Our second son recently came charging into this world, seven minutes before midnight on Christmas day. Since he was due on December 18th, I have laughed and said that if he ever complains of having a Christmas day birthday I’ll just remind him that he was a week late in coming so I wasn’t waiting a second longer!
Our oldest son is now four years old, so with this addition to our family we’ve been thrown headfirst back into the world of newborn needs, which we had, for awhile, left behind. Back are diaper bags, leaky boobs, midnight feedings, spit-up stains, pacifiers, sweet baby coos, and piercing infant cries. Although it hasn’t been that long in the scheme of things since we had been here in this place, I was surprised at how many things I had forgotten about the infant phase (some good, some bad, and some downright ugly!), and also at how fast it all came back to me!
Are you in the middle of the newborn phase now? Is it just a hazy memory? This list of the good, bad, and ugly parts of mothering an infant will either have you smiling, sighing, or shuddering! (Maybe even all three!)
Nighttime:
The Good
Quiet time during a 2 am feeding, just you and your baby.
The Bad
When baby has a giant poop after feeding, requiring a diaper change.
The Ugly
When the diaper change wakes baby up fully, causing him to either a.) cry inconsolably or b.) decide it is party time and refuse to go back to sleep.
Naptime:
The Good
Rocking your sweet baby down for a mid-day nap.
The Bad
Realizing that you are now stuck in this rocking chair for the next hour, because your overtired baby will only sleep in arms and is in desperate need of a long stretch of sleep.
The Ugly
Further realizing that you suddenly REALLY have to pee.
Nursing:
The Good
Guaranteed snuggles every few hours as you feed your baby.
The Bad
Neck pain, nipple pain, back pain from getting into strange positions for those “snuggles.”
The Ugly
Pumping…enough said!
Diapering:
The Good
Cloth diapers on little baby bottoms are so cute!!
The Bad
How do they go through so many in a day? Either you have a ton of garbage or a ton of laundry.
The Ugly
How can my adorable little baby make so much of something so disgusting when all he eats is milk? And how does that substance manage to defy gravity and make its way up the back and out the top of the onesie?
Overall:
The Good
Realizing that no matter the challenges, our family is a little fuller now with our new addition, and looking forward to all the adventures to come as a family of four.
Although it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses, I have to say I am enjoying this return to the Land of Nod. As a second time mom I’m a little more relaxed, a little less critical of myself, and a little more confident in my ability to keep this tiny human alive on a daily basis. With all its difficulties, the infant stage is such a short time, and before long he will be running around playing light sabers and super heroes with his older brother.
