Baby Remi
So, we're home now, and enjoying the long holiday season in relative calm-- no traveling, no rushing around shopping, just snow, fire, Christmas lights, and family. Most of you who read this already know that nine-pound baby Remi was born last Wednesday, the 15th, at 4:25 a.m. after 48 hours of labor. But he came out the regular way, and didn't need a C-section, for which I'm extremely grateful (also grateful to the inventor of the epidural, though it hadn't been my intention to use it if I could help it-- but I wouldn't have managed without it).
The first thing to say is that Aaron has been spectacular. I had little concept of time for the last 30 of those 48 hours, but he must have been much more aware, and I don't know how he dealt with it. Also, he had to watch all those bodily processes, especially during pushing, and it must be hard to watch someone you love go through that, even for something you're excited about. But all's well that ends well, and we're all very happy and healthy. Remi has been particularly good about eating and pooping, so we're all content. (Especially me, who have now changed exactly two diapers!)
We're slowly working out the bugs in the system. First was the organization of baby clothes; I didn't know the most relevant categories for those in terms of weight/warmth or style of closure (over the head with snaps at the butt vs. zip/snap that requires no head maneuvering). I didn't think the latter was that important, but Aaron (who is the main diaper/clothing changer) didn't want to fiddle with over-the-head in the middle of the night. So now we've got that sorted out and I just have to figure out where/how to store everything. (It has been sitting in piles on the spare bed while I've been occupied with stuff like, you know, feeding the kiddo and getting sleep myself.) Then we had to rethink the way the lighting was arranged in the room, and moved a dimming lamp that projects its light upwards (there's a word for that, which I'm forgetting) from anothe room to be next to the changing table so we don't have to use either the too-bright overhead light or the too-dim nightlight. And finally, the rocking chair we borrowed from my mom (the one she rocked us in!), which we put in the baby's room because we wanted to keep the heavenly glider downstairs (especially since I do most feedings downstairs), wasn't working for either of us. Just not the right proportions to get comfortable. So we thought about it, and tried the "spare" plush chair & ottoman we had in the basement. It works much better, even though it doesn't rock. Now I just need to find something to cover it with, since it doesn't go with the colors in the room. (It's a little vain to be worried about that, I know, since comfort is most important, but it would just be nice to keep the color scheme consistent.)
The other thing I'm dealing with is what appears to be a clogged milk duct in my left armpit (already?!). I'm hoping it's just that, and that heat, showers, and massages will help clear it out. I'm kind of impatient about it, because the rest of the recovery is going so well. Oh well! It will work itself out, probably.
The first thing to say is that Aaron has been spectacular. I had little concept of time for the last 30 of those 48 hours, but he must have been much more aware, and I don't know how he dealt with it. Also, he had to watch all those bodily processes, especially during pushing, and it must be hard to watch someone you love go through that, even for something you're excited about. But all's well that ends well, and we're all very happy and healthy. Remi has been particularly good about eating and pooping, so we're all content. (Especially me, who have now changed exactly two diapers!)
We're slowly working out the bugs in the system. First was the organization of baby clothes; I didn't know the most relevant categories for those in terms of weight/warmth or style of closure (over the head with snaps at the butt vs. zip/snap that requires no head maneuvering). I didn't think the latter was that important, but Aaron (who is the main diaper/clothing changer) didn't want to fiddle with over-the-head in the middle of the night. So now we've got that sorted out and I just have to figure out where/how to store everything. (It has been sitting in piles on the spare bed while I've been occupied with stuff like, you know, feeding the kiddo and getting sleep myself.) Then we had to rethink the way the lighting was arranged in the room, and moved a dimming lamp that projects its light upwards (there's a word for that, which I'm forgetting) from anothe room to be next to the changing table so we don't have to use either the too-bright overhead light or the too-dim nightlight. And finally, the rocking chair we borrowed from my mom (the one she rocked us in!), which we put in the baby's room because we wanted to keep the heavenly glider downstairs (especially since I do most feedings downstairs), wasn't working for either of us. Just not the right proportions to get comfortable. So we thought about it, and tried the "spare" plush chair & ottoman we had in the basement. It works much better, even though it doesn't rock. Now I just need to find something to cover it with, since it doesn't go with the colors in the room. (It's a little vain to be worried about that, I know, since comfort is most important, but it would just be nice to keep the color scheme consistent.)
The other thing I'm dealing with is what appears to be a clogged milk duct in my left armpit (already?!). I'm hoping it's just that, and that heat, showers, and massages will help clear it out. I'm kind of impatient about it, because the rest of the recovery is going so well. Oh well! It will work itself out, probably.