Things lately have been...hard. Besides the obvious stuff (lack of sleep, learning how to manage three children instead of two, ect.) little Sunflower is very fussy, or colicky, or whatever. So we're learning how to deal with that. Plus she isn't nursing as well as I'd like. Oh, she's gaining weight just fine (we took her in for a diaper rash that just won't go away and when they weighed her she was just at 11 lbs!) but she's a fussy nurser. I have a very active let down reflex and though I've tried several things, it doesn't change the fact that she can't quite keep up. So we both end up covered in milk and at least one of us (though sometimes both) are also covered in tears. It's frustrating for both of us. I know this will get better, I dealt with it with Ladybug as well, but it still stinks.
Thankfully, potty training Ladybug has been a breeze. It's basically been a non issue, and I can safely say she is pretty much trained. We are still using plastic pants at night, but she's waking up dry so we probably don't even need to do that. As easy as it's been, it's still another log in the fire.
And housework? Ha! Not much of that happening here. Remember that picture I posted about my laundry? It hasn't changed. Those clothes got put away just to have more replace them. It's all I can do to keep up.
Also, dh has been dealing with some pretty high stress at work as well. We are both trying to help each other as much as we can and carry each others burdens, but they are getting heavy and there seems to be no rest in sight.
Most of the time, I have a decent attitude about things. "That's life" has pretty much become my motto. And it's true. And there are many times that I can laugh at the busyness of it all. But there are moments when I just...feel inadequate. Which I am, I suppose.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5
Something I need to keep in mind.
It's hard for me to remember, but I know I just need to count all my wonderful blessings. There are so many of them! And then pick myself up by my apron strings and keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other, preferably with a smile on my face.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-31
3 comments:
Just remember: food, clothing and shelter, in that order. Make sure everybody is fed. Then attend to the laundry as best you can. Then try to clean up the house a bit. Anything else is gravy.
Have you tried pumping for a few minutes before nursing her?
She'll catch up. It seems like forever when you're going through it, but it's not.
I'll pray for your husband...pray for mine. Work stress is felt here very acutely right now. He needs a break, and I hope he can hang in there until mid-June when he's putting in for vacation.
Aw, Cmerie! I am praying for you! I love what you said about picking yourself up by your apron strings....I'll have to remember that one!
May God bless and keep you and your sweet family my dear friend!
~Kate
Ps. Tomorrow I really have to buckle down and work at my laundry too. I am dreading it. But I keep thinking that at least I don't have to wash it all by hand like they did in the good ol' days! I don't think I could have survived it!~ Anyways, I'll be with you in spirit! :)
I've not tried pumping, mostly because I'm afraid it will increase my milk supply, which is not what I need. I have tried putting pressure the side that is really active and using the "scissor hold". Mostly once the let down happens, I've been taking her off and just letting a burp cloth catch the spray. I can't remember how long until it settled down with Ladybug, but I'm hoping it's not too much longer.
Great advice about the priorities, Michelle. And I will definitely keep your husband in my prayers. It is not easy on anyone when they are stressed. Hoping vacation comes soon for you.
One thing that keeps me sane is knowing I'm not the only mom out there dealing with cooking, and cleaning, and laundry on top of everything else. We're all in this together, right? Good luck on your laundry Kate! ;-) And you're right, washing by hand would be no fun. How in the world did they manage a household back then?!
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