Intentions for the in-between

Hello, hello!

So it turns out I’m not cut out for both working (even part-time), taking care of a toddler, and blogging.

I never intended to stop blogging altogether when I went back to work, but that is what happened, and that’s okay.  This is a hobby for me, and like all hobbies, the amount of attention is receives will naturally ebb and flow in different phases of life.

This past year, I’ve been able to keep writing, which I love, at Motherly and The Tot and that has been enough for this time.

That being said, things are changing once again.  I am expecting a baby girl at the start of January, and could not be more excited!  I’ve decided to stay home with her for at least a year, like I did with James, and am very much looking forward to this special time.

I actually stopped working two weeks ago, which was bittersweet as I loved my job and very much love my colleagues.

When I thought of all of the changes to come though, I knew that I wanted some time to adjust to being at home, and to help James adjust to staying home rather than going to school, as he’ll be home this year too.

I knew this time would fly by with the holiday season in full swing and the last two weeks have certainly passed quickly!

Before this special / strange / surreal in-between time escapes me entirely, I wanted to note some intentions for how I hope to fill this time.

Be present and connect with James

This is the number one reason I wanted this extra time.

I know from watching children at school go through the new sibling transition that it can really shake their whole world.  I am lucky enough to have both a brother and a sister whom I’m very close to and truly belive that a sister will be a gift to James.  I also know it will be very hard at times, especially in the beginning when a lot of my attention will naturally need to be devoted to the baby.

I want to take this time to be truly present with him while he goes about his day, playing with Legos, reading books, exploring outside, and sometimes saying “no” to everything just on principle.

When I first thought about this time, I was tempted to fill it with all of the adventures.  The zoo, the museums, play groups, etc.

We will certainly do some of those things, but I also want to simply slow down and be with him, to make him feel as seen and loved as I possibly can so that he goes into this transition as full and secure as possible.

Slow down for the holidays

We traveled to Wisconsin to see my husband’s family for Thanksgiving.  Apart from the flights, which went as well as could be expected, it was a really relaxing trip.  We spent lots of time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, just playing and being together.

I’m hoping to take this relaxed feeling into the Christmas season.

Since Christmas comes only two weeks before my due date, my family is traveling to our house for Christmas this year, which I am very excited about!

As soon as this was decided though, I found myself frantically searching Pinterest for recipes and thinking about everything I needed to do to host Christmas.

I have to remind my self (frequently) that my family is coming here to make it easier on us, not harder.  I know they’re not expecting anything other than to spend time with us, and I’m going to try (hard) to remember this and keep it low key.

Meditate and do prenatal yoga

Compared to my first pregnancy, this one has gone by in a blur.  Seriously, it has seemed SO fast.

This is really great in a lot of ways because I’ve had less anxiety about everything with a very active toddler to keep up with.

It also means I’ve made less mental and emotional preparations though.

I’m hoping that regularly meditating and doing prenatal yoga videos will help me slow down, connect with this new baby, and prepare myself for all of the changes to come.

I’ll be back soon with more thoughts on preparing for our new addition.  Thank you to anyone who is still reading after my long hiatus 🙂

Any advice on preparing for a second baby?

How do you approach the holiday season?  Do you try to do all the things, or take it slow?