Week 2: Humbled Again

If you’re wondering about that title up there? Here’s why. Honestly my own newborn updates from Wes have been the biggest source of encouragement these days; who knew that three years ago those words I wrote in sleep-deprived stupor would help so much later on?

 

This past week has been hard you guys. I won’t lie and try to sugarcoat it: having a newborn is hard, and having a newborn and a toddler is even harder. Dying to self has taken on a whole new meaning, and I’ve been having to try really hard to keep from comparing my newborn experiences. Not only is it with different babies, but the entire situation is completely different. Mind you I’m not trying to complain (although I realize that’s what it sounds like), because more often than not I’m in tears because I just feel so lucky. But in the middle of the night when I can’t figure out how to handle nursing every hour from the first growth spurt, and both of our kiddos aren’t sleeping well? It’s hard to figure out what to do.

 

This little nugget was (before said growth spurt and subsequent cluster feeding) is sleeping in 3-hour stretches between feedings, giving mama about 6 hours of sleep at night which is HUGE. I don’t remember it being so easy with Wes, although apparently I don’t remember a lot so I can’t say for sure 🙂 Regardless, those consecutive hours of sleep are key to feeling like I can handle things like life the rest of the day!

 

Nursing is going really well too, which I’m thankful for. We had some trouble with him latching in the beginning, but he’s an old pro now and loves to eat. I’m pretty sure all he would do (and really all he wants to do) is feed and fall asleep on me. Austin loves being held! My plan is to wear him more in the Moby and Ergo so that I can meet his little needs and still chase after Wes too. Plus babywearing is cool 🙂

 

Last week I mentioned that I was a little worried about him gaining weight, but we found out he’s doing just fine which was a huge relief. He’s gaining the amount they look for newborns to gain every day, so we’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing! It’s just so nice to know all that hard work isn’t for naught, you know?

As for me healing from a VBAC is so much easier than a c-section, at least in my experience. Night and day, you guys, night and day! I honestly feel completely normal, like to the point that I have to consciously keep myself from picking Wes up too much or wanting to workout. It’s so great to physically feel like myself again, even though we have a ways to go on the emotional front. Rest assured I’m rocking the un-showered pajama-wearing look 24/7 though! Someday I’ll have the desire to fix my hair and wear makeup again, but til the basics like consistent sleep and eating are met? Yeah. So it goes.

 

Wes is the best big brother on the planet y’all – he is SO sweet about baby brother, and actually wanted to hold him this week. Now he wants to hold him, hug him, kiss him, or give him fist bumps ALL. THE. TIME. and my heart melts every single time. And when he prays at night he always starts with “Dear Jesus, thank you for Austin…” which is the sweetest sound ever. I can’t wait to watch the two of them play together soon! Nate is doing great too, although dealing with some major seasonal allergy stuff lately. Not fun when you’re the sleep deprived dad of a newborn and a toddler, but he’s doing great and working hard to get solid sleep when he can!

 

I’m putting together a list of things that we’re really loving with a newborn this time around because it’s so different having two kiddos around. Our schedules are crazy and weird and inconsistent, which is a far cry from how it was with Wes, so the things we use to meet those needs are different. Let’s just say the transition from our room to his upstairs nursery is going to be interesting, although good for all of us!

 

Finally – when it comes to recipes I’m going to try (emphasis on the try) to share some new ones soon. I am still able to cook a little bit, and it’s so comforting to do something “normal!”