Silly Boy

Not even two weeks old and this little boy already has loads of personality. What a silly little guy. 

Mrs. E

Mastitis Sucks

Well.... it's official. I have horrible luck with post partum recovery. 

After having Sydney I had a very bad infection on my tail bone that required surgery to repair. After Henry I thought I was in the clear. I was feeling great and recovering quickly....until Friday night. I started to feel sick and sore and I really could not figure out why. I woke up Saturday morning after a night of shaking and sweating to a fever and a very sore left breast. There was no doubt that it was mastitis. 

For those of you who don't know much about breastfeeding, it means that one or several of my milk ducts are blocked and causing an infection. I called in to the Healthy Beginnings hotline for new mothers and they told me to go to the doctor as soon as possible. After waiting at the medi centre for a couple of hours he formally diagnosed the problem and prescribed me some antibiotics. 

The only way to fix the problem is to keep feeding Henry through the pain, taking the medication, heat and massage. In the mean time I am left with one super sore boob and one major pain in the butt. 

Crap.

Mrs. E

Everyone Loves a Swaddle

Let's blame it on the sleep deprivation... things are getting a little silly in our house. 

Sydney has been watching us swaddle Henry all week and was very interested in what it would be like to be swaddled. She obviously does not remember the first 6 months that she spent swaddled. She asked David to swaddle her after watching him do it for Henry. It was hysterical. She was completely stuck and could not get out but tried to sit up anyway. Absolutely hilarious.

Mrs. E

Mommy Moments

This brings me back.

I often cuddled Sydney like this and stared at her for hours. I would try to memorize her face and her smell and all of her mannerisms. I am doing the same thing with Henry now. I am obsessed with him. I love everything about him. 

Mrs. E

A Tough Day

I thought I had escaped the baby blues this time around... but apparently I hadn't.

Nine days in and the anxiety and tears have hit. It is not nearly as bad as it was with Sydney. When I had Syd, I was a mess. I was incredibly emotional for no reason and had intense anxiety leading into every evening. This morning I woke up feeling off. I was sad for no reason and I cry every time David asks me if I am ok.... He is being so understanding and supportive. I honestly think I would lose it without him. But I also think that is part of the problem. 

I have become so dependent on him and his help and support. I get nervous whenever I think of him returning to work and I panic at the thought of the first time he has to work a night shift and I am truly on my own. Tomorrow he is going to a track and field meet in Calgary to compete. He will only be gone for the day but it is the first day that I will be without him. I am scared. I was so upset tonight that he suggested I call for help. I called his sister and her husband and they are coming over tomorrow morning with breakfast to help out. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate this. 

This is the hardest part of having a baby. Nobody talks about it but most women go through it. You come off of such a high with the birth of your baby and then your hormones start to tank. Your body goes through an intense roller coaster of highs and lows and the potential for random meltdowns is huge. This is what scared me the most about having a second baby. 

I am really hoping to get over this fast. I want to ensure that I keep busy and try to create a routine. I need to tell David whenever there is something bothering me and I need to remember to appreciate these early days. I know that all of this will help. 

Mrs. E

Happy Birthday Uncle Ryan!

David's friend Ryan celebrated his Birthday today.

He stopped by to meet Henry the other day and we surprised him with a little Birthday cake! Sydney helped him blow out the candles and we sang Happy Birthday. Lots of love for Uncle Ryan! And check out that chocolate moustache....

Happy Birthday!

Mrs. E

Adjustment... What Adjustment?

We are all adjusting much better than anticipated in our house.

Life is getting back to normal with one extra little family member. Sydney is starting to get into trouble again and we are finding more time to focus on her. She is adjusting amazingly. We have found that the more time we spend with Sydney, the more time she is willing to spend with her brother. She is becoming more and more aware of his presence and is starting to really fall in love with him. 

One of my favourite new things is when she comes over to see him and asks "How are you doing buddy?" while she rubs his hair. My heart melts instantly. 

Mrs. E