Working on the baby blog while watching the baby.

I’ve been working on catching up on sleep, learning how to be a mom, and still trying to fit in some “me” time. Part of that “me” time has been updating this blog, both so our loved ones can have some idea how we’re doing and so I have an outlet, i.e. I shall be whining (this is your official warning).

Some days are better than others. With a sleep deficiency and the hormones re-adjusting themselves, sometimes I’m all upbeat – let’s do this, let’s do that – and then I crash and I’m weepy. {Poor Blake!} Of course, I know it’s all worth it because Ben’s beautiful and that it won’t be like this forever. It’s just hard adjusting.

Ben's favorite place to sleep - and the only way we can sleep where I get 2-3 hours at a time! (Pardon my quintuple chin - just woke up!)

I’ve been sleeping on the couch with Ben as to not disturb Blake (one of us needs to be functioning!). And there’s not much Blake can do now anyway since I’m the milk machine. Ben hates his crib – won’t sleep more than a few minutes in it. We have a travel bed set up in the living room that Ben likes much more. But the past few nights, Ben’s been sleeping on my chest and he’s successfully sleeping at night! Of course, we get up a few times for diaper changes and feedings, but he’s asleep more than awake, allowing me to actually get some sleep.

I know eventually he’ll need to sleep in his bed, and that I’m probably doing more harm than good spoiling him, but I need to sleep! 🙂

Ben sleep in his travel bed, set up in the living room.

Ben is now a week old! And boy has it been a week.

First of all, I feel like a milking machine. It feels like the past week has consisted of three things: breastfeeding, trying to sleep, and wishing I were asleep. I didn’t expect to be so tired. But it’s getting better/easier each day. I’ve upgraded my condition from dying of tiredness to just tired. Progress! {Apologies to everyone for not returning calls, emails, etc. – I’ve been so tired that I completely understand why the hospital told me I shouldn’t be driving. My functioning has been minimal. :-)}

Because Ben's been a little jaundiced, the doc said to have him get some sun daily, or as I've been calling it, "burn the yellow off him."

We’ve been worried about Ben. He’s lost 11 ounces since birth because he wasn’t getting enough breast milk. He’s had a little jaundice and been dehydrated, as indicated by pinkish/orangish urine and lack of bowel movements. We’ve been to the pediatrician 3 times.

However, since my milk’s come in, Ben’s been “eating” like a champ, he’s gained back 5 ounces, and he’s doing great.

Blake, Ben, and I were at Babies ‘R Us today and an expected mom stopped us to ogle BOB. She was anxious because she’s going to be induced tomorrow. I shared my experience and week as a new mom, like the first few days of breastfeeding hurt like hell. I felt like a pro already.

Pixie awaiting his turn at the boob.

The cats are having interesting reactions to Ben. Mostly, I think they’re jealous of the attention. I swear, since having been holding Ben so much, and he’s so small, the cats seem to have doubled in size and hairiness. They’ve been good though. They periodically come over to sniff their new human bro. Ben’ll have fun playing with them/getting beat up by them when he gets older.