Friday, May 14, 2010

Drive By Post

Even with a baby who fusses very little (still waiting for all hell to break loose) caring for a newborn and toddler is hard. Have I mentioned that I really hate sleeping in 1 to 3 hour stretches. Actually, I take that back. The 3 hour stretches are almost luxurious. The toddler makes it hard to catch a break though. Since we got home from the hospital, Jillian has had problems on and off with teething. First it was her last one year old molar causing pain and fever, and now her first eye tooth seems to be bothering her. Between her meltdowns and mine, our household is an emotional wreck at times.

I know it will get better. I know this blah feeling I have will eventually go away. I know that one day she'll grow bigger, sleep longer and learn the difference between night and day. One day she'll start hitting all those milestones that make me so happy. Smiling, laughing, sitting, crawling, walking. But man oh man, do the days move by slowly right now. And the nights can be even slower. Of course in a few months I will look back longingly and wonder how my maternity leave flew by so quickly. I wish knowing this would somehow make me handle this new baby stage better. *sigh*

I did promise pictures though, and I can deliver. We had our photographer, Keren Fenton, on hand for before and after delivery to capture some of those precious moments.




11 comments:

Jamie said...

Those pictures are so precious. I know how much you must cherish them.

Hang in there . . . I don't know how long it will take for things to get 'better' but you will get there!

Bud2400 said...

Someday Jen, you'll look back on this day and lol at how much it sucked. Just keep those days down the road in mind.

BigP's Heather said...

Fantastic photos. Wish I had gotten a photographer...

Hope things find their groove.

Amanda said...

Beautiful pictures!!!

I'm sending you restful, peaceful, no-teething thoughts. I hope Jillian's teeth pop through quickly and Hayden continues to be a sweet little thing!

jenn said...

What gorgeous pictures!
I hope it gets easier soon- I remember the first few weeks really sucking- and then getting better for no immediately apparent reason. Then again- I only have one. Good luck to you & here's hoping poor Jillian's teeth give you all a break soon!

Nicky said...

Yeah, those early days and nights seemed endless... but then they did finally end. The photos look gorgeous!

Kelly said...

Hang in there! I can't even imagine how difficult it is:/ Make sure to take some time for yourself even if its just 10-15 minutes to lay in the sun in a lawn chair.

Kelly said...

I forgot to add that your pics are AWESOME!!!

Katie said...

Oh, I love the pictures, they are so wonderful. What a good idea to have a pofessional capture those moments.

Your post made me shiver, because I remember how much those newborn days SUCKED with Will. I mean, yes, they were AMAZING in their own way, but it S-U-C-K-E-D in so many ways, too. I have been trying to convince myself it won't be so bad this time, but. . . well, I know it probably will be even worse with an older toddler to manage. I am also hoping prior experience will help me get through it, but it's good to have a realistic look at what to expect.

I know it will get better for you, I hope it's really soon!!!

Julie, Todd, Kate and Miles said...

Jen, it sounds like you are doing a great job. it must be so difficult to manage newborn needs w/toddler needs w/your needs and hubby's too. I heard from another friend that her way to survive was to significantly lower her expectations for herself--like the goal for the day was to brush her teeth by noon. :) I am going to try and take that advice myself, but I'm sure it's not going to be easy!

Good luck and know we're thinking of you!

Barb said...

She's beautiful! And you're awesome. Man oh man do I know what you mean adn feel ya. It's one of the reasons we aren't even really considering trying for a second biologically.