I could start with regaling you with stories of all the phone calls made to sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, and mothers-in-law. Can you say that we're just a wee bit nervous about our new responsibility?
I could start with a story of what was possibly the worst 24 hours of my life: extreme episiotomy pain = visit to urgent care with the baby = more pain for me = Tylenol 3 with codeine = extremely lethargic baby = FREAKED out new parents = no more Tylenol 3 for me = sitting on a smelly donut-thingy. Then there's this: still-present jaundice = more lethargy in the baby = more freaked-outedness in the new parents. And then there's this: baby not having a bowel movement in more than 36 hours = call to stupid HMO = frustration over actually getting to talk to someone half-way intelligent about baby's health = trip to CVS for prune juice. These equalities happening at one time was enough to emotionally drain both Chuck and me.
I could also start with talking about the things that I want since bringing little Everett home. Of course I want sleep; that's a given for all new parents. But I want to be able to go to the bathroom without performing the eight steps it takes. I want to not feel inadequate about being little e's mom. I want to know how in the world I'm going to do all of this one my own when Chuck goes back to work. (I think I've changed six diapers TOTAL.)
Or I could simply start by trying to explain the feeling that Chuck and I get when we just look at that little guy. It's enough to make me cry, and Chuck, well, at least he gets close to tears. I could start with trying to explain how much we love this little guy even though we barely even know him. Or I could start by saying how it's all worth it.
Or I could just post pictures.
11 comments:
he is SOOOOO sweet...and BRIGHT eyed, he hardly looks lethargic, although i SOOOOO feel your pain, reminds me all too much of mitt's arrival, i think about 6 weeks into it, i started to wonder if what i was feeling was the new "normal" even though i still felt VERY FAR from "normal" ;) just remember it does get easier, or more "normal" i'm still trying to figure it out!!!
Oh man...I'm sorry about the craziness! He is such a cutie though, you guys did good. Nat is so right...I have made and still make a million calls to her asking all sorts of questions about things. Sisters and moms help get you through it!
The first few days and weeks are crazy! I don't even really remember my kids as newborns - it's all a bit hazy!
Don't feel inadequate!! We all stumble through parenthood hoping not to screw our kids up too much. Kids are amazingly resilient to their stupid parents.
He is absolutely adorable! Congratulations!
I am so, so, so (etc, etc) sorry about the episiotomy pain. I know it ALL TOO WELL (times 4). NOT fun. You will heal, and the bathroom routine will get easier (and shorter) before you know it. There is definitely a big price we pay when bringing these darling little ones into the world. But you already know it is all worth it. Savor this time - there is such a special feeling in our home when a new baby arrives. I'm a little jealous... but not jealous enough to have another one. ha ha
Oh, Erin, I do feel for you and I have a very fresh recollection of what you are going through. You must give yourself 3 weeks at least. It seems to me at that point, you start to see a light at the end of the tunnel and things start getting a little bit easier.
The first two weeks after having Jack were horrible. I would just start crying for no reason and felt so alone even though I was surrounded by support. I swore I was the only one on earth who had ever gone through any of this.
I totally sympathize with the epi. pain. I had a grade 3 with Ellie and it was no fun recovering from that. I was so demoralized by the whole bathroom routine I cried all the time about it. The brighter side is that it wasn't as bad with Jack and the recovery was sooo much faster.
You are doing great and he is soooooooooooooooo adorable. If you want to talk to someone who has a very fresh perspective, give me a call anytime. Emily has my number.
Good Luck!!
Soooo cute. He is precious. He is way less yellow than I thought he would look. Alli was pretty much orange for a few weeks...
I remember after my e was born how I felt like a whole new world opened up. I finally understood the horribleness (is it bad to say that?) and the amazement of it all. So happy for you guys!
you're doing brilliantly and that boy of yours has already gotten cuter. dang.
hang in there.
What a cutie!! Keep those pictures coming.
Not to make everyone here jealous, but I got to hold him today and he's even more adorable in person. I know it's hard to imagine, but it's true.
It's good to know that even though it is hard, it still seems worth it. You are a great mom with the most adorable little guy...way to go.
hey e how are you holding up? let me know if you need to vent. each week gets a little better. i didn't believe it but now know it's true. we love you!
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