the first act of desperation
For the first 9 days Harrison was eating, like clockwork, every three hours. Snuggling for a while with us and then sleeping like a drunk fraternity boy. Marc and I obviously congratulated ourselves on bringing the perfect child into the world.
But, as my mother so rudely predicted - “Just give him a few days - he’ll wake up.” - my sweet angelic doll-baby just realized that he is no longer in the womb, that he has in fact joined the human race on this planet we call Earth and he is not sure he likes it here.
He’s been learning a lot. He found his fingers for a brief second. Although, he can’t remember where he left them last so, the comfort was fleeting. He has learned all about his digestive system, although, still no control over that, much to the misfortune of Marc. And he has now learned how to FUSS. I do believe that we are lucky, as he is still giving us anywhere from 5-8 hours of sleep each night, however, there has been a few 20-30 minutes stretches in there the last couple days and nights where he’s just pissed. Marc helpfully suggested that I give up coffee today to see if my caffeine intake was the problem. Marc is a mean, mean man. But, I did. Jury is still out on whether or not it was the culprit. But, yesterday, after a night and an afternoon with three fussing sessions, while we were both trying to work, I decided drastic action was necessary.
After a little research and calls to the two Austin area BabiesRus stores I found the magic item I was looking for and sent Marc out the door to procure it. We had figured we’d want a swing for the little guy - that just sounds so much more fun than laying around all day - we just didn’t want to admit that we NEEDED a swing. But, yesterday, I felt we needed it and we needed it right then. I sent Marc out in rush-hour traffic to get a stupid plastic made in China piece of crap that will rock my baby back into the angel-faced beauty he was a few days ago. The $129 babysitter works OK so far - as long as he’s totally calm and a little sleepy when he gets into it - although, now I have to deal with the guilt of letting a contraption do my job for me. If it’s not one thing it’s another - onward into motherhood!
Listening: Beach House
at least he gave you 9 days and 5 to 8 hours at night is great! owen was pissed by the time we left the hospital. which is why we employed a pacifer, bouncy chair and our worst parenting offense, baby einstien beethoven (owen wasn’t a fan of mozart). yes we put our newborn in front of the TV. horrible i know but he was mesmerized by it.
Girl, you use any contraption you can TO help the little man be mellow. Swing, bouncy chair, ocean CD, the heart beat noise thing, plug (pacifier) what ever it takes. FEEL NO GUILT!
Aimee and Marc, I do not know your Aunty Margaret but I LOVE her. She made me feel so much better about putting Tyler to sleep (naps and night both) with a CD.
I have to confess that the “give him a few days - he will wake up” was first uttered to me by the same Aunty Margaret upon her first seeing you, Aimee, after a couple of days. And you did. I also loved the swing - but ours was the old hand wind up and the click, click, could drive you crazy but it did work and I was able to get things done. See you Sunday, Love, Mom