this? it's pretty darn good

So today I wanted to do lots of things. I was hoping to wash clothes, get my house a little more organised, unpack, clean, and catch up with a wonderful friend of mine who has a new baby that I haven't seen yet. I also really wanted to do some blog-catching up while the kids had their daytime naps, because I've got so much to tell you!

I wanted to write about our great week in the city, about how much fun we had, and all the good and bad things that happened. I especially wanted to tell you all about the kids first plane trip and ferry ride, and the fact that on our first night back, both kids slept for 12 hours straight! (yes, it was awesome).

But instead, the little guy decided that today is a day for cuddles. And honestly? He is just so delicious at the moment, that I don't mind. Not one little bit. He is so amazingly cute right now, and I loves him hard!

Waiting for my real life to begin....

Expect Less...

I read this post by Bron at Maxabella Loves this morning, and it almost made me cry. I know she wrote it for a friend, but it still is very applicable to me right now.

My expectations on myself are way too high lately. I know it. Everyone keeps telling me how well I'm doing, and how much I'm doing... but it doesn't feel like enough. I'm still expecting myself to have the house as organised as I did before Charlie was born. I'm doing way too much. Yesterday, for example, I cleaned the kitchen and made the bed and did the general house cleaning stuff. But then, when the kids napped, I also vacuumed and mopped the floor, and clipped the dog and washed her. By the time it was time to wake the kids up to drop them off at my Mum's so I could go to a hair appointment... I never even ate lunch. And that's not good.

I need to try to nap more. Because I'm still only getting at most 6 hours of (broken) sleep most nights. And when I'm tired, I'm not a very nice mother. I snap, and get irritated at Georgie much more quickly then I should. I also need to lower my expectations when it comes to Georgie and her behaviour. She is hard work yes, but it is not her fault. She is a beautiful little girl, who is also getting used to her life being very different.

I need to remind myself that I have just had a baby 6 weeks ago, and my husband is away, plus my baby has what I thought was colic, but now I think it could be silent reflux. (We are going to the Doctor today to find out). I also have a toddler who is extremely busy.

So my new Mummy mantra at the moment is 'expect less'. I know I feel better when the house is clean, but there is a difference between keeping the house as tidy as I can, to cleaning maniacally at the expense of my well-being. I don't have to be firing on all cylinders all the time... that's a sure way to burn out. I also need to stop getting so upset when things don't go to plan. Life is difficult and messy, and I cannot control it. I need to let go of my stress and enjoy things a little more. Otherwise I will end up very unhappy and I don't want that.

Not what I want to be
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Today I'm going to try and take it easy. And stop pushing myself so much. I need to try and expect less from myself.... and I suspect that I'm not the only one.

Flogging with Glowless today