life (with a newborn) update
Oh blogging…where to find the time? Ha!
I know I’ve been MIA but seriously blogging with a newborn is hard. At least with mine. 😉
So how have things been? Well, Trey is 5 weeks old and it’s the happiest, most exhausted, most overwhelmed and most amazed I have ever been. All at once. People weren’t lying when they said the newborn phase is hard. But they also weren’t lying when they say it’s amazing.
Let’s break it down by category:
Breast Feeding: I’ve had a hard time with it. I produce a ton of milk but Trey absolutely will not take the boob. We’ve tried everything under the sun and met with a lactation consultant several times. He just won’t latch. This has meant I’m exclusively pumping. It’s hard…probably the hardest part. Every time he eats I pump right afterwards. So every feeding takes longer and at night time it is especially trying. But the bright side is that he is only getting breast milk and I produce so much I’ve already created quite the stockpile in my freezer for when I go back to work. I just keep having to remind myself that it’s worth it and not to throw in the towel. But let’s just say that when I am finished breast feeding I plan to burn the breast pump! Ha! 🙂 It’s a love/hate relationship for sure.
Sleep: We’re following the book The Baby 90 Minute Sleep Program. It is working for us and it helps keep me (a schedule lover) semi sane. At night Trey is sleeping in 3-4 hour stretches and while I wish it was more like 4-5 hour stretches I’m going to take what I can get. During the day is harder because he isn’t a fan of his crib during the day (at least he likes it at night though right??) and wants to take naps on me. I use the Ergo A LOT! Trey also when awake will not use any device like a bouncer, swing, or activity mat for longer than 20 minutes so it’s a challenge to always be holding him…again the Ergo has saved me. He liked the Moby for about a week but then decided the Ergo was more his style. 🙂
Body After Baby: I ended up gaining 30 pounds. To date I’ve lost 22 pounds and have 8 to go. At 5 weeks post partum, I pretty happy with that. Although things are softer than they once were I know with time it will firm back up. I also wore a post partum girdle for the first 3 weeks and that helped my stomach tremendously! It also helped my back since my stomach muscles weren’t as strong as they once were. I would highly recommend wearing one to anyone after labor for at least 2-4 weeks.
Bella: She is adjusting. It’s been hard on her because she hasn’t gotten the amount of attention she was used to. Plus there is a noisy new addition! But she’s been great! She licks Trey and comes running when he starts crying! I am so excited to see Trey grow up with Bella by his side. Makes my heart smile.
Keith: he has been AMAZING! He gets up with me and does every night feeding while I pump. He’s great at helping and I feel like we’re a good team. I will admit that at times I get jealous because he has a little more freedom than mom does but he’s a great dad and I wouldn’t want to be sharing this with anyone else but him!
So that’s most of it at this point. Lots of crying (me and Trey…ha!), lots of pooping, lots of broken sleep, lots of adjusting. But….everyone says the first 3 months are the hardest. I still can’t believe I’m a mama!! My life has changed forever and I’m still a little bit in awe.
What Kelly Said 
Congratulations! What a cutie!
I think so!! 😉
What a great, honest post! So happy for you and your family!
Thank you!
I know it’s not the easiest part of having a baby, but you will look back fondly on this time. These moments are what makes part of the adventure exciting! I’m so happy for you guys and I love seeing the pictures of how happy all of you are. Makes me smile! xoxo
Thank you! I already know I am going to miss the naps on my chest! Those are the sweetest!
Such a sweet little guy! The beginning is definitely the hardest…I look back on those first few months, and they seem like such a blur, even though they weren’t that long ago at all. You’re doing great– you seem like such a natural!
I need to go back and reread your posts when Lila was born. I remember you being so raw and honest about how you felt and what it was really like. I remember at the time thinking it was refreshing and now I feel like I would find it relatable. 🙂
It sounds like you’re doing really, really well, Kel! Those first 6 weeks or so were definitely the hardest on me. It’s definitely an enormous adjustment, but once you get to that 2-3 month mark, it really does start to get easier! You’re doing a fabulous job – keep it up!!
Thank you!!! I love reading your Lucas updates and all that I have to look forward to! 🙂
Not that you and I haven’t talked at lengths about all of this but one thing I wanted to add is that 20 minutes out of the bouncer, activity mat, etc is awesome for his age. They have a tiny attention span and everything is overwhelming very quickly. As always – you are amazing and I love you dearly friend!!
You are doing awesome mama! My little guy was worn A LOT – babywearing can be quite the life saver. I wore him well into his toddler years and I miss it. The first few months are are full of so many extremes – hunger, exhaustion, joy, amazement, body changes and a whole new person to learn. Give yourself lots of grace and patience.
I still cringe when I see a breast pump….
Oh my gosh you hit the nail on the head! It is all about extremes from one end to another!!
I don’t even remember the newborn stage! Hah, I’ll find out again soon enough…and you’ll forget about all the hard parts and just remember that sweet snuggly boy. Big hugs to you all!
Everyone says they don’t remember the newborn stage and I’m like how?!?Right now Keith and I are still in the “Trey is going to be an only child phase.” Ha!