Things I Am Learning (or re-learning)

I think you just described my life about 10 months ago to the T. My son was 2.5 when my daughter was born. I know he was younger than Simon, but it was still hard nonetheless. The best advice given to me about having a second child was if they are both crying at the same time, or the older needs attention at the same time the little one is crying, go to the older first. He will remember being passed over for the baby, but the baby won't remember crying a few more minutes while you give older brother the extra attention they so desperately need during this time. That was such a hard time for me but now looking back, it seems like ages ago. I wish you the best of luck, peace, sanity, and silence during this time!

Anna is beyond beautiful. What a precious, gorgeous blessing to sleep that soundly.
Unmet expectations are so frustrating, but do your best to "Let Go and Let God." When you need to cry, go for it. Sometimes a good cry is the best medicine.
Continued blessings...

Glad that you are all doing well - be gentle to yourself and let yourself go through all the feelings (ups and downs) of these first few weeks - it's a roller coaster for sure. Lots of love to you all.

Oh, yeah, #7. I remember in my weepy moments after the birth of my 2nd daughter, when I was nursing & couldn't get up to attend to the first and had to ask her to wait, that I was thinking, "Why have I done this thing? Why have I ruined her world, my firstborn?" We all adjusted and are much the better for it (who shouldn't learn patience, after all?!) and today, when I see my "kids" playing together & having each other I, of course, wouldn't change it for anything! Hope your melancholy is short-lived.

Ali,
Having a daughter is such an amazing thing! I have 2 only 12 1/2 months apart in age and my oldest will be 2 next month. I find spending the same amount of alone time with them to be difficult some days. I admit that sometimes while I am holding my youngest that I get sad thinking this is my last one and I want to savor more of it. I get to be a stay at home mom this time around and I love seeing all the things I missed with my other daughter.
I swear at least once or twice a week I stop and look at my babies and tear up. I love them so much it can be overwhelming sometimes.
Congrats again and thanks for sharing this very special time with us. I look forward to seeing what you share with us on your blog!

I love your list! And I see so much Simon in her!!
#4 - I STILL get a thrill from that - it never went away for me, so overwhelmed and thankful for it I am
#5 - So so true. Even a two year old seems huge when that baby comes home. It's the funniest thing.
#15 - This is so so normal - in all kids. Take heart
So happy for you!!!

Yes, #18 is so true. Enjoy your time with baby...it goes so fast! I definitely had to take "a day at a time" with my second child. I know it is "so" hard to not feel guilty for giving your time to the baby...but in time Simon will understand. You are doing a great job by giving him one-on-one time...it is good. Such a sweet picture of your Anna!

Your heartfelt blog entires are always why I keep coming back to read your blog each day. You write from the heart and it's so refreshing. Having our second child on the way, your insight into this new world of "kids" has made me more excited to welcome our child. Thank you for your honest and wonderful post!

PS - your right - shopping for girl stuff is so much funner than shopping for boy stuff!!
Simon is going to do amazing as a big brother.
Hope today is a good day

PPS - Anna is beautiful

loved that after 17, there was 18...
as you go through and are in the process, thanks for the reminder that honesty (#17) and hope in the future and checking our own selves on what might be trying to keep us from enjoying and living (#18). Totally insightful.
hw

Hey there,
I found your blog last week . . . I can't even remember exactly how at this moment. Anyway, I love it. My baby is named Anna too (great name!) She is my #5 and will be 1 on 3.28 . . . where does the time go? My washer (although not the dryer) died this fall, and we use cloth diapers too. What a pain. I'm so sorry.
Have a splendid day!
Blessings,
Shana

Wow, reading your thoughts remind me of how I felt after my children were born. The old saying "this too shall pass" comes to mind. However, the precious moments and the not so precious moments all pass, this is life!
Grab on and enjoy the ride, or at least most of it!

#11 brought back memories:)
she looks amamzing.

aha, I remember . . . I found you through Gina (lettergirl) because of your giveaway. I really wanted to win, but I forgive you. :)
Have a great day!

I remember my husband and I thinking our 4 year olds head was HUGE after we had our second daughter. It's so funny how your perspective changes so much after adding another member of your family.
I treasure those newborn days. When things get crazy - my kids are 6 and 19 months now - I often think about those days. They seemed so crazy at the time, but looking back there is such a sense of peace about them. Enjoy!
Anna is beautiful!

These remind me so much of my experiences. Just wait until Anna is old enough to smile. The best feeling in the world as a mother is to watch one child make the other one laugh. Those first times witnessing that are so amazing, but it still, all these years later, makes me so happy.
I remember my heart just breaking for the loss I felt for my first when my second was born. I really did feel that I lost that intensely deep connection I had with my first and it's only been in the past year--he's 11--that I feel it's coming back. I don't think that is common. At least it didn't happen to my sister. But in case it does happen more often, it's good that you're working to keep it alive with Simon.
Last memory--My youngest was an absolute non-crying angel until the day after my mom left. Suddenly he got a little colicky (sp?) and things got a lot harder. Not so great timing. I think they probably all get a little harder after a week or so, though, just when you're expected to be "adjusted." LOL, you never adjust b/c it's always changing. =)

this is a little long but worth it. it's such a tough thing what you are going through but the end result is well worth it of course.
LOVING TWO
I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?
Then she is born, and I watch you.
I watch as the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me" and I hear myself telling you in mine "I can't".
Knowing in fact that I never can again.
You cry, I cry with you.
I almost see our baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never have again.
But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her -- as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.
More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two.
There are new times -- only now we are three.
I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how she adores you, as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments.
I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.
And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.
I love you both and I thank you both for blessing my life.
---Author Unknown

Ali, she is absolutley beautiful. Everything will fall into place, give it time. Going from one child to two is very challenging on so many levels, but you will get there. Glad to hear you are healing from the c-section. It is terrible you have a cold on top of it all. I had 2 c-secs, and I remember very clearly how it felt, so hang in there, time is on your side!

she's beautiful!!!
I really love that you are using cloth diapers!