This is my little haven in Blogland, a place where I have time to reflect on my life as the mum of our 3 pixies under 7 and who Jane-the-person is, as opposed to Jane-the-wife, Jane-the-mum, Jane-the-daughter, Jane-the-friend - you get my drift! I wear so many hats that I often forget who I really am. I'm a combination of all of these, of course, but I'm finding it very important to rediscover my identity. Taking this time to reflect is so important to my well-being. It's such a rarity in my life on Planet Baby.
My life as a juggler
After many years of heartache, my husband (Mr Planet Baby or Mr PB, for short) and I finally arrived at parenthood much later than we had expected or hoped. Then, with the biological clock ticking, we soon had our 3 pixies in quick succession. Suddenly, we had 3 children under 3½! With the arrival of each baby, I just threw another ball up in the air and juggled like crazy. Then, when we returned to live in Hobart after 11 years in Sydney (including 6 week old Sam), life told me to put all my balls down and sit on my hands. Post-natal depression hit me between the eyes with a thud. I hadn't seen that one coming! And I had no idea what to do with my idle hands, so used were they to the juggling.
The joy of blogging
Over two years later, with the help of dedicated health professionals, my PND is starting to lift and I am rediscovering who Jane-the-person is. Blogging has played such a pivotal role in this change. Having people reach out to me across the international divide in friendship, from all corners of the globe, absolutely lifts my spirits and enriches my life. Thankyou to all of you Planetarians, occasional readers and those who follow me through my posts to my Facebook page. It means the world to me. Some of you I now count as my closest friends, even although we have never spoken to each other or even met!
I've also had the delight to meet and befriend some local bloggers - it's such a thrill to put faces to names and expand on the conversations, both online as comments on each other's posts and offline as private emails. It's so funny - as we've shared so many thoughts and experiences through blogging, it's just like meeting old and treasured friends who 'know my story'. We can speak in shorthand, like real friends do, as we don't have to fill in many gaps. Just astounding!
What makes my heart sing
* my gorgeous husband and our 3 pixies, Joshua, India and Sam;
* all things French;
* all things German;
* travelling, especially in Europe and Germany in particular;
* foreign languages and words (I'm a logophile);
* stationery;
* painting;
* cross-stitch;
* maps;
* papercraft;
* reading;
* garlands;
* butterflies;
* watching art-house films (especially French ones);
* researching our family trees;
* cooking;
* typography;
* taking photos (I'm no expert but I know a good shot when I see one);
* politics (I'm a bit of a junkie);
* international affairs;
* old-fashioned things like etiquette and courtesy;
* handwritten letters (nothing beats snail mail!);
* ribbons, buttons and notions (in fact all haberdashery makes me go weak at the knees); and
* old classics like beauty, elegance and grace.
Keeping it real and honest
So, are you getting more of a 'feel' about what makes me tick? I also passionately believe in openly sharing the joys, frustrations and realities of motherhood. The more we support each other, the less alone we can feel. Motherhood is a hard enough gig without adding extra pressures such as 'mother guilt' and worrying about other people's expectations of us. It's taken me all of my 41 years to work that one out! I hope you feel welcome here and realise that I'm a mum who's learning on the job, just like you!
Of course, you don't have to be a mother to find something you enjoy here. I have some gorgeous non-mum Planetarian friends who are like-minded souls, sharing many of my other passions. This isn't *just* a Mummy blog ☺.
Of course, you don't have to be a mother to find something you enjoy here. I have some gorgeous non-mum Planetarian friends who are like-minded souls, sharing many of my other passions. This isn't *just* a Mummy blog ☺.
Please feel free to contact me - don't be shy! I've made the most serendipitous discoveries through blogging, making treasured friends the world over.
Just click on the envelope icon in my sidebar to the right to send me an email.
You can also find me here on Pinterest.
I look forward to meeting you!
Just click on the envelope icon in my sidebar to the right to send me an email.
You can also find me here on Pinterest.
I look forward to meeting you!
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