I’m thinking things are getting more back to normal. I don’t feel like the walking dead anymore and I have more energy–most of the time. I am getting things done, although I still feel like my house is a pit. Yeah, things are going along pretty good.
But “normal” is a subjective word. Things are not normal, as they were pre-Emily. Things are normal for our family at this point in our lives. Baby eats, poos, coos, and sleeps. Kids do school, practice instruments, go to activities and stuff. Dave and I do most of the stuff we did pre-Emily. Although I must admit, it takes a whole lot longer to do!
For example, last night, we headed out to rehearsal for worship. Before, I used to get the music together, type stuff out and get it all organized. We used to eat, load up the car with gear and go. Now, I have to make sure the baby is fed before we go, while simultaneously trying to get dinner together. I have to get music ready and I had to get Alex to bring all the gear downstairs, ready to load in the car. I also had to get the diaper bag ready, get another bottle, “just in case,” Get the clothes I was going to give away, get the diapers I was going to give away because Emily outgrew them, get the stroller, because she does better in the stroller than the car seat. But I did it! I was so proud of myself. Dinner was ready, and Emily was fed. The only thing I forgot was the stroller. We actually got to church 15 minutes early instead of right on time. We had time to make copies and David had time to get the sound system up and running.
I think Elizabeth is having a hard time with this new “normal”. We have made sure that we spend time with her alone–and Alex too, so they know they are loved, but they aren’t helpless, like Emily. Last week, we went out and had coffee and shopped. David took Beth out to lunch this week, and last week, he took Alex out. This is the new normal.
For Thanksgiving, we went to our friend’s house. That was an ordeal. All I had to do was bring rolls and pie. I got the rolls and pie (homemade, by the way.) but the whole getting out and over there was ridiculous! I had to bring Emily’s sleeping bed, diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, the bottle, the formula, the high chair, the stroller, the monitors and various other things. I felt like we were moving in! We got over there and Emily went down upstairs, but since it is so far away, I needed the monitors so I could hear her if she started to fuss. We had a great time, but wow, this is the new normal!
Tomorrow I am going to attempt to go to Michael’s and get some yarn for a blanket I am crocheting. I am also going to attempt to go to the grocery store. We’ll see how that works out….