Whoever said we'd be less tired once baby was home from the NICU...lied :) Well no this is partially true because we don't have to drive back and forth from the hospital and the emotional exhaustion and worry is less. However, I am TIRED. I've never been this tired before. There have been two nights so far where I was in tears from exhaustion and trying to calm a fussy baby. Thankfully my mom, MIL and husband have been great about letting me get a few hours sleep here and there when possible. For all of you who are pregnant or soon to be pregnant, the best advice I can give you is accept help!! I knew going into this that the lack of sleep thing was going to be my biggest hurdle and it definitely is. It can be difficult to sleep when baby sleeps, because you are usually busy washing things or worrying if the baby is breathing or too hot or cold, or baby just doesn't sleep! Samantha thinks night time is party time. And lately she's been fussy because of gas probably and only sleeps in ten min intervals and then cries in between. So sleep has not been an option for me. Plus, because she is a preemie we have to wake her every three hours to eat, so there's no letting her sleep through a feeding. One night she did well and we both got an hour or two, but other than that we are sleepless in NY. But guess what?
It's all so worth it. :)
Even at 2am when I'm feeding her and can barely hold my head up or keep my eyes open, and I feel like I might actually die from exhaustion, I'm still super thankful for this gift :)
Like for instance right now...
Sooo tired. It's 1am and baby girl is laying in my arms making funny faces at me. As much as Id love to crawl into bed and sleep until 2013, I am in complete awe that my dream came true...
And I've acquired a new skill...
Doing pretty much anything and everything with one hand.
My left arm and hand now officially belong to Samantha :)
In fact, I just typed this whole post with one hand.
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18 comments:
Here are all the mommy moments that nobody tells you about, or they tell you about but words just don't do them justice - the incredible highs and the exhausting lows. Sleep deprivation was really hard for me at first - especially because I was pregnant with my first newborn. But, he was thankfully always a good sleeper. I JUST sleep trained Addy and she sleeps through the night now (as of about 2 weeks ago) and she is 13.5 months old! It's tough, but believe it or not, your body just adjusts to a lot less sleep....eventually. But, you are SO right - always accept the help when you can get it! I still do!
I'm glad you are still loving it. Anytime you have a particulatly horrid day kniw that tomorrow is ALWAYS better. And you are very lucky to live near family for help. No one understands like another mom why you might say "take this thing! I need 5 minutes alone/of silence/not being pawed at" and know you still love your little bug. Welcome to one handed everything. Most all my blog posts are one handed, or worse, like this one, one thumbed because I am using my droid. (i just like to think of it as a work out. I'm got killer thumb muscles, dude!)
It gets better, but some of us dontget sleep through the night babies for a long time. A still wakes up 2 to 3 times a night.
It is worth it but damn, sometimes it is hard.
Especially if you l o v e sleep like I do!!!!
This stage is so temporary and I promise you will miss it one day! Accepting help is the right attitude. It's so great to read about you as a mommy :)
She will get the hang of everything soon (hopefully). I remember the first time I slept for 4 hours and I felt like I had slept for days! Snuggle her as much as you can. Nothing is better then baby snuggles.
It's good advice to learn how to accept help! Even so, we all get pretty darn good at one-handed...well, everything. :)
Just fyi - make sure you're switching which side you hold her on when you feed her or it can cause issues with the shape of their head development if you're constantly holding her on the same side for feedings (one side could flatten out instead of rounding as it grows).
Can't wait to see more pictures of your cutie pie!
Yes, this phase is temporary. I'm sure right now it doesn't seem like there is a light at the end of the tunnel but I bet one day it will just click with her and she'll start sleeping longer periods, or better yet, through the night! You are right though - all those sleepless nights are totally worth it. As crazy as it sounds, some of my favorite memories were getting up with Chloe in the middle of the night when the has was quiet and dark and just have "us" time. :)
Love this post. So honest, grateful but true too. It isn't always easy and I'm just about to be getting into those sleepless nights like you are. Hang in there and like you said, keep accepting help. That is very good advice and Islam to do that. :) so happy you're a mama!!! xoxo
You are soooooo cute!!! :)
Glad you have some help so you get rest from time to time.
the exhaustion is so tough, but at least you know it'll get better. eventually, and not in the too distant future, she'll be able to sleep more at night. you're right about not being able to sleep when she sleeps, though. everyone says to nap when the baby naps, but that's the only time there is to get everything done! anyway, you're doing great! just keep up that positive attitude and keep focusing on how grateful you are to be experiencing all of this and it'll make it seem that much better. hugs!
Hope you are soon able to get a solid 6 hours of sleep. Sounds like Samantha has the regime of a college student...lets party all night and be a picky eater.
Oh, that first year with a newborn was rough for me. You sound like you're handling it with a much better attitude than I did. If you remember, I frequently wanted to give my baby away. :)
I love that you wanted to sleep until 2013. I'll be right there with ya soon!
I am so happy you are loving mommy hood. I can't imagine the fatigue but EVERYONE keeps telling me to sleep now and get ready to ask for help. Can't wait to see new pics :)
Awww! This post just melted my heart and it might have made me cry a little.... ;o) I will gladly accept help and I think that is great advise. What I think is funny is when people tell me to "sleep now" and I CAN'T FREAKIN SLEEP ANYMORE! I am so uncomfortable already (at night when I am lying in bed anyway). Oh well, like you said it is all worth it! And I am quite impressed you typed that whole thing with one hand (and I don't think there was a SINGLE grammatical error either!!!) That's talent. :)
Seriously so in love with your perspective girl! You are amazing!
It gets better, I promise. I remember being home alone when the baby was three weeks old (husband was traveling for work) and feeling so tired at two am that I didnt know how I was even standing. I felt like I was underwater. Fast forward a bit and he sleeps thru the night with just a few pacifier losses and in a weird way I miss the middle of the night feedings.
glad you are loving every sleepless minute :) This time will pass and before you know she'll no longer have her days and nights mixed up.
Awww so seeet! I can't wait to experience the joy of it all!
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