The Wild Rumpus Has Started!

So, it's been a while since I've updated.

That's because at 8:05am on Wednesday, 22 June 2011, my Sweetheart and I welcomed our son, Max John to the family. He was 19 inches long and 6 pounds 15 ounces at birth.

As planned, we went to the hospital at 5am on the morning of June 22nd. We were  checked in and I was prepped for surgery. One of our favorite nurses from our challenging weekend was there to accompany us into surgery. My Sweetheart was given scrubs and invited to wait in the hall while I was prepared.

I was really scared about the spinal, but everyone was so kind and explained every single step along the way. My husband was finally brought in and given a chair next to my head. I hated not being able to see anything, but having him there was an enormous comfort to me. He held my hand the whole time.

It was kind of amazing - from the time they made the first incision until the time they handed Max to my husband was about 5 minutes. Wow!

It was overewhelming and strange to see this little person - this very vocal little person! - held by my husband and to be unable to hold him myself. That was sad, though I was very glad my Sweetheart was able to go with the baby to the nursery.

I was taken to recovery. My Sweetheart was back with me in less than 30 minutes. Before the first hour had passed, Max was brought back to me and I was able to breastfeed him. That first day, it was as if the Baby had read all the literature about how to be a Rock Star of breastfeeding. Since then, we've had a few more challenges, but we're finding our way. Right now, we have to supplement breast milk with 2 oz. formula twice a day (due to jaundice issues). I am not thrilled with this, but whatever we have to do to make sure Max is healthy...

Being a Mama has been odd - in one way it feels like something I have always known, but other parts were not expected. For example... I fully expected to lose lots of sleep. BUT. I had no idea that Max would not let me put him down the first few weeks! That first night home was brutal as I held and rocked him all night. When he was sleeping and tried to set him down, he would immediately wake and scream. I did not sleep one minute that night. Since then, I have been sleeping on the futon in his room with him. Over the past few days he has napped in his pack and play. And this morning, for the first time, he napped in his crib for about 90 minutes. (Before this, I got him to stay in the crib without screaming maybe 5-10 minutes tops.)

Max's first outing - to the local
public library, natch!

My Sweetheart has to go back to work tomorrow (boo!). He will be working overnights, so I think I am going to try to get Max to sleep in the crib a little each night. The goal is to get the Baby to sleep alone soon so I can move back into my own room; I miss my Sweetheart!

 Overall, though, it's been cool. Challenging, to be sure, but pretty great. Max is so adorable and amazing. He also makes the most entertaining faces ever. While I am extremely appreciative of the times I can put him down, I also do love cuddling with him or feeling him snuggled up against me in his Moby carrier.

Typing with one hand while feeding him is a challenge but I hope to get back into the blog groove soon. Besides Baby updates, I have book reviews to write. (While I was in the hospital, some books were sent by a publisher for review - woo-hoo!)

So, please be patient. I'll be back soon!