To do
A warm wind is whipping about the house today, rattling the loose outdoor blinds and making me feel restless. I haven’t even had a coffee and I am feeling jangly. Lily is fast asleep after an intense screeching session which had me worrying (as you do when a baby screeches for no apparent reason). I discovered nasty eczema behind her knees this morning, I guess she didn’t escape the family curse after all. Amelia is off at Kinder and I am missing her noise and her mess. Did I just write that? Do I really? I think I sort of do!
Most mornings now I wake up with enough energy to feel good about the approaching day. It’s a very nice change. Lily hit the three month mark and life started getting better again. Mind you, I have been taking a lot of the very kind advice I was offered in my comments regarding my immune system and have only had a very mild cold (perhaps even just hayfever) since then which makes an enormous difference to my mood and my ability to cope. Warmer days probably help too.
And now there are so many things I want to do! I found a little notebook the other day in which I used to keep a list of my weekly, monthly and yearly goals. I think I started it back when I was doing the Artist’s Way. I had so much time then, and my lists were so short. Yesterday I started a new page and wrote a list of things I want to do this month and the list was enormous. Mind you, a lot of them are things like “sort Amelia’s clothes – store outgrown items” and “eradicate spiders from front deck” where as in the olden days they were more like “practice yoga 5 times a week” and “contact 6 publishers with my folio”.
We have a bunch of house projects that need doing – a guy is coming out tomorrow to give us a quote on putting in some windows in the kitchen where we need more light. This of course will then lead to another project which is how to screen off the neighbours outside these windows. And then there’s the thought that big North facing windows will mean lots of heat coming in during the Summer… so outdoor blinds will be on the agenda. And then there’s all the planting that needs doing for our Summer veggie patch…
On top of all that, craft project ideas are starting to creep back into my mind. I have been staring wistfully at my fabric stash and contemplating making some cushions – it’s important to take baby steps after all. Anything more makes me feel a bit overwhelmed. I might buy a copy of Hillary’s pattern and try making an Olive for Lily for Christmas. That might be achievable!
baby steps is the only way… Ive just gone back to work 2 days a week. Strangely at the day care centre where my kids are. So I have lost my days off without the kids, and I am struggling to even get washing and ironing done…let alone those other things like cleaning spider webs. Lists are the only way I can cope and then prioritising them. Who would have thought we had so much spare time before we had kids hey??
have you considered a roof window? http://missminnie.typepad.com/minnie/2006/08/can_you_see_the.html we included one in our renovation. Its add heaps of light (has a blind) without being looked in on. Its from Velux.http://www.velux.com.au/
Gee, spooky timing, I re-read my goal book this morning on MY spider-infested deck!
But then, whats that saying that God laughs when we make plans? Nah- forget I said that…
My 2nd bubs just reached 7 months. Life will continually get to be easier 🙂
I still remember those yellow daffodils I saw that day in early four years ago, just shortly after you wrote on the onset autumn, with grey overclouded days and chilly winds. Autumn is now setting in around here with coldish mornings and coat wearing people on the streets, now that you speak of warm winds. I’m happy to note that, after having returned from a year in Australia two years ago, I’m finally back in tune with the seasons. Good luck with the family.Rainer
single-and-maybe-looking in Frankfurt on Main
I know what you mean about missing the noise and the mess of your older one. When my 2 (6 & 4) are at their grampy’s house – things just feel wrong. I enjoy the time, but part of me and part of my joy is missing. I won’t even address the cascading list of house projects – I have one of those too and everytime I think about it, look at it, or revise it all I aee are lots and lots of dollar signs!
Hang in and take those baby steps.
my littlest one is now 20 months old, and my eldest is four, but still some days i marvel at how much there is to do. nobody tells you that two children means three or even four times the work. but then my two little girls chase each other through the house, both giggling hysterically, or hide behind a bedroom door in a conspiratorial game of ‘let’s hide and scare mummy’. and then everything is alright. take it easy – and don’t make too many lists.
what part of the advice helped you most? my immune system is the pits.
Stepping out into the sun- literally and figuratively. I can almost pinpoint when it happened for me after baby #2. Feels good, huh? And a little overwhelming.
Take it slowly… 🙂
oh claire, finding a book of goals is a treat! you amaze me with all that you do, :))
Just a hint from a mom of four: When my babies have/had that dry, cracking skin and/or rash in their darling little wrinkled places, I found the best thing for it was plain ol’ petroleum jelly (Vaseline), or Crisco vegetable cooking shortening. I tried lots of special creams and lotions, but they all seemed to sting. They would work to heal the dry spots eventually, but often made the baby cry. Same with those diaper creams for rashes. My preschooler had eczema on his legs and informed me in no uncertain terms that the lotion for sensitive skin I used stings. (Ever put it on your legs after shaving them and felt that? I have – OW!) There are other, more expensive items that also do not sting, like Lansinoh lanolin and Burt’s Bees Apricot Oil, but the Vaseline and Crisco work just as well for us. Hope that is helpful.
Also, to add to the roof window suggestion above: We have a skylight and I really like it. I can tell it had a leak once (before we owned the house) so don’t skimp on quality or maintenance if you install one. And if you are just looking for more daylight and don’t need a view, check out Solatubes. They are less expensive than traditional windows, and work really well to brighten up the home. Many people install them in bathrooms and hallways.
Good luck!
Thanks for your inspiring posts.
As one who loves planning new projects and the excitement that comes along with watching them unfold I applaud you! Great site!!
I just want to say I love your site and your style of writing it’s so lively,I have 3 grand sons 3 years 15 months and a 3 month old I am living in Perth and both my daughters just left to live in QLD and I cant stand the quiet.
I always use pawpaw ointment on any rash the children or pets have it is gentile and quick working.
All the Best
Sandra
I’ve just discovered your blog after following a link from Posie Gets Cozy. I love the way it looks, and I’m enjoying your posts very much. 🙂
Just an observation about your coffee comment and your screetchy baby. Hope you are avoiding cofee if you are breast feeding, like any stimulant it will be passed through your milk.
(about the book in the last post)In August, I took a trip to Minneapolis, and went to a Modern Art museum downtown. At the giftshop, I noticed THAT book. I looked and looked at it, and I turned to my boyfriend and told him about your blog and how it looked JUST like your art. Now I don’t feel crazy. ^_^