Two Weeks Makes A Family of Four

Today marks 2 weeks following the birth of our second child, Benjamin.  Although we somewhat forget about all that it takes to care for a newborn, we are starting to get back into the swing of things.  Truth be told, there have been more than a few sleepless nights so far and a lot of tears on my behalf. 

We can blame those tears on tiredness, hormones, frustration, and isolation.  I am one who truly loves to sleep, and it becomes hard for me when I go without it for too long.  I am also breastfeeding, which keeps my hormones up high, making me a little weepy at times.  The frustration comes from nursing a baby who did not know how to nurse.  Benjamin has had latch-on difficulties that he and I are almost through correcting. 

Then, there is the isolation.  Chris was home with me for a week before he had to return to work.  Each day we say goodbye to Daddy so he can go to work while we stay nestled in our home.  We cannot really go anywhere because I am not ready to drive, and I cannot lift heavy objects such as a baby car seat or a toddler.  Nathan has truly been a good sport about our current situation.  He has really begun to learn to play with his toys on his own and self-entertain. 

We have experienced the trial of having a newborn with jaundice, along with a grandmother who worries a lot and a mother who worries too.  We took Benjamin to the pediatrician 5 times in 1 week!  Thankfully, he is fine.  His bilirubin levels continue to decline.  He is gaining weight and growing.  Other than a small herniated navel, we may just have a healthy baby on our hands!!!  Yeah!

So if we are not going anywhere these days, what do we do all day long?  We rest, rest, rest!  We watch some TV - mostly Nick Jr.  We play with toys.  We do laundry or light cleaning/straightening up when baby allows.  That's about it right now.

Today we gave Benjamin his first bath in the baby bathtub.  Nathan helped me to gather the bath materials, and he watched me bathe Benjamin also.  Similar to Nathan, Benjamin cried the entire bath!  I am confident that he will learn to love baths as much as Nathan does, but for now we will have to make do with crying during the bath time.

My parents have been very helpful and for this I am very thankful!  My father has driven us to all but 1 pediatrician appointments.  My mother has come over nearly each day, which helped me not to feel so lonely.  I have already asked them to come back next week too.  Anything helps, and I welcome visitors always!!!

Last but not least, we will welcome Chris' parents for a visit in approximately 2.5 weeks.  After Nathan invited them over and over on Skype to come to his house, they decided to move up their travel plans to come in August.  Chris and I look forward to their visit.  Not only will they be able to help us out, but they will be a great source of entertainment and attention for Nathan.  I know he truly enjoyed playing with his grandad back in November!

It's been a crazy 2 weeks. . .crazy in a good way!