...with precious little Anne. I do still feel out of sorts (I'm such a routine-oriented person, and as you all know, there is little hope for a routine with a newborn) but this has been a great week. Having my wonderful husband home has been such an enormous blessing. I'm hoping that by time Hank finishes school at the end of June, I'll feel more at ease with my summer-long stay-at-home gig. I think that's a realistic goal.
And, last night, we actually had a very good night. :) Anne went to sleep around 10 pm, and woke at 1:30 am and 3:30 am to nurse, and was up for the morning at 6:30 am. She did crank one additonal time, and quickly put herself back to sleep. For a one week old, that's a VERY good night. I'll take it. I know every night won't be like that, but I'll take them when I can get them. I feel much more rested today.
The keys seem to be swaddling (that Happiest Baby on the Block stuff? It WORKS. If you're expecting a baby, you simply must watch this video. :) I did browse the book, but it was really wordy for me. The video is concise, to the point, and educational), and for Anne, sleeping in her own cozy bassinette.
I was thinking a lot this week about the "one week anniversaries" that came and went. Anne being born, me being in the hospital, me coming home from the hospital...See a theme here? My postpartum baby blues are very much tied to a longing for the support of the nurses in the hospital. It's kind of freakish, really. It's just so, so reassuring to know that if you need anything, a kindly woman chock full of experience is just a button press away. I always look out the rear view mirror kind of sadly as we pull away from the hospital. I think to myself "do they realize that we really have no idea what we're doing?" It's very humbling. :)
This time, as well, I have a bit of a "life after the big event" thing going on. Anne's birth was just an incredible experience. Of course, Henry's was too, just in a different way. That was the birth of my first child, an event I'll never forget, and I loved seeing his little face held up for the first time. This time, my actual birth experience went exactly as I'd hoped it would. It was a challenge for myself that I was able to meet, and the emotional high afterwards was exhilerating. I'm a little sad that it's all over. :)
On the other hand, there is no doubt about it, I *am* glad to have labor and delivery behind me, and to be healing. Healing means that I can go back to some of the things that I enjoy so much, like dancing and running. And I'll be able to enjoy my children to the fullest.
All things considered, it's been a very good week. I'm truly finding happiness in the little things. Walks with my husband and the baby, enjoying some time watching whatever I want on tv while I nurse Anne (Frasier on Hallmark Channel is a huge favorite right now), reading good books.
It's a 3 day weekend, and I hope that everyone enjoys it. Talk to you again on Tuesday!
Funny, I hated being in the hospital. I felt all out of place, and wanted my own bed. Plus, I didn't like bothering the nurses for every little thing, so I ended up sitting around with my water cup just out of reach, or holding the sleeping baby sitting up for hours of the night because I couldn't get out of that tall hospital bed holding him. It was awful, and they wouldn't let me sleep. Home was the best!
ReplyDeleteI guess everyone's different!