Friday, February 24, 2012

Alive and Well, Mostly Anyway

February has been a long month.  Nearly everyone I know with 3 or more kids told me that the transition from 2 to 3 kids was the hardest.  I believed them, I did, but I had no idea how right they were. 


Claire is an excellent baby, textbook even.  She eats and sleeps in 3 hour intervals, just like she's supposed to.  She doesn't have colic or reflux or any other difficulty of that ilk.  She is gaining weight and hitting her developmental milestones.  When awake, she is usually happy and content even when not being held. 
 
 

But, I constantly have to remind myself just how young she still is.  I keep forgetting that at 6 weeks, her sleeping patterns are NORMAL and that my level of exhaustion is too.  I mean, it's not her fault that there are also 2 other children to consider.  Children who need to be fed on a regular basis, who need clean clothes every, single day, who have to get up every morning and be driven to school, who need to be entertained and have their own (hard fought) schedule to maintain.  She's just doing what she's supposed to do and it is my (and Kenny's) job to figure out how to make her non-schedule mesh with everything else that's going on.  And, we're doing it, little by little, but, man alive, it's been at bit rough. 

 

Of course, things have also been complicated by my being in graduate school, having the flu, and two visits to the ER (one via ambulance -- but that is another post altogether).  This recovery has been much more challenging than with the boys.  I have not bounced back as fast or as well as I'd hoped I would.  Slowly, however, we're figuring things out.  And, thankfully, Claire is doing her part.  She has slept in her crib a few times for longer than 10 minutes, has managed a couple 4 hour stretches between feedings, and is learning to cope with being rudely awakened each morning and strapped into car seat and car for the daily school drop off.  She is also taking naps on a more consistent basis which means I am finally getting some school work done...and none too soon since the semester is nearly halfway over. 

 

Our saving grace in all of this has been an army of friends and family who have come to our rescue time and again.  We've had so many delicious meals and visits and calls and spur of the moment babysitting that it will take ages before all the thank you notes get sent. 

 

And, as difficult as the transition from 2 to 3 has proven, we are all overwhelmed with love for Claire and when she smiles (she's doing that now) the stress and fatigue seem to fade away and leave only joy for this new little person that is now forever part of our lives.

9 comments:

Cecily said...

I wish I had some profound advice to share. I don't. I remember having a newborn being a hazy-bipolar experience. And that was without grad school. Keep on plugging, because as a number of wise old men have said - this too shall pass.

Adrianne said...

she's adorable. you're freaking me out.

llcall said...

This post totally brought me to tears. I can't help but remember just how rough my postpartum period was, with just one kid on board, and I really feel for you. I have no doubt you'll emerge triumphant, but man, it just sounds so hard. But of course, I felt how true your final thoughts were -- that your little Claire, like every other baby, is worth all the trouble. Sending thoughts and prayers your way!

Lauren in GA said...

I agree...having 3 kids rocked my world.

She is so beautiful.

My third became a little road warrior because he was in the car to and from his older brothers' activities.

You are doing great, Mama. I admire how well you are handling it all.

Jessica said...

So happy for pictures and an update!

Robin said...

I didn't tell you how hard the change from 2 to 3 is because I didn't want to scare you. But I honestly feel that once you have 3 kids you might as well have 5.

Claire is darling and I am so glad you got your sweet little girl. Summer will be here soon and you will get sunshine and feel better. No more hospital by ambulance trips, ok?

the wrath of khandrea said...

i have three kids.

yup. it was murderous.

but now i have three kids who are a little older, and it's a lot more fun.

love seeing the pictures!

K. Crisler said...

I think Claire wins the award for looking most like Kenny! Can't wait to meet this little girl.

Tammy said...

Oh my, I am going from 2 (50% of the time) to 3. So having 2 bonus/step boys that we have to get off to school, cook for, entertain, work with on homework, etc and now we are bringing a new baby into the mix....I am a little scared but I know somehow people do it. Thanks for sharing.....good luck, and congrats, she is a such a cutie!!

 

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