Life Savers

Today was a two Coca-Cola, one grande coffee day.

Tonight is a four Rolo, two Fruit Roll-Up evening.

Translation: it’s been a long, tired day in our crazy household and if this post makes any sense whatsoever I’d like 15 brownie points, regardless of the embarrassing fact this morning I absent-mindedly used a breast pad as a coaster because my eyes were so bleary I honestly thought it was a thirsty stone.

New lows. They arrive every day without fail.

I was sleep enough this morning that I accidentally turned on notifications for any time any one on my Facebook friend list did anything, resulting in more than 100 notifications before I figured out what happened… and loopy enough that this quote from Dave Barry almost made me wet my pants laughing:

“Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.”

Followed shortly by this quote, which made me holler, “Amen!” like a traveling revival preacher:

“It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity.”

At least I started the day with laughter in addition to a zombie-like attitude.

So, let me tell you three things that have made life wonderful in the three weeks since Bubby arrived:

1. Morning Sleep. I’ve mentioned before that Lizard will take Bubby to the living room in the morning for an hour or two. They usually sleep on the sofa in the cutest picture of Daddy/Son bliss while I am able to completely, fully rest. Knowing the baby is safe but not having to sleep on high alert, uninterrupted by baby wuffles… oh, that has been such a gift! I believe this one act of kindness from my husband has made every part of our family’s days better – because everyone knows, “When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

2. Meal Train. One of the gals in our Bible Study group was kind enough to organize a meal train for us. Every other day friends have brought dinner to us. It has been amazing! Not only because it showers us with affection and practical support, but because the food has been so good! Our whole family has enjoyed new meals and I’ve gotten several new recipes out of the adventure. The timing of every other day has also been really helpful because it gives us the freedom to have evening activities and work through leftovers without becoming completely overwhelmed.

3. Friends. Call me cynical, but I never expected to have real friends so soon after moving to a new town. Yet we have some genuinely good people blessing our lives! Just today a friend stopped by at the precise moment Bubby was crying, Dos was demanding lunch, Tres was hanging from the refrigerator door, and I was trying to help a customer. Without missing a beat, she stepped through the chaos of our household (and over the piles of toys and laundry) toward the PB&J I had on the kitchen counter and started making lunches for the kids. Her presence diffused a stressful situation and I was incredibly grateful for her practical love. Having people you can send a crazy text message toward or who will simply fill a need they see without making you feel weak for needing help… well, it’s been a lifesaver!

If you have anyone with a newborn in your life, please consider sharing these life-saving techniques! Come to think of it, maybe you should just organize a meal train for people for the pure joy of learning new recipes! (I just may do that… in a few months.)

Or offer cookies. Oreos are also very well-received around here; you just can’t go wrong offering someone a cookie with love.

What are ways people helped you survive the first weeks after the baby was born? (And how many brownie points do I get? Huh?! Huh?!)