giraffes, dolls and all the rest

I really shouldn't have said I would continue blogging every day whilst Matt was painting my work room. There's crap everywhere in here, and as a heavily pregnant woman I'm not that keen on hanging around wet paint (even if it is the no-fume variety). Thankfully, the weather was gorgeous today (and paint dry) so I opened up the windows and cut and sewed to my hearts content. That's three giraffes and three dolls in progress on my desk. I'm off to watch Enough Rope and start stuffing them soon.

I've been feeling slightly panicky lately about how on earth I'm going to manage caring for 2 children and get anything else done once the baby is born. I'm trying to just use and appreciate this time now, knowing from experience how babies have a tendency to turn things upside down. I'm determined to try to slow down and enjoy the very early months this time - it went by in such a confused blur first time around. But there's still that niggling question at the back of my mind... how long will it take us all to find our feet again? Will we?! Fortunately there's still enough time left (9 weeks!) for that panic to motivate rather than freak me out completely, but um, watch this space come January.

Comments

[Jo]

I hope that you don't panic too much :)

I have two littlies, 14 months apart, now 1 and 2, and I get lots of stuff done - it did take me a while in the beginning, about six months I think - but in hindsight, that six months was beautiful in other ways...

[manda]

Panicking right along with you!
xxx

[abbyjane]

It does take a while to get back in the swing of things, but once you do it makes you feel so good - like, yes, I can still be me!

[Amanda]

I love the picture of your in-progress softies, I love seeing the process.

I only have one, so I have no advice to give on getting back in the swing of things. But I can well sympathize with your feelings!

[Michelle]

In light of one of my posts last week, I'm not sure you'll believe me, but truly, you'll manage. You'll have to figure everything out again as a family, and each time someone goes through a new stage you'll have to readjust, but you'll find your way again, all *four* of you!

[Nancy Cook]

I'm feeling the same panicky way with #2 due in February but, reading the comments that came before mine make me feel a little better.

[liz]

i just had my second child - he is 6 weeks now, and my daughter is almost 4.
the best advice i have is this:
focus on what is really important and let.the.rest.go.

it's been a hard adjustment at times, but you can do it!
just be realistic - don't worry about doing it all. focus on the big stuff and forget the rest!

[Sally]

I can't wait to see the giraffe up. I had wanted to buy one last time but due to the time change I think I missed it all.

[Mandy]

Ned's now 2 months old and Ava is 21 months. I have been so surprised by how effortlessly the transition has been. Don't forget that newborns sleep SO MUCH! I have stacks of time to do other things. And I am much more relaxed about him too. My concern is for when he starts moving and I have to chase after them both!

My advice is to remember that plenty of mums have done this before us!

Enjoy it!

[susaninfrance]

i've got three kiddos, quite close together and my thoughts are that it takes about 6 weeks till you can see straight and come out of the coma-sleep-deprivation thing, and then your groove is back--well kind of--after three months. those were always my noticeable dates. and my 2nd was a big sleeper but the 3rd was and still is...delightfully challenging!