I started this post in the early weeks. But it still holds mostly true.
Rough evenings
Sleepy nights
Peaceful mornings
That's pretty much how things go for us. The evenings are the most difficult times. Brambo is fussy and its difficult to make him happy. Max is often at work which leaves me alone with him after a long day. And when Max is home, we are trying to carry on some semblance of a conversation about either how our days went or serious decision topics. That isn't easy with a baby that needs almost constant attention. It's my most frustrating breast feeding time. Honestly, I think I'm just over it by the end of the day. But it's definitely Brambo's hungriest time.
Then we get to nights. When I'm up with him I'm in such a sleepy daze. I'm either focused on feeding him and getting him back to sleep as quickly as possible or annoyed that Max is asleep and I'm not or I'm actually dozing while feeding him. I know those are special moments too, but seriously, I'm just to sleepy to treasure them.
So every day as we move into evening time, especially in weeks 2-4, I would look ahead and hold out hope for the morning. Mornings are amazing. Brambo is sweet and snuggle and sleepy. He is perfectly happy in my arms cuddling or chilling by himself in his swing. So if I want to just hang onto him for awhile, I can. But if I need to sleep or get something done, I can. I feel refreshed from sleep and waking up at a semi normal time. Max is often still hanging around before heading to work. And the sun is coming up on a new day.
It brings a whole new meaning to "joy comes in the morning". And repeating that to myself saved me on some really really tough nights.
I felt the same way when my twins were so young. The afternoons would bring anxiety and sadness. It got to the point where we couldn't have evening visitors because I had such a hard time. Sounds like you're doing well, hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying reading your posts as I it gives me some semblance of an idea of what to expect. This post just shakes my entire idea of what my schedule will be like. I am NOT a morning person, and love to have quiet time in the evenings. Oops. It will be so interesting to see how our world is completely refigured.
ReplyDeleteWe used to call it the Five O'Clock Meltdown. Like clockwork, Henry would get exceptionally crabby beginning around 5pm. He's 1.5 now, and still gets fussy at 5:00 if he hasn't had some milk and a snack by 5:02. LOL
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, Hattie. The nights are frustrating, but the mornings are quite amazing. ((Hugs))
You are not alone. I too have a fussy baby in the evenings. It makes sense that they would be crabby after a day full of stimulation as opposed to well rested and refreshed in the mornings. It doesn't make it easier though.
ReplyDeleteI am not a morning person and like my relaxing evenings so this has really been a change for me. It's hard when you come home from work and just want to snuggle and smile with your baby and all you get is fussing and crying. It makes it hard to look forward to the evenings. But as you said, tomorrow brings a new morning and some babies grown out of the 'witching hour' fussiness. Let's pray for that.
Yep, that's life with an infant! Ours, anyway. Hang in there, it does get better!
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