Tomorrow Molly Jane will be a week old, and we are significantly more tired than we were a week ago at this time… It’s been a great week, but certainly has had it’s challenges; so, while I have a second I thought I’d reflect on what’s made this week great and what’s been, well… not-so-great.
High: Watching Kaden’s interest in Molly go from zero (a half-hearted “Hi baby” from across the room when prompted) to, eh… a 5 out of 10. He now wants to watch me change her “poop” and likes to point out and name her features (with the occasional eyeball poke) and gives her head a kiss before he goes to bed for the night.
Low: Not being able to physically love on or care for Kaden like I’d like to. Recovering from a c-section means I can’t pick up Kaden for the first couple weeks… which means I can’t get him ready for bed and rock him to sleep, can’t pick him up and comfort him if he’s hurt, can’t hug him or wrestle with him… basically it’s launched my mothering guilt to full-scale since I already feel guilty for rocking his world with a new baby when he’s still a baby, and now I can’t even care for him on my own or freaking pick my child up to hug him. (Cue irrational hormonal 5 minute cry)
High: Molly is the EASIEST baby of all time during the day and most of the night. I swear all she does is sleep and half the time I have to fight to wake her up to eat.
Low: The only time of day Molly has been awake the past several days is from about 10 or 11 pm until around 2 am. Not awesome. Starting to really feel the sleep deprivation.
High: Breastfeeding has been a dream this time around. I won’t go in to much detail here… but suffice it to say that when Kaden was born I cried from excruciating pain pretty much every feeding for about 4-6 weeks. This time… I have essentially zero pain, my milk came in before I even left the hospital, Molly eats quickly and is content to be finished, and she gained back half the weight she lost in only 2 days. You have no idea what a relief this has been for me.
Low: Remembering how much time nursing takes throughout the day and being completely unavailable for Kaden all of the times I’m stuck on the couch with a baby attached to me. Not to mention having to plan everything around when Molly will be hungry.
High: Feeling so blessed and loved by family, friends, and neighbors who have already offered so much help and support.
Low: Knowing we won’t be able to do much with said family, friends, and neighbors for a little while as we adjust to life with a newborn and a toddler.
High: Watching Trey and Kaden interact and play more than they ever have since Trey’s been home from work all week. Don’t know what I’d do without him here. And I think he may be gaining a new appreciation for why I go to Target for no reason so often… 
Low: Anticipating how overwhelming things will be a for a little while when Trey goes back to work. Not looking forward to that. AT. ALL.
High: Having a pumpkin pie here all week thanks to my wonderful Mom!
Low: Daylight savings. I’d like to punch it in the face. Kaden has been waking up at 6 am (sometimes a few minutes earlier) this whole week since he’s been home. Our great sleeper who usually sleeps till close to 8 am is now waking up while it’s still dark outside at 6. As I’m getting back in bed from feeding Molly… Kaden starts chattering away. Thankfully Trey’s been getting up with him this week and letting me get a couple more hours of sleep. But starting next week… ugh, I shudder at the thought.
High: Baby girl clothes and bows. So much more fun to dress a baby girl
Low: Toddler boy whining. Over any and everything.
Wouldn’t trade this life for anything and I know in a few weeks things will feel more normal and settled, but I’m not going to pretend it’s all daisies and roses all the time. Having a newborn is hard. It’s amazing how much you remember but also how much you forget when you just did this 18 months ago. We still don’t know what we’re doing and find ourselves looking at each other with a shoulder shrug more often than not. But I do know if we’re not careful, we’ll blink and Molly will be Kaden’s age.
So glad you blogged, I’ve been wondering how it’s going for you guys!! Can’t wait to meet Molly in a few weeks. Hang in there and take care of yourself too Mama!
p.s….definitely time to change the “about us” section!
Well said, Kelly! Hope you don’t have that cry in the middle of the night….”I’m SO tired”! If you do, let me know….I’ll sympathize with you. You’re doing a great job!