Friday, September 10, 2010

The new normal

Well it has been a while, hasn't it? When I look at the pictures in my previous posts, I can't believe how tiny LM was. Now we're just around the corner from her 5 month birthday, and now she is a real, cuddly, babbling, honest-to-goodness baby.

1 week

For the first couple months of her life, LM was The Baby That Wanted To Be Held All The Time. Seriously. There were days when Tim would get home from work in the evening, and I had literally done nothing all day except hold her, with the exception of a couple of bathroom breaks (during which she screamed). When that is your life, you are just living in the moment and it's hard to imagine things will ever be different. You just think, "Okay, this is my life now, I hold my baby all day, it's my new purpose." And slowly, as you come to accept your new role in life as a baby nest, she changes. For us, it was when LM hit 3 months.

3 months

Suddenly she was so much easier to take care of! She would be entertained by staring at toys near her while I set her down to make lunch. She could go longer than 2 hours between nursings. Her babbling vocabulary increased. She's definitely a morning girl, full of smiles and stories when she first wakes - makes it a little less painful to have to be up before 7am.  Every. Single. Day.

3 months

I've been back at work for a little over a month, I'm working 3 days per week which is working out well (although I'm envious of all the mothers in pretty much every country besides the US that get a year of maternity leave while still having their job guaranteed at the end!). We have a nanny who watches baby while I'm at work. I'm getting used to being a baby mama...

The old me would make spontaneous trips to Nordstrom Rack or H&M after work to check out the latest fashion bargains...the new me makes a beeline for the bus stop after work, and fumes when the bus is 5 minutes late.

The old me would stop by the grocery store on the way home from work in the evening, then spend the next couple hours preparing dinner, surfing the web, and flipping through magazines...the new me gets home after work as quickly as possible and cuddles baby, goes for a walk with baby, bathes baby, nurses baby, reads to baby, rocks baby to sleep, then heats up Trader Joe's frozen breaded chicken cutlets for dinner, and promptly collapses in bed.

The old me would stay up late into the wee hours in the evening sewing because I wanted to wear something new to a party or event...the new me is in bed early (LM wakes to nurse between 1am and 3am and then is up for the day between 6am and 7am) and no longer cares if I repeat an outfit several times within a week.

4.5 months

So this is my new normal, and I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks so much for your congratulations and well wishes, I truly appreciate each note from you guys!

50 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Thanks for giving us an update! I was wondering how you all were doing. She's so cute and adorable.

They change so fast don't they?! But it's a good change. You will work some of the old you into your new normal...just give it time...and expect even more change in your life.

Gigi said...

Sure brings back memories, sigh. I'm glad you are enjoying your new role so much, she is adorable!

As you already noted, things do change quickly with babies. Before you know it, you'll be able to sneak a little sewing time back into your schedule. I miss your projects!

Trudy said...

I too was wondering how you were doing. But I knew you were having a wonderful life enjoying your little one. It is so great that you are cherishing every moment. She's just precious. They'll be plenty of time for sewing later. You're doing just what you need to do right now at this season in your life. You aren't missing a thing. I've been through this five times now. It's some of my best memories. Enjoy! You will stay on my blog roll; so when you do get around to sewing in the future, I won't miss a post. You are one of my favorite dressmakers. In meantime, don't pressure yourself to sew. Just do what comes naturally. So happy for you. And thanks so much for the update.

Trudy
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

a little sewing said...

awwww, it is so great to see the pics! My DD is 23 and living in another country, but I remember her first few months vividly. She needed to be held all the time, too. And I can relate to all the changes you've made to your lifestyle. Not to mention how much you love her. All the best to you!!

NancyDaQ said...

What a cute little peanut! Thanks for the update on life with your precious little one.

Dei said...

Welcome back! And welcome to motherhood. After a while it's hard to remember life in B.C....before children. What a sweet jewel you have. One of my daughters was the same way, now she's in college, but she still rests her head on my shoulder, nestles in my neck and hugs me. I cherish each moment, seems like you are too. :)

Helena said...

Good to see you back. My little one is 3 months and I can't imagine going back to work now, especially while still nursing. Yes, I am one of those mothers with a one year maternity leave (I could have a longer one, but we've chosen not to).

Lisa said...

Oh it's really lovely to see some new pictures of your gorgeous daughter . Those early months can be really hard but like you've noticed things change all the time before you know it she'll be in school .

Deepika said...

Christina, this is a beautiful post. I enjoyed reading every word of it. Enjoy the motherhood! It's a special gift and it's clear how much you are loving being a mom! The baby is gorgeous!!!!

Anonymous said...

Nice to read from you again! I can totally relate. Even now, 3 years later, I run out of the bus to get my daughter from daycare and hear what she's been doing all day and whom she's played with. The funny things are: I used to carry her all the time just like you when she was small (eventually even on my back because she was too heavy for the front) and I can see her bumbo from where I'm sitting. Hope to read more updates soon enough! Enjoy your bundle of joy!

Amanda S. said...

She's precious! It sounds like you are adjusting well to your new normal. Thanks for the update - I've been wondering how you are getting along.

Melissa said...

A baby truly changes everything. Look at how big little miss is now - she's cute as a button! I'm glad all is going well for you in your new role as mommy. :-)

meredithp said...

I'm also glad you updated us. She is absolutely adorable! But I'm glad that she no longer needs to be held 24/7. It sounds like you're having a lot of fun. And we'll look forward to hearing about her, and your sewing projects, when you are able to squeeze them in. Baby steps! :-)

Nancy K said...

Isn't she delicious! I was wondering too how you both are doing. Glad to hear that you are doing well.

Sew-4-Fun said...

Isn't motherhood grand, if not a little tiring at times. Ok, all the time. ;) LM is adorable!

Gay McDonell said...

Lovely to get an update. It is an amazing transition ... hard but so rewarding. I can't believe you don't get 12 months maternity leave - that really sucks!! We have recently changed to parental leave so that either the mum or dad can take the 12 months leave. Anyway, she is too cute and you're doing a great job.

Anonymous said...

She's so pretty! Sounds like you are getting in quality mommy-bonding time. Thanks for the update.

Angie R.

Vicki said...

Nice to hear from you. Sure takes a lot of adjustment when a baby comes along. She is gorgeous!

Johanna said...

Yay! Pictures! Updates! Your blog world is so happy! And of course your baby is the most adorable cuddly thing ever. You won't regret a minute of this time so enjoy it to the mostest.

AllisonC said...

She is growing fast, these are gorgeous pictures!

Sigrid said...

Good to hear from you, your daughter is adorable. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures.

sula said...

Absolutely a darling! Thanks for sharing her with us. I'm so delighted to hear about your joy in your "new normal," especially having so recently been there myself. My little girl was a 24-hr. baby too. I keep thinking, it can't get any better than this...and then it does.

sula said...

Absolutely a darling! Thanks for sharing her with us. I'm so delighted to hear about your joy in your "new normal," especially having so recently been there myself. My little girl was a 24-hr. baby too. I keep thinking, it can't get any better than this...and then it does.

DDinDFW said...

LM is so pretty. Glad to hear you've adjusted in the "normal" way! LOL Yep, sounds like a real mom.

kate said...

She's beautiful! All of her stages will feel like you'll be going through them forever (the bad stuff, like screaming when you put her down, but also the good stuff like her being small and still *letting* you hold her. Cherish and savour All of it, because it passes so quickly.

Cosmopolitan Kids said...

Congratulations. I completely understand your new normal, but after a while it will probably a bit more of a hybrid. I wish you all the best!

Linda L said...

She's a doll!

laura said...

Your daughter is just adorable and you're doing so much better than I did years ago. I had to go back to work 8 weeks after all of my kids were born and I had a very difficult time with my firstborn. He was a cranky little stinker and my (now ex) husband was very little help to me. Sometimes I wish I could do it over again (minus the ex) and try to enjoy it more! But I do know that it won't be long before you'll be sewing again and there's nothing quite as fun as sewing for little girls, that much I know!

Ingrid said...

Wow, this sounds a lot like what I experienced with my first. My son never slept and I remember feeling like I hadn't done anything all day either. It gets better.
In Australia we only have 4 weeks paid leave (government) so I know how you feel.
Enjoy your beautiful little girl, it really does go by very quickly!

Tini said...

Good to hear from you. I totally know how you feel. Everything changes. My twins are now 8 weeks old and luckily they are pretty calm and happy. (With exceptions :) ) I can't imagine having 2 cry-babies! I have a year paid leave from work (getting 67% of my last income) and will stay at home for 15 months. Paying a nanny would cost more, than I would earn.... Sewing is just not happening, I'm happy if I can knit a few stitches in front of the tv in the evening. We cook at the weekends and freeze some of it, so I can have some warm food during the week :)
LM is adorable. I have pictures of E & M on my blog too :) Maybe you like to see them as well...

Angela said...

She's just beautiful!!

Leslie said...

Yay I'm so glad you posted! I was wondering how you guys were doing. Thanks for the pics and the lovely post. :-)

Leslie in Austin said...

She's beautiful!!

LauraLo said...

Wowww she is hugely cute, I love her! I know what you're talking about - both the old me versus new me stuff and the holding all the time, which is worsened by colic. We do get two years of maternity leave here, can you imagine?
A big hug for both of you!

Meg said...

Such a cutie! Love the goofy smile in the second photo. Wow, one minute they're precious little babies, the next minute they're off at college. Sniff!

Carolyn said...

Congratulations on surviving the first couple of months...I swear they almost killed me! I know how you feel about running for the door though. The end of the work day comes and I'm the first one out of the door!

BeckyMc said...

What a beautiful post. Motherhood changes us and you are so right to say you wouldn't have it any other way. Congratulations on your new life.

Ann Made Studio said...

She's adorable! These are definitely busy times but absolutely worth every second :)

Mikhaela Reid said...

Oh she's gorgeous! And I can so relate to pretty much everything in your post (except I am working 4-5 days per week). My new normal sounds very similar to your new normal, and now that Z is 3 months old, I am starting to blink and realize that she isn't crying all the time and always needing to be in the sling every second.

But I am SO making a beeline for the subway precisely at 6 pm to get home to cuddle with my baby girl!

And I still haven't touched my sewing machine.

Anonymous said...

So glad to be living in Canada, at three months, I was still breastfeeding, not sleeping through the night, not fit to wear my old work clothes... not able to leave my baby to someone else all day...except maybe my mother, but I could not have coped with having to go back to work and not be with my baby. Three months is just not enough. How come it's not more than that in the US... I took a year and a half, the maximum leave I could take and have my job back, but the last three months were unpaid, but my husband could handle it. It's just not fair for US moms! I mean at three months, as a mom, you're still not sleeping through the night! And if you want to breastfeed at least six months, which is better for your kid, it's too much of hassle to start pumping your breast for milk, when you don't even have time... And there's so much you won't get to see the first time...

Nancy Winningham said...

she is just a little doll! Any thing else that you might fleetingly think you should/could be doing -let it go. They grow up so fast. Enjoy every minute of it.

ambika said...

Aw! So darling! Congrats (again)!

Kitty Couture said...

Your post made me smile :) Your daughter is gorgeous! (16-week leave here, which includes prenatal leave: France is among the very worst countries in Europe in this respect).

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog for the past couple of years, but this is my first time commenting (I'm a bit comment-shy).

Thank you so much for posting this. I have a little girl that is a week younger than yours, and it's so nice to know that I'm not the only one dealing with the old-life/new-life transition.

I recently took my dress form out of the closet and am hoping to find a little sewing time going forward.

Your baby is so gorgeous. I could just eat up all these adorable little nuggets. : )

Cheers,
Maureen

Ana's Closet said...

Soooo cute! Enjoy while you can, because they grown up very fast.

suzanne antique lover said...

They do change fast... just enjoy!

suzanne antique lover said...

Beautiful Pics!

Anonymous said...

Perfectly and succinctly described. I remember it all. Mine are now 6 and 11.

Anonymous said...

Hi Christina, it is Zaneta from Melbourne, CONGRATULATIONS she is gorgeous.. I have another addition to our family too.. Ethan..almost 2. Would love to hear from you..my Email is zaneta@iprimus.com.au
Best Wishes

ZanetaX

kirstenrana said...

She is absolutely lovely - just like her mother :)
Have you done any sewing for her yet?