Hello everyone! I’m happy to say I’m back from maternity leave. Thank you so much for all of your messages while I was away. The baby is doing great. She is such a delight. We really are in love.
I am finding motherhood the second time around a lot different than the first. It seems easier in some respects. This is not because the baby is any different but because I’ve changed a lot. For one thing I’ve started to take my own advice… To be in the moment, to take pleasure out of the simple things and to just enjoy myself, no matter what the circumstance.
Because of my first child I now know that these precious moments when they are babies go by all too quickly so I might as well soak every wonderful moment in- even the sleepless ones.
I'm not saying it's easy and roses all the time... I hosted a playdate last week that was, in two words, pure chaos. But I am still enjoying the process.
I’m also taking some advice from Pamela Druckerman’s book, Bringing Up Bébé, which discusses French parenting techniques. The biggest themes I took away from that book were the ideas of being relaxed, going with the rhythm of the baby, not trying to force anything unnaturally and, the biggest revelation for me, La Pause technique (where you don't jump at every sound the baby makes). So far it all seems to be working really well. Although it didn’t start off that way…
The first days after bringing our newborn home from the hospital were a bit challenging. I remarked to Mr. Connoisseur that I felt like I was living in a video game where every moment I was just trying to get to the next level. But once I started to pay attention to the rhythm of our baby, I managed to form a delicious routine that is malleable enough to change with the needs of our family. I am seriously enjoying motherhood now because I know that suddenly I will blink and my girls will be graduating from college. It can go by that fast.
I've missed you all and am really excited to get back into blogging again. I somehow did a lot of writing and planning while on maternity leave (I told you I never stop working) so I have a lot of great posts planned for you.
Those of you who follow me on Twitter know a bit about what I've been up to (anyone else watch the Diamond Jubilee??) but I look forward to updating you on it all in next week's post.
And now I have to go change a diaper… or two.
If you are unable to see the embedded video above, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur.
Until next time, I would love to hear your parenting tips and wisdoms for raising children…
Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman can be found at Amazon.com or by clicking here.
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22 comments:
Glad it is going so well for you and that you are enjoying it so much! I just had my sweet little Israel a week and 1/2 ago and I have to agree that the second time around is much more enjoyable. I think it's because we have a clue. :) There has been so much more peace and joy with the birth of this baby simply because we knew what to expect with the labor and delivery and with the process after that. But I had to enroll Samuel in Mother's Day Out because it was too much trying to keep him entertained while I'm healing and take care of the baby too - plus he loves it and craves the stimulation that I'm not able to offer at this moment. I'm soaking up all those sweet moments too even the ones that occur during the middle of the night every few hours. :) Blessings on your family!
Hello, and welcome back! So wonderful to see you again! I'm glad you and your family are doing well, and I'm looking forward to some new posts and videos on the blog! =)
~Lisa D.
Glad to see you back! I read Pamela Druckerman's book, I found it very interesting and very true. Looking forward to upcoming posts!
Welcome back!
Sounds like things are going well for you and baby.
Hope that you are sleeping well and getting rest when the baby is asleep.
You look fabulous...I don't know how you do it!
Hello and welcome back. I am delighted to see you and to hear of the safe arrival of your daughter.
You look beautiful and I am so happy to hear that all is working out really well for you.
I had been thinking of you.
Helen xx
Welcome back, Jennifer! Glad to hear that the second time around is a lot easier. My son just turned 11 mo a few days ago, and we are wondering if the second one will be easier. So far it has been up/down for us. I don't have any parenting tips as I am in need for some! But I'll check out Pamela Druckerman's book. Coincidentally, it was recommended to me by my sister-in-law.
Claire
Good to have you back on the blog and YouTube :-)
Wishing you happiness Jennifer as you bring up baby number 2. :) Kathryn Bechen
So happy you are back and so happy you want to live in the moment. I can certainly attest to the notion that in the blink of an eye your girls will graduate...it feels like only yesterday my baby girls, now aged 23 and 25, started school. As tiring as it gets, enjoy every second, take time at the end of the day celebrating the achievements and learning from the difficulties-and remember, when it gets tough, it's not forever!
Welcome back Jennifer! You're looking really well and happy. I'm sure you have lots of wonderful posts and ideas for the future - looking forward to reading.
Congratulations on the happy chaos of 2 small children. Our 2 children were raised on a confusing mixture of DC and western Europe. Most French refused to believe they were Americans because they were so well behaved! And most Americans didn't believe they were Americans because of the same reason. The book is filled with common sense, although I don't think it is just the French with that parenting style.
. Your children will have more interesting lives and happier ones if they learn to delay gratification. And you will enjoy your early parenting years more as well. Have fun!
Welcome back! You've been missed. :) I am looking forward to upcoming posts.
Welcome back, Jennifer! Having a newborn and a toddler certainly make for many challenging days. I totally got it when you said, " I felt like I was living in a video game where every moment I was just trying to get to the next level." That's exactly what it's like.
It's so good to see and hear from you again! I can totally relate to your feelings about things being somewhat easier - although perhaps more time-consuming - than the first time around. I recently mentioned to my sister that once we had two, we really hit our stride as parents. Complete and total surrender seems to be the answer (and the joy in it all!).
Congratulations to the entire Connoisseur family! (And you look gorgeous as always - baby weight?!?! Where, pray tell!)
Congrats! CHEERS! Michele
Welcome back Jennifer! You have been missed! Glad you are enjoying the moment with your babies, this is the best way to live for the grow so quickly. I am sure you have heard that quip, that they grow quickly, but now you will be living it.
Welcome back Jennifer + congratulations!! So happy to hear that you're enjoying this special time when your kids are small. Also the concealer works haha- any lack of sleep could be your secret!
Please also let us know how the tips work from Bringing Up Bébé. I just finished reading it Sunday + it was so interesting. (I'm not a mom but am an auntie and big sister.)
Best wishes~ Dee
I am happy that you are returning to your blog so soon. Your reviews and insights are fun to read, and I can't wait to read the new edition of your book.
Welcome back!
Wanted to let you know I've stopped using the Digital teacup (and merveilleux) name except for occasionally on Youtube to comment because I am branching out in my photography and I noticed someone else online uses that name too (go figure). So now I'm going by "Seamerias" (sea+plumerias) and I've added you on twitter! Can't wait to see your new posts!
Did you read "French Kids Eat Everything" by Karen Le Billon? Though it deals mostly with how the French cultivate good (and adventurous) eating habits in their children, it also shows how this is part of their overall parenting ethos. Both books were fascinating and inspiring, and I read them both in part because of the interest sparked by your book. What a fun bunch of French life memoirs!
Thank you to everyone for commenting! It's really great to be back... Thank you to those of you who have shared your parenting stories, tips and recommendations. It's an exciting journey right? I am taking it all on board. Jennifer x
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