Things I Am Learning (or re-learning)

It is so exciting and wonderful calming at the same time to see sweet newborn babes on two of my favorite blogs – yours right here and mytopography.com. Oh, the beauty. My best wishes go out to both of you and your families.

Ali, i enjoy so much everything you write. And i love your post. Thank you so much for sharing your positive and optimistic view of life, always. it's good for me. have a good time with your family and take care!

Hang in there today. I hope Anna sleeps for you before the afternoon arrives.
So sorry to hear about your washer/dryer going out- and right before you had her. I can't imagine how frustrating and ill-timed that must have been.
Enjoy your day!

..."It's OK Anna, you are safe" when she cries...
Oh, my! This brought a tear to my eye. What a sweetheart Simon is!

You're a champ... lovin' this post so much. Takes me back to emotions I had when my second was born. Looking back those were such good times even when I cried probably everyday. Love this... you're the best Ali.

she is gorgeous!
you are doing so great. someone told me when i had my second child that the greatest gift you can give your children is a sibling. they will always have each other. it is so true. even when my kids don't seem to like each other, they love each other and are each others best friends. it's so worth it. just take one day at a time.

Ali, so beautifully put! With the birth of a baby, emotions are so intensified. And with my last baby...that darn PPD was even worse since I knew she was my last. But by intentionally being aware of the good things and constantly trying to be engaged and enjoy everthing about her (and my other two as the "big" kids), it made things a little easier. A baby sure changes things. Definitely for the best, but changes nonetheless. You are an amazing women...in so many ways. Thanks for sharing this sweet journey with us. It takes me back and reminds me of my own from long ago.
:)Sharon

Oh... the memoires your post has awakened. Daughters bring a joy that no one can measure. Anna is simply beautiful. As a big brother, Simon is demonstrating some "normal" first month adjustment.It is a good time to help put labels/words to feelings. (great poster of faces to point to). Believe it or not, as much as you love your mom being there, Simon might re-adjust when she leaves. My son at 4yr. told is GM to "go home" after living with us for 6 weeks during her remodel when our daughter was born.Sometimes, they just want things back to where they were. We all survive! Enjoy every moment you have as a mom.

You've totally captured the ups and downs of early double parenthood. I wish I'd written more of that down when my second was born. You'll be glad you did. Just reading your #12 reminds me of how my firstborn (at age 2) would tell my secondborn when he cried, "That's okay baby boy, Jakey's here." THanks for bringing back that precious memory!

I'm so thankful for how real this list is, both good and not so good. Love to you and the whole family.

Hi Ali, I too have a new baby and have typed with one hand. SO, try this. Do you have have boppy pillow? I position it between me and the desk. That way I can type and nurse! It's awesome!

Thanks for your beautiful honesty, Ali, and for letting us into this new part of your life. Enjoy all the sweet moments and the cuddles...you have two beautiful kids.

Beautiful photo. Beautiful baby! Although I'm a grandma, having just spent time with my new 1-month-old gd and her 4-year-old sister, I can still relate to a lot of your post. Brings back my memory of sitting on the basement steps bawling because my preemie was so sick from a bad batch of formula and I felt so helpless--this tiny being depended upon me totally and I had failed him. Ha! Now he's nearly 40 and feeling the same about his own little girls. Just some perspective--which you seem to be doing so well with! Love....

Oh Ali, this post brought tears to my eyes...not exactly sure why, but your tender honesty is touching. Such a tricky rope to travel this parenting business and holding on to our own sense of selves. It is a journey, that is for sure. Best wishes to Simon as her learns the ropes for this stint as well, what a lovely family you have! I only have one so far and I appreciated your comparison to seeing how big Simon is now that you have a little(ler) one now...and kids! So happy for you! =)
Jen

What nice little list to print and paste into your pretty premade journal.
Thanks for sharing.
What a miracle life is.

Your post put me back 8 months to when my daughter was born. She's my fourth, but somehow each time feels so new, especially that overwhelming feeling of just needing a break and a real rest. During my almost daily 2 to 4 a.m. sessions with her for the first couple of months, I just kept reminding myself that my feelings were a result of being over-tired and that they are really so temporary, considering how quickly the first few months go by, despite the days when it seems they'll last forever. Now our issues involve her 2 1/2-year-old sister's desire to BE the baby. Let's just say we're not getting very far with the potty-training! My mantra: Have fun with the little girl clothes, let those people that are dying to see and hold your baby do so to give yourself - and her sibling(s) - a break, and go with the flow. Anna sure is a doll... it will be fun to "watch" her grow at a distance! Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us...

Remembering those feelings you are having. My son was three when my daughter was born. They are now 11 & almost 8. The time flies. I miss those quiet nursing mornings. Yes, my son too had to educate his sister on Legos & Star Wars, she's a champ & to this day indulges him afternoons of playing these with him.
Big hugs to you. Wish I was closer I'd bring you some soup & do a load or two of laundry at my house.

Thanks for sharing with us these pieces of your happiness :o)

I so know how you feel with the tough days. It seems that when all the help leaves and dad is back to work is when the baby starts not sleeping and having colic or other issues. I think help should come two or three weeks after birth! I know the frustration, but let me tell you even love the frustration, the not sleeping because sooner rather than later she will be turning two in three weeks (oh wait that is Alex!) LOL! I mean really the time flies like never before when you have two kids. Lots of love and prayers to you and everyone. Simon will certainly get out of this phase soon, it is really hard to have a new baby no matter how young or old you are. much love and hugs to Simon!

Hugs to you, Ali. Your post just made ME weepy, too!
Michelle