Saturday, September 25, 2010

How It's Going

My first night home I felt like the walls were closing in on me. I felt a little trapped. I had no idea what the night would hold (I didn't end up laying down to "sleep" until 2:30 am). I have felt that way with every baby...and night time always seems to bring a foreboding feeling.

Things have really improved from that first night though. There is still no semblance of real normal sleep, but I don't spend my nights pacing with her while she screams or cries...as long we avoid that I can handle this!

Here's how everything else is going:

MY BODY: I feel so good and I am so thankful. From about the time I got home from the hospital I haven't had pain or discomfort "down there." How that can be after giving birth to a human being I don't know. I am WAY stretched out (we're talking about my stomach), bleeding, and sleep deprived, but other than that I feel pretty darn great. Hating that weird stage where maternity clothes are too big, but my old clothes do NOT look flattering on me. PJs anyone?

NURSING: I don't love breastfeeding. But this has been the easiest one by far. I feel like I have to hold my breath as I state all these things because they can change in a blink. As of now, Emmy is doing great and it's not bad at all. I don't nurse around others though and I haven't had to deal with that aspect yet.

CRYING: The past 24 hours she has been an angel. We have had some fussy evenings that have really thrown us for a loop and scared the socks off us that we had created another crying monster, but it looks like it was just a typical fussy time.
MORNINGS: Definitely the most hectic part of the day. Just try my best to time it right and get all four of us out the door around 8 to take Jansen to school.

DINNER: Just surviving on pancakes, spaghetti, breakfast foods, and what not.

BEDTIME: If Nate's not home, this is pretty crazy as well. I guess you just try and start early and hopefully every gets to bed at some point.

I know there's more to report, but it's not coming to me at the moment and there's just not time in the day right now to sit and ponder at the computer!

Sleeping like a baby:

You know, the kids have been great. It's chaotic and difficult to meet all their needs and wants, but they have handled this wonderfully. They don't poke or bother Emmy, still don't even show much interest, but at this point that has been exactly what we need. They are finding things to do. Poor Natalie...I have failed her in the girly department. She comes out of her room looking like this and asking me if she looks like a princess or if she is pretty.
Thank goodness for Legos. This is a little soccer player...Jansen built it from some instructions found in his Lego magazine.

13 comments:

Annie said...

Oh Jess she is just beautiful. And I hear ya on all that other stuff. I have always felt if you can have a decent night and a little sleep you can almost face anything during the day. Here's to a non-fussy baby!

Ellie said...

hooray for a good baby! i pray for you that is stays that way too =)

She is definitely a cutie and hats off to you for getting out the door by 8am that in itself is a huge accomplishment.

Shane's Angie said...

I get that nighttime foreboding feeling just hearing you talk about the nighttime foreboding feeling! You are NOT alone in that one Cola!
I remember when Eves was born, mornings were so hectic, I had to get Natalie to school and everyone needed mommy all at the same time and I felt nothing short of completely frazzled.
I'm glad the breastfeeding is working for you. I'm a miserable breastfeeder, so I applaud anyone who can figure that out.
Here's hoping you get that elusive "sleeps through the night at six weeks" kind of kid. I've never experienced it, but I hear it actually happens. As a matter of fact, it happens every time at the Leavitts. Grrrr.....

R said...

Dude, you've blogged 5 times in the last week. That's pretty impressive in itself. I am lucky if I do one a week.
So, give yourself a pat on the back. And getting out the door by 8? Wow.
I think I'll go for afternoon kindergarten.
I pray your babe is not colicky at night too. I still have nightmares about that with Bella.

Melinda said...

She is a little doll and I hope she keeps being an angel for you. I hope your recovery still goes smoothly and that you enjoy your jammies. If it makes you feel any better, I'm still in that awkward stage where nothing fits and I feel like I need to apologize for even appearing in public. Luckily people usually just want to see the baby. :) And, I hear you on the foreboding feeling. I still stay up late because somehow it's not as painful to STAY up as it is to GET up.

Melanie Hoopes said...

Oh Amen on the nighttime foreboding!! I used to want to cry every night before going to sleep after I had Travis. Waking up every 2 hours slowly turned me into a monster :) Hopefully with time it's reversible. Good luck Jess, excited for you!

Traci said...

With number 3 on its way I am expecting life to change dramatically....your words are like scripture to me I am preparing myself for chaotic joys ahead!! LOL

Sarah Lunt said...

I loved this post and am now inspired to go and do the same...I keep thinking that I need to document this madness before my "pregnesia" makes me forget it all.

Your kids crack me up - they are too cute!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you're handling things so well! I'm in awe that you're able to actually go places at a certain hour, have dinner on the table (even if it's pancakes) and get everyone to bed without Nate. So far I've had so much help that I'm a bit worried I'll suffer withdrawal when our final visitor leaves!

I'm glad your recovery and nursing are going well, especially, because those make such a big difference! Keep eating well, Emmy! (I will also have to re-learn how to breastfeed in front of people. Ack.)

Anonymous said...

Could it be that you have a blondie? Her hair looks pretty light to me. You were afterall.

Kent and Leisy said...

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who feels like the walls are coming in on me with a new baby!! and I'm even more glad that your baby isn't a crier. Seriously I'd give it away. I'm totally serious. It's my biggest nightmare. A baby that cries and cries. Oh- and the nursing thing. It totally kills me and I DON'T like it so hopefully my third is easier than the first two have been, too. It gives me hope that you say this one's easier :)

I can't believe that you have three kiddos!!! thanks for posting and keeping the world updated.

kiki comin said...

i don't know what you are talking about. your house is spotless. your kids are quiet..they NEVER cry...you still cook dinner..and you get out the door by 8am? :)

stevenellie said...

Glad to hear your recovery is going well, baby is happy, and brest feeding is going good. I think the third one needs to be a happy soul. Thomas sure is and it has made a world of difference. Maybe he is so happy because I said there would be no more if he was as hard as Marie. Anyways, I love reading your blog. I totally relate to the night time feeling.