Things that have been difficult:
- Nursing every 2 hours. The kid is like an alarm clock. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12...day and night, on the dot he wakes up and starts rooting and hollering until he gets fed. I feel like I need to duct tape my eyelids open just to stay awake. I'm glad this phase doesn't last forever.
- Soreness in my "childbirthing areas" and soreness from nursing. I want to jump back into housekeeping and taking care of everyone but between my fatigue and just being sore it's been hard to get much done.
- Taking care of a circumcision. Obviously we didn't have to deal with that with the girls so this was a new challenge. It's almost all healed now but those first few days it was so heartbreaking every time he'd wet his diaper and it would just make him scream.
-Teya and Brinley have been sick. Both with fevers and deep chest coughs. This has been stressful because I feel paranoid about germs around the baby and also have two very high maintenance little girls who want mommy to hold and care for them while they're sick. It's tough to balance, and when all three kids are crying (like they were last night at 2 am) I really wish I could clone myself.
- My self esteem takes a hit every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I know I just had a baby and need to go easy on myself but I'm just being honest. I have bags under my eyes, a big droopy belly, and my crazy hormones have caused me to have some pretty unflattering breakouts. I'm glad we're snowed in and no one has to see me like this because it ain't pretty!
Things that have been major lifesavers while we're adjusting:
-Taber's mom has been here all week and I seriously don't know how on earth I could've survived this week without her! She's played with the girls, done the grocery shopping, cooked our meals, washed the dishes, changed diapers, held the baby so I could sleep, and just been an angel all around. She leaves tomorrow and then my mom will be here to take over. I'm so grateful to have such awesome Mommies. : )
- Our neighbors came over after the big snow storm to snow blow our entire driveway. We've had so much snow since the baby was born and Taber's been at work and not around to shovel so this was a huge blessing.
- Friends from church brought in meals the first couple nights and I can't tell you how much that meant to me.
-Friends have helped with preschool carpooling and watching the girls to give me and Grandma a break. I really have the greatest friends you could ask for.
-Taber has gotten up at night to change diapers, give the girls medicine, and hold the baby when he's fussy. I know it's hard for him because he has to get up and go to work early in the morning but he never complains. I married the best.
Things that make all the craziness worthwhile:
-Feeding Camden in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping and it's just me and him, and he looks up at me with his big dark eyes and we're both just smitten with each other.
-Holding Cam over my shoulder to burp him and he falls asleep there in a cuddly little ball. It's so sweet I can hardly stand it.
-Seeing Taber so excited about having a son. He asks me to text him pictures every day so he can see how Camden's growing. As soon as he gets home from work he jumps right into baby duty and holds him every chance he can get. It's very sweet to see the bond they have.
-Seeing the girls so excited about their baby brother. Even though they've been sick it's impossible to keep them away from him. They just want to love him up every second they can.
So I guess even with the challenges that come with a new baby I really can't complain. I have the greatest network of support from all our friends and family, I have a wonderful husband who is a caring hands on father and I have 3 beautiful healthy children who make me smile every day. Someday I'll sleep through the night again. Someday my reflection won't be tired and droopy, and someday I'll figure out how to manage my household with 3 kids. Until then I'm glad I have lots of help : )
Here are some pictures from Camden's first week:
Flowers delivered to our door from Taber's coworkers. Such a sweet and thoughtful surprise.
19 comments:
Glad you're surviving dude! If anyone can do it, you can. Camden is such a little doll too, so that makes it totally worth it! Love you guys!
Oh, sister...I hear your pain - right down to the tender "lady parts"!! I am so sorry your girlies have been so sick. And I feel so bad that I'm as helpless as I am. I'm about to kick myself out of hibernation, so if you feel like you've been wearing people out, consider me someone who is still "fresh" and willing to help in any way I can. And when can we start running again? Methinks we should train for something together as we whip our post-partum bods back into shape. P.S. I love your beautiful family!
Sheesh..and when I say "I HEAR your pain" what I really mean is that "I FEEL your pain". Although this pain is probably intense enough that it could be audible...
As far as I'm concerned, you are doing awesome. I don't think I could even form coherent sentences after week one, and look at you blogging and everything!! You've got a cutie on your hands!
LOVED your post. Camden is absolutely beautiful, as are you. Hope you get feeling better soon--you and Taber are an example to EJ and I of being awesome parents. :)
Dang, it's like I wrote this post myself! I remember how rough it was to go from two kids to three, but three to four has been a real trip. I think a lot of it has to do with all the stupid snowdays we've had since Christmas, so any little break I might normally get from the older boys is out the window! I love how you also relate what a huge blessing it is to be able to have a new baby around. It helps to remember that these first few weeks are fleeting and this little squishy bundle of barf will soon be running away from me in stores and getting into my makeup! Hang in there, Spring is just around the corner (I hope)!
Oh, Becca. You are awesome.
I have had fleeting thoughts of possibly a 3rd...and I'm like, "these 2 girls are like having 3 kids!"
I wish I could kidnap your girls to come play with mine.
Mommies are So SO wonderful to have around. I have no idea how people do it who have a poor support system.
He's growing so handsomely!
Oh my goodness! I totally know how you feel with the girls being sick and baby Cam being so young. Me and Na'u got sick with the chills, cough, fever etc...when Iwi was barely a week old. We were just plain ole miserable. I didn't want Iwi to catch it so I was only around him to feed him. Other than that, my mom did everything. I was in tears cause I just wanted to be with him. We even went out and bought masks to make sure he didn't get sick. It's hard being a "new" mom even if you have other children. Bringing home a new born is alot of work. As a mom you just have to jump into things no matter what you're feeling like. Well, I know you're already an awesome mommy so keep up the wonderful work you're doing. Kisses to baby Cam and the girls.
Great post! Thanks for sharing! It's fun to see how excited everyone to have him around... especially the girls. I'm really excited to meet him someday... sure wish we lived closer to you guys!
Becca your a rockstar! Being a mom of three is a whole other level of motherhood! There are more of them than you (and Taber)! Your kids are so lucky to have such a patient loving mom, that's key. And for the record every mom gets at least 4 weeks of being a zombie, and putting on make-up and doing your hair is so last on the list, just get your sleep when you can and the rest will come when it's time! Congrats momma, Camden is precious.
What a beautiful little guy! I can't believe how much he's changed in a week! I'm glad you have help from Taber and his mom, but I'm sure it's been so crazy with a new baby and two sick sisters. I hope they're feeling better, and I hope you make sure to get your rest.
Yay! I love all these pics of Camden. He is so boy. What a stud. I hope the girls get feeling better soon. Its no fun having sick kiddies. Glad you have such an amazing support system out there too. Lucky. Get some rest. Night times are my favorite with Micah too. When everyone is asleep, but us and we can share a special moment together.
What a cute boy! Teya's male twin!! My friend, I feel for you--two sickies plus a newborn, not to mention a pretty well beaten up mother. I'm so glad you have Taber and your mommies to watch over you, and friends. You're the sweetest girl on the planet.
Good job you guys! Paul and I just cried and cried while we read your story. We're so happy for your sweet family. Can't wait for you guys to move up here into the woods by the Kenai with us.
Camden is such a handsome little guy! I can't think of anyone better suited to take on three kids than you! I am sure you are bouncing around and being supermom still! Even so, I am glad that you have had so much help so that you can get some rest...when are you guys going to come back to MN so we can have a reunion?? We miss you guys!
What a sweet lil man. Sorry to hear about the girls, we feel your pain on that one. We hope they get better soon. We are excited to meet Cam.
I just got caught up on your blog. Oh, I remember parts of those days. I don't miss that, well some of it I miss I guess. Hang in there. He is worth it. You wonderwoman!!!!! Congrats to the entire family.
Congratulations on your little boy finally being here!!! I know I'm super late - I'm just getting caught up on your blog, too (after we got back from Utah for Christmas we all had bronchitis, and in the recovery process I dropped blogging for awhile). Anyway, I've loved reading all the updates, and of course, the birth story. Camden is adorable, and it makes me so happy to see you guys with a little boy. Don't despair about the neborn insanity! I'm sure you're trying to jump back into everything too quickly. I panic and get overwhelmed every time I have a new baby, because I always forget just how much time everything takes, and it feels like I'm not getting anything done. Just the other day I was getting stressed out (and Cindy is 3 months old now!) because I tend to keep a running list in my mind of everything I'm NOT doing, and Daniel helped me see it in a new perspective - I think of a few things that are important to me, and do those things (and some days, that is ONLY taking care of Cynthia's needs) and everything else didn't get gone NOT because I failed to do it, but because it wasn't a priority. This helps me not hold on to/mourn the things I'm not having time for - I just decide that at this point those things aren't important. Some day, as my schedule gets a little easier, I will have time to include more in my priorities, but for now, I keep it pretty simple. Also, I used to always get impatient to quickly get things back to "normal", and it wasn't until after both Henry and Cynthia's births that I realized things were never going to go back to how they were, because our family with 5 or 6 kids had to function differently than with 4 or 5 - so I had to find our new "normal." Anyway, sorry to leave such a long comment! I'm sure I didn't even explain that very well. You are so amazing and I'm sure you'll find your groove soon enough! Love you.
Oh Becca! Hang in there :) I joke that number 3 is a little bit a kick in the pants :) But yes you called it perfect! Give it a couple more weeks and eveything will start being a little more scheduled! Feedings ect. And I have to welcome you to "boy land" they are little piggies!! They are all starving all the time..My three boys eat us out of house and home and their no where near teenagers....AHHH :) And so sorry to hear about the girls being sick!! Dang it dang it!! I wish I was your neighbor I would of loved to bring you guys dinner :) xoxo
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