Monday, June 23, 2008
6 weeks!
Abbie will be 6 weeks old tomorrow. I must say this parenting thing is not an easy task - not that I ever thought it would be, but I think so many people, especially new mom's, paint a pretty picture, and I definitely don't feel like that pretty picture very often! I walk around with spit up all over me, sometimes having not showered in 2 days, no make up, no hair fixing, boobs sore from feeding, looking like I haven't slept in days, the list goes on! But then there are the times like right now, where Abbie is sleeping peacefully on me, and we got a decent night's sleep last night, and I remember why we did this. She is still not sleeping the greatest, much to my dismay. I just thought for sure by now she'd be sleeping through the night...why?? I don't know. It's not completely unheard of for babies to do that by 5 or 6 weeks. And I just thought for sure she would be so "good" that she would. Why is it that mother's often judge their parenting skills on how well their babies sleep? That seems to be the first question I am asked these days - "How is she sleeping?" I must admit it would be easier sometimes to lie and say "GREAT!" but anyone who looks at me would know by the bags under my eyes that I was not telling the truth! Anyways, I will not paint the perfect picture I so often hear. I will tell you the truth. She is wonderful. We love her more than anything. But it's tough. Parenting is tough. And sleep is precious. One hour even. But would I trade in this child to sleep again? To eat or do anything without interruption? Absolutely not. I love her. I am head over heels in love with her. And that's the truth.
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6 comments:
It is tough! That is what terrifies me about having two, but you are doinga great job and it only gets better. I say this knowing its not bad just tough. And oh how everyday gets better and better and finner and funner
Being a mom is by far one of the most challenging, yet rewarding things I have ever done. Don't worry, you're not alone!!! I can remember people asking me if Owen was sleeping through the night all the time. He didn't until he was 13 1/2 months old. This was my fault as I nursed him through the night and he slept in the bed with us. I will do better with Ben, I hope. I plan to get "baby wise"/ "ferber" on the little guy around 6 months. Until then, I really think it depends on the baby and their feeding needs.
And I think bags under the eyes and smelling like throw-up and spoiled milk are both signs of a good mommy who spends time with her child.
We have all been there!! Showers are my new alone time- it's the only time I have to concentrate and think for about the 5 minutes I have in peace and quiet!
It is the best thing ever, but, I compare it to girls that want to get married to have a "wedding". It's cute to be preggers and have showers and say you are going to have a baby... but to really RAISE a baby, much less TWO... whew! It's so great when you get excited over little things they do, but, the sleep is a big deal :) Good luck! We all know your pain! It DOES get better, promise!- Ali
Please don't think for one minute that I meant that any of you fellow Mom's have painted the picture of perfection, because I know you have been the honest ones!I appreciate hearing though that you have all been there - I know I am not alone, and I don't have it nearly as bad as it could be. And I know there will be many exciting and fun times to come!
Babywise saved my life. I was in the EXACT same position with Chloe, who would only sleep in a swing or laying on my chest for the first 2 months and then a friend lent me her copy and I had nothing to lose but more sleep so we tried it. We picked what we liked about it, but basically it's the parents set the first feeding time of the day and then get into a pattern of eat, wake, sleep with the parents directing the feeding times. Esther is sleeping from 9:30pm to 6:30-7:00am and her first feeding is at 7:30, that she joyfully plays in her crib waiting for. I've been there and you are doing a GREAT job, but I don't like to reinvent the wheel and I don't like pushing what might work for us onto others, but I also will never forget the friend that was brave enough to recommend something else to me:) It's time for our 11 oclock feeding, she's sucking my hand to the point of drool on the floor (and on me:))!
Big hugs Shannon!
Thank god I am not the only new mom who smells of sour milk, gets only a few hours of sleep at a time, and doesn't feel like she knows what she's doing half the time. I have total mommy brain most of the time and feel lucky to get a load of laundry. It is the biggest challenge of my life and I wouldn't trade a stinky minute of it for anything!
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