I thought we were past all of this. The exhaustion. The disoriented distracted state of mind. The emotional instability. But mom has seemed especially disheveled the last couple of days and I can’t put my paw on why. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t love dear baby Carter. That simply can’t be the case as she tells him she loves him even more than she tells me. Something isn’t right.
Unbeknownst to my people I have done my own research on these things. Apparently it’s normal for new (especially first-time) moms to experience something called the baby blues. (It’s a good thing blue is one of the colors I can see). Usually it happens early on, within the first couple of days, and wears off over time. 
That’s why I’m not completely convinced that’s what’s wrong. (But I’m ready with all kinds of love if it is). That, and the fact that it seemed at least mostly cured by something pretty silly today. I will never understand why people paint their nails. It’s enough of a rigamarole for me when I get mine trimmed. Mom frequently takes it quite a few steps farther when she gets her fingers and toes painted, blue of all colors. That’s what she did today.
She left dad and I alone with Carter (a fairly new and unfamiliar experience) and came back with a new color about her. I got the impression it wasn’t so much about where she went as it was that she went at all. It doesn’t mean she loves us any less. It doesn’t mean she wants to return Carter to the magical place he came from. She just needed a little time away to regroup.
I don’t think we can call this the baby blues. Because I think if we are all honest with ourselves, we all need that every now and then. A little time away to regroup. Whether it’s a five-minute walk around the office or a week away in a foreign place, experience demonstrates it does the body good. It doesn’t mean we love our lives any less. It just means we are human (or canine in my case). And, as Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle suggests, it fuels our drive to persevere.
“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities: It is this that in all things distinguishes a strong soul from the weak.”
Wiley's Wisdom 
I think a trip to the hairdresser might be a treat for Mum
You’re very right – in fact, she just got a snappy new haircut recently and it did indeed to her good. 🙂
And, she loves her spa days…. I took today off just for me and it was great. Then I lost discipline and started chasing a rabbit hole – argh! That is why you have to leave the house. See, Wyles? (grinning at you) HuntMode
You’re so right about those darned rabbit holes! They get me every time! 🙂
Sometimes we have to do something just for ourselves, which makes us feel good. I am glad she did get out and had the “me” time. Having the nails painted does make us females feel good, so I am totally with mum. You and dad are totally capable of looking after Carter for a while. Enjoy !
🙂
Wiley, you are so right. Mom getting out on a regular basis to just have time to think and regroup is what every mother (new and seasoned) needs on a regular basis. Sometimes, we moms get caught up in all the things we think we have to do and we forget that the best way we can take care of those we love is to make sure we take some time to care for ourselves as well. You are very wise to understand this! You’re awesome, Wiley!
Hi Deborah!
So nice to hear from you! Thank you for your words – they ring true in so many ways. You’re absolutely right – sometimes we can’t take care of others if we don’t take care of ourselves. Well said!
Lots of love,
Wiles
You’re right as always, W. Your mom just needed a little her time. It’s always a good idea to keep the extra crazy love at the ready, anyway, just in case.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
You’re right about the extra crazy love being at the ready – I needed it again tonight…
Wiles, see if you can talk your Dad into sending your Mom for a massage followed by her favourite spar place — or maybe vice versa. I think the lack of sleep might have caught up on her. Is your Mom eating properly? My daughter suffered terribly from lack of sleep with her first baby, so much so that they took baby Bella to what my daughter calls “the naughty baby school.” LOL it worked a treat and within a week, everyone was sleeping…including little Miss B.
I didn’t know there was such a thing as naughty baby school! That sounds like obedience school for doggies….from which I am a self-proclaimed drop out. But here’s the thing. I think baby Carter is just a normal 8-week-old baby who follows a pretty normal routine. He’s slept as much as 7 hours at night and my people are thankful for that. Then again, 7 hours for him means 4 or 5 straight hours for my people (due to their schedules), so it could be the sleep issues I suppose…this all comes into play with tonight’s blog too…
Lots of love,
Wiles
Seven hours sleep?!? Wow, that’s really great Wiles. Lack of sleep will really do you in every time. When little Miss B wouldn’t sleep, her Daddy would take her down to the sitting room to watch English soccer and explain every move to her in a gentle soft voice. Little Miss B is 12 now, and loves playing soccer 😀
Aw….see, I can’t wait for things like that to happen around here…
Hi Wiley! Tell your Mommy that I too was feeling blue the other day (probably because I am sick and tired of all this snow & cold weather already) and I painted my tootsies pink. Guess what? It cheered me up! That magical color coating on your toes really does the trick! I just wish I could wear my flip flops now so I can show off my toes! Huggies to all from all of us! 🙂
What’s that thing they say about great minds? Something about them thinking alike? My mom got a kick out of the fact that you both turned to similar sources of joy in these recent moments of melancholy. Huggies to you all as well!
Pink nail polish on our Mommy’s tootsies surely cheered her up! Great minds do think alike!
🙂
mom has not had time alone for a long time since dad retired.. There are days I think she wants to scream .. she said it would be nice to have an entire day alone in the house again..
It’s a good thing she has you around to show her all kinds of love in those moments that challenge her patience, dear one. 🙂
All mom’s need a treat from time to time and I think their treats are not the same we would like, but they always deserve it :o)
You’re right about their treats not making sense to us canines. I would much prefer bacon. 🙂
Everyone needs a little “alone” time – especially Moms. They are the caretakers of all their loved ones and should have some much deserved pampering. I’m sure you and Dad took excellent care of Carter while Mom had a mini vacation. 🙂
Indeed dad did take very good care of Carter, though I’m glad I was around to supervise. 😉
Hey Wiley! Just wanted to let you know that I just nominated you for the SUNSHINE AWARD today! http://nikitaland.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/sunshine-award/
Sunshine award? Me? I think this might be my favorite kind of award. You know why. 😉
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