What I've Learned

First of all, thank you everyone for your comments and encouragement on the breastfeeding issue. I'm not giving it up yet. I've honestly made no decisions at this point. Things are getting a little easier with breastfeeding. We are definitely getting used to each other's patterns.

If you could fill me in on how things change with breastfeeding over the next couple of months, I'd appreciate all of the knowledge. For instance, when can I expect her to require fewer feedings at night? Tell me more about your experiences!!

Ok, what I've learned so far in the past two weeks (she's two weeks old today! Can you believe it??)

Giving birth hurts. (Duh!) It actually wasn't that bad at the moment, thanks to adrenaline and the epidural, but the aftermath has been difficult!! Nobody told me how sore I'd be the days (weeks) following. And I mean I was sore everywhere! Of course, I expecting soreness, well, pain really in some areas. But there were surprises. My biceps even hurt from pulling my legs back while pushing! And the stitches and hemorrhoids are still giving me trouble!

You don't need all of the stuff that they tell you to bring to the hospital. I didn't wear my nightgown or robe because I didn't want to get them messy. I did wear some surgical scrubs that I had my husband bring in for me. It was nice to wear pants for a change--less drafty! I did use my own underwear when I got up to walk in the halls, and my own pads. The mesh panties and non-adhesive pads they provided were useless if you're going to move at all! What else? Umm, slippers were great, the books and other things to do were pointless, and that's all I can think of for now.

You can function on little to no sleep. It really bothered me at first, but I think that I'm getting used to it. My eyes aren't as red. I'm starting to get more organized, or at least, I have the desire to organize. I'm feeling better. Tired, but better.

You don't necessarily fall head-over-heels in love with your baby right away. Don't get me wrong, it happens. But at the very moment of Maura's birth, they put her on my chest, and I honestly was so stunned that I felt more numb than anything. Maybe the epidural had reached my brain. I felt overwhelmed, amazed, and a bit like a deer in the headlights. Over the following minutes, hours, days and now, weeks, I have fallen, deeply in love with her. The more I'm around her, the harder I fall. The reason, in fact, that I'm not getting much done around the house isn't completely because she is so much work. When she's bathed and fed and all is well, I can't help but just stare at her. I'm so distracted!

So those are a few of the things that I've learned over the last two weeks. It's a lot to take in in such a short amount of time.