I am now a mother of two.

Anna Rose joined us almost a month ago, and life has been filled with moments of bliss, exhaustion, and every range of emotion in between.

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There is more love and more challenges. I’m searching for a set of operating instructions* on how to create a harmonious existence with a toddler and a newborn, while honoring myself, and my husband. Does such a thing exist?

I suspect I will have to write my own…as I go along.

The first section of this instruction booklet will be healing practices to engage in daily. These practices have become essential.

Things like:

arranging flowers around the house // lighting candles // meditating (if only for a minute) // taking baths // yoga // napping // drinking cups of tea // eating too much chocolate // processing through writing  // listening to beautiful music // reading poetry //

These acts have helped me hold onto myself, which of course is the hardest thing to do when everything else is pulling me and crying (literally) for my attention.

Wondering what part of this lovely puzzle I will figure out next… There is certainly a lot to fit together. Advice from seasoned professionals welcome.

Patience + forgiveness, extremely necessary.

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*This phrase was prompted from the title of Anne Lamott’s book Operating Instructions : A Journal of my Son’s First Year –  which I am currently loving.