It Gets Better

It is true what everyone tells you, it does get easier. I can actually imagine having another child now! It feels like we have figured things out a little better. I wouldn't say that we have a routine, but I am better at knowing how to calm Tallet's crying. I read the book "Happiest Baby On The Block' and it really taught me a lot about why newborns cry and how to calm it, and it really has worked for us. One major thing I have learnt about Tallet in the last few weeks is that he almost always cries when he is tired, and his tired cry is a lot more angry than his hungry cry.

Nighttime sleeping is a lot better, but not perfect. He usually just eats and goes back to sleep, but he still has the odd rough night where he just wants to be awake.

Breastfeeding is going better, the pain is a lot more bearable and we even have sometimes that doesn't hurt at all. It still isn't perfect or comfortable though. I am still working hard at getting him to latch properly which can be very frustrating. I got a prescription cream from the lactation consultant that helped a lot to heal things up. I must say the lactation consultants at HSC are awesome. SUPER friendly and very knowledgable. And they ooh and ahh over every single baby in there, which is fun to see.

Tallet is becoming more interactive and it easier to get a smile out of. He is starting to coo at us when we talk to him. He enjoys being on his play mat and it is fun to watch him bat his fists at the hanging toys. He loves when we sing to him.

I sure do love being a mommy. Definitely worth the wait, it is still so hard to believe that he is ours. 

Newborn Photos

Here is a sample of the newborn photos we got done when Tallet was 7 days old. This is not all of them but I don't want to share the ones we are using for thanks you cards and christmas!

Update!

I planned to post an update every week, but here I am with a  3.5 week old baby and only one post about it!

Life is so much busier than I had imagined. Having a baby is a lot of more work than I would have ever thought. Blogging is not my first choice when I have some free time.

Tallet is doing great, he is growing lots and changing almost every day. He does some big open mouthed smiles now that are super cute. Sometimes I think they are in response to me but other times I think they are a fluke.

We are cloth diapering a lot now, which is going good. Some of them seem to leak which is frustrating, but other times they don't. Still trying to figure out what works best with that.

My biggest struggle is still breastfeeding. It is extremely painful. I was in tears last night through pretty much a whole feeding. I am reading and reading and other women have this experience and they all say it goes away after a while. I am not sure how much longer I can do this for. I am taking advil and tylenol just to help reduce the pain a little bit. I dread feeding him, and I hate that I have to feel that way. It is supposed to be a bonding experience but I am just gritting my teeth and trying to make it through. I am going to see a lactation consultant tomorrow, and the doctor friday to make sure I don't have thrush. Both those appointment seem so far away and I don't know how I am going to make it to them. I want to breastfeed him SO badly because I know it is best for him and the most convenient, and the cheapest. But sometimes the idea of pumping and bottle feeding is WAY more appealing because of the pain. I guess that is a huge prayer request for me, that breastfeeding would be pain free.

I know I would be a lot less stressed out, and be able to deal with middle of the night feedings a lot easier if there was no pain.

Tallet also isn't sleeping well in his bassinet. I do not want a baby that sleeps with me, but the is the only time he gets good long sleeps. I have accidentally fallen asleep with him next to me in bed twice, and both times he slept for 5 hours at a time. It is not safe for him, and it is not great for my marriage for him to sleep with me. I wish there was some sort of alternative to the bassinet that he would be more comfortable in. Eric's cousin recommended a Rock 'n Play, but it appears they don't have those in Canada.

Tallet also is starting to sleep less and less during the day. He used to sleep for 2-3 hrs at a time in his bassinet during the day, and now it is an hour at most. I would like to get a comfortable sling so he can sleep with me, but my hands are still free to do what I want. I cannot sit around and hold him all day long for my own sanity.

I hope it doesn't seem like I am complaining, but these are my current struggles. I am so thankful to be able to experience these struggles, but it doesn't make them easier. I am afraid to talk to people about my struggles because I feel like they are just going to say "Well you wanted this for so long, so don't complain" or "Did you think it would be easy". Yes I wanted this, and no I didn't think it would be easy, but sometimes I would just like someone to be real with and to talk to.