Friday, February 4, 2011

We're alive. Sleepy and cranky, but... alive! :)

Let me start off by saying that I couldn't be happier to have my son home. I'll take waking up to him screaming over sleeping peacefully at home while he was stuck in the NICU any day. Since bringing him home, I've finally been able to do all of the things I've missed out on since he was born: walk around the house with him, show him off at the grocery store, bathe him, dress him in real outfits, sleep in the same bed, etc. I feel like a real mother, and it's wonderful.
However, as you read in the title, Elliot and I have both been pretty tired and cranky lately. Why is that? Well, the moment he left the hospital, he simultaneously stopped pooping on his own and stopped sleeping longer than an hour at time. My poor little guy spends about 90% of his time trying to poop, and when his efforts are futile, he screams. And screams. And SCREAMS.

There are a few tricks I've learned that help:
- bathtime and storytime before bed
- dark Karo Syrup in his bottles
- laying him on his tummy {even though I'm well aware that babies SHOULD sleep on their backs. Most of his nurses told us that most babies with belly problems will only tolerate laying on their stomachs. He did this for hours on end in the hospital and turned out just fine- I'm sure he'll be okay at home, too.}
- any movement- walking, bouncing, rocking, swaying...
- CUDDLING. If he had it his way, he would only sleep while being held. Of course, since I also have to take care of myself, this is pretty much impossible. He does, however, sleep in my bed every night. Although he has no problem sleeping in his swing, bouncer, or anywhere else, really, during the day... he does NOT like to sleep alone at night. And he makes this very clear by screaming the moment I try to put him down. So, for now, he sleeps with me. I'm not sure how long we'll keep doing this, but at this point, if it gives me even ten more minutes to sleep, I'm all for it.

My husband also left on Saturday.
It was incredibly hard to say goodbye and it has been much harder to do this on my own than I thought it would be. I miss him every day and hate thinking about how much he will miss over the next five months. Elliot is growing and changing in so many ways already, and he doesn't get to witness any of it. Having him home for fifty-five days after Elliot's birth was perfect. I'm thankful for that. He is an amazing man, husband, father, and soldier. I can't wait for him to come home!

Now for what you were really looking forward to: pictures. :)
Things Elliot Loves:
Photobucket
Car rides.

Photobucket
Bathtime.

Photobucket
Being wrapped up in a fuzzy towel.

Photobucket
Sleeping {okay, not really, but this one was cute.}

Photobucket
Staring at lights and/or out the window.

Photobucket
His pacifier.

Photobucket
Snuggling with mommy. ♥

21 comments:

  1. Yay for being home!! He is such a cutie!! Alyson sleeps on her tummy but she is able to roll herself over if she wants now. Even if she falls asleep on her back, she'll always end up on her tummy.

    The Sweetest Life

    ReplyDelete
  2. You must just be in heaven with your little guy!! I'm sorry your hubby left, but what a blessing to get to spend that much time with him!!! The next 5 months will be hard, but you can do it - you have your little man to help you get though it. He's such a cutie! Blessing to you both! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. That bath picture is TO DIE FOR! You must be on cloud 9 having your little guy at home with you. He is too sweet for words and you are such a strong woman!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love that picture of him in the towel. He's sooooo cute! I'm sorry that you guys are having a rough time right now. Hopefully it will get easier soon. Not that my little guy's issues compare to Elliot's, but when his reflux was really bad and he was in pain he could only sleep on his stomach and the bouncer and swing helped too. I don't care about going against the norm when it helps my baby feel better and allows him to get some rest, especially when I know he's safe. Luckily he's outgrown a lot of that now. I also can empathize how hard it is without your husband. Ahhh, a few more months and mine will be home. I can't wait! I'll be happy to hear when your family is back together too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You know what's best for him and sleep with him forever if you choose! Do you have a baby carrier? If not I would HIGHLY recommend getting a Moby wrap. It keeps him upright and on your chest. Plus, you are hands free and he is secure. Once he gets heavier/older a beco or ergo carrier is the way to go. I've used mine since my baby was 3 months old (she's 17 months now) and still use it almost daily. Congrats on being home!! He's so handsome!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The last picture is so funny, he looks like he's like "Yeah, I like cuddling with my mom. You wanna say something about it?!" Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I cannot get over how cute he is. If you didn't know he'd spent weeks in the NICU you could never tell by looking at these pics. My hubby, who is a contractor for the Air Force and the the Army National Guard, was working all sorts of crazy hours when we first brought our little one home. Some nights he couldn't even come home. It seemed like I was doing it all by myself those first few weeks. I know its not the same as having your hubby gone all the time thanks to the military but I just wanted to let you know that I sympathize. The one thing of advice that I can give you is make sure you take care of yourself whenever you can. Don't worry about your house being a mess or other things not getting done. You need to stay healthy to take care of your little one. I'm so happy he is finally home and you can settle into mommyhood.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The picture of Elliot sleeping on the sofa is priceless ... I bet it is the best feeling to have him home. I give you a lot of credit for dealing with all this and now you are doing it alone for the next 5 months ... you are a strong & amazing mother!
    He probably is still getting used to his new home too... bet he will sleep better once he is more settled in.
    p.s. we had to use 1/2 suppositories on our girl - it's not fun but they do work and the dr said it's totally safe)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm happy to see that you are doing well despite the crankiness and lack of sleep. I feel for you not having your husband there and don't know how I could manage if I were in that situation. I'm sure you have tons of helpers chompin' at the bit to help you out with Elliot. That paci just cracks me up, he looks so cute sucking on it.

    Sabina

    ReplyDelete
  10. So glad you're home and happy - Elliott is amazingly cute! I second the comment about the moby wrap (or there's other similar ones, here in Australia we have a Hug-a-bub) - my son would only nap in that in the daytime for the first few months! He will nap in his cot now but I still use the wrap all the time!

    We also co-slept until he was about 4 months - don't let anyone make you feel bad about that, it's so natural and lovely to get baby cuddles and more sleep! My son is 5 months now and sleeping in his own cot in his own room, only waking once or twice a night now - and a month ago he was still in my bed waking every hour or two! But I do miss the cuddles :)

    Good luck with your hubby being away - mine travels for work a fair bit (although not for 5 months!) and I have found the best way to cope is to keep occupied, try to go out at least once a day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's nice to hear from you again! I think a week is the longest you have ever gone without posting! We will let you off the hook though since you have a new baby at home and all :)
    I have a question about the dark karo syrup- I have never heard of that before and am just wondering what the "science" is behind it? Is that something his Dr recommended? Do you add it to formula or breastmilk?
    I am saying a prayer for your hubby. Love our brave soldiers! And brave mamas.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just started reading your blog, and have been extremely touched! you have a beautiful family and are so blessed. Please know you are in our prayers!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm loving all the pictures of your little man, especially since he doesn't have his repogle tube !! Hoping it stays that way. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. hi, i've been reading your blog for awhile now but haven't commented until now. elliot is SO CUTE and i'm so glad for you guys that he is home now. i hope his health continues to improve (ie that he'll be able to poop easily soon instead of having a hard time with that, poor little guy)

    anyway, i just wanted to mention that while the karo syrup may help, it was in the news awhile back that traces of mercury were found in most corn syrups (weird but true, and unfortunate) : /

    anyway, best wishes to you all. and hi to elliot : D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Don't worry. Both my babies sleep on their tummies. My mom said both hers did too and we are all fine! You have to do what will get you through the day.
    Glad you are doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks just like his dad! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  17. He is so adorable! I love the picture of him all wrapped up in his little towel! So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's so nice to hear that you're home and everyone is doing well. Being home with a new baby is exciting, but challenging too. I know you're happy to have him home, but don't feel guilty if you get frustrated and cranky too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. welcome to the sleepless nights my friend! :)

    i must say i'm VERY glad you're here :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am so glad that your hubby could be with you for Elliot's birth and the first few weeks and I'll be praying as you adjust to life without him! Make sure to take tons of pictures because Elliot will change so fast ;)

    much love,
    Samarah♥

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your blog! I just have to say he is one cutie patootie! My 1 month old has the same exact receiving blankets AND seahorse nightlight/music toy! Small world huh?

    I'm glad things are going so well for you and your little family :). Prayers and thoughts are with you and yours.

    ReplyDelete

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
-Dr. Seuss