I love my daughter more than I ever thought was possible, but let's face it...newborns can keep you busy. They can also result in a lack of sleep (shocking, right?)
I've never been one to particularly like school, and although I want to be nurse, I am dreading going back to school and dealing with all of what comes with it.
Work is good. This week I will be working during the week, but after that I will only be working weekends; which will be very helpful for the rest of school. Then you add in house work, animals, spending time with Luke, post placement visit, sleeping...and I run out of time very quickly.
So, what I need is advice. How do I handle all of this while still getting enough sleep that my migraines don't go completely out of control? What is the best way to juggle all of these wonderful things in my life? How do I give the right amount of attention to everything, especially when all I want to do is snuggle my precious Addi girl? Any and all advice is welcome!
On a more positive note-- no matter how stressed I get, all I need to do is look into this sweet face and I am reminded of how amazing my life is and how incredibly blessed I am to have this miracle of a baby in my life. Seriously, how great is she?!
I thank God for her every single day.
I wish I had some amazing words of wisdom. Frankly I'm in awe of how I have managed this long. Support from family and friends is the best thing any busy mom can have. Whether they are helping with babysitting or taking you out for a night with the girls, the people closest to you will be the ones helping you retain your sanity. My other big saving grace was when I realized I couldn't stress the little stuff. Everything, and I mean everything, will work out. It always does. I've been a single mom for most of my kid's lives and no matter how broke or behind on bills I may be it always seems to even out. Always. So I learned not to stress or sweat the small stuff. One day at a time.
ReplyDeleteYou are and will continue to be an amazing mother. Remember that school and all this chaos is only temporary. Soon you'll graduate (even if that day is a few years from now) and have a lot more free time. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks Whit! Love you!
DeleteBells~
ReplyDeleteI love you. I am so proud of you. This is a wonderful blog. YOU are a wonderful person.
I so echo what Whit said to you. First I want to thank God for the miracle of Addi and the answered prayers that were said for so long for you to become a mommy. And God was working it all out while we were still praying and wondering how. Isn't HE amazing?! Which brings me to this....that same God who is amazing and answered our prayers and gave you this little miracle, this bundle of joy named Addison Grace is the same God that will continue to amaze us as He provides for you, cares for you and your family, provides wisdom to you, comforts you and makes it all come together. :)
You have wanted to be a nurse for a long time. You need to work for the school loans (so sorry) and yes, you still need time to be the wife and mommy you so desire to be. AND time for yourself. My advice to you would be to first seek God. Turn to Him. Ask Him. USE Him. Then take all the help that is offered during this school/working/transition period. Take people up on their offer to watch Addi, to bring a meal, to help you with your studies. There is no shame in accepting the help of others. They are offering because they love you and want to do something for you. Let them. Let Daddy help out more than his share during all of this. And what is a share anyway? I have never liked that term. You both do what needs to be done when you can. You both parent little Addi. It is not a keep score on who should do what, who changed the last diaper, fed the last bottle, gave a bath, held the most, etc. I know, I know....you know all this but YOU want to be the one to hold her, feed her, bathe her, kiss her, snuggle with her, pray over her, etc. And you will. You are.
But Joy, you mentioned before Addi ever arrived that she would give you motivation to push on, study harder, do your best because you were no longer doing it just for you or you and Luke. What a wonderful goal and motivator! YAY Addi! Just keep that in mind. And while I know how tough it is for you and how stressed you are (and I as YOUR momma want to take all of that away from you) this is the best time to be moving forward with your life plans. It is never going to be easy and for those that would say go back to school when Addison is in school because it would be easier....nope, not so. First of all, we are believing for more babies. Second of all, you want to be there for school functions, church plays and choir sings, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Sleepovers, etc. You do not need the guilt and stress of missing important events because you are busy studying or working evenings or so tired from raising a very active family, school and work when Addi is older. Honey, you do not want to live with regrets and wishes. You have your life before you. If being a nurse is what you want to do, then you CAN and WILL be able to do it. You CAN have it all. And the time may come when you are blessed enough that you can stay home with your children. I will be rejoicing with you. But it does not make you a bad mommy if you cannot right now. Take the help that is offered. Have Luke do a little more. Hold Addi, snuggle her, kiss her, sing to her, pray for her as much as you can. This time of school AND working does not last forever. And if after praying God directs you to take a different route, HE will provide.
Again, I love you and I am so proud of you. Really, REALLY proud of you. You are a fantastic mommy and wife. You are an awesome woman. Hang in there. It WILL get easier. And as Whitney said, don't sweat the small stuff. And do not make the small stuff into HUGE stuff!