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.
Oh my goodness, Anna is just so beautiful!
I can relate to everything you are saying right now. I have three boys - 6, 4 and 2 and the memories of those early weeks are still so fresh. Your post makes me miss those first few weeks! I can just feel you loving time with Anna and missing time with Simon. Everyone will settle in with time. It is such an adjustment period.
You are just amazing with such fantastic perspective!! I admire you!
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Book recommendation: Waiting for Birdy by Catherine Newman. She's hysterical. She had a super long labor with baby number 1 (a boy) and has scheduled c-section for baby number 2 (a girl). She touches on so many of the feelings you describe above but with the ability to make you laugh out loud at life. It's awesome!
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Oh Ali, your baby is absolutely gorgeous! She has such a sweet little face, too cute!
Enjoy every minute, and know the "feeling awkward-moments" are part of a completely natural proces..soon you will be creating the most beautifull baby-scrapprojects!
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Hi Ali,
#8 was how I felt when I just had my boy 6 years ago. It felt like a luxury just to take a hot shower. Take care.
Regards,
Lynette.
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May the Lord bless you, Ali.
I'm 6m pregnant with a baby girl also. And she has a 10 year old brother.
Thanks for 'preparing' me for what i might go through soon. :)
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Number 5 - I remember seeing my middle daughter's ears after our youngest was born, and being totally stunned at how huge they had gotten in just 24 hours. Ditto with her fingers!!
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You are so very excellent with words. When you said 'bittersweet' it summed things up so perfectly. Isn't the whole baby experience that way? Tired, weepy, overwhelmed and on the other hand - in love, over-the-moon happy, blessed - all at once!
Beautiful photo.
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She is just beautiful. Even I can't believe how much Anna's changed in just a couple of weeks. Savor every moment.....
k8
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ahh now I remember too.
Thanks
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Ali, she's is really gorgeous! Please don't type & nurse at the same time. Please just nurse, look at her sweet face & sometimes stroke her soft cheek! This time passes so very quickly. Love ya, Judy
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such good things to remember, relearn, and discover! and i love anna's blanket! homemade for you?
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What a beautiful baby! They look so precious when they are sleeping. My oldest was just over 2 yrs when her sister came along. She was so jealous, she got mad at her dad when he would hold her sister. They are now 11 & 9, best friends (most of the time). Enjoy the time while they are littlest, it goes by so quickly. I miss it.
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Sweet photo. I just love the name you and Chris chose. It's always been a favorite. It has kind of a romantic essence, I think.
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Beautiful. Thank you.
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I went through the same thing with my son when my daughter was born - I missed him so much. I felt like I'd cheated him. He was (and still is) such a Mommy's boy. He actually refused to talk to me for the first week and a half after she was born. That was harder than anything else. (He was a little over 2 when she was born.)
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Wow...having the laundry die before Anna comes home, that's a total bummer...but look at it this way, at least your in-laws didn't show up to your home with their dirty laundry for you to do like mine did.
I love your post...reminds me of how much fun it was to have a baby in the house, and how much mine have grown!
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My two kids are 7 years apart and I went through much of what you're going through just last year. My heart goes out to you with wishing you had more one-on-one time with Simon, as you did for several years. I felt the same way, and still do as my youngest is a new toddler. We try to include the oldest in as much as we can as our "wonderful helper" and give her her space and time away from the little one as she needs it. My oldest did great with the adjustment - it was worse on me & my husband! And let me tell you that the two kids love each other more than anything! One day at a time is exactly how you have to take it! Best of luck to you & your family! :)
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love the wonderful freshness and honesty your blog always delivers.
sending you big hugs!
xo
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She's just beautiful.
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oh goodness Ali...I remember those days like it was yesterday! And, if I could be blessed with just one more child, I would gladly do all those everyday learning tasks all over again.
Thank-you for being so real and sharing your feelings....
Once again, you're a terrific mama!
Love, Barb
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Oh heavens girl, i'm wiping tears from my eyes!!! My boys are 16 and 14 now but wow you just made me miss and remember their "babyhood" with a vengence. What a fabulous writer you are. The 2nd child is a little overwhelming at first but just give yourself time. You'll fall into a routine that works for you. Take care and enjoy.
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HANG IN THERE. That newborn baby thing is so hard at first, but worth it. Think of all the cuddling you are getting to do. I remember up all night on the couch breastfeeding watching CNN. The first baby it was the miners that were stuck in that mine collapse, the second baby I just remember watching that Bill Hemmer, SOOO CUTE! He has since crossed over to the FOX side.
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Ali
What a beautiful life. and so beautiful the way you enjoy and cherish it. your notes make every mom smile in memory and want to run home and kiss their little...and not so little...ones
have a wonderful day!
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Anna is adorable!! Reading your comments brought back memories of when my kids were little. Enjoy your precious little ones. I know you will by reading what you said.
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Gosh...this is EXACTLY how I was feeling with my second. I have a 5 (almost 6) year old son and your description of "missing him" is so right on. This brought tears to my eyes. It is truly such a bittersweet time. Thanks for sharing. I love that you are you and you are real.
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