Ya'll, I've been trying to write this post since Wednesday. My days aren't exactly busy; but my hands are occupied about 90% of the time. I seriously write blog posts in my head all.day.long; but, the actual act of typing them up just doesn't get done. Right now, Sam is asleep in the Baby Bjorn on my lap, and I have my computer propped up on pillows so I can reach it around him. Parenthood is all about creativity. Bare with me. Please.
As ofyesterday Wednesday, we have officially survived the first six weeks. Most things I've read (and our pediatrician) claim that fussiness/colic peaks around six weeks and then continues to improve until baby is about three months old. When we first heard that, six weeks sounded SO far away... Now, the milestone has come and gone.
As of
Believe it or not, Sam was not a totally different baby when he woke up Thursday morning. Apparently, he didn't get the memo about the "six week peak." ;)
I was going to call this post "What I've Learned," but the truth is... I haven't learnED anything. This whole thing is a process, and I am - slowly, but surely - learnING.
Things are getting better.
It is still hard.
Jeff ran into a friend of ours yesterday who's wife had a baby two days after Sam was born... He told Jeff that things were "pretty easy" and his "life hasn't changed nearly as much as he thought it would."
I can just picture Jeff's face now. "Easy" is not exactly a word we would use to describe this experience so far.
When he recounted their conversation to me later, I assured him that that's because they have an easy baby. We do not. I'm pretty sure that didn't make him feel any better.
Honestly, I do get sad sometimes when I think about the way I imagined this would be; but, God is working in me a lot right now too. I keep hearing "God does not give you more than you can handle" over and over in my head. We could handle more - honestly. We have a strong marriage, a great support system, a powerful faith...This isn't that bad. God is still showing us grace.
He's also stretching and growing us. Yesterday, as I paced the sidewalks with the stroller stopping every three minutes to replace the pacifier, I thought about what God is teaching me. I realized that all my expectations involved me being a "super mom." I, truly, thought I'd have this peaceful little baby that I'd tote around in my "life as usual." I pictured him cooing in his swing while I cooked fancy dinners and folded laundry. My house was always spotless. The reality is that ALL I can do is be a mom right now. I LOVE to multi-task; but God is giving me these weeks at home to learn that being a mommy is about being a mommy - that's all. Sam is my number one. Not my house, my social life, or my image. He is ALL that matters.
So, I have hope that there will come a time (maybe eight weeks?!) when I can find some balance again. But, for now, I will try my best to soak up this season. I will learn to sacrifice my wants for his. And, I will be a better mom because of it.
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| In his favorite spot: Daddy's lap on the front porch |
He SMILED THIS MORNING! His first real smile came at 5:22AM while I was changing a blow-out diaper - totally worth getting up for. (I got one more smile later this morning, but they are unpredictable. I'll be stalking him with my camera all day today; so hopefully I'll have photographic proof soon.)
Things will get better and easier! I thought those days would never end with my little boy who is almost 6 months now, but they are a distant memory already. I had friends with easy babies but mine has never been, but I have heard babies with colic are smart, if that is any encouragement! Keep pressing forward because it won't be long until you barely remember these days :)
ReplyDeleteAren't their smiles the best?! Luke only gives them in his sleep, usually as the result of a milk drunk belly. I can't wait until he shares more with me! :)
ReplyDeleteI would be willing to bet you that there isn't much difference in what your friend is experiencing, maybe her husband isn't as involved or maybe they didn't want to seem like they didn't have it under control.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing what you're doing and things will smooth out into a good routine soon :)
happy 6 weeks! Babies with colic can benefit an INSANE amount from getting adjusted at the chiropractor. Have you looked into that yet? It is TRULY amazing the difference some natural care can do for baby! I have been taking Eme lately and her ear infections are gone b/c she just needed adjusting--he told me stories of little newborns with colic, cried nonstop, came in, got adjusted----and the crying, STOPS. Worth a try--and chiropractic care doesnt hurt infants at all since they're so flexible and squishy :)
ReplyDeleteHave you read Happiest Baby on the Block? I am pregnant and reading it....I don't know if it actually works, but just thought I'd mention it.
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