Happy 2009!
This week last year I was recuperating from the surgery that made all of this possible. It's been such an amazing process.
On Tuesday we celebrated Plankton's four week birthday! I can't believe how much we have been thru in just four weeks and also that we have made it this long.
I haven't posted our recent challenges but Plankton didn't gain back his birth weight by 3 weeks....so we have had more doc visits, interventions and we found out yesterday that he gained TEN OUNCES!!!! in five days after we implemented our PLAN.
I am finding that motherhood is WAY harder than I had anticipated. I don't think anything can prepare you for this....my best girlfriend is pregnant and visited yesterday, I was trying desperately to think of something I could say, wisdom to pass along and the best I could come up with was: 1) have changing stations ALL over your house 2) get everything ready at least a MONTH before the baby arrives (this part is biased due to Plankton's surprise arrival) 3) Encourage hubby to take time off, you'll need the help and emotional support (again biased, I have been thru a lot and still not sure I am surviving this but each day I do, it's because of my husband and his positive attitude and help with EVERYTHING) 4) Let people help with food, cleaning, errands etc. Plan to do nothing but sit and nurse for weeks! 5) Get track suits or something COMFY to wear for those weeks of sitting and feeding.
That is it! Weak! It will not prepare her for the PROFOUND sleep deprivation, emotional rollercoaster etc that she is in for in just a few short months....but then again everyone adjusts differently.
I was shocked to learn:
1) How great just one hour of sleep can feel
2) That a shower can be a spa-like experience
3) That the idea of getting my hair cut seems impossible
4) I can feel like a hero and a complete failure in the same 60 seconds
5) My son is ABSOLUTELY the cutest creature I have laid eyes on
6) My body is amazing
7) My body is my enemy
8) Someone else doing the laundry, dishes, food prep is not just a luxury
9) Eating Oreo Cookies can fix nearly anything
10) That I am dying to go back to work and yet can't figure out how I can ever leave again...
It's been an experience! From the difficult labor, to a broken tail bone, to the hospital stay, to home, feeding issues, and trying to cope....thank god for hubby. He keeps me sane, gives me a break when I am sure I am going to run away, laughs with me, and shares my awe in the miracle that we created.
....duty calls.....and he calls loudly....
4 comments:
Hang in there Annise! Once you figure out the kinks and get your routine down it will be so wonderful. Slip a "little me time" when he is napping.
Hugs to you.
You are a wonderful Mommy and dynamic teammate to Jason. Keep up the great work Annise. :) (And I love the photo!!!)
Sweet Annise!
Matthew and I laughed (and cried) reading this post! What you say is sooooooooo true, and reminds us of just how intense those first months were! The best comfort I can offer is this: every new stage is overwhelming, in both the good ways and the not-so-good . . . but each stage is also perfectly timed: the start of a new stage is exciting and intriguing. Soon the frustrations of the stage will overrun the newness, and you'll long for him to outgrow it. The stage will last till you just barely reach the "Oh my God, he has to outgrown this stage in the next 60 seconds" phase, then he will. And the new stage will start, and it's most charming feature will be that it is NOT the stage before! The first year is a whirlwind of ever-changing rules.
You and Jason are too amazing to do anything but suck every last drop of juice from the sweet fruit of this experience. The good, the bad, and the blow-out diapers . . . someday you'll be glad for all of it.
Great post, I couldn't agree more!! It is so nice to know I have someone walking this journey w/ me that feels the same way.
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