2-Ring Balancing Act

With the birth of my second child in the middle of January, I feel like the circus has broken out of the big tent and is now taking over the town.  Recovering from an emergency c-section meant taking it easy at home the first couple of weeks (no stairs, no lifting, no over-doing-it).  With my partner home from work for two weeks, I was able to focus on the baby and taking care of myself.  He stepped up to cover meals, handle everything that goes along with our 9yo (4th grade homework is a bitch!), and run any errands that popped up (more diapers anyone?).

With the big guy back at work this week, my days consisted of being sacked out on the couch all day, impersonating a cow.  The new guy won't sleep unless he's being held, so much time is wasted on the couch while he snoozes.  Without an extra set of hands during the day, I'm not able to take care of myself like I should (basic functions like eating and going to the bathroom only seem to happen when the baby is awake and not attached to a boob).  Dinner isn't even considered until everyone is already home and starving.

However, it's not my own care I'm worried about.  I feel like the 9yo has been getting the mommy shaft for the 3-weeks his brother has been home.  Mom isn't helping with homework or taking him to karate.  Mom hasn't been playing video games on the weekends.  Mom is too exhausted to carry on a conversation or listen to prattle about video game characters for hours on end.

Will seems to love his baby brother and is constantly asking to kiss and hold him.  I just hope he doesn't start developing some resentment over the fact that Mom needs to focus on someone other than him right now.  After all, for the past 9 years he had been an only-child. 

An Original DC Metro Moms post

While on night-duty with a new baby, De in D.C. can be found posting drivel on twitter as @delora