The last few days have definitely had their ups and downs. I have felt like I will not see a day that I feel well rested again. I have felt like I will not ever have a moment where I am not preoccupied with what comes next in taking care of our little girl. It has felt like Chad and I are going to coexist right along side each other and never be able to feel close and like a couple again. The downs feel like they will last forever.
But the ups are walking in to see the cutest little girl in the world and knowing she belongs to us. We get to see her grow and change. We get to have a family. I could not have imagined that starting our family would be so taxing but I also could not have imagined it being so joyous. The hard part right now is remembering that the lows—when things are overwhelming and it feels like Chad and I will never be able to be close agian and we’ll never have a moment for ourselves again—aren’t what lasts forever. Lucky for us the high moments do. It may not feel like a high all the time—or most of the time—but the really rewarding wonderful things are the ones we get to take with us and treasure for the rest of our lives and ever after that.
3 Comments »
I once heard it put this way - parenthood is an extreme experience. Extreme highs and extreme lows. That is so true! It’s great that you are trying to focus on the highs. It’s really easy to focus on the lows, because the lows are so hard to cope with. You and Chad will be the same again, I promise. You just have to work harder for that couple time. But being together, alone, is so much sweeter now, because we’re apart so much and so preoccupied with the kids! So when it’s just him and me, it’s truly blissful. You can’t know the sweet until you know the bitter, eh?
Congrates!! I have loved reading your posts. II just started a blog myself. (Send me your email and I can invite you- I did a private one).
I so remember being where you are- now 4 kids later- I would never trade one hard moment. I’ll let you in on something- it is amazing how easy you forget how hard it is- that is the only way we have more of them.
This is only such a short moment in time and that is hard to remember when the baby is so little. I swear by the Babywise- about week 3 is when it starts to really work.
My only other advice- if someone wants to come and watch the baby so you can sleep- grab it as fast as you can. I wished I had done that more.
We miss you and the kids (Nathan and Sara) still talk about Sister Church. We wish you the very best and just think the baby is ADORABLE.
I am also jealous of your travels.
Love, Anita
September 26, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Elisa! I’m so sorry!!!! YES Its SO HARD!!! I bet your doing such a great job though! Just SLEEP all you can. I hope you don’t have a job. If you do, get more time off! Let the house work go, make Chad eat out every night. Screw the laundry. There is a huge pile of dishes in my sink and laundry all over, but I’m gonna nap (after this post) anyway!
I think I know what you mean about not being able to be close again. But partly bc I was so moody. I wanted to kill Brett every other second bc my nerves were so fried. Having a kid wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be on him either. It’s frustrating having the baby I love so much scream at me every 3 hours.
But you’re so positive- I know your doing great! And remember… sleep is good….