Ok, kiln's still running. I'll be up with it a few more hours and its already 10 pm. But where was I, oh yes, the past two weeks I've entered a new stage. Annabelle had been sleeping in 2-4 hour chunks of time, three times a day, but lately she's been waking up after only an hours nap. She is up an hour, down a hour, all day long. When she is up, she eats and then we play, which is awesome because she is playing much more than her previous newborn self: she grabs at things, lets me read to her, looks at the pictures, watches mobiles, etc. It's pretty fun. But then I put her to sleep and that hour nap is eaten up with my needs; bathroom break, meal, the never ending excessive laundry, dirty dishes, dinner prep, breather, coffee, shower. I finally get out to the studio and after 10 minutes of prepping to work, Annabelle is up.
Today I just let go of trying to work. It really has to be secondary now. AB needs me. I'm her mom, her sole source of food and primary source of interaction and learning. I'm helping her develop language skills, motor skills, and build muscles. I like hanging with her, facebooking or watching Bomb Girls while nursing and then folding cloth diapers while she naps. I think I've tried to expect full time potter results from myself and its just impossible these days. Pottery is stressing me out, Annabelle is my happy place. I've got to come up with a new plan for working because this is just not it. I can't run for the studio every time AB's head hits the mattress. Being the Christmas season I feel it would be beneficial to my business but its too much. And having a sitter doesn't help much because I still have to feed her. I'm never off the hook. Not while she's this young, just a wee little babe.
So here are my options (formulating them as I type):
1. Work in the studio less. This is a viable option. And perhaps a reality. But less can't turn into not at all. Perhaps it could be a "work smarter" approach. Fewer custom orders? No customs? Only customs? No pieces with trimmed foots (feet?) or handles? That would be weird.
2. Get up early and work before AB arises. Annabelle wakes up anywhere between 6:15 and 9. It's a big swing. But if I go to the studio at 5:30 and she wakes up at 8 I've logged 2 1/2 hours. That's mega time. Plus, her morning awake time is usually brief followed by a decent nap so those 2 1/2 hours could be followed by another hour or two.
3. Find someone to do my laundry and dishes. If I work more, I could pay someone to clean my house, therefore freeing me of those time consuming duties. Sounds like a hassle and is out of my element but its worth considering.
4. Work at night. Annabelle goes to sleep around 7. Then I'm duty free until the next morning. I could work 8-10 in the evening. I don't really like this idea since I'm exhausted by the end of the day and just want to hang with Jon and Andrea. My pottery making skills are much better when I have my energy.
Hmmm, I can't think of anymore options right now. It's been a reality check these past two weeks that I have a lot of ways I need to split my time and in the end, dishes and diapers and laundry and going to demand a big chunk of it.
What does one do? And how does a mom of a little bitty baby have a life outside of mommyhood, wifehood and working? I need your thoughts. And suggestions for more options, or thoughts on what might work.
For now, I leave you with this, how I spend my day :)
Love, Lisa
I like that you have your priorities in order, and it is nice that you are considering whether or not your work brings you joy. With all the ages and stages, it will take a while to find your groove, but you will. If you have some extra milk, maybe you could get a sitter a few times a week. Personally, I think hiring out the unpleasant housework chores sounds awesome!
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