Things that make me grumpy

There are many things that make me grumpy, but one in particular quite pertinent to this time in my life.  You see, I just had a baby 3 weeks ago.  I gave birth to this baby completely drug free, despite the hospital setting.  That's right...no pain killers.  Not even an ibuprofen.  (what's up!)  I think it's fair to say I'm proud of this accomplishment...though immediately afterward I thought it may have been the dumbest thing I'd ever done.  At any rate, the birth was painful, the recovery, also painful.  Most people would expect as much.

Not, apparently, my sister.  2 weeks after giving birth my family came to visit and meet the baby.  Which was great.  But the first day they were here, as I was quietly breastfeeding the little one, my sister comes back to the room I'm in.  Sits down ever so tenderly on the bed.  Looks at me with a grimace and tells me with a slight groan...she has cramps.

Seriously?  No, SERIOUSLY?

Yup, she has menstrual cramps and is expecting pity.  Sympathy.  Concern.  And an ibuprofen.  Could I get her one?

She wants all this from a women who just 2 weeks ago gave birth without any drugs.  I found it rather difficult to be sympathetic and instead just felt rather grumpy.  But I did get her an ibuprofen.

Mr. Random is Awesome

I can't go on enough about how great Mr. Random has been so far.  I mean, he was an awesome husband before, but starting with labor, he just really stepped up in every single way.  I really feel lucky to have such a loving and capable husband.

He helped me through labor without drugs by being encouraging and massaging pressure points.  I responded in kind by not crushing his hand, not yelling at him (not even once), and even refraining from swearing during the miraculous event.

Then, while in the hospital, he changed every diaper.  This from a guy who has very limited experience with babies!  He also quickly became the expert in swaddling and still swaddles the little guy way better than I do.  He's also able to calm him down when I can't.  In short...awesome husband, and awesome dad.  Lucky me.

Catching Up a Bit

Taking care of a newborn sure is keeping me busy!  And exhausted.  He's been a champion nurser - started right in the recovery room and has an awesome latch so I've been lucky there.  The only trouble is, he must nurse all. the. time.  :)  I guess that's not trouble exactly...it just makes it hard to find sleep.  I've had several friends offer to come over to watch him for the afternoon so I can sleep.  Um...thanks?  but...that's not the issue.  The issue is his constant, frequent need for my boobies.

We had 3 rough nights in a row, but last night was remarkably better.  The first 2 rough nights I think were due to a growth spurt.  The 3rd, and worst, night was due to a dip in supply probably, but I didn't realize it at the time.  He was just asking for the boobies all. night. long.  It started when we tried to go to bed...he nursed on one, switched to the other...still wasn't asleep, still was hungry.  Back and forth I went for 2 hours.  Still hungry and crying if put down.  I couldn't believe it.  I was at the point of tears with exhaustion when Mr. Random, who is back to work - poor guy - took him for 2 hours so I could sleep.  He tried everything but Baby Random was just hungry!

We had a pedi appt the next day for a weight check, and she's the one that clued me in to it likely being a dip in supply.  Turns out...lack of sleep, not enough food or water...and nighttime all contribute to a dip in supply. I'd say that night was a perfect storm.  Poor little guy, he really was hungry!

I took him for a short walk this morning, as the temp was in the 70's!  It's just been too hot since he was born to take him outside for any length of time.  I can't wait until the weather really cools down.

I have a good reason

For not posting this past week.  He's a little baby boy.  :)