Let me just start out by saying that I have never been so tired in my life. I don't know how people have tons of kids because one so far is definitely a lot of work! My life revolves around feeding, changing, burping, bouncing, rocking, etc. our little guy. I haven't showered in two days or changed my outfit. I have managed to brush my teeth every day though, so at least bad breath isn't an issue. I've got to
give Brannon a lot of credit too. He's really stepped up his game with the arrival of our baby. He's been doing laundry, dishes, keeping the house tidy, and taking his fair share of turns with the baby at night. I can see that Brannon has two loves in his life now. I'm so glad that I've got a husband who loves kids because I'm always ready for a break when he gets home from work and Brannon will take over baby duty for practically the rest of the night. He's the man:) We've now experienced what I call "The blowout diaper" twice now. The first time Brannon was changing him and the blowout began with the diaper off....so yeah, big mess. I've never laughed so hard in my life when I watched Brannon gagging as he tried to catch the poo in a diaper and yelp when Taj start
ed peeing all over the place. I wasn't that big of a help on that one. Breastfeeding has been an adventure too, and not a fun one. Taj will not latch on for the life of me and thus I am married to the pump right now. This pump is high-tech too. It's hospital standard and it's got two suction cups, so I get double the pumping capacity at the same time. I'll say this...the pump has saved me from mastitis, but I feel like I can't go anywhere too far away from it or I'll die. I feel like a Jersey milk cow. I'm pretty sure I can relate to milk cows now and no, it is not fun being milked:( So I'm hoping that with more practice and a lot of patience that Taj and I can master the art of breastfeeding. It has been so frustating because I totally expected him to just latch on and Wahlah!, breastf
eeding made easy. I've been to three lactation specialists, tried many techniques, and have endured several painful failed breastfeeding sessions with these specialists. So if anyone has any tips for me, please do share because I'm willing to try anything at this point. Parenthood is a tough adjustment and I think I took the time I could go anywhere and do anything on my own time for granted. I never realized how much it takes to raise a baby. I think the toughest part is feeling like I'm not just me anymore. I'm a mom now too and it truly is a selfless calling in life because a lot of things take the back seat when it comes to raising a child. So right now I am just trying to get through this adjustment and take one day at a time. I know that things will get better with time:) Right now I am just enjoying our baby and the precious little time I have each day to spend with my husband.
give Brannon a lot of credit too. He's really stepped up his game with the arrival of our baby. He's been doing laundry, dishes, keeping the house tidy, and taking his fair share of turns with the baby at night. I can see that Brannon has two loves in his life now. I'm so glad that I've got a husband who loves kids because I'm always ready for a break when he gets home from work and Brannon will take over baby duty for practically the rest of the night. He's the man:) We've now experienced what I call "The blowout diaper" twice now. The first time Brannon was changing him and the blowout began with the diaper off....so yeah, big mess. I've never laughed so hard in my life when I watched Brannon gagging as he tried to catch the poo in a diaper and yelp when Taj start
ed peeing all over the place. I wasn't that big of a help on that one. Breastfeeding has been an adventure too, and not a fun one. Taj will not latch on for the life of me and thus I am married to the pump right now. This pump is high-tech too. It's hospital standard and it's got two suction cups, so I get double the pumping capacity at the same time. I'll say this...the pump has saved me from mastitis, but I feel like I can't go anywhere too far away from it or I'll die. I feel like a Jersey milk cow. I'm pretty sure I can relate to milk cows now and no, it is not fun being milked:( So I'm hoping that with more practice and a lot of patience that Taj and I can master the art of breastfeeding. It has been so frustating because I totally expected him to just latch on and Wahlah!, breastf
eeding made easy. I've been to three lactation specialists, tried many techniques, and have endured several painful failed breastfeeding sessions with these specialists. So if anyone has any tips for me, please do share because I'm willing to try anything at this point. Parenthood is a tough adjustment and I think I took the time I could go anywhere and do anything on my own time for granted. I never realized how much it takes to raise a baby. I think the toughest part is feeling like I'm not just me anymore. I'm a mom now too and it truly is a selfless calling in life because a lot of things take the back seat when it comes to raising a child. So right now I am just trying to get through this adjustment and take one day at a time. I know that things will get better with time:) Right now I am just enjoying our baby and the precious little time I have each day to spend with my husband.
16 comments:
Wow. Reading this post made me remember how hard those first few weeks really are! I promise the fatigue won't last forever. I had major breastfeeding problems at first too, it was so frustrating. I remember just sitting there bawling because I couldn't get Caleb to latch on. The thing that saved me was a nipple shield. (Ha ha I feel weird typing that word!) I used it for about a week and then we were good to go. As frustrating as it is, you just have to keep trying because the more he gets used to sucking on a bottle, the harder learning to nurse will be for him. I know, so much easier said than done. I just wanted you to know that I've totally been there. It sounds like you and Brannon are doing a great job as parents, we knew you would! Taj is the most adorable baby ever, I can't even handle it! I love his little nose. I think I'm getting baby hungry again! :)
Okay, this has officially been the longest comment ever, sorry! We would LOVE to see you guys this weekend, so let us know!
I can't believe you are blogging so soon after having a baby! I wasn't expecting to see anything on here after you announced his birth. I'm very impressed! I have no advice because I have no kids but I'm sure it gets better with time, he starts eating and sleeping better and you get used to the adjustment. I know you will be a great mom!
Chelle, I literally had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard about the "blowout" story! I have so many funny memories of those. I still have those with my poopy Cambri. Ugh.:o( It brought back memories of the first little while after Cambri was born. I forgot how frustrating it can be with the breastfeeding and being exhausted. All I can say is keep trying because that's all you can do. The lactation specialists help but remember that they're not you and don't have "your" mother's intuition for "your" baby. Do what you think will work and don't be afraid to try stuff that's not in the book. Whatever feels most comfortable to you, it will most likely be the same for him. Use that mother's intuition, it's the best thing. I promise. That's the only way I figured out how to get Cambri to latch on. She never worked for what the lactation specialist told me to do. And like Tiffany said. The longer he gets used to the bottle nipple, the harder time he will have latching on for breast feeding, he will get nipple confusion. Just hang in there hun! I know it's frustrating and painful, but I promise it gets better. Always easier said than done, but it will come. You're a great mother and I'm so excited to see you guys in a couple days! I was thinking you guys could come over on Friday for dinner (chili and cinnamon rolls-traditional deer hunting food!) and we can catch up and see that beautiful babe! Call us when you get here! I can't wait to do pics! I have to many fun ideas! Sorry this is sooo long!
p.s. I'm glad to hear that Bran has stepped up and decided to change diapers, even after he said he never would. don't tell him but they get worse when he starts eating real food. Bran will die! haha! ;o)
Patience. That was my biggest thing with nursing. It took Allie like over a week before she would finally eat well, just hang in there and be patient it will come! He is so cute, and tons are black hair!
I wish I had some advice for you! But obviously I've never been there. I think you are doing an awesome job! He is so stinkin cute! I can only imagine how tired you are. I'm super tired and I go to bed at 9 and sleep all night. haha. I really want to see that baby in person!
oh that is soo funny about the blowout diaper. His hair is awesome, I love it!! Congrats !!!
I can totally relate to you on breastfeeding.. It did not work out for me at all.. And I wanted it to so badly.. It is so hard to adjust to the never being able to just get up and go.. but it's all worth it! I can't believe your a mommy.. I know I've said it.. but Congrats!
Hey I'm not sure if you remember me or not but I went to school woth Brannon. I remember that is exactly how I felt when I had Madison, She had a hard time latching on and so did Hadley my third baby. I had a specialist come in and help me and she said to just relax, don't get to frusterated because they can feel it even if you think they can't. And like your first comment the nipple shield helped me a lot. But the thing that helped me the most was praying that i could just relax and that my babies would beable to breast feed because I really wanted to!! And after a few prayers and a little faith that it would get easier it did and then it was just so natural, although my milk dries up sooo fast I still got to nurse for about a month or so. I am so jealous that your a milk cow haha I so with I was a milk cow I even posted that very thing on my blog "Wish I was a milk cow" haha And as for they crying and everything else I promise it gets way easier you will get on a schedule before you know it. The second one is nothing after your first, it's the third that threw me for a loop! But after a couple of weeks I felt back to normal and was on a schedule. Hang in there!
Hey Brannon and Michelle,
He is darling and we love his hair. Hang in their with the breastfeeding, It can be frustrating but time is what you both need. It will get better, and after a routine is down you will have your moment where you think breastfeeding made easy. It truly is wonderful so just keep doing what your doing.
The middle picture looks just like Brannon!
Sleep- what's that?! You are doing a great job! He is lucky to have such a wonderful mother. He is so handsome!I feel like all I do is feed Adeline! You do feel like a cow!
Hey! I am SO SO un-experienced with this but believe it or not I do have advice. My cousins were talking about this the other day and I stowed it away in my memory bank for a time like this. My family buys these things called oculates... I don't know how you spell them but I know you can find them at Walmart/Target. Anyways it is a plastic thing with a whole in the middle for your nipple...supposidly it works wonders? Your baby is so so cute!! I want to see him in person, I think you two are amazing parents
Taj is so cute! You are absoutley right...being a mom is a selfless action. It's so hard. But every second is worth it. I have a different view on breastfeeding, because that's all Kaylie will do. I think it's good that he will take a bottle, because then you're not strapped down and at least have some options. Kaylie did struggle at first latching on, but got the hang of it within a few days. I'm sure if you've seen 3 lactation specialists, you've tried all I can think of. Just hang in there and good job for pumping for him. :) I know it's a pain, but so healthy for him. Get ready for many, many more blow outs. We still have them almost daily!
I MISS MY BABY SO SO DEARLY!! i want to kiss his little cheeks and play with his hair, and yet i am stuck here in provo slaving away at sizzler!!! its a sad life sometimes.
ps i miss my sister too. i love her dearly.
Michelle, I hope that everything is as you wanted and more... We love ya and hang in there, I don't have any words of wisdom, because of the lack of the experience. Sorry I didn't come to your shower, I was embarrased that I didn't have a gift, so I will have to spoil little Toj later when I can smother him in kisses (hopefully sooner than later.) Keep us updated on all the cute and fun things that he does. He sure is a handsome little fella.
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