Monday will be 7 weeks and we are hanging in there. Things are hard, I won't lie. But since I've given up on any pretense of sanity, things have become manageable.
I had expectations of perfectly well-behaved babies, who would go to bed at a certain time, play a certain way and otherwise not fuss. Obviously, I was deranged. My daughter is the picture-perfect baby, or she was up until 6 weeks. She has found her voice and has decided to become Ms. Fusspot. She doesn't cry, except when she wakes up hungry, and it's a cute mewling-sort of cry. But when she's awake, she's awake for HOURS!!! And she fusses. And she wakes up her brother! My son is the difficult baby. He wakes screaming for his bottle, is difficult to burp, and is only awake-and-not-screaming for about 30 - 60 minutes TOTAL each 24-hour period. He is tough.
There is no schedule. There is no bedtime, there is no naptime. They run the house and we tip toe around them when they're napping, for fear they'll wake. We tip toe around him especially because he's so difficult. When they fall asleep on us, we are afraid to move and put them down, because we've been holding them for HOURS and we're afraid they'll wake up again. Horrible, I know. But when they're awake, they're not much fun after the first 30 minutes or so.
I'm hoping this gets better in a few weeks :-)
My husband has been a champ - he makes me go to bed between 8-9pm and tells me NOT to get up until 5 or 6am. Can you believe it? I generally can't sleep that long - so I go from 8-4 or 9-5, but still - I'M GETTING 8 HOURS OF SLEEP PER NIGHT! I DO LOVE THIS MAN.
At their 6-week Pediatrician appointment this week they weighed 11lb2oz and 10lb14oz - go babies!
I married the best guy ever and have three of the cutest babies I've ever seen. I miss Kara every single moment of every single day, and I am thankful and grateful that these two are alive and well with us. When I get frustrated with their screaming (really, his) I remember that I am blessed to have them alive. When my husband holds them sleeping in his arms, he tells me "This is the true meaning of life. "
10 comments:
hang in there mama i promise it will get better, you are at the worst time, they are a little more awake then when they were first born and it seems as if nothing makes them happy. I have a memory of this time and my husband i were just talking about and trying to remember if it was really as bad as we remember, i say yes, he says no!! Its going to be a rough 6weeks or so but one day you will realize its gotten better! I'm always here if you have questions!
You really are in the sh*t right now. That is what I call that fourth trimester stage. It is like a relentless war, add in the guilt and grief of previous loss and it is really really hard. But eight hours a night is amazing. Awesome husband. (I am still being woken up every two hours all night.)
Anyway, sending you much love. You are doing an amazing job. Anything to get them to sleep right now is okay. xo
What a terrific husband. Makes all the difference, that's for sure. It is a mess right now but everyone keeps telling us it's gonna get better - here's hoping
I found listening to my favorite comedy program on Emglish radio whilst the screaming is going on helps me regain some sense of humor. All be it an ironic one :-)
if you can have booze I'd treat yourself to some top notch champaigne. That would really help!!
Sending you hugs , earplugs and Valium thoughts
Eb
Oh god, I could have written much of this myself in those early days, except I was too sleep deprived to get to a computer! Angus is 9 months and I haven't gone close to getting that much sleep! I love your husband!
I still think you're amazing, as I had it this tough and I only had the one baby at home with me. I know we all keep saying it, but it does get much easier. And you forget this stuff, you really do. Even at only 9 months for me, I read this and was like "oh yes, I remember that now!"
The tip-toeing, the holding them for hours and hoping like mad they wont wake up and the total and utter lack of routine. I too had delusions of a picture perfect baby. I really don't think there is such a thing!
Keep up the great work, mama. And huge pat on the back for hubby!
Wow, 7 weeks already! And their weights are amazing. Your sweet little Ms. Fusspot might just change again. I called my baby "Mr. Cranky Pants" for several weeks. But he pretty much outgrew it. Maybe she will too.
I'm sorry your son has been more challenging. The crying can wear you thin, mostly because you want to do something...anything...to help them feel better.
From my former life as a nurse, I did learn that not every baby burps by being patted or even rubbed on the back. Some like to be gently bounced up and down. Some like to be rotated (bottom stays in one place on your lap, body and head lean forward, then to one side, then back, and so on). Some babies even burp best by rubbing their heads! No kidding. But the screaming - that's tough.
Just keep doing what you need to do to get through the present. Things WILL change. Your husband rocks. And he's a rock. Sooo great. I think Kara must be so proud of her mommy and daddy. :)
It will get better. I promise!
hang in there. it really is the toughest time, it WILL get better and easier for sure.
i am so jealous that you are getting 8 hours of sleep! wow. i wake up to nurse every two hours still...
xoxo
Sanity is overrated.
You are doing an awesome job!!
Lol... I have to agree with meinsideout... Sanity IS overrated! Especially, in the first few months after delivery. I can't believe how time has flown by, 7 wks... Wow. Can't wait to see an updated pic.
Take care.
Rose
btw- your dh sounds wonderful.
It's hard for a while....then it becomes wonderful. Just keep taking it day by day! xoxo
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