In the few years that I have been blogging, I think this week has made the longest stretch I have taken away from writing.
It wasn’t an intentional break, but it was a much needed break away as I focused on my home and family.
Over the last few weeks, I have felt like my life has been spinning out of control.
I crave schedules and routines.
I need quiet, stillness, and peace.
Instead of schedules, routines, quiet, stillness and peace, I was living in constant chaos.
I love my babies, but, boy are they hard!!
Taking care of a newborn has been a struggle this time around. Or, I guess I should say again.
I thought with my other three children that there were outside circumstances that could explain the difficulties I was having with taking care of them during those first few months.
The girls were premature and I was living with my husband’s parents as he was beginning his career as a chaplain in the Army and preparing to deploy.
With Will, we moved to Germany and he had colic.
Jenny has none of those issues, and still I have struggled.
So, I have finally come to the conclusion that newborns are just plain hard.
The kind of hard that should be written in all caps HARD.
After enjoying a visit from my parents, my sister, and her children over the Labor Day weekend, I decided it was time to attempt to put my life in some sort of order.
We were supposed to start homeschooling on Tuesday, but I was no where near ready and still anxious and apprehensive about attempting to homeschool with a newborn who refused to nap 1) outside of my arms and 2) any longer than 30 minutes at a time.
After discussing things with my husband, we decided to take this week to focus on getting more prepared and doing some sleep training with Jenny. (non CIO sleep-training)
That’s what I did.
I’ve barely looked at my computer this entire week and I’ve accomplished so much!!
I think we’re on our way to functioning again.
The homeschool room is ready, lesson plans are laid out, books are organized and miracle of all miracles….Jenny is sleeping in her crib and taking longer naps.
Life is coming together and I’m starting to see a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.
I’m back to dwelling.
Dwelling on the good.
And purposing to be positive.
Jennifer Scruggs says
I’ve been praying for you this week! your last facebook status hinted at the challenges you have been facing. Boy, have I missed “visiting” with my friend Monica! I really enjoy “peeking” into your life through your blog. 🙂 Welcome Back! I will be praying for the sleep training to keep going well, and for Home Schooling to be a smooth transition, and a joyful time for you and your crew. You have plenty of time to take it slow and be flexible!!! I admire you so much for your devotion to your family and to obeying the calls God has placed on your life! Hang in there, and know you are being prayed for!! Love your guts!!! Jenn
Laura says
Hey Monica,
Hang in there! My go-to resource has been the Baby Whisperer – there is even a chat/website where you can explain your problem and everyone will come back with how they/you can fix it. Emily was doing the same until I realized that I was waiting too long before I put her down. Now she takes 1.5-2 hour naps 2-3x a day. Of course, we’ve taken a step back while she tries to figure out how to sleep on her stomach (she only knows how to roll to her stomach and gets frustrated when she can’t roll back). The book and website I mentioned is all about routines!! She is wonderful and has helped put order into my life. Good luck and stay sane!!
Monica says
I’m going to take a look at the Baby Whisperer website. I need to reread that book, too. I think it’s on my bookshelf, so I can get started with it right away. Her naps are slowly starting to increase in length now that she’s going to sleep in the crib.
I am trying my best to stay sane!
Annie says
I am so glad you took the time to get things in order in your house. You are right, newborn days are just plain hard. The lack of sleep and the emotional roller coaster of wacky hormones plus an infant who needs you 24/7 is just tough. Glad to hear you got her sleeping in her crib. We battled that with both of my boys until they were around 6 months old then they would give in to sleeping in the cribs for naps and night time. You’ll get there! Thanks for being so candid and sharing!!
.-= Annie´s last blog ..Busyness =-.
Sarah K says
Great that you took a break to get on track – I echo Laura – the Baby Whisperer really did solve all my problems that and our May/June group we had back on TMMB. School will definitely always be there for EA & MC.
Stacy says
Just wanted to encourage you. I remember when my daughter was a newborn. My husband and I were given the chance to go out for a short time (we went to Olive Garden for dessert). It was wonderful, but on the way home we cried and cried and asked ourselves, what on earth had we done! We didn’t feel ready for a baby and all the challenges that came with her! Anyhow, looking back now I just laugh because although hard it has been so rewarding. I know that you know all this, sometimes we just need reminding. I’m now pregnant with our second daughter and a bit nervous again about how I will be able to handle two kids. Praying that God will help you get through this challenging time and help you to see the joy in every moment. (Even those when you’re sleep deprived!).
Monica says
Thank you Stacy. I appreciate your encouragement. I am trying very hard to remember to enjoy the moments even though they are hard. I’ll be praying for your pregnancy and for a smooth adjustment as well.
Maggie Mae says
Can I borrow the torch that lit your way until you saw the light… I’m still wandering around in the dark here. I thought it was Summer. I thought it was sick kids. I thought it was me. Truth is, it’s all those things spiraling out of control at once. I do think the computer is a crutch. I’ll have to shut it off and see if that helps me accomplish some stuff so I can see the light too!
.-= Maggie Mae´s last blog ..First Day of Kindergarten =-.
Monica says
Oh, Maggie…I’m so sorry!! You’ve had so much going on. I wish I could be of some help to you. You have been in my prayers so much. You’re such a strong lady and handle everything you’ve been dealt with such beauty. You will get through this time and will be so strong on the other side!
Hallee the Homemaker says
I’m so glad that you feel back in charge. I have been spinning crazy, too – ever since beginning my volunteer work at the soup kitchen. I had so few hours to spare, and that took them all away. As soon as I got it all under control, summer ended and I needed to add homeschooling to the day. It was awful. So, I know exactly where you’re coming from.
I hope she sleeps well for you. I know from experience what having an “attachment baby” (which is what we called Jeb because he insisted on being carried, worn, or nursed 24/7) when you have other things that just simply must be done.
Hallee
.-= Hallee the Homemaker´s last blog ..Popcorn Really =-.