Katherine’s post on making your comments more user-friendly with blogger? Two brilliant little tips so that you can respond to comments by email AND know who you are responding to. Check it out!
Bringing Home Baby
May 29, 2007 at 3:36 pm (BabyTalk, WFMW)
As pretty much anyone who reads this journal knows, we welcomed our third sweet daughter into our family a little over three weeks ago. She was a c-section delivery, and you know, you don’t just jump up running from those. 🙂 We got out of the hospital on a Tuesday, I had Travis home with me for Wednesday and Thursday, my Mom for Friday, and then a weekend at home for our family … but then I was on my own the following Monday, when E was just 9 days old. If I had a dollar for everytime someone expressed shock that I was already at home with the three girls by myself … well, let’s just say I wouldn’t have to worry about finances for a while.
I don’t say this to boast (I hope I don’t come across that way!), but to offer encouragement. 🙂 I knew that I didn’t have much time with (adult) help at the house so I had a little game plan that I used for that week and for when I was on my own. I share this with those that are pregnant and looking forward to that time of transitioning in a new family member – one who has trouble figuring out whether he or she is crying because he’s tired or hungry, and likes to be held a lot! 🙂
1. While you have help, get SLEEP. That’s what your help is there for! 🙂 I tend to forget, especially when someone like my Mom is over, that I don’t need to entertain her or talk to keep her company. I have three little girls there for just that purpose. 🙂 I need to remember to take advantage of the help and if I need to catch a nap between feedings, then do it. Most Grandmas are more than happy to hold the new baby and play with the other kids while you doze for a few minutes. They know you are the one that will be up at night with the baby while they are hopefully getting a full night’s sleep.
2. Have a plan for breakfast. Don’t worry about dinner, your husband will be home to help you with that, and lunch is usually something that can easily be put together. But breakfast was my downfall. After being up for two or three feedings, I wake up in a fog and the last thing on my mind is what to feed the starving 15 month old that is frantically pulling on her highchair saying “Eat, eat, eat!!!” So, think ahead. What is easy and or can be made quickly for breakfast and you don’t have to think long and hard about it? We do lots of toast right now (cinnamon toast to be exact), granola bars, pancakes and french toast. I also usually throw out some fruit – whether it’s fresh or applesauce from a jar.
3. Get sunshine. While there are all sorts of medical reasons why sunshine is good for you (vitamin D and all), it just makes me happy. 🙂 My husband is great about loading all the kids up in our van and taking us all for a long Saturday afternoon drive about a week after I’ve been trapped, stuck housebound with the kids. Sunshine revitalizes me like nothing else, and if there’s a cold Diet Coke in the drink holder it’s just that much better. 🙂 Plus, it gives me a chance for a little adult conversation with Travis while (usually) all three snooze in their carseats. I try and get outside in our backyard a couple days a week, too. Sunshine works!
4. Do the next thing. There are very few things that HAVE to be done those first few weeks at home. Laundry can wait until your husband is home, or the kids are in bed (really, it can!) but you have to feed your kids lunch and you have to change a diaper now and then. Focus on the essentials, and don’t worry about the stuff that isn’t high priority. That helped me so much as I was looking at projects I wanted to get done, things I wanted/needed to clean, and just had no energy or was just too sore to tackle. It can wait and will still be there after you’ve had two or three weeks to heal and rest.
I could post so many more thoughts on this, but I’m going to stop. 🙂 These are tips that Work for Me and I hope they help and encourage you!
For more WFMW ideas, visit Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer!!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
May 26, 2007 at 9:58 am (Family, Photos)
A few photos and then I’m off … N1 is at her first Chuck E. Cheese birthday party with her Daddy and I’m home with the babies. Hoping to get a few things done once they are down for morning naps.
We had a little photo shoot with my Dad last weekend in the quest for a family photo and one of the three girls together! The goal was really a picture of the girls, but when I noticed that Travis and I were both in blue and red like they were, well, I had to try for a coordinating picture. I was so excited with how they turned out! And, yes, we bribed N1 with a piece of candy to sit and pose like that. 🙂 The middle picture below of just the girls will go with E’s birth annoucement so that our friends can see how big the other girls are getting. I like including all the girls somehow when I mail out a picture and annoucement of the new baby.
Have a great weekend!
Our family:
Our girls:
The big girls:
24
May 25, 2007 at 7:08 am (Memes)
Found at Becky’s:
What was on your mind yesterday? N1 had a headache (a first) and I was a little worried what was up with that.
What is on your mind today? Do I get out of the house with the girls or not? I could run a couple errands, or we could stay in …. what to do!
Do you like bonfires? Yes! But only if it’s chilly out. A summer/hot weather bonfine (been to one of those before) is just wrong!
Have you lived up to your parents’ expectations? In some areas. 🙂
Are we more likely to find you in a coffee bar or a nightclub? Coffee bar.
Do you gamble? No.
Have you ever ridden a horse? Several times. Those were all adventures that ended Very.Badly. For me. Not the horse.
Do you drink alcohol? No.
Turn your head to the right — what do you see? Baskets of pens and my calendar. *happy sigh*
How tall are you? Almost 5’5″ (5’4½”)
Describe your last date: Um, we went out for Mexican food and saw Spiderman 3 the night before E was due … and then I started having contractions at the movies and we ended up heading to the hospital about midnight!
Do you have rhythm? Yes when it comes to playing an instrument or singing …. none at all when it comes to dancing.
What web browser do you use? IE.
What time zone are you in? Central
Do you wear a wristwatch? All.The.Time.
Are you clumsy or graceful? It’s about even.
Do you like to spy on people? Not really. 🙂
Are football players paid too much? Yes.
Does time always kill pain? No.
First kiss? The husband. 🙂
Are you complicated? Sometimes.
Do you believe in heaven? Absolutely.
Are you free with your feelings? With my girls and husband, yes! With others, not so much.
How much money do you have in your wallet right now? 26 cents. 🙂
If you do this, leave me a comment so I can come check it out!
In my cart…
May 24, 2007 at 10:30 am (Food)
Inspired by Cheri’s last post. 🙂
- generic fruit loops
- generic corn chex
- 3 boxes of fruit & grain granola bars (generic raspberry, apple & blueberry)
- Mission Tortilla chips
- bread (3 loaves)
- bagels (1 dozen plain)
- Swiss cheese
- light cream cheese
- Big K (diet/caffiene free) and assorted drinks for the husband to take to work
- coffee (Folgers breakfast blend – Travis’ favorite)
- Parmesan cheese
- 1 gallon whole milk
- 1 gallon 2% milk
- 2 box mac & cheese (generic)
- bag salad
- bananas
- Creating Keepsakes June issue (a little Mama treat) 🙂
- green bell pepper
- red bell pepper
- Glad press & seal (I do NOT skimp on plastic wrap!)
- grape tomatoes
- 2 cans tuna w/ water
- curry paste (for Travis’ especial stir-fry)
- 2 crescent rolls
- breakfast sausage
- bacon
- 1 thin round steak (for fajitas)
- popcorn (loose kernals)
How cool is this?
May 24, 2007 at 10:12 am (Contests)
Five Minutes for Mom is having another great contest – this one is for a tutu from Tutu Fantasy. I post this link with some hesitation. 🙂 If we won this, N1 would want to wear this 24/7 and I’m not sure how I feel about that. LOL
Anyway, head over to 5MfM if you want to enter!
Yuck
May 21, 2007 at 9:38 pm (Friends)
About 2 1/2 years ago I had my first online meeting with folks I met through the Women at Home site. This lovely lady was one of those women. We share a deep love of Diet Coke and books and I’ve watched her walk through some huge personal struggles in the last few years.