Blessed (and busy)
Friday, Mar 17, 2006
There is nothing like a newborn around the house to remind a woman that she is…busy. The around-the-clock feedings, the continuous diaper changes, and the soft newborn cries all tell again and again that I need to get my act together.
I’ve five kids now aged seven and under, but save any pity and send cash donations instead. While the newborn takes the most care, the older ones still need to be fed, clothed, schooled, and refereed. Even I might start to feel compassion for myself now. Remember, though, that these are just the ramblings of a 13th day postpartum woman, and I intend to resume my normal self as soon as I can find her.
In between my blessed baby’s calls for comfort, he sleeps. In fact, he sleeps most the day away. I think God does this on purpose. Yes, the Lord in His kindness gives rest to the weary, to little babies, and to rambling postpartum women.
One of my email pals told me that it’ll take three months to finally see to my toes again get into a good routine. And, I believe her, well, just because three months sounds doable. My sweet little newborn will not awake every two hours until he’s a teenager. I hope. While these days are long, this season is short. Though this good season is more demanding, I will remember that this is still the day the Lord has made. And rejoice.
Sing to him; sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
~1 Chronicles 16:9-11
18 Comments
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hi Amy
Isn’t it funny how we forget that it takes 3 months to feel “somewhat normal”? Even after 4 children, I had to relearn it again with this one (and he is almost 5 months)
In the meantime, I’m still enjoying your infrequent posts. And let them continue to be infrequent.
It’s a good thing you still remember you are postpartum and these are postpartum feelings! I am just now starting to feel like my old self.
Comment by Andrea (March 17, 2006 @ 8:35 am )
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
I know it feels good to at least write out your feelings even if you know they are weak and know that they might soon change. I’m so glad Jesus so sweetly carries us during these times when they are so young and tiring! Praying for you during these next several weeks . . . I will be joining you with my third baby in September, and honestly thinking of those first couple months make me anxious!! That’s what is so great about Deut. 33:27 and other precious promises of Christ!
Comment by Kristi (March 17, 2006 @ 8:59 am )
Take your time with all that you’re doing with your family, and don’t let the “good” rob you of the BEST!
Blessings abundant to a tired, busy mama,
~Karen~
Comment by Karen (March 17, 2006 @ 10:27 am )
Be kind to yourself until you find her(your “normal” self). When older women gently tell us that newborn days are a short season sometimes we think good because they are demanding (As in the baby wants to eat 45 min after you finished the last feeding and the other children want regular meals and playtime with mom too.) and in some ways hard (mood swings, exhaustion, and in need of physical healing). Perhaps, what they mean to tell us is to enjoy it and don’t wish it away. One day our last baby will grow up and we may not realise that we have seen the end of this short season until it is gone.
Comment by Melissa (March 17, 2006 @ 10:37 am )
Those first few weeks are so tough. That was the time when I was convinced that the Lord meant for us to have more family around to help out. Eve would have been out of luck but she had the place to herself anyway. Enjoy your sweet newborn!
Comment by Carrie (March 17, 2006 @ 12:04 pm )
Amy - As a fellow mommy in the midst I can relate. I am starting to come up out of the fog - slowly. But it does happen:) I’m more my old self every day (although I bawled my eyes out over a song on the radio today…hormones, maybe?). That was a good reminder for me about the short season. Let’s enjoy it!
Comment by Shannon Miller (March 17, 2006 @ 12:35 pm )
Ami:
You don’t need to “get your act together”. Do what you can & let the rest go. It’s only for a few months & I doubt if anyone but you will remember in the future that mommy did not have her act together. They will survive if they get to wear jammies all day (name it Pajama Day & have cereal or pancakes for lunch. That makes it official if that’ll make ya feel less guilty). Enjoy your little newborn and your 4 others even as they grow before your eyes!
Comment by Susanne (March 17, 2006 @ 12:38 pm )
Oh dear! Five ages seven and under. I have that syndrome too. I am sure yours are still a differing variety. Mine are 7,6, 3,3, and 21 months, I think. They keep me to frazzled to count the exact months on the baby. How did we ever find ourselves in the same category? I do have one teenager though. I am not sure if it helps or hurts my plight. My eyes cross when I think that I was very close to having triplets this year. That would have put me with eight under eight years old and one teenager. Yikes.
Praising God for your blessed busyness.
Comment by KS Milkmaid (March 17, 2006 @ 1:02 pm )
Amen, Amy. I will soon be mama to 6 ages 9 and under. As we get over a cold bug and my warm up contractions have begun (even though I am not ready yet….this sickness has set us back with my “To Do” list!) I am getting excited to be joining the postpartum ranks soon and hold this dear one in my arms. Losing two babies in a year at 18 weeks and 11 weeks gestation make this baby all the more exciting
But this warm up labor will go on for probably another 2-3 weeks, so I plug away at my “To Do’s” and wait for spring. Your newest blessing sounds like he is a dream a very contented little boy. We have much to be thankful for even in the midst of busy motherhood. May we truly be thankful. I Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Enjoy!
Comment by Theresa (March 17, 2006 @ 1:41 pm )
I agree with whoever said “you don’t need to get your act together.” You don’t, Amy. You need to enjoy the time with the newbie, and the others. Think about it…the seven (or is he eight now?) year old certainly isn’t going to suffer from less school. Their nutritional health won’t suffer for long from hastily thrown together meals….be good to yourself. I mean it!
Blessings from another post-partum rambler. (My little man is 4.5 weeks old now. He is growing soooo much…nice chubby cheeks…but he has slept most of the day away and is now cooing in my lap. What a honey he is…I’m going to ENJOY him!)
Comment by Holly (March 17, 2006 @ 4:46 pm )
Every week gets better! Count each successful endeavor and forget about what doesn’t get done. It’s water under the bridge.
“Tomorrow is another day”
And thanks for the scripture! It was a great reminder in my day.
Comment by Kim Brenneman (March 17, 2006 @ 5:07 pm )
I think it was our most difficult time when we had five children - under 4 1/2 years of age! We were blessed with twins for #4 & #5 and we survived!
And now, almost 15 years later, I miss those 5 little ones and what I missed with being so busy. I am thankful for the 6 additional He blessed me to follow, and “mellowing in my older age” to enjoy the young ones, and catch the moments more, and watch the older ones interact with the younger ones. To see my now almost 19 year old pick up our 3 year old and love her and play with her - - - oh such delight! So, IT WILL get better! There’s so many joys ahead. Count them all! 
Comment by Loni (March 17, 2006 @ 9:13 pm )
Amy, are folks at your church bringing you meals?
Comment by Jo in Orlando (March 18, 2006 @ 9:02 am )
Amy - Congratulations! I visited your site thanks to a mention by Tim Challies, and I’m thrilled to read your postings! I, too, am the mom of five - they are now ages 15, 14, 11, 10 and 6. I remember those younger days so clearly…
Be blessed with little Charles and the other four. I look forward to visiting your site often!
Comment by beth (March 18, 2006 @ 1:49 pm )
As a mommy who has survived the 5 children 7 and under it really does all settle into a “new” normal. Blessings to you as you learn and grow with your new little one.
Comment by Spunky (March 20, 2006 @ 4:37 pm )
One rainy “web-surfing” day, one link led to another and I found myself here. Amy I love your musings… and am encouraged by the wonderful spirit I can sense even through your writings! Thank you for sharing!
Have a great day filled with love & sunshine,
Comment by Mel (March 20, 2006 @ 6:51 pm )
Not only food but a little babysitting as well. I am blessed.
[Big welcome to new readers, Beth and Mel!]
Comment by Amy Scott (March 21, 2006 @ 12:20 pm )
I’m sure you are busy with 5, 7 and under! My aunt at one time had 4 kids, 3 1/2 and under ( she had a set of twins ).
I hope the Lord blesses me with many children someday!
Comment by Courtney, Jer.33:3 (March 21, 2006 @ 12:30 pm )