Monday, June 16, 2008

A week ago

It was a week ago that my water broke at 10ish in the morning - Has it Really been a week ... It does not feel like it has been that long at all.

To answer more questions -
Baby A's hair color is debatable. It brownish/reddish. I guess it depends on the lighting. It does tend to looks like his fathers. A darker red color. We have had many discussions regarding his hair color .. How incredibly boringly lame and excited parents are we.

Pumping is going amazingly well. I am pumping 2+ oz each session (about every 4 hours for 30 mins)

(going to share alot of tmi's here) - you have been warned

Physically I am feeling fine. I am not a fan of pads, which makes the bleeding overwhelming. I haven't worn a pad in years, so this is a tough stressor for me. ( yes insert more lame-ness here. It's weird finding stupid things like pads that cause stress) I am still having some "down there" pressure. It is nothing too intense. I have had to take a few Tyl.enol to help manage the pain/cramping/uncomfortable feelings towards the beginning of the nights.

Removable shower heads are fantastic!! i know i know ..sorry just thought I'd keep the oversharing theme going as usual.

Bladder control is under control now. The first few days were iffy. I am afraid to "push" for a bowel movement though. I am not at all locked up, in fact, I am leading towards borderline diarrhea, and have had 1 accident since we have been home. (it's actually a comical story now but a few nights ago it wasn't- If i get really brave this story will be posted) I am afraid of hemorrhoids. I was told by the nurse I have a tiny one and I am afraid to irritate it and make it bigger or accumulate friends. My tummy is weird, smushy, flabby, and droopy. Not sure what I think about that - except it is easy to sleep again and I LOVE that. E keep commenting on how weird it is to be able to put his arms around me. Or snuggle with me at night - he was so used to the big ole belly there.

Mentally, I am just pleased as punch. I am so grateful for how far we are, how well we are coping on little sleep and an upside down schedule.

The night/day confusion is getting better. I just need to figure out how to transition the more breast milk less formula combination. Our feeding schedule could use some oz consistency. 1 oz of breast milk does not have the same effect that 1 oz of formula has on A. So you can not do the 1 to 1 ratio.

Keep the questions/comments coming. It gives me stuff to blog about and gives me something to do during our down times. Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments about Baby A and our new family. I am reading, my comments on your blogs may slow down until we get our footing and our days/nights back on track.

I leave you with a pic:Photobucket

42 comments:

Rachel Inbar said...

I think he's winking at us :-)

You sound great :-)

Becky said...

I just can't get over how adorable he is really. Doesn't it feel so great to finally be a family? Your tummy will start to feel normal again soon, just takes a little while. Did your feet get really puffy and swollen a few days after the birth? Mine did, I could hardly walk from it. You sound so happy!!!

A New Beginning said...

Thank you for all the details. It certainly helps those of us who will be there one day. This maybe TMI, but have you found a pad you like better than another? I absolutely dread this part as well. But it has to be done. Glad things are going so well!

Geohde said...

That's a very cute photo of baby A.

I have to admit that I am more than a little terrified of the postpartum menstrual revenge....

J

lub said...

This is the BEST picture! Too cute. I can't believe I have something as developed as Austin moving around in my tummy right now!!! Amazing! You sound great! I am so glad to hear that it is easier to sleep and more comfy. I woke up this a.m. trying to get to the bathroom and could barely get up from the soreness that my pregnancy has caused. Keep the stories coming! I love em!

Kathy V said...

THanks for all the tmi. It sounds like one of those real truth sharing books that can tell us what to really expect and not put peaches and roses on everything. Glad A is doing well even if the formula breastmilk ratio still needs work. He is a cute one Farah.

The thing about his haircolor is it may change. As he gets a little older it may become darker or lighter as more of it grows in. I was born a red head, it grew out blond when I was a little older and now my hair is a reddish blond so go figure.

Delenn said...

Very cute picture.

Leah said...

He is gorgeous. You are doing great. My face hurts from smiling so much for you!!

Mazzy said...

My gosh, you are just doing so beautifully like I KNEW you would.
He is an angel and I am so thankful for all your blessings!
PRAISE GOD!

Unknown said...

Love his picture... and sounds like things are going well... I am so happy for you!

Katie said...

He looks so content.

Each time I look at him, I just go. . . "Awwww." He really is one of the most beautiful newborns that I have ever seen.

I will be waiting on the "accident" story. . . :)

BigP's Heather said...

LOOK AT THOSE TOES!!! OMG, so damn cute!

Hope you get the day/night thing figured out...and the breastmilk/formula ratio.

Kate said...

I hate pads, too, but they make thin ones that absorb a lot, I discovered. He is so cute!!

Chastity said...

Great update and very cute picture!

I felt the same way about pushing for a bowel movement...except I was afraid to do it b/c of my stitches.

Anonymous said...

Aww, I love the wink! He's going to be a heartbreaker! :)

Cibele said...

what a precious pic!

HereWeGoAJen said...

I can't believe it has been a week either!

He is just SO cute!

sara said...

Yay, I got to see baby toes! I'm glad the pumping is going okay. If you don't mind me asking, what breat pump do you have that you like? I'm just starting to think of these things. I hope the evil hemorrhoids and their friends stay away for you also. I also seem to have the other problem, the plugged up feeling (TMI I know). But I'm so glad to hear you're doing great!

Barb said...

Sooooo cute. His face even looks like the photos of hubby!!

The oversharing cracks me up. Love it. I was always terrified giving birth would give me hemorroids too. I just couldn't handle the thought for some reason... Here's to hoping things keep going swimmingly. It's so nice to hear you are doing well emotionally.

Fat Girl said...

Oh my gosh, Austin is CUTE!!!! Thanks for sharing!

I don't mind the tmi posts either... it gives me a preview of what is in store for me... =)

AllieQB said...

He is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your story :)

Adriane said...

So adorable! And, so good to hear from you!! It really seems like you are doing well amidst the huge adjustment!! I can't wait to read about the upcoming weeks. I'm sure they will be so fun and so full of firsts!

Question - Is pumping super uncomfortable, or is there is no pain at all?

Jill Tice said...

Pads....YUCK! :o)

Austin is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO E!

My_Herstory said...

You sound very happy! Cute pic, A really looks like E in that one!
I'm freaked out about the post partum 'stuff', nervous about labour too, but excited excited excited! It must feel unreal at times...
Thanx for posting your story, its good to get an idea of what to expect.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on Baby A's arrival!

Sorry about the "accident." Don't feel bad. Did you see the Sex and the City movie? Charlotte had an "accident" after drinking some questionable water in Mexico. Quite a silly scene.

Good luck as you navigate this new landscape. I have no wisdom to offer but I do have many warm thoughts to send your way.

Joanna said...

The pads SUCK. That was one of the owrst things about getting my body back to normal.

Love the little footy sticking out at the bottom.

Kim said...

Congrats! He is so handsome!! Glad you had a good birth experience!NCLM

Photogrl said...

So, so cute!

Way to go with the pumping...I struggled so much with that!

Amanda said...

He's so cute.

Yeah, there's a whole lot of not fun postpartum stuff that no one really tells you about. Good thing you have the baby there to take the edge off :)

The pads are gross, but the heavy bleeding shouldn't last too much longer. And yes the hemmrhoids suck. I'm still trying to figure out when that will go away :/

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

i'm a new reader...

your baby A is gorgeous! huge congrats!

Andy said...

Congratulations! He's adorable!!!

rosemary said...

Congratulations! He's adorable and I'm so glad he's here safe and sound. The sleeplessness won't last forever, but it's tough. Good luck!

Anns said...

I love him, he's so adorable and I know that little smirk is probably just gas but doesn't it look like he's smiling?!

Good luck with the pads.. I'm a pad-hater myself so I'm certain I'll be in the same mindset if and when my time comes.

Anns said...

PS: I love that you call him "Baby A" --- so when's "B" getting on the schedule?

Haha!

docgrumbles said...

Sorry about the bodily issues - everyone has something, right? Why do all the movie mamas look great just after giving birth?

Baby A is so cute! Totally looking like dad with that hair!

Anonymous said...

Pads are not fun, are they? I hated them after the MC because they LEAK and I feel like I am 12 years old again. Even with the new "pad technology," they are not really that much better.

Your son is so adorable -- newborn hands and feet are utterly amazing. I think he looks like your hubby and I do see a gleam of red in his hair. I know that most of them change hair color eventually, but for now I pronounce him a redhead (or at least an auburn head).

Anonymous said...

Awwww! What a cutie you have there! Isn't that sleeping after giving birth the BEST? I hear ya on the whole shower head thing. :)

RBandRC said...

HE IS TOO CUTE!!!! So glad that you're doing well. My commenting has been stinky lately, but I'm reading and thinking of you all!!! :) HUGS!

becoming-mom said...

OMG, I'm such a bad blogger friend I didn't know you had gone into labor until just now!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Baby A is so precious...

Anonymous said...

Aweeeeee, how adorable!!!! CONGRATS :)

Veronica said...

Aawww....too cute!

Oh, I remember those first tender days. Tender girly parts!

Congrats and good luck. You'll do just fine.

From NCLM

Cece said...

What a cutie! Good work on the baby making!

: )