Wednesday, January 07, 2009

First Few Days At Home

This probably isn't interesting but I realized last time that I did not document anything on how I was feeling/recovering etc and I wish I did so looking back I could see how it was different or the same...

(Kai and Koen interacting at home the first time)


Good:
-Koen is a FABULOUS baby. He only cries for a minute when being changed and usually lets me know he's hungry by sucking his hand before he even cries. I know this doesn't always last but already, such an easier transition than last time!!!! He has already surpassed his birth weight. I have bonded to him immediately and it makes me feel a little guilty that it took so long with Kai but I think a lot of it had to do with Kai's birth and temperament. He is such a snuggler and goes down without a fuss...please let this continue!!!
-We are now adapted to our 3 hour schedule. Phew. Last time we used the E.A.S.Y method from Baby Whisperer and I hope to do it again (Eat, Awake, Sleep, You time). Right now he takes anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour to eat and then we keep him up for about 10 more and then off to sleep! Last night I slept 2 hours in a row which was the longest stretch so far. I think I slept 5-6 hours in total...not bad!!
-Kai always says hi to baby Koen (that's what he calls him, `Baby Koen') and asks him funny questions. He isn't too interested in him which is fine with me. We had one incident the first day when i said he can only touch Koen's hands. I turned around for one second and then Kai announced he was pulling off Koen's finger. Uh oh.
-Having Gary here has been AWESOME. He goes back to work tomorrow. I have really just been focusing on myself and on Koen. Gary has been doing everything; taking care of Kai, diapers, laundry, food, cleaning. Love it. I've got different family members coming on Thursday and Friday during lunch and Kai's bedtime to help out a bit. We'll see how it goes!!!
-I have way more abdominal strength after C-section than I did last time. I'm hoping that means my recovery goes faster but I am taking it super easy. I forget how long it takes for the belly to go down to normal size. I currently look about 4 months pregnant and am wearing Gary's clothes for comfort...I think last time it was about 6 weeks before I was my `normal' self.


Bad:
-my cold has been so bad. Coughing was the hardest thing to do. I have to stop whatever I'm doing, lean over, put a pillow over my incision and attempt to cough with minimal abdominal muscles. This means if I'm feeding or sleeping I have to quickly leap up and take care of it. I even went to the clinic yesterday but she said it was just some virus and I have to wait it out. Last night I took some cough and cold medicine and it knocked me out. Hopefully its okay to take, it did wonders for me and I'm going to keep taking it at night. I think that I'm feeling a bit better today and the coughing doesn't hurt as much.
-engorgement. I'm at a level considered `severely engorged'. I'm on day 4. It is painful and its even difficult to breath with the weight on my chest. I'm not exagerating. It's difficult for feeding (at night, I just pump and then feed him after Koen and I just got way too frustrated trying to make it work. Through this I've found that Koen is drinking 3-4 ounces per feed..wowzers, that's a lot for a 5 day old!). I have done all I can but there is so much controversy over whether to pump out excess, just pump a little to make it easier to feed etc. Every person and resource tells me something different. I just know that this stage will pass, although last time, i think it only lasted 3 days. I think I have enough in me to feed about 6 babies:)

***

I'm curious to see how it goes on my own. I'm not sure how I will work a shower into the equation...as for the house, I haven't cared about the mess so far. Yay.
***

Kai's prayer at lunch today: Dear God, thank you for the eggs, thank you for eyes, thank you for ears. Amen
***
Finally, I think we are done. I think our family feels complete. I know I can't make any decisions right now but I'm pretty certain. People wondered if I was sad that I didn't have a girl. I wasn't at all. I'm so thankful that I wasn't sad. I really enjoy having a boy and now I get to have two! Gary is super pumped as well:)

3 comments:

  1. Hooray! Congratulations. I am so glad that things are going much better this time around. I found things much easier with the second pregnancy as well....although I had 4 months to prepare while the babies were in the hospital. I think Koen looks just like his big brother...so cute! I love pictures of the first meeting between siblings. It is such an awesome moment. Now go get some sleep while you can!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Koen is absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations and blessings to the entire family!

    Remember that if you have extra milk and freeze it (dated) in bags for bottles, the milk bank would be most grateful for it. Your doctor should be able to help you with everything you need to do for that if you wanted to.

    Take care,
    Jen.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great suggestion about the milk. I donated a whole pile of milk to Children's Hospital when I brought the babies home. There are so many kids that would benefit from it! It is a wonderful gift.

    ReplyDelete