I’m not going to lie… adjusting to being a mom of two, a family of four, has been tough. Really really tough. Just as tough as adjusting to being a new parent. It has put a strain on our relationship, made bonding with Hannah difficult and even taken it’s toll on Ava and none of it has anything to do with having another person in our home, but more to do with who that person is. Hannah is a demanding child. She cries… a lot, she is very demanding of my time. I’m beginning to think that when she looks at me, she see’s a giant cheeseburger because if it’s anywhere near meal time and I make a move to leave her side, she goes ballistic. She’s struggled with some sensory issues and settling into our home and family.
Going through the motions of caring for her has been a piece of pie, we know what we’re doing and Walter is a very hands on Daddy, so our family runs like a well oiled machine, seeing to Hannah’s physical needs has been easy, but seeing to her emotional needs has been really really tough. I have failed her in so many ways over and over again over the last 5 months.
But we finally seem to have turned a corner. Since her bout of pneumonia, she is like a changed child. It’s as if something has clicked within her over the past two weeks, like she suddenly feels like she belongs, is a part of our family, not the 4th child in a family of 3 but part of us, part of who we are. And its been a joy to watch.
She has gone from being a very silent child, aside from all the crying, who rarely smiled & never laughed to an absolute chatter box. Her favourite sound is da da da da da and she talks NON stop and everything makes her smile and she gives these great big belly laughs that we have never ever heard before.
This morning, after I gave her her bottie, she was playing on the carpet while we were organising our breakfasts, I noticed her watching me and I waved to her and was shocked when she gave me the hugest, toothless grin and waved back. To finally have her interact with us, talk to us and share laughter with us has warmed my heart and finally brought about the bonding that both Walter and I have yearned for.
She loves her daddy and starts laughing as soon as he makes a move towards her. She listens to us, she interacts with us and finally she is starting to feel apart of us.
Welcome to our family, my happy little bird!
39 Comments
cupcakemummy
October 1, 2013 at 9:50 amthat smile… ah my she’s beautiful sharon.
so glad she’s (and the rest of you) have/are settling in so well. I can’t imagine what sort of an adjustment it must be
cath
October 1, 2013 at 9:52 amLove. Just love. Her happiness is evident. X
Lauren
October 1, 2013 at 10:11 amI am honestly so happy to hear that! You can see the happiness in that smile!
pamiejane
October 1, 2013 at 10:38 amawesome, awesome, awesome!
Tracy Blues
October 1, 2013 at 10:51 amShe is positively edible! That smile could light up a room so I can imagine how it is lighting up your lives!
Sian
October 1, 2013 at 11:49 amThats great! I am so glad.
lynnemalan@gmail.com
October 1, 2013 at 12:29 pmaawww… maybe she was just not feeling well? Happy she is feeling better xx
Sharon
October 1, 2013 at 1:46 pmNo, she’s had lots of issues. This has been going on for the past 5 months but finally she seems to be settling.
Tash
October 1, 2013 at 12:36 pmWonderful! So happy for your family…. many many years of smiles and belly laughs to come ๐
Jeannine
October 1, 2013 at 1:06 pm<3
Jeanette
October 1, 2013 at 1:18 pmaaaw! LOVE that she’s settling into the family unit properly.
darylfaure
October 1, 2013 at 3:48 pmFantastic! You have not failed her at all, but done everything possible to deal with her understandable fears and issues. Im so glad you are finally seeing the rewards. Xxx
Julia
October 1, 2013 at 6:25 pmNo one talks about it but going from a family of 3 to a family of 4 is HUGE. I found it very, VERY hard and I thought I would lose my mind.
Child1 was older than Ava and very self-sufficient and I STILL battled.
I donโt think that you should beat yourself up about whether or not you have failed Hannah. You did the very best with the information and resources that you had on hand and it can only get better.
I am so happy that things are going better. Some kids just need more time to adjust to situations than others. Some kids struggle more with change than others and need more prep. Some kids are a breeze. Thatโs just how it is. Please be patient with yourself โ youโll find your groove with her and things will be just fine.
xxx
paddatjiesema
October 2, 2013 at 9:57 amI dare anyone to look at that photo and not smile. Gorgeous
Coco
October 2, 2013 at 12:47 pmWonderful! Don’t be too hard on yourself we all do the best we can with what we have… and Sharon, she is beautiful! Old soul eyes…
Pandora
October 2, 2013 at 3:12 pmHannah is just so adorable, what a smile! So glad she is so much happier and settled.
absandlol
October 10, 2013 at 10:31 amSo flipping hard when you’re in it and its tough and it never seems to get better and then all of a sudden it clicks and its just better! Onwards and upwards!! Yay for turning the corner ๐