It’s got to be too early to be thinking of birth plans and post-birthing plans – like what I’m going to do with the third baby after he pops out, kicking and screaming. Actually, the kicking can be easily subdued with a baby swaddle but it’s the screaming part because that I’m mostly concerned about because it’s been almost 3 years since I’ve had to decipher the code that is an infant’s random but guttural and heart-wrenching cry. And then there’s the 3-hour feeding schedule, the sleepless nights, the breastfeeding battles, the blocked ducts and the post-natal depression.
The last couple of nights, I’ve been lying in bed tossing and turning, having a mild panic attack thinking about how I’m going to handle 3 kids on my own. I was expecting to hit this phase sometime in the last trimester but these blasted hormones are giving me an early delivery present.
I’ve been here before with the last 2 pregnancies and I know the best thing to do is to let the panic pass. After all, I do have a plan. Sort of. Ok, so it’s more like a fuzzy rough guideline I formulated in all of 2 minutes.
Which is this. 2 words: Do it.
Wake up every morning and face the madness head on. One feed after the next. One nap-time struggle after the next. One apocalyptic meltdown after the next. Sometimes several all the same time, but even the worst of those do pass.
I could possibly cave and hire a helper or a nanny to ease things a little bit but the masochistic part of me wants to give this a shot. Obviously, everyone is going to have to adjust. The husband will have to change a couple more diapers, the kids will have to take turns to entertain the baby and everyone is going to have fewer sets of clean underwear for a couple of months but we will find a way to soldier on. And there’s always disposable underwear to save the day.
Hopefully in the next couple of months, I’ll put together a more comprehensive plan but if there’s one thing I know about infants, it’s that they don’t give a rat’s ass about following plans.
So I’m probably better off taking all that time to catch up on my sleep now so I’ll be ready for the onslaught come August.
16 Comments
sometimes, reading ur blog scares me.
Daphne Maia´s last post ..Of banks and telcos, and customer service hotlines
Haha don’t worry it’s not quite as bad as it sounds. Just a little bit worse… but totally worth it.
There are times when I think about having another one… then I think about the first 12 months scurrying around and my uterus calls become subdued.
I forgot that I felt this way before the boy came out too – and that was worse because I didn’t know what to expect and do! Somehow I survived.
I know you will, too… especially since now you’re already one up on me in the kid count! :D
I hope so! Fun times ahead.. :)
Kudos to you for handling two on your own! I’m sure you”ll figure things out for your next one! :)
I try not to think about the days after Kirsten was just born because those were really rough. I remember there being a lot of crying (on my part as well as the kids), hopefully it will be a little better this time around
Do you have any help available? Like its good to have someone to fetch the kids to n fro from school or backup when you are sick.
加油！I’m sure you can do it. :)
My mom and in-laws are a great help but they’re all working so it’ll probably be me and the kids for the most part. I’m definitely taking all the help I can get and I foresee it’ll be all hands on deck for the first month or so.
we are in the same boat, 3 kids under 5, no help. Some days are better than others and you are right, you just need to face the madness head on. I had the same panic attack as you did. Thankfully hb helps out a lot and on most days I manage to get all 3 kids and myself showered and changed in time for school .
We’ve always had days where the older two are fighting, the baby is screaming, I haven’t had lunch and its 5pm. :)
Ok now you’re scaring me! But glad to know that it’s doable though. :)
Daphne, it’s not too early to start buying disposable underwear for the whole family! DO IT!
Although I don’t have 3 right now but as a mother I can understand how you feel. I am sure you and your family will work things out. Drafting a rough timetable, visualizing the events of the day and listing down your priorities will definitely help. :-)
Oh darling, you’ll be finnnnneeeee I’m sure! It’s true, just do it and don’t expect anything. So spoken the mother whose child still wakes up 2-3 times a night and has the energy of an energiser bunny ;p
Ai Sakura´s last post ..Korea 2012: Hello Kitty Cafe, Sinchon
“Do it” is an excellent plan. You’re amazing, I’m sure you’ll handle it just fine. The thought of you having the fourth back to back scares me though but I’m sure you’ll prove to the rest of us mere mortals your supermum prowess yet again.
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Hi Daphne, I totally understand the emotional turmoil you are going through. Coincidentally, I had blogged on a similar topic just before you did! It’s exactly this uphill journey that has kept me at just ONE child till now. The postnatal depression & the breastfeeding battle almost killed me, LITERALLY. You are a lot, a lot braver than I am! :) Hang in there!
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Your children are all properly cared and loved. I can tell just from their smiles.
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