Whew. Everyone tells you that life will change, but you can't imagine the ways in which it will change or excite or exhaust you. In a blur of days and nights with never-ending rounds of feeding and holding Riley, a month has gone by. Amazing. My respect for mothers everywhere, especially those with more than one child, has grown exponentially.
We had a beautiful week of May-like weather this week, so she got much more adept at time in her stroller as I walked as much as I could. Things are still sore and I'm supposed to be limiting my activity, but it was so critical to just get out. of. the. house. even for 20 or 30 minutes. And, as I write this, we are using the Baby Bjorn and Riley is asleep. Suddenly, new worlds might be opening for me and my little one if she's willing to be portable.
Ya' see, Riley refuses to sleep anywhere but in my arms. Not in her pack and play, not in her carseat, not anywhere. So I've spent the last month sleeping upright with her in my arms, occasionally trying to trick her by laying her down after she's asleep. That lasts about 10min before she's awake and screaming.
My point here being that any activity (including blogging) has been extremely curtailed because even though she sleeps a ton, all that sleeping is done ON ME and I can't use the time to be productive. (You try typing, brushing your teeth, doing dishes, or making lunch one-handed) My OB has cleared me to do some light upper body weightlifting even, but I can't do that since the only weight I'm lifting is a now-8lb 5oz ball of cuteness.
I'll admit, this has been wonderful but tough. I shed more than a few tears one day last week -- admitting to enviousness at my husband for his runs and bike rides, while I simply sit holding our beautiful but headstrong daughter. Even a friend who had a more normal birth ten days before me is already doing 2hr hikes while I sit with baby in one hand and tv remote in the other. Patience. I must have patience. Running and biking clothes will fit again. I'll get to move and the rest of the baby weight will go away. Riley will occasionally sleep apart from me.
I know I'll miss this stage once it's gone, but really, if I can't do a 2hr bike ride or go for a run, is a few hours sleep too much to ask!?!?
2 months ago
7 comments:
I hope your little on decides soon to sleep on its own soon, so you can get some sleep and rest.
Hang in there -- my daughter is the same way and I wouldn't get anything done if it wasn't for my carrier (now showering is a problem). For your recovering I hope this helps: 5 months post csection I was back racing and PRed at a sprint distance even though I was still lugging around baby weight. This time around even though I had a vbac I'm not up to 2 hour hikes like your friend. I hope you can get some rest soon!
Decaf Jen
That's how my oldest daughter was. I finally put my foot down when the dr. gave me clearance to run. I was still nursing on demand so I had to stay close to home, but I had my cell phone on me and just ran around and around the block.
It is really tough those 1st few weeks, but just KNOW that it will get better!
Why don't you get one of those baby-sling things? Then you can strap her on to your chest and have two hands free.
Anyway, keep your eye on the prize...you can decide which one sparkles the most!
OK, I'm not a Mum but have a few friends who are and a few swore by the "Miracle Blanket" to help their baby sleep: http://www.miracleblanket.com/ ; they sell some seconds on ebay prety cheap too - I'm not sure if this will help you get away for a small sanity break? Maybe you've already tried it? Anyway, congrats on becoming a mum!
I definitely second the recommendation for a sling. My firstborn was just like this and the sling saved us both. He could sleep, I could get things done. He also took lots of naps in the baby backpack with my hubby which was very helpful for me! And like jtrimom says, many of my first runs were 'round and 'round the block. Hang in there, it definitely gets easier as they mature (at least in some ways ;-)
Oh yeah, and my little non-sleeper? I swear the house could fall down around him now and he wouldn't wake up. He seriously slept through a thunderstorm where I thought our windows were going to break.
Post a Comment