*Apparently I have The Bachelor on my mind.
The weekend before last, we took our first trip to my hometown with Cooper. Some of my family were able to come and visit him after he was born, but others weren’t able to make it. We were able to catch up with family and show off the boy while we were home.
Cooper was able to meet his great-grandmother.
Cooper and his grandmother, name TBD. My niece and nephew call her Ana, but I’m pushing a rename to YaYa because who doesn’t love The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood?
Coop and dad – doesn’t he look tough? I love this little outfit – they have them on clearance right now at Old Navy in different colors.
Oh, I just want to eat him up! I love this outfit. It was a hand-me-down from my cousin. I love oxfords on babies.
Cooper with Ana/YaYa and Papa
While we were home, we had an impromptu photo shoot with some hilarious results. I wanted some naked baby shots, so we stripped him down, and he peed all over Jason and then again all over the floor. It was funny to me because I was the one holding the camera. :)
I do believe Cooper was in the process of peeing on Jason when I snapped the shot on the left.
Double chins run in the family, apparently. Mommy, Daddy, and son all have them.
This mommy gig is no joke! All kidding aside, the change has been super challenging for me. Aside from all the false positive genetic testing – crazy doctor who burned my son – asshat doctor that won’t take responsibility for the burn drama, the day to day dealings with a newborn are so much harder than I ever imagined. Don’t get me wrong… I absolutely love and adore my child. But the severe lack of sleep combined with a baby that seems angry and fussy 75% of the time has me feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.
Today was a particularly rough day. Cooper woke up at 7am to eat (I hadn’t gotten to sleep until 2am, and he’d been up several times during the night) and wouldn’t take a bottle. He’d take two sips and scream and thrash. Nothing I did made things better and he proceeded to scream for four hours. I know there will be days like this, but I question my ability to handle them. I was an absolute blubbering mess and finally had to call my husband and ask him to come home early to help me.
I’m really not sure whether my feelings are normal, considering all we’ve been through and the regular post-pregnancy hormone changes, or if this is something more serious. If you’ve had PPD and would like to share what it was like for you, could you email me?
I don’t want to be a total Debbie Downer, so I’ll leave you with a cute picture of the boy:
This was where he peed all over the floor. Thankfully it wasn’t my house! ;)
21 comments:
DARLING baby pictures!!! He's sooo cute! Sorry you're having a rough time... it will get better! I think your feelings are normal for having been through so much and having a "fussy" baby. I know, when T was fussy the first two weeks, I was going a little insane. Hang in there, girl!
Have you talked to the pediatrician about switching his formula? Maybe he's got a milk allergy or some other sensitivity that's causing him to be so fussy. I know several babies who've had formula issues and ended up having to use Nutrimigen (sp?). Gas and reflux are two other common problems with newborns that make them a little fussy. You could try propping him up to sleep and/or using gas drops. Final tip, are you swaddling still? My little boy loved to be swaddled, loved his paci and being in his swing...those 3 things I don't think we could have lived without!!
Also, I had PPD and went on Lexapro around 6 wks. It helped but made me feel like a zombie. I stopped it when my son was 6 months and was doing great until I got pregnant again! Man it's amazing what pregnancy hormones do to our bodies! Don't be ashamed to ask for help or advice, there's nothing wrong with admitting your feeling down. Having a baby is such an adjustment anyway...even without all those hormones running amuck!
SCRUMMY SCRUMMY SCRUMMY!!!!!!
Looks like you had so much fun and I sure Cooper wasnt spoilt one bit ;-)
xx
Great pictures! Cooper is adorable! Let me know if you ever come to Columbia!
You are doing a great job Mom- please remember that you can't be expected to be a Super mommy when the baby is born right away!!!! I know it is rough right now, but this will pass and you will hardly remember the sleepless nights and fussiness. I wish I could give you some better advice than this- or better yet, come over and give you a break!! I would love to LOVE on little C!!!!!!
I think you look fantastic for a mom with little to no sleep!!!
~Becca
Andrea I didn't like the baby stage at all...I know...gasp!! I really didn't. Brady was a really "fussy" baby with bad reflux, etc. and it made me crazy. Seriously I was on edge all of the time. I would see people out with their happy babies and it would make me so jealous. Things really turned a corner for us around 6 months. The hormones, lack of sleep, fussy baby combination is a tough one. I think it's normal to feel overwhelmed. Thank you LORD that everything is a stage and doesn't last forever!!
Love the pictures but especially the one of you, your husband, Cooper and your 2 Chihuahuas. Great family shot.
My second child was the fussy baby. She had colic for 4 months. Can you imagine not sleeping for 4 months? Neither she or I did but we got thru it. Just remember sleep deprivation doesn't last forever and you will be grumpy and teary and that's o.k.! Ask for help when you need it and don't feel guilty, you've been thru a lot. Things will calm down and you'll be so proud that you made it thru. There is a light at the end of that tunnel and there are make days of joy ahead! Best wishes!
Hey, Andrea! These pictures are precious. I especially like the one of you and him!
I've never had a baby, so feel free to completely disregard what I say because obviously, I can't know what it feels like. But I think if you are even wondering if what you are feeling is PPD, maybe you should make an appointment with your doctor? I don't know what all can be done about PPD but if nothing else, it might just be nice for you to get your feelings and questions out and hear from a professional that you ARE normal. Know what I mean?
Do you have anyone you feel comfortable leaving him with so you could go out and do something grown up? Even just going to Starbucks or Borders and reading blogs for an hour might help you feel a little less stir crazy. If I was in Charleston I'd run right over! Wish I could do something to help. :(
He is so dang cute! I love all his little outfits and seeing pictures of all you guys together!
Hope things get a little easier!
Oh, sweetie, I will be the first to tell you that every single thing you are feeling is COMPLETELY NORMAL! No one tells you that when youare going through it. But it is, and it WILL get better and easier, and some days will just suck! :D I love the naked baby pics, too cute!!!
awwwww *hugs* that is one pretty family you have there!
It's overwhelming to be a first time mom, but you will make it through!
Have you tried some colic/gas medicine for his fussiness? I had to use some when my girls were babies and it seemed to help some. You can get it over the counter. The name is escaping me, but your pharmacist may be able to recommend some. good luck!
Cooper is so adorable! LOVE the pictures!
And my vote is for YaYa...so cute!
OMG, these pix are freakin' unbelievabley cute overload!
I would think that your feelings are quite normal considering all that you've been through. But what do I know, I've never had a kid!
I do hope everything will get easier in time. Having a baby is a huge life change and I would imagine it takes awhile to get used to, for both you and the baby.
love all the pictures. i'm sorry about all the junk you've been going through. you can do it!!
He is adorable!!!
First, let me say, Cooper is just gorgeous and I really enjoyed all the family pictures. And yes, I vote for Yaya!!!
As for what you're feeling, it is absolutely normal!!!!! It's hard enough to get into the mommy groove when you have a calm, always happy baby. But throw a cranky, colicky baby into the mix and it will make for a mommy who thinks she's losing her mind. Believe me, you're doing just fine. Lean on the hubs when you need to, and for sure, get out of the house and away from Cooper whenever possible. You need ME time.
Justine :o )
Oh girl, I feel ya... I'm already on an anti-depressant (Prestiq. I ain't ashamed!) And, I took it all throughout my pregnancy. I also take Xanax for anxiety. I'm a total basket case ;) I think it helps me some. I think the combination of a total lifestyle change & lack of sleep would make anyone feel different. I am SO tired all the time. I could only pump for almost 6 weeks & I was over it. I couldn't get up anymore & do it. We bought some Gripe Water at Target & we give it to him when he has hiccups or is fussy. He really likes it & his hiccups usually go away right away. You might try it! Here is a link if you want to copy & paste it:
http://www.target.com/Little-Tummys-Gripe-Water-oz/dp/B001J5LDM4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&qid=1267942987&frombrowse=0&node=1038576&keywords=gripe%20water&field_browse=1038576&searchSize=30&id=Little%20Tummys%20Gripe%20Water%20oz&field_availability=-2&refinementHistory=subjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Ctarget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchNodeID=1038576&field_launch-date=-1y&sr=1-1&searchRank=target104545&searchPage=1&field_keywords=gripe%20water
Things will get better soon, riiiighhttt??
Andrea, having a new baby can be really overwhelming, especially when they are crying and you just don't know what to do for them. Motherhood is a constant learning experience. Just when you think you have it figured out, they move on to a new stage and you know nothing. I'm still learning this and my baby is 19.
Love all the pics. He is such a cutie-pie.
Awww....he's too cute! I haven't had a chance to stop by since he was born so i'm glad i finally could. He's adorable. Love the pics!
My PPD was mixed with Severe Depression and Anxiety, and my poor Husband had to deal with it till our little one was 6 months old because I was trying to breast feed and they wouldn't give me meds until I was done.
Unless you go from teary mess to Mega-Hormonal-Witch, You know.. happy and ok one minute, biting dear husbands head off and crying at a Christmas lights special the next, everything you are feeling is pretty normal.
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