How disorganised for how long?

[JudithS]

I just want to know if I am normal -- and please be honest!

Naomi is 8 weeks old tomorrow and I assumed it was normal for me still to feel totally discombobulated as a first-time mother. However, I remember other first-time mothers in my NCT group (now on Xmas recess) assuring me that "by six weeks you turn a corner... and another corner at 9 weeks." Their kids are all slightly older than Naomi and these women are mostly younger.

They are all planning a programme of baby swimming, baby massage etc. With me, if I have one medical appointment, the whole day revolves around it and I couldn't manage a whole week's activities planning.

I have signed up for a mother and baby yoga class but only cos it's at the end of the road! I usually get to the NCT group rather late and it's only 15 minutes' walk away.

Nights are broken, we finally get up about 8-9 am and much of the day is spent on the sofa either feeding Naomi, wondering if I should wake her up to feed her, wondering if I should take advantage of the fact she is asleep to wash the breakfast stuff or come online etc, having a wash, changing a nappy and generally faffing about. I assumed this was normal.

I don't expect to have "my old life" back ever, but how long will it be before my brain is a little more normal? I assumed I was normal but now I am wondering if I am dreadfully behind schedule.