Friday, September 11, 2009

Still Here

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Just not very good at time management and frankly just coping these days. In some ways I loved being home with the kids this summer, the one and only time we'll have that. But it was a lot harder than I'd expected. The Ladybug is not used to being home and I'm not used to having to keep her entertained and of course doing it while taking care of an infant is not so easy. School started this week and I'm both very sad that my one summer at home is over and I'm also relieved.

One month ago Ben was sleeping like a champ -- we had a week when we was sleeping between 7 and 9 hours a night. This went downhill from there and we are now back to coping with a baby up ever hour and a half to two hours. In addition after a nice 4-month honeymoon period, my daughter is finally expressing her frustration with the new family dynamic. There have been a series of meltdowns in the past 2 weeks with a lot of frustration expressed regarding the amount of attention she's getting compared to her brother. Everything seems to have come to a head in the past two days and the result is that I'm exhausted, frustrated, and feeling like pretty much the crappiest mother on earth right now. I've spent much of the past 2 days in tears. And just to add to the chaos did I mention that we adopted 2 cats a few weeks ago.

However, despite my crazy emotions I am trying to focus on the good moments. As of Labor day Ben began eating rice cereal and rolling over from his back to his tummy. He loves the cereal and slurps it down when I give it to him. My daughter was actually excited to start school again and seems to like her teacher so far. Here are some pictures because I'm too tired to write more.














8 comments:

Mo said...

hey! great to hear from you! love the pics as well. Two gorgeous kids. I'm sure it is VERY challenging. Hang in there.

Mo

Jendeis said...

Glad that you guys are still alive. Great pics! Love the cats at the door pic - it looks like they are waiting for The Ladybug to come home from school. :)

Leah said...

How funny that we both posted updates on the same day (after neglecting our poor blogs forever).

Okay, we need to get together. Pronto. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about with the Ladybug and her jealousy issues. While I can only offer a little bit in the way of assvice (anecdotal as well as professional), I can offer loads and loads of moral support.

As for what her problem is in the last 2 weeks? I have 1 word for you... SCHOOL. It's tiring, overwhelming, and dammit all to Hell, she has to go to school all day while Ben gets to stay home and play. I guarantee you she thinks that royally sucks, whether she can articulate it or not.

Anyway, email or call me and let's get together (with or without the kids) before the end of September!

LJ said...

I love the tushie shot - gorgeous. I miss you guys!

Lollipop Goldstein said...

Those early months (especially with the sleep deprivation) are so hard and coupled with an older child feels downright impossible to have roll smoothly. Just sending love and hugs.

Meghan said...

I LOVE the naked tushie shot, look at those rolls ;)

Sorry to hear the ladybug is jealous of her little bro. I agree with Leah, she's probably exhausted from school. And of course doesn't realize that you are equally exhausted ;)

And here's hoping the little one gets back to those nice long sleeps

Lorraine said...

Actually sounds like you are doing very well, all things considered. Going back to school is always a transition, baby or not. And it seems like everything is a transition for a baby - just when things are settling into a pattern something changes...

As long as you can still manage to take cute photos I think you're going to be fine!

Unknown said...

OMG, ***cute*** chubby baby boy! Look at that smile. And the kitties are darling. Love all the pics.

It's exhausting; I know too well. But the physically enervating parts don't last forever.