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When The Baby Becomes Mobile

Sometime between my 11 months of Mabel post and today, the little Miss has become quite the mover.

And I’m going to be honest with you. It has rocked my world.

It’s not like I didn’t see it coming, it’s just that, it has been 5 years since I had a little baby that was crawling around and finding every speck of dirt, dust, and whatever else might be living on the floor and putting it straight into the mouth to eat/gag/choke on. (And let’s not forget to mention now that this time around there are scissors and barbie shoes and heaven knows what else laying around that she might get into)

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I feel like we had a *trying* transition to a family of four on the Abigail side of things(which I’m going to be writing about again later this week!) but Mabel has always just blended into our family so seamlessly. She just showed up smiling, wonderful, and laid back and I’ve just happily toted her anywhere and everywhere with me. I feel so lucky for the last year to have been able to keep up with my regular routine for the most part. I’ve had a baby I could wear, or keep nearby, who was content to play and content to sleep. I didn’t have to miss out on things and I didn’t feel like I was falling behind.

But, that’s not the case anymore.

When your husband comes home from work and has mentioned multiple times in various ways things like, “You look like you need a battery recharge” or, “looks like the girls are winning the war today” you start to realize that things are maybe a bit different than they had been.

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I feel like I’m swimming upstream. Like I’m constantly working but not actually going anywhere. I mentioned to Jim the other day that he needs to lower his expectations on….life, in general from me right now, because our littlest has suddenly sky rocketed in needs/time/attention and everything else is just going to have to wait. Of course, he was 100% fine and understanding about it- but, now that I’m remembering that conversation, as I told him those things, I think I was really saying them to myself.

I like to have things orderly and put together. I like our routine. And they’ve all been shaken up in the last month. So, I’m hard at work over here trying to readjust my routine, my priorities, my attitude, and my expectations. I have so many things that I want to do and so many things that can’t be done…..right now.

I swear to y’all, it seems like all I do all day is feed people. I’m still nursing around the clock but now Mabel is big enough for snacks and three meals. And of course there is Abigail who needs three meals and three snacks and none of them ever coincide at the same time and as soon as I feed one I’m feeding the other and then I’m cleaning up after it(BECAUSE ANTS) and then someone else is ready to eat again.

All I can do is keep my house “picked up” because I don’t have the time to actually get around to cleaning it. By the time I get it picked up so that I can actually clean it….time is up.

I have about one hour or so of an afternoon to myself and that is spent sitting in my yellow chair trying to catch up on social media/blogs/emails…and then someone is awake and SPOILER ALERT ready to eat again.

I’ve seen some amazing mama’s mention that they get up at the butt crack of dawn to get things done before their kids wake up, but let me tell you this about myself, that is NEVER going to happen over here. The earliest I’m getting up is the earliest the first kid wakes up.

Other mama’s get a lot of work done at night, which, also awesome and typically what I do as well- BUT, my number one love language is quality time. And that nightly bag of popcorn and episode or two of our show is an absolute must must must for me. I can’t spend time doing anything else but sitting on the couch with my husband once my kiddos are in bed.

So, that leaves me with the occasional random opportunity to pop in here and say hello! I have so many things I want to write and share and say. I have so many ideas. Uh, hello amazing house projects that Jim has been working like crazy on- those bad boys need someone documenting them!

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I suppose, in the spirit on “keeping it real”, I have to let you know, that recently, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed. Not in a negative way, just in a “wow, these little people require a lot out of me right now” sort of way. Up until recently, I’ve been able to manage regular Courtney along with Mama Courtney- but, I think, at least for a little bit, I’m going to have to just be Mama Courtney for a while. And I’m busy working out the kinks!

I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m complaining- maybe I am- but I’m certainly not intending to. I know that none of the stuff that I listed about not getting done *really* matters, but I had been able to manage it up until recently. So, that’s mostly what this post is about. A new stage…until another new one crops up!

I think everyone goes through this- as they add new members to their families- I just think we all hit it at different times. Some during the newborn phase, some when mobility starts, some around a first birthday.

If you have any experience or advice, I’d love to talk more with you!

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25 Comments

  1. Girl! I can so relate! Honestly that is when things got a little harder for us too, but it is getting easier now! Promise! It’s ok to feel overwhelmed, you deserve it!

    You are such a great mama, those little ladies are lucky to have you!

  2. You are definitely not alone, my friend. I feel as if I’m doing everything to keep my head above water, too. I’m so grateful for an understanding & patient husband. I understand that this is just a season & it really will be over before we know it, but man, this season is getting windy & rainy. Anyways, no real rhyme or reason to this comment, just know that you aren’t alone! If you need to talk, you have my e-mail. 🙂

  3. I completely understand! I found myself nodding along with this post. And the part about not waking up early? YES!!!
    I don’t know about you, but I often wonder how other bloggers manage to be active on social media all day long and comment on so many blogs each day!
    Me? I’m just overwhelmed, staying up way too late, and trying to keep up with the meals, messes, schedules, and the toddler tornado!
    Hang in there…it is just a phase in life! XOXO

  4. Well, clearly no advice here, but I hope you figure it out because I’ll be coming to you in the future! Just do what you can and don’t stress about it – your girls come first!

  5. Oh Courtney, I could have wrote this post! My house is a disaster half the time right now (drives me crazy), dinner isn’t even started until Conor is home. I will never wake before my kids, so I stay up until nearly midnight so that I can get stuff done and then have time with Conor. And a recent bout of teething put me into such a funk that I was sad & weepy all the time with no real amount of patience. So yeah, we’re in the thick of it right now!

  6. I am in that trench with you! I hit that manic stage when my baby started walking and then bumped it up a level when he learned to throw his cup! Sometimes we just need a moment and blog post to remind ourselves that our babies make us crazy…and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

  7. You are doing a great job, and I’m sure it is super overwhelming to suddenly have her all over. We are learning this too with R rolling rolling everywhere. I can’t relate to what it feels like to stay at home with the kids all day, but I’m glad there are others who can commiserate properly. We need people in our lives who truly get where we are. I’m finding that with being a working mom myself because I’m overwhelmed but for entirely different reasons. Hang in there 🙂 Your girlies are precious and just the cutest.

  8. Whew girl, sounds like the whirlwind around here lately too! Not so much Andi but the babes I keep now. It’s like a welcome to crazy town sign should just hang above each room in my house! Love your snaps though and in my opinion, you totally got this! (at least from the outside right? haha) Thinking of you! muah!

  9. Oh hey I relate. People ask me, how do you do daycare? How do you handle 6 kids?!

    And I tell them you just do. Just like having one kid is a huge adjustment, so is having two. Two is the worst actually haha. So you just keep on doing what you’re doing, it’ll get better! Keep your chin up and plow on, thats the best most of us can do everyday anyhow 😉

  10. First of all, Mabel sounds like a dream baby. Secondly, I would be in the same position as you with a new and mobile baby…Mason is almost 6. And now he has Legos in every room and crevice of our home. I’m sorry you are feeling overwhelmed, mama. We all get that way sometimes! Just know that you are the best mama to those girls and the best wife. Kuddos to you for putting everything else aside to spend quality time with your husband in the evenings. And you know what? Those girls are not going to remember how clean your house was, but the times you spent with them and making them feel loved!

  11. Oh girl, I hear you! I only have one, but the path of destruction (both toys, non-toy toys and food) is going strong at our house! You are not alone. 🙂

  12. So I am in a similar situation. I’m torn between doing it all or doing nothing, I’m struggling finding the balance. I’m a super rock star in so many ways but when it comes to the TLC I need, the time to recharge, I don’t give myself the grace I need.

    Hugs!! As you know, it won’t be like this for long.

  13. Wow! You have just hit the nail on the head with every single sentence in this post!!!! You are so NOT alone!

    Life is hard. And when you throw motherhood into it…well, it’s harder! Totally, completely, 100% worth it. But hard. Anyways, I can completely relate to the whole figuring things out and then a new stage hits. Yikes! And don’t apologize for talking about it. That is one of the main reasons I love reading your blog. You are relatable and REAL and I feel like you and I are friends even though we’ve never met. 🙂

    Don’t know if this helps but when I’ve been feeling really stressed, I try to just breath and give my kiddos extra cuddles or kisses. If it’s getting too much, someday’s I just leave the messy house, the unfolded laundry pile and pack the kiddos in the truck and we go to the park for an hour. Sure the mess is there when I get back, but it gives me a chance to just get away from it and the kiddos get their wiggles out. Or I grab the kiddos and we just sit on the couch and cuddle while I read them a story. I guess what I’m trying to say is that If I stop focusing on everything that isn’t working and just stop and focus on my littles, it helps.

    Anyways, don’t stress about this new stage of Mabel’s babyhood. And I know it’s totally cliche but she really will be grown up all too soon! 🙂 All the best wishes, fellow mother in arms! ;-D

  14. You are not complaining IN THE LEAST, because that is life with two, been there, doing that. The second baby is like the exact opposite of the first and man its a shock! But your biggest critic is yourself so being gentler may be a good thing. You’ll see the other side soon enough 🙂

  15. Oh girl, I know how you’re feeling. In a slightly different way because I don’t have a baby, but more just trying to balance everything. The blog has definitely taken a back seat recently and I think I am ok with that. I do miss it, but something’s gotta give. And right now I’m picking sleep over blogging 🙂 Hopefully things start to get more normal and balanced soon and back to your normal routine!
    (ps I don’t know when you updated the side bar but I’m LOVING the little photos with the words on them to click on (whatever you call them) for certain topics!)

  16. I definitely can relate! My little one has been mobile since she was 8.5 months and let me tell you, trying to get things done with a baby hanging on your leg at all times and/or getting into everything (so why bother turn your head) is exhausting! Some days I’m content with soaking it all in and just accepting the stage we’re in, the mess of the house, etc. And other days I can’t handle it. I also feel like I spend so much time in the kitchen for meals too! At least they’re fed, right?! Haha. Hang in there Mama, your doing a fabulous job!

  17. Yep, yep, and yep. Oh my I wish we lived a couple hours closer. Not a morning person, have to have my qt before bed, and ants….all the damn time. Hugs Courtney! Just know you are not alone in any of the feelings that you have. And you definitely did not come across as whining or complaining. 🙂

  18. Thinking of you, friend!! I feel like I’m going to be in this exact same boat in a few months. The newborn stage has been an easy transition for us and I’m a little afraid for the mobility/eating big sisters toys/baby proofing + toddler stage. I’m saving this post to read as my pep talk down the line 🙂 You’re amazing, wonderful and your girls are lucky to have you. I love that you’ve put this all into words, talked to Jim about it and temporarily made some adjustments to help you do life better. You’re inspiring and I know you’ll find your new normal again.

  19. Somehow I missed this post last week, but YES to all of this! Baby mobility changes everything! And I haven’t had time to clean since I was about 38 weeks pregnant 🙂 Our house is picked up and fairly clean, but there’s no way I can stay on top of the weekly vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, etc. So girl, I feel you. I still feel that I’m missing the ‘me’ part of being me – right now I’m just in mom/wife mode, but I know this stage of life won’t last forever. Oh, and quality time is my love language too, so when the kids are in bed, my hubby and I snack and watch shows together 🙂 One of the best parts of my day!

  20. Oh my goodness I can relate to this post SO MUCH! People keep saying it’s going to get easier and I’m over here like, “are you freaking kidding me, my littlest doesn’t even move yet”.

    I seriously don’t know how people find the time either, my love language is also quality time so giving up every evening to blog is not optional for me. I try to get a lot done on the weekend, but again the weekends are family time and the blog is just not my #1 priority. I suppose if I treated it more like a job (and actually made some money at it) I could do more during the week and send the kids to childcare or something but no, that is not happening over here either.

    Also with the snacks. Isn’t it so annoying how the oldest wants a snack the SECOND you sit down? Like it makes me mental some days.

    Anyway hang in there, you’re not alone and never feel guilty about spending time with your family and not blogging (saying this for myself too haha!)

  21. Courtney! I could have written this. I’m not complaining, I love this season of life so very much, but omg. Some days I fee like I’m on a sinking ship. My house is filthy. Toys & crumbs everywhere. I don’t have a second of my own to pick up the mess and I’m a visual clutter equals mind clutter type of gal.
    Always feeding someone. So glad you can empathize with that feeling. It is a bit overwhelming, right? I love nursing but I’m fairly convinced Ben is obsessed.
    Sometimes I just feel I need a moment (of five) to breath, pick up, and regroup. Or really, just for someone to say, ‘hey, I totally get it. You are doing great & it’s all totally normal.’ So my friend, I say to you, I get it. You are doing great and it is all VERY normal.

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