I know. It's crazy. One year has FLOWN by! o.O I can hardly keep up myself.
It is a touchy subject. There's always parties everywhere especially during summer among my relatives. I have a HUGE HUGE family. Not even joking. I greet my second cousins kids on their birthdays... That would give you an idea.
I didn't invite many, but I knew that not many would come if I had the birthday party here. And it was her first one ever. Next year though, which I pointed out to them, it will be held here. In our home. :-) There were, gladly, no complaints. :-D
We've been traveling back and forth those two hours since Alexandra was... 1½ - 2 months old or so. She has no problems traveling by car at all. It's just a pain in the ass to pack everything. :-P
I still find the logic that it's easier for us then them a bit... mindblowing. :-P I guess they see it as one family is easier to move then many. *shrug* I don't know...
And YES! A whole year! I have a hell of a time keeping up! I bet you'll tell me it gets worse as they grow older now, right? ;-)
And regarding your family, you tell them they can come to you next time. Six months before Alex's birthday, tell them that you're happy to bake and cook, and that there'll be plenty of goodies, but you can't make that journey again. It's not fair on you - fuel, wear and tear on the car, time, energy... You have a home that is perfectly good.
If they protest, say that you're sorry but it's not something you can do. Or that you should rotate - one year with you, and one year with them.
Carve it out for your family. It's easier to do it /now/ than when Alex is eight or nine, and you're back at work, and battling years of "But you've done it before!" when you can't make it.
A year, yes. And agreed. It's crazy. Really crazy. I try to keep up. And fails. I bet it'll get worse as Alexandra grows older. *lol* She is doing great though, this is true! :-D
We've done that journey back and forth since Alexandra was 1½ - 2 months old. She got no problem going on trips by car. It's just a pain in the ass to pack everything. :-P
I think you got a good plan going there. Rotate. :-) I'll keep that in consideration. But for next year! They're already invited here, since I already told them as much during the party. ;-) If they show or not, is up to them!
My family is HUGE! Like, really really HUGE! So I am used to them, just... during summer when EVERYONE has their birthdays it gets a bit much... :-P
It's crazy it's been a year already, I know... I can barely keep up! I bet my ass you'll tell me it'll get harder to keep up as they grow older, right? ;-)
She is... sorta walking. *lol* She holds on to thinks and walk around all the time and likes it! But as soon as I try to hold her hands so she can walk holding in me... she gives up and sits down. *lol* She is very fast when crawling though!
I feel you. I'm gonna give you some totally unsolicited advice, so take it as you will.
Draw the line NOW, while the baby is still a baby. This is YOUR family now, you and she and your man. The rest of your family, no matter how you love them, are extended. You're the nuclear and what you want is important.
Don't run around for their convenience. If its important to them to see you guys, they'll suck it up and do what they need to do. If not, you know that then, too. Do not always automatically accommodate them. They'll grow to expect it and it will become a horrible point of contention - trust me on this. I know.
Make your own traditions first worry about theirs later. You three are the most important now.
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It is a touchy subject. There's always parties everywhere especially during summer among my relatives. I have a HUGE HUGE family. Not even joking. I greet my second cousins kids on their birthdays... That would give you an idea.
I didn't invite many, but I knew that not many would come if I had the birthday party here. And it was her first one ever. Next year though, which I pointed out to them, it will be held here. In our home. :-) There were, gladly, no complaints. :-D
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I can't believe it's been a year already!
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I still find the logic that it's easier for us then them a bit... mindblowing. :-P I guess they see it as one family is easier to move then many. *shrug* I don't know...
And YES! A whole year! I have a hell of a time keeping up! I bet you'll tell me it gets worse as they grow older now, right? ;-)
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Yep. ;)
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*shakes head*
Well done, you two.
And regarding your family, you tell them they can come to you next time. Six months before Alex's birthday, tell them that you're happy to bake and cook, and that there'll be plenty of goodies, but you can't make that journey again. It's not fair on you - fuel, wear and tear on the car, time, energy... You have a home that is perfectly good.
If they protest, say that you're sorry but it's not something you can do. Or that you should rotate - one year with you, and one year with them.
Carve it out for your family. It's easier to do it /now/ than when Alex is eight or nine, and you're back at work, and battling years of "But you've done it before!" when you can't make it.
Reply
We've done that journey back and forth since Alexandra was 1½ - 2 months old. She got no problem going on trips by car. It's just a pain in the ass to pack everything. :-P
I think you got a good plan going there. Rotate. :-) I'll keep that in consideration. But for next year! They're already invited here, since I already told them as much during the party. ;-) If they show or not, is up to them!
My family is HUGE! Like, really really HUGE! So I am used to them, just... during summer when EVERYONE has their birthdays it gets a bit much... :-P
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I can't believe it's a year already. Is she walking/close to walking?
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Yep! 9th is the date and she'll be a year old!
It's crazy it's been a year already, I know... I can barely keep up! I bet my ass you'll tell me it'll get harder to keep up as they grow older, right? ;-)
She is... sorta walking. *lol* She holds on to thinks and walk around all the time and likes it! But as soon as I try to hold her hands so she can walk holding in me... she gives up and sits down. *lol* She is very fast when crawling though!
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I bet my ass you'll tell me it'll get harder to keep up as they grow older, right? ;-)
In some ways, that's for sure.
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Draw the line NOW, while the baby is still a baby. This is YOUR family now, you and she and your man. The rest of your family, no matter how you love them, are extended. You're the nuclear and what you want is important.
Don't run around for their convenience. If its important to them to see you guys, they'll suck it up and do what they need to do. If not, you know that then, too. Do not always automatically accommodate them. They'll grow to expect it and it will become a horrible point of contention - trust me on this. I know.
Make your own traditions first worry about theirs later. You three are the most important now.
Reply
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