5.5 weeks
Last night Cedar fell asleep at 7. This being a little earlier than usual (8:30 being usual), I took him up to bed and climbed in myself as well, with book and journal and chamomile tea in a singing yellow fiestaware mug. The light was dim and underwaterish. I could still see his little serene face, and laid there totting down and sorting out my thoughts, catching them on the wing. I wrote a long-overdue letter, tidied up some trailing mental loose ends, and generally puttered around in my inner creative free-patterned part that is separate from being a mama or a wife or a daughter or a friend. I welcomed myself back. It's been awhile.
Tim has been home, not working much this whole time, spending these first weeks with us. Soon he returns to his 12-hour shifts and I need to find my way along some long stretches without break with this boy. I'm intimidated, not sure if I'll know what to do to keep myself open and capable and fresh. This is probably a universal feeling, which is somewhat comforting.
Any tips?
xo Brooke
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7 comments:
I could use some tips as well.
my husband works 70+hours a week, and i remember being so intimidated in those early weeks of motherhood. if i could offer any tips, they would be these: (1) schedule regular times for friends to come over, or to go on walks, or meet outside the house for a cup of tea and (2) join a new mother's group in the area. i'm a loner, myself, but these two things changed everything when my babe was brand-new. it can be so isolating to be a new mother, and it doesn't have to be.
Walk, walk and then walk some more. Change scenery, never be afraid to go out. Get Cedar used to it from this stage. Don't be afraid to ask people for help. Listen to your instincts, they are invaluable...and above all-know that this journey passes so quickly, both the wondrous and the exacting parts.
Sorry if I can't give you some advice or tips. I think I also need some badly.
I do not have kids, but I'd imagine one of the keys to my own adjusting to the longer stretches of time with just the babe, would be more (a balanced amount) of exactly what you wrote about here. I love how you describe it as:
"and generally puttered around in my inner creative free-patterned part that is separate from being a mama or a wife or a daughter or a friend. I welcomed myself back. It's been awhile."
Brooke, I distinctly remember feeling panicked about my husband going back to work and I would be left to bottle feed both babies at once on my own. I know, it sounds silly, but at the time I really felt like I wouldn't be able to do it. The first day without G was hard and maybe even the second but before I knew it I had figured out a great system that worked for me and the boys and it soon came like second nature. Innovation was definitely born out of necessity. I have no doubt you will find your rhythm.
And I agree with your other readers - schedule time to get OUT of the house. Do this as many times a day as you need. Even if it's just standing in the sunshine in your yard for 5 minutes.
xo
cortnie
I have no tips, and I do so wish that I lived nearby so I could offer to pop over and hold Cedar for you.
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