I've tried to start this post many times. The original title was, "The first 6 weeks" then it went to 8 now it's at 10 and if I don't hurry up it's going to be called, "The first year!!" Kidding. But seriously, I've been wanting to jot down and share what these first weeks and months of motherhood have been like.
In one word: a blessing.
In three words: exhausting, exciting and eventful!
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| His "newborn" shoot at 3 weeks old. Joanna Dawn Photography. {find her on facebook or her website!} |
I will be honest about the first 2-2.5 weeks. It was super hard. It was a definite transition for me. I went from going in to work {Phoenix} five days a week, eating out at lunch, running errands whenever to in the house with a newborn who needs me all.the.time. Here's the thing, I knew things would change and that my precious baby would need me but nothing can really prepare you for the reality of it all. My hormones were a bit crazy as to be expected and when combined with exhaustion I was a hot mess {triple the hot, double the mess}. {The sweating that occurs in the first couple weeks is INSANE!} |
But, with my wonderful mother being here the first four days and my husband being the most outstanding partner, daddy and helper in the world we got through it. I made sure I had a tiny outing everyday pretty much. Which wasn't difficult since my milk didn't come in for four days so at his first pediatrician appointment he had lost 11 ounces and we had several weight checks afterwards and he packed the weight on and hasn't stopped since! We would take daddy lunch at the feedlot or just drive down a farm road and it was just what I needed. We went on walks every night as a family and I loved it - we found a new normal.
So if I didn't mention it I read Babywise. And in it they mention how with the implementation of BW you will have a child that sleeps well and is happy and people will comment and say, "Oh you got lucky with this baby." I have to say we've done our best with BW but I honestly still feel very blessed and lucky. From the beginning my little guy has always given at least a 4-5 hour stretch at night. I'm not saying every night was easy but at least he kind of always knew when nighttime was. Some of the best advice my pediatrician gave me though was, "Don't worry about where he sleeps in this first month, just focusing on feeding and growing him. He won't make any habits in the first month or two that you can't break." And that my friends is what we did. For the first two weeks I would nurse him and hit the hay and my hubby would have him and get him to sleep either on his chest in the recliner or in his little bouncy chair. He would bring the chair into our room or if he fell asleep on the couch when TBB woke up I would get up to nurse him and then the next shift of his sleeping was on my chest in the recliner. This ensured that we both were getting sleep {really all three of us} then I would nurse him again and we would sleep some more in the recliner. I had all my pillows and blankets set up just right and enjoyed the cuddle time with my little man. After two weeks of that we started putting him in the packnplay bassinet. Typically for one "sleeping shift" I would still sleep in the recliner with him because I would actually get better sleep that way. See, I am a super sensitive sleeper and hearing every little breath or movement in his bassinet kept me awake and I was exhausted. At week 3 we spent a night at my parents and in our little guest house the crib is just outside our bedroom door and I ended up getting amazing sleep in between feedings because I wasn't hearing every little arm movement or leg kick! So when we got back that night we moved the PNP to the living room, just outside our bedroom door. We did that for about a week and at this point he was sleeping great, easy going down in the evening and after feedings. My original goal was to have him in his crib at six weeks but since this already felt like he was in it I just moved him in his crib at about 5 weeks and he's been there ever since and loving it. I have the monitor turned to just the right level that when I'm sleeping I can hear just the littlest whimper or cry but not every leg kick :)
Sorry for the super long details on his sleeping. But as a new mom it's one of the focal points of my conversations. So now my precious son pretty much gives me a good 7-9 hour stretch each night and a few hours after that. I think the key for us has been cluster feeding in the evening and not being afraid to supplement. At the beginning I was a little uncomfortable with the idea of supplementing, not because I didn't think it was okay or that he needed it but probably because I think I was a little embarrassed. I thought I wasn't making enough milk. I've since learned I make quite a bit of milk people, I just have a hungry hippo of a son. Seriously, in the daytime my kid eats every.two.hours. I wish I was kidding or could tell you at almost 11 weeks he's stretching it out but he's not. But, I really can't complain because he gives me ample time at night to recover. So, if I'm not talking about his sleeping patterns then I'm most definitely talking about nursing, my milk supply or pumping :)
I was quite nervous to go back to work and continue nursing. I didn't know if it would work. But now having been back for two weeks {thankfully I have Mondays/Fridays at home} it's been successful and I'm confident that I can continue nursing for as long as he/I want.
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| Four Generations. |
In other sleeping matters I was worried for a bit that my son wouldn't take naps in his crib. Even though he had been sleeping in it at night during the day he would nap in my arms, in the car seat on errands or in his swing. I was starting to think I wasn't a good mom. Then I chilled out and thought my baby is just barely two months old it's going to be okay. And then boom, 8 weeks hit and he was game for some naps in his crib. Then he started going to the sitter and had to transition to that. Fortunately, as my son grows and changes, I'm learning to chill out and figure out what works for him and us. Some days he always takes all his little naps {they have to be little because heaven forbid he doesn't eat every two hours!} and some days he skips some but it's what works for him.
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| I can't believe I took this over three weeks ago now! |
In conclusion of this super long post I am absolutely, loving motherhood 100%!!! Hubby and I were just saying last night, we felt like we've had our baby forever and can't imagine life any other way. I have to say, I could not do this without my hubby. I know some of you are thinking you have a great husband but I think I have the best in the world. :) Oh, the other best piece of advice that I received was, "Don't listen to what anyone else says because your baby is unlike any other baby. Do what works for you." I appreciated that because it's true. I've also found it's a lot of trial and error but God has truly blessed us and my hubby and I are so grateful and thankful to be parents.
My little peanut is probably going to wake up from his first little nap of the day and I still need to get some work done so I better run. I am trying to get all caught up on your blogs and am looking forward to sharing some new eateries with you. And of course you can count on numerous mommy posts. I have one I'm working on about my "favorite things" for new moms.
Hugs and blessings to you all!
