Oh The Challenges Part II

Marriage: I would assume most parents would agree that bringing a child into your life changes things. My husband and I talked a lot about how we wanted to try to prevent the shock of this baby changing our marriage.  We had many conversations about "we have to find time to be husband and wife", "we have to work together",  "we have to support and be there for each other".  I don't think any amount of prep can really prepare you for what it's like to bring a helpless little baby home.  It was really hard for me because I was breastfeeding and I was the only one who could get up in the middle of the night plus Ted went back to work.  I was home all day and felt a bit isolated and as the days went by it was hard to to feel resentful or lost or sad even though I was so overwhelmingly happy to have this precious girl.  We were both dealing with figuring out how to be husband and wife AND mommy and daddy at the same time, we struggled to do it well :-)  Now that Brynn is sleeping through the night, happier and a little easier we've been able to find more time to reconnect. I know it will be work but hopefully I'll marriage will be stronger because of it!
Letting Go:  I have learned in the past few years that I am a bit of a control freak. It has been hard to let other people help me.  I want to do it all MY way, on my time, in my order.  Those of you who know me well know I have many pet peeves.  I now have a long list of ones I can add under the subheading: parenthood.  Things, all kinds of things, bug me and I just not sure how to let it go.  I know I have to.  I can't do this all by myself and it's not always going to go according to my plan.  I'm slowly starting to learn how to just take a deep breath and let others (my mom and Ted) do it their way and tell myself it will be just fine :-)
Free Time: Many people told me that I need to take a break.  Do something without my baby.  Get away.  I haven't felt a strong need for that.  I don't want to leave her.  It makes me a little anxious to do it even though I know she is in very safe and capable hands.  However, a few days in these past few months I've just wanted a day to read.  I can do that with her around but sometimes I just want to read ALL DAY without feeding, changing, soothing etc.  That's what I long for.  Not time away or vacations or a break.  Just uninterrupted time to read.  I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting that.

Maybe they'll be an Oh The Challenges Part III???   Stay tuned