One Month Old

Where does the time go?! I cannot believe it has been more than a month since I last posted. It feels like it was just last week. I am taking a quick break from working on my thesis, while Jeremy is asleep (such rare precious moments) to share news about my precious gift, Jeremy.

He was born on September 30, 2009 at 3:33 am. Though we were scheduled for an induction, I guess I should say I was scheduled, on Sept. 29th at 6pm. He decided to come "on his own" forcing me to go in a whole 12 hours early! I knew he had a mind of his own when he decided to be a week late! He was born "naturally" with the help of some great medication. :)! He was 7 lbs 7 oz and 20" long. Unfortunately there were some complications. I say God was just giving me extra time to learn about being a Mommy, though it did unnerve and stress me out a great deal. He was born with low blood sugar and developed a fever. My guess is it is because they failed to give me an IV after I became sick 3 times and I had not had anything to eat since the morning the day before. We were both being deprived food for more than 48 hours, not just me!

It took almost an entire week before his blood sugar rose consistently. A week to his birth, we were released from the hospital. On to the motherhood journey! I absolutely LOVE my son. I cannot get enough of looking at him and kissing his chubby cheeks. He is gorgeous.... looking like his father and hardly anything like me. Though I do believe he looks like my mother.

I thank God for these attributes because being a first time Mommy is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I thank God I do not have post partum because that on top of this overwhelming feeling and absolute exhaustion and complete trial and error would send me over the edge. I did not go into this blindly, but I never expected it to feel like this. At labor and delivery I was gungho about having another child (must have been the drugs) but a couple of weeks ago I was not so sure. I think we are back to being open to having another child. I liken this to working 24 hours a day and never having time for yourself, ever again in life. If a person can prepare for that prior to their child's birth they will be well prepared and ahead of the game. Unfortunately no one told me to do that. It probably would not have worked any way.

The first week home my mottoes were: 1- This too shall pass, 2- We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength, 3- We are not the first to go through this, 4- It could be worse, 5- Someone was not as fortunate as us and lost their baby boy or baby girl. Finally 6, We are absolutely blessed to be parents to Jeremy, God granted us a gift.
And look, we made it to four weeks. I still have moments where I feel overwhelmed but they have never been with him. His crying does not annoy us, his dislike for sleeping on his back or even his fussiness, none of this bothers us. I would have to say it is our inability to sleep, the exhaustion is what overwhelms us. Though I think my body is beginning to adjust.

I will try to update often with his milestones:
- One hour out of the womb: Lifting (and holding) his head up on his own -- they say this is a sign that he is making room for the next week... hopefully it is not too soon.
- Week one or two (really pronounced at week two): began laughing and smiling
- Week three: slept for 5 hours throughout the night, in his bassinet, on his back!!!!!
Began nightly routine of bath time, feedings, swaddling, and Mommy time (to help me sleep longer)
- Week four: Began taking daily walks with Mommy and fur-sister Meeko in his stroller

Lessons learned:
- I have decided to stop trying to do everything I read it only messes us up. I will only do what works for us. Trial and error. Understand that not all advice given will work for us, but some of it is worth a try. I should not get discouraged if it does not work, just move on to something else.
- Mommy needs a "time out". I did not realize how much better my mood became when people came to visit. It broke up the day. Also getting out of the house, even just for a drive helps. And lastly, though it is hard to do, Mommy needs time away from baby for at least an hour.
-I don't feel guilty for missed phone calls or emails, etc..... I'm a Mommy now I really don't have time and those who are offended.
- Prayer helps!

I will update whenever possible. Though I doubt it will be as regularly as before he was born.