On very real life with a new baby…

3 weeks into life with my gorgeous new third baby I like the world to think I have a vague idea of what I am doing.  But today has been one of ‘those’ days when it all goes really rather pear-shaped.

I was due to blog for you this morning about a witty and entertaining topic – but here I am in the evening admitting I am no superwoman and my tiny chap has somehow swallowed up my whole day.  How is it that babies can achieve that when all they do at this stage is sleep, eat and look cross-eyed at us?

This morning I was going to be not only a super businesswoman who could do her bit for the company with baby in tow, but also a domestic goddess who would have tea ready for the older two kids, and dinner ready for my weary husband.  This afternoon my small son decided that was a bad plan and quite simply not permitted.  So the blog became a few words typed one-handed, and a couple of omelettes and some bowls of pasta pesto later, here we are.

But what makes me smile is knowing I am not alone.  Women nationwide are right now looking around the bombsite that is their home and wondering where on earth the day went.  And actually the important thing is not to lose your sense of humour about it all,  and do your very best to relax into the mayhem.  Generally I fail dismally at this and still delude myself that I am a tidy person with an organised life.  But I know how important it is to just let things go a bit right now.  He will only be tiny for such a short space of time, and as my best mate said to me, ‘you need to take time to just stare at your baby’, and she is so right.

My mum gave me a little poem when I had my first child – and after my hectic day I want to share it with all of you.  It says it all really:

‘I hope that my child, looking back on today, remembers a mother who had time to play.  Children grow up while you aren’t looking – there’ll be years ahead for cleaning and cooking.  So quiet now cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I’m rocking my baby, and babies don’t keep.’

Lovely isn’t it?

I know I will wake up tomorrow once more delusional.  But I also know my lovely new baby will remind me to stare at him.  So who cares if we have beans on toast for tea!

on life with a really new baby!