15 September 2009

I'm Here...Sort of!

I feel like it has been ages since I have been on here when in reality, it's only been a couple of days. I have been reading your posts, but have not been commenting much. We're a little overwhelmed here with getting used to have another member of the family, as well as the lack of sleep.

So, little Miss Alex is 5 days old. She is such a sweet baby! We took her in for a weight check yesterday, and she is only down 2 ounces. I was worrying because she still seemed sleepy-more so than the boys, but she seems to be waking more on her own rather than one of us needing to rouse her to eat. She is so alert when she is awake. I love to watch her taking in her surroundings!

Speaking of feeding, I have to admit that nursing did not work out. After about 18 hours in the hospital, we had to make a decision. Her blood sugar was falling, and she was frantically hungry and I had nothing-no colostrum, nothing. I shed many, many tears over this last Friday, but I know, in the end, we have made the right decision. Drew and Michael were such big babies that I would have felt comfortable waiting to see if anything came in if Alex had been as big as them, but after what I had gone through with Peter being so small at birth (4 pounds, 15 ounces), and now Alex, only one pound more, I was more concerned about her growing. As I said, after many, many tears, I have great peace in the decision we have made.

So, now, we are adjusting to our new life. Andy is home from work for 2 weeks, and is so helpful! He has been doing all of the running and shuttling of the boys to and from school, soccer practice and whatever else is going on. I am trying to rest when I can, although I am discovering that this is harder this time around with 3 boys who still need to know that their Mama is here for them.

Speaking of rest, I am off to catch some now before Alex wakes up to eat again!

7 comments:

Frizzy said...

Thanks for the update. Never having had the chance to nurse it was something I too mourned. Know that you made the right decision and that Alex will never hold this over your head. LOL You are a great mom! Take care of yourself and that beautiful family of yours.

Kim H. said...

Oh Therese -- it's so good to hear things are going okay. The first weeks are so exhausting, but it does get better. You have this huge adrenaline rush and all the excitement and then you get to come home to reality. But you're lucky to have Andy home and rest every second you can! It can be hard, but sitting on the couch provides lots of opportunities for book reading to little one. :)

And I wondered if you were going to call her Alex -- she's just precious!!!

Nancy said...

Oh Therese, I know that must have been hard for you...but you made the right decision. She will be fine and there are pros and cons to both bottle feeding and nursing. Just focus on the positive things. Now the boys can help you and you will have alittle (notice I said "alittle") more time with your hands free. You are an awesome mom....it's evident in the smiles of your children!
Rest and kiss Alex for me!!

Jamie Jo said...

Gosh, my post today is NOT aimed at you!!! You have to do what is right with you!! Nursing is frustrating and hard.

I think the "world" has a way of making people who do not nurse feel inadequate, like you have to explain yourself or something. You DON'T have to! You have to do what works for you, so you can be the best mother you can be, what God made you for. That's kind of wierd, though, considering 40 years ago, nursing was frowned upon and not the norm. It was the exact opposite...

My post was really for I guess c-section nursing, not nursing period, might have to go back and change the title....

Sarah said...

I saw your comments on Jamie's blog, and I just had to stop by and reassure you of your decision not to nurse. Then I read your post, and it seems like you have peace, which is wonderful! I struggled in varying degrees with nursing all of mine, and by the time I had the twins, I knew I couldn't do it ... It's hard, because like Jamie said, we can feel inadequate and as if we have to justify our decision. Even though we've made it lovingly, and with the best interest of mom AND child at heart. I pray you will continue to feel peace. God bless you and your sweet new baby!

Amy said...

Girl, I had that same problem with my second baby. I tried to nurse, and my hormones were so messed up and it was so hard, that finally, like you, after many tears, I had to give in and stop. It all worked out for the best, so good luck with that.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like everything is much busier around there!