Okay now that DD is settled I can post. This will probably be long!!

My situation- My DP works 2 jobs. He works his first job 8am-1.30pm and then he comes home to have a shower, get some lunch and then goes to his second job that starts at 3pm-11pm and then gets home at about midnight. So he is at home basically 8 hours total and that is mainly to sleep and shower. DP got 2 days/nights off work (and I was in hospital at this time). The day he came to pick us up, he had to go off to work that arvo for his night job.

My mum and step dad came down from Qld but didnt stay with me. Mum just came round for a couple of hours during the day to help. I needed to get use to being by myself as quickly as I could but it was nice knowing that at least mum was in the same city if I was desperate.

Lonliness- Mum and dad left Sydney to go back to Qld after 7 days and I cried the entire day that they left (I hadnt cried at all before then). I suddenly felt really alone. DP working 24/7 and my parents a state away. It is long days by myself...it is lonely and I find that even though I have two dogs and a baby, I do feel quite alone. My mum calls me everyday and DP calls me a few times a day but I feel sad taht he is missing out on seeing his daughter. He can go a couple of days without even holding her once because she is asleep when he gets home and I know this sounds slack but i dont want him to pick her up when she is asleep as I am the one who has to settle her again. He will just give her a kiss.

Eating- Meals are hard. Some days, I have had weetbix for brunch and dinner (no time for breakfast sometimes) and even having the energy to cook something is hard, esp when trying to settle a baby at night. Definitely take Rosehip Fairy's advice and get some meals cooked up in advance. Last night I ordered Chinese as I was so hungry and juist couldnt cook, or settle DD. However by the time I got to eat it, it had gone cold (thank goodness for microwaves).

In saying the above, it is not all bad. Not all days are shockers, most days DD is very good. Sometimes it will be that she is great during the day and shocking at night, or shocking during the day and great at night. Still less than 3 weeks so early days still.

Cleaning- If you came to my house, it is clean and tidy. I make sure that I do jobs during the day when I can. We dont have money for a cleaner. We dont have a dishwasher but each night I will wash up. I will also put a load of washing on at night and hang it out on the air dryers, then in the morning put the air dryers outside. I find if I do a small load everyday it doesnt become a massive task. I also still manage to iron DP's work shirt and make his lunch everyday for him to take. So I think I am doing quite well for being by myself. I also feel really proud of myslef when I get stuff done around the house. If my house is tidy then I feel good.

Showering- I also make sure I shower and get out of my pj's as soon as I can in the morning. At night time once she is asleep, I go and run a bath and soak in there for 15minutes. That is my me time at the end of the day and I love that I still manage to get that, so make sure you have something that you want to do and try to do it every day or every second day.

Shopping- I just cant do groceries. Its to hard. I put dd in the pouch the other day and went to coles but could only get a basket of things and even that was a mission. DP will do the shopping on the weekend and I'll just have to make do during the week. Although I am in the fortunate position that I can walk up to my local shops and grab one or two things I need if I am desperate.

Coping strategies- Get out of the house every day, even if it is just to walk your baby in the pram. It is good for the sanity levels to get out of the house and bhe in the freesh air, Talk on the phone to someone each day, Do something for yourself each day, cook in advance, talk about how you are feeling (PM me anytime- dont keep it bottled up if you arent coping because PND could kick in), enjoy the special time you have with your little one (you'll never get it back so make the most of it).

I will try and write more later, but I think I have written enough for you to think about for a little while and I also need to go and have a shower whilst DD is asleep LOL!

Big and remember it will all be okay