are the bare essentials. The second tier is a clean and clutter free house because that is so important (whether I like it or not) to my mental health. Everything else-I have to let it go and either really let it go for good, or know that I might get to it one day.
Posts
I can't believe it's "Week 3" already. Good for you for not doing everything and overloading yourself. With my last one (#3) I was room mom for my oldest's Kinder class and was frantically running around with a 4 day old baby. I was getting donations and putting together a basket to raffle off at the fall festival. NIGHTMARE! Enjoy your time with sweet baby Janey.
ReplyDeleteI think your priorities are good ones :) In another blog I enjoy reading, I(Like Mother, Like Daughter--another family blessed with many children spread apart in age!) I read the advice for the postpartum period once that "basically, what your family needs from you right now are food and clean clothes." And if keeping the house tidy is also important for you, that too. Otherwise--the rest is nonessential!! And as for photographs, I agree--it's nice to have cute pictures of your family, but it's even better to have memories of being their mommy :)
ReplyDeleteWell that picture right there is just a beautiful as any posed newborn shot!! I felt overwhelmed when I just had one newborn so I cannot imagine what life is for you right now. But sounds like you have the right frame of mind about it all. And you will get time to do those other things....eventually.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! My fourth child was born a week before Miss Janey and I was starting to feel guilty for not "doing more". The truth is, everyone is feed and clothed, my oldest successfully started kindergarten last week, and we are ready for the first day of preschool tomorrow. otherwise, my priority is cuddling and nursing my little Bosco. I have often thought of that poem about not doing chores because you are rocking your baby and babies don't keep- it slows me down whn I feel like I should do it all now.
ReplyDeleteThe picture you posted is perfect.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like you have your life in very good order. Taking time to enjoy your children while maintaining clean laundry and regular meals with a limited amount of clutter to boot sounds like you get an A+. You are amazing. Abbey will understand your feelings about photos when she is a mom. That's not to say that we don't LOVE to see baby pictures.
ReplyDeleteSo with you on all of the above. Haven't mad dr. Appointments. The thank yous are still sitting where I wrote them at 3 am. I feel my blog has become lame except for pics I took of a sleeping baby I don't want to disturb but don't want to forget .... Leaving anyone who reads crying " not a pic of that baby again".
ReplyDeleteAnd when I do get a chance to catch up on favorite blog reads its on my iPad while nursing ... And all one finger comments are horribly typo'ed :)
And don't really care either because each baby stage is so short :)
Okay, I have to comment. I have been following your blog since you found out you were expecting. I had recently found out myself I was expecting too. My daughter was born August 29 (shortly after yours). Every time you wrote about being pregnant, preparing, and even now... not wanting to do thank you notes etc. I can completely relate!
ReplyDeleteYesterday I even had the thought, "Maybe I don't need to write thank you notes, this being my 4th child, they will understand that I am too busy." I know, I ONLY have 4 kids (ages 1 week, 2.5 yrs, 4.5 yrs and 6.5 yrs old) and I homeschool. So there is no break away from them. I do love 'em to bits, it is just a TON of work.
So, all that to say. I HEAR YOU! I UNDERSTAND.
who cares about any of it! just sit and hold that baby as much as you can. hope you're well!
ReplyDeleteI adore the sleepy baby photos and I think you will love having those! There is time for the cute baby poses when sweet Janie is awake more often.
ReplyDeleteI'd say it's a good plan.
ReplyDeleteAnd about those crazy, posed newborn pics? It's probably just me, but I find them kind of creepy.
Nothing weirds me out more than the sight of a newborn baby girl with a big "Let's Get Physical", Olivia Newton-John type sweatband around her wee little head. Even if it has a huge rosette on it.
The ones you've posted are precious.
I think being her mom is the BEST thing you can do! I love the picture you have in this post!
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing well!
Enjoy! x
ReplyDeleteYou are doing it right! It's hard to focus on you, especially. At least try to get as much rest as possible. That's actually a joke that I'm even suggesting that....we know that isn't easy to come by! Enjoy your little beauty!
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right! Your advice to yourself is what you would be saying to one of us who was writing in to ask you for help with feeling overwhelmed. It wont always be like it is now...so dont stress-or at least try not to.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a little walk outside with her. Thank you notes can definitely wait- go easy, sweet friend:) Deep breaths and one day at a time. I think you are amazing and know you can do this.
In a few months she wil be on a great sleep schedule and knowing you, you'll be back to your old ways in no time flat with a beautiful baby book to boot. All it takes is a few good ones... I hate a messy house, so its funny for me to tell you to not stress- but really...its only been 3 weeks. And everything feels much BIGGER when you are tired. Rest easy...this too shall pass.
Sending big sweet hugs from Chicago,
Amy Wiginton
You're doing great, momma! Doctor check-ups are SO over rated.
ReplyDelete3 weeks already???? The time is flying by. Katie has been away for that long. She is precious, and you are so right to enjoy every minute of this time,and not worry about the things that can wait til a later date.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I don't even know you (except through stalking your blog the past couple years...) but it is so fun having had my first baby just a couple days before your sixth. One thing I am trying to keep in mind is how unique this first baby is---God willing there will be at least a couple more after this, but I won't be quite so able to sit here with a happy sleepy baby on my chest letting the household run itself for a while. I am with you on the NEED (not preference, not desire) for cleanness and (where possible with a busy packrat husband) constant decluttering. Somehow I've found the energy to keep up decently with that so far this time around, but it scares me to think how much harder it will be with other young ones. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, I guess. Congrats again on your beautiful little girl.
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely precious! I love that you continue to know yourself and do things the way best suited your family. Love that about you:-)
ReplyDeleteThe only "right way" is the way that is right for your own family... wish we all could have such confidence. Thanks for sharing those sweet sleeping baby pictures- those are the best kind, in my opinion.
I agree - with newborns I never want to wake them or disturn their fragile & brief awake-and-happy time with photo shoots! They are beautiful in any photo.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not sure about in America but in Australia 6-12 weeks for thank you notes to go out after a baby is completely acceptable!
She is indescribably precious.
ReplyDeleteLOL I think every thing on your list can wait too, except your DR's appt. We all love you and baby Janey so please schedule those ASAP. LOL Thanks for sharing that adorable little face with us. Makes me miss these stages with my own 3 kiddos:-)
ReplyDeleteWhenever I give a gift, I have the strangest compulsion to request NO thank you note. I know they're thankful! Sheesh. So I guess you have my permission... ;)
ReplyDeleteYour girl is so smoochy. Janey is one of my very favorite names.
Hope you are well, Sarah!
Your comment about scheduling doctors visits made me feel so much better. I always seem to drag my feet with that type of thing. Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone! (she's gorgeous... you can almost smell the pink!)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you get some extra rest while the baby's down. There will be plenty of time for all the other things . . . Later! Right now you need to take care of yourself and your precious baby!
ReplyDeleteYour kids are old enough to do the tidying up and cleaning part for you and can be an enormous help with meals and cleanup.
This is temporary, and you need to give yourself time to heal completely, and time for your hormones to balance out.
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby
And babies don't keep!
Hi Sarah - I love the beautiful pictures that you have posted of sweet Janey. I also didn't get "cute" and or "professional" photos of my little man when he was first born because we were in survival mode - and it was just one baby against two adults! My only regret is that I don't have pictures of his tiny hands and tiny feet... but you know, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy each day in the way that is right for you and your family.
Much love,
Pam from Poplar Grove
Awe, She is just so beautiful and perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing just the right thing! And that picture of little Janey is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right on Sarah!!!! I would expect no less :) I'm so glad Abbey passed her test so she can run out and about for you...THAT is priceless :) Way to go Abbey!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous picture!
ReplyDeletehttp://sophisticated-sisters.blogspot.com.au/
do the pictures....Abbey's right, you will regret it. Congrats on the new baby btw, she is just precious.
ReplyDeleteI only have one older kid, but I'm so there with you on the priorities with a newborn in the house.
ReplyDeleteYou're so wise to focus your energy where it really matters. Whittle down to the essentials. I'm praying the nursing will improve. Those specialists are miracle workers. Hang in there my sweet friend!!
ReplyDelete