My baby is two weeks old today.
It's been a very HARD two weeks.
I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, because I know there are tons of you out there who would trade places with me in a heart beat.
I am just being honest.
Recovering from a C-section and caring for a new born is VERY hard. Sleep deprivation is not fun.
I admire all those who have multiples or caring for a newborn and toddlers at the same time. Hats off to you!
But I remind myself daily that I asked begged for this.
Heavenly Father has trusted me to care for this precious child.
And I promised Him that I would do the best that I could...no matter what.
Matthew still has a little jaundice so we've had lots of dr appointments.
I am brea.stfeeding and he wasn't latching on very well. He had a short Frenulum (the little thing under your tongue) which causes latching problems. The dr had to go in and clip it a little. I was terrified of the procedure, but Matthew didn't even cry at all. I have to use a nip.ple shield so he can latch, but I'm hoping he will be able to do it on his own soon.
I had to take a quick trip to the ER the other morning. I was coughing a ton through the night and I thought I tore open my stitches from the C-section. Turns out everything was okay. It was just a very small opening and it was leaking fluid (according to the dr, the good kind of fluid. Not sure what that means). It was still a scary experience.
So that's what's been happening in our house for the last two weeks.
Matthew eats, poo's, and sleeps.
Mommy and daddy feed him, change him and try to get some sleep.
(Repeat, repeat, repeat)
And while it's all hard, it's all worth it.
25 comments:
I still remember those first 2 weeks as THE hardest...not wanting to go back to them any time soon. It really does get better, and the time will go by quickly. At day 2, we thought the 6 week mark was FOREVER away...after about 2 weeks, we gave in to co-sleeping and never looked back, and that made a huge difference.
Breastfeeding was super hard because of all the cluster feeding the first 2 months. C latched easily, but he was a long and frequent nurser. It was really hard for me to get away to shower or take a quick nap, as he was always nursing or wanting to be held while sleeping. Our bfing issues were weight gain, and the Dr wanted me to supplement, but we perservered, and he quickly gained weight and did really well.
His latch issue was just the first day in the hospital--they gave me a shield too, but I found it hard to use, and so I stopped using it, and he was able to latch better without it, once I learned how to help him and what a good latch looked like.
I'm sure you're doing great! Keep it up and try to get some rest when you can. He's adorable.
He is just precious!! Happy two weeks Matthew!
A blogger and former Braces Buncher in your area (Katie from The Happy Hours) had a baby girl the same day as Matthew! She also had to have a C-section. Let me know if you want her email. I'm sure you two could give each other a lot of support!
So good to hear an update from you. Congrats and rest up momma!
xo
Ummmm...could he BE any sweeter?!? Love.
I hope things start to get better for you.
Aw he is too cute!!! Congratulations! What you are going through is totally understandable. It is very hard trying to care for your newborn while trying to recover from that, all along with nursing. That part lasted for me a day lol. You are awesome and I hope you start feeling better soon!!
Hannah - he is soooo stinkin' cute!
Suzy beat me to it about Katie. I am sure you guys can give each other some support. The first couple months are the hardest and there will be times when you will want to tear your hair out. Just remember--it is only a phase. Things will change. You will get sleep someday (well, not as much sleep as you used to--but you will get some!) Hang in there!
Happy 2 weeks, Matthew! (He is so CUTE!)
First of all, he is GORGEOUS!!
The first two weeks is the hardest, most overwhelming time of all. When I think back to it, it feels as if the first 2 weeks lasted months. You're literally living minute by minute, learning new things every moment. In no time at all, you'll know exactly what he needs, he'll learn what to expect from you and life will get so much easier.
I remember thinking that having a newborn was at once a million times more difficult than I ever expected and also a million times more wonderful. No one can prepare you for what you are going through. I promise that it gets easier every single day.
Don't feel guilty about wanting to sleep more or wishing you had more help or hoping he sleeps longer so you can have a minute to yourself. It's all normal. Also, if you're crying every 2 minutes over nothing and/or totally overreacting to things and being just generally an emotional wreck? That's normal too. You literally feel like you're losing your mind.
IT'S ALL SOOOO WORTH IT THOUGH!! Being a new mom literally gets better every single day. You know that feeling you have like you couldn't possibly love him more? Just wait 6 months and see how your heart feels like it's going to burst any second with the love you feel.
And remember, you can't screw this up. He will be OK, so be easy on yourself and learn and grow together.
My girls are ooohing and aaaahing over your sweet little boy. He's amazing. Those first few weeks are hard even without all you've been having to experience. It does get easier....slowly, but surely. Can't wait to meet him upon our return this summer.
Hang in there. You're in our prayers.
He's a little doll :) I'm sure I'll find out all about the trials and tribulations of those first days in the weeks to come :)
Matthew is so adorable! Happy 2 weeks...I know it must be pretty hard after having a C-Section, but I'm sure you are doing wonderfully.
Congrats again...I absolutely love that pic of him yawning!
First of all, Matthew is PRECIOUS! The photos you shared are beautiful. Secondly, don't be tough on yourself at all--the first few weeks are REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT. Adjusting is something that just takes time. Matthew is used to the warm, snug womb where food was pumped into him as needed and he could move, sleep, etc. anytime he wanted. He's learning what it's like to live in the world and he's learning that sometimes it takes a moment or 5 for mama to get ready to feed him when he's hungry, etc. At the same time you're learning from his cues what he needs and / or wants at any given time. Don't expect to become an expert overnight. It takes time, but it will definitely get easier. Don't try to do too much, just be there for your baby and enjoy the precious moments of these newborn days because they will be a faint memory later!
Oh my sweet friend, he is just gorgeous! Truly a blessing from above... Welcome to the world baby Matthew!! xo HHL
i had infertility for years and finally in 2010 god blessed us with a sweet baby girl, i know exactly how you feel with the first two weeks - my baby is now 6 months and the tiredness fades away VERY fast! Time flies by and you'll blank and look back and wonder where those first few months went? I didnt have a c-section but I delivered the hardest way to deliver thats her coming out "sunny side up" and I could barely move, but I promise things get easier and you'll get the hang of things in a month or two! congratulations, the best has just begun!
he is beautiful. I am sure I will feel the same way when the twins arrive. Just enjoy this time. You are a rockstar!
He is sooo handsome!
He is so handsome! I love the pictures! I am sure it's hard to heal and take care of the little man! You are doing a great job!
Love you Hannah! Can't wait for you to bring him into church and show him off. 8-)
Hannah- he is so precious! Those pictures made my day! I hope things get easier quickly for you! **hugs**
awwww, he is precious. You're right; it is hard. I had a c-section with my first and the first two weeks are litterally a blur. If I had not had my mom to help me, I don't know how I would have done it, but you know what ... crazy as it seems, you forget about all the sleepless nights and tired days more as he grows up. Congrats, and hang in there. I promise it gets better!
I love the Matthew pics! He is so precious! I hope you start feeling better soon. C sections are a big deal!
Those first two weeks are pretty brutal for everyone, but it sounds like you've had some extra complications!
I think the sleep deprivation helps us forget this time, so that we're willing to do it again. :)
He is so beautiful, though! And it WILL get better!
He's so adorable! I really hope it gets better soon - everyone says it does quickly!
The first few weeks really are so brutal. You're a total zombie. You can't get enough sleep and it feels like your life revolves around feeding every few hours. I have to be honest when I say that is the only part of having another baby that I don't look forward to. I really struggled with it. Especially the sleep deprivation and c-section recovery combined. Its HARD.
But, it DOES get better. Knowing that is what got me through. As Mathew gets older and needs to eat less often, and you find your new routine, you will get your feet under you and it will get so much easier to handle. For now, just take things one hour at a time, and give that gorgeous baby boy a kiss from me.
He is amazing! I know that it is tough right now but it will get easier or atleast different. When my girls were born I felt like I was going crazy with 2 of them and have say this sweet little older lady from church gave me the sweetest framed picture. A cornflower blue frame with a little scroll work on it and cute little blue jays. The saying on it was Lord grant me patience, AND DO IT NOW. That is how I felt when I was in your shoes. One step at a time one cry at a time through our Saviour. He only gives you as much as you can handle. I used to say well my goodness I guess he feels I can handle one heck of a bunch.
Hannah! Congratulations to you and Steve! Matthew is a beautiful blessing, and I'm so happy that he and you are making it! It's rough- totally understand the c-section thing and breastfeeding troubles! Don't be afraid to ask for help. Hang in there, girl! And as hard as it might sound, enjoy the newborn stage as much as you can, and get sleep when Matthew sleeps! I'm so looking forward to seeing more posts of your journey through motherhood!
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