Things I Am Learning (or re-learning)
1. Typing one handed, with a nursing baby in the other arm, is not too hard (just takes a lot longer).
2. There is nothing better than just sitting and watching her facial expressions while she is sleeping.
3. Witnessing Simon's love for Anna is totally more amazing than I could have ever imagined.
4. I now have "kids." Still feels strange to say "the kids."
5. Simon is like a giant compared to Anna. I remember a couple people in the comments a few weeks back talking about how big Simon would seem after her arrival. It is so VERY true. Each time I give him a hug, rustle my hand through his hair, and just look at his face I can't believe how old he is - I don' think without Anna for comparison I would have been able to "see" him as he really appears (I saw many more little boy features).
6. Girls clothes really are more fun than boys.
7. I am having moments where I miss Simon. In the midst of so much joy & celebration I am
missing him and the way things used to be. I am working hard to set
aside time for just me and him - to chat, to snuggle, to give him my
undivided attention. I don't want to lose our connection in this time
of transition. Bittersweet.
8. Taking a hot shower is one of my favorite parts of the day.
9. I love how Chris put his favorite photo of Anna as his phone wallpaper so he can whip it out and see her beautiful little face.
10. I really, really miss my Mom when she leaves after being here with us right after the births of both our kids. Just having her here and hanging out with her and having her take care of us is something I am so very thankful for - love you Mom. You are the best. These emotions seem even more powerful this time around as I glance over at Anna and have those "wow, I have a daughter" thoughts. The mother daughter bond is powerful in our family.
11. I can finally cough and blow my nose again without feeling like my incision is going to break wide open.
12. Listening to Simon talk to Anna is another favorite part of my day. Yesterday he was telling her all about Harry Potter. He says things like, "Baby Anna this is Obi Wan Kenobi." or "Baby Anna do you want to watch Harry Potter with me?" or "It's OK Anna, you are safe" when she cries.
13. Wireless internet and my laptop are something I am thankful for. For those of you surprised at my posting so soon after Anna's birth, some of the posts were planned in advance (like the giveaway) and others were done while I am sitting here on the couch nursing or holding Anna. So thankful for our big brown comfy couch.
14. Having your 10 year old washer & dryer die the day before a child is born is a total pain...especially if you are planning to use cloth diapers from the beginning. I ended up waiting and will start this next week after the new appliances are delivered.
15. Simon is having a challenging time at school right now with some behavior issues. The transitions at home seem to be impacting him in different ways this time around - one of which is acting out physically when he is frustrated. Hoping that this too shall pass sooner rather than later as we all settle into our new routine.
16. Over the last two weeks Simon has gone to be and woke up saying he is
sick, hoping he will be able to stay home. It's gotta be hard for him
to leave in the morning - especially with his favorite person (Grandma
Pati) and his new favorite person (Baby Anna) here at home.
17. Yesterday was my first really tough day. Overwhelmed. Tired. Weepy. Anna not interested in sleeping until late in the afternoon. Fighting a cold.
18. Remembering each day that tomorrow is another day; that I need to treasure these early moments and let go of my own personal expectations for how the day should go.
She is absolutely gorgeous. Hang in there...all send love, hugs as we remember those days as well with a new little one. Time passes quickly. All big brothers and sisters need extra hugs and kisses. When her sister was about a month old our oldest at age 4 1/2 said with a downcast look, "when I said I wanted a sister, I didn't mean a BAAABY sister." Hahaha. They are know 24 and 19 and best friends.
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Anna is beautiful! That is fantastic that Simon loves her so much he wants to stay home just to be with her. Remember to get rest, it with help with your milk supply. Does that make sence?
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It takes time Ali, to get used to the new-ness of things. I thought things would be a breeze after baby #2, after all, I'd done it once before, but it still blind-sided me. Saying 'kids' felt foreign for a long time, but soon you'll be carrying on, like you were never without your sweet Anna. It sounds like Simon is as amazing a big brother, as my son was. How lucky are we?
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Ali she is absolutely beautiful! Precious as can be! You will do great and all will be fine! Everyone has that new adjustment period!! It's not just an adjustment for you but for the whole family!
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I'm so envying you. Wishing i had two kids, instead of just one beautiful, smart, caring and insightful child. Missing Babydom. Enjoy every wonderfully loving, emotional, tired moment of it.
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So precious :)
I can't wait...my 2nd baby will most likely be born this week and I am already thinking about how much my little girl is going to grow up right before my eyes! (She's just a little over two) Going from our only baby to big sister is definitely going to be bittersweet, I'm pretty sure. :)
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Wow, sounds so familiar! I know it is so hard when you are smack in the middle. I had a daughter when my son was 7 and it is hard but so important to have that time with them. You will do a great job just remember to breathe. Anna is a beauty and Simon will adjust.
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Ahh, I just love seeing pics of Baby Anna. And reading about your darling little family. My baby is soon to be 24 years old. Oh, how I miss those baby days. Thanks for sharing.
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Such a beautiful little girl Ali, I love how you treasure the time with Simon...you are such a beautiful person! I feel like I can relate - I have to admit a hot shower is one of my favourite parts of the day!, I love that you are just so enjoying this time....mmm girls clothes are more fun! God Bless your beautiful family!
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love reading your reflections and remember these feelings. we had to send a large photo of our baby to school with our daughter.she was in first grade when he was born and had a really hard time going to school and leaving us. We taped it to the inside of her desk and it helped her a lot.
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Boy, this brings back memories! Thank you for sharing. Now, speaking as a special ed teacher and a mom of two children with sensory processing disorder and anxiety, I can totally identify with the "I'm sick I can't go to school" morning. I hear it every day (and at bath the night before) Are you still using visual schedules with Simon? I have both written and visual schedules, and I find that posting them and reading them both the night before school and the morning of helps calm some anxieties. Just a suggestion.
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You totally reminded me of some of the feelings I had after my 2nd child was born... Couldn't get over how BIG my 1st was. I also really mourned the loss of time in which I could just focus on my first. But I think it's a lesson in sharing for them plus now that they are a little older they are the best of friends. :) Continue to enjoy this special but crazy time.
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You totally reminded me of some of the feelings I had after my 2nd child was born... Couldn't get over how BIG my 1st was. I also really mourned the loss of time in which I could just focus on my first. But I think it's a lesson in sharing for them plus now that they are a little older they are the best of friends. :) Continue to enjoy this special but crazy time.
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Hi Ali - Thanks for sharing this. Number 12 brought tears to my eyes.
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I so enjoy reading your blog regularly, but even more so with your pregnancy and now with the arrival of your baby girl. We are expecting a baby boy in April and have a six year old daughter. Your posts have not only inspired our nursery design, but my thinking during this special time. I am enjoying this precious time with my daughter and looking forward to the arrival of our baby boy with such excitement. Thank you for sharing your ideas and feelings through your pregnancy and now post delivery. Reading your thoughts has put so many things into perspective for me. :-)
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Oh, Ali, Anna is just beautiful, so sweet and precious. What I wouldn't give to have my daughter that size again, just to fit in the crook of my arm just for a day (she is now 20 years old, and still cute). You'll go through so many different feelings over the next few months, trying to adjust, trying to settle in and get used to a new routine. Just remember not to overdo it, keep a notepad handy, and stop to hold that baby just a little bit longer every day. And that special time every day with Simon is equally precious. Have fun, it is a wonderful ride. Congratulations to you, Chris and Simon for a beautiful family...can't wait for the first Christmas family photo!
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Thanks for sharing. Anna is beautiful and I love hearing about Simon's experience as a big brother. Our middle daughter also acts out physically when frustrated. It is nice to be reminded that I am not the only mother going through these things. Times of transition can be so challenging, but I try to cherish each day just the same. Take good care!
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Ali...Sure hope you feel better soon and Anna is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing so much of yourself. Loves...
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with my third child, my mantra was ....and this to shall pass...especially during the very tough moments - up in the middle of the night between 2 and 4 - please sleep whenever you can... circle the 6 week mark on the calendar - this is the time my kids started to get into a bit of a routine - well some normal patterns, take care..she is beautiful.
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Loved this post! And Anna is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I'm due in roughly 13 weeks and I just eat up anything baby-related right now. And I get all weepy too.
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congrats ali- she's beautiful. yo'ure an inspiration! i'm expcecting my second early may, and its nice to see you, and all that you do. gives me hope that i can, too ;)
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Beautiful. Just beautiful. My baby is turning seven next month and seeing Anna makes me feel a little envious. But so, so happy for your guys. Enjoy every moment. And I have one word for you: Gymboree. Wish I had started shopping there sooner.
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Slow down and soak it all in. After all, we'll never know if you took a shower today.
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Feel free to slow down and just be with Simon and Anna. After all, we'll never know if you got a shower!
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Oh Ali, this list takes me back to the days when things were similar for me. Yes, this too shall pass!
I love the honesty of this post. I think most new mom's can totally relate to this!
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