Little Mister is a pretty good sleeper for being less than two weeks old (however, I think all newborns sleep away most of their days). The first few nights were a bit crazy, he wanted to eat nearly every hour. But, after my milk arrived, he has settled into a nice three hour cycle in the middle of the night. I look forward to that cycle growing in length, but I'll take the three hour feeding cycle at night for now. Speaking of eating, Russ is a champion eater. He was approaching the dreaded 10% weight loss at his first doc appointment (3 days old), weighing in at 6lbs 13oz last Tuesday. That was the same day my milk finally showed up and he gained 3oz overnight, weighing in at 7lb 0oz on Wednesday when I went to see the boobie saint (aka lactation consultant). I call her a saint because she is truly a special lady. She has a special way of calming neurotic moms (like myself) down and helping to build confidence in their ability to feed their babies. For some, nursing is a natural phenomenon. Not so much for me. I struggle. But, I am happy to report that things are going MUCH better with Russ in that department than with Henry. Not to say I haven't suffered from blisters, cracking, intense pain ...because I have... but I got help so much sooner this time around and I am confident it will get better, because it did with Henry. I think confidence is the biggest difference this time around. It helps that on Monday, when I went back to see the boobie saint, that Russ was back to his birth weight, weighing in at 7lbs 9oz. Yay! The doc wanted to see him back at his birth weight by his next appointment, which isn't until next Tuesday. Although not "perfect" yet, nursing is becoming more comfortable day by day. I have high hopes that after a few weeks of nursing, it will feel more "natural." The other exciting news around here is that he lost his umbilical cord tag yesterday afternoon, so he was able to get his first real bath this morning. Henry was a great little helper, fetching Mommy the baby bathtub, towels, soap etc.
Here's the happy big brother! Henry has been amazing when it comes to being a big brother. He has been patient while I am nursing, gentle while touching Russ, helpful with diaper changes, and even tells me "I LIKE Baby Russ! I think he likes me too." He is fascinated at all of Russ' little parts. The transition hasn't been all peachy though. He has developed quite an attitude toward Ryan, has had multiple accidents in his pants, refused to leave the house for four days, and is testing boundaries like nobody's business. The last couple days have gone a bit better, thank goodness. He finally agreed, after a tantrum, to leave the house with Ryan yesterday. Today, without a tantrum, he agreed again to leave the house. It isn't so much that we have needed to leave the house (which is why we didn't just make him get in the car), but we have learned over the last few years that Henry is a much happier, more compliant kid when we leave the house regularly, if even just to walk down to the park for a bit. When he is cooped up in the house, he tends to become increasingly mischievous and defiant, which probably explains some of the behavior issues during the four days he refused to leave the house. He has been particularly needy for my attention. I have been trying to carve out one-on-one time to play with him. Legos have been a gift from heaven. I hope that things continue to improve (in the attitude department) with Henry and I hope he continues to love his little brother. It melts my heart every time I see Henry kiss Russ' little forehead or when Henry asks to hold him.
As for me, I am doing really well. The physical recovery has been easier this time around. I am sleeping a bit better than I did with Henry too. And most of all, I am so much more relaxed, about everything, this time around. So far, no post-partum depression, or even baby blues to report. I do find myself particularly sensitive to TV dramas, but becoming a mom in general has made me a bit of a softy. Ryan caught me tearing up a couple nights ago while we were watching a crime thriller (where a mother was killed by a serial killer) and he asked what was wrong. I said "nothing, it's just sad." He just shook his head and chalked it up to hormones. Perhaps. :) But as for real baby blues, they haven't arrived, and I hope they don't! Only time will tell, in particular as my maternity leave dwindles down, whether the post-partum depression returns. My OB said for about 1/3 of her patients, they don't experience it the second time around. I am desperately hoping that I fall into that 1/3 camp. But, like with nursing, if I struggle again, I will seek out help much sooner this time around.
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