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December 2, 2012

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Crazy


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I’m not sure about you, but I always feel a little crazy this time of year. Like I am a walking to-do list, full speed ahead on a freight train rushing towards Christmas, checking off the end-of-year gatherings, presents, parties, work tasks, family commitments and everything in between. This usually fairly calm mumma has turned a little, well… tired, cranky, emotional and neurotic.

So it’s probably no wonder that my children have also been displaying the above qualities too.

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In the past week, Nicholas had minor surgery to descend his testes. Basically, they were present but in the wrong spot so he needed to go under general anaesthetic and have a surgical procedure to bring them down. The hospital and staff were amazing, we were in and out within about four hours and Nicholas was an absolute trooper. Although a little grizzly and tired for the first two days, he seemed to be fairly unfazed by the whole experience.

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However, whether related or not, the day after his procedure Nicholas started clamping down on me with two very sharp teeth whilst in the process of breastfeeding. (“Thanks for the surgery, Mum, this is how it felt…”) Umm, ouch. I remember Charlie giving me a nip or two around the same age and it took about a week to pass, but this constant biting down has really taken its toll, physically and emotionally, on both of us. Thankfully, he didn’t mention it out loud, but I’m pretty sure my husband thought I was a little nuts. While I really didn’t want to give up breastfeeding just yet, I couldn’t imagine getting past this point of dreading every feed. I started dreaming about our feeds and sharp teeth. The only feed of the day I managed to get through relatively unscathed was at bedtime, as he was so relaxed he stopped clenching his jaw. Anyway, long story short, after what felt like a very long five days of blood, sweat and tears, we seem to have weathered the storm and the biting rate has, thankfully, receded dramatically. I’m a little way from feeling relaxed through a whole feed, but we seem to be working through the phase. Alleluia.

DSC_1839Albeit painful, it was a pretty effective way of reminding me to slow down. I have had to return to quiet feeds, away from the noise and bustle of normal life, away from phones, iPads and other distractions. Just a baby and his mumma, looking each other in the eye. Slow and quiet can be good.

This week, I’m going to try really hard to slow down. To be present. To breathe. To read more stories, do Christmas craft and take the time to cuddle my four boys, rather than always sticking to a schedule and marking off a to-do list. To remember that, even in the festive season, it’s okay to be still.

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I am so grateful for your thoughts and comments, so please reply below.

  1. I so hear you on this one. I’ve been filled with this crazy Christmas spirit to get out and experience EVERYTHING about the season, and my kids are like “HA no” while we remain house bound pretty much forever. )-: I think I’m just supposed to find my Christmas in this stillness. I’m working on my attitude. (-: Thanks for a great post!

    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Deanna. I think it’s normal to want to relive all the fun of Christmas through our children. And before long your ‘twins’ will be rocking Christmas with the best of them – mine are only just getting it at nearly 3 and 5. Enjoy the home time and stillness while it lasts (and before Carter can repeatedly ask for Spiderman paraphanalia 😉 x

  2. I hope you find some peace amongst the Christmas chaos. I’m always thankful to Felix for reminding me to slow down when I’m starting to allow the season to take over! I hope you, and yours, have a wonderful Christmas! x

    1. Oh, beautiful Felix – I loved seeing his Christmas photos. Thank you, I really am trying to find peace. Hope you and your tribe have a beautiful Christmas too! xx

  3. Anne, Glad you got through the chomping stage. Benjamin isn’t at that stage yet but not looking forward to it. Also glad Nicholas’ surgery went well – always a little stressful when they are under a general. Take care and enjoy a relaxing festive season with your family. xox Ainsley

    1. Thank you. Still not out of the woods yet, but we’re getting there. I’ve ordered some of the bottles you suggested as well – hopefully he’ll take to it with the EBM and give my nipples a bit of a break 😉 Worth a try anyway.

  4. Annie – sorry to hear you broke your hospital free status. Tis harrowing sending them under, no matter for how long. It only occurred to me on Friday that my kids were obnoxious because they too need a holiday and perhaps because mummy was being obnoxious too! Now I’ve figured that out I have realized how exhausted they are. I too can be very blinded by the endless to do’s. Nick fell asleep sitting in the shopping trolley this morning. I had to place the green bags in such a way he’d stop banging his head! Poor little mite, but we didn’t have any food so I had to keep going. Bring on school holidays, and lots of staying home time.

    1. It was rather harrowing, but the hospital staff were so good – efficient and empathetic. One of the nurses had her arm around me while I was holding Nicholas’ hand and kissing him goodbye. Poor Nick falling asleep in the trolley… I’m sure he’ll appreciate it when he has food to eat though 😉 Hope to catch up soon x

  5. Oh, poor little man – but I am not surprised that Nicholas took it in his stride. What a champ!

    And so relieved the biting thing sorted itself out. I am knocking on wood as I write that Harlow and I have been okay on that front….

    I am obviously reading this well after the fact but did you manage to slow down for Christmas? I know I didn’t….. 🙁

    xx

  6. I’m visiting from the thread on facebook at Documenting Delight! I’ve been reading through all of your posts and got to this one and realised I’m supposed to comment! 🙂 I’d love to comment on every post! What a beautiful story you tell here – your 3 boys are just delightful! Mr Nicholas sounds a little like my #2… #1 bit me once whilst breastfeeding however, #2 went through a similar stage to your Nicholas only a month or so ago where she would test those teeth out on me EVERY feed! Argh! I too persevered and am back to enjoying b’feeding this little delight! Top teeth coming through now so I’m a tad nervous she’ll feel she needs to test those too! 🙂
    Lovely to be here and visit your little corner of the world! Blessings xx

    1. Thanks Bek. Isn’t Documenting Delight just divine?? I’ve loved having a look through your blog too – beautiful, and such great resources, so I’ll be sure to become a regular. Thanks for dropping in to say hi x

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