the early days - a reflection

It's so hard to believe it's been almost a whole seven weeks since this little man came into our lives. Time flies, I tell ya.

I figured it would be a good idea to write about the first few weeks while it's fresh in my slightly sleep deprived brain. So much has happened and I wish my memory was dependable enough but sadly tis not. So blog I must!

Truett was born on a Friday morning and it was a beautiful day! We were at the birth center for only five hours after he was born and then we made the journey home to begin our new lives. We had some visitors that day, including my brother Jake and his girlfriend Lindsey. The visitors continued throughout the weekend and most our family was around to visit. 

Our first night with True I don't think either of us slept very much at all - not because he was crying but because we just wanted to stare and take in every second. We hardly put him down except to be changed - which he totally hated for the first week until he (or we) finally got the hang of it all. He slept in bed with us, in our arms or on our chest. He was such a cuddler and a sweetheart (and still is!) He rarely cried at all that first week but he certainly let us know how much he hated his diaper changes. It was the only time he cried and seriously broke my heart to see him get so upset! 

His looks really seemed to change over the first week. His skin adjusted to the outside world and he broke out a little bit but nothing major. 

We stayed couped up in our bedroom until Tuesday, when we finally brought the dogs home from my moms. I wasn't supposed to use the stairs for the first few days (due to my stitches from pushing out a nine pounder) but eventually made my way to the living room. Introducing the dogs to the baby was the cutest thing in the world. I was super nervous because they are both so attached to me but they did a great job and have since fallen in love with their new hairless brother. 

The next few days we slowly got into a routine of sorts. I tried hard not to wake Vince at night so I could get used to not having his help (he works nights). It was a little challenging at first because True was waking every 2 hours for a feeding and changing. But I managed. We lazied around the house during the day to make up for the lack of sleep at night. 

On the Thursday following his birth we made our first trip out of the house! To target we go, hi ho hi ho hi ho. He loved being in his baby wrap - which to this day he still does and quite surprisingly because he hates to be swaddled. It was a success but we discovered he hates the car. 

Per recommendation of my midwives we bought a blow dryer for his diaper changes and he was a whole new baby! He suddenly loved them. He also wasn't a huge fan of sponge baths the first week but now doesn't ever want to get out. He hasn't quite gotten the car thing down yet but he's much better. 

Vince went back to work on the Monday after Truett turned 2 weeks. It was so nice to have him home with us during that time but it was good for True and I to get our own routine down. 

My emotions the first week were a little crazy. I was exhausted from my fast and furious labor but on a total natural high from it at the same time. I never wanted to sleep because I just wanted to enjoy my new baby. There were days though when the emotions got the best of me and I just had to cry. I was so happy to be a mom and so in love with my new family that happy tears came streaming. He had a couple rough nights the first week Vince was back at work where I cried tears of exhaustion but it quickly subsided. It's hard work in the beginning, I'll tell ya that much!

Whenever I felt like I was getting a little too tired I'd take a few extra of my placenta pills and soon after I would feel way better. Maybe a placebo affect but whatever cause it worked. 

Breast feeding also seemed to be a challenge for me at first. I say me because he was great and thriving and gaining weight just fine but I was having some pain issues. We had a lactation consultant come by as well as a craniosacral therapist and it helped to loosen a posterior tongue tie which has helped immensely with our feedings. Before the therapies I would get pinching feelings in my nipples and my toes would curl in pain but now it's much more peaceful. I love breast feeding now! And it makes me so fulfilled to know I am nourishing my sweet boy. 

Having a newborn is such an amazing thing. And become a mom is even more incredible. There are truly no words to describe the feeling when you hold the being that grew inside of you for the very first time. There are no words to describe how amazing it feels when I'm all that he needs to calm down. It is definitely an overwhelming and wonderful time and I have loved every second of it, even the hardships. Because even when it's hard, at the end of the day I have an amazing little boy who I love so much. And I am so grateful for him and for my husband.