Things I Am Learning (or re-learning)

Congratulations Ali! She is so pretty and looks so much like you! I'm sure your Mother says the same. I agree with you that sibling love is one of the most special things to witness. I still adore watching the bond between my 6 yr. daughter and 2 yr. old son. My son was born on 2/20 and it is great having a February child -- having the holidays over for a whole month and feeling refreshed and ready to celebrate again with a birthday!

I have a three year old son and another little guy joined our family last august. i remember the exhaustion just home from the hospital, but mostly i remember that special bond you're talking about, and missing my son even though he was right there in front of me.
but don't worry. it comes back. he transitions, and you transition, and then you're this cool little posse of three (four when hubby is around), and you get to see a whole new side to simon -- the big brother side!

Oh Ali be encouraged. One day at a time, being aware of the little moments, the beauty of hustle and bustle and nap time! Thank you for sharing your heart and home with us. You inspire me to be real and rejoice in this life. Be encouraged Ali because you encourage us.

Congratulations Ali! She is darling. Now, just wait until you get to tell people, "I have teenagers!" That was a strange feeling for me! And I remember being so grateful to even GET a shower with a new baby around. How did we new moms do it???
Blessings to you and your family,
=) Diane

What a beautiful picture of Anna. Glad to know that you are enjoying this time with both the "kids".

How close to home this list is! Especially number 7. My little one is 3 weeks old tomorrow and my son is 7 1/2. I have moments during the day when I REALLY miss my son, even though he is in the next room. I'm trying very hard to make time for him, whenever I can squeeze it in.
I need to sit down and write out my own list so I can remember this time. Sometimes though it just seems so overwhelming to sort through all these emotions.
Thanks for sharing yours!

Oh Ali. Your post made me laugh and made my eyes well up. I remember all those thoughts when we had our second baby. I lived by #8, having a hot shower every day was my goal. Sometimes it wasn't until 2 or 3 in the afternoon but it made me feel so much better. Your last item, #18, is so very true yet so very hard.
My awesome hubby really supported me in the first days, weeks and months with a newborn. When I'd be upset about not meeting my expectations for the day he'd tell me that my one and only job was to take care of the baby--feed, change and love the baby. If I did that then it was a successful day. It didn't matter if I didn't wash the dishes or do laundry or go to Target or any of the other things I thought I might do that particular day. All I had to do was love upon our new baby. Hearing that from him helped me put it all in perspective.
Every hard and challenging day is followed by a better day so here's to a good day!

I could have written almost all of those points after my daughter was born 18 months ago. It sounds like you are doing great! It was very sad and hard for me when my mom left after three weeks, but it was fine. I often remind myself that it's not about being perfect and getting everything on my list done, it's about taking care of my kids the best that I can!

Love your last comment. Think I'll make my friend a canvas with that on it. To help her when she comes home with her baby girl.
Yes- this time too shall pass & all to quickly. So bask in the moment.

Great post. Beautiful picture of Anna. Is it pronounced "Ah-nah" or Ann-ah"?
My older boy was only 14 months old when my younger son was born and remember "overwhelmed" was a word that didn't even begin to describe what I was feeling.
You do have so many blessings in your life and I thank you for sharing your private thoughts and feelings during this very special time. You're very right to remember to enjoy this time because as you know by looking at Simon, it's almost over in a flash. Blessings to you and your beautiful family.

Ali, I can relate with so much that you said today. I have a two-year-old son and a 5-month old son. After I had the baby, I started thinking about how big my older son was and he wasn't my baby anymore. It is bittersweet and I too have had to make time to spend with him one-on-one. It has made a huge difference in his behavior. Sometimes it's as simple as reading to him while nursing the baby. At first, there were a lot of times that I missed my older son too, or missed the relationship and routine that we had before the baby came. It's all about adjustments and getting into a new routine that works for everyone. Also, I've found myself typing one-handed a lot too! And even eating left-handed (I'm a righty)! Good luck with this time of adjustment and transition in your life!

With tears in my eyes I must say ENJOY every minute or you will wake up like I do to the fact that my beautiful daughter is going to be 25 and she is a mother also. I joking tell her that I would give anything to be to hold her like a baby again!!!
;)

your daughter is BeAuTifuL...
oh how some days can be exhausting... finding the balance and SLEEP in it all!
18... SO good... SO true... hold onto your little ones... the rest... ehh... it can wait! :D

I pray that today is better than yesterday. My baby (of 4) is almost 4 months and I remember how hard the nursing was and trying to sleep and take care of everyone because "I am the Mom". Then I remembered that these trying first couple of months are such a small fraction of our entire life and before too long they are over. Nursing, I think, is one of God's ways to make a new mom sit down and rest and reflect on what is important. Now I look back and am amazed at how fast it all went. And not to scare you or rush you, but I found that going from 1 to 2 children is a harder adjustment than going from 2 to 3.
You are in my prayers this week.

I personally think scrappers see things a lot better than non scrappers. We're so used to expressing oursleves, making oursleves unpack all those emotions. We're super aware of how we want things to be, and even with this awareness, I sometimes have to remind myself to stay in the moment. Savour every minute, don't over analyse everything. Live in the moment.

Ali-
You are so open with your feelings. That is awesome. I had my little girl in 2007 and my son was 8 years old at the time. He loved her so much, but the transition was difficult and we still are seeing a little bit of it today. You have a pretty good observation and seem to know what is going on with Simon. I didn't have that with my little boy. I thought he would be ok. It isn't that he's not ok, but if I'd been as aware as you I could have made it smoother for him.
Hugs-Kathy

Powerful stuff!

Thank you for putting these thoughts into words. I have a 7 1/2 year gap between my two kids and this is exactly how I felt after my daughter was born. I still worry that having a sister is not quite what my son imagined it to be. A lot more work than play. My baby girl is just turned one and we are still trying to find the right balance.

I'm right there with you. I've been nursing and blogging every morning for the past six months...it's really not as difficult as people may think. Also, we had our van's steering column start going out and could barely turn left on the way to the hospital for me to be induced so while I was having my stay the van was in the shop. To make things even more hectic, we arrived home with Carter on a Sunday evening and my two girls had there first day of school the very next morning! It was crazy, but I think that we were so high on life from having a new baby that it all wasn't really as crazy as it sounds!!! Hope you are loving these first few weeks with your precious baby girl and enjoying having "kids"!!
-Sarah

Thanks for sharing Ali! She is simply beautiful, she and Simon are so blessed to have you! It is so awesome to share in this with you and your fabulous family!