Can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve written. The days are slipping away from me… just a blur of bottles & naps & diapers & the occasional little baby screaming fits. It’s completely surreal that I’ve been a mother for 5 weeks as of today. I’m annoyed with myself that I’m not doing a better job of recording it. You know those baby books that don’t have even one word written in them? Yeah, I have one of those sitting right there on the coffee table. Never even opened the sucker.
Some things I’m getting better at now that I have 5 weeks under my belt. I’ve been told that I don’t look like I’m on the verge of tears anymore & that my hair looks cleaner. I’m thinking that’s a good thing. I’ve put myself on a regular pumping schedule, which is a fairly huge accomplishment. It’s freakin’ hard to get a 20-min pumping session with a 7-lb squirt yelling her lungs out. I’ve discovered that if I put her in the little vibrating bouncy chair next to me, I can usually get in at least 15 mins.
Speaking of yelling her lungs out, she’s cranking up a good one right now. Gotta take a break.
Um, yeah. Four hours later. Now, as I was saying…
What was I saying?
I confess, I hold Rose. A lot. As in hours & hours a day. I’m aware that I may be spoiling her & making it harder for myself at some point in the future. But honestly, I don’t care. Holding her, my baby, is one of my all-time favorite activities. And a few days ago — last Thursday, to be exact — she smiled at me. It was a smile that I’m almost certain was intentional & meant for me. I cried a little.
I still haven’t ventured out by myself. Bobby & I did our first outing this past Friday night — headed over to Clemson’s homecoming to check out the floats. And the Virginia trip was successful… by “successful,” I mean that we eventually arrived & had a lovely time. What is a 5-hr trip took us 9 hours. I had my first “screaming baby in a restaurant” experience. Rose was shrieking — like head turning purple, choking herself kinda shrieking — & Maggie & Sadie were running amuck, & Jennifer had been befriended by a nice restaurant employee who was trying to help but only making it worse, & I felt the urge to apologize to every restaurant patron as I hurried past them, juggling a diaper bag, car seat, purse, Sadie’s Curious George, & Rose the Stage 5 Screamer. Jennifer explained to me that I have to stop caring what other people think… as of now, though, I’m still avoiding restaurants until further notice.
My grandparents loved her. My grandma says she has my ears, which made me laugh. Grandma, who we’ve often called “the Little Red Hen” because she’s so constantly busy, actually sat & held Rose for hours while Jennifer & I washed dishes & straightened the house. I was worried that Mag & Sadie would be jealous of the attention that Rose received but they didn’t seem bothered at all. The picture below is my favorite from the trip… it’s so similar to pictures taken when I was a little girl. Same room, same furniture, same expressions & smiles. Love it.
Holly said:
I’ve been checking often and am happy to see an update :)
There is NO SUCH THING as “spoiling a baby”. I hate that saying. You can “spoil” them when they learn to manipulate (which happens oh so early), but at this age when they very simply crave warmth and snuggles…how can you say no to that? Before you know it, she’ll be kicking to get down and run around. It sounds like you are enjoying every second so don’t change a thing.
RE: baby books. Forget the baby book for now. Get Bobby or Jennifer to pick up a cheap calendar at the drug store or Target. Keep it handy. When Rose smiles or rolls over or does something else note-worthy, scribble a quick note on the calendar. Later on you can use it as a reference to go back and fill everything in!
jamie said:
I love the calendar idea!!
jamie said:
The pic of the girls and your grandparents is priceless! One you’ll always cherish. As for holding Rose for hours…. I personally don’t think you can spoil a baby that young. That’s my opinion though. At this point, I think it’s called love and cherishing the moments. Jennifer is right about not worying what others think BUT (also my opinion) if a child or children are being too disruptive, I think they should be taken out of a restaurant. I’ve had nights when my children were angels and gotten comments on how good they were…… I’ve also been that mom who has taken a child out and had her meal boxed up to eat later. Each day is an adventure…. if you’ve been a mom for 2 days or 2 years, each day is its own.
Shelley in SK said:
Hold her, hold her, hold her!!! I guarantee that when she is a teenager she won’t want to be held! LOL!
Lisa said:
Go ahead and snuggle her up! Enjoy this time…take it all in.
Sweet,sweet pic of your grandparents and the girls:)
Agreed…calendar is great idea!
Lisa
Susanna said:
Actually Mama had a calendar for me, guess by the time #3 rolled around she realized that it was a better idea! haha :)
Whitney said:
TRUE!!! I did 1st year scrapbooks for all of mine, but Rachel’s is considerably thicker than Brady’s. Poor little third babies… you are loved too… even if the memories aren’t recorded as often on paper… :)
Jennifer Weathers Haren said:
I agree about the calendar. Super quick, easy, and no pressure. The baby book is definitely “looming” over your head and I think a calendar would be a happy medium right now. When she gets a little bigger (or one day when you have extra time…HAHA) you can go back and fill it in. What about the calendar that MC passed on to you? I just thought of that…it would be perfect.
Shelley in SK said:
I love your new blog format!
I hope that all is well with your family.