It may already be rather apparent that I’m not the greatest pregnant person in the world. I’m not one of those lucky girls who feel fabulous, have that glow, and look adorable with their basketball shaped tummy.
I get naseaous. I get really, really tired. I go through the “is she fat or pregnant” stage for quite awhile. And the kicker….I lose my patience with all things ridiculous rather quickly.
Last time, I was teaching. So when the kids started driving me nuts I could kick them outside for a run or simply hang on until the end of the day. This time, I’m stuck. My hubby has been working crazy hours and it’s basically been just me and the kid during the week for the last two weeks. I love him, but I think we’re both getting on each other’s nerves.
The other day I got to experience the joy of an hour and a half epic tantrum, complete with hitting and kicking me and the wall. It was one of those moments that made me stop and think, “where did I go wrong?”
Source: comeatme1231.tumblr.com via Nina on Pinterest
It took all my strength, and taking away his trains for 2 days, to get to the other side, but we finally did. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. “How am I going to do this with two?” is all I could think about. It’s hard enough dealing with one when I’m on my own so much, but two is just plain scary.
I was still pretty mad at him by the end of the day. We went through our nightly routine, still read stories, still gave him a goodnight kiss, but I wasn’t exactly happy about it. All I wanted was a break.
About an hour later, I couldn’t even get that break. From the couch, I heard him crying in his room.
I sat. He cried.
I still sat. He still cried.
It took all my strength to get up there and deal with him. I’d had enough and all I wanted was to watch my show. Didn’t he get that???
Mostly asleep, he was obviously having some kind of nightmare or something. He knew I came into the room cause the crying stopped, but I could tell he still wasn’t settled. I kneeled down by his little bed, gave him a hug, and saw a smile on his sleeping little face.
It wasn’t just any smile, it was a goofy, giddy, happy grin. My mommy is here.
My heart melted. All the annoyed, hurt, anger, disappointment from the day melted with that little smile. All he wanted was his mommy.
I found that at the end of my rope lies a little guy who just wants his mommy.
I’ve been living under s FREAKIN rock!!! CONGRATS on your pregnancy friend!!!! Loved this post and you are so right!! Hang in there because you are one awesome mama!! Hugs and love to you!
Brought tears to my eyes! I too am pregnant w/ #2 and have a 20 month old. Somedays I feel the same way, “how can I possibly take care of two?” These are the moments that make it all worth it! Fortunately we only have to do one day at a time! But darn those days can be long!
My husband has been away on business all week and at a bachelor party in vegas this weekend. It’s been a rough week so i feel your pain, I’ve got 2 munchkins to handle. Isn’t it great when those feelings of frustration just melt away with something as simple as a smile from your child? Congratulations on #2, it’s really not that hard, don’t be scared. It’s much easier going from 1 to 2 than it was going from 0 kids to 1. Looking forward to seeing you and your peanut in a couple weeks!
xoxo,
Summer
You are going to survive and do it with grace! I once had someone ask me, “Why is he so upset?”. I was dumbfounded! Did he need a reason? Hang in there for those moments that wash all the frustration away.
I experienced this just the other day. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. As my min and other wise moms you have pioneered the way “it won’t last forever” take breaks. Find a babysitter or neighbor to take them to the park – even for an hour. You can do it!
Hang in there Nina! Two really isn’t so bad. The nice thing is with #2 is that they don’t come out as a screaming toddler. They get to work up to that. And you’d be surprised how much older siblings love the new little baby in their house. My SIL shared this article with me and I found it helpful. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html Good luck!! And yes, at the end of the day, no matter how bad things went, all they want is YOU!
Loved this. Feel exactly the same way as I am 9 weeks now. My hubby was out of town yesterday and I really felt like I could not do it. Everything takes so much energy and patience now. But I got thru the day somehow, and when she also woke up in middle of the night, after I got a few hrs of peace and quiet, I was also able to give her a smile and a hug. Stay strong and good luck!!
I love reading this post…especially the end. It’s the little things that matter most. The little things that get us to stop for a second and forget about our worries, concerns, trials, struggles, etc.
I loved reading this girl. Thanks for writing what many of us stay at home moms with crazy hour hubbys FEEL during the day. And how that one sweet precious moment can wipe it all away
Don’t we all just want our mommies sometimes?!
I know I do… He’s so lucky to have you!
I absolutely loved this post. Not sure how I missed your pregnancy (CONGRATS!!!) but I just had to say that I have many, many days like this as well. Glad to know I’m not alone! Again, congratulations!
When you reach the end of your rope you pull out the EMERGENCY pack! Mommyhood is AMAZING:)
We have those days with my little man too and I have a hard time and I’m not even pregnant….although we’re trying. Just wanted to say that this post totally melted my heart! What a perfect little reminder. Thank you!
Thank you for keeping it real
I have a 7 and 10 year old and feel just plain awqful that once in a rare moment I want to just drive alone until my car runs out of gas. And even at their age, nothing melts my heart more than when they just want their momma.
By the way – you cracked me up with the “is she fat or pregnant” comment – I swear somedays I wish that I could blame the belly on a baby ;:)
It’s been awhile since I’ve been here… Congratulations on the little one on the way! I’ve been there with a screaming, angry child too. I now unschool our kiddos every. single. day. full-time. Ages 9, 5, & 1. Most people think I’m crazy, I think I’m blessed. I’ve learned a lot along the way… Trying to understand where they are coming from isn’t easy, but it helps them feel loved and understood. I often say, “I know that must be hard” give them a long genuine hug and try to move on with some kind of distraction or positive thing. It helps a lot. Sometimes that hug is just what this frustrated mama needed too… Hope things will get easier with your little guy.
What a sweet ending to your story!! My son does something similar, in that after expending angry energy, he often wants a hug. And more often than not, I give him one, but I am not always feeling it. My son still flails around and does a dance or two when he gets upset and it makes me wonder where I’m going wrong, too. Boys! You gotta love ‘em.
This post sounds pretty much like my life! We have a 2 1/2 yo and a 7 week old, and this weekend my husband asked me “Why do you seem so cranky all the time?” Are you kidding me?!?! The little one is stealing my sleep, and the big one is a whining, attitude having, tantrum throwing, semi-potty trained, non-listening, know it all! Add in the errands, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. and ask me again why I’m “cranky”! He only sees both kids about 2 hours each day, but for me it is truly a miracle if I don’t want to strangle someone before 10am! Maybe I should take a weeks vacation and see how he handles it. ;D
But even thought our place is a complete nuthouse, and Mommy is ready to go off the deep end most of the time, both kids do the cutest things each day that I would totally miss if I wasn’t putting up with all the other stuff too. Just hang in there. It can’t last forever. (I hope!)
Rest easy, my friend. I too was not the most graceful pregnant lady, I was chubby and felt fat until I was visably pregnant, I puked every day, I was always sweaty, and I didn’t feel comfortable in my clothes for the first few months. My second pregnancy didn’t go much better, and I definitely felt scared thiniking about handling 2 kids. My 2 boys are 3 years apart and even though I still feel scared with two (ha.ha.), naturally we all just adapt to what we have no choice but to adapt to. All 4 of you will adapt.
Hang in there, I know that being sick and dealing with a toddler is not fun, but you can do it!! 