Since We've Been Home

Here are some thoughts I've had as we settle into a new lifestyle...

It's incredible how one day, things were totally normal, and the next, things changed permanently.

We are incredibly lucky that the baby is mostly good, at least for a newborn. He has been on a 2-3 hour feeding schedule and generally sleeps in between with some exceptions. Since I was so drugged up at the hospital, it took longer than expected to start a supply going, and it isn't enough still (I'm still working with the lactation folks and a tedious routine at each feed). So figuring out which supplement won't make him so gassy has been a struggle. I'm not sure how long I can keep this up, but I figure whatever I can give him now will help. "The Ukrainian" is going back to work soon, so  I am going to have to learn to somehow balance everything during the day. Terrifying.

I am definitely looking forward to the little one growing and settling into a less exhausting routine. I don't know how people could have more than one kid...

Above is me about two weeks before the baby's arrival.

Below is me about ten days after. I can't believe I feel this way, but I often miss being pregnant. It's taking me a while to adjust to being non-pregnant, which seems like so long ago. I also can't believe that I miss work already. Basically, I miss everything that was normal with my life before that somewhat traumatic time in the hospital.

I gained a bit over 30 pounds at the end, and I've lost almost 20 of those on a diet of basically whatever I want plus whatever my parents have been bringing me. I can't imagine having to actively work on the rest of the weight, since when it comes between sleep and exercising, well duh. Plus, given my slice-and-dice, I need to wait for the doctor to give me the ok in a couple of weeks. I'm off my pain medication, so it's a start. Though I'm not in a hurry (because I do get sad seeing my bump go down), my goal is to fit into my old work clothes when the time comes.

I spend a lot of the time thinking about how amazing it is that our little guy came from me and how lucky I am that he is so perfect. I spent a lot of my pregnancy worrying about what I was doing or not doing correctly, something that is obviously going to continue forever.