Parenting - The Real Deal
So, three weeks in to this whole parenting thing, and I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you what the others don't... the TRUTH!
This is absolutely one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. So far, the rewards are minimal because the baby is so needy (as he should be) and takes so much from Mike and me 24/7. The rare moments when he sleeps provide a slight respite, but not enough to fully recharge our batteries in order to be completely on our game 24/7. I feel like all I've done for 21 days is give, give, give... again, that's as it should be. But boy does it wear me out.
And what about the times when the baby is crying to the point of turning red / purple, and I have to blow in his face to force him to take a breath? Yeah - that's fun! Clean diaper, full tummy, temperature seems to be okay, no bicycling legs to indicate gas... seriously, what is the problem? How frustrating to know that all I have to do is provide for my child and make him calm, but I can't because I have no friggin' idea what he needs!
Breastfed babies eat every 2-3 hours, which means mom (AKA, me) is up all night with the little bambino. Unfortunately, my milk hasn't been coming in enough to provide enough sustenance for Ethan, so we've been supplementing with the goal of moving to formula 100%. Now, Mike can share some of the feeding responsibility, which helps balance my sleep periods a little more... yay!
Eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom... that really is all newborns do. I'd heard that - but was hoping for more than that when we had our own child. Before he was born, no one was completely honest about how exhausting and difficult this would be. NOW, everyone is honest... it will get better, they all say. Sucks for the first few months, but when he can finally interact more and doesn't eat as often, life feels better with a baby at home.
We know it has to get better - why else would people actively elect to have more than one child otherwise?!?! And, each day is feeling more do-able for us. We're finding ways to help us save time or eat meals together or get Ethan to sleep easier. One step at a time, we are doing this.
Parenting is hard work, but I am so glad that Michael and I opted to try it. It has brought us closer as a couple, and the opportunity to learn together is quite amazing. I just hope that we can continue to learn and share things with other new parents. Some day, we'll look back and remember how difficult this stage was, and be so proud that we survived it together.
(gotta go - crying baby to attend to)
This is absolutely one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. So far, the rewards are minimal because the baby is so needy (as he should be) and takes so much from Mike and me 24/7. The rare moments when he sleeps provide a slight respite, but not enough to fully recharge our batteries in order to be completely on our game 24/7. I feel like all I've done for 21 days is give, give, give... again, that's as it should be. But boy does it wear me out.
And what about the times when the baby is crying to the point of turning red / purple, and I have to blow in his face to force him to take a breath? Yeah - that's fun! Clean diaper, full tummy, temperature seems to be okay, no bicycling legs to indicate gas... seriously, what is the problem? How frustrating to know that all I have to do is provide for my child and make him calm, but I can't because I have no friggin' idea what he needs!
Breastfed babies eat every 2-3 hours, which means mom (AKA, me) is up all night with the little bambino. Unfortunately, my milk hasn't been coming in enough to provide enough sustenance for Ethan, so we've been supplementing with the goal of moving to formula 100%. Now, Mike can share some of the feeding responsibility, which helps balance my sleep periods a little more... yay!
Eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom... that really is all newborns do. I'd heard that - but was hoping for more than that when we had our own child. Before he was born, no one was completely honest about how exhausting and difficult this would be. NOW, everyone is honest... it will get better, they all say. Sucks for the first few months, but when he can finally interact more and doesn't eat as often, life feels better with a baby at home.
We know it has to get better - why else would people actively elect to have more than one child otherwise?!?! And, each day is feeling more do-able for us. We're finding ways to help us save time or eat meals together or get Ethan to sleep easier. One step at a time, we are doing this.
Parenting is hard work, but I am so glad that Michael and I opted to try it. It has brought us closer as a couple, and the opportunity to learn together is quite amazing. I just hope that we can continue to learn and share things with other new parents. Some day, we'll look back and remember how difficult this stage was, and be so proud that we survived it together.
(gotta go - crying baby to attend to)
Comments
The sleeping part gets better, but you worry about other things and have to deal with other things.
Price we pay to be parents I guess?