Breathe. These past days have taught me to take more breaths. When I feel frustration starting to set in, I separate myself from the kids and just take a few deep breaths. When they start fighting and I want to yell back, I take more breaths. I sit here, super sleep deprived and tired, thinking about it all and how each new day and each breathe (along with every prayer) is growing me and our family towards that new normal.
I have a mess on the dining table, a good mess because it is a school mess, a big mess of toys in the guest bedroom, badly stained carpet, a kitchen floor that hasn't been mopped in a month, a craft area that looks like a tornado blew through, and more little piles of messes everywhere. I so badly want to clean it all, but there are other things more pressing... like cuddling my little Glow, trying to get Soul to say funny things, doing a little reading with the big girls, or even popping in Sound of Music for the kids to watch, so this sleep deprived mama can sneak in a nap. I have never been a nap person, but this fourth child has changed all that!
What things help you get through the day? Another thing that helps me is wearing the little one around the house. Babywearing is truly wonderful!
You are doing great.
ReplyDeleteAgree that naps are awesome and I fully plan to babywear this next time 'round too :) Sadly coffee is still part of what gets me through my days!
baby wearing has been such a sweet blessing to me.
ReplyDeletei only have one kidlet, so i can only imagine how many ways you are being stretched right now! hang in there, remember this just a season in life and will surely be over before you know.
what gets me through the day is blog reading, chocolate, cat naps while my babe sleeps, and reminding myself that i can do anything with a heavy dose of prayer!
what a trooper!
ReplyDeleteI only have 2 and they keep me my toes so I can't even imagine how busy your days are! don't be shy to call your sisters or parents... they are my life savers and keep me sane.
ReplyDeleteoh Ruby your doing a great job, hang in there that new normal will come even if it includes sleep deprivation your doing kingdom work with those girls and it is so good!!
ReplyDeleteSeeing the beauty in messes ["a good mess because it's a school mess"] is such an important trait, especially when life can feel overwhelming as yours seems to right now.
ReplyDeletePS: I'm a pretty constant lurker since discovering your blog, and had to let you know that your positive, soulful attitude and posts are truly gems to me - even though I'm unmarried and kid-free, your voice and outlook speak to me, and I'm thankful to you for it. Hang in there!
Hang in there! You know it will get easier. Some days will still be tough, but you will do it. You have a wonderful support system and the power of prayer. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteOn babywearing, my son (who is now 10) loved to be worn. He was born in the winter and I swear wearing him under my unbuttoned winter coat and taking brisk walks helped me through those first few months when I suffer from SAD and was post-partum! Lucky you live in CA and won't have to worry about "is it too cold to take the baby out?"
Reading your blog brings back memories when my little No. 4 Ruby was born. Going from 3-4 was hard, very hard. I had 4 babies under 5 1/2 years old.
ReplyDeleteThe mess will always be there, especially if you let your little ones be creative. You might get on top of it for a while, but really who cares?
Enjoy little Glow,she is adorable, all your girls are adorable.
bless your heart girl. youre doing a great job, you are allowed to be tired and cranky!!! 4 babies is rough, i cant imagine. but savor it all. the floor can wait, the stains can wait, the messes can wait. even though it makes us crazy!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to the mess around the house and wanting so bad to clean it ... but alas, there are other more important things that need to be done. I just had my 2nd baby, 8 weeks ago and am finding it increasingly hard to strike a balance between the two kids and my work-from-home design job and everything else domestic that needs to be done. Since I'm struggling with only 2, I can't even imagine having 4. Plus, my baby is a constant nurser which totally clashes with my free-spirited, frolicky, get-out-in-the-world nature. Sigh ... reading blogs, blogging, finding kindred spirits, decaf iced americano's, walks, music, magic ... they are all currently getting me through it. "Towards the new normal" - I send you pixie dust and well wishes.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Glow should've been named "Breathe" lol. Just kidding dear, you are doing really good. God will give you grace and strength for each of you 4 blessings.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great and are such an inspiration to me---I'm terrified and expecting my first baby in 10 days. Through all of the fear, a friend sent me this: "Not to spoil the ending, but everything will be ok." Come to think of it, everything always is. Thank you for your constant eloquence and positive attitude. It's helping me to push through the fear and I know it will help you push through this complicated phase into the beautiful new normal. P.S. Did you make your baby sling? I really like it.
ReplyDeleteYou will get to it in time. I just started home schooling my 2 boys (5 and 4) and my baby is a year old, so its not as tricky as it is for you probably, but it is still a challenge. I have my moments where I lose it and have messy house melt downs. Praying and Bible readings help me the most. You will be fine and one day soon Im sure your house will sparkle. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen I am overwhelmed by the mess, chaos, and noise...or even bored by the mundane and routine, I stop what I am doing, and I think of a person who is possibly more overwhelmed, or more depressed by the day to day that seems to bring no meaning...and I offer up whatever I am doing as a prayer for that person.
ReplyDeleteTakes the focus off of myself, and turns each and every thing I do into a beautiful prayer. No matter how ugly it feels at the time!
and when that doesn't work...
candy corn and a bottle of wine. :-)
Remember it goes so fast. Almost two fast. My twin boys are 2 in a week and I remember breathing and praying to get through the day. Now it's still lots of praying and coffee! You are doing awesome and don't forget God is with you. :)
ReplyDeleteAfter our fourth was born we started referring to our life as beautiful chaos... I can't imagine getting through my days without prayer, dt. Dr. Pepper, a little chocolate, and maybe if I am lucky some sewing!
ReplyDeleteDear Ruby Helen,
ReplyDeleteYou are WONDERFUL! Having four kids, a newborn and homeschooling on top of that! I think this is very courageous of you brave women :-)
Don't worry about the mess, you will have LOTS of time to clean when the kids grow older and this will be very, very quickly :-)
Keep up the good work!
so wise.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy that baby wearing! I miss it already and my baby only just turned one.
These pictures (and your family) are gorgeous. I have the same baby sling that I use with my bambino.
ReplyDeletethanks for the reminder :) i'm due to have my 5th any day now, and i have to admit, sometimes I'm afraid of that first month - everything is off, but everything is so perfect too :)
ReplyDeleteA little nap is amazing when I feel overwhelmed too. Remembering that "this too will pass" and that "change is the only constant" keep me grounded. Breathes and prayers. You are doing so well! I can only imagine how life with 4 littles is. I have one little and some days have to take a break to breathe too.
ReplyDelete