Billy started taking over bath time after we read this article. They seems to have gotten into a nice groove now that they have done this about 3-4 times. Billy has got baby floating (with head supported by dad) in the water after watching a video about babies learning to tread water and/or swim. Now, now, don’t worry, we are not teaching will to tread water or to swim. He is simply floating with head supported.
After the exciting time baby has with dad in the bath & shower he is wide-eyed and takes in the world at full speed. Daddy-baby bath time seems to super stimulate his brain.
August 29, 2008 at 11:45 am
· Filed under maternityshare
Today Will and I went to meet the moms (this is what I call my new group of mom friends that I have been slowly collecting) on College Ave at Ashby in Berkeley at Roma Cafe for some mommy bonding time. Will got hungry so we fed in the cafe. The other moms fed their wee ones too. Amy, one of my mom friends, noticed that the men that worked at the cafe (counter service) seemed uncomfortable with us weilding our breasts and feeding our babes. I usually worry about this kind of thing but today I didn’t and I felt good about that.
On the way out the door I tried to make eye contact with one of the men and give a sincere thank you. You know, thank you for your hospitality sort of thing. But he broke eye contact before I could move my lips. Oh well.
I got us all packed up in the car and was ready to take us to Trader Joes to do a quick shopping trip. We took off and made it 2 blocks before I gave in to his cries and pulled over to make sure all was well with Will. Just sometimes you have a feeling about these things. I wasn’t in a hurry after all and, I am his mom, his caretaker. Newborns ask for only what they need. So, I pulled over to see what he needed and I could tell that feeding was the first thing to try. Yes, he was hungry. I checked his diaper while I fed him. Only pee. I decided to wait to change him. While we fed I took in the scenery. I had parked in front of the Berekely Claremont Library. Nice building. Beautiful street. Wonderful neighborhood.
Done with the feeding we proceeded down College Ave so I could see what else there was on the street. Lots of interesting places, that’s what. On my way to TJs in Emeryville we came upon the Oakland Tjs just passed the Berkeley Border. Ok. Let’s go there. So (after a side trip to the natural pharmacy next door to TJs) we did our grocery shopping. Will got hungry AGAIN. This time he cried even more loudly that it made me think something was hurting him. I pulled him out of the buggy. He was rooting. Hungry baby. Mama feed.
I pulled out his little blankie, threw it over my shoulder and pulled out my breast. Lets feed. So what if we are at TJs. My baby is hungry. So I walked around, pushing his stroller with one hand while holding baby in my other all the while feeding and shopping (and trying to make sure my boob didn’t pop out and frighten anyone). Oh Will, you little feeder. You just fed and fed away. This made my shopping go slower. I had misplaced my short list and had a hard time recalling what was on it. I already have “mommy brain” but add to that the distraction of trying to navigate foreign waters while feeding the little man, and oh my I am surprised that I remembered 4 out of 5 items. I did come away with some things that were not on the list as well.
Well, this concludes my reporting of today’s adventures. My brain has gone to bed so my fingers must follow.
Will and I had such a lovely morning. We woke, we fed, we bonded, we slept some more. (Now, I did not catch up on my sleep, I just got some. I needed that.)
I feel like the last two days Will and I have been really hitting it off. We are starting to feel comfortable with each other. At least that is what if feels like right now. I think we are both getting more mellow in a way.
One change I noticed in me that has something to do with my part of it is that I have been working on holding space for what Will and I need right now and not so much what other people want for us. I have also gone somewhat inside. Almost like a retreat. I need to honor myself, who I am, and who the mother I want to be is. Its naturally all there already inside. I am just doing a little bit of a better job at nurturing it. I need to. This is how I will unfold and become who I already am. If I am not myself I am nobody. How can a nobody be a good mom, a good partner, a good friend? So, while going inside and focusing more on me (and Will as an extension of me right now) may seem selfish I actually think its selfless.
Well, its 4:40am and I am in my own little world but I suppose that is true no matter what time of day it is especially now that I am in a postpartum period. In blogging and in life I feel both my creativity and my self censorship are not at their fullest or best.
August 24, 2008 at 12:06 pm
· Filed under maternityshare
Tomorrow Will will be 6 weeks old. I gave birth 6 weeks ago. Wow.
I am still dealing with the “Postpartum Blues”. Its hard to describe to someone what is it like to be experiencing this.
The breastfeeding is going ok but it seems like Will is hungry all the time. I think this is natural and ok. He is gaining weight and has enough pee and poo in a day so all signs point to things going well according to the experts. Its just that when he takes a bottle he is out cold and for longer. Billy and I debate over these issues quite a bit. I have been thinking of what I can do to make things work for every one. I am still mulling it over. I am frustrated and trying not to feel inadequate. My pump is driving me a bit crazy lately. I hate that I can’t get caught up on sleep. This is partly due to the fact that I am breast feeding at every meal, or at least trying. I’m going to go to a lactation support group on Tuesday again to see if I can get help.
Well, here I go to bed, I need that sleep.
Tomorrow is a new day. I pray that it will be easier.
I saw this pod on Current TV tonight. It was posted about a year ago. I found it interesting both in content as well as in production. Current TV has been bringing me some great content lately. I started really watching it regularly since Billy started working there about 3 weeks ago. There is so much good stuff and viewers get to contribute with comments as well as voicing what things they want see on the news at Current TV. You must head over there to appreciate the variety and wealth of information that it provides.
