I loved that TV commercial where the couple can only afford one word on their telegraph to share the news of their baby. So they write “Wehadababyitsaboy.” Cracks me up. So that’s the text message I sent the day our first child was born.
Post-partum in the hospital, physically I was extremely weak and short of breath. Emotionally, I was a still freaked out by how much pain you have to go through to get the baby out. But mentally, I was on a high. Even though I hadn’t slept for 36 hours, I couldn’t rest. I was in awe – was this little baby really mine? Really outside my body? It hardly seemed real, but there he lay, softly breathing.
Because of a bit of jaundice, we ended up staying an extra night in the hospital (it was a rainy February, so no sunlight to bathe him in!). Matthew and I slept on brick-hard benches in the “2nd nursery” so we wouldn’t have to go home (I’d already been discharged). We would pad in stocking feet to the other nursery to gaze longingly at our son “sunbathing” under the billy lights. For the first time, I cried – I’d just birthed him a day ago and couldn’t even hold him! He ended up being under lights for 24 hours, after which we could take him home. Just like that – it seemed strange to me that you just walk out of the hospital with a baby and nobody asks for your license or credentials!
And so our parenting journey began (and this blog!). For some reason, the month after the birth I remained incredibly weak and short-winded. Breast feeding was a challenge for the first three months (more on that later in the upcoming Breast Feeding Awareness Event!). I did have a touch of the baby blues, but mostly involving ‘nostalgia.’ I would cry seeing pictures of me pregnant, missing the feeling of being pregnant (that surprised me!), missing the feel of my baby right under my heart, him kicking me. Daunted at the immense responsibility of this beautiful soul entrusted to our care. But that soon passed, as I learned to manage baby strollers, diaper bags, and began our cloth diapering foray!
It’s been five months, and we just love our little boy in our lives. Every week brings new challenges as he grows and develops (sleep patterns, feeding, a little congestion!). Each moment we are with him is another string tying our hearts to his. I just love being a mom.
So now what? We are looking forward to the 6 month milestone, starting foods, and the remaining first year of parenthood… and beyond!
Thanks for joining us for “Reminisce Week!” We hope you enjoyed our stories!
Definitely enjoyed reading you path down memory lane.And I remember thinking the same thing about leaving the hospital with the baby like, "Do I need to show my ID or something?" Even now, I sometimes feel in awe that I've been entrusted these little kiddos and need to nurture them to the best of my ability.Looking forward to reading your breastfeeding post. I'm working on one, too, for breastfeeding week.jralderete at yahoo dot com
Definitely enjoyed reading you path down memory lane.And I remember thinking the same thing about leaving the hospital with the baby like, "Do I need to show my ID or something?" Even now, I sometimes feel in awe that I've been entrusted these little kiddos and need to nurture them to the best of my ability.Looking forward to reading your breastfeeding post. I'm working on one, too, for breastfeeding week.jralderete at yahoo dot com