Baby is Here!

I have some exciting (and belated) news to share. The baby has finally arrived! Baby Ben came into the world on April 10th at 11:27pm. He weighed 8 pounds 8.8 ounces (yikes, I know!) and he's doing great.

One of the biggest challenges this time around has been breastfeeding. Ben didn't want to extend his tongue and several lactation nurses thought he might have been tongue tied. The pediatrician at the hospital disagreed and so we struggled through the beginning stages of feeding. At one point I was expressing more blood than milk and I gave up, then the hospital called and sucked me back in. After a 2 day break, I was healed and we started over. Currently, I'm breastfeeding during the day and he gets a couple bottles in the beginning of the night to give mom a break, then it's back to the boob. He's a picky little guy and definitely prefers breast milk straight from the tap over the bottle.

I've also been battling postpartum depression. It reared its ugly head about a week after Ben was born. I had it with my 2nd child as well so it was easier to seek help this time. Actually, Ben's pediatrician is the one that got me help. I was at a weight check with him, and I was tired. I had a breakdown in front of her and she called my OB to get me in for medication. I was embarrassed, but I went. I'm not sure if the drugs are really working yet, but having them gives me some sense of empowerment and when I start getting the weepy overwhelmed feeling it helps to know that I'm getting help and it won't last forever. Logically I know that PPD is nothing to be ashamed of, but I still feel embarrassed and like a bit of a failure knowing that I only made it a week without having to get help.

In other news, my husband took a week off after Ben was born, but he's back at work now. During his week off he didn't really spend any time with us - instead he did a fence project in the yard and crossed stuff off of his to-do list. Part of me is angry at him for that, but the other part of me knows that watching me sleep on the couch with the baby probably wasn't the most exciting way to spend a week off, so it's probably better that he spent time doing what he needed to do. It also gave me little trial runs at managing the kids alone. I was finally able to get outside with the baby yesterday and the fresh air was nice. The mosquitoes however, were not.

So that's the update. Not too exciting, but this mama is taking her time easing into caring for 3 little ones before things get too hectic.

Pregnancy Update: Week 38

I haven't done an update in a long time because there hasn't been much to say. I see the Dr. again tomorrow to find out if I've made any progress. I'm scheduled for an induction on Thursday, which I'm really not excited about. I'm huge, I'm having swelling issues in my feet (though Toxemia results came back negative - not sure how that's possible!) and I'm basically miserable. The pressure and foot swelling is making it hard to do much.

My sister is here to watch the kids when I go into labor, but it's been a lot of work having her here. Today is day 8 that she has been in town and it's basically like having another child. More dishes, more work making actual lunches (that she'll eat) and more clean up. She doesn't cook or clean or do any of that. I'm not really sure what she thinks she's here for? I know if I was going to help her out before the baby was born, I'd be at least helping to pick up. Or maybe I'd throw out some food ideas? Offer to make a meal? I mean, she doesn't even initiate food times, she just waits for me to actually get up and make something. I have way too much on my plate right now to take care of her too, so I'm just letting the house go to shit. I can't walk or bend or do much of anything right now, though I'm trying. It's all so frustrating.

Fingers crossed that tomorrow's Dr.'s appointment has some good news... like any amount of dilation whatsoever. I'd love if she could strip my membranes Tuesday so I go into labor BEFORE the induction on Thursday...