Leo is one month old today. Life as a family of four is wonderful, but also extremely time consuming. Over the last three weeks, part of me has been feeling fairly strongly that I want to give up blogging. But there is a small part of me that is still thinking of things I could blog about. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to write any of these ideas up, and I’m so tired, that more often than not, I think the ideas aren’t very interesting.
Part of me thinks that my boys need my undivided attention, and part of me feels that I need something for myself, a place where I feel I am contributing to the world (apart from raising children).
I’m already thinking of when I will be up to restarting the Real German Cuisine series (end of summer/early fall maybe?), but I can’t predict when or if I will have more time. It does weigh on me a bit that I am neglecting the blog – both blogs in fact, I haven’t posted on Mamas Worldwide in quite some time.
I’m still pretty immobile. Little Leo did a number on my back during the birth and I’m now having pain running down both legs and weakness in the right leg. Hopefully once I get my back sorted out, I can get around more and take more photos and restart Weekly Winners.
Thank you all for your congratulations and condolences. I meant to thank you all in the previous post, but I took some time off, and then felt like I’d let too much time pass, so my apologies. And to answer Jennifer, my nausea is gone, thanks for asking. It didn’t disappear with the birth, but faded to where I didn’t need medication after two days, and it was gone within four days.
As for blogging, I expect when I have more time and feel better mentally and physically, I’ll want to get back to posting, but only time will tell what’s in store for me for the future.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
It does get easier
Don’t push yourself, and write when you can. Maybe even give yourself an official break until October, so you can really lighten your self-imposed burden of wanting/needing to write. If you don’t, you’ll always be thinking “maybe today, maybe today” and it’ll be unnecessary stress.
I think the nice thing about the blogging world is that we all understand about how life can get crazy, and we’ll all be here when you feel like writing. You’re on my Reader so whenever you write I’ll know.
Sending you healing thoughts, and hugs for the boys! (and you too!)
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Princess Ponderings =-.
Dear Christina – congratulations on the one-month birthday and glad to hear things seem to be more or less getting back on track after all the happy and sad events of the last month. After 7 years of living in Germany, 5 of being married to a German, and 12 years living outside of the US, I only last week started looking online for kindred, English-speaking spirits. As I took the time to read many of the older posts here, I had a huge, much-needed and timely learning curve about not being the only one who has had certain difficulties and experiences (positive and negative) in Germany. Not only is it well-written and entertaining, your blog has helped me so much in this forever-ongoing adjustment period called ‘life abroad’ and I only wish I had discovered it years earlier! So, as a currenly unemployed, currently childless housewife with only 75 sq meters to clean, who am I to beg you not to stop blogging here – but you would definitely be missed, and no doubt not only by me! All the best, whatever you decide.
PS – I also wanted to appreciate how positive, non-judgemental, and polite this blog is, including 99% of the posters. Even when the occasional cyber-bully has cropped up (they seem to exist everywhere these days and their prevalence on other similar sites almost put me off this Internet quest completely) are dealt with in the above-described manner. Kudos!
I completely understand your dilemna! As another blogger who has all but stopped blogging for the last year… I wonder if and when I will begin having time and desire to blog again. For now, I leave my blog intact until that day comes…. if it ever does!
If/When you decide to resume the Real German Cooking Challenge – I will continue on that cooking journey with you!
Until then, enjoy your family and continue on your journey to wellness!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog .. =-.
Christine, I feel for you, especially in this heat wave it’s hard for anyone to be motivated for anything. Whatever you decide, your loyal blog readers are behind you 100 %. It’s hard enough having two little ones without the physical problems you’re having. Wishing you all the best,
Carla near Wiesbaden
I discovered your blog a few months ago and have found it a valuable resource since moving to Germany. I agree with Maribeth’s comment – the great thing about blogging is that we do it when we have the time and energy, and sometimes those two things are lacking! We’ll all look forward to reading if/when you decide to write again. I hope your health continues to improve and congratulations on the new little one!
I, for one, will miss your blog. Like Marybeth and Holly, I have looked forward to your posts and it has helped me adjust to life here in Munich. Please give it consideration. Your baby Leo is just beautiful. I love his little smile while sleeping. It would be great to watch him grow up on your blog.
Hi- Good to hear from you. Welcome to juggling two kids! It is wonderful and bittersweet. Where does the time go? Where does the energy go? Whatever you do (blogging or not!), please remember the best piece of advice I’ve gotten. Don’t forget to take care of YOURSELF too. Take some time to get what I call some restorative downtime. If nothing else, give this to yopurself. If you blog, great. If you nap, read, exercise, or cook for fun… that’s great too. In taking care of everyone else, don’t forget yourself.
Wishing you better health with your legs and back! Hang in there and enjoy it…
Rachael
Hey Christina.
I agree with Saskia. Give yourself a good break and come back to it once you feel you have time to do it. We’ll be waiting for you
XOXO
Hi Christina,
I’m just so pleased that you haven’t decided to give up the blog altogether. Take as much time to adjust to life as a family of four and all of the changes that come with that. (You’re in my reader, so I’ll see it whenever you feel up to it and I imagine it’s the same for many people.)
Thanks for your understanding everyone. I think I’ve come up with a solution that might work (will explain soon)
I love your blog and will miss you if you don’t write. But you should do exactly what you feel like doing. Having a new baby to care for is hard enough. Don’t put any additional pressure on yourself. And as others have said, don’t worry. It will all be here for you when you want it.