My emotions seem down a notch...

[PicadillyCircus]

We were on holiday last week and it was DH's birthday. Both things I would normally be very happy about - usually at birthdays I would spend ages before making it really special. Since DS was born 7 months ago I feel as if I haven't been really happy about anything; Christmas was horrible (and I used to love Christmas).

I don't feel depressed (I had depression a few years ago and don't feel the way I did then) but just feel as if something has put a permenent dampner on things.

Sometimes I wonder if this will be the way things always are from now.

How is your ds's sleeping? I find not getting a decent night's sleep night after night can have this effect.

Thanks for replying StickyNote

DS sleeps fine . I generally get 8 hours sleep as long as I go to bed by 11. He's been sleeping like this since he was about 3 months so sadly I don't think it can be this..

PC - I think its just general baby stress, babies are hard work and it can get to you. I felt the same sort of way and although part of it was down to UH, part was just the pressure of having a baby. DD is 12 months now and I found it got a lot better after about 9 months - when she was in a better routine, eating well and interacting a lot more. I'll put my hand up and admit its only been in the last 3/4 months that I've felt I truly love her and don't just look after her for the sake of it.

I agree WK. Also there's a great deal of outside pressure making you think that things like Christmas and Birthdays are going to be totally magical with the kids rosy cheeked and grateful for everything whereas they're hyped up, stroppy, probably ill and the whole thing's a nightmare. If I get any "aaah" moments at all of Christmas Day, I think I've done very well!

The thing is I used to love birthdays, holidays and Christmas before having DS - and now they just seem like things that happen.

Feel like I'm moaning - I do have a lovely DS and I know I shouldn't be moaning like this.

Its all these damn celebrities and 'perfect' mothers who spend their Christmases holding their angelic baby in their arms, cooking a full roast with all the trimmings, beaming at their other angelic kids who are waiting patiently to open their vast piles of presents, serving mulled wine to their 40 guests, doing the housework and touching up the xmas decorations ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!

Unlike the 'normal' Christmas where you've done a good job if your kids haven't ended up locked outside in the snow by the end of the day.

But when you're childless, Christmas is a time to relax and have fun. With a baby Christmas turns into the nightmare from hell where you have to fit 100 other jobs into your normal (crammed) day - no wonder its no fun!!!

Bloody celebrities!